Just a Glimpse: Walls of the Mind

Walls of the Mind

***

The rain had stopped, and the air was fresh and clean with a slightly musty smell. Water poured in rivets around Harry's not quite waterproof boots and continued down the road. His cloak was soaked through and clung to the chilled flesh on his upper arms. He was all alone.

But not quite.

A pair of tired, inquisitive eyes peered at him from behind a nearby bush.

"Hullo." Harry said, pulling his cloak tighter.

The little girl looked back.

"What brings you to these parts?" he asked.

He sat near the front gate of a large leafy park. Big, white, clean looking houses stood in a long line, tall and forbidden in the dim light, and fluorescent streetlights shone only to edge of the black trees. The little girl with the smudged face scuffled out, squeezing her hands together.

"I went to the park."

Harry nodded.

"You look sad."

He shrugged. "My friends are gone."

She sat on the curb, but not too close. "Mine too."

"Will you be my friend?"

She nodded, a smile lighting up her eyes.

Harry looked up--the sky was beginning to lighten. "Let's go someplace else."

"Oh! I know somewhere. Let's go to the playground. It's always nice there." She jumped up, and waited for him to follow before heading into the park, sticking close to Harry's side. The trees were bending down to the ground, curving gently over their heads.

On the right side of the park the pebble lined path opened up into a playground with a bright red slide and a cave that descended below the wooden tiers.

The little girl ran into a swing, flying high into the air on her stomach, and a loud squeaking filled the empty air. Harry didn't stop, and continued down the path towards the road.

The squeaking stopped, and the girl flew after him before skidding to a stop at the tree line. "Wait! Are you going to come back?"

"I promise!" Harry shouted without turning around. She waited there until he disappeared around the corner.

*** *** ***

Harry's mind snapped back to the present as a chill went up his spine. He could swear somebody was there with him, but he was alone. He opened his eyes, and for a second he thought he saw the silhouette of somebody standing in front of him, but it was gone before he could focus on the long stretch of tainted stone wall ahead of him. His hands were filthy from touching it, and it wasn't just the dirt.

Voldemort must die.

The thought sprung into his mind, and he registered no surprise. That's what he had come here for, wasn't? He gathered his resolve and reached into his vest for his dagger. He gripped it in his hand without looking at it and started off. His eyes sought out an open window and dug his fingers into the wall, feeling it creep into his soul. The black hole in the wall gaped down at him.

Voldemort dies today.

'... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives...' And it's come to this.

For he wasn't alone. And he had a promise to fulfill.

End