Autumn Rain

It was a dreary day and yet some how incredibly beautiful. It was wet with large drops of water falling from the gray sky and much larger puddles pooling out in even the slightest craters. The wind was harsh, whipping at the red and gold painted trees roughly, tearing their delicate leaves from the battered branches.

Yet it was warm. The air carried the fresh scents of rain and autumn mingling with the smell of rot as the seasons changed for the fourth time that year. Thunder rumbled threateningly over the roar of the wind and the rain.

I stood out in the middle of this chaos, raindrops streaking my face like tears. The day suited my mood perfectly. The earth was in disarray and so was I. It cried the tears I could not and the wind howled the outrage I had lost the will to express. Even the thunder promised things I no longer cared to. The sky was darkening considerably and I had no greater desire than to be consumed by it.

I was looking into forever. The world showed no signs of stopping. I wondered how I could end while everything around me kept going, fueled on by some source I could not find. I knew there was something there. Something that urged life to continue and urged the storm to drive on. Why had it forsaken me? Why was I being left behind while everything raged around me?

Why do you ask questions to which you already know the answers?

I hadn't lost my passion for life. I had given it up. My desire wasn't stolen from me; I no longer wanted it. The intensity, which was synonymous with the Weasley red, had left me. The famous temper was gone too. Forever was an infinity away and I did not care to see it. I knew what I needed to carry on but I would not find it because I refused to look.

I knew I was soaked to the bone. My clothing clung to my skin and my hair was hanging around my face and neck in frizzy, wet tendrils. The wind ripped at my body as well, pelting me with the falling rain. I supposed I should feel cold or uncomfortable but it has been a long time since I felt anything.

Perhaps that's why I was so surprised when a pair of strong, warm arms wrapped themselves around my stomach. I was pulled back gently into a firm body. I didn't struggle; I just let myself be held by this unknown person. I allowed myself to lean into him, for it was obviously a 'him', and resting my head on his shoulder, I closed my eyes. I could feel him. I could feel the warmth radiating off of him and I could feel his heart beating into my back. I felt his breath against my ear and his body pressing into mine.

Although it was a great surprise to feel the physical sensations, I was astounded when my emotions woke up from their slumber. My heart began to ache with an intensity that I had never known. It wasn't until I tasted salt on my lips that I realized I was crying. I opened my eyes, suddenly wanting nothing more than to see the face of the person who had reawakened me.

I turned in the stranger's arms and he made no effort to still me. Gazing up into his cool, gray eyes, I gasped. Never would I have expected to see him, to feel his arms around my waist. Yet I felt my heart flutter and a rush of desire surged through me.

He held my gaze for a moment before bringing one hand up to gently wipe the tears from my face and push my hair back from my eyes. He put one finger under my chin and lifted my face to his and I felt my heart leap into my throat.

"You are too beautiful to cry," he whispered.

There was a light in his eyes I had never seen before and I found myself questioning whether this was because it had never been there or if it was because I had not bothered to see it. I couldn't remember anyone having ever been so gentle and loving with me before and I marveled that out of everyone, he would be the man to do it.

Just as I was beginning to want nothing more than to feel his lips against mine, he kissed me. His lips were soft and smooth just like his kiss and my arms moved from their resting place on his chest to wrap around his neck. I opened my mouth to deepen the kiss and as his tongue brushed mine, all the walls I had built up around myself came crumbling down. I clung to him as if my life depended on it and all coherent thoughts flew from my mind. I just knew that I had found the one thing I needed to make me feel alive. He pulled away from me slowly and I gazed up into his eyes. They matched the darkening sky and the thoughts that had filled me before he had appeared.

"Why?" I asked breathlessly, hoping he knew what I meant for I was too worn to say it.

He watched me for a long minute, apparently deep in thought. Finally, he answered me.

"You looked like a goddess; Too good to be true and I needed to prove that you weren't."

"What happened to the boy I once knew?" I whispered, touching his cheek lightly to make sure he was real.

" He disappeared when you lost yourself, Virginia," he said, cupping his hand to the side of my face and stroking my cheek with his thumb.

My eyes fluttered closed and I leaned into his light caress. I felt his lips touch my forehead and my eyes flew open again. I was staring into his silver-gray gaze when it dawned on me.

I was looking into forever. The world showed no signs of stopping and I was being whisked along for the ride. I wondered how I could have thought of stopping while everything around me kept going.

I was looking into forever and I wanted nothing more than to see what was on the other side.

I smiled up at him and said, "Come on, let's get out of this dismal weather."

He took my hand and together we walked back to the castle.

Forever was looking pretty good right now.