Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Nor do I make any money.

Arrows

A/N: When I saw the prompt, I immediately thought of the arrow paradox – very basic explanation in relationship to this piece is to think of this piece as containing snapshots, scenes at a particular instance of time. In my defense, my university degree is in mathematics and art history. Also the day I wrote this piece I had read this wonderful ficlet by LJ user tania_sings – "In Pictures" which provided the rest of the inspiration. This may be my favorite piece written to date.

Warning – this piece is very experimental, but you should get a glimpse of how my imagination works as I write. After reading this go look at the paintings by Joaquin Sorolla (especially "Mending the Sail" from 1896) and you will have a complete picture of how scenes appear in my head.

Forgiveness.

An infirmary. Rows of beds empty of patients except hers. Highlighted by coloured light streaming in from stain glass windows. He was sitting on her bed. His body touching hers. His hands cupping both sides of her face. His body leaning over. His head down in prayer. His eyes closed as were her's. His tie gone. His sleeves rolled up. Red stains covering his shirt. Him begging for her forgiveness. Her hands wrapped tightly around around his wrists. Her pleading with him. Begging him to hear her offer of absolution. Tears on her bandaged cheek. A group of boys. A group of girls. Intermingled. All in uniform. All watching the pair. Watching and waiting.

Sorrow.

The same infirmary. Different time. Different day. Same boy. He sits in a wingback chair. It stands by her bed. Legs outstretched resting on the bed. Hands folded resting on his lap. Head titled, chin resting on his chest. He is asleep. Same Girl. A white cotton night dress. Red scar across her neck. Several across her arm. Thick scars on her legs. Wide awake. Hazel eyes focused on the boy. Standing in front of him. Leaning over. Her hand brushing his hair out of his face. Tear falling. Still silently pleading with the sleeping boy. Begging him to forgive himself. New Boy sitting on another bed watching in the shadows. Glasses on his face. Legs pulled up to his chest. Arms wrapped around his legs. Wand in his hand. Eyes glued to the girl watching the boy. Watching the moment in unspoken awe.

Penance.

A hallway. Different time. Different day. Same boy, tall and lanky. Same girl, petite and delicate. Walking. Both in uniforms: slacks, collared shirt, sweaters. Cloaks bellowing behind. His tie, red and gold. Her tie, green and silver. His red hair, long and shaggy. Her black hair, longer and straight. Both heads hung down low. He carries two school bags. She holds onto his sleeve. Not his arm. Not his hand. His sleeve. Heads are turned around them. Looking at them. Most in sadness. Others in concern. Those have their wands at ready.

Absolution.

A common room. Different time. Different day. Same boy. Same girl. Both in jeans. His quidditch jersey is orange. Hers is his. He sits in an easy chair. She sits in his lap. Her legs over his. Her head resting on his shoulder. Pressing into his neck. Her eyes closed. Her hand resting on his chest. Covering his heart. His hand covering hers. She is a sleep. His lips pressed to the top of her head. His eyes closed. Accepting the absolution she has freely offered. Silver grey eyes watching the pair; deep in the shadows. His wand in his hand. A knowing soft smile on his face.

Peace.

A bed. Crimson curtains trimmed in gold hanging from the tester. Early morning. Soft morning light illuminating the two sleeping bodies. Crimson and gold coverlet covering two bodies. Same boy. Same girl. He lays on his side. So does she. She is wearing a tank. Red scars peaking out from the tank. His bare arm wrapped around her. White scars litter his forearms. A glimpse of a naked shoulder. Holding her against his body. Her head below his. Tucked. His chin resting on her head. On the same shared pillow. His eyes are closed. Her eyes too. Faces relaxed. Lips slightly open. Both asleep. Both at peace. A girl watches from another bed. Her red hair pulled back. Her wand in her hand. A relieved smile on her face.