| It was the night after Shaia Fletcher was done with Hogwarts� for good. It was all over. She was going to be sent out into the world as a full-fledged witch. She wasn�t sure where she was going to go from there� it all seemed so surreal.
Of course, she had survived a whole month without being with Remus� while still being around him. It wasn�t easy for either person, but they had managed to do it. She had made it a point to avoid the Astronomy Tower at all costs. Her Astronomy class was always full of distractions. The memories of everything that had happened were burned on her brain, and probably would be forever. Sirius was suddenly very caring and always right there when she needed someone. It made her feel good to have someone on her side. He was very sensitive, never asked questions, and always made a point to answer as many as he could. Shaia had a hard time putting up a happy front when it came to James and Lily. She�d told Lily that she and Remus had broken up, but had spared her most of the details. She wasn�t sure how much she was really willing to let her in. But Shaia always made sure to cry in private. No matter what happened, she couldn�t let anyone see her obvious torment. It wasn�t very easy to keep it concealed, but she was definitely successful. No one had any idea that she practically cried herself to sleep every night. Then again, Remus had made the same exact vow to himself. He wasn�t going to let on that everything about Shaia made him angry with himself. She was everything to him� but he had done the right thing. It just hurt not having her in his arms. The day in June when Shaia knew she was going to be leaving, she decided that just because she would never see the room again and because it was the most comfortable place for her to be, she would visit the Astronomy Tower again. After all, she had always loved the room, even before Remus. She climbed the stairs and pushed the door open. The smell was intoxicating and instantly reminded her of events passed. She tried her best to push them off as she walked over toward her favorite telescope. She peered out the large window and sighed. Everything was different. She had found the love of her life only to lose him to something that she couldn�t prevent. She wanted him back, she wanted him back so bad that it took every ounce of strength within her not to rush back into the common room and beg for him to take her back. He would never relent. He was too strong-willed. �I�ll hurt you, Shaia.� He had already done that. What more could he possibly accomplish? Shaia was perfectly aware of the tears streaming down her cheeks. However, she was unaware of the fact that someone was also in the Astronomy Tower. He had seen Shaia make her way up and had followed quietly. He didn�t know if he should face her just then, but he wanted to see her just one last time. It was only fair. She ran a hand through her hair, mussing it up. He sighed behind her silently. She was so beautiful. If only he could touch it� if only he could be with her. But he knew he never could. The night was so perfect. The sky was cloudless and the stars shone their brightest. It was a starry night; one Shaia never ever took advantage of. It was the kind of light she had imprinted on her brain. He saw her looking out the window and finally decided this was it. He was going to touch her, even if it was the very last time. Shaia felt a pair of arms wrap around her chest and draw her in protectively. She was taken by complete surprise. Did this mean that this someone had seen or heard her crying? She closed her eyes and took in the scent of the person standing behind her. It suddenly didn�t matter if he had seen her crying. It wasn�t like she could hide anything from him anymore. She leaned her head back against his shoulder, placing her hands on his arms. He kissed her head reassuringly. Tears poured down her face. �Don�t cry, Shaia,� his voice spoke huskily in her ear. �It hurts me to see you in pain.� �It�s all I can do, anymore,� she answered. She watched out the window carefully. The stars winked at her and she winced. How could things be so heavenly? How could the earth be so beautiful when she was at her most hideous? As if reading her thoughts, the voice behind her spoke, �You have no need to think low of yourself. You�re a beautiful person, Shaia Fletcher.� She sighed and closed her eyes. �Isn�t it a beautiful starry night?� �It�s gorgeous.� �I wish I could be up there sometimes.� �I know what you mean. When do we get to see Venus?� �In the morning.� The person behind her smiled widely. �And there are no moons.� Shaia laughed, the first time she had laughed in almost two months. She turned around to face the man who had put the smile on her face. �No, Sirius. There are no moons.� Sirius only touched her face lightly. �I�ll be here for you, forever, Shaia. I�m not going to leave you.� Shaia didn�t know that such a gesture could affect her like it suddenly did. She burst into tears, flinging herself into Sirius� open arms. He rocked her back and forth soothingly in an effort to calm her. �Shaia, it�s all right. I�m here for you.� And together, Shaia and her best friend, a man who would stay by her side, stared at the starry night. Both of them knew there was a bond that could never be severed, but only one of them knew the loss they had suffered to obtain such a friendship. Inside of her mind, she would never lose her love for Remus Lupin. No matter how many years passed her. |
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