For the Can You Make It To the End Challenge (Round Six: Write a breakup fic), Magical World Tour Challenge ("I'm done trying."), and the Most in a Month Competition.


"I'm done trying," Alice says, her voice barely a whisper.

"Just like that?" Bellatrix laughs. "And here I thought you, of all people, would mean the promises that you make."

Alice swallows dryly. She has made so many promises. Promises to always love Bellatrix. Promises that their Houses could never keep them apart. Promises upon promises that she never wanted to break.

But she knows there is little choice. She has tried again and again to turn a blind eye to the things that Bellatrix does. She's tried to convince herself that if she pretends not to notice the darkness in her girlfriend, it will go away. But it hasn't, and it never will.

"We're too different," Alice insists, keeping her head held high and dignified.

"You used to like that," Bellatrix purrs, caressing Alice's cheek with her fingertips. "Why is it a problem now?"

Alice pulls away from the touch, biting the inside of her cheek. Part of her wonders if they could have continued their charade a little longer, if only the circumstances were different. But there is no point in dwelling on such things. War is coming. She has chosen her side, and she knows that it is against Bellatrix.

"You can join me," Bellatrix says, her fingers wrapping around Alice's slender wrist. She leans in, her lips dangerously close. "You were always very special to me, Alice. Even if you have your silly little morals, you could still be with me."

For a moment, Alice almost gives in. Bellatrix's words are so hypnotic that she feels her will crumbling away. Why should she let the war keep them apart? Why shouldn't she stay with the girl that she loves?

But then she looks into her girlfriend's eyes. The madness is still there, darkness. Bellatrix has harmed others, and Alice knows that she will do it again. She knows that Bellatrix enjoys it, that she will never give it up.

"I gave you my answer," Alice says, tearing herself away, trying to ignore how much it hurts.

"We'll be enemies," Bellatrix whispers.

"I know."

Bellatrix exhales deeply. She nods. "I hope that we never meet on the battlefield. You are too good, and you will hesitate. I won't, and yet I never want to hurt you."

Alice nods, her lips pulled into a thin, hard line. "Be happy. Whatever it takes, just be happy."

She turns quickly. Bellatrix has always been her weakness, and her self control is wearing thin. She runs before she can change her mind.