What If..?

What if.... Harry joined Cotillion that night?

During Cotillion after Uma showed up as Ben's date.
//Mal's P.O.V//
Ben wasn't under any love spell. He was in love with Uma. The time they spent on the Isle brought them closer and showed the similarities between them. I was on the stairs, Adam and Belle came apologizing to me, they knew nothing of Uma and Ben's connection. My friends were next to me as well, supporting me as everyone switched looks from the couple now dancing in the centre, to me looking at them trying to process everything that was happening to me. I was looking at them and saw the sparkles in Uma's eyes. Love. I thought I loved Ben but it was an illusion created when I chose to betray my mother by choosing to be with Ben. Choosing good. But I never knew what love felt like. Or...did I?
I saw ^him^ walking on the yacht and passing everyone on the dance floor. I felt ^him^ approaching me so I flew the scene. I ran as fast as I could in the yellow boot heels Evie designed for me for this night. ***UGH! What was I thinking?! Showing up at Cotillion as Lady Mal?! Getting engaged to the King Of Auradon? Being a pretty pink princess followed by paparazzi all day?! This isn't me.. I never wanted any of this. I wanted to be free.*** I heard footsteps so I entered the closest empty room and shut the door behind me. I sat on the bed not wanting to face anyone, especially ^him^.
*GO AWAY!* I shouted. The person did the opposite and entered the room. It was ^him^, Harry Hook.
*Can we talk?* He asked sitting next to me. I quickly rose and layed on the right side of the bed ,my back facing him. He was the last person I wanted to see me like this.
I didn't realise how cold it was until he noticed and closed the window. I kept hugging the pillow trying not to cry in front of him. He was heading for the door? Was he really leaving? I didn't want to turn to see what he was doing so I kept my face into the pillow.
The door didn't open. Instead I felt him get in the bed with me and wrapped his arm around my waist, my back facing his chest.
*I'm not going anywhere.* A few tears escaped and leaked down my cheeks. I wasn't angry with Uma for taking Ben from me. I was happy for them. But I didn't know why I hurt so much. His grip got stronger. He wanted to keep me as close as he could.
I made a mistake. I should have never left the Isle of the Lost. I didn't have the lifestyle I was having in Auradon but I was happy there. I was free. I was..in love?..
I whispered *I'm sorry* , my voice breaking..
He knew what I meant. I was sorry for abandoning him. I was so cruel. He didn't deserve any of this. All my life my mother taught me to not make friends, to betray everyone and learn to rule on my own. She said that love was weakness. And in that moment I was weak, but it showed me that I can be whoever I wanted to be. With Ben, I was supposed to be Lady Mal, the future Queen of Auradon, always had to follow the rules and do what I'm told to do, but with Harry, he always encouraged me to follow my instincts, to be who I am. He was always so supportive and caring but I gave it all away because of my mother. I broke Harry's heart in order to protect mine.
*Back at Lady Tremaine's Curl up and Dye. When I heard your voice I couldn't believe that you had actually come back. I thought that you'd be gone forever.*
*I know..*
*I never forgot about you, Mal.* I was speechless. I couldn't move. Words wouldn't come out of my mouth.
*Do you remember my dream, Mal?* I do.
*When we stayed on the beach looking at the stars. I told you what I would do if the barrier was broken.*

(You know I want you
It's not a secret I try to hide
I know you want me
So don't keep saying our hands are tied
You claim it's not in the cards
Fate is pulling you miles away
And out of reach from me
But you're here in my heart
So who can stop me if I decide
That you're my destiny?)

*I wanted to sail the waters on board of the Jolly Roger.*

(What if we rewrite the stars?
Say you were made to be mine
Nothing could keep us apart
You'd be the one I was meant to find
It's up to you, and it's up to me)

*And I wanted you by my side. I wanted to explore the world with you.*
*The freedom I was longing for..* I replied recalling the memories of that night.
*After you left and betrayed your mother. You chose to stay in Auradon. You turned your back on evil. But you also turned your back on the Isle. On the people that were hoping you'd set them free.*
I was crying my eyes out. I was shaking. He was so right. I let everyone down. I left and never looked back. I have to fix this.
*I have to fix this. I will talk to Uma and Ben. We will make Auradon understand that the children shouldn't be punished because of their parents' choices.*
I turned this time facing him. He genuinely smiled.
*Looks like you've got a plan.*
I looked into his eyes. I could see the pain he's been through. How he felt abandoned all these months. But I could also see hope just behind his gorgeous crystal blue eyes.
*Do you still have it?* He asked. He meant the matching tattoo the two of us secretly got on the isle. I smiled, a smile which turned into a smirk.
*See for yourself.* I winked and he got the message.
His right hand cupped my face while his left arm wrapped around my waist, took me even closer into him. He closed the last bit of space between us as he kissed my lips. My heart was fluttering as I could feel my magic boil in my blood. Love might be weakness, but it's also my strength. He deepened the kiss and my hands went to unbuckle his belt and take out his shirt, feeling his burning skin. We both missed us, together like this. The passion was intoxicating and we were almost out of air but we couldn't care less. He is all I ever wanted. He set me free. I couldn't believe that he was here with me.

After an hour we decided to join the Cotillion as a couple. People were still hardly getting used to their king and his new girlfriend but I knew they made the right choice. And so have I. I couldn't take my eyes off of Harry as my friends approached us asking if they could help somehow. I have explained to them that we should bring the barrier down and all of them agreed. Evie was really happy that she could bring Dizzy in Auradon, while Jane feared a possible meeting with Carlos' mother, Cruella De ViL. Together we approached the King and his future Queen and discussed the plan. Uma was quick to agree. All that was left is convince Ben that this is the only way. Auradon cannot continue living in fear that a villain will escape through the barrier. We have to give everyone a choice. He looked at me and remembered why he proclaimed his first rule of giving the children of the Isle of the Lost a chance to live in Auradon. Evie and Doug proposed the idea of a programme through which we take courses on the Isle and teach everyone about our experience in Auradon and how they can choose good. He told Fairy Godmother about our idea. She refused at first but she understood it was for the better. Together with Evie, Carlos Jay, Uma and Harry, we will be starting the programme. The party went on until sunrise. I was watching the sky light up when Harry joined, embracing me.
*So what are you gonna do after the Isle and Auradon unite?* He asked kissing my cheek.
*I've been thinking of taking the Jolly Roger and explore the seas for a few months. Not alone of course.* I looked at him and smiled.
*I love you!* He confessed.
*And I love you!* I kissed him.
*Lovely tattoo by the way.* He winked and I playfully pushed him.
*You'll have plenty of time to see it again. And I like yours too.* I smirked.
He laughed and kept me closer to him as I layed my head on him.

(True love, I know I had it
True love, was so hard to find
True love, I'll never let it go this time.)