Meant to Be

Disclaimer: Harry Potter, characters, names and indicia are trademarks and copyright to Warner Brothers and JK Rowling. All events and actions contained here within are fictional works of the author herself, unless otherwise stated; this is purely in the author's mind.

Warnings: Femslash and a lot of angst.

Rating: PG

Pairings: Narcissa/Lily

Spoilers: None

A/N: For Rare Pairings Month on The Pimp Cane. Also for Slashers Do Het. My first piece of femslash ever! Just a drabble.

Meant to Be

'One last time'

That was all there was on the note. Nothing else: no time, no place. Just those three words that shattered her world – that was shattering their world.

'You and me…just one last time'

Hogwarts was over. They were both engaged. They now faced the real world, more alone than they had ever felt in their life.

Never again

Never again would they look upon each other's faces with unguarded adoration – with the love they felt for the other girl.

Never again would they hold each other and touch each other without restrictions.

Never again would they stare into each other's eyes, telling the other of emotions that could not be said in words.

Next time, after this – next time they met – they would be meeting as enemies, each playing the loyal wife, at the right hand of their husbands.

Husband, but never beloved – no one but you, my love, my darling, my everything

No, neither would ever forget. Neither would love again. Neither would ever let the memories they shared go.

Duty before desire

They played their roles and acted their parts. As they took their vows they saw only their memories. They felt only each other's touch. They experienced only each other's kiss.

Then the illusion was shattered – and they saw their future.


Misery before disgrace

Masks firmly in place every time they saw the other in a crowd, never letting their emotions show through. Clingy obediently into their spouse's arm, never exchanging words further than greetings – never allowing themselves to be alone.

It was easier that way.

Death before dishonour

Narcissa never shed a tear at the news of the Potters' deaths. She never blinked. She never flinched. Outwardly, she showed no signs of caring.

Because, inside, she had died too.

The way it had to be…

Finite Incantatum

A/N: As usual, comments are adored. Flames are not.