Written for Pairing the Character- Drabble Competition from Harry Potter Fanfiction Challenges
Pairing: Narcissa/James
Word count: 217
The time for goodbyes was coming near, and Narcissa dreaded it. By tomorrow, her engagement with Lucius will be announced, and any thoughts of sharing a future with James will be gone. It wasn't how things were supposed to go, and they just needed a little more time.
But time was not on their side, and it was time to say goodbye.
James fought it at first and argued how it wasn't fair. Her father didn't give them the two months that they needed. Those two months to prove to Cygnus that James was worthy of marrying his daughter. It was just a joke to him, something to entertain Cygnus.
"We don't have to accept this, Cissy. We can run away now and-"
Narcissa was already shaking her head. They wouldn't let her go, not like they did with Andromeda. They would come after her and force her to marry Lucius.
"You'll know what will happen if we do," Narcissa whispered, taking his hands. "This is goodbye."
"It isn't fair." James protested, before leaning forward and kissing her.
Life isn't fair. Narcissa thought bitterly. It should have been obvious that Cygnus wasn't going to let his youngest daughter marry a blood traitor.
"I love you," Narcissa said, blinking back her tears.
"I love you, too."
"Always?"
"Always."