Melody of the Sycamore Leaves

The chilly October breeze was blowing mercilessly through the crowded Apollo Park, causing one occupant to tighten her cloak around her slender frame.  Irritated by the way the gust was blowing her already untamed hair, she tied her brown locks into a restrictive ponytail on the top of her head. Satisfied that her vision was now clear, Kaitlyn Rogers turned her attention back to the base of the tall sycamore tree.
 
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of a dozen brightly colored leaves. Straining her wind nipped ears, she found a melody among the rustling. A chorus, celebrating the fruits of life, sang to her. Beautiful pumpkin orange mixed with a butternut squash yellow, dancing in circles around the tall, uncut green grass. It was a game of tag, the ultimate chase, as they scurried around the trunk of the sycamore tree. As the wind picked up pace, the leaves rose higher from the ground. The higher they went, the more prominent the song became, singing for the entire park to hear.
 
Months had passed since Riley's death, and each day was a slow recovery. Somehow, she found that coming to this park raised her spirits greatly. Perhaps it was the fresh air, but nothing calmed her more than watching the leaves in their games and song. Each minuscule movement reminded her of why Riley had died: to protect every amazing moment like this. It would never seem much to anyone else, but Kaitlyn could feel the freedom. The liberation that the scurrying leaves represented gave her the satisfaction of a smile every time she witnessed them.
 
If Riley was looking down on this very moment, he would certainly be entertained by Kaitlyn's next action. Needing to feel free, she fastened her cloak and wrapped her pink scarf tighter, and stood from the bench that she had been stationed on. With a few long strides, she reached the waltzing leaves and stood idly in the middle of them. She watched the colors blend and bustle around her as the wind picked them up from the ground. Kaitlyn held her arms outstretched, like she was welcoming them into her personal space. A small smile appeared on her wind burned face as she looked to the sky.
 
You didn't die in vein, Riley she thought proudly to the heavens. The brilliant orange and yellow swirled more naturally around her. She began twirling in a circle, joining in their fun. The cheerful song became a part of her, striking joyous chords within her heart. As she felt the tempo fade, she closed her honey eyes, willing the melody to continue.
 
She watched a single flaming red leaf shuffle in to mix with the others. Memories came flooding back to her, causing her eyes to sting with both happy and sad tears. Wiping her eyes dry with her knitted scarf, she welcomed the joyful memories into her mind.


His strong hands grasped her tiny ones, in a tugging hold that dragged her one small step behind him.  Crunching leaves and breaking sticks were the only noise heard for miles around.  Since the second rise of the German Empire, Apollo Park had become empty; its normal inhabitants fearing what would happen should they venture out into the open.

 
Kaitlyn's breathing became a bit ragged from running into the park behind Harry.  Her cheeks were tinged pink from the wind that was blowing mercilessly against her face. Still, Riley kept his pace, not halting until he reached the trunk of a mighty tall sycamore tree.  Shoving a cold, wind-burned hand into his robe pockets, Harry withdrew a small brass knife and swung the blade into the open.  He turned to face Kaitlyn, whose sparkling honey eyes were smiling at him, encouraging him to continue in his gesture.  Rather than remove his hand from hers, he brought the entwined fingers up, and wrapped them around the base of the flashy knife.  As they held it to the trunk of the tree, small letters began forming into the bark.  Indented into the graying bark, was a declaration of love - 'RP and KR Forever.'

Kaitlyn giggled and traced the words with her jagged fingernails.  When she finally dragged her gaze back to where Riley was standing, he was gone. Horror struck, she whipped around to search for him, but found him nowhere. Terror filled her eyes; an impending doom was striking at her heart. This wasn't supposed to happen now, hopefully not ever. 

She searched the park, seeing only brightly colored leaves fluttering around in the midst of her panic. Pacing herself in a quick step, Kaitlyn walked around the base of the tree, in order to see the park in all of its aspects.  A pair of firm hands reached up to her waist from behind and dragged her down onto the hard autumn ground, engrossing her in the leaves that had fallen from the cold.  A high-pitched scream echoed around the park just as Riley's passionate lips were melting over her own.  Riley, who had been hiding in a pile of leaves, pulled back from the kiss and flashed her a mischievous grin before sweeping a rogue strand of hair from her eyes.

It was a magical moment, yet completely natural, when the leaves began swirling their brilliant colors around the couple.  A melody among the leaves that danced at the base of the sycamore tree began to play in a classical tempo, whirling around like a tornado in a stand still.  Much like the song of a phoenix, the chords struck an emotional tow in the lovers as they stood up to dance to the music; the music that only they could hear.  One of Riley's strong hands were planted on Kaitlyn's waist, and he took his other hand and caught hers, holding it articulately in place next to their swaying bodies.
 
Time stood still, and if only for a brief moment, it was just Riley and Kaitlyn lost in the rhythm of love.  As they danced, nothing mattered; neither the German Empire nor their army.  It was almost as if the fatal battle never had to happen. 
 
 
Darkness began to creep along the sapphire sky, pulling Kaitlyn out of her reminiscent state.  The day that Riley asked her to be his wife would never be forgotten.  This park, these leaves, and the mighty Sycamore tree that held their initials would always be their special place.  Her slender fingers slid over the engraved letters of the tree before she turned to face the settling leaves.
 
The winds died down leaving the leaves rustling tiredly at Hermione's feet. Though the melody of the dancing sycamore leaves had ended, Hermione could still feel it within her soul.  She never wanted to forget a moment like this, a moment of remembering why she should live.

It was for small, mundane scenarios like this: the Melodies of Sycamore Leaves. Determined to remember her days' conquest, she bent down to the frolicking leaves and chose one at random. Smiling at her orange souvenir, while twirling it around in her fingers, she could almost hear a musical note from this single leaf. It was as though its purpose was to be the forte of the symphony.
 
She walked from the park, a new attitude about life forming in her brain. The leaves picked up with one last breeze and Kaitlyn could have sworn she heard them whisper, "I love you."