Peace and Serenity

The sun had already reached its peak in the bright sky above the cobbled streets of Hogsmeade, and Annabelle found herself skipping along, her chocolate brown hair cascading across her face in the airy breeze.
She had so much on her mind, but none of this seemed to bother her. From the recent brawls at home to the recent stress at school, even peace and quiet was hard to find, but somehow she managed it, and the only place where she could accomplish this was outside in the mid-day sun.
There she sat, on a small bench outside a pub, her head delved in the book which, as usual, was consuming her thoughts. She chuckled slightly as she read on. After all, it was only a few hours earlier she had been given the book by Miss Finch, the school librarian.
Her eyes traced upwards from the edge of the book and scanned her surrounding periphery with great awe as she watched the clouds casting shadows of all shapes and sizes across the grounds. Peace and Serenity at last.

Charles walked alone down through Hogsmeade, it was a peaceful day. The sky was a beautiful deep blue blotted with large puffy white clouds. He walked through the town, breathing it all back in. He still had a longing feeling, for Hogwarts, and Hogsmeade. Now he was back, now he was happy. He was still missing something.

As he walked he spotted a girl, but couldn't see her face from where he was standing. "Hey, do you have the time?"

Annabelle froze, her gaze lay completely motionless peering up towards the sky. ‘Was it truly him?’ She thought to herself, the familiar voice ringing audibly in her ears, and then she was certain, and a vivid smile spawned across her pallid lips.
“About bloody time you were back…” She muttered happily.

Charles froze where he stood looking to Annabelle. His jaw practically fell open as he stared at her, "Is.... that... oh my god Annabelle!" He said but couldn't move he felt as if frozen by time.

The sudden stream of emotions was enough to propel Annabelle from her seat and nestle herself in his arms once again, but somehow, she couldn’t. Instead she stood static like a frozen figurine sculpted into the bench.
“C…Charles!” She finally managed to wheeze out as her eyes began to water and she leapt onto her feet shakily. It was him. All the time he’d been away, her feelings for him hadn’t dwindled, they were just as strong as they were before.

Charles looked to her again and practically ran over to her and hugged her tightly bringing her to him. He held her to him closely, and the rest of the world seemed to melt away. The longing he felt in his stomach was gone.

Annabelle wrapped her arms tightly around him, resting her head on his broad shoulder and as she did so the tears reluctantly streamed down her pallid cheeks onto his robes. Being in his arms was just as she remembered – Her very own heaven on earth.

Charles felt bliss as his arms were wrapped around her he kissed the side of her cheek gently. He was so glad he was back, back with her. With Annabelle, the girl who had his heart, such a long time ago. Now, she had it again.

For over a year, this day had been dwelling in her already surplus mind – the thought of how it would be – the thought of what it would feel like – the thought of how she would react to seeing him again, the boy who had the key to her heart locked away for so long. And to her surprise, it was better than she had anticipated.
She smiled blissfully, and for once, the smile reached up to her now streaming eyes. “I missed you.” She whispered through her tears.

Charles wiped her tears gently away with his hands. "I missed you more than you'd ever know," He whispered into her ear and held her tightly. He had missed her so much when he had been alone on those cold nights on the road. He thought he'd never be able to see her again. He was wrong, and he was happy about it.

Her gaze rose up to him as he gently brushed her tears away. His words sent her heart racing, her breathing reaching the point of hyperventilation and her lips curving into a smile which was as warm as ever. She stood up on her toes and rested her forehead gently against his, peering into his familiar eyes as if she were deep in a blissful dream.

Charles' arms held her closely to him. He kissed the side of her face as their foreheads touched. He missed the feel of her skin. It had been so long, he had almost forgotten what she looked like. Though the fire in his heart, still burned on.