Last Goodbye

by Lupin
 
 
 

we leave that scarlet train behind, its bright crimson hue already fading in the photo album of our minds, a memory in the
millions of ones that flicker through our minds as we leave the past behind

his grey eyes watch me, with that quiet, closed stare. harry and ron leave - maybe they feel it too, feel that strange and not
entirely unfamiliar magic weaving its way around us, building seamless walls, blocking out the cheerful noise from the
crowd

two of us, such opposites - green and silver, red and gold - unwritten rules which bind us from each other

he walks over with his silent step, eyes still interlocked with mine - they flicker, and I see the real him, the one who hides
behind a mask of coldness. those eyes seem old now, older than one his age should have, still haunted by memories and
pain all too fresh -

we've all been through too much, too much. death has touched us all too many times

- he nears, pale thin face mere inches from mine, his silver hair falling across those expressive eyes. those slim fingers -

such elegant beauty! but his entire frame speaks of grace, slender and with a quiet charm, moonlight and shadows and
silken silver, mysterious and compelling

- caress my cheek slowly, his voice whispering softly, like the night wind winding through darkness, murmurs of nothings

time slows, we draw nearer, two people lost to each other and lost to the world, at least in this instance. a last - yes, last,
for when would we ever get to meet again? - kiss, his lips and mine, his fingers in my hair

the moment breaks and we step apart, the real world starting to edge in again

pained silence, and then he speaks

"I'm sorry. It just can't be this way."

a pause, as emptiness seeps in - or out? - as a heavy feeling of inevitability settles amidst the loud chatter in the
background

words choked by sorrow - tears threaten, his gaze wavers

"I wish it could."

why can't we even cry? but he still is not able to lose his mask -

his eyes harden, a sheet of ice over a whirlpool of emotions, and he disappears into the crowd

a tormenting emptiness falls over me.