She sat, a girl of sixteen or so, on an ottoman in front of a Victorian style vanity. Running a silver hairbrush through her dark, pin-straight hair, the girl looked deep into the mirror before her. She was decent looking. Hair of the darkest brown, shoulder length, chocolate eyes for luring in her male prey, slender build, but unlike those other faerie princesses, a strong undertone was distinctly noticeable. She was from a very well-to-do family. Only the purist of blood ran through her veins. Never a lack of wealth, she had everything a young girl could ask for and then some. Revered by her peers, feared by her enemies, and envied by her friends, her life could be no better, right?
"PANSY!" a booming baritone could be heard echoing through the mansion. The girl jumped, dropping the brush to the floor. Her heart beat quickly in her chest as she ran down the grand staircase that lead to the foyer. Reaching the bottom stair her steps slowed as she tried to calm herself for the seemingly long walk ahead of her. Moving quickly and calmly down the hallway, she tried to clear her mind, listening to the whispers of the oil paintings in their frames. Finally reaching the end of the long corridor, hesitantly, she knocked on the door to her right.
"Enter," the man's voice said. The girl turned an old-looking brass handle opening the door just enough for her to slip into the room. It was dimly lit, the only light emerging from the scorching fireplace before her. Eerie knickknacks overtook the mahogany shelves that lined the walls of the enormous room. On the far left, a large desk of a dark wood held up a few large books and several large stacks of parchment that were now scribbled with ink from the feathered quill that lay there.
"Sit," he gestured towards a large cushioned chair before the desk. The girl crossed the room nervously taking her place in the seat. The man picked up several of the pieces of parchment, leaning back in his seat to look them over. The girl fidgeted with her skirt, nervously biting her lip. Finally the man spoke once more.
"I received the results of your O.W.L.S.," he began calmly. The girl held her breath. "I must say, I was not very pleased with what I have seen." Her heart was beating now at twice the speed it should be. "Six O.W.L.S, Pansy? Only six? A young woman such as yourself with your upbringing should have at least eight." The man now stood, walking around to where Pansy sat. Her head hung low in shame.
"I'm sorry I failed you father," Pansy said quietly. He encircled her now, looking her over.
"It's not me you've failed. It's our family. For centuries our family has been known for their purity, wealth, and knowledge. And in the last five years you've managed to ruin that reputation!" he screamed causing her to flinch violently. Noticing this he continued his severity. "Next year, I will we be sending you to Beauxbatons in hopes of raising your marks," he finished.
"But father!" Pansy protested. A strong, audible slap to the face silenced her, forcing her into the back of her seat.
"DON'T test me. I haven't the patience for such duffers like you. You're going to do as I say whether you want to or not, understood?" Pansy shook her head trying to hold back tears in the presence of her father as not to show weakness. "ANSWER ME!" he yelled.
"Yes father," she choked.
"Good," he said sitting back at his desk moving the dripping candelabra to the side. "Leave." Pansy did as she was told, getting up opening the door a sliver letting light into the black corridor. She looked back at her father one last time before sliding out once more into the hallway.
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A/N: My second project of the summer which turned into my Autumn project and ultimately, I'm finishing it in December. For a certain special someone, with all of my love.