Apocalypse

SUMMER OF '93

      FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, Ariella stepped out of her small flat and went outside. The smell of the warm summer breeze, the sound of children giggling ringing throughout the air. Normally she would stay inside, rarely ever going outside. But after her consoler and father pushed her or 'encouraged' her to step outside once for some fresh air and do something with her life.

    After the war, she decided to leave the wizarding world behind and stay in the muggle world in solidarity. She got herself a place to live and found a job at a café near by. Throughout all of this, she has never touched her wand. Never talked to anyone back in the wizarding world, only Remus and Mary. Today was a very big step for her.

She finds herself in the park, only a few people scattered around. It's a quaint, and beautiful. In the very center of it is a tiny pond, the bank which two men sit on buckets, idly fishing and speaking low and rapidly. To the far right is a small playground with a rickety green and purple swing set, jungle gym and a small sandbox. An elderly woman sits on a bench watching two young girls take turns pushing each other on the creaky swings. Scattered all around are benches with armrests and legs.

A young Jewish man sits on one of the the benches, reading his Torah with a content smile. On another bench is a another young couple facing each other and whispering what are most likely sweet nothings on a mid- evening Sunday. Another bench is a young girl reading quietly with a fond smile. There are plenty of trees for shade, their branches swaying and verdant leaves shaking in the light breeze. The people pay no mind to Ariella as she settle down under a wide tree in the farthest place in the park. Only a few feet a way from her, sat a couple. They giggled to themselves as the boy whispered what almost looks like sweet-nothings.

    Sitting in the grove of blossoming trees, She inhaled deeply. The scent of flowering buds and summertime flooded her senses. The sun, bright and captivating catching the eye of every passer-by. Ariella only had one person on her mind as she looks up at the sun. James Potter, who was the embodiment of the sun. James potter was early mornings and adrenaline rushes. a mess of curls and brown eyes that held love and pure light. James Potter was the sun, and Ariella Sinclair was his moon.

   She was the stars, lighting up a dark canvas, each brush stroke painted with purpose. The moon, so beautiful yet so far away. Her smile resembles of crescent moons' and her luminance so iridescent. For the sun is always chasing the moon around in the sky -- two celestial bodies that dance around even though they are thousands of light years apart. Like opposites, like star-crossed lovers, they were possibly meant to complete each other in the most tragic way. His fiery and feverish touch combusted of passion like solar flares while she pushed and pulled the ropes between them like the tidal waves that lap lazily along the cold shores.

   His rays would dance through the clouds with ease creating soft hues to admire through windows. And she would attempt to do the same, however she thinks people find the stars more fascinating than her, for they hold stories and souls and according to legends, she held a dark side.

Years previous, it would've been James and Ariella shrouded in this park, accompanied by a wonderful book and the trickling of their beating hearts, flowing as one like a river into an ocean. But no. It was just her now - Her. What is the moon without its sun?

"Ella?" A male voice said in a hushed tone, Ariella turns her head to see Remus standing there-his tall frame towering over her. All these years, he still looked the same. The same sweaters that were soft to touch-the same smile that reached his soft brown eyes. "Moony." She said with a warm smile, she gestured to the spot next to her which he took sitting down next to her with a sigh, as they watch the sunset. "How'd you find me?" She asked, turning to him with a curious brow.

"Well, I did check back at your flat-you weren't there. Someone nearby said you would be here." Remus answered, "I wanted to talk to you about something."

"Oh? What is it?"

"Before I tell you-I nicked these sweets from the shop. Want some?" Remus asked, going into his pocket, bringing out a small plastic bag. "Of course." She smiled, taking a few pieces of sweets in her hand. "Remus, what did you want to talk about?"

"Dumbledore offered me a job at Hogwarts-Defense against the Dark Arts." Remus said with a sigh, lightening a cigarette-a cloud of smoke around them. "Are you going to take the job?" Ariella asked, quickly snatching the cigarette out of the latters lips.

"What was that for?" Remus asked, glaring at the woman. "You could die at an early age if you keep inhaling this death stick, Moony." Ariella scolded, stepping on the cigarette with her shoe. "One fag couldn't hurt anyone. Ella-Didn't you inhale the same death sticks when we were younger?" Remus said with a chuckle-popping a piece of candy in his mouth. "I was young and stupid back then-we all were." Ariella reasoned, glaring at the man beside her. Remus shook his head-laughing to himself. They were really young and dumb back then.

"I think of taking the job." Remus said, changing the subjects. "Really?"

"It isn't such a bad thought-being surrounded by children-helping them." Remus nodded to himself, as they feel another warm breeze-making the leaves shake with glee. "Dumbledore asked me if you could come to-as a Professor of Astronomy. You've always been good with he stars and space. " Ariella shook her head, "No-I can't. I can't go back there again-"

"Things are different now. You could look after Harry while teaching there. You can see him in flesh-not in photos anymore. I know you miss him-"

"I do-so much." Ariella let out a shaky breath, looking up at the purple-orange sky. "Look, just think about it, and if you don't want to, that's okay." Remus said as Ariella rested her head on the males broad shoulder.

    Ariella picked up her journal again, thinking back to her own years at Hogwarts. She would say it was 'chaotic' but exciting. Her friends did everything together-they were just dumb and foolish teenagers who wanted to live life to the fullest. They lived their life to the fullest even when life wasn't kind to them. They're Hogwarts years wasn't the best but to them—they had each other and that was enough for them.

Ariella opened the journal—the first thing she sees is the date. 'Summer of '75' She smiled fondly, nudging Remus, who smiled fondly—seeing the photo that was attached. It was them when they were only fifteen and sixteen years old.

   They were all visiting the Potters' ( who gladly took them in ) In the photo, James stood in the middle—his arms wrapped around both Sirius and Ariella's shoulders. His smile wide and bright. Sirius stood to his right, wearing the same smile, his arm wrapped around Remus, who wore a shy smile. His gaze not on the camera- but on Sirius. Peter smiled widely, his eyes turning into crescent moons.

    Ariella stared into the camera, her hair a wild mess and her smile radiant. She wrapped her arms around Lily who laughed, as her fiery red hair flew in her face. Mary smiled, posing with a piece sign—wearing Lily's jean jacket. Marlene, oh sweet Marlene - layed in the grass sticking her tongue. In the background—fireworks lit up the sight. Illuminating their faces against the bonfire. Summer of '75 will always share a special place in their hearts. "Remember summer of '75?" Ariella said, holding up the picture with a fond look. "How could I forget? The best summer of our lives." Remus answered, his smile growing wider. The summer that changed their lives—for better or for worse.