Chapter Three

The days passed slowly at home, much as she'd expected. Ophelia spent a lot of spare time revising her notes for her upcoming NEWT examinations, especially in Charms and Herbology, as she was terrified of getting less than an Acceptable on either, or both, exams. Normally, she would spend time with some of her school friends, or even some of her muggle friends that she'd left behind when she'd left for Hogwarts. This year, it seemed like everyone had gone away for the break, or was just avoiding her.

She'd even gotten a reply from one of her female housemates that read I'd love to visit, but Rabastan... He's forbidden it, really. Sorry, O, but I'm sure you understand why I'd rather have you angry with me than him.

Ophelia had literally spoken to no one other than her parents and the random people she saw around town and on the Tube while she travelled around bored every afternoon since that last conversation she'd had with Severus before she left school. Other than that owl, of course. She had sent plenty of them out to her friends, but that was the first - and only - reply she'd gotten back thus far.

So, that was that. She'd broken up with a boy and now she was left to live a lonely life. Things would change when they returned to school, she was sure, but this tactic that he was using to keep her from being happy was certainly taking its toll. The day she saw an owl tapping on her bedroom window with a note from Severus was by far the highlight of her terribly boring vacation from her school.

Ophelia,

I hope your holiday has been relaxing and this owl meets you well. Hogwarts has been as it ever was; chilled and silent without the normal throng of students, of course. Far more peaceful this way, I've found.

Lucius informs me that we are free to meet you tomorrow via the Floo Network, if you'll have your parents open it for us. Then, from there, we shall travel together to Malfoy Manor, unless Narcissa hasn't made it yet. Escaping the Black household seems to be troublesome for her now that she's wed and shouldn't be there at all.

But, I digress. Tomorrow you should be prepared shortly after half two, and I will meet you then.

Severus.

The owl was surprisingly casual for Severus, but Ophelia enjoyed it. She might not have been quite so enamored had she been having regular human contact outside of her family the last week, but as it was, Ophelia had to fight to keep from dancing around her room at the note. She sent him back a simple reply, confirming that she would be ready at the designated time before opening her closet and pulling her dress out to give it a chance to air out before the party.

Ophelia twirled around in front of her mirror, pulling her white blonde hair up into a fast stacked ponytail look that she had been attempting to perfect for months now. It was the perfect up-do for her she thought, since it was fast and easy, but still managed to combine messy with classy. She pulled the ponytail through in a loop so it looked like an elegant style that had taken far longer than it actually had. It rested just above her bare left shoulder, helping to balance out her dress.

The dress she'd picked out was a black, knee-length dress that fit her just right - because of the help of a little magic, of course. Her left shoulder was bare, while the right was covered by a single strap about two inches thick that followed a straight line down her back, leaving the entire left side of her back as exposed as her shoulder. Around her middle, just below her breasts, was a bright teal sash that tied in a large bow around her back and helped accentuate her chest from the bottom, in ways that the low neckline couldn't.

She'd managed to find an earring and necklace set in teal that matched the sash perfectly and broke up the empty patches of skin that would have otherwise seemed seamless. The hardest part about the entire outfit was easily her shoes, but once she found the pair of teal, Mary Jane pumps with the four inch heels, she fell in love. Ophelia wasn't like most girls, with their constant need to buy more and more shoes because they "had to have them" or because it was love at first sight, but with this pair, it was true.

It had taken a full day of doing mundane things around the house to get used to wearing them around without tripping or falling out of them every couple of steps, but now that she was used to them, Ophelia felt like a rockstar in her Mary Janes. Everything was in place and she was impressed with the way she looked when her mother called down the hallway to her.

"Ophelia! Your friends are here!"

She smiled and grabbed her small bag, also teal, and walked down the hall to meet up with the boys. They were both already in their party clothes and Ophelia was glad; she didn't want to feel overdressed when they arrived. But, she had no reason to fear. Lucius and Severus were both in full tuxedos, ignoring the customary wizarding dress robes for the night, and looked regal. Both with deep green bow ties and likely a vest or cummerbund underneath their coats.

Lucius was sporting a solid black cane with a silver serpent at the top. Ophelia wondered where he'd come across something like that and if it was just for show, or rather a necessity. Judging by his thin, fit build, she assumed it was a fashion accessory, but she didn't dare ask.

Severus' coat was the most interesting thing about his wardrobe to her, with the long tails hanging down in the back, held together by only a single button in the front. His hair still hung limp, framing his face on either side, and just as oily as it had ever been, but that was one of the things that made Severus who he was. Between his hair and his large, hooked nose, Severus' face was unmistakable and familiar.

A small smile spread across Ophelia's face as she watched the eyes of both of the boys travel up and down her figure at least once while she stood in front of them.

"Rabastan is going to eat you alive," Lucius mumbled barely loud enough that Ophelia could hear it. She wasn't sure how true that would be, but she took it as the highest compliment, coming from Lucius Malfoy.

Lucius nodded and turned back towards the fireplace in the living room. It was never used, even in the dead of winter, since they lived in practically the center of metropolitan London and the quality air laws prevented it. But, it was absolutely imperative that a fireplace had been installed in this house; it was their primary form of travel, of course.

"Shall we, then? Narcissa is waiting at home to welcome any early guests, but I don't entire trust her to allow everyone on the guest list inside. She still hasn't gotten rid of her bias and adopted mine yet," he said, laughing. Ophelia didn't find his words that funny, but laughed along anyway, not wanting to upset the party's host before they even left her house.