Chapter 1
The Fall
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The dim light casts long shadows on objects. I sigh, not quite interested in what Ginny is telling me. I twirl a strand of brown hair between my fingers. I breathe relaxing breaths waiting for nothing in particular. I give a glance at the entrance.
A tall man with silver blonde hair enters. At first, nothing strikes me, but I finally realize who he is. There is no doubt denying the similarities between him and his father. The volume of the bar decreases slightly at his arrival.
My jaw drops slightly, I close it quickly. It has been years since I've seen him. He's changed, but not by much. The air of importance still clings to him. I can feel it even from where I am. He seems to have noticed my gaze because he turns to my direction.
I quickly lower my view. Ginny begins to say something, but I hear nothing. It is as though, I'm blocking out the world for a few moments. I feel his eyes linger over me. I breathe a sigh of relief when he looks away and begins to walk over to the bar. From the corner of my eye, I stare at him, studying him, soaking in the almost magnificent radiance.
His blonde hair is a youthful pale yellow. One might mistake it for white. He is tall and well built. I bite my lip as I realize that he's handsome.
"Hermione!" Ginny says, waving a hand in front of my eyes.
I snap my attention to her. "What?" I ask exasperated.
"Are you alright?" she asks. There was a tinge of concern plastered on her face.
I finally notice that my heart is fluttering. A strange ache settles at the bottom of my heart. My breathing is deep. My mind is flooded with thoughts.
"Hermione?" she says my name again, looking at me, trying to figure out what is wrong.
"I think, I'll go now." My voice is weak. I feel uncomfortably pale. I barely notice her as I walk past and out of the bar.
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I reflect back to the moment. She is simply stunning. Her hair is long and slightly waved. Her eyes, bright and lost deep in thought.
Suddenly, I realize my own thoughts. All my life, I have been warned against them and now look at yourself. I shake the thoughts away reluctantly.
The air around me is cold and frigid, but the glowing fire radiates a soothing warmth over me. I frown and reflect upon my life, so much, yet so little. The bitter irony snaps with its sharp teeth at me. I frown, irritated.
I ponder about something I have rarely touched upon before. Have I really ever been loved? Could I be? The questions are slightly discouraging, but nothing in life is easy. Aggravated, I lean back into the chair forgetting about everything. Knowing that I need to escape to a sacred refuge, I close my eyes.
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