Chapter Two
This week's fantastical beast is…..
Ashwinder!
Classification: XXX
Competent Wizard should cope, short lived creatures.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confred. of Wizards)
Dear Miss Welkin,
We are pleased to welcome you to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. When you arrive on the start of term, please have Mr. Malfoy show you to Dumbledore's office so we can sort you into a house, the password is lemon drops. Along with this letter is a list of items you will need for this school year as well as other necessities. We are proud to have the Welkin family back at Hogwarts.
Yours Sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Opal eyed the letter in mock excitement, passing the extra papers to Narcissa she got up and left the room heading towards her favorite spot. She had found the spot some weeks into her stay at the Manor, it was located in a small corner of a white rose garden and hedge maze. A flurry of left turns and a dash of right turns would lead to a rather dusty wooden bench and cracked fountain that depicted a false interpretation of merpeople.
Eyeing it distastefully, she threw her letter into the water watching the ink blur together and the paper start to separate. Turning away from the fountain she marched over to the bench and carefully sat down, Opal didn't want to break the beams. Her dress ruffled as a slight breeze blew through and her hair cascaded into her eyes.
"Mum is planning for us to go to Diagon Alley in a few." Draco spoke from the entrance of the secret cove.
Opal eyed him before huffing, "how many of the same suits do you own?"
Rolling his eyes, he sauntered over and sat next to her. Propping his elbows on his knees, he raked his fingers through his hair and looked at the fountain, "why start going to school now?"
"Publicity," Opal said as she tucked her legs up beside her and leaned against his shoulder, "they thought that if they kept me hidden away the press would forget and move on to another interesting topic, but it had the opposite effect. Instead, it gave them more fire to burn my family's reputation. The Welkin's don't like bad publicity, we're meant to be pillars of society… At least to the general public, our shady dealings are paid to stay out of the press. Yet, no amount could pay off the press to keep the Welkin's bastard out the of the papers."
It was the most she had spoken in one given time to Draco since she had found out about the arranged marriage. Her anger towards that had weaned off over the first week and now she just kept up the appearance because, people left her alone to do as she pleased. Except if your name is Draco Malfoy, he saw straight through her facade.
Telling him of her reasonings, didn't irk her in the slightest. Anyone with a pair of eyes and a brain could figure out by picking up a paper, even The Daily Prophet spoke of her now being with the Malfoys. Draco nodded seemingly accepting what she said without question, even if millions drifted through his mind.
Draco leaned back, relaxing into the frail wood and propping his left arm up on the top of the bench, making Opal slide closer to him and further onto his shoulder. It wasn't by any means intimate, they did crave contact but, they were young teenagers with no semblance of their actions. But, the garden let them relax. No ridiculous rules and mannerisms, they could slouch when they walked and say words they never could inside.
Sitting in companionable silence, minutes passed by and soon Draco shifted to sit up taking Opal with him. Standing up they both stretched out their sore and kinked muscles before readjusting their clothes.
"We shouldn't keep your mother waiting any longer." Opal spoke letting a smile settle on her face as she took the lead to get out of the maze.
Draco sighed following after her, "we won't be back till later on."
Opal nearly stilled in her advances, "sounds like my mother."
He shrugged even though she couldn't see, "they'll get along in the future I imagine."
"They won't have a choice." Her clipped tone signaled the end of the conversation as they emerged from the garden together and back into the foyer. Narcissa and Lucius were waiting for them, but were currently deep in conversation and didn't notice their entrance until they stood in front of two.
Narcissa beamed at the two of them before clasping Opal's arm, "we'll be apparating to Diagon Alley. Lucius and Draco have an errand to run before they meet up with us for lunch."
"Some girl time with you Mrs. Malfoy will be a dream, I cannot wait!" Opal's charm was nearly overdone, but Narcissa didn't seem to notice too much.
Except, Narcissa had noticed for some time the subtle change in Opal's behavior, it was exactly what she had done in the beginning of her marriage with Lucius. The outward show of being elated and constantly bouncing around waiting to go off with her mother-in-law. She couldn't blame the poor girl, the horrid press floating around her name, but the Welkin name was still honoured and so with that Opal gave them even more of a spotlight.
Draco eyed Opal in an almost worrying way, his brow slightly creased before he kissed his mother on her forehead and walking by to stand by his father who wore an impassable expression. Behind him, Narcissa had already apparated with Opal most likely to Twilfitt and Tatting's for Opal's robes for school.
Lucius laid a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it in a comforting manner, "we'll be attending the Quidditch World Cup this year on August 25th."
Excitement coursed through Draco's veins, quidditch was one of his favorite things to do, "thank you father."
"We'll be sitting beside the Minister of Magic," the hand on Draco's shoulder tightened, "be on your best behavior."
Draco knew better than to disappoint his father or tarnish his family name. He clenched his jaw thinking of the many ways he could end up punished and each was worse than the last. Of course he had no intention to disappoint his father or make a complete fool of himself. Draco had to make an impression so he could work in the Ministry, like his father, when he graduated from Hogwarts. With his thoughts tightening around his mind, his father and him apparated away.
A bell above the white door to Twilfitt and Tatting's tinged as Opal and Narcissa pushed it open. The clothing shop was lined with all manners of silk and satins, velvet and cashmere, along with others displayed in roles. White wooden beams were standing along the pink gray walls. Racks of premade clothing items were placed among the room. The cashier's desk was front center of the room, the changing rooms were in the back, as well as round pedestals to be measured on. The air smelled slightly of vanilla and peony, it was almost strong compared to the thousand of scents that enveloped Diagon Alley.
An older woman with sleek, straight, gray hair came around the corner of one of the clothing racks and smiled brightly at Narcissa. She wore black slacks and a gray blouse with teal accent jewelry, paired with black high heels. Opal noted nothing extraordinary about the saleswoman as she walked to both Narcissa and her.
"Oh, Narcissa darling! You haven't been in for weeks, I had begun to worry." The woman's voice was riddled with age.
Narcissa smiled, "things have been busy at the Manor, as you have heard me talk about. I would like to introduce our temporary ward, Opal Welkin."
The woman turned to Opal with newfound poison in her smile and Opal returned it in like, "just as beautiful as you spoke about, I'm Madam Twilfitt."
Opal curtsied quickly before replying, "a pleasure to meet you Madam Twilfitt."
So began the rather labor intensive and arduous task of robe fitting, along with dress fittings. Flurries of colors and fabrics flew by Opal's eyes, her limbs being pulled to and fro, her feet felt blistered as she walked up and down a short runway every few minutes. At least her mother never forced her into such medieval tasks. In short, she ended up with 5 satin robes, one black fur lined black winter robe and one white fur lined black winter robe, a handful of white blouses, pleated skirts, and ties, and finally several dresses of different fabrics, styles, and colors. All of her other materials such as dragonhide gloves, she already had copious amounts of.
Walking out with several bags of clothing, they went of to Flourish and Blott's to grab any school books she did not already have, to Broomstix to grab a brand new silver Firebolt and a black one as a gift for Draco, Opal was considering joining Quidditch in whatever house she was put into, her brother played with her often enough along with his friends which included the legendary ViKtor Krum. They went to a few other shops to grab potion ingredients and some odds and ends before ending up in front of one of the last two stores, Eeylops Owl Emporium.
A quick spell sent all of their bags floating behind them as they entered the store. Owls hooted from their perches, cats mewed, and a manner of pets called out as they walked down every aisle examining the animals. Two cats stood out to Opal, a black American Curl whose eyes lazily followed her and a white and orange Japanese Bobtail whose eyes were fixated on the treats lining the shelf behind Opal.
One of the workers approached the pair in a timid manner, clearing his throat before he spoke, "how may I help you ladies today?"
Turning to the American Curl, Opal eyed the cat, "tell me about this cat and the Japanese Bobtail," her voice was short and clipped as the smell of owl droppings and the constant sound was beginning to give both Narcissa and her a headache.
Stumbling through his words he spoke, "the Japanese Bobtail is a female and has not been spayed, she is ten and very talkative. The longhair American Curl is a female, has also not been spayed, very quiet but loves attention, and is one to two years old."
Opal nodded before opening the American Curl's cage, pulling out the 11 pound cat into her arms, "I want her." They grabbed a high quality cat bed, litter box, food, toys, and treats before checking out with the cat in a small crate. They left swiftly adding the cat and new bags to the ones floating behind them, making their way to Ollivanders. Narcissa had explained to her that they needed to make sure that her wand met all the regulations here in the UK.
Walking into the shop, Opal nearly stopped in her tracks as the invading smells of worn out books and dust collided her senses. There was a clatter in the back room, followed by a yelp and more items colliding into the ground. Opal held her wand impatiently in her hand as an old, wrinkly man came out from the back in moth eaten clothing. A knowing glint twinkled in his eyes as they made contact with her wand.
"Coming to have your wand checked Miss Welkin?"
Opal was not the least bit surprised at his knowingness and simply nodded, extending her wand out to him to examine, "just to make sure I can still keep it at it's full potential."
His eyes widened in glee as his fingers grasped the handle, "power radiates from both the wand and you Opal Welkin. Pine wood, an excellent choice suited for a creative mind and can be sensitive to nonverbal spells, but it seems you have it accustomed to them. You have a long life ahead of you, an independent witch shrouded in mystery, it is no wonder the wood came to this wand. Now paired with a rare core, such as the phoenix feather which is in it right now, makes for a very powerful combination. You had trouble at first, yes?", Opal nodded listening to his ramblings, "yet, you have not fully released all of it's magic, you have barely scraped the surface of this phoenix feather. Only two others here have the same core, but I have a feeling that your phoenix was powerful.
Now the opals, such a curious thing to be inlaid upon the wood. They create reservoirs of magic, allowing you to tame the core far faster than most. The gems aid you when you feel depleted, they are a comfort for you. They are your namesake after all. You wand is envied by many who get the chance to lay a hand on it, it will suit you well in the coming years. If I were you, I would start dueling during the school year. Try to expand it's magic."
Narcissa, who appeared to have become weary, had tired of his words and spoke out in like, "we do have other plans today, would you be so kind to give your verdict so we may leave?"
Ollivander seemed not to notice or simply decided not to care as he nodded, "an excellent for a powerful witch, it meets all of the regulations."
With that they left the wand shop, what had felt like hours around Diagon Alley was simply two or three. At two o'clock they met up with Lucius and Draco, both their eyes widened at the entourage of bags coming behind them. They had ate lunch before they all went back to the Manor, everything was deposited in Opal's room when they arrived.
As they went their separate ways, Opal up to her room to unpack everything and bond with her new cat, Draco decided to tag along. Hoping to surprise her with the tickets to the Quidditch World Cup. Walking up the stairs together, quietly, their steps were in sync and as they walked with the air of aristocracy. Draco reclined back into the bean bag as Opal sorted her bags into sections, a pile of things for school and the rest were pushed to the side. She unlocked the cage for her cat, she walked out and stretched out fully before eyeing both Opal and Draco suspiciously.
"How are you going to write to your family with a cat?" Draco said trying to withhold a sneer.
Opal rolled her eyes, "Narcissa said I can use your owl. Also, cats are incredibly intelligent and comforting animals."
Sitting on the floor, her cat climbed into her lap kneading her stomach before curling up. Opal chuckled, scratching right up underneath the cat's chin. She had yet to name the animal, a name would surely come along to the animal.
Draco got up from his comforting throne to sit on the ground beside her, the scent of lavender entering his senses. Unconsciously he breathed the scent in deeply, exhaling caused a few tendrils of hair to blow into Opal's face. His hand twitched to push back behind her ear, but her own beat him to it. The tickets in his pocket grew warm as they sat in silence, willing the other one to talk.
Draco finally cleared his throat, "you should name her Astrid."
Twinkling yellow eyes sparkled at the name confirming what the feline's name should in fact be, "it certainly suits her Draco, she will certainly be beloved by my roommates." Opal got up placing Astrid on Opal's bed, to which she got up and walked to nestle right in the center of her bed. Turning and picking up the finely wrapped broom for Draco, she sat back down beside Draco. She was grateful that the shopkeeper wrapped his up and put it into a box.
"I have something to tell you Opal." The uncertainty in his voice nearly worried Opal, but she was sure it was nothing bad because if it was bad, surely she would not have been able to get so many things today.
"Spit it out Draco." Opal said impatiently.
Draco reached into his pocket pulling out a brightly colored piece of paper, "we have tickets to go see the Quidditch World Cup next week, it will be father, you, and I going. Mum never was one for quiddi-" he never got the chance to speak as Opal launched herself at him and hugged him tightly.
Joy coursed through her veins as she felt a laugh rumble in his chest and his arms encircle her, "thank you Draco." Pulling away from him, she clambered back to her spot smoothing her hair and dress back down. A faint blush tinged her ears and cheeks, the same pink reflected on Draco's face.
Fiddling with the hem of her dress, she clutched the long rectangle box to her chest. Opal wasn't happy with herself for letting her feelings slip through her mask, especially in front of Draco. On one hand though, it was better him than anyone else. Her family was a different story but, even they had limits on emotions. She clenched one hand into a fist, barely registering her nails break into the fleshy pink tones of her palm. Red beads sprang from the wound, but soon disappeared with a mumble of words under her breath. Now was not the time to break down again.
Clearing her own throat just as Draco had done, she handed him the box with thinly veiled joy, "a gift to show my gratitude and our blossoming friendship."
Draco's long, slender fingers grasped the edges of the box and gently tore it open. Shaking it out of the end, piles of tissue paper and the black Firebolt flung out onto the ground. "Merlin! It's beautiful!" Draco sat closer to Opal and began to talk in a language of broomsticks, even going as far as to run to his room to grab his broom kit. Opal smiled, it was a true smile full of happiness watching him obsess and speak in riddles about the weight of the handle. Of course, she already knew the logistics of both of their brooms.
Opal had pulled her's out, only to send Draco spiralling as joy erupted from his eyes at the thought of winning this year's Quidditch Cup at school or even the House Cup. Now, he had yet to see her fly with it, but if she was good then that would mean at least two people on the team were competent enough to actually understand a game plan. He then proceeded to wonder on how exactly wild her hair would get. Opal explained that she would have to braid it back and hope for the best.
That was how that night was spent, Opal would get up occasionally to stretch her legs and to put her things away in appropriate spots as Draco inspected every inch of their brooms. Occasional comments came from her, mostly questions on how the school did quidditch, who was in charge, most of the basic things but, Draco supplied in depth answers full of enthusiasm. It was midnight before either knew it and their brooms were tucked away in their new homes. They laid across her bed, her head on his stomach, Draco was propped up looking at her as they spoke quietly.
Astrid had left to her cat bed that was nestled underneath one of Opal's nightstands, leaving the bed to the wizard and the witch borrowing time they didn't have anymore. Both of them knew that moments like these would be few and far between as school came closer and how in a few years from now, they would be engaged. Soon they adjusted themselves to lay up against the pillows of her bed, looking up at the ceiling where Opal had casted a spell to reflect the night sky, which included a meteorite show. They had fallen asleep like that, fully clothed and happy. Smiles upon their worn out faces, fingers barely touching but twitched closer.
Lucius sat in his private office, his cane lay propped up against his desk. A phantom itch came from his right forearm and he resisted the urge to itch it. He didn't want to lift his sleeve until his suspicions were indeed true. Narcissa sat in the same room in a chair in front of the fireplace, the smoldering logs casting long shadows across her face, her own arm creating the same phantom itch.
A hooded figure stood next to the window, the hood pulled tight across their face leaving it all in shadow. Pain racked through their own arm, not the phantom itch the others were getting. They had come to the Malfoy's to confirm what he thought and to be drafted into service should the Dark Lord come back. Of course, they knew that he would. It would be foolish to think otherwise, for their father told them such and had them come to the Manor to speak to the heavily respected Deatheaters.
Lucius grew agitated at the figure for coming so late at night, but they would prove valuable in the coming days, "go home to your father, tell him what I told you." The figure nodded and apparated away leaving the couple alone in the dying flames.
"Lucius we must protect our son." Narcissa spoke through a constricted throat, tears clouded her eyes and Lucius came up to her wiping away the falling tears.
"Draco will be protected, we have done as much as we can. For now we must wait till the engagement." Kissing her forehead, he ushered them both out of the office and down to their son's room to check on him. Only he was not there, but a faint light shone from under Opal's doorway.
Cracking open her door, the couple peeked through and were welcomed with a happy sight. The two fully clothed young teenagers, a sprawling night sky shined down on them, both were curled up away from each other now. It wasn't exactly a modest arrangement for the two, but happiness radiated from the room. The couple knew of course what had transpired, filling each other in on what Opal and Draco's plans were. They deserved happiness even for one night, things would be rocky for them. Hope prevailed in their hearts however, hope that the two would survive to live on with each other, to come to love one another.
August 25th, couldn't have come around any slower for both Opal and Draco. Never once did they speak of the night they shared the previous week and his parents never uttered a word of their knowing. The days before August 25th were long and full of nothing for Draco because Opal rarely left her room, he saw more of Astrid then he did of Opal. Astrid had taken well to the both of them, alternating who she slept with at night. Opal had charmed her collar to open both of their doors only for an animal her size and shape, if something else tried to gain access something horrific would happen to them. Luckily, Draco didn't try to figure out a way into her room with Astrid's collar.
Opal during her days, was extremely busy. She was practicing all her spells and potions. Sending letters to her family, asking for more potion ingredients and a few items that left both families wondering exactly what she was doing in her room. Opal had gone to such lengths as to ban the house elves from apparating into the room. Her projects wouldn't be shown for some time now, she had yet to perfect her wand work for it.
Narcissa had left already that day to spend the night or two with Opal's mother, Idalia. Narcissa had felt she should become more acquainted with her mother, it seemed like the perfect opportunity. That left only three in the house for the next hour til their portkey opened for them to grab onto. It was an old worn out bronze cauldron that currently sat in Narcissa's tea room. Opal was already seated in a overly stuffed pale pink chair. Astrid sat on her lap, clashing against the paleness her hands that stroked her fur.
A few days prior Opal had went with Narcissa to a beauty parlor, getting a few hair straightening potions and to have their nails done. It was odd to be treated in such a way by someone who was not her mother but, she made no complaint. Opal had packed away the potions into her trunk for school. Her nails were extended and rounded, with a layer or two of a pink nude. They tapped impatiently at the moment on the arm of the chair as she waited for both Lucius and Draco to get ready.
Her bag sat at her feet, a few articles of clothing and makeup. Opal's hair had two braids, creating a crown on her head to keep her bangs out of her eyes for the game. She wanted to watch her friend Viktor catch the snitch and win the game. She had forgone her dresses for tonight, opting for a black pencil skirt and an emerald flowing blouse with bell sleeves. Black heels sat on her petite feet which lay crossed at her ankles. Her family crest laid delicately at the base of her throat. Her fingers occasionally grazed it as she looked into the fire.
A few minutes till they were due to leave both of the Malfoy men showed up in the room, bags in their arms. Opal's eyebrow raised distastefully as she looked them up in down, their customary suits impeccably put together. Standing up she placed Astrid on the seat behind her, kissing her softly on the top of her head. Turning to face the cauldron she grabbed her bag only to not find it by her feet but in the hands of Draco who smirked at her.
Rolling her eyes she smiled at both of them, "only a few moments more Mr. Malfoy."
Lucius nodded in acknowledgment before they all stepped forward, leaving one hand free to grasp the cauldron and count down the seconds till a feeling of being ripped in every possible way came upon them and let them glide down into a field of flamboyant, glittering tents of the top 1% of the wizard aristocracy. Most of the world's pureblood families sat in these tents, obsessing over their trip to the Alps or the Mediterranean, a few were seen wearing their chosen teams colors. Opal wore green, not for Ireland but, out of respect for the Malfoys. It was a customary thing to do when you are a guest of a high standing family. Her crest however was plain as day on her slender pale neck.
Pulling out a cloak, she draped it over herself to hide her face from onlookers. Draco held his arm out for her to take, grabbing onto his arm they began to walk behind his father. Lucius strode through the line of tents, all of their heads were held high. Lucius glared at most of the wizards who walked past them, some were half bloods and muggleborns and had happened to graze his son or stare far too long at Opal's chest. They had finally made it to their designated campsite. Their house elves, Plunky and Pinky, set up their tent before they arrived. It was a lavish tent, tendrils of silver floated around their camp acting as a blockade against the outside world.
The tent was made of soft forest green and spikes of silver, a rug was placed in front of the entrance with a few plush chairs for entertaining guests, two peacocks strutted within the silver barrier. She smirked at what appeared to be a reporter stalking them a few tents back, the tips of her horned glasses stuck out from behind her enchanted quill and parchment. She could only imagine what she would read in the paper tomorrow.
Stepping through the barrier and into the tent, Opal was met with a two story home. A lavish staircase was in the middle leading to all of the bedrooms. The downstairs held an office, kitchen, a public living room and a private room for Lucius. However, Draco would be sleeping several doors away from Opal and it left a sour taste in her mouth. Unknowing to her, it also left a sour taste in Draco's mouth. He knew better than to ask for a different set of sleeping arrangements, his father would not hear of it.
Lowering her hood Opal went up the stairs to find all of her things put away in her modest arrangements. She missed her room already at the Manor, she especially missed Astrid. After the night with Draco, she found that she could no longer sleep on her own. Astrid had sensed this after a rather fitful night and had came to lay close to her mistress when she slept. Draco stood in her doorway watching her trace designs into the black bed spread.
"The game will be starting soon, father wants to leave now," Opal jumped at his voice, lost in her own mind.
Clearing her throat and standing up, "we must not keep him waiting then."
"Them, Opal, we must not keep them waiting. It is more than just father waiting for us." Draco's voice held a colder edge that made Opal's smile fall.
"And who would 'they' be Draco?" She asked.
He shrugged looking at his shoes, "well everyone besides us are already at the box, except the Weasley's."
Opal rolled her eyes as he spat out their name, "Draco, despite them being blood traitors we will be sitting close to them, don't let your hatred ruin my game."
His gray eyes snapped up to hers in bewilderment, "you're worried about the bloody game? We'll be sitting next to filth, especially if that mudblood will be with them!"
"Don't forget the chosen one, Draco," Opal chuckled as he worked himself up, "yes I am worried about the game, if you ruin this for me I will tell Narcissa."
Saying those words made his jaw snap shut and a glare cut through her but, she raised her own brow in challenge. Standing up she met him by the door, pulling her hood up and taking his stiff arm as they walked down the staircase to Lucius who stood impatiently at the end. They walked together out of the tent and into the quiet rows of tents, roaring of fans could be heard in the distance and grew clearer as they strode through the horde of people waiting to get in, they however were allowed to glide up the steps into the top box where the Minister of Magic stood awaiting them.
Cornelius Fudge was a larger man and was old, the beginning stages of a bald head was evident with his horrific comb over. He wore a well pressed set of robes and a cheery, glassy eyed look. A large smile took over his face as he greeted Lucius and Draco. Opal stood behind them waiting to be introduced.
Lucius finally cleared his throat and gestured to Opal, "Minister, I would like to introduce Opal Welkin, Barnabas's daughter."
Opal froze under his dissecting stare, it sent shivers down her spine as he looked her over. Finally, she gained enough function to pull down the hood of her cloak and a large smile erupted once more as he saw her face. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Draco stiffen as he watched Fudge stare at her.
Curtsying to Fudge, he took her hand and kissed the back of it, "a pleasure to meet you Minister Fudge."
"I have waited anxiously to have a real glimpse of you my dear, you truly are a shining jewel." A fake blush grew on her cheeks as she acted bashful at his words.
Draco nudged his father discreetly, Lucius finally noticed the act Opal was putting on and had everyone give a goodbye as they took their seats. Opal sat stiffly in her chair, letting her cloak drape over her lap as her eyes darted around the stadium. Her hand held tightly onto her wand underneath her cloak. Draco laid a hand onto her arm, squeezing it comfortingly before new voices came up to the top box. A family of redheads, a bushy haired girl, and a scraggly pale boy. Opal relaxed instantly allowing a smirk to rest on her face as she leaned onto Draco, who propped his arm against the seat behind her, following her train of thought.
One of them bowed so ferociously that his glasses slipped from his face and shattered onto the ground right in front of the minister. Repairing them he glared at Harry Potter as Fudge shook his hand in a fatherly way. Opal and Draco strained to keep their laughter behind their lips.
"Harry Potter, you know…" Fudge spoke to the Bulgarian minister, who spoke perfect English but the Minister didn't know that much, "Harry Potter… oh come on now, you know who he is… the boy who survived You-Know-Who… you do know who he is -"
The Bulgarian minister looked over at Harry, noticing his scar and decided to point at it and gabble excitedly.
"Knew we'd get there in the end," Fudge spoke wearily to Harry. "I'm no great shakes at languages; I need Barty Crouch for this sort of thing. Ah, I see his house-elf's saving him a seat…. Good job too, these Bulgarian blighters have been trying to cadge all the best places… ah, here's Lucius!"
The three of them nearly groaned as he eyed them sitting in their seats, Opal eyed the group tiredly and distastefully. Lucius stood, signalling for them to stand as well. She watched them look her skeptically as her arm was looped through Draco's, along with her unusual appearance, but telling from the busy haired girls whispers that they knew who she was.
"Ah, Fudge," he held his hand out to the Bulgarian minister who took it gratefully, "pleasure to meet you Minister Oblansk. I am sorry that my wife is not attending tonight, but I'll introduce my heir Draco and Opal Welkin our guest." Oblansk nodded bowing to Opal and shaking Draco's hand.
Fudge smiled at the interaction before turning to the older male Weasley, "you know Arthur Weasley, I daresay?"
The air grew tense as the two of them looked at each other in distaste, more however on Lucius's side. Lucius now cold gray eyes looked over Arthur, "Good lord, Arthur," his words were spoken softly, "what did you have to sell to get seats in the top box? Surely your house wouldn't have fetched this much?"
A giggle nearly erupted from Opal's mouth until she felt the glare from the bushy haired girl, smirking in response to her glare and let her eyes sweep over her. Power was certainly there, but it was no match for Opal. She would have to make sure that the girl knew that when school started.
Fudge who stood obliviously to all of what happened spoke, "Lucius has just given a very generous contribution to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, Arthur. He's here as my guest."
"How - how nice," said Arthur, with a strained smile.
Lucius finally looked over at the bushy haired girl who he saw glaring at Opal, his lip curling up. Opal's eyes lit up registering who exactly stood before us, Hermione Granger the muggleborn. Fudge had turned away allowing Opal to laugh quietly watching them glare at the three of them.
The game started finally, while the Veela's came out to dance and ensnare the men in the arena, Draco merely shifted forward. His eyes were captivated by the movements of their hips and the alluring smiles that enticed him but, his arm stayed relaxed holding onto Opal's arm. Neither of them took notice as the game started. They cheered and watched the game unfold, Viktor had caught the snitch but it was not enough to win the game.
Viktor had noticed his friend's little sister sitting in the top box, her hair was a dead give away. His hand still clutched the golden snitch tightly and steered his broom over to the box, shaking hands with a few important people he walked over to her.
"Vhat a pleasant survrise Opa! I vasn't expecting you here." Viktor smiled brightly his hand still firmly grasping the snitch.
Opal eyes brightened as she got up out of her seat to embrace her friend, "Viktor! You did wonderfully out there! It is so nice to see you again."
Viktor laughed, "zhey did vell, ve should have been vaster," they pulled apart and Viktor grabbed Opal's hand, "a gift vor a beautvul voman."
Her eyes widened feeling something move about in her hand, "is it the snitch?" Viktor shrugged nonchalantly before urging her to open her hand, carefully.
Cautiously she peeked into her gently closed hand seeing a flutter of wings and a gold body, "oh Viktor, you shouldn't have!"
He rolled his eyes bringing her in for another embrace, "anyzing for my vest friend's little sister."
Opal had whispered a small "thank you" into his ear before he hopped back onto his broom and down to the quidditch pitch. A small sincere smile stayed on her face as she turned to look at the Malfoys who eyed her hand curiously. Draco didn't look as excited as he was earlier, his jaw was slightly clenched and one of his hands clutched the armrest. Opal however, in her happiness failed to see his distraught features, mistaking them for jealousy over her talking to Krum.
"Mr. Krum has given me the snitch from the game." Opal told them elatedly.
Lucius nodded, "he is a talented quidditch player, he is lucky to have you as a friend."
Opal smiled, "he's been over to my family's estate quite a few times, Viktor and my brother are best friends."
Draco sighed, "if he's so talented, how come he didn't win? I bet good money on their win!"
Her brows furrowed as she tried to dissect why his anger was directed towards her, "maybe you shouldn't make such frivolous bets Draco. Why are you so angry!"
Lucius who had begun to sense an upcoming scene between to two adolescents had quickly snapped his fingers for Pinky to arrive and apparate them back to the camp. The two had barely registered the change in location, continuing to have a staredown. Lucius stalked off to get ready for important business and told the two to of them to stay within the tent until told otherwise.
Draco stalked towards her fury in this steps and venom dripping from his words, "why am I so angry?" he pointed to himself before jutting his finger at her, "maybe because YOU threw yourself at that git right in front of my father and I, not to mention the Minister of Magic!"
Opal scoffed stepping back from his finger, "I didn't throw myself at him Draco! I haven't seen him in months!" She stepped forwards pushing back against him.
Rolling his eyes he clenched his jaw, "bloody hell Opal! Can you even hear yourself right now?"
Taken aback, Opal stepped away from him. Her face in disbelief hearing his incredulous and callous words, "can you even hear yourself Draco? Why are you so angry about this?"
"Because you are mine so start acting like it!" Draco's face softened after the words left his mouth and watched them attack Opal, making her face drop.
Opal could feel tears fill her eyes and blinked them back, "I am not yours Draco Malfoy. I am not property to be bought and sold. I am a human being, not one of the creatures in my family's zoo. I am not a ball to be hit around and I hope that you realize the severity of your callous words Draco and come to regret them when morning comes. I want an apology in the morning and I don't want to even see a strand of your hair till then."
Lucius had chosen that point in time to unknowingly ruin her evening even more. As he stepped into the foyer of the tent where the two had been quarrelling, he reminisced of his early relationship with Narcissa, even though Opal and Draco were little more than friends, the atmosphere was very tense and full of young adolescent angst.
Lucius cleared his throat, "Draco, please escort Opal away from the tents. I will meet up with the both of you later on tonight to go home."
Draco nodded stiffly to his father before grasping Opal's elbow, taking them from the rows of tents into the treeline of the bordering forest. Opal remained quiet and closed off, her lips remained tightly sealed and her footsteps were forced. Draco's hand was gentle as it guided her through the canopy into the safe spot his father had showed him. It was an extra precaution, mostly for Opal then himself. None of the Death Eaters would dare lay a hand on him, but he was certain that none would lay a hand on Opal. Even though she was furious with him for his anger fueled words, he wouldn't allow them to touch her.
They had come to a stop, they had walked deeply into the woods only to be standing just behind the treeline. They both could see the mayhem from behind the branches of the trees, the leaves itching their faces and dirt lining the bottoms of their shoes. They saw the figures cloaked in black with silver skull masks parade around, sending spells into the more plain tents. Flames lit the sky, orange and red bathed their faces as they watched in morbid fascination because they both knew that they were excluded from the witch hunt. They were pure blooded and rich, they were far from harm.
Opal momentarily forgot her anger towards Draco and stepped closer to him, her eyes lit up in curiosity as she watched the muggleborns scurry away to hide. An odd feeling coursed through her that she didn't necessarily understand, it wasn't anger or sympathy, it was more like envy. She wasn't envious of the muggleborns who were running in terror from the masked individuals. Opal was jealous of the freedom the masked ones had, they were most likely rich purebloods who simply slid on a mask and hood and did whatever they wanted with little consequence. No one would know who they were in the end.
Distantly they could hear a yelp of pain making their heads swivel in the direction it had came in. Opal pulled up her hood and stood behind Draco who took up a defensive stance in front of her, both their wands at the ready.
"What happened?" An all too familiar feminine voice asked, "Ron, where are you? Oh this is stupid - Lumos!"
Hermione Granger stood over Ron Weasley, Harry Potter with his glasses askew stood beside her. Opal and Draco relaxed before groaning quietly at having to run into them again. Opal had hoped faintly that they would pass by without noticing the two of them and that Draco would keep his mouth shut long enough to let them but, tonight was far from going to plan.
"Tripped over a tree root," Ron spoke angrily before getting back onto his feet.
Draco looped his arm around Opal's waist bringing her closer, "Well, with feet that size, hard not to." He drawled out making Opal slump in despair at having to deal with the oncoming cat fight.
The trio turned sharply, eyeing the two of them. They were relaxed and the two teams eyed each other. Opal's eyes locked with Hermione's, the light from her wand bounced off Opal's eyes. A small smirk adorned her face as she heard Ron speak something far too ludicrous for Harry to do. Opal's hand tightened on her wand, ready to hex the three of them and leave them to the masked figures.
"Language, Weasley you're in front of a proper lady," Malfoy spoke, his gray eyes glittering, "Hadn't you better be hurrying along, now?"
Opal continued smirking before looking directly at the Weasley, "You wouldn't like her spotted, would you?" she asked, nodding to Hermione. At the same time, a blast sounded from the campsite, and a flash of green light momentarily lit the trees around them.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Hermione spoke defiantly.
Opal laughed before Draco answered, "Granger, they're after Muggles. D'you want to be showing off your knickers in midair? Because if you do, hang around… they're heading this way, and it would give us all a laugh."
"Hermione's a witch," snarled Harry.
"Have it your own way, Potter," said Draco, grinning maliciously. Opal propped her head up on his shoulder a few curls bouncing out from the hood, "If you think they can't spot a Mudblood, stay where you are."
"You watch your mouth!" Opal's eyes lit up watching Ron speak ferociously like the little lion he was.
"Never mind, Ron," said Hermione quickly, seizing Ron's arm to restrain him as he took a step towards the two of them.
Opal smiled stepping in front of Malfoy, his arm still clutched to her side, "I would listen to your little girlfriend Ron Weasley, I'm afraid none of you would like to see the consequences of your actions."
Hermione glared, "and what are you going to do about it?"
Her smiled morphed into a smirk before she felt Draco clasp her wand hand and clenched her jaw. Another bang was heard from the other side of the trees, this one louder than before. Several people nearby screamed and Draco chuckled softly.
"Scare easily, don't they?" he said lazily, "I suppose your daddy told you all to hide? What's he up to - trying to rescue the Muggles?" Opal took this cue to step back behind Draco.
Her power itched at her skin, sending her veins aflame. Opal wanted to jinx and hex the trio into the ground. Their ignorance was astonishing and she nearly wanted to praise Draco on surviving them for the last three years. But, she was still too angry at him to utter such words. Opal still expected an apology when morning came.
"Where're your parents?" Harry said, his temper rising. "Out there wearing masks, are they?"
Draco turned his face to Harry, still smiling.
"Well… if they were, I wouldn't be likely to tell you, would I, Potter?"
"Oh come on," said Hermione, with a disgusted look at both Draco and Opal, "let's go and find the others."
"Keep that big bushy head down, Granger," sneered Draco.
"Come on," Hermione repeated, and she pulled Harry and Ron up their path again.
As soon as the trio disappeared from their eyesight did Opal step several feet away from Draco her arms shaking as magic coursed through them. She sent several Confringo spells to several trees around them. Her arm waving wildly as her hair escaped from the braids. Draco took cover from the jets of magic behind broken shards of an oak tree, fear coursed through his own veins and sent out his own spell, Protego, to protect him from the bits of exploding trees. Soon he couldn't even hear her voice, her mouth wasn't moving as her wand sent out the same spell. Opal's eyes began to look empty as her movements became sluggish and legs began to wobble.
Silence soon echoed in the now barely there forrest. Opal stood in a perfect circle of broken trees. Her fingers barely clutching her wand as her knees buckled and she was sent onto the ground. Draco jumped up from his spot and ran to her, his fear momentarily gone as concern took over. Plucking her from the ground he clutched her to his body. Her pulse was slow and her breaths were shallow, he had never been more worried in his life.
