Amor omina vincit
how ironic—'love conquers all'
"You know what's funny?"
He didn't answer.
"It's funny how the only thing that really kept me going, Draco, was thinking of you."
She wasn't trying to be harsh with her former lover. Her words were straightforward, and her voice was dull, as if the life that was once there had been sucked out by dementors.
"Time changes things, I suppose."
"Pansy, look—"
He couldn't find an excuse worthy enough. The honest truth was not honorable. His feelings had changed. Things were hard. He hadn't the chance to spare her a thought while on the run. Thoughts that passed through his head at the time had nothing to do with love and folly. It was of survival. Pansy was not there in his daily struggle to live, so the truth is this; he had not thought of what they once had.
This was his only chance before things would gradually go downwards. He knew that just by the defeated look on her face.
"I love you."
"You did."
"I don't want to lose you, Pansy."
She half shrugged. Her eyes were positioned on her feet, scratching the surface of the dusty ground. The soles of her shoes were grinding against the concrete hard enough for her to feel the ground pressing against her toes.
"I guess I'm just sorry, Draco."
Draco looked incredulous. Here she was, the victim of unfortunate circumstances, and she was apologizing for actions she had not committed.
"But Pansy, you did nothing. You had nothing to do with this."
She glanced at the air above her with irony and hatred. The fates liked these little games of the mind.
"I wish I did. I wish I could find some fault on me that I can blame. Because I don't blame this on you Draco. Obviously I did something wrong. I just don't know what. No," she said to him as he opened his mouth wordlessly. "I don't want you to explain to me with lies. I know you too well. You're going to try to make me feel better. I understand; this is just life."
She sighed deeply and pushed her shoes a little harder against the ground, then graced him with one flash of the eyes.
"I'm not brave Draco. You know I'm not brave. I'm not going to wish for you to be happy with her. I couldn't do it even if I tried."
Again Draco missed his chance to speak.
"Just forget about me, okay? Do that for me. And I'll return the favor."
He reached out to grab her shoulder. He knew. Because she took a step back, and he saw a toe peek out from behind the dark sole of her shoe, and her eyes were on him for too long, and she bit her lip, and there it was. Her wand against her temple.
There was a bright flash of light, and then darkness.
Again he missed his chance.