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She stands before the mirror, all dressed in white, except for the crown of baby blue flowers that adorn her head. Lily had insisted that she needed something blue, some silly Muggle tradition. Alice thinks it's adorable, and there's no harm in indulging in her best friend's whimsy.

"Well, well, well."

She knows that voice all too well and doesn't have to adjust her gaze to know Lucius Malfoy has joined her. Alice swallows dryly, shivering. "You shouldn't be here," she says, turning.

Lucius is as handsome as ever, dressed in a sleek black suit and smirking like she's said something amusing. It takes only a few quick strides of his long legs to close the distance between them. He is far too close for her comfort, but she doesn't back away. Instead, ever the bold and daring Gryffindor, she stands her ground, head held high.

"What do you want?" she demands.

"Well, you should know the answer to that," he muses, reaching out and trailing his fingertips over her cheek. "I want what I've always wanted, what I once had."

Alice inhales, the breath shaky. She hates how weak she feels right now. He has no right to have this effect on her. They are no longer lovers, and this war has made them enemies. They've both made their choices long ago, and no amount of desire can change that.

"You're making a mistake, Alice. What can Longbottom give you that I can't?"

"Love."

He snorts. "You think I don't love you?"

Alice knows he said he did, once upon a time when life was simpler. Still, she knows Malfoys only ever look after themselves, and that she cannot truly trust him. But there is a part of her, even now, dressed up and ready to marry Frank, that knows she still loves Lucius. Maybe nothing will ever change that. Even so, it doesn't matter because the ideal of Lucius Malfoy loving anyone but himself is laughable.

"Please," she whispers. "Please just stop talking."

"You're blushing." He looks positively delighted at that. "Is it possible you still love me? Hmm?"

"You're a monster."

But does she mean it? She isn't sure anymore. Some parts of her still remember his kindness and tenderness, the soft ways he would kiss her and whisper praises for her. Her perception of the boy he once was does not match the man who stands before her now. Is he really and truly evil? Is there some hope for his soul? Alice wants to believe so.

Even if there is, though, what does it matter? It isn't her job to save him. They parted ways all those years ago. This is her life now. She loves Frank, and she plans on having a happy, fulfilling future with him. Whatever she once felt (and still feels, if she's honest with herself) for Lucius doesn't matter.

"I know where your heart still belongs. You will come back to me," he tells her.

She shakes her head. "Leave. Now," she says.

His confident mask falters, if only slightly. A moment passes before he finally shrugs. "As you wish. But remember: I could have given you everything."

With that, he disappears into the shadows, and then he's gone.

Alice turns back to the mirror. Why does she suddenly feel so hollow? There's no future for her and Lucius. Turning him away is the right thing.

You will come back to me.

If she's honest, maybe she wanted to. She knows he's married, but she also doubts they're in love. Arranged marriages so rarely have any room for true emotional connection.

"Alice? Hey, it's nearly… Oh, poppet!" Lily rushes to her, wrapping her in a warm hug from behind. "Why are you crying?"

It's only then that Alice notices the tears that leak from her eyes. She clears her throat, struggling out of her friend's grip so that she can wipe them away. "I'm just so happy to be marrying Frank," she says, and her words sound stronger than she feels. Good. The last thing she needs is for Lily to see through her and ask questions. "Happy tears. Promise."

If Lily suspects a thing, she doesn't say a word. She just smiles brightly at Alice's reflection and says, "Great! Come on. It's time."

Alice takes a deep breath and composes herself, counting to five in her head as she follows behind her best friend. This is it. This is the moment she's been waiting for.

And yet, as she walks towards a smiling, overjoyed Frank, she can't help but feel like she's walking away from something important.