For the Most in a Month Competition, the Themes Challenge (write about a wedding) and the Climb to the Top of Mount Potter Challenge (wistful).
"I suppose you've heard the news," Druella say dryly.
"That Cygnus has won your hand, and you two are to wed next month," Abraxas supplies, frowning. "Unfortunately, it has come to my attention."
She looks at him with those beautiful blue eyes, and his heart breaks. She doesn't have to say anything, but he can hear her silent plea.
Do something.
Put an end to this.
You're the one that I want.
He wraps his arms around her, pressing a kiss to her forehead. There is nothing he can do. Even if he were to appeal to her father, the Blacks are a more influential family than the Malfoys. His pleas would fall on deaf ears.
"It has already been put into motion, my love," he whispers. "I'm sorry."
Druella pulls away, taking his hands in hers. "I won't marry him. I can't! I do not love him!" she insists, her voice cracking with emotion.
"You must. Family honor comes before love. You know that as well as I do," he says softly.
"Please…"
…
"Are you sure that Druella is the one you want?" Abraxas asks, trying to keep his tone casual.
Cygnus grins, throwing back his drink and setting the glass roughly on the table before signaling for another. "Are you kidding? She's perfect. I hear she's fiery, nothing like a good pureblood should be."
Abraxas swallows dryly. He's seen that fire time and time again, and he loves her for it.
"She'll be a fun game, don't you think?" Cygnus asks with a smirk as he accepts another drink. "How long do you reckon it will take to tame her?"
Abraxas clenches his fists. He'd like nothing more than to crash his knuckles against his friend's smug face. But, of course, he knows that this would be terribly inappropriate. "I see…"
…
"I tried, Druella. I have done everything in my power, but it hasn't done any good. You will still marry Cygnus tomorrow."
Druella wipes the tears from her eyes. She presses a hand to his cheek, smiling sadly. "It should have been you," she says wistfully. "I always thought it would be."
Truthfully, Abraxas thought the same. He had planned to ask for Druella's hand, but Cygnus got to her first.
"I know, my love. I know."
…
Abraxas can feel the pain all the way to his core as he watches Druella walk down the aisle. She looks so beautiful, elegant and regal, exactly the way he always thought she would look on their wedding day.
But this is not his wedding. He is at the groom's side, helpless to stop the woman he loves from marrying a man who could never deserve her.
Druella's eyes find his, and he quickly drops his gaze to his feet. He doesn't think he can watch this. It isn't fair. It really should have been him.
…
"Dance with me," she says.
Abraxas raises his brows. "I'm not sure that it's appropriate," he murmurs.
But Druella takes him by the hands, guiding him to his feet. "I've already danced with my husband. Let me have one last dance with the man I should have married."
