Author's Note: Again, no idea where this came from. But this is for Becca (ThePaperBagPrincess), because she's lovely and has given me so much help with a lot of things. It's not the best, love, but I hope you enjoyed it a little.

Disclaimer: I'm afraid HP is not mine.

PERCEPTION

It was the one thing he was most ashamed of.

There it was, black and vile, brandished on his foreman. Mocking him, staining his youth, tormenting his mind.

Everyone viewed him as powerful, someone to avoid. But he felt powerless and alone. He didn't prefer to be feared, after all.

There was one person who made an effort to speak to him, to ask him how his day was. She would stay up late, sit with him… smile, give him hope.

She even kissed the skin around his Mark, tenderly.

"It's alright, love," Astoria whispered. "It's going to be alright."