.
The Reunion on the Green
He found her in a park outside of the London city limits, a dark shape against the stormy blue sky.
"Elaine?" He said softly—tenderly.
She turned to him, wanting to run to his arms but not quite daring too. "Are you here to take my memories?" Her voice trembled despite her best efforts. She had known he would find her, eventually, but it felt like leaving all over again. To think that in a few short minutes she might be missing the most wonderful months of her life.
"Never!" He took one step nearer, leaning heavily on his cane. "I would never alter your reality like that and I would never use magic on you without permission." His hand fisted at his side. "I apologize that it took me so long to find you—I didn't realize you had truly left until after midnight," he meaningfully patted the loom woven forest green scarf that hung loosely around his neck. "And by then the last train had gone and…" he seemed to catch himself rambling trailed off. "Please don't leave like this," He finally finished.
They faced each other over the fountain. He looked tired and worn. She looked like she spent the night crying. A cold wind cut across the park green and sent their hair dancing.
"Like what?" She whispered.
He sighed, "Afraid of me—so frightened that you left with nothing but the clothes on your back. I swear I only meant to buy myself time. The only way to get a Gryffindor to shut up is to agree with every sodding thing that comes out of the wanker's mouth."
She was trembling. "Is that why you are here?" She finally asked.
He wiped a palm over his face. "I'm here to take you home or—" he faltered over his next words, "—Or let you go."
"Let me go?" She wanted to trust so badly. The panic was receding, replaced with longing.
"If that's what you want." He took a breath and then carefully stepped closer to her, palms open in supplication. "But let me do it properly—we will pack your things and I'll write letters of recommendation if you want them or not…" He trailed off.
The wind whipped silence spread around them as she regarded him.
"I am sorry I left," She finally broke the silence, "I panicked." And then she was in his arms, the edges of his greatcoat swirling around her as she buried her face in his cashmere jumper. "Are they gone?"
He held her tightly, dropping his cane, "Yes—For now."
She would trust. She would make the choice to trust him with everything: her mind, her heart, and her body.
"Then lets go home," she whispered.
He sagged against her slightly, cupping the back of her head to his shoulder and holding her waist firmly.
"I can't promise you won't ever regret entangling yourself in my life but I'll do my best," he said softly.
"Regret? Never."
Blue, #4