AN: For the Opposite Day Challenge.

"My life is arranged, but this union's deranged. So I'll fuck who I choose, for I've nothing to lose."- Emilie Autumn, 'Marry Me'

I.

Druella makes her views crystal clear. She does not wish to marry Cygnus Black, and she goes so far as to say she will not do so.

But her father will not hear of it. With a slap to the young witch's face and a reminder of how lucky she is to have such a worthy suitor, he lays the matter to rest and sends the girl on her way.

II.

Abraxas Malfoy. There's a man she'd love to marry. His blood is just as pure, just as worthy as Cygnus', and Druella thinks he might truly care for her.

"Such a pity you did not go to my father sooner," she sighs as the two of them watch starlit sky with sleepless eyes.

Abraxas chuckles, a dry sound without a shred of humor. "All men are entitled to mistakes," he says, shaking his head. "I'll remember that as mine."

Druella knows she ought to sneak back into the house. Her father occasionally sends the elves in to spy. But Abraxas is with her, and she'll take any punishment if it means staying by his side just a little longer.

III.

Her mother pulls back her hair tightly, smiling as she peers at their reflection in the mirror. "I remember my wedding day," she says. "You look so much like me, darling."

"Did you love Father when you married him?" Druella asks bluntly, steeling herself for the lecture that will surely follow.

But her mother just laughs, releasing the girl's fair hair so that it cascades down her shoulders. "Love is not necessary for a marriage, Druella. Some things are more important."

"Such as?"

"Duty. Do you think I became a Rosier out of love? No, I did it to ensure my family's name was untainted. You will do well to remember that."

Druella nods, but a frown twists her lips.

Duty before love. Somehow, the words don't seem to fit, but she knows there is little she can do about it.

IV.

"In the morning, you will be Druella Black," he says bitterly as he pulls her closer. "But tonight I can pretend otherwise."

She peers up at Abraxas through her lashes, her pale hand resting on his chest. "I will always be yours."

A crooked grin on his lips, Abraxas leans in close enough that Druella's heart skips a beat. "That's a very dangerous thing to say," he murmurs, brushing his lips over hers.

A thought takes hold, dark and far from ladylike. Cygnus might have stolen her from her love, but there's still one thing Abraxas can take, one thing that will mark her forever as his.

She pulls him closer, so close that she cannot distinguish his heartbeat from hers. "I love you," she whispers, leaning back so that he falls on top of her.

V.

Duty before love. Perhaps Druella has accepted this as the way it must be. She stands beside Cygnus, a Rosier no more.

But Druella wears a proud smirk, catching Abraxas' eye, satisfied in knowing that she belongs to Cygnus by name alone.