Second Meetings and Starlit Yule
The next meeting for Ophelia was a tea at Malfoy manor, private family gathering to spend time with those of age to attend Hogwarts.
Lucius had returned home as had the three black sisters, two of which were present at the brunch, Bellatrix was away with her parents to discuss her wedding to the Lestrange heir post her graduating in just a few months. She was quite proud of her match. So the younger two black sisters had accompanied their aunt to Malfoy manor.
Andromeda had lasted all of four minutes then feigned illness to leave before the lady Malfoy had appeared with her daughter.
Delphine was graceful in airy robes of a dusky rose her daughter in very similar style in lilac, she nervously fiddled with the silver buttons of her outer cloak.
“Ophelia, this is Narcissa, I mentioned her when I got home” Lucius says prompting her.
“Pleased to meet you” she says tilting her head up.
Narcissa has a similar timid smile but there is a hint of something behind her eyes, something tense.
“would you like to come see the greenhouse Narcissa” Ophelia asks the older girl.
“I would love to” and like that they escaped the cloistered drawing room, leaving Lucius and two small boys with black hair and silver eyes that she hadn’t seen in the room. One of which had a new favourite shade of purple.
Narcissa was all grace as she grabbed a handful of her robe to quicken her pace, following the young Malfoy through the Maze out to the greenhouse. A smile breaking onto her face as they reach an open space just before the greenhouse and they could see the stained glass in all its beauty. Teal green, emerald, violet and lilac. It was breathtaking.
“why are you sad?” the question pulled the air from Narcissa’s lungs.
“why do you think I am sad?” she says continuing to walk toward the greenhouse.
“eyes are hard to copy, mama said it is because that’s where feelings hide, I cant copy your eyes” Ophelia explains pulling a handle down and pulling the door open.
Through the centre isle of the sprawling greenhouse expanded on the inside with charms, they walked in silence.
“I lost someone this year, someone special” Narcissa said.
“its okay to be sad, my mama sister died, it was sad but she was really sick and it doesn’t hurt her anymore” the littler of the two sat on the bench at a fork in the path next to some fragrant flowers of bright colours.
Narcissa sat in her navy robes.
“She didn’t die but I cant see her anymore, our school Houses don’t allow for it, and they are signing the betrothal contract now that I am of an age for such agreements” Narcissa says.
“do you love her?” Ophelia asked.
“I cant answer that out loud” Narcissa says squeezing Ophelias hands looking into her eyes.
“what was her name”
“Amelia Bones, A Hufflepuff”
The next meeting wasn’t for a few months, The Malfoy family was hosting a Yule Ball. Lucius held his Sisters hand as they weaved through the crowd greeting people as the host family.
When Ophelia notices the Black family arrive she lightly tugs on Lucius’ hand to get his attention.
“good eye little one” he steers them in the direction.
Ophelia does her best to keep up with her brothers strides, Pale blue robes swishing in her wake and black flat shoes sliding on the marble in her struggle. This leads to her almost running into a teen with Lady Black.
“I’m so sorry Miss, we were moving too fast and the floor was slippery, I’m so sorry-“ her apologies were cut off.
“no harm done little Malfoy, you did well trying to keep up with your brother even if his strides are as long as two of your own, My name is Andromeda, my cousins told me about you” the girl had crouched to her level when she began speaking and smiled at the young girl who was trying not to cry.
“Are you sure, miss Andromeda, mama said I had to behave best tonight, I nearly hurt you” she was breathing trying to not cry.
“come here little one, lets go find your mama and I am certain she will agree with me” the little girl latched onto Andromeda as the teen lifted her. Emerald robes swishing as Andromeda hefted the upset child into her arms.
Lucius attempted to protest but was drawn into conversation with Cygnus and Orion, Andromeda didn’t notice till halfway across the floor that Regulus had followed her. Nodding to him they continued on to where Abraxas and Delphine had just moved away from the other group of guests.
Both of whom ushered the Blacks into a separate drawing room.
“What Happened?” Abraxas asked taking his daughter into his arms where she burrowed herself in.
“she nearly ran into me then started getting upset, I explained to her it was fine and if there was any blame it was on Lucius, but she kept getting more upset” Andromeda says calmly.
Before Abraxas can speak a small voice pipes up.
“it’s not her fault Lord Malfoy, the floor is slippery, and Lucius was pulling her along then stopped to fast, she slipped, please it’s not her fault” Regulus said standing up straight, shaking slightly but looking Abraxas in the eye.
“Regulus, that’s your name if my memory serves me correct, I admire you coming all the way to make sure she’s alright, she’s not being punished. This is her first Ball and she got scared that she did something wrong, Lucius should have been more mindful of her size, but she isn’t in any trouble as your cousin explained” Abraxas responds running his hand over her loose silver locks to calm her down.
“she’s not going to be hurt?” he asks.
“No she isn’t” Delphine says resting her hand on her daughters back, a silent look had Regulus leaving.
“Mama, papa?” the small voice says.
“yes dearest” Delphine smiles.
“can I stay with Miss Andromeda for the rest of the night, I promise I’ll be good” she says quietly.
Delphine looks to the 14-year-old who stood straighter and nodded an ascent.
“as long as you return to us for the evening meal” Abraxas says.
“yes papa” she says, and he lets her down to which she grasps Andromeda’s hand.
Returning to the floor Ophelia is on the lookout for Narcissa, she cant see her this low in all the swirling gowns and robes. Turning to Andromeda she asks after the youngest black sister.
“Cissa, She’s probably with our aunt or Lucius, shall we go find her?” Andromeda smiles leading them through the crowd, “And Call me Andy little Malfoy, Andromeda is very long isn’t it”
They find Narcissa dancing with a very nervous Regulus, much to short to be her partner but he had only stepped on her toes once so far as they danced off to the side at a slower pace then the adults in the centre floor. "Well done Reggie, very well for your first ball” Andy compliments as the song ends.
Narcissa and Regulus turn and before either can say anything Andromeda freezes, making eye contact with her little sister she hands off Ophelia before turning on her heel to the feeling of that oily dark magic.
“Lord Gaunt how lovely to see you, would you care to dance I have yet to have the pleasure” She smiles, channelling her inner Bella as she dragged his attention from Narcissa and the two younger children.
Now Lord Gaunt, as he insisted on being called even to e was a half-blood by the name of Thomas Riddle, but he was backed by lords Nott, Malfoy, Avery and Parkinson. So none were willing to question it and at his age in is mid thirties he looked much younger than that.
“Why of course Miss Black, it would be my pleasure” he smiled, and if she couldn’t sense his magic he might have appeared charming. Unfortunately for him she could feel his darkness and it made her skin crawl.