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Through the Universe Challenge; Accretion — (feeling) anger
"Andromeda Black, do you take this man?" asked the ceremony official, dull voice almost flying away in the wind before Andromeda could catch them.
She felt Rodolphus' anger in the form of a painful pinch to her elbow and she reacted with anger of her own. She glared at him before plastering on a polite smile that would fool even her mother and said yes, I do to the official.
"Rodolphus Lestrange, do you take this woman?" the man asked Rodolphus.
"I do," Rodolphus responded, staring straight at her as he spoke. His smile was mocking, gloating that he got her in the end even after her runaway attempt.
Andromeda's anger grew and she resisted the urge to bite him when he kissed her. She planned to get as far from his as possible, but he circled her waist with a strong arm and his hand held her by the back of her head. Her own hands were on his chest, trying to push him away.
From the way their family cheered, it must appear that they were nothing but playful.
"You are mine, little Andy," Rodolphus whispered in her ear as they make their way out of the solar, where only their (rather large) families were, to the ballroom, where the rest of the guests awaited.
He took her to the centre of the room, where they would dance the first waltz as a married couple. The occasion, a would-be moment of joy and flirtatiousness, was nothing but a mess of anger and resentment.
"Stop fidgeting," he ordered and she obeyed with great reluctance because there was nothing more she could do. Her family sold her like a pretty, expensive painting and now Rodolphus would flaunt her around, their movements practised and controlled to show the swirl of her hips, the curve of her waist, the way in which she let him lead to show the world she was his property.
"Once we're at home I'll show you how I am better than your poor, dirty mudblood," Rodolphus said. "Tell me, wife, did he ever kissed you like I did back in the solar?"
His words, while mocking, held more than a hint of disgust and betrayal. For the first time, she noticed his own anger and grinned at him, surprising him with the sparkle in her eyes.
"Did I humiliate you?" she boldly asked him then, twirling before his hands were ready and separating from him for a few, blessed seconds. "What did your family said when they knew I had run away? They must have felt so bad for poor, Rodolphus, who wasn't good enough for me that I preferred a muggleborn."
He took her by the waist and pulled her to him. His eyes were clouded by rage and Andromeda beamed.
"Husband dearest, please respond. I can't bear the suspense of not hearing your voice," she mocked and let him lead the dance, flaunt her around. It would be for nothing, after all.
He would always know she would rather have a mudblood than him.
