Blacker than Black; Whiter than White
Part II: The Unlikely Meeting
I
Oh! Wondrous delight, to stand atop the rolling hills;
To hear the cathedral bells below resound in peals.
Laugh in abandon, ride with the wind that blows in warmth
Under springtime skies with golden sunrays pouring forth.
Heedless one's meal is missed, freedom shall replace her bread.
Beauty intoxicate, to imagination fed.
II
There she is, arms widespread, head thrown back, a nameless teen;
Sweet sixteen one may mock, though there lies charm seldom seen.
Fair in countenance, gentle in spirit, both combined,
Reveal a being rare in an age so unrefined.
See how her grey eyes glow from a soul that is taintless,
As her pale blond hair flows as one with her long white dress.
III
Content to remain, to be immersed in Earth's own song;
To embrace whispers that leave without a trace ere long
Till unfamiliar sounds startle her from wandering thought
And turn her round to find what mystical Fate has brought.
Amazement reigns as her searching eyes settle upon
A person who seems to spring from a different eon.
IV
She studies as best she can this man who comes from naught,
For here she meets no stranger, much less one of his sort.
Clothed just in raven black, his cloak sweeps in confidence;
That which lacking in his steps, mars his awesome presence.
Sensing himself watched, he halts and gathers up his wits;
Surprise well hid, straight and proud, he glares at where she sits.
V
Returning to a forgotten world fear grips his heart.
Perhaps 'tis why he chooses this lonely place to start.
Neither prepared nor at ease to receive social touch,
Yet even here he fails to avoid attention much.
A girl not unlike a nymph from a Romantic play
Is resting on the grass only several feet away.
VI
"A Muggle," he guesses aright, rigid as a stone,
Non-magical, but possessing magic of her own.
How else can he explain eyes that over him hold sway;
That stop him from speaking ill and compel him to stay?
Such radiance shining from her face in tranquility
Makes him jealous: he has lost it for eternity.
VII
More affected than he admits when she looks at him.
No judgement shown so far as his suspicion may deem.
Nor fear, nor loathing, nor cruelty, nor pity, nor scorn,
That leads himself to feel inexplicably forlorn.
Helplessness surrounds, he knows not how to deal with her,
Therefore he attacks in his customary manner.
VIII
She perceives unexpected threat and warning in his sneer,
Understanding then he does not wish her to be near.
Still she reels more from the nothingness that fills his eyes,
Swirling pools coldly blazing yet something in him dies.
Silent they have been throughout their unusual meeting.
At last she plucks her courage up to smile in greeting.
"Hello," she calls.
I
Oh! Wondrous delight, to stand atop the rolling hills;
To hear the cathedral bells below resound in peals.
Laugh in abandon, ride with the wind that blows in warmth
Under springtime skies with golden sunrays pouring forth.
Heedless one's meal is missed, freedom shall replace her bread.
Beauty intoxicate, to imagination fed.
II
There she is, arms widespread, head thrown back, a nameless teen;
Sweet sixteen one may mock, though there lies charm seldom seen.
Fair in countenance, gentle in spirit, both combined,
Reveal a being rare in an age so unrefined.
See how her grey eyes glow from a soul that is taintless,
As her pale blond hair flows as one with her long white dress.
III
Content to remain, to be immersed in Earth's own song;
To embrace whispers that leave without a trace ere long
Till unfamiliar sounds startle her from wandering thought
And turn her round to find what mystical Fate has brought.
Amazement reigns as her searching eyes settle upon
A person who seems to spring from a different eon.
IV
She studies as best she can this man who comes from naught,
For here she meets no stranger, much less one of his sort.
Clothed just in raven black, his cloak sweeps in confidence;
That which lacking in his steps, mars his awesome presence.
Sensing himself watched, he halts and gathers up his wits;
Surprise well hid, straight and proud, he glares at where she sits.
V
Returning to a forgotten world fear grips his heart.
Perhaps 'tis why he chooses this lonely place to start.
Neither prepared nor at ease to receive social touch,
Yet even here he fails to avoid attention much.
A girl not unlike a nymph from a Romantic play
Is resting on the grass only several feet away.
VI
"A Muggle," he guesses aright, rigid as a stone,
Non-magical, but possessing magic of her own.
How else can he explain eyes that over him hold sway;
That stop him from speaking ill and compel him to stay?
Such radiance shining from her face in tranquility
Makes him jealous: he has lost it for eternity.
VII
More affected than he admits when she looks at him.
No judgement shown so far as his suspicion may deem.
Nor fear, nor loathing, nor cruelty, nor pity, nor scorn,
That leads himself to feel inexplicably forlorn.
Helplessness surrounds, he knows not how to deal with her,
Therefore he attacks in his customary manner.
VIII
She perceives unexpected threat and warning in his sneer,
Understanding then he does not wish her to be near.
Still she reels more from the nothingness that fills his eyes,
Swirling pools coldly blazing yet something in him dies.
Silent they have been throughout their unusual meeting.
At last she plucks her courage up to smile in greeting.
"Hello," she calls.
