The Dark Mark
“Welcome, my friends.” His voice was raspy as he paced the room, Solana had never thought about what The Dark Lord actually looked like, when Bellatrix had first met him she went straight home to tell her sisters about him.
The very same night Andromeda had to sleep in Solana’s room because she was too scared to be by herself.
But now he was right in front of her, his pale white skin, his nose just like a snakes, his eyes as red as blood, she felt just as she did years ago.
Scared.
“What’s happening,” Solana whispered to Antonin, but he raised his hand to stop her from speaking.
“As you know we have been waiting a long time for this,” he continued, his long dark cloak drafted in the wind. Solana held her breath as he brushed past him. “I assume dinner was nice, before we proceed onto dessert, I would like to remind you that five of you will be receiving your dark mark tonight, and it is the greatest honour to behold,”.
Solana glanced over at Antonin, his eyes remained on Voldemort, she regretted ever returning to back the room.
“What is happening?” she whispered once more, but she got a piercing glare as a response this time.
“Be quiet,” he growled under his breath.
“I will call your name, I want you to come to the front.” the raspy voice said.
Beside her Antonin straightened himself up.
“Amycus Carrow,”
The table applauded as he made his way up to the front.
“Alecto Carrow,”
She stood up, a wild grin on her face as she walked beside her brother.
“Rabastan Lestrange,”
A pit grew in Solana’s stomach, as she kept her eyes on Antonin.
“Darius Greengrass,”
She swallowed hard as she waited for the next name.
“Antonin Dolohov,”
She quickly placed her hand on his arm, a look of worry spread across her face.
“I said don’t embarrass me,” he said, through gritted teeth, pulling his arm away with force.
She sunk back into her chair as the ceremony began.
☀︎
“Congratulations, Antonin,” Bellatrix said, gleaming brightly at his forearm, Solana stood beside her fiancé, her heart still pounding, she really wanted another drink but did not want to risk bumping into Bellamy again.
“Thank you, Bellatrix,” he said smugly.
“Dolohov,” Lucius Malfoy said, his voice in his usual drawl, Narcissa walked beside him, smiling softly at her younger sister. “I want to formally congratulate you,”
Antonin shook his hand, “Thank you, it’s an honour.”
Solana flinched slightly as Narcissa reached for her arm, “We need a girly chat, Bella?”
“You two go, I have people to talk to,” Bellatrix declined.
Narcissa rolled her eyes, dragging Solana towards the bar, luckily there was a different bartender wiping down the side, his name tag read, Kiani.
Narcissa ordered a glass of wine for herself, gesturing for Solana to order for herself.
She pointed over to the whisky she had previously. “Could I get a glass of that please?”
Kiani hesitated, “Ma’am, that drink is extremely strong,”
Solana nodded, her smile was blunt, “That is why I ordered it,”
“Please just give my sister the drink,” Narcissa smiled sweetly.
He nodded, grabbing a glass and placing it in front of Solana.
“You can leave the bottle,” Solana said, as he went to put the bottle back on the shelf, she took a hold of it and poured more into the glass.
Narcissa stared at her with wide eyes. “How are you doing?”
Solana nodded, gulping down the drink. “Great,”
“Listen, I was terrified when Lucius got his mark,” Narcissa began, her voice soft and comforting, reminiscent of Andromeda’s. “I couldn’t sleep for days, but it isn’t all bad, Lana,”
Solana chewed the inside of her cheek, pouring another glass. “What if I don’t want this?”
“Want what?”
She gestured over to the crowds. “All of this, what if I don’t want any of this?”
Narcissa smiled sadly, taking a hold of her hand. “Oh, Solana, we don’t get that choice.”
And with that Solana poured herself a triple.
☀︎
“You’re drunk,” Antonin said as the two entered the dorm room, Rabastan and Amycus had decided to stay with the party rather than go to bed, so it was just the two alone that night.
Solana ignored him, taking her shoes off, breathing a sigh of relief and threw them into the dark corner, never to be seen again.
“Solana.” Antonin said.
“You’re not ignoring me anymore?” she muttered under her breath, reaching round to unzip her dress, but she had no luck.
“What are you on about?” he asked, undoing his tie, and letting the ends fall onto his crisp white shirt.
“Do you have feelings for Alecto?” she asked, outright.
He gave a hollowed laugh, “You really are drunk.”
“Antonin, all night you barely even looked at me–”
“Don’t be ridiculous–”
“You dropped my hand!” her voice was raised.
“I dropped your hand?” he shouted back in a sarcastic manner.
“Yes, you dropped my hand, Antonin. Even Bellamy thought the two of you were a couple–”
“Bellamy? You’re on a first name basis with the help, now are you?” he scoffed.
“Antonin–” she sighed.
“Why don’t you just fuck off, Solana,”
“I’m talking to you!”
“I don’t want to talk to you when you’re like this–”
“Like what?”
“Fucking psychotic, coming up with all these stupid delusions–” he yelled.
Solana furrowed her brows. “If he had spilled the wine on me, would you have had the same reaction?”
“What?”
“When you shouted at him, and got all protective over Alecto. If it was me, would you have done the same?”
“Solana, you’re being ridiculous–” he began, but she shook her head.
“You’re not going to answer me,” she shook her head, “I think it’s best I sleep in my own dorm,” she walked towards the door but when she opened it, Antonin put his hand on the door, pushing it closed.
He stood behind her, beginning to kiss her shoulder.
“Antonin–” she groaned, moving away from him.
“I’ve been nervous all week about the mark,” he whispered, unzipping her dress for her, “I didn’t realise I was doing that to you,” He turned her around, cupping her cheek. “I only have feelings for you, my love ,”
“Toni–” she closed her eyes, shaking her head.
He shushed her, “We have the dorm to ourselves, we can’t let that go to waste can we?”
“I–”
“Stay with me, my love ,”
She shook her head weakly, his voice was like caramel, pulling her closer.
“Please,” he whispered, his lips hovering over hers, his hot breath faint with whiskey.
She closed her eyes as she kissed him, wishing all of her thoughts would disappear but it didn’t.
“I love you,” he breathed as he lay on top of her.
“I love you too,” she whispered.
She hoped he couldn’t see through her lie.