She's not good enough for you, and you know it.

You have no idea why you continue to see her. No one would support your decision to be with her if they knew. You've hidden your relationship.

You're not good at hiding. When you're in love, you want to shout it from the top of the Astronomy Tower. You want to spin her around the dance floor at the Yule Ball and kiss her soundly, so that stupid boy that lingers around her knows that she belongs to you.

You can't do any of that. You can't blacken your precious reputation.

So, you take what you can – stolen moments holed up in hidden alcoves, kissing her until breathing becomes difficult. Yet, you push on, hoping your kisses and caresses convey what your words could never express.

A part of you wishes she'd join your side. She'd declare her undying love for you, leaving everything and everyone she loves behind. But, she won't do that, and you won't ask that of her.

This relationship can't last forever. It'll be over by the time the year's up. She's not your happily ever after. One look at her left forearm confirms that.


A/N: Word Count: 199. Written for the Pairing the Character Drabble Competition - Week 12 Alice Longbottom.