~Prologue~

'Lucifer James Nott; do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward?'

'I do.'

It was a confident reply, nothing unlike Lucifer, of course. Nasty, arrogant bastard that he is. I frequently recall setting fire to his robes when I was younger, when he would unexpectedly visit our household. This was long before I started Hogwarts; long before I learnt more superior spells. Even then they were no use to me. No spell I knew could thwart Lucifer J. Nott. Nothing could stop that inglorious bastard when he had his mind set on something. Nothing. But, nobody knows about that incident, do they?

'Amelie Florianne Hudson; do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward?'

I watched her breath flicker, an embarrassed smile dawn upon her made-up face as she took her time to determine her answer. Secretly, I was praying she would flee. Praying to God that she ran down that aisle as fast as her legs could carry her before apparating and disappearing. Gone. It would do her good too. I knew, that no one would ever want to enter this coven of life-sucking jerks if they knew what really went on. Amelie would be better off running. Her reply in these next few seconds would determine her fate.

'Amelie? We are awaiting your answer.'

Say nothing. Run. Just do it. Don't care for one moment what everyone thinks of you, just run. Yes, everyone will think you're a good-for-nothing coward, except myself obviously, so please just run when you have the chance. Please. I just want to see the look on his face. That look where he feels worthless. That look where he feels nothing. That no one would ever love him. I would relish in his sorrow.

She looked frightened now. I could see the whites of her eyes so clearly, her nostrils flaring, her chest heaving. I saw that apologetic look on her face when she glanced at Lucifer one last time. She quickly stepped off the platform and dashed down the aisle, tripping on her dress, not having the intelligence to at least hold it up. I have to admit, I must have been the only person under that awning that cracked a smile when she apparated into thin air.

All of a sudden, it was chaos. Everyone was off their seats, chattering away to one another; gossiping. Typical. I glanced around, the majority of the crowd seemed rather shocked by the outcome of the predicted 'perfect wedding'. And the thing was, it should have been. It was a sunny day, a nice temperature, the birds were chirping – everyone was happy. Although, clearly Amelie wasn't. When they first met, everyone thought it was love at first sight. Love. Love. Love. I barely knew the meaning of the word.

I left my seat, abandoning my family completely. I didn't think they would mind. I wandered towards the area behind the awning, where about forty tables were situated for the after-dinner. It wouldn't be a particularly jolly meal. But, for me, it would be. I grabbed the bottle of wine sitting in the middle of one of the tables and poured myself a glass, before seating myself to watch the commotion before me. It was incredibly amusing to say the least. I certainly hadn't wasted my time by coming, for it seemed I was the only person who found this chaos … somewhat entertaining. Of course, it would probably be best if I didn't mention that to anyone. It might cause a bit of a stir.

Not that I had never caused a bit of a stir before. You see, I, Euphemia Aurelia Wilkes, am in Ravenclaw. Not in Slytherin like my dear brother, or the majority of my relatives. And of course, that came as a bit of a surprise to my family. Not to me though. I knew I was different. Not the 'Sirius Black type different' where he deliberately wanted to be sorted into Gryffindor to prove his parents wrong. The me type different. I personally don't give a damn about blood status. I don't care about purebloods or mudbloods, as muggle borns are called. And I don't care about this war that is going on, I am simply more enthralled by learning and books.

But that doesn't stop my parents attempting to brainwash me. It's not working though. But in the end, because of who I am related to and associate with, it will probably happen. Mostly because I will have no other choice. And now you're thinking to yourself that I should do a Sirius Black and become a blood traitor – rather that than being dead. Well that's where you're wrong. No, I don't want to die. I just want nothing to do with any of this. I just want to be me. Effie. Just Effie.

And 'Just Effie' had spotted a rather interesting scene occurring in the sunshine, just off the awning to where the after party tables began. The very man himself. Sirius Black. Being told off by his charming mother Walburga Black. Lovely woman really, that is, comparing her to a Banshee. Actually, no. I reckon she's just as bad as one. I sighed. This was turning out to be a very entertaining day for me. I sat back and watched, smirking contently.

'Sirius Orion Black! Wipe that bloody smirk off your face! I will not have you embarrassing me in public. Now sit there and stay out of everyone's hair, or you'll wish you'd never been born, boy!' Walburga Black screeched, glaring at her son as though he was the scum of the earth before strutting off under the awning. Well, she's not far from true. Okay, I admit that is a bit harsh. He's just an idiot who has no brain capacity.

Or common sense for that matter. I rolled my eyes are he began to shoot sparks out of his wand towards the awning. Asshole. He seemed to be oblivious to the fact that his mother hated him and wasn't going to object to cursing him into next week. Now, I being the ever wise one of Ravenclaw, filled another glass with wine, got to my feet and approached him. Not really the most sensible thing to do as Sirius Black is the known Playboy of Hogwarts and will hump anything with a pulse and tits. But I made my way towards him nonetheless.

'You do realise that your mother will curse your sorry arse off if that awning catches fire,' I said bluntly, startling him. He turned around quickly and stared incredulously at me. 'You'll no longer be known as the 'Playboy' of Hogwarts, but the 'Beaten to a Pulp by his Mother' boy of Hogwarts – and you'll get laughed at.'

He narrowed his gaze, clearly not amused by my humor. 'Euphemia Wilkes, to what do I owe the pleasure?'

'Don't call me that,' I snapped, throwing him a disdainful glare.

'That's your name, is it not?'

'Yes. But Wilkes will do sufficiently. I don't want you getting too cozy – I might catch an STD,' I replied smugly, noticing how his eyes darkened as I insulted him. Not so cocky now, are we? He ignored me. I found it quite comical. Did he really think acting like a five year old would make me go away? 'Here.' I handed him the glass of wine. He looked at me with a raised eyebrow. 'Might as well take it while it's free. And no, I haven't poisoned it – I have no reason to.'

He grunted. 'Thanks,' he said, taking the glass from my hand. I could have sworn I seen him inspecting it. He swirled, and sniffed the content within the glass.

I tutted and rolled my eyes. 'Just drink the bloody thing.'

'Remind me why you're sitting here again?' Black asked, he clearly seemed annoyed that he was having to associate with me. He obviously didn't know that I felt precisely the same way about him. Only, I had more compassion and decided to warn him off setting the place ablaze and being cursed into next week.

'I thought you looked lonely.' He glanced at me scornfully, and I snorted. 'To be honest, Black, you aren't really my perfect choice of company, so consider yourself lucky,' I said honestly, before taking a sip from my glass. 'No, I simply noticed that you seemed to be enjoying this fiasco as much as I was, and taking full advantage of the provided entertainment. I mean, who would have though … a runaway bride.'

'I pitied the girl. Imagine having to marry that bastard,' Black said, nodding towards Lucifer Nott who was being consoled by his mother.

'I don't actually want to.' I watched Nott. The slimy bastard. He reminded me so much of Lucius Malfoy, apart from the long blonde hair. He just … repulsed me. I hated him. I hated him with all the hate I could ever feel towards someone.

There was a brief silence between us as we watched a crowd gather around Nott, obviously giving their consolations.

'So Wilkes, what's it like being a blood traitor?'

I choked on air at Black's sudden outburst. 'Blood traitor?!' I stared at him disbelievingly. 'Just because I was sorted into Ravenclaw doesn't automatically assume me to be a blood traitor, Black. You on the other hand … well, let's put it this way. You got sorted into Gryffindor, befriended a Potter, a werewolf –'

'What?! How – what – who told you?' Black hissed, staring me out as if to drag the answer from my mouth with his eyes.

I sighed. 'I have been in your year for five years, Black. Don't think I didn't have the brains to figure out where Lupin goes to once a month,' I said in a hushed voice. For though I didn't know Lupin that well, I didn't want to tell his secret. Just because my family is a whole lot of power-hungry, blood-thirsty animals, doesn't mean I don't have a heart. 'And – ' I began, cutting him off, ' – before you go on a rant about how I must be sworn to secrecy … I've known since fourth year, I haven't told a soul, and nor do I intend to.'

'But why?'

'Because it's not my secret to tell! Are all Gryffindors this inconsiderate?'

'Sorry –'

'Don't say sorry. It's such an overused word, and no one actually means it.'

'But I was generally sorry.'

'Just shut up, Black. You're annoying me.'

'I don't think your mother is too pleased that you're associating with me, Wilkes,' Black said suddenly. I shot him a confused look. 'While you were being pushy, I couldn't help but notice your dear mother giving me the evils –'

'You know, you really should take up reading, Black. It would expand your vocabulary greatly,' I sneered, folding my arms. But, I was intent in finding my mother, just to see if he was telling the truth or not. I eventually found her, and reluctantly made eye contact with her. Her glare was penetrating, and I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. 'Black' she mouthed, nodding to the raven haired boy who I had chosen to sit beside. Perhaps he was right after all. 'Well, Black. It seems you were right. Mother is calling. I think it's her way of saying, 'stop associating with the blood traitor'. But then again, I wouldn't say her daughter is any different,' I said, getting to my feet and abandoning my half empty glass on the table behind us. 'See you at school, Black.' And with that, I walked off.

'Goodbye, Effie.'

I turned to look at him with my eyebrow cocked. He smirked. Effie? Since when does Black call me Effie? I shook my head and walked over to meet my mother. Much to my disappointment she was standing with none other than Lucifer. My skin crawled at the thought of having to converse with him. I walked up beside my mother. 'Is something wrong, mother?' I asked her, before she had even noticed I was there.

My mother looked startled. 'Oh Euphemia, darling! There you are! What were you doing sitting with that Black – you know he's bad news, dear. His mother keeps telling me the awful trouble she has with him, poor soul. It's best to stay away from him, dear,' she prattled on. I nodded, and smiled, pretending that I actually cared.

'Your mother is right, Mia.' That voice. How I hated that smooth, attempt at seductive tone to his voice. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that Lucifer had managed to weasel his way to my side, and was currently invading my personal space. I felt an arm slide around my waist ever so casually; I clenched my teeth, my expression turned cold. I felt his breath on the side of my neck, but I remained composed. 'Best to stay away from boys … they're nothing but trouble,' he whispered in my ear. Oh, the irony of what had just left his satanic mouth.

There was a pregnant pause. Only before my mother broke the silence by cooing and smiling happily. 'Why don't you two go and get some drinks? Catch up … hmmm?' she said, glancing between Lucifer and I suggestively. 'I'll leave you two alone,' she said before chuckling, and winking in my direction. And with that she disappeared into the crowds, leaving me in my own little nightmare. How I hated her for it.

'Get your fucking hands off of me,' I snarled.

Lucifer laughed. An evil laugh. How I wanted to decapitate him, and rip him limb from limb with my bare hands, right there and then. 'Always the comic, Mia,' he said, turning me brashly to look at him. I never made eye contact with him once. He put his arms around me and pulled me close. I held my breath, detesting every minute of it. 'Let's go somewhere a little more … private, shall we?' he whispered in my ear. His smell, his breath, his warmth was infesting my body. I couldn't get away from it. I tried to pull away. 'Ah, ah, aaahhh … Imperio.'

Suddenly, I felt... relaxed. That every worry in my head had gone, and I didn't care about anything. There was nothing but an obscure and untraceable happiness inside me. Follow Lucifer … someone called me from inside my head. Go on, follow him … He was standing there, as if he was waiting for me. But why should I follow him? Follow him, now … So I just walked. And he was always ahead of me, glancing back every once in a while to check I was still there. But I had no reason to go back. Someone wanted me to follow him after all. Come on, keep following him … and I did. I didn't know where this was. But there was a stone wall covered with ivy, hidden by a clump of trees. Lean against the wall … Maybe I should, I was tired, and it looked comfortable. I walked forward and leant my back against the wall. Be still and don't make a sound … I hadn't spoke since we left the awning, why would I speak now? Lucifer was smiling. I didn't know why. He approached me, putting his hands on the wall either side of my head. I looked at him curiously. He stared at me, looking me up and down. Don't scream … what? This was stupid. Why would I scream? He moved his face closer to mine, his cheek brushed against mine. Immediately, I felt the empty feeling disappear, and I regained all consciousness.

It was as if I had woken up. But I had woken up into a nightmare. My heart raced, and I could hear my short, shallow breaths. His breath was warm, condensing my skin. I didn't move as his hands wandered to my waist.

'Don't say a word. Don't scream. Just be quiet.'

I swallowed hard and closed my eyes as he began to kiss my jaw. He moved down to my neck, his warm lips working their way around along my neck and to the other side of my jaw. He stopped suddenly. I kept my eyes closed.

'Look at me.'

I didn't want to. I wasn't going to. He couldn't make me.

'I said. Look at me.'

I whimpered, and fluttered my eyes open. I stared into his dull, grey eyes. He couldn't break me with that piercing stare; and I was going to show him he couldn't.

'You have such pretty, green eyes, Mia.'

My lip curled as I glared at him. Flattery couldn't win me. I hated him. Nothing could change that.

'You have very, pretty, pink lips too – '

Out of my eyes, I saw movement, and I sensed someone's presence. I turned my head to see Sirius Black standing, staring at the scene before him, my black cardigan in his hands. I sighed. A sigh of relief. 'Uh … Wilkes. You left your jacket behind,' he said simply, running a hand through his hair.

I watched him and glanced back at Lucifer. He did not look amused. I pushed him away, and scurried towards Black, glancing back at Nott who was sending a deathly glare my way. I didn't care. 'It's not a jacket, Black. It's a cardigan,' I said, sending him a rather thankful gaze, before snatching it out of his hands. 'Thanks.'

Then I walked away, looking over my should at them both. I sent a warning gaze to Sirius, before fleeing back to the awning.

Sirius Black had actually … saved me. Although, I bet he hardly did it on purpose. After all, he is an inconsiderate Gryffindor with absolutely no brain capacity whatsoever.

So, I hope you liked the prologue! I actually really enjoyed writing this, and I think this will be quite an exciting story (: Anyway, I want your feedback! Review, review, review!! Seriously, I need to know whether or not to continue it.

Thanks for reading! ~Tori