Hello, my beloved readers! This is my second fanfic here, my first being Death Can Not Part Us, but it's my first ever one-shot. I wrote it in math class today; it's rather short, but terribly sad, and I would make a bet that it is the only fic on this site that is for this ship. So enjoy, and please review!

The Last Minute Love Letter

To my love,
I am writing this letter in haste, for this is the last chance I have to tell you I love you. In a few minutes I will be married to another, and I won’t be free to make this sort of confession. My bride is a good woman, but I don’t love her, I could never love her. She isn’t you. She doesn’t return any smiles I give her. She doesn’t laugh when I swear. She doesn’t cry on my shoulder when life isn’t fair, like you once did.

I keep wishing it was you who was wearing a white wedding gown in the next room. I remember when, years ago, I looked at you and I saw my future. I didn’t care that it was forbidden, that I would be disowned and ignored. But I always knew, deep down, that it would never happen. Because then you would be hated as well. I had to protect you. That’s why I betrayed you. I was dying when I did it, and I sit here today, a cold and callous shell; because the good in me is dead. You were the good in me.

I remember the exact moment I fell in love with you, so vividly. That scummy excuse for a man, Potter, had forgotten he was coming to see you, and you walked into our Head-Boy/Head-Girl common room, slamming the door, tears streaming down your beautiful face. I can hear your footsteps still, running to the couch and throwing yourself upon it. I shouldn’t have cared, but I did, I did. I stepped down those stairs, and you looked up at me. There was pure, unchained emotion and loveliness in those eyes. It was in that instant I knew my purpose in life. To love you, and protect you, and change the world so it wouldn’t hurt you any more.

We were the most beautiful secret the world ever knew. I remember the strength that coursed through my veins when you looked at me, with little glances so those around us wouldn’t see. I still feel the anticipation that filled me when I knew we were meeting that day, in some secluded spot where we would sit, with you leaning on me, and talk about what people would say if they knew that a Muggle-born Gryffindor and a pureblooded Slytherin were in the throes of passion. Even now, if I close my eyes, I can still make myself believe I’m with you.

You’ve probably moved on, and forgotten our secret love. I bet you married that Potter fool, I wonder if you told him about us? Maybe you have children now, with your bright green eyes that I drowned in over and over again. And now you’re reading this letter, thinking I’m an idiot for not letting go, and for daring to write you this. Maybe you never forgave me, why would you, and you think of me now with hate and anger, and not sadness, nor nostalgia. I am just the cold, hateful boy the rest of the school had accepted me as.

But the truth is that you changed me. You made me the man I wanted to be. You made me realize that love, not blood, or status, is what makes us good. When I was with you, I discovered how shallow my existence was, believing I was superior because of a family name. Some may have said that you were below me, but in my own eyes, I was scum compared to you. You were sweet, and pure, and great, and I was low, and rude, and foul. But somehow you found it in your heart to care about an underling like me, and I hurt you, betrayed your trust. I sunk even lower as I tore your heart in pieces. I will be forever, and hopelessly sorry, and I will always regret it, even though I know it would have been selfish to keep you for my own.

I must finish now, and send this letter before someone comes, or I lose my nerve. I know that you will hear about my marriage to Narcissa Black before you receive this last declaration of love. Because I love you, Lily, and I will never stop.

Forever yours,
Lucius

Lily trembled as she read his name, the blessed name of the only man she truly loved. She kissed the letter, and tossed it into the fire place, knowing it was wrong to keep it. A tear slipped down her cheek, and she wiped it away. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror, her reddish-brown hair contrasting against her white wedding dress. Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the alcove of the chapel. She stared into the adoring faces turning to look at her, and faked a smile at the groom, James Potter, wishing with all her soul he was a tall blonde named Malfoy.