Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling. Title comes from 'Blood on the Leaves' by Kanye West.

-Hope you all had a great summer! I start school tomorrow, and honestly feel I wasted 2 and half months of my life. Oh well…

-Thanks for reading! Leave a review!

In an hour, I'm getting married. I never thought I'd be less excited in my life to say that. Until yesterday, when I had the most horrible day I'm sure anyone can have. Now, I'm not so sure that I want this wedding to happen, but it isn't like I can do anything to stop it. I wanted so badly to marry Simon, and now I am. It's cruel how fate works out.

Simon looks his reflection over in the mirror. He's gotten his hair cut, and with it his hair combed back, I can't help but think how much he resembles Scorpius. I look away.

I can't focus on anything Simon's saying to me. He's giving me a run-down of how things are going to go today- who I'm going to meet, how I should behave. I'm starting to feel more like his arm piece than his soon to be wife.

"Ow," I wince as the lady doing my hair sticks in a pin too hard.

"I'm sorry, Miss Malfoy."

Simon glares at her. "I'm not paying you to injure her. I'd appreciate if you didn't interrupt our conversation."

"Simon, it's fine," I say quietly. He ignores me and keeps talking.

"We're getting married today, Isobelle. The least you could do is look happy and look like you love me," Simon says stiffly.

"I do love you." It's him who isn't treating me so properly.

Simon nods. "And what are we not speaking about?" He asks like he's speaking to a small child.

"What happened yesterday," I answer. "We aren't speaking of it at all."

"Exactly," Simon says. "I don't want you to give even the slightest of hints. Nothing is going to ruin today."

Simon stares at my reflection in the mirror. For a second, I see the man who I came to love. The sweet, loving Simon, not the one who treats me as distantly as he is now. "How can you be so beautiful?" he asks me.

I see a wistful expression on Simon's face. It's almost enough to make me forget every horrible thing he's said to me.

"We can try again," I assure him. "You know that."

Simon's facial expression immediately hardens. "It may take me some time to get over my disgust," he says begrudgingly.

His words hit me like a slap in the face. Why does he feel it's necessary to treat me so terribly? As if I'm not upset enough.

"You aren't too disgusted. You're marrying me," I point out, narrowing my eyes at Simon. "You told me that you'd do anything to have me, and now you do. You got what you asked for."

"Now I see it as a curse!" Simon says angrily.

"Oh that's something lovely to call your soon-to-be-wife!" I argue. I know that Simon and I are absolutely putting on a show for the people helping us to get ready. But they're under strict obligation to remain silent about anything we discuss, and I won't let Simon speak to me this way any longer.

"Well, damn, I'm sorry if I don't see you losing our child as a blessing!" Simon shouts back.

"I didn't say it was. But you're treating me like I'm plagued! You lied to me!"

Simon crosses his arms. "How the hell did I lie to you?"

"You said you'd never do anything to hurt me. You said I'd have everything," I remind him bitterly. "All you've done since yesterday is be horr-"

Simon takes my hand. "Stop talking," he says gently, trying to distract me from my anger. "You're working yourself up for no reason. You did what you did, and you have to own up to that." Simon kisses the side of my head. "We can't have any more of this once we're married. You know that."

I frown. "Any more of what?"

"Talking to me in that awfully rude tone of yours. It was endearing when we were dating, but that's not any sort of behavior for a wife," Simon tells me.

"So what am I supposed to do? Allow you to yell at me and just stay quiet about it?" I ask in disbelief.

"Or you could try not giving me any reasons to be upset. You know I'm not irrational."

I raise an eyebrow. "I do?"

Simon shakes his head at me. "That's exactly what I'm talking about. I love you far too much to allow your mouth to create any more tension between us."

Simon tilts my chin up to him and gives me a loving kiss. "Finish having your hair done. I'll see you in an hour."

Simon walks out and shuts the door behind him.

I don't even know more than half the people at the wedding. Some of them are related to Simon, and others are people from Dad's job. This wasn't what I wanted. I wanted a beautiful wedding, just a union between my family and Simon's, not some circus for The Daily Prophet. The cameras haven't stopped flashing for a solid ten seconds since the wedding began.

I thought getting married at the Manor would help with that. When I realized it most likely wouldn't, Dad wouldn't allow me to change my mind. He said his entire family had been married at the Manor, and I should be, too. We've had numerous guests over for events, but I didn't want my wedding to be one of them.

I stare forward blankly, only half-listening to Simon speak his vows. I wonder if he even really means them anymore. It's terrible to have so many people staring at me. It does nothing to help my anxiety. I focus on some flowers right behind Simon's face, deciding to occupy myself with them instead. I can't bring myself to look at him.

Simon clears his throat, jarring me back into reality. I glance at him in confusion for a moment before I realize it's my turn to say my vows. I speed through them, stumbling over my words a few times. I'm not even sure I remembered completely what I wanted to say. Half of what I'm saying is made up on the spot.

Simon puts my ring on my finger, and I do the same to him.

"Mister Montague, you may now kiss your bride."

I look at Simon apprehensively for a moment. If I want to back out of the wedding, if I have even the smallest of doubts this isn't what I want, now is my only chance to step away from it all. The way the past two days have gone, it's rather tempting.

I don't do anything. I stand there like a dummy as Simon brings me close to him and kisses me. When he pulls away, I have to force myself to smile, or at least do my best.

I'm married now. I'm no longer Isobelle Malfoy, but Isobelle Montague.

Simon takes my hand and leads me down from the altar. As we walk down the aisle, I see my family smiling proudly and waving at me. It's only Mum who senses that something is wrong, and I can see it in her face. Why is it always her?

Simon shuts the door behind us and lets go of my hand. "You have to go change," he says.

"Aren't you going to?" I ask.

Simon shakes his head. "I'm going to greet some guests. Don't take too long."

I wait for Simon to say something else to me to acknowledge out parting, but he doesn't. He simply turns around and walks to the ballroom. I'm finding it terribly difficult to believe this is an event little girls dream about.

When I come into the ballroom after changing, I don't want anything more than to run upstairs to my old bedroom and not exist. It seems everyone's enjoying themselves but me. Scorpius is dancing with Daisy, Rose is speaking to Al and James, and Hugo, Lily, and Nina are raiding a table of sweets. Why can't I be that young and problem-free?

I search across the room for Simon. When I spot him, I see him talking to some girl who seems younger than me, even. They're laughing and smiling at each other, and they both seem way too happy for my liking. When Simon sees me, he says something to her before making his way over to me. He slips his arm around my waist.

"Who was she?" I demand.

Simon gives me an innocent look. "A daughter of one of your father's colleagues. I was simply introducing myself."

I roll my eyes. "I'm sure."

Simon tightens his grip on my waist. "Are you accusing me of something?" he asks quietly.

"Do I have a reason to?"

"Of course, not," Simon snaps. "You're my wife. I only have eyes for you."

I'm not sure whether or not Simon is being sincere, but I don't have time to dwell on it, because my grandparents approach us. I didn't even want them at my wedding, but my parents made me invite them. Something about being cordial

Grandmother gives me a horribly fake smile. "Congratulations, Isobelle," she tells me.

"Thank you," I reply stiffly.

"Honestly, I didn't believe this was at all possible," Grandfather adds.

"Why not?" I ask.

"I never believed Draco would get around to setting up a marriage for you," Grandmother says, her eyes on Simon. I know she knows him. And I know both my grandparents believe he's too good for me. He isn't.

"Dad had nothing to do with this," I inform them.

Grandfather raises his eyebrows. "No?"

Simon shakes his head. "Of course, not. I love Isobelle genuinely. It was my own idea to marry her," Simon assures my grandparents. A part of me reminds myself that it was technically Simon's parents who came up with the idea of him getting married again. Without doing so, he wouldn't get his inheritance.

"Well, my, that certainly is a surprise," Grandmother says, a slight smirk on her face. "It was nice speaking to you, Isobelle, but Lucius and I have some other friends we'd very much like to catch up with."

"Oh, please, don't hesitate," I say quickly, happy to be rid of them. Grandmother and Grandfather leave Simon and I, not without giving me one last judgmental glance. I'm relieved that I won't have to survive many more of those any longer.

"You're so rude to them," Simon tells me disapprovingly.

"You don't know the half of what they did to me," I say. "And you aren't any better to your parents."

Simon glowers at me. He opens his mouth to say something before looking in the other direction as someone catches his eye.

"Do you have someone more important than me to talk to?" I ask.

Simon nods. "Some of the lawyers."

"Did they annul your first marriage?" I question smartly.

Simon clenches his jaw and lets go of my waist. "If you're trying to anger me, it's working."

"What am I supposed to do while you're making your rounds?" I ask, ignoring Simon.

"Socialize," Simon tells me, walking off. "I'll come and speak to you later."

"Fine."

Simon's treating this entire thing more like a series of interviews than he is a wedding. No matter how angry I am at him, I wouldn't think once to embarrass him or leave him by himself just to punish him.

The only person who seems just as miserable as me is Teddy. I wanted him at my wedding not to torture him, but because he really is a great friend of mine, and he's family. It would have been wrong not to invite him.

I make my way over to Teddy. I know Simon didn't want me to invite him, nor does he want me to speak to him, but at the moment I'm past the point of trying to please Simon. He hasn't made any effort with me.

"I'm glad you made it," I smile at Teddy.

He smiles back. I know he's not happy about Simon and I, but he's trying to be kind. I respect that. "I wouldn't miss your wedding, Belle."

"Thanks," I sigh.

Teddy's eyebrows wrinkle. I notice they're a mousy brown, his natural hair color. "You don't look happy. You didn't earlier, either."

It's sad how easily Teddy can read my facial expressions. "Simon's angry with me. He's pushing me away," I admit.

"Why do you let him?" Teddy questions.

"What? I'm not letting him."

"You still married him," Teddy points out.

I feel like I had to. If I didn't, I would have let my family down, especially Dad. Or people could have possibly found out what happened yesterday. And it isn't like I did it blindly, I did have some doubts. I don't know whether this is a good or bad thing.

"You don't understand," I tell Teddy in a resigned tone.

Teddy gives me a soft look. "You always say that to me. I wish you could help me understand," he tells me.

I'm stuck looking at Teddy for an endless minute. Here he is, still offering to care for me. I'm married now, and if he really wanted to, he could leave me out to dry. Why won't he?

Because he loves me.

Before I know what I'm doing, I'm taking Teddy's hand and leading him out of the ballroom. I take him to a hallway where I know no one will find us.

Teddy gives me a confused look. "Belle-"

"You still love me, don't you?" I ask, searching Teddy's face for a hint of an answer.

"What?"

"Do you still love me?" I ask again. "Yes or no?"

Teddy's quiet for a moment. "Yes, I do." At least I know that if Simon wants to continue pushing me away, I have someone who won't.

I give Teddy a small smile. I put my arms around his neck and lean in to whisper in his ear. "I want to keep seeing you," I say quietly.

"I'm not going to stop talking to you just because you're married," Teddy assures me.

I shake my head at him. "Teddy, you don't understand. I want to see you. To come to your flat, sleep in your bed, have you hold me. I want that again," I tell Teddy, pressing my body against his.

He frowns at me in disbelief. "What? Belle-"

"It's what I want, Teddy. You said I could always speak honestly with you, and I am. We could make each other happy again, like we used to. Don't you want that?" I ask.

Teddy looks dumbfounded. I don't understand why. He loves me, doesn't he? "Why are you saying this all of the sudden?"

I shake my head at Teddy, pressing my lips against his neck. "Make me feel less alone," I beg. "Let me visit you tonight."

"You're married!" Teddy reminds me harshly.

I run my hand down the inside of Teddy's leg and press him closer to the wall. "You can love more than one person. You just can't marry them both," I inform Teddy. "No one's going to catch us."

"You don't know that."

"We could go upstairs," I offer. "I need you so badly."

"Why?" Teddy asks hesitantly. "Why are you doing this?"

I give Teddy a passionate kiss. For him to not want me, he sure does return it. "Please, Teddy, come to bed with me."

"What do you want?" Teddy asks me.

I run my hands through his hair. "A daughter," I whisper. "One that takes after me."

Teddy goes stiff and looks at me like I'm a stranger. "What?" He repeats.

"Maybe… maybe Simon wasn't right for me. Maybe you're different. I can carry your child," I assure him, kissing him again.

Teddy tries to pry me off of him. "What the hell are you talking about?" Teddy asks firmly.

"I lost my boy," I explain, feeling myself grow emotional. "Simon hates me, and you- you can help me. Please, Teddy. I want your little girl." I plead. "And… and then, when Simon knows I'm capable, he'll want a son with me, too."

"You lost your boy?" Teddy repeats. "Isobelle, have you taken your-"

"Yesterday," I answer. I-I went to sleep and… I didn't even know…"

Teddy stares at me, and I don't think he knows what I'm talking about. "You were pregnant?"

"Until, yesterday," I answer.

Teddy's eyes widen with shock. "God, Isobelle, I'm so sorry."

I shake my head at him and grab the collar of his robes, giving him another kiss. "Don't apologize. Just give me another chance. I won't tell anyone about her. I'll… I'll make the Vow, Teddy-"

"You don't need a baby," Teddy tells me, bringing me closer to him.

"But Simon does," I whisper. "If… If I can have one, he won't hate me."

Teddy doesn't say anything for a long while. I don't think he knows what to say. I just hope that he says yes. I could do it. I know it isn't my fault. If I had Teddy's child inside of me, everything would happen fine. I truly believe that in my heart. If it were a girl, Simon would never have to know.

"You're in shock," Teddy concludes finally. "That's really messed up what happened to you. You need to take some time to sort it out."

"There's nothing to sort out!" I say angrily. "If you loved me, you would give me a baby! You would let me see you tonight!"

Teddy sighs and looks around. "Lower your voice," he says. "You don't have to yell."

"And you don't have to be so afraid!"

"This is madness, Belle," Teddy says quietly. "I love you, but I can't… you can't ask me to do that."

I nod vehemently. "I am! I need you to. I need to be pregnant."

Teddy gives me a sad look and shakes his head at me. "I don't know what Simon put in your head, but none of it's true. You don't need a child right now, and for Simon to put that on you isn't right at all," he says.

I can't bring myself to agree with Teddy. He doesn't understand. It would have been different if I hadn't been pregnant in the first place. But I was. Something that Simon thought he was going to have got taken away. And he blames me.

"You won't help me?" I question in a small voice.

Teddy nods his head. "I am helping you. Not in the way you want, but I am. You'll see."

I rest my head against Teddy's chest and let his heartbeat calm me, and take in the feeling of his warm arms around me. He isn't the man I married.

That baby loss hit everyone hard. Hope you liked it! Leave a review!