Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I don't own anything. I'm just playing with JKR's dolls.
It's raining. The first storm of the summer. I'm soaked to the skin and chilled to the bone. But it's more than that. I'm frozen, inside.
Because what he's saying, it can't be true.
It just can't.
"But why?" I choke out. "Why? I love you, damn it, I love you!"
Somehow I've ended up with his shirt in my hands. I'm screwing up the front, clinging to it, clinging to him. He's been my lifeline, and now he wants to leave me. I can't let him.
I just can't.
"Please. Stop. Let me go." He whispers. He's acting like it hurts him to say it, so why does he bother?
"How could you? How could you do this to me? To pretend you love me. To lie to me." I'm seething now, absolutely livid.
"You think I lied to you?" he looks genuinely shocked, as though he's never heard a more ridiculous suggestion.
I glare at him indignantly. I still haven't let go of his shirt. It's raining harder now.
"I love you, more than anything," he whispers even more quietly. He's broken, what he's saying is killing him, I can see that, but still he continues. "But I can't be with you. It's not fair to you."
I drop his shirt, and step back.
He's not making any sense.
I've been out of school for a year, and known him for a little less. I met him at the ministry. Only weeks into our relationship, I knew I loved him. Now, I know only too well that he is the only one I'll ever love.
And he wants to leave me. For me?
"But why?" I whisper just as quietly.
He won't meet my eyes, he won't look at me. There's something he's not telling me, I can see it in his face.
I step towards him, and place my hand on his cheek.
"What is it you're not telling me?"
"I– I can't tell you."
"Please," I counter, "You can trust me. I'll never leave you."
He looks at me for a long moment. He's never looked at me like that before. It's like he's looking into my very soul, weighing up his options.
He takes a deep breath. "I'm a werewolf."
Unbidden by me, my hand flinches away, and step back in shock. I can't stop the look of disgust spreading over my face. I shrink away from him. I can't control my body.
He smiles a humourless smile at me, and raises his eyebrow as if waiting for me to speak.
I don't.
He waits for what seems an eternity, and what seems no time at all. He waits for something I can't identify. I think I'm supposed to offer it.
I don't.
"Goodbye," he whispers, but he remains, looking at me, waiting for me to return the sentiment.
I don't.
Finally, he turns his back on me, and walks away, his wet shirt clinging to his back.
I don't cry as the only man I will ever love walks away from me without looking back.
I don't.
I won't.
I can't cry for a monster.
