When We Had Shadows
( Everywhere and No-Where )
The wall was crumbling near where they sat, the tumbled stone overgrown with moss and grass. Dappled shadows from the tree overhead fell across them and moved when the leaves did in the wind. A boy swung his feet away from the long grass and their tickling tips, to draw his knees to his chest. He took a bite of a red apple, a crisp crunch, and chewed thoughtfully. His toes curled around the edge of the wall for balance, the cold of the shaded stone seeping into his bare feet as he stared intently off into the distance.
'Do you think there's another one?' the boy finally asked, turning to the red-head at his side.
'The old man wouldn't wake up otherwise, mate.'
The boy shrugged, then flung the core of his finished apple into the grass below and before him. 'I guess. . .' he said carefully, then frowned. 'But he's just standing there.'
'Probably waiting.'
The boy wrapped his arms around his legs and laid his chin on his knees. 'He's been like that for days now.'
'That's why I said he's waiting. Look, if you're going to sit here and complain, then I'll go join the girls.'
An amused smile flittered onto the boy's face. 'You just wanna be near her.'
The red-head blushed, across his freckled cheeks and to the tips of his ears. 'Shut up about that already. I don't like her that way.'
'Actions speak louder than words, my friend,' the boy said, laughing lightly, his green eyes bright. 'Go make eyes at her then, if that's what you want.'
The red head scowled. 'We're just friends. Friends.'
'Of course,' was the cheeky reply. 'Then go make eyes at your . . . friend.'
With a huff, the freckled boy got up and jumped off the wall, landing amongst the knee-high grass. 'Enjoy your whining self, you prat.'
'Oh, I certainly will.'
The boy was smiling when he turned back to stare at the clearing across the field. But, upon seeing two figures instead of one, he stilled. The wind danced with the trees all around him, swaying them back and forth gently, the leaves chattering, as the silence filled him. He watched the two figures, their shapes the only thing he could define from them.
He wasn't sure if he should go up to them. They were always the ones that were found, and not the ones to find. But after waiting a few minutes, he gave into his burning curiosity.
'Guys! They've arrived!' he shouted, cupping his mouth with both hands. From the thick branches of an oak tree, he heard three voices yelling 'coming!' He grinned, then jumped off the wall and ran.
He made a path through the green grass, crushing it underfoot. As the tree line came close, he slowed into a walk, panting slightly. In the darkness of the trees, he saw a boy – a tall blond boy, who stood lost in the sparse undergrowth. His shoulders were hunched, tense.
'Hello,' the green-eyed boy said, stepping under the cover of the trees.
The blond boy's head shot up and his eyes widened. 'What are you doing here, Potter?' He shook his head suddenly, his hands in his hair, clutching his head. 'What? I don't . . .' His shoulders were trembling. 'I don't . . . Who are you?'
'Why did you call me that?' the boy asked. 'My name is Harry. Just Harry.'
'I don't know . . . ' he looked around almost frantically. 'What did he do to me? What did that man do to me?'
'He took your shadow. It's the price of entering this place.'
The blond swung his gaze round to him. 'My shadow?'
Harry nodded. He took the boy's hand in his, leading him into the sunlight, and simply said, 'Look.' On the ground, and all around them, no shadows followed them. There was nothing, no proof beyond their bodies that they were there. It was like their darkness had unchained itself.
Harry looked up, his smile faltering when he saw the tears falling down the boy's face. 'Are you all right?'
'I d-don't know why I'm c-crying,' the blond whispered. 'Sorry. I don't know why.' He stared at the ground as Harry watched the droplets roll off the boy's chin. 'It's gone. My shadow's gone.'
'We're the same then,' Harry said quietly. 'I also don't have a shadow. It's not too bad.'
'Ha, I'm being comforted by Potter,' said the blond, before he froze and clutched his head again. 'Are you sure your name isn't Potter? It is isn't it?'
'Nope, it's Harry. Just Harry.' He gave the boy a quizzical frown. 'What's your name by the way?'
'Dra . . .' he started, then looked down at his feet. 'Dra .. .' He bit his lip.
'It's Draco, isn't it?' Harry asked kindly, placing a hand on the blond's shoulder. The boy immediately tensed, muscles tight and ready for flight. Harry slowly rubbed tiny, calming circles on his skin, to little effect. But he had to do something, if anything.
His question came out in a ragged whisper, 'How did you know?'
'Had a feeling as to what it was,' Harry answered, shrugging. 'Seemed right.'
Draco stared down at the other boy's hand, then brought his gaze up to Harry. The intensity in those grey eyes was almost alarming. 'Why do I feel like I know you?'
'Because you probably did.'
'But why don't I remember you?'
A sigh left Harry's lips. He looked up at the heavy branches above them, seeing the barest patches of light shining in at places. He felt a soft sadness for this boy in front him – there was always pain in loss and even more in forgetting. 'You've lost your memories. Like I have.'
Draco stared at him, stunned. Slowly, after a few moments, he began to shake his head from side to side, his eyes wide and brimming with fresh tears. He mouthed words that Harry couldn't catch over and over, between fast choked breaths.
Harry's grip tightened around the boy's shoulder. 'Draco,' he said firmly, steadily. 'Relax. It's going to happen. It's part of the price you agreed to.' He used his other hand to hold and turn Draco's face towards his. 'I remember being bewildered and angry when I first came here . . . but the reason for those emotions is so faint a memory now. It won't be like this forever – you'll forget that you even forgot.'
'What if I don't want that?'
'You won't remember that want,' Harry said bluntly. He let go of his shoulder and gave him a warm smile. 'It's really not that bad here. If I can be happy here, then you can too.'
Draco rubbed his eyes. He had long fingers. And Harry followed their length, from knuckle to nail, seeing the slight trembles and twitches. His hands were large, but at the same time elegant and almost delicate.
'I don't understand . . .' Draco murmured, tugging loose strands of hair back from his face. 'My head feels like a mess.'
'You'll get used to it, trust me,' Harry offered with a wry grin. At the sound of many, and fast footfalls – he turned in the direction of the field. Three pink-cheeked and waving shapes – one tall and lanky, another bushy-haired and the last unbelievably freckled and red-haired – came rushing towards the two boys.
'And here is the rest,' Harry said brightly. He flashed a smile at Draco. 'Welcome to no-where and everywhere.'
