Live In This Moment
“May her soul rest in peace….” they’d said.
The winds howled.
“May she bless us all from above…..” they’d echoed.
A lightning crackled and struck somewhere distant.
“She was a great woman, your mother…..” they’d consoled.
The rain poured in sheets as he wandered aimlessly on a path as dark as the sky. The drops clung to his lashes.
He couldn’t see ahead. What was the point even if he could?
Hands limp in his pockets, ears clogged with the thrashing, roaring and splattering of rain against his face, feet dragging against the muddy slushy grass, head hanging heavy, so difficult to lift it up…..what was the point even he could?
And then all the air was forced out of his lungs as something banged against his wet, heaving heart. Maybe he was dying too….good….I’m coming too…..
“I’m sorry! Are you hurt?” hands fumbled and clumsily gripped his shoulders, holding him up.
Am I hurt? What’s the point even if I am?
“C’mon, mate! Hurry up! We’re waiting!”
“Okay, look,” so Draco looked, slowly raising his heavy as lead head and watching through his dripping fringe.
A nervous smile, shining cheeks, blindfolded eyes.
“It’s a dare,” those glistening smiling lips whispered. The voice clear even in the gushing rain.
How has he been smiling for so long? It’s been so long……
Then suddenly they were swaying to a clattered tune.
That bright smile widened and that face glowed under the soundless flashlights snapping in the sky. Draco’s hands were pulled from his pockets. They’d been almost stuck inside but he managed to pry it out, clasping them firmly in his own.
“We’re playing a game, you see. I need to make you smile.” Draco’s shoes and socks were sodden and clung to his feet while he was twisted and turned in the sludgy grass by strong but gentle hands. They were warm. How could they be so warm when it was raining so hard?
Draco didn’t know what was there to smile. He was just glad it was raining so that his tears couldn’t be seen.
‘Never let others see you cry, my dragon. Tears have a very high price if in the wrong hands….’
Someone was singing, a soft humming in his ears over the crashing rain. The thunder and the piercing clitter clatter of the watery needles against roofs gave the beats.
‘But then the clouds would open my dragon….’
“Dancing always makes me smile, actually. Are you smiling yet?” he asked laughing at his own question. The rich laughter rang in his ears, tinkling, as he spun himself before Draco’s still eyes.
Wet and sparkling and beautiful.
‘….The sweet bells will start ringing…’
“Hey Ron! Is he smiling? He won’t tell me!” Droplets sprayed on his face, from a different direction than the rain, softer than the rain, smelling of wood and apples not thunder and wind. The wind whipped that hair, spraying ink about.
‘….The dark gloomy sky will part and soft golden light will spill forth….’
Arms wrapped around his neck, “Do you want me to kiss you? Will that make you smile? It always makes me smile when mum kisses me.”
Draco realised he’d been holding on tightly to the stranger’s waist. He’d have fallen on the mud if not for that grip.
Strangers don’t help, then why…..out of nowhere……
‘….And a beautiful angel with gilded wings will step down and kiss all your pain away…’
Soft lips pressed against his cheek and Draco’s eyes fluttered close. They felt too heavy to remain open anymore. The drops slithered down his cold face on which warm lips rested. The warmth seeping through his drenched, cold clothes and colder heart.
‘….. the dragon will ask his name…’
“What’s your name,” his voice came out rough and scratchy, barely audible.
“Harry,” those lips were still smiling, soft and empathic.
He must have tasted his tears.
‘…..hearing the angel’s sweet name, the dragon will smile….’
And Draco smiled.
“AND – HE - SMILED!!!” a dozen voices chorused as Harry laughed and yanked his blindfold away in triumph.
Emerald green eyes met slate grey as the soft sunlight finally chased the darkness away.