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"Gabrielle Murray, I love you more than life itself. Every moment I'm with you is bliss and every moment away is sheer torture. Darling Gabrielle, from the moment I caught eyes with you, time stopped. You stole my heart and since that day, I have been content in letting you do it.... until now. This moment with you, I always want to remember it and so, Gabrielle Mina Christine Murray." A kneel of one knee. Two pairs of hazel eyes interlocked. A ring soon presented. "Will you do the honour of becoming a part of my life for all the ages? Because, darling, I don't think either of us can't wait for all eternity. Time waits for no man, no woman."

.   .   .   .

No.

She had said no. The tears hadn't stopped since she left Francis at the steps of the[1]Parish Church of St. Clementine in Godric's Hollow. Guilt racked and ravaged her body, making Gabrielle absolutely sick to her stomach. She had apparated to Romania, knowing where to find [2]Străbunică Crina in an instant. Her fist rapped at the door twice before Gabie held herself up as best she could and began sobbing all over again. "Stimati copil, ce-ai făcut acum?"[3] came Crina's voice as she pulled the child into the house, locking it right after. Crina ushered Gabrielle towards the fireplace and into a worn chair. "Gabrielle, what is it you have caused? Is it your father? Alan? Talk to me, micutul[4]" It took a good few minutes and finally Gabrielle was able to come to some sense of normalcy. Her body and heart was heavy laden but it was not too kind to leave her great-grandmother in shadows.

"[5]Bunica... you remember Francis?" Crina's eyes watched the girl closely and had a hunch, but kept it quietly to herself. "Da, Gabrielle, I do. A very sweet boy, er, young man. Heh. What about him, lovely girl? He isn't in trouble, is he? Or.....?" "I told him no." Crina's smile faltered, her nose crinkling slightly; Gabrielle interjected quickly. "Oh no, no! Not like that, great granmama! I...." Gabrielle inhaled and exhaled so slow, it was as if time was now bound to curse her for the rejection. "He proposed to me and I....I declined him." One of Crina's bony hands whacked the girl's shoulder with the force it could muster.

"Wicked, wicked girl! Why would you deny yourself this opportunity for one lifetime with someone you love deeper than the waters that splash in the sea? Gabrielle, you have been most foolish and you know this." The scrutinizing glance was there and it was something that Gabrielle didn't like one bit even as she could Crina meant well by her words. She was very wise and not foolish about matters of life. "Your grandfather Alan was dealt Death's card twice in his life but fought it. You know your father loved your mother with all his being. Losing her.... no man never should endure it, but he did. However, Vladislaus likewise let it dictate him and still does, no matter what the stubborn mule says. As for you, my little one, you have done a great injustice. You cannot go to him and fix this now. His heart, like yours, is broken, shattered."

Gabrielle felt the tears forming all over again but this time, Crina pulled her great-grandchild out of the chair and over to the master of the house's chair and put her arms around her. Infinitely wise and to the point was Crina. She chastised your actions but there was no question about her loyalty and love for you. "I will be here for you, little one. Do not fret. Now, ease these tears. There will be many more to come in the months to pass, but for now, you must own to the responsibility you have formed. Francis Pepper was good to you, so good to  you and for this, you will keep distance from him. Maybe....one day, Gabrielle, you will see and know the error of your ways. When that day comes, should it ever, it will be evident. Do know this, Gabrielle: I love you, micutul, and nothing will ever change that."

Gabrielle sniffled as she snuggled closer into Crina's arms. Crina chuckled as she stroked her hair after kissing it.

"I love you too, bunica."


END.

1.	HP Wikia
2.	Romanian: Great-Grandmother.
3.	Romanian: "Dear child, what have you done now?"
4.	Romanian: little one.
5.	Romanian: 'Granny' - affectionate term