Prompt: Valentines

Word count: 1,758

Note: The following story is a submission to the facebook group Platform 9 3/4. All stories on this profile are works submitted by multiple authors through means of the group. Contestants will remain anonymous until voting is completed. Only the author and moderators of the challenge are aware of identities.

Disclaimer: The authors of this story did not create these characters and will in no way claim ownership therein. All things Harry Potter related belong to JK Rolling.

Story Title : You Gave Me You

Rating: T

Genre: Romance/Suspense

Fanfic name : -Undisclosed at this time-

Pairing: Secret

Summary : Many years have past since the Battle of Hogwarts and many have lost their loved ones with time & murder. When life once seemed loss for a lady who was once set in her ways, a kind man whom she never thought would matter comes along and shows her what love truly is. So after years of knowing this love she writes him a final letter to thank him as she passes away.

You Gave Me You

May 2nd, 2020

To you my love,

It has been twenty-two years since the Battle of Hogwarts occurred and I remember it like it was yesterday. Everything changed that night and it would set my life on a course I would never see coming. For many, the victory at Hogwarts was a cause for celebration, but not for me. That was the night I lost my family. I felt like the very life had been ripped from my chest. I betrayed the Dark Lord that night and although he had perished, his will was felt unfinished by a few, as two years later a few so-called men of the ministry hunted down my husband and murdered him in cold blood. The one Auror was a filthy mudblood, even though I know you would hate to hear me say that.

More time passed and I became a grandmother. Oh the joys I could tell you of the love I've experienced. Becoming a grandparent is much different than being a parent. It was very humbling for me and I had to realize a few things about my views to mold and shape a grandchild properly. My grandson met the world to me and I felt he only deserved the very best. However, it was then again when bad luck struck and my son's wife died. Our pride would forever separate any relationship I could have with him.

I grew tired of everything so I moved away. I had no one. There was no more people in my life that even cared to see me, so I left to the United States. I had been told of some quiet magic friendly neighborhoods. I settled in a little town and got myself a job. Having a job meant I had to deal with muggles and the thought sent shivers down my spine, but I really had no choice if I wanted to survive. I was a secretary for a law firm and the cleaning charm had become my best friend.

May 2nd, 2015 was the best day of my life. I was walking to work as I usually do. Hey, I might be a woman of sixty years but a woman has got to look good, you know. That's when I saw you. Sure, we had never gotten along before but you were a sight for sore eyes after all these years. I called out to you. You saw me from across the street and immediately had a confused look on your face. That smirk made me chuckle. I always knew you were a silly buffoon. So, I crossed the street in your direction. As I grew closer you appeared to get more comfortable and your smile grew a little. I told you I was surprised to see you. You gave some odd chuckle which made me start to wonder if you could even hold a conversation.

I turned to walk away, since your silence was awkward and the conversation was seeming to go nowhere but that is when you reached out to me and took my arm. I turned to look at you and with a very sincere look you apologized. I could see all the emotion in your eyes as if there wasn't enough words to say. You told me you hadn't seen anyone in a long time except your kids and grandkids. I couldn't help but think of how I missed my grandson. You told me your wife had died a couple years back from an illness. The love in your eyes when you spoke of her was intense. I actually felt really sorry for you. I told you of my late husband and again you showed such sincerity in your eyes for my loss. How could you show the man such compassion after how he treated you? But maybe it was I who you felt the pain for. I hadn't seen such feeling in so long. Our conversation went on for a bit too long and I realized I might be late for work but something inside me told me I wanted to see you again. You then spoke up and told me you would be in town for a little while. So, I politely suggested that maybe we should have some food later together and maybe we could talk some more. You smiled and agreed and I was off to work.

I felt rather distracted that day at work. All I could think about was the memories back in the wizarding world. It had been over a decade since I had been there. I missed the life I once had. My life used to be so luxurious and I thought I had people who loved and cared for me. I did exile many from my life because I chose to hate the ones who weren't pureblood. Look at me now, I sit here every day with these stupid muggles and watch them be nice to each other regardless of their differences. I guess it has softened me a little. This irritates me though when I think of my late husband. How we both knowingly convicted people because they might not have wizarding parents or capabilities. Maybe I was the one brainwashed from the family I grew up with that, in the end, seem to far from love me. How could I end this hatred in my heart I thought. What I once thought was love was just being mutually beneficial for a hate driven cause. I never thought I could then know what love is. It was you though my love. I never knew love till I found you.

That night we met up at this silly little muggle bar just down the street from my work. I remember we shared drinks and quietly spoke and giggled about the wizarding world. I wish I could fully explain to you what I realized then. You were so genuine & kind. As I stared into your eyes as you spoke so gently I felt so comfortable. When you told me how much you just loved muggles and wanted to understand so much about them I felt all kinds of things. I wondered why, why would they even be relevant. They aren't like us, they can't do what we do, isn't their existence insulting? You answered it though, I could feel the love you had for them pouring from your heart. You told me of so many things they created just to adapt. I was impressed. Maybe I had even taken magic for granted. You were such a gentleman. You walked me home and everything.

We stood there on my doorstep. You were telling me of how you missed your wife as we sat down on the porch swing together. I knew you loved her so much. Your heart was just pouring out of your chest and it had been years since I had felt anywhere near what was inside of you. I couldn't take it anymore, my heart used to be filled with so much hate for everyone but my family and after so many years of being isolated and emotionally cut off I was so overwhelmed by you. I reached up with both hands on the side of your face, tilted my head, & came in slowly to place my lips upon yours. I don't know what came over me and I could tell at first you didn't know how to respond. It wasn't until you leaned into me and wrapped your arms around me when I knew it was ok. As our lips parted you ran your hand softly down the side of my face. You looked deep into my eyes and I could feel you entering my soul. That's when you said "Would you let me love you? Would you let me truly love you?"

I never dreamed I'd find love with you. How could two people of completely different backgrounds and belief structures find love. Was it your amazing sincerity & kindness that drew me to you. Could it been after all these years of hate and discrimination I could finally see the beauty of compassion through your example. I found such warmth in your gentle hand with those around you. I had never felt unworthy in my life and it was your love that humbled me. You have such integrity and so much to be proud of yet you stay caring and humbled with people you encounter whether pure-blood or even muggle. We would go on to have five glorious years together. Your children, although reluctant at first, accepted me when they didn't have to. Then you and your big heart reunited me with my son & with all I've done wrong in life I didn't deserve you. Now, as I lie her on my death bed I just wanted you to know how much you've meant to me. I'm sorry this will be my final letter and I must say goodbye. I could have never imagine my life if we hadn't met. You gave me back my life, my family, & my grandchildren. You gave me more happiness in five years than I had in sixty. Now you stand here holding my hand as I'm feeling the my soul begin for departure. I want to thank you my love for giving me the most amazing thing in existence. You gave me you.

I love you Arthur Weasley.

Love always,

Narcissa Malfoy "Cissy"

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