InsaneJournal

Who: Holly Wilson and Broderick Cadwallader
What: REUNION
When: 9 May 1998; afternoon
Where: Holly's house
Rating: PG

The days since the war had ended seemed to blend together. Holly had salvaged what remained of her things from her dorm, and she’d cleared out all the clothes and books and knick-knacks that had been left at Tabitha’s house over numerous visits. She didn’t have to hide who she was any more, didn’t have to go on pretending to be Tabby’s cousin (except for fun) and she could introduce her parents to the rest of her friends. Except the only thing she still wanted after she had her parents and her things back was her boyfriend. She’d sent an owl to Brody as soon as she could borrow one from a friend, but she had no way of knowing if it had reached him. No reply ever came. She’d tried the Ministry, but things were so hectic there with the rebuilding and getting things back in order, it would be months before she could arrange a portkey to Belgium. She’d tried talking her parents into buying her a plane ticket, but to no avail. So she spent her days reading and knitting and catching up with her parents and slowly going through her trunk, wondering each day if this would be the day she heard from Brody. It started out as a typical day. Holly woke up early to eat breakfast with her parents before they left for work. She did some chores around the house, but they went quickly with magic. She’d never noticed before what a difference it made, since she wasn’t allowed to use her wand outside of school before now. The problem was, it left her with more time in the day when she had precious little to fill her moments as it was. She read a chapter of her book, made some progress on her latest knitting project, and sat down to unpack more of her trunk. She was down to the bottom of it now, mostly books and scraps of parchment. She sorted as she emptied, tossing most of the parchment in the trash after determining she didn’t need it any more and setting the books on her desk to take to her bookshelf later. Holly thought it was just another piece of parchment until she looked at it. Hiding at the bottom of her trunk, a photograph. Pulling it out for a closer look, she bit back a sob as she recognized it. It was one of many photos from her fifth year, but she remembered the day it had been taken. Right after they finished their OWLs, the whole group had run down to play by the lake. There they all were, laughing and playing. Sarah, Logan, and Evie, Josh, Rory, and Audra, Eloise, her and Brody... and Eomer. She didn’t know if it was pent-up grief at the loss of one of her good friends, or frustration at still missing Brody, or whatever it was, but the next moment she was wracked with sobs. Less than a full year had passed since that photo was taken--and the thought that Colin had probably been the photographer deepened her grief--and where were they now? Brody, thought dead for the longest time, hiding somewhere in Belgium with his family. Eloise... God knew where she’d disappeared to. And the rest of them had been through hell and back... except for Eomer, who didn’t make it out alive. What had happened to those happy, playful teenagers? The bedroom door creaked open behind her, but Holly didn’t hear it. For her, there was her grief and nothing else. Sometimes the body just needed to weep, and then she could cope and start to move on. She’d been through it too many times since the day she thought Brody had died. It was familiar, and she let it take control. The hand on her shoulder was light, gentle, but she jumped and reached instantly for her wand, spinning around to face the intruder, not even bothering to wipe her eyes. But as he came into focus, Holly let the wand fall from her hand, throwing her arms around him. “Brody!” she gasped between sobs, not knowing how many tears were tears of joy, or how many were tears of grief. All she knew was the warmth of his arms around her, that familiar sensation she’d craved so desperately this past year. He was here. God, it wasn’t just a dream, he was really here. “Hey, Hols,” he whispered, and she melted. She thought she’d never hear his voice again. Even after she heard he was still alive out there, she feared they’d never be reunited. And now here he was! She laughed, her body more relaxed than it had been in months. She hadn’t even realized how tense she’d been. She held him for a long time, a small part of her terrified that if she let go, he’d disappear again. They didn’t say anything, and he didn’t let go until she finally pulled back, her face dry. Holly gazed at his face for a long moment, drinking in the familiar features, noting how he looked older, wearier. He was doing the same, she was sure. His hand slipped through her short curls, twirling a lock around his fingers. She laughed. It was different, but at least he seemed to like it. Drawing a trembling breath, Holly pulled herself up to his height--he’d gotten taller since she’d seen him, too--and kissed him fervently, her eyes squeezed shut as tears streamed down her cheeks. God, she’d missed this. She’d missed him. He’d kept her so grounded during fifth year. And yet, she’d proven she had a strength of her own, making it through this year without him. “I love you,” she whispered. His lips twitched into a familiar smile, and he wiped away her tears. “I love you, too.” Holly could die happy, hearing those words, and she threw her arms around him for another hug. She’d be okay. Maybe it would take time, but with him there, she knew she’d be fine.