Melody stared down at the corset in her hands as he spoke. To keep them in this cycle of heartbreaking goodbyes was inherently selfish, she knew that, but she couldn't agree to never see him again. They couldn't attend the same social events and never so much as say hello. Melody had partaken in that endless loop for years and that left her feeling even more devastated than she was now. "Okay." She responded simply before turning from him in search of her wand. There wasn't much left to say. Anything else would just be rubbing salt into the wound.

Finally, once her corset was secured and her dress straightened on her shoulders, Melody faced him once more. "I'll write you when we're back. If … if seeing me won't make you happy, please don't respond." Every word Ben had said thus far was centered around her and her happiness. Melody hadn't the slightest clue what would make him happy, but she was growing increasingly convinced that she wasn't part of it. After all, he didn't want to marry her under their present circumstances.

Without waiting for a response or a further goodbye from him, she fled the room and nearly collided with a smirking servant in the process. The man took in her imperfect bun and sweat smeared makeup before rolling his eyes at her and continuing down the hall. However, as he passed Melody distinctly heard him mutter "...revealed at midnight…"

No.

Panicked, Melody searched for the door she had just come from only to find a solid wall. No, no, no. What would be revealed at midnight?! The alcoves had been convenient, but she hadn't been wise enough to suspect a nefarious purpose. No. Where was that door? Where was Ben?! Without further details, Melody had to assume that if they didn't escape and soon there would be no wedding in a week, for she would be ruined. Everyone would know of her dailiance just now and she would be featured in Witch Weekly with the other harlots of her generation.

No, no. This couldn't happen. They hadn't sacrificed their happiness for her to be destroyed anyway! She should've left their relationship on the rooftop. She shouldn't have sought after another stolen moment with him. They had been testing their luck with every conversation they'd had since July. Melody frantically looked about the main room, searching for that familiar smile. While it would've been a blessing for him to have left already, she couldn't be certain he had. Another servant stepped around her, causing her to turn and ah! There he was.

As quickly as she could without being suspicious, Melody moved to the refreshment table for a wine glass. She couldn't trust that he would follow her without complaint, and they couldn't make a scene. Not now. Not so close to midnight. Hopefully, he would forgive her for wasting some of the potion on this. Hopefully it worked! Melody couldn't have him banished to Canada again because of her.

"Hello, Mr. Crouch." She greeted nonchalantly. There were too many people around for her to be as bold as she had been earlier, and now knowing the evil workings of the hostess Melody was even more reluctant to trust the enchantments the waiters had mentioned. "I believe my fiance was thinking of sending some firewhiskey back to America. Might you have a moment?" A lame excuse, she knew it. He would see right through it. But, how to switch their glasses?! They were quickly running out of time.