Chapter One
This week's fantastical beast is….
Acromantula!
Classification: XXXXX
Known wizard killer and made it's debut in the Chamber of Secrets.
The Welkin family was what was called new money, even if their great-great-grandparents came upon the riches of the fantastic beast market. They had started a zoo, technically two, one was to show off the vast array of fantastical creatures and sell certain items to the general wizarding public. The other however was linked towards the black market, dangerous beasts lurked behind the curtains, dragon eggs ready to be sold to the highest bidder. It was allowed because of high standing friends and their pureblood ancestry. No one would dare question why people in dark cloaks entered in the middle of the night and apparated away carrying large suspicious rucksacks.
The zoo, in more muggle terms, was inherited by the first born child, whether female or male. In case of an "accidents" each child was groomed to take over, learning from a young age each of the different beasts and what magical properties that could be obtained from them. If the eldest survives, then the remaining sibling(s) would wander the world looking for new creatures or find new clients. Even when they were shipped off to school at age eleven it was expected that they excel within Herbology, Potions, and Care of Magical Creatures. However, they were allowed to be children and run around, and enjoy themselves. It set them slightly apart from the pureblood aristocracy, the Welkin family did parade around the money they made, but it was always family first.
The current owners were Barnabas Welkin who married Idalia Crane, who came from an American pureblood family. They had two children together, their eldest son Prospero who had already graduated from Durmstrang and was working with dragons in Romania. Their youngest daughter was named Opal after the soft pink eyes she was born with, but you couldn't discount her silver hair. However they hired a tutor to teach Opal at home when she turned eleven.
Opal Welkin was an average height, willowy girl of fourteen, her hair remained the same soft, shining silver, but her pale pink almond eyes were always hidden behind the tight kinks of her bouncing, curly hair. Her face was round, much like her mother, along with a short upturned nose like her father. She never went anywhere without a small rosy smile upon her face, however mischievous or happy it appeared, she wasn't Opal without it. Her cheeks were round like her face, dashed with a splatter of freckles in almost the same pattern as her brother. Her skin was light, not quite an Ivory, but not as light as Porcelain.
However, Opal was not like her family. Each of them were fair headed with calculating green eyes, had strong imposing figures and tanned bodies. Whispers of an affair tangled their way into the happy family, Barnabas and Idalia were committed to one another and Idalia had no recollection of laying with anyone but Barnabas. They fought the rumors, claiming Opal's looks were from a far off ancestor.
They were hushed for now, but hiding their lovely Opal away from the public within their mansion in America, was doing little to ease suspicions. So, before the summer month of June came around, the two of them discussed the schools they could introduce her into. They could go selectively private, much like the tutoring arrangement Opal already had now, but a few other pureblood children would join her. Then, there was Durmstrang, Prospero sang praises of their teachings, but overheard his parents speaking of sending his little sister there and immediately dissuaded them, it was no place for a young, buoyant girl.
Prospero loved Durmstrang with all of his heart, but he knew what the men there would do to a girl like his sister, he would feel differently if they were attending together, but he would not be there to protect her. Illvermony was another option, it was fairly close to their Vermont home. Idalia, however put her foot down on the notion realizing how the houses were set up, she would not have her daughter being housed with blood traitors or muggleborns.
Next was Beauxbatons Academy, Idalia had graduated from there and sung her own praises of the school. It was common knowledge that unless you were old money or a Veela, you would not be as welcomed into the school as the others. Opal was not Veela and because her maiden name was Welkin, she would be new money. Idalia was old money, but knew the fatal mistake of sending her brilliant daughter there.
Lastly was Hogwarts, Barnabas was a graduate from there and finally sung his own praises of the school. His connections within the Ministry of Magic, especially because of his longstanding friendship with the Malfoys, Opal would have no issue adjusting to Hogwarts, her years there would be smooth and full of happy days, thanks to the money she would inherit. Idalia tried to argue the housing, but Barnabas would not hear it, Slytherin would only go as low as half-bloods. They would just have to hope she would not end up in the others, Ravenclaw would not be horrific, but they would be damned to have a Hufflepuff or Gryffindor daughter no matter how beautiful and brilliant she may be.
It was at that moment decided she would attend Hogwarts and graduate from there, they sent an owl to Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy asking them if Barnabas and Opal could board with them for the summer while they make arrangements for Opal to attend Hogwarts. It was a smart choice to board with them, they had a son, Draco, who was around the same age as Opal and would surely show her the ropes of the school. They had sent off the Barred Owl, that was named Ulric, carrying their signature silver envelope with a deep red seal with the family crest, a horned serpent eating it's own tail and with a large W within it. Idalia used her graceful fingers and peacock quill to write out the Malfoy's name.
A week later, a very winded Ulric came back with a deep green envelope. Welkin was sprawled out in a shimmering silver ink and the Malfoy crest was inlaid in a black seal. Barnabas fed him a treat before he flew away to a perch outside in their rolling countryside. Barnabas called out to his wife and his daughter, his son was back in Romania, but if the news was pleasant he would surely have Idalia write to him at once.
Idalia came around the bend in the hallway, standing regally and dressed perfectly. Her blonde hair was pinned up into a bun, a white blouse adorned her figure with a pair of black slacks and black pointed heels. A small house elf trailed behind her, holding a tray of papers, but it's arms did not shake beneath the weight. Idalia kissed both of his cheeks and he returned in like.
"My dear Barnabas, this must be important I was in the middle of something," Idalia gestured to the papers, her smooth sultry voice penetrating the walls and brought about a small smile to his face.
"I will tell you when Opal arrives but, the Malfoys have written me back." Barnabas kissed her forehead and Idalia granted a smile before turning to walk into the rarely used sitting room, the house elf following close behind.
Barnabas turned back to stare out into this particular hallway, waiting for Opal to come bounding around one of the bends in the hallway. Opal came around the exact one her mother did, a small smile laid on her face, her curly hair bunched up in a vain attempt at a bun. Opal wore pale blue sundress that flared at her waist and went to her knees, black flats adorned her feet as she came happily up to her father, who had bent down to her height, Opal kissed both of his cheeks before standing alert.
"Hello papa, the weather is beautiful today, I was out with the fairies in their garden. They are making the gardenias bloom again." Opal's voice was soft and gentle, full of joy only children had the liberty to have.
Barnabas kissed her forehead before placing a hand on the small of her back leading her into one of the smaller sitting rooms, "show them the Fuchsias, your mother loves those."
Opal smile widened, "of course papa!" she curtsied quickly before heading off to the chair by her mother, sitting slightly on the edge with her back straight with her legs to the side and her hands in her lap. Idalia smiled at her manners before returning to a rather uninteresting piece of parchment.
Barnabas came over and sate in a high back chair that was mimicked throughout the house that only he was allowed to sit in. He took the letter out of his pocket on the inside of his black robes. Idalia, looking up from her stack of papers gave him a slim letter opener, which he gladly accepted, before she turned back to the stack of shrinking papers.
Barnabas,
It would seem that we can allot for guests within our Manor. It would be with tremendous respect and happiness that we shall have our families once again together, even if it is only Barnabas and your lovely daughter Opal. Lucius and I have heard the stories of your daughter and her beauty, but the family photo you have so kindly provided has taken us all by surprise. It is with honour that we will host your family for the summer as you prepare to send Opal to Hogwarts. We would also like to extend the invitation to Prospero if he wishes to visit, I am sure he will enjoy the manor. We will open the fireplace on June 12th at 1:15 pm.
Sincerely,
Narcissa Malfoy
Barnabus relayed the news to his family and was met with happy faces from his wife and daughter and a happy letter from his son. Opal within the next week also appeared to be full of excitement of the coming days. Slowly her room was packed up and sent over to Malfoy Manor, where she was assured everything would be arranged exactly like her room and bathroom. Her darling crup, named Henry would be staying with her mother since it is originally hers and she legally does not have a license for the beast.
On June 12th, around noon, Opal sat at the bay window in her barren room. A wistful smile was on her face as she gazed out upon the rolling green hills, her delicate fingers twirled around her wand. It was 12 ½ inches long and had rigid flexibility, it was made of pine wood and held a phoenix feather. There were groves along the handle with soft glowing opals inlaid among the handles. Opal's father had tracked down a private wandmaker, his name was Voltaire and gave him a wide variety of items to make several wands for her brother and her. They varied from oak to walnut, unicorn hair to snake scales, it took three tries before he pulled out the wand that took him the most time to create. It was a masterpiece and finely crafted. The phoenix feather was difficult, but once the opals were laid into the wand it instantly calmed the fiery magic.
Opal believed that it was a sign from the beginning that her namesake would be what gave her the most control in her magic. It wasn't hard to think about, her pureblood ancestry and her tutors gave her control on even the hardest of spells. The only one she needed work on was her patronus, a corporeal one. It had yet to take shape, but she refused to back down.
Patience was a virtue.
Opal tore her eyes from the window and down to the high neck, satin black dress she was told to wear. It fit snugly to her torso, her barely developed chest looked bigger than it truly was, accompanying it were three quarter sleeves that ended in a silver lace trim. It flared out with a layer or two of tulle down to her calves before ending also in a silver lace trim. A silver ribbon was drawn tightly around her waist and was tied into a bow on her back, the tails of the ribbon ended at the bottom of the dress. Small black wedges graced her petite feet and elongated her pantihose covered, toned legs. A small pendant of the family crest hung from her neck, but was almost lost in the flurry of her shoulder length hair that she let down. Thick silver lashes framed the quizzical eyes as Opal thought on her last few minutes in America.
Surely she would be back for all of her holidays, Opal would miss her pets dearly. Yet, she longed for the adventure that was in store for her in Hogwarts. She was told that she would need to take an exam of sorts to find which year she would be placed into, everyone in her age group was in their fourth year, but everything depended on how well she did.
Opal tucked her wand into a nearly invisible pocket in her dress before double checking her room for anything she would need, then she left. Closing the door quickly behind her, Opal made for the end of the hallway, not walking too fast or slow, but with confident and collected strides. She had a few minutes left in her home and she intended to remember as much as possible. The dark wood flooring, the gray walls and the splashes of deep reds. The family paintings and portraits, all saying their farewells as Opal winded her way down the grand staircase and to the front of her father's all too familiar office oak door.
Her hand wound up into a ball gently knocked twice onto the door, awaiting an answer. The moment her father answered, would signal the end of her childhood here. Opal would be on her own over there unless Draco proved to be a willing friend outside of the manor. Alliances would need to be made, she could even find new clients for the zoo. Within the aristocracy over there, dark wizards would flock at the potential for goods. Opal knew how careful she would need to be, her words would need to be chosen carefully, as would her allies.
"Enter my jewel." Her father's deep baritone voice slithered through the cracks in the door.
Opal knocked once more before entering the room, the knock was to give her father enough time to stash away anything of importance. Her father stood in all black robes, his short blond hair was perfectly combed back and his piercing green eyes studied his daughter in a loving manner. He came out from behind his mahogany desk and Opal walked towards him, he bent down and she greeted him with a kiss on both his cheeks. Her mother had left on business the day before, they had said their goodbyes then and her brother sent her a three foot long piece of parchment letter for his farewell.
"Good afternoon papa." Opal greeted him with a small smile, her nerves were beginning to jump around and it was taking too much control to keep them from displaying themselves and break the aristocratic mask she needed to wear.
Barnabas smiled broadly before glancing at the silver watch on his left wrist, "A good afternoon indeed, my darling jewel."
He brought Opal towards the gray marble fireplace and handed her a cloak to which she fastened and pulled up the hood before he positioned her in the fireplace. Handing her a handful of floo powder.
"Remember how to do it Opal?" He looked at where her hidden pink eyes laid beneath the hood.
Opal's smile turned into a smirk, "I'm not daft papa."
Barnabas smirked in return before stepping back and looked at his watch, signaling her to go as soon as the hand struck 15. "MALFOY MANOR!"
It was a strange sensation, a small tug in almost every direction and the faint smell of soot. The green flames gently licked at her body before she warped into a far grander fireplace in what Opal assumed was Malfoy Manor. Three figures stood before her along with a small feeble looking house elf who stood obediently behind his master and mistress. The tallest was Lucius Malfoy, who stood to the left of his wife Narcissa, and the right of his son Draco.
Lucius had shoulder length platinum blond hair and stern gray eyes, the paleness of his skin outranked her own, but she could not ignore the power that he exuded. It was almost overwhelming, but she did not show it. His face was clean shaven and his lips were formed in a straight line as he looked her over. He too wore a black set of robes, just like her father. Narcissa had blonde hair as well. Her blue eyes softened as she eyed her over, the hint of motherly affection almost comforted Opal in this strange and cold house. Her robes were black with a white dress underneath almost darkening the paleness of her skin. Lastly Opal's eyes slid towards their son, Draco. Dressed in an all black suit, with the same white blond hair of his own father and the same calculating gray eyes. He was tall and lanky, but the onset of muscles was sure to happen, he was handsome, but she could not fall for his looks alone. It would take much more than a small knowing smirk to win over Opal Welkin.
Opal walked out of the fireplace before curtsying deeply, nearly allowing her head to touch the floor as her cloak and dress flared out. She tucked her head in to completely hide her face, as she waited for her father to step through. Barnabas stepped stepped through a moment later walking up to stand closely to the lace trim of her dress. Opal peeked to her right seeing the dragon hide shoes before turning her attention to the smooth satin of her dress. As per tradition she had to wait to be revealed by her father, after he made the proper introductions he would removed her cloak, while she still remained deep into the curtsy with her knees pressed against the hard marble floor and then he would say her title and they would be allowed to fully see her face.
Since they were apart of the sacred twenty-nine, all daughters were treated this way. Especially since her family had little history of inbreeding, foreign pureblood families were brought in if there was speculation of inbreeding. It kept their magic powerful and unique. Opal was evidence of such strong powers, there was no long lost ancestor that she looked like, power made her appearance look as strange as it did.
"You were always one for an entrance Barnabas Welkin." A deep voice sounded in front of Opal, it vibrated from Lucius as a small smirk dawned his face seeing his best mate from school and even from his younger ministry days.
Barnabas chuckled before walking forward to shake hands with his closest friend, "It has been far too long since I have seen you Lucius Malfoy."
They clasped each other on the back, a rare show of affection before Lucius turned to introduce his wife and son. "my wife Narcissa and my heir Draco."
Barnabas kissed Narcissa's hand in greeting before standing in front of Draco, they locked eyes and Barnabas turned his expression cold, it was high time he looked into potential suitors for his lovely jewel. He gave a stiff and firm handshake to Draco before he walked over to his darling daughter. Draco appeared to be well enough, his family and power would keep Opal beyond comfort for the rest of her life and provide even more connections for the family business.
"My darling jewel, it is time to shine." Barnabas said standing in front of Opal, blocking the Malfoy's view of her as she stood up, with her head still bowed and her hands hanging by her side.
Barnabas smiled softly at his daughter who wore a lovely small smile herself, her cheeks rosy from the chilliness of the floor. His hands deftly untied the knot, vanishing it up to her items upstairs. Her tight curls of silver spilled over her face and he nearly chuckled before pulling a pearl pin from a pocket and pinning them back.
He spun around, still concealing her before addressing their waitful expressions. "May I introduce my lovely jewel and heiress, Opal Welkin."
Barnabas moved to her right while her smile widened to show her perfect white teeth and the small dimple right below her lips on the left side of her face. Opal met their vulturous stares before she curtsied once more.
"I am honored that you have allowed me to stay here with you as your ward for the summer holiday, Mr. Malfoy." Opal spoke eloquently, her gentle words brought pleased looks from the adults and a curious one from Draco.
Narcissa walked forward, clasping her hands and smiled brightly, "you are so precious, I cannot wait to see what is in store for us." Her voice, Opal noted, was posh and had the air of sophistication.
Barnabas had spoken to Opal of the difference in high society here versus that of America, one must always air on the side of caution. Opal would be given leeway for a short while, as she adjusted before expectations would be set in place for her to follow. Unless she was in America, she would be representing both the Welkin's and the Malfoy's. Opal was not one to disappoint, her mother would have her head.
"I cannot wait either Mrs. Malfoy, I am certain that I will have a wonderful time in such a lovely home." Opal spoke and received an approving look from her father out of the corner of her eye.
A wonderful time indeed, full of parties and dinners, shopping without paying any attention to the bill. The high life was something to be envious of, unless of course you were raised in it and knew the stakes behind every party and dinners, the wasted money. Vipers were around every corner with cameras and quills at the ready. The Malfoy's willingly risked their necks bringing the odd daughter of the esteemed Welkin's family. The girl with silver curls and pink eyes.
Opal still couldn't figure out exactly why such a family would do so. She was in fact perfectly content with her lonesome studies at home, her magic wasn't restricted and she was fairly certain she would know more than any of her fellow classmates. The Malfoy's already had a high standing in society here and earned recognition in America as well, sure both families knew one another, but Opal knew her father had told a partial truth in her coming to Hogwarts and being put into a dark family. The Welkin's were a gray family. They had dealings with dark wizards, even the Dark Lord himself, but rules were put in place with the dealings. It would keep our dealings out of the papers and we wouldn't be marked.
Yet, she was going to go to school with the "chosen" one himself, Harry Potter, with his carrot colored sidekick and the muggleborn frizzy headed girlfriend. The Weasley's she thought disdainfully, they had a rather unhealthy fascination with muggles, especially the father. However, the brilliant smile did not falter through her thoughts as Narcissa beckoned Draco closer.
Boy, was he beautiful. High cheekbones and the disappearing baby fat, he would surely become a very handsome man. Not that he wasn't now, he flashed her a charming smile, or was it more of a smirk? Opal couldn't decide as she cocked her head slightly and her smile formed into a smirk of her own.
"Darling would you show Opal to her room and help her settle in? Supper is at eight." Narcissa spoke swiftly before touching Opal's hands one last time before leaving down a dark hallway. Lucius and Barnabas left to a sitting room, but not before Opal kissed both his cheeks and he kissed her forehead.
Then, it was simply Opal and Draco. Even the house elf disappeared as did Opal's smirk.
They regarded each other cooly, both having dropped their facades. It seemed like a battle of will, neither faltered as they analyzed each other. Opal choose the time to do more thinking than to actually do what she had been taught. Standing and staring would do her no good. Opal would wait and analyze him when he was not paying attention and was vulnerable to her dissection.
"Follow me." Draco's words were short and clipped, they held a soft tenor and held the same poshness as his mother. Opal noticed his tongue dart over his bottom lip when he said his L's. Her brow quirked as she followed behind him, he walked as if something was shoved right up his arse.
Opal's smirk came back.
His tight quick strides led the two of them up the large open staircase onto the second floor, the started heading down what she believed to be the east wing. The Malfoy Manor shared a similar largeness. The Welkin Mansion was an old remodeled colonial home and had been extended but was done with the same flourish the colonists did.
Draco stopped abruptly, a large bay window was behind him showcasing the dreary weather and the pleasant landscaping. He swiveled around to look at Opal and nearly scowled upon seeing the growing smirk upon her face. There was a door to his left and one to his right.
"Our rooms are close to each other, yours is this one," he gestured to the one to his right.
Opal dropped her smirk into a small smile and walked up to her door, twisting the handle and letting it swing open. Her eyes glittered with recognition, her white canopy bed was situated on the wall to her right, right in between two large windows that held seafoam green curtains. Her two white end stands were pressed on either side of her bed, one held a large bouquet of white peonies, her favorite flowers that sat in a silver vase. The other one had several small books stacked neatly on one another and several crystals littered around them.
Three large gray bookcases took up the wall in front of her, a plush white rug laid out in front of them along with a black round ottoman and an off white bean bag chair. A desk was put in between two other doors that probably led to the bathroom and closet. The desk was simple, a charmed Augurey quill sat by several peacock and eagle feathers. A stack of parchment sat neatly along with several envelopes and stamps. Opal looked up at the high vaulted ceilings giving the room a larger feeling, several lights were strewn about and resembled oil lanterns.
Opal walked to one of the doors revealing a rather large closet, much like the one at home. Everything was hung up, color coded of course and her shoes sat in a neat order. A large, simple, white trunk sat against one wall, she assumed it was for Hogwarts. Lastly, she went into the bathroom where the same gray, white, and seafoam green theme continued, much to her relief. A gray stone shower, a white marble tub and floating white sinks and toilet, along with seafoam green towels and rugs.
Walking back out, Draco welcomed himself in and was currently lounging upon her bean bag chair twisting around his wand, "you seemed pleased with yourself," Opal spoke, her voice just as soft as it always has been.
Draco looked up unsure if in fact her voice was always as soft as it was just then and the fact that beside her rather odd looks (even though he really shouldn't be talking) she was a pretty girl. She perplexed him in a way that he didn't like, both his mum and father told him of the repercussions of not getting along with her. So far he didn't mind her, but he didn't like her either. Her room was pristine in it's light colors, the only dark things in the room was the black ottoman and the two of them.
"We have a few hours till we have to eat and I don't plan on being bored." Draco spoke with the same tenor and adjusted himself before he swallowed into the confines of the chair.
Opal rolled her eyes before seating herself on the floor besides him, her legs bent and her head adjusted to look up at him. She leaned against the ottoman, "that would be terrible indeed."
Both of them flashed the other a smirk before delving into light conversation, nothing too deep to reveal secrets, but just enough to know the other. Trust was not easily won within pure blooded families, even if the two have been friends. Money can buy anything and so can power, people would do anything for both. But, the two of them were young teenagers and held no real thought to arranged marriages or the impending doom that would happen in the coming years. Their parents spoke of the possibilities of an arranged marriage along with other more delicate topics. At the moment however Draco and Opal were content in the atmosphere they created.
Dinner came quicker than the two suspected and now everyone was currently in the dining room, a smaller one than the large ornate one that was under lock and key and was saved for private events. Lucius sat the the head of the table while Narcissa sat to his left and Draco to his right, Barnabas sat at the other end with Opal to his right which was right beside Narcissa.
Barnabas shifted almost uncomfortably in his seat before he addressed his daughter, "Opal, I have to go back home tonight to deal with a few things and talk over some things with your mother."
Opal swallowed a sip of water before slowly moving her gaze over to her father, "will you be coming back?"
"I'm afraid not for a little while." Barnabas said in response taking a sip of what looked like red wine.
She refrained from clenching her jaw, her eyes became blank as she stared at her father, "what is it that you will be speaking about with mama?"
Barnabas stalled this time from picking up his glass and set it back down sending a quick look to Narcissa to which Opal adjusted her gaze to. A horrifying look itched to crawl upon her face as she noticed the pure joy radiating off of Draco's mother. Opal glanced at Draco who seemed to share the same feeling as her as even his father held a small approving smirk.
Opal's eyes shot back to her father with furious intent and any trace of smile was gone and replaced with a thin line of distaste, Barnabas opened his mouth to respond, "now my jewel, I have spoken with the Malfoy's about possibly arranging a marriage between both Draco and you. I have agreed to their terms and they have agreed to mine. I will be telling Idalia of the news tonight."
Opal nearly threw up in her mouth, this was not happening to her.
Draco nearly broke the glass in his hand, this was not happening to him.
Opal regained control of her emotions and forced an ecstatic smile upon her face and a glitter to her eyes before looking out among everyone at the table, "that is such wonderful news papa."
Draco and Opal walked in silence up the stairs and into the east wing. They stopped in front of the bay windows. The night was quiet, no bugs chirped and rain was not splattering on the window, even the wind stopped whistling through the trees. Their breaths fogged the window, the glanced at each other once before going to their respective bedrooms.
Opal didn't directly go to sleep, instead she flumped right onto her bean bag chair. She pulled out her wand from her pocket, as it was now poking her in the hip. Casting a silencing spell she let out a long overdue scream. Books rattled on their shelves and the window panes quivered due to the resounding vibrations.
Standing up from the chair, she walked to her windows, pulling the curtains tight, and used her wand to dim the lights. Opal walked to the bathroom door and flung it open. She proceeded to strip away each article of clothing and place them in a hamper that was set to the side. Opal turned the nozzle to the white marble tub, that as she paid closer attention, had gold detailings throughout the stone.
An array of different oils and fragrances sat upon a glass shelf about the tub, grabbing lavender sprigs and lemon extract she plopped a few of each into the tub, swirling the water with her hand. Placing her wand to the side of the tub, far enough from water droplets, but close enough to grab in a hurry, Opal eased herself into the tub. Steam curled up and onto her legs, then her torso, until everything but her head was submerged.
Her hair was heavy with water as she pulled and tugged at the curls to wash them. It was a difficult task, but magic made it easy. Easy unlike the rest of her life. Arranged marriages weren't unheard of in the pureblood world. Opal knew about them and she was under the impression that she wouldn't have to worry about such things for a very long time.
Sure, she could of been arranged with a horrible wizard with a crooked nose and warts. Draco wasn't half bad, he wasn't unattractive even though his hair was a bit too shaggy and his personality was a bit too cocky, she could have it worse. Yet, she felt betrayed. Opal didn't like how her father went behind her back and didn't even ask her mother about the arrangement.
Blowing a stray curl out of her face, she sat up out of the water. Exposing the blotchy red skin and bony structure. Opal ate far more than a girl her size should, but no matter what it would seem that she never gained weight. She had long since stopped fretting about such things, her metabolism would surely even out as she got older.
Grabbing two towels to dry off as she departed from the tub onto the soft rug. Her toes wiggled into the fabric as she rubbed herself up and twirled her hair up with her other towel. Opal reached and placed on the seafoam green silk robe and walked out the room, grabbing her wand in the process.
Yawning, she trudged to her closet and grabbed a nightgown of the same likeness of the robe. Discarding the robe, she pulled on her nightgown and crawled into the large comfortable bed. "Nox," she muttered and the lights went out, plunging the room into a dark abyss, save for the moon that barely filtered through the her body into the several layers of quilts and sheets, she delved into her perfect dreamland.
June went by rather quickly, Opal acquainted herself with the house. Exploring all that she was allowed to and memorized every bit of it. That took a week and then she went outdoors, sometimes Narcissa walked with her showing her around several gardens and even a hedge maze. Opal never let her smile falter even though her eyes remained vacant as her mind tumbled through an obstacle course.
A culture shock grasped at Opal and paralyzed her at dinners full of food she never had the audacity to try in America. However, she kept her mouth closed on such matters and ate what was put in front of her and deal with her upset stomach later. A proper drought would cure her of her ailments, but that would expose her unready body.
July was slow, thankfully there were no dinner parties that Opal was needed for. She was grateful towards her hosts, she wasn't sure she could handle the attention. The poking and prodding she would receive from other families, other suitors who would have to be turned down. Draco from Opal could tell would excuse himself early on from the dinners and retreat to his room.
The two had barely spoken to each other, they didn't call it ignoring each other, but any words that were exchanged were tense and short. Narcissa and Lucius didn't notice as they kept up appearances around their little kingdom but, they were always cordial to Opal and even walked with her, offering their own silence or creating small talk when they noticed she needed to talk to someone about anything and everything.
August was finally here and they were a good two weeks in when a large common barn owl flew in through an open window reserved for owls in the family sitting room. It was a decently sized room, full of imposing bookshelves and chairs. A large marble fireplace and several tapestries. The entire group was strewn about the room. Everyone in more casual clothing, Opal wore a soft green dress made of flowy sheer material. Her shoes dangled on her toes as a book was propped up on her hands as her eyes lazily dragged across the words.
All four pairs of eyes examined the bird as it dropped two letters onto a silver platter and flew right back out the window. Opal's eyes stared curiously at the letters. The owl was unfamiliar and Draco's bored gaze made her interest peak even more at what the letters had in store.
Author's Note: Wow, this story is going to be incredibly fun to write. First chapter down and a bunch to go, Opal and Draco are in store for a lot of crap. As a disclaimer I do not own anything from the Harry Potter universe except for my own OC's and separate plot, everything else is from J.K. Rowling the genius that she is! This one book will cover all of Goblet of Fire alllll the way into Deathly Hallows. A second book will be made detailing the life after. I will be staying to the books because it is what I have readily available to use. For now this series will have a once a month update, but every chapter will be long so don't worry! Once I get a good chapter bank going, you will get more updates within certain months! As always any questions or comments? Please review, favorite, and follow!
Love Always,
Elleta Marie
P.S. This is all going without a Beta so please excuse any mistakes, if you find some please copy and paste and put it in a review so I can take care of it pronto!
