The young woman stepped up to the entrance, and then faltered. Her mind screamed at her to just go in, it would be all over soon; it was already over. Yet, her feet weren't listening, nervously moving backwards, retracing her steps, her hands knotting her handkerchief into knots she'd regret later. Fretting anxiously, she paced a bit, trying to strengthen her quickly melting resolve.
Unconsciously, her hand flew to the chain at her neck, her fingers playing with the cold, comforting metal that lay suspended on the chain. No. She couldn't back down, not now. She had to see it for herself, had to know it for herself.
Taking a deep breath to steel her nerves, she stepped into the chapel, her stomach sinking ominously. Oh, stop it, her mind scolded her, you brought this on yourself – you knew this was coming when you said no.
Her slim fingers dug into her purse and extracted an ornately and somewhat ostentatiously decorated invitation card.
"We sincerely invite you to the wedding of…"
Her eyes blurred with fresh, unshed tears. With a fierce sort of determination, she blinked them back, raising her head. Wandering over to an available seat, conveniently located as far away as possible from the priest, she sat down gingerly, noticing that the place was crowded and packed with other guests.
She drank in the decorations, white and pure and so… frilly. Crinkling her nose in disgust, a little voice at the back of her mind piped up, "He hates lace. I wonder what they did to make him agree to such tasteless décor."
Another equally unwelcome voice bit back nastily, "Maybe he doesn't. Maybe you don't know him as well as you do."
"Such lovely sweet decorations aren't they? Oh, I just feel my heart aflutter – reminds me of my own wedding!"
She jumped a little, her head snapping to look at the plump woman next to her, beaming heartily around at the chapel.
"Huh? Oh… oh definitely. Just… spiffy!" She simpered back, masking her contempt. Seemed like he was rubbing off on her, her mind remarked, as she flashed a fake smile at the woman, who grinned cluelessly back.
"Oh! It's starting, dear!"
The woman slipped on a pair of glasses and turned her gaze to the front, staring mesmerized at the altar.
"Dear honoured guests, we have gathered here on this beautiful day, to witness the holy matrimony of Draco Halen Malfoy and Pansy Amelia Parkinson…"
The old agony re-ignited; the old wounds reopened, and she felt a familiar bitter tightening at the back of her throat, threatening to suffocate her. She watched numbly, dully, as a radiant Pansy Parkinson made her way down the aisle, her face a vision of loveliness through the white lacy veil, her smile vibrant and carefree.
Her gaze flickered down the aisle, landing squarely on the blond man standing at the end, a slight smile playing at the corner of his lips. His hair was, as usual, perfect, every lock lying immaculately in place, and oh, oh how she longed to run her fingers through those silken threads again, to mess up his flawless hairdo.
He held out his hand, and as Pansy placed hers in it, laughing shyly.
No! She ought to have been the girl in the wedding dress next to him, not that despicable Parkinson. She ought to have been the girl with her hand in his large, warm one. She ought to have been the girl who walked down the aisle to meet him. She knew that it would have been her. If only.
She laughed softly, bitterly. She had no one to blame but herself. No one but herself.
After all, she had been the very first girl he had proposed to. She wanted to accept so badly, she belonged to him, and only him. But she knew, her heart, mind and soul knew, that it would never work out, ever.
Love was not eternal. Love did not transcend everything. Love was not a fairytale with a happy ending.
He would see his folly in a few years, and then, that would be it. Their little screwed-up fairytale.
Their families would never accept their love. Their love was and would be forbidden, and it could not, would not be. Even if her more understanding family came to terms with it, his would never, and she could never live, knowing that she had ruined his familial ties, ruined his life.
He had a future, and she was all too aware of it. She could never live with herself, knowing that she had spoilt everything.
Love was not all-powerful. Love did not cure everything.
So she did the only thing she knew she could. His happiness came foremost.
She turned him down – and left his life forever. And yet, curse her, she was too cowardly to tell it to his face. She left without saying goodbye, left abruptly without him knowing. She left him with nought but a letter by way of explanation and memories of her.
And now, all she had left of those happy times were memories, and the ring he had proposed with. A selfish gesture, she conceded. And oh, how she hated herself for it.
How he had eventually wound up with Pansy was a mystery, but of no real surprise. Lucius would have wanted it that way – a Malfoy-Parkinson alliance, sealed with marriage. Knowing that old man, if he weren't dead now, he'd be crying with joy.
Glancing to the front, she spotted another blond head. Narcissa Malfoy, tears streaming down her face, her face shone with unadulterated elation as she dabbed carelessly at them.
"Do you, Draco Halen Malfoy, take Pansy Amelia Parkinson, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and hold and cherish for all time, 'til death do you part?"
"I do."
No hesitation. None at all. She closed her eyes in sorrow. She didn't have to be able to hear to know Pansy's answer. Tears streaked down her face unchecked, and she let them. Deep down, she knew that she had hoped for a miracle of sorts, that he would dramatically refuse, like in all the Muggle movies.
How silly of her, she chided herself. He hadn't even known she was coming. He'd just send an invitation and only an invitation, and she hadn't replied. Damn it, why did he have to make it so hard for her to forget it all, to put it in the past?
Two words. Two words that condemned her to a life of regret and pain. And to have heard him say them so calmly, in that melodious voice. That voice that used to whisper sweet-nothings to her.
The sensible rational part of her rebuked herself. Stop pitying yourself. It was entirely your fault. Self-pity isn't going to do you any good.
The woman next to her turned to her, and choked out, wiping at her tears, "Oh dear me, that was so touching, how absolutely beautiful. They look perfect together don't you think?"
"Yes… I suppose they are."
Still, her tears flowed. She wondered if they would ever stop.
Through teary, blurred eyes, she saw him, her beautiful angel, lift up Pansy's veil, leaning forward slowly, the smile once again at his lips. She choked softly, and looked down, clutching her handkerchief so tightly her knuckles turned white. She couldn't bear to see them kiss.
He should have been kissing her.
The chapel burst into a standing ovation, applause ringing out around the room, some of the more voracious and lecherous members wolf-whistling and catcalling. She kept her head down throughout it all, kept herself firmly seated; she wasn't sure if she could stand.
As the congregation slowly made their way towards the new couple at the front, she wiped off her tears, commanding herself to get her act together. She had come her with a purpose, and she intended to fulfil it.
The only problem was, she had to get within six feet of him, for the complicated spell to be cast. This was her opportunity to remain unnoticed while casting her spell, and she had to grab it before her nerves failed her.
Running over the incantations in her mind, hoping that she hadn't gotten them wrong, she reached up behind her neck and unclasped the chain. Taking in one last longing stare at the intricately designed ring, she clenched it in her fist, and started to weave her way through the throng of people.
She stopped well within spell-casting range, but out of his line of vision. Anyway, he was talking so animatedly to the best man, his best pal Blaise Zabini, that she doubted he would have noticed her even if she stood right behind him.
She opened her fist, pointed her wand at the loops of the chain and the ring, and muttered her spell. The items in her hand glowed brightly momentarily, and then disappeared.
Mission accomplished. She had returned his ring. She knew she'd never be able to keep it – it was his heirloom after all. She just hoped he wouldn't mind the small amendment she had made, another selfish gesture of hers.
Satisfied with her handiwork, she turned around, and walked out of the chapel, Disapparating the moment she stepped outside, brushing off a tear or two as she went.
Enough. Enough.
--
Draco stopped talking to Blaise, the hair on the back of his neck prickling warily. He looked back; ready to dismiss it as nothing but inane paranoia. No wait, what was that brief glow? He could've sworn… No it couldn't be. He was just paranoid that's all.
He felt a sudden coolness around his beck, and something heavy and circular on his chest. Could it be…
Raising a hand to his neck, he picked out a slim silver chain, and at the end, dangled the engagement ring he had given to… Her! What was she doing here! She never said anything about coming. Then again, she hadn't exactly been… contactable.
His hand closed around the ring, something nagging at his mind that he couldn't quite catch. Wait. His head snapped up, his eyes surveying the entrance, scanning the crowd for a glimpse of her, the only woman he had ever loved, and would ever love.
He caught a quick flash of bright red hair, and then it was gone. He'd know that hair anywhere.
She had come.
His hand loosened around the ring, holding it up for him to inspect. He'd never expected it to return, never expected her to return it. He didn't want her to.
A sudden glint caught his eye. He brought his hand up further, to the light, and spotted an engraving inside the ring. But there never were any engravings; he was confused. Just then, he made out the words carved inside, and for once, he was at a loss.
He'd wanted her to come to the wedding. If he'd known she'd be here today, he probably wouldn't have said, "I do". He would have followed his soul. He would have made her see, that it didn't matter – love was undying.
But he didn't know. And now, it was too late. It was too late.
He turned to the crowd of people and excused himself, saying he had to go to the loo. Obliviously, they let him pass, as some patted him on the back, and congratulated him on his wedding, as he made his way through the horde of guests.
Out at the back of the chapel, he leaned against the white washed wall, and cried. He cried for himself, and for her, and for them. His beautiful angel. His beautiful angel.
His fingers slipped up to the ring hanging around his neck, a comforting weight on his chest, and he was reminded of its carvings – her final words to him.
D.M. I will always love you. G.W.
And he bowed his head, and wept.
--fin
A/N: Actually I have no idea what the priest says in weddings, so I just made that up. Hope it was as authentic as I could get it to sound. Story was inspired by Patti Page's song of the same name, and I totally didn't do it justice. The story didn't quite come out the way I'd expected. Please forgive all grammatical errors or typos, I am so shacked right now, might have missed a few here and there (I don't normally get my fics beta read).
Thanks to:
M Keep writing, keep practising, you'll get the mystery in there! (: Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Jade Summers Thank you for reading and reviewing! (:
Bigreader I didn't think it was "perfect", but hey! I always accept compliments hahahaha. –shameless- Thanks for reading and reviewing! (:
Ash Night Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Raine Is Crazy I'm glad you thought it was nice, even though the pairing wasn't your cup of tea. (: Thanks for reading and reviewing!
ScarletAngel68 Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Limebaby Ooh I like your penname. (: Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Bracken-Fae Got to thank Kermit the Frog for the rainbow connection. (: Thank you for reading and reviewing!
Chryz OI! -pokes- Why you never review the second one! (:
Yingxiangie –cowers- Okay okay! Next time I will tell you… Don't be peeved? (: -glomps-
Snooza I tell you ah! I will never write D/Hr! Not even for your birthday or Chryz's will I write D/Hr!! Tis against the rules of being a D/G fan!
Thanks for the compliments, everybodeh. –skulks away-