Word Count: 516

Narcissa stands in front of the cracked mirror, studying her reflection. It isn't about vanity. There's no need to reassure herself that she is still beautiful, or to admire the young woman staring back at her. Instead, her eyes are narrowed and critical. How did it get this far? Her head is a whirlwind of emotions, and she is afraid she's lost herself along the way.

"I can't keep doing this."

Remus appears behind her, meeting her gaze in the glass. Their eyes lock, neither looking away despite the mounting tension that the silence brings.

Narcissa bites the inside of her cheek. Once, things were simple. She had been young and dumb, and she had truly believed she and Remus could be together. Now her wedding to Lucius is a week away, and the inevitability of goodbye is painful.

She is a Black. It is her duty to marry who her family tells her. They would never allow her to become a Lupin.

"I'm sorry," she whispers. "I don't have a choice."

But that isn't quite true. Andromeda had made a choice. She had fallen in love, and that had been enough. Why can't Narcissa be so brave?

Of course, it hadn't been that simple, and Narcissa is afraid to suffer. What would her family say? What would they think?

"I suspect you don't really believe that," Remus says softly, resting a gentle hand on her shoulder.

Narcissa wishes it could be simple still, that she could think without the threat of an emotional breakdown.

"I'm afraid." Her voice trembles with the admission. "I'm not brave like you, Remus."

He laughs and gently guides her, spinning her around so that she could face him. He is beautiful, though not everyone can see it. Too many people only see the scars raised over his skin to even notice the kindness in his eyes or the way his lips twitch when he's excited.

But Narcissa sees him. She notices every little thing about him, and she loves him for it.

"Being brave doesn't mean you aren't afraid," he tells her, brushing his fingers through her hair. "It just means you do it despite your fear."

"I'm not a Gryffindor."

He laughs and leans in, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I can't promise you the things Lucius can," he says. "I don't have money. I don't have anything grand. But I love you, Narcissa, and I promise I will always love you."

Everything she has seen tells her that isn't enough. No one marries for love. Her parents certainly hadn't. It's what she's been taught her whole life: marriage is about gain and advances.

But Remus makes her feel like they could have something else. This is the thing she had hoped for, before the world reminded her how cruel it could be. Is it really possible? She wants to believe it is.

She's terrified as she drops her hand into his. Her heart races in her chest, fast and painful, and she thinks it might find a way to escape her body completely.

"I want to try."