She steps out of the warm castle into the starlit night. Her red hair floats out behind her as she runs down the steps. She glances behind her before disappearing through the thick curtain of trees.
*
He stares out of the window, his glasses askew. He sees a main of red hair whip out of sight. He jumps up and grabs a cloak. He disappears. The portrait hole opens by itself. No-one sees him as he hurries after that redhead girl.
*
She speeds up, her breathing quickens. She shivers and her breath forms a mist in front of her. She pauses, and looks around. She turns left, her cloak snagging on a branch. She walks on.
*
He steps into the thickening darkness of the forest and runs down the path. He pauses, and looks around. He turns left and sees a cloak has been snagged on a branch. He walks on.
*
She reaches a pool. She stops and unhooks her cloak. It slithers to the ground, and she steps forward, towards the glimmering pool. She raises her wand.
*
He sees a glint in the distance and raises his wand. He walks slowly closer, and sees a red head girl kneeling at the water’s edge. Silently he pulls of the cloak that hides him from all eyes and steps into the moonlight.
*
She hears movement, and daintily turns around. She doesn’t scream. She doesn’t call out. She simply stares at him with wide eyes.
*
She looks at him, he looks back. She blinks. He walks towards her, his arms raised slightly. She falters, and drops her head to the ground. He runs and holds her. She is cold. He summons the cloak ad wraps it round her. Eerily, she raises her head. He sees tears running down her white cheeks. He brushes them away and looks at the pool. Memories swim before him – but not his own; a brunette shouting at the redhead; a young boy in an oversized coat talking to her with a flush rising up his neck. He looks away from the pond, filled with a slivery substance, and looks back down at the crying girl. He cradles her and she looks up, her face inches from his.
James Potter and Lily Evans’ first kiss; by the pensieve.
