Say My Name Without the War

After everything I did... you came back? Hate me tomorrow. Take my hand. I wore my father's scorn like polished gold, Made you the joke the crowded hall retold. You won the sky; I swore the crowd was blind. I wanted you beneath me, not beside. You judged my friends by blood and what they wore; I'd heard that kind of laughter long before. I turned away the hand you thought I'd take. Some lines are worth the enemies they make. I saw your blood, my wand still in my hand; I'd used a curse I didn't understand. I let the darkness through a hidden door; The things I'd wished for came to ask for more. A mark beneath my sleeve, a shaking hand - I couldn't kill the man at their command. Then, at the manor, where they held me bound, They asked my name. You wouldn't make the sound. I can't be certain. It wasn't love. I couldn't watch you die. Then fire climbed the room that held our lies. You turned your broom against the burning air; I reached for you. The boy I'd hated cared. Say my name without the war, We don't have to make it more. Let it lose its sharpened edge; Let a word become a bridge. Not forgiveness, not just yet - Some things neither can forget. Just a voice I needn't fight, And a little room for light. I'm sorry for what I did. To you. To your friends. I don't expect forgiveness. And I'm sorry for that curse. Coming back for you didn't undo it. You came to mend the school you'd helped to break, Stayed when there was no praise for you to take. You let my friends be angry, let them speak, Then came back, sleeves rolled up, week after week. My father called them lesser. I said no. He left the table; I let him go. My letter waited weeks for your reply; Three cautious lines I learnt by heart that night. Three winters passed through letters, walks and tea. You learned to laugh without a casualty. You still said "Potter" when I spilled my cup; You laughed before your guard could get back up. I hoped you'd leave a glove beside the door - Some small excuse to see you here once more. I never meant to stay till half past two, Or save the smallest stories just for you. The first time "Harry" slipped out of my mouth, You smiled, and all my clever words ran out. No curse to break, no fire to pull me through; I crossed that quiet room to come to you. You know this isn't because you saved me. I know. You could have left an hour ago. Say my name without the war, Let it mean a little more. Let it lose its sharpened edge; Let a word become a bridge. There are things we can't undo; I still want a life with you. Now your voice can bring me home - Somewhere neither sleeps alone. Some nights the manor still comes through the door. Some nights I'm seventeen and back at war. We cannot make those younger shadows leave; We sit until there's room enough to breathe. I love the life we found beyond the fear, The thousand little reasons we are here. Harry... I take you as my husband. I promise you the truth, even when I'm afraid. And I take you as my wife. Today. And every ordinary day. Say my name without the war, Let it mean forevermore. Put your ring upon this hand; Here, by choice, is where I stand. We were never owed this day; Love came slowly. Let it stay. Once your name could cut through stone - Now I say it, and I'm home. You're still impossible, Potter. You married me. I did, Harry.