Speak Now

I'm back ! I've been really bad at updating lately, but i'm giving you all virtual cookies to make up for it so there ;) I hope you enjoy this chapter !

xoxoxo

"Belinda ! Are you in there ? Come out right now or I am calling your father !" My mother's panicked voice interrupts my heavenly kiss with James, and I regretfully pull away. He looks at me pleadingly with those incredible eyes.

"Don't go." He whispers, and I suddenly realise that I have to.

"I'm sorry James." I say, getting up and backing away from him, "We would never work anyway... I have to marry Trevor."

"But you don't want to." He states, looking right at me with his gaze that makes butterflies flutter in my stomach.

"I... I do want to." I lie, before turning around and slipping out into the corridor. The last I see of James is him sitting on my bed, staring into thin air, and then I'm enveloped in a hug from my mother, and the door slams behind me.

…...

"Belinda, I was put into an arranged marriage with your father." Mother tells me a few minutes later, almost hesitantly. I'm sitting on our antique couch in the dressing room, sipping a hot cup of tea as my mother casts spell after spell on my wedding dress to repair the tear.

I don't answer her, my mind still remembering the feel of James' lips on mine. It makes me want to cry to think that I will never feel that again, never be able to tangle my fingers in his hair or gaze into his gold-flecked eyes.

"I hated my parents at the time, but, eventually, I realised that everything they had was for my own good. My wedding to Draco is the best thing that has ever happened to me. We soon came to love each other, and I hope that it will be the same for you and Trevor."

I simply nod, though I know the same could never be true for myself. I'm in love with James Potter, and that will never change, not even for my future husband.

"Here, your dress is ready." My mother announces, smiling at me hesitantly, "Ready for your wedding ?"

My stomach churns, but I simply nod and smile, before rising and slipping on my wedding dress.

…...

There's a light knock on the door, and my mom carefully ties up the back of my dress before going to open it. James Potter smiles hesitantly at us, and I notice that his lips are still slightly swollen from our kiss. My breath catches in my throat, and I feel a slight blush creep into my cheeks, but James seems unfazed.

"Could I talk to Belinda for a moment ?" He asks graciously, and my mom nods, smiling back.

"Take all the time you need, I'll just step out for a moment." She says, heading for the door, but James stops her.

"That won't be necessary, I'd actually like to show her something." He answers, glancing at me slyly. My heart hammers in my chest as he grabs my hand and pull me out of the room.

"James..." I say as soon as we've left the room, but he doesn't answer other than to grin at me quickly before tugging me down the corridor.

Since mom redecorated Malfoy manor, it looks more like a muggle princess castle than the ancient base of all the death eater operations. My favorite part of the impressive building is the inner balcony overlooking the main hall, which is where we're heading right now.

"James !" I exclaim, forcing him to face me, "I can't be seen before my wedding !"

His eyes darken momentarily at the mention of my wedding, but then he grins at me carelessly, "Oh don't worry about that, the guests will be way too busy with what I'm setting up to notice us."

"But..."

"Belinda." James cuts me off again, and cups my face gently in his hands, "You're going to be married in less than an hour, just... let me make you smile at least one last time."

He leans in to kiss me again, but I turn my face away, tears stinging my eyes.

"Please... don't make this any more difficult than it already is."

His hands drop slowly from my face, and my eyes close in disappointment. Then I snap them open again and smile at him.

"Thank you, James."

"Now, I didn't prepare your surprise for nothing." He says, walking over to the balcony and pulling out his wand. I follow hesitantly and look out over the mass of wedding guests.

"Oh wow, the whole school's here !" I exclaim, grinning when I spot Maddie flirting with a gorgeous Bulgarian and Lola elegantly sipping champaign in a bright pink gown.

"Amor Promptus." James mutters besides me.

Down in the great hall, heads begin to turn, gazes meet and cheeks color. A few people take out a picture or get dreamy eyed, as if thinking of someone absent, while those already dating smile tenderly at their companion and reach for their hands. Maddie suddenly stops talking and simply stares at the Bulgarian, who reaches up to stroke her cheek, whilst Lola and Eoin share a smile. James nudges me and points towards Lily, who is staring at Max as if in a trance. Max's head turns towards her, and his eyes widen, as if suddenly seeing how beautiful she is.

"It occurred to me that we never finished getting our our revenge on Lils." James whispers in my ear, and I feel his breath warming the back of my neck. He raises his wand again and points it towards his little sister, before murmuring with a slight smile on his lips :

"Oblivius Max."

"I didn't know you could do that !" I exclaim delightedly, watching Lily's gaze towards Max become slowly less focused, and a frown crease her forehead. She turns towards her friend, a petite girl from Gryffindor, and motions towards Max. The girl frowns and answers something, making Lily's eyes widen comically.

But before the confused witch can do anything, my father's magically amplified voice is heard all over the great hall.

"The wedding will be starting in a few minutes, you may seat yourself in the pavilion, the house elves will indicate the way."

I sigh, and turn towards James, but before I can speak he puts a finger on my lips, stopping me from speaking.

"Belinda... I know what you're going to ask, so... I promise you I won't try anything to ruin your wedding, even if it will kill me to watch you being married to Krum." I smile gratefully as he lowers his fingers, and then, unable to resist, I lean forwards and press my lips gently against his. I feel his arms begin to wrap themselves around my waist, but pull back quickly, breaking away from him.

"That was the last time." I say, unable to meet his gaze, and then turn around and hurry away, resisting the urge to look back. I feel a sharp pain in my chest, and for the first time understand that being heartbroken isn't simply an expression.

…...

I keep my eyes fixed on Trevor, my soon to be husband, all through the minister's speech, gripping his hands as tightly as I can. He seems unfazed by it, and simply gazes back at me with those dark, trusting eyes. I try not to think that i've already kissed another man twice on our wedding day, but still hate myself for it.

The one time that I take my eyes off Krum is when the minister says those dreaded words that appear even in muggle wedding vows.

"If anyone feels this couple should not be united, speak now, or forever hold your peace." I glance over at James, who's gaze bores into mine, but he does not rise from his seat. My chest tightens, but I force a small smile.

"I object !"

There we are ! So ? What do you think ? I honestly quite like this chapter, you can really see that Belinda's made her choice in it... Mind I still need to make Albus appear a bit... :p

Please review ! It would make me just so happy ! :D

xoxoxo

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