Are You Crazy Enough To Do It? Challenge: 376. (restriction) Has to be between 250-500 words

Daily Prophet Competition (issue #6): (word) escape

WC. 313

The Lost Moment

Her first thought was that they'd made it.

She'd never felt relief quite like it when she flung herself into his arms. He was okay, he was alive, he was safe.

"M'alright," he said, squeezing her back just as tightly. "M'fine."

Her second thought was of how close she suddenly was to him.

Her arms were thrown around his neck, his arms wrapped around her in some kind of embrace. He was sweaty, and covered in dirt from Tonks' poor landing, but she didn't care. There was a moment - she could feel it - happening between them, although there were also a lot of people around.

Her third thought was a strange one.

He'd come with Tonks, and Tonks was telling them just how amazing he'd been out there, how brave, how incredible. Her third thought was of just how brave he was (her arms were still around his neck).

Then her fourth thought was the one that mattered the most.

They were still around many people (Harry included), her arms still around his neck. She saw his eyes meet hers and the only thing to pop into her mind in that moment was a very strange thought, indeed.

I could kiss you right now.

For the briefest of moments, it would allow her to escape the craziness of this war. For one moment, she could be swept away into something resembling bliss…

But then, her words had to go and ruin it. They slipped out before she knew what she was saying.

"You did?"

She knew how it sounded, even though she hadn't meant it as such.

And he pushed her away, looking hurt and upset.

"Always the tone of surprise," he growled. "Are we the last back?"

And then the moment was gone, and she was back in the reality where she couldn't kiss him.

The moment had escaped her once again.

Thank you to Hannah (hannahsoapy) for beta-ing this. I almost feel as if you should be the one publishing this, with your editing skills! I hope you enjoyed this canon moment from a different perspective.