Title - Never Again
Summary - A secret affair. Can the two overcome the bigotry they will face?
Characters - Alecto Carrow, Fenrir Greyback, Rodolphus Lestrange, & Narcissa Malfoy.
Ships - Alecto/Fenrir & Rodolphus/Narcissa

Challenges

If You Dare Challenge (HPFC) - 9. Blankly

HPFC Royalty Competition - 1,500w+ & Prompt 10. Rodolphus/Narcissa

The Gigantic Harry Potter Collectables Challenge (HPFC) - (1) Lacewing Flies: Rodolphus/Narcissa (pairing); (2) China Teacup and Saucer: Human/Part-Human Romance - Werewolf (scenario); (3) English Breakfast Tea: Secret Relationship (scenario)

Fifty Shades Of NOTPs Challenge (HPFC) - Shade 1: Alecto/Fenrir - I had never heard of this ship before and my initial reaction to it was indifferent. I do not really dwell on ships that are not for me. However, the longer I thought about it the more I thought it was rather a good idea. I still am not sure whether or not I do like this ship but I did enjoy writing it and do think that it is rather sweet.

Harry Potter Secret Santa! (HPFC) - For Coding Gengar, sorry that it is late and Merry Christmas!

Word Count: 1,581

Never Again

Mistletoe hung discreetly above the two lovers heads. They were in the great house's library, they had snuck away in order to obtain just a few moments of privacy. She wore a high-necked dress of the deepest purple velvet. It clung to her form in the most flattering way and shimmered under the dim lights. He wore a set of grey dress robes which, unlike his usual attire, were neither patched nor frayed with a ruffled white shirt and a small, golden pocket watch adorning it. She was a full head taller than him and gazed into his eyes with what looked like a seductive expression. He looked at her with open adoration; his body had instinctively leant towards her alluring form. Her face was not a beautiful one, her eyes were too small and her mouth too large with hair that was a dull copper colour. However, there was no denying from the expression on the man's face that, to him, she was the most beautiful woman in the world. His looks were vastly different. Clearly he had once been handsome but his skin now was so marred it looked as though his cheeks had been part-boiled. Scars adorned every visible part of his skin, including his neck which was partially covered by the long pony-tail of sandy blond hair which rand down his back. The man reached up and gently stroked the woman's cheek who then placed hers over the top of his.

"Mmmm not yet, my love," she purred. Or what sounded like an attempt at sultry with what could only be construed as a raspy voice.

"When?"

"Soon, Fenrir. Very soon."

"And we can finally be together?" he asked desperately.

"Of course, my love."

"Oh Alecto, I do love you so."

"I know."

Fenrir looked up, causing Alecto to follow his gaze. "Look," he murmured. "Mistletoe."

"Well then," said Alecto, smiling. "I suppose tradition deserves a kiss."

It was then that Alecto bent her head and kissed Fenrir with such vigour that, for a moment, he almost lost his balance. Quickly recovering himself Fenrir pulled Alecto's body closer to his own and returned the kiss so passionately that several of the moving portraits of the room blushed and a few made small exclamations of surprise. There was a loud bang as the door was flung open with force and Alecto jumped backwards away from Fenrir. The two of them looked over to see a giggling Narcissa Malfoy pulling her brother-in-law, Rodolphus Lestrange, into the room. He had one hand place upon her slim waist which he quickly retracted as soon as he caught sight of Fenrir and Alecto.

"My, my," said Rodolphus. "What have we got here?"

"None of your business," Fenrir snarled.

"Actually I think you'll find that it is," Narcissa said coolly. "What on earth do you think you are doing sneaking around my home like you own it?"

"Really, Narcissa? You wish to use the word sneaking and lecture us when the two of you are clearly doing some uh- sneaking of your own."

Narcissa paled whereas Rodolphus let out a loud bark-like laugh. "'Us' is it?" said Rodolphus. "Alecto you are being rather uncharacteristically quiet. Are you a part of this 'us' Fenrir speaks so passionately about?"

"What are you insinuating?" Fenrir yelled.

"Why, that she is ashamed of you, of course. I mean who wouldn't be… mutt."

Fenrir began to shake with anger. "We don't have to take this. Come on, Alecto. We'll find somewhere else to go."

He held out his hand to her but she did not take it in her own. It was then, for the first time during the entire interaction, that he actually looked at her. A strange expression had settled upon her face. Fenrir looked imploringly at her but Alecto merely stared blankly back at him, as though they had not been kissing a few moments before. Dejectedly he lowered his arm. Rodolphus laughed his barky laugh once again.

"No, don't worry. We'll find somewhere else to go. This room has too much of a wet dog smell now."

Rodolphus attempted to pull Narcissa through the door but she resisted. "But what if they tell somebody?"

"They won't," Rodolphus sneered. "Trust me."

With that Narcissa allowed herself to be pulled from the room and they heard another small giggle before the door closed behind them. Fenrir turned to Alecto who still had the blank expression plastered over her face. In contrast Fenrir looked distraught. He took a step towards her but stopped himself before taking another. Finally Alecto met his gaze, unfazed.

"Why?" asked Fenrir, his voice cracking.

"Why what?" asked Alecto condescendingly.

"How could you just stand there? In complete silence. How could you not defend me, defend us!"

"You really expected me to defend a half-breed?"

Pain flashed across Fenrir's face. "What?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I mean honestly. You didn't think that this was anything more than a bit of fun for me?"

"I thought that you loved me…."

"Loved you?" Alecto cackled. "Don't be so ridiculous! As if I could ever be seen with - let alone love - a mutt like you."

Alecto unexpectedly pressed her lips to Fenrir's. As she pulled away Fenrir thought he saw a glimpse of something like regret in her eyes. Then she threw back her head and laughed before running her hand over his chest as she strode towards the door.

"Don't play the fool, Fenrir. It doesn't suit you."

The door snapped shut behind her and Fenrir found himself alone once again. He realised that a wetness had accumulated beneath his eyes. This seemed to make him angry as both of his hands balled into fists and began to shake. A portrait of an extremely large male aristocrat began to laugh rather heartily at Fenrir. He had turned red in the face and was coughing due to the intensity of his mirth. Fenrir struck the painting with one fist, breathing heavily as he pulled away. Droplets of blood and shards of glass fell to the floor. Not bothering to say goodbye to his hosts Fenrir grabbed his cloak and fled the large manor house without a second glance. Never again would he trust a human. Never again.

"Wait!" a voice behind him called.

Alecto had come after him. Fenrir allowed himself to wait as she caught up, wearing her travelling cloak to protect against the warmth. She looked at him imploringly.

"What?" he snarled.

"I just wanted to say that I- I am sorry," Alecto replied.

"Too late."

He began to walk away.

"No please!" Alecto grabbed onto his arm. "I didn't have a choice! I- I had to make it look like I had rejected you. People would have talked."

"While there was nobody in the room? Nobody except you and I?"

"They would have found a way to listen, I know they would. You of all people know how Rodolphus is! I couldn't risk my family finding out about us, Fenrir. You've got to understand"

"'Us'? What do you mean 'us'?"

Alecto looked taken aback. "I mean you and I together, of course."

A smile appeared on Fenrir's face as he reached up to stroke Alecto's cheek.

"Oh, my dear," he began. "There is no us. In fact we shall never be an 'us' again. You humans think you can play with emotions and still get your way? Well… I shall no longer be your play thing. Goodbye, Alecto."

"Wh- what?" All colour had left her cheeks.

"You look so shocked and I can't think why," Fenrir sneered. "Did you assume that I would allow you to treat me thus and still wish to be your lapdog? Do you think that I have no pride because of what I am? The truth is, Alecto, that I loved you. But under no circumstance would I usually let a human treat me in such a manner and live. Be thankful that I haven't torn your throat out. You disgust me."

This time it was Alecto whose expression turned to pain. Tears welled up in her eyes and she furiously wiped them away. Fenrir turned and began to walk back down the garden path, heading towards the huge black iron-wrought gates. As he reached the end of the path Alecto collided with him, knocking him to the ground. They were in full view of the manor and if anybody were to look outside then they would see the two of them intertwined upon the floor.

"Listen to me, Fenrir Greyback," Alecto spat. "The truth is that you are beneath me. Yes, you are. Yet despite that I do love you. We have both said unforgivable things to one another tonight. If this is to be the end of us then we will make it memorable."

He struggled to sit up as she was still straddling him. "What did you have in mind?"

Alecto smiled wickedly and stood up, holding out her hand to Fenrir who took it immediately. They walked down the small lane away from the huge manor house hand in hand. When they reached the end of a deserted alleyway Fenrir took Alecto in his arms. She placed her hands either side of his face and the two began to kiss earnestly. Fenrir began to squeeze her derriere with both hands as Alecto exclaimed with pleasure. The two turned on the spot, disappearing into nothingness, needing to be alone.