Caerphilly Catapults - Beater 2 -

Prompts:

Beater 2: Unfairness

(word) Casual

(word) Dangle

(object) Bottle of Wine

Word Count - 1080 (wordcounter .net)

"Why!? Why can you have that support but I'm left hiding here in the dark?" Minerva couldn't help but scream. "We've been together for five years now. Do I really mean so little to you?"

"It isn't like that, Minnie, please. You know I love you. This isn't just some casual romance for me. It's just my family… My family is difficult." Poppy strode forward and grasped Minerva's hands. "Please, I love you, we can get through this."

Minerva pulled her hands free from Poppy's as if she had been scalded. "You said that to me three years ago, two years ago, then again last year. You dangle hope in front of my eyes time after time,and then tear it away so cruelly. It's just lie after lie."

"Minerva, please, I will this time."

"No. I am done with this. You cannot treat me like some secret toy you keep hidden away in the dark for fear of it being taken away from you. You don't think I had reason to fear when I told my family? That I wasn't terrified that I would be shunned? Attacked? Burned off the family tree and my lineage revoked? I was so scared. But I loved you enough to admit my true feelings and not leave you as a shadow in my life. All I ask is that you don't leave me as a wraith."

Minerva had tears running down her face, and her once prim and proper bun was pulled askew. She looked nothing like the stern woman she normally portrayed herself as.

"Minnie, all I need is a little more time, a few more days and I'll tell them all."

"No. I can't do this any more, Poppy. I love you, but your days turn into weeks, turn into months, turn into years. Can you not see how unfair this is to me? To remain trapped as a friend eternally, when I want to show the world my love to you? My family isn't stupid, they're all wondering why we don't visit them in public, why we hide away with every meeting."

Minerva wiped the tears off her face before turning and leaving. She couldn't bear to continue the argument that would go backwards and forwards for hours, only to end the same way that it had every other time.

Poppy remained in the room, her hands clutching thin air, knowing she should chase after Minerva, yet she remained rooted firmly to the spot. She knew she was being unfair. Minerva had every right to scream at her, to shout about how unfair she was being, to storm off in a rage. Yet, in her heart, she knew that Minnie had done her share of shouting this evening and would now retire to her rooms alone to cry in silence.

The last thing she ever wanted to do was make Minnie cry, yet all she seemed to do lately was cause upset upon upset. Everything she said caused more pain, more hurt, more strife, and she hated herself for it.

She knew she should tell her family. She should tell them about how long they had been in a relationship, how much she loved Minnie, how much she wished to spend the rest of her life with her. Except, she still couldn't get past the fear that she would be thrown out just as Minnie had feared herself.

Poppy turned around abruptly and strode over to her kitchen area. She grabbed a large glass from one of the cupboards and the nearest bottle of wine, then proceeded to pour a hefty serving. Taking a sip, she turned back around, taking the glass and bottle with her, and sat down heavily on the sofa.

Minnie had been so strong to come out to her family and reveal the truth of her life with Poppy. It was so unfair of her to keep her hidden away like some hideous monstrosity she didn't want getting out. But she didn't know what to do.

She stared at the wine bottle she'd placed down on the table in front of her, watching the way the liquid changed colour in the flickering light of the room. One moment a deep red, then the next looking more like a sweeter pink.

She downed the rest of what was in her glass before pouring another.

She downed that as well.

Lying underneath the bottle were pieces of parchment left in a tidy pile from earlier; upon seeing it, she shoved the bottle aside and grabbed a sheet and a spare quill that lay near it.

She stared at the blank page.

The quill shook in her hand, poised ready above the parchment yet, but Poppy couldn't bear to put the words down.

"Argh!" She threw the quill, watching it knock over the bottle before they both fell to the floor with a loud clatter. The bottle rolled around on the floor, coming to a stop only when it knocked into the table leg. She stared at it for a moment. 'How simple it would be for me to just fall down and let the world have its way with me.' She shook her thoughts away and leant down to pick up the quill.

She inhaled then exhaled. And put quill to parchment.

Dear Minnie,

Please, let this letter be a note of my undying love for you. You light up every room you appear in and the way you shine stuns me. I cannot help but be swayed to your side.

Your courage and bravery to come out and reveal me to your parents still astounds me every day. You are the epitome of Gryffindor, and I aspire to be like you.

Please know that this was never just a casual relationship. You are my everything and I know that I have let you feel as if you were, and I regret that day-in and day-out.

Nothing about my love for you was ever a treat to dangle in front of you for mockery.

I have loved you ever since we met and I will love you until the day I die.

But the truth is simple, Minnie. You are a brave Gryffindor, and I am but a mere Hufflepuff. I need my family just as much as I need you. I am being unfair in this, I know, but I can't show them my true self as much as I can't leave you.

I am sorry, my love.