Once we reached the dining area Narcissa dispersed to her lover and I was free to pour myself a generous glass of wine. It would no doubt be the first of many. I took a sip, letting the silky, sharp liquid slide over my tongue. It was strong and that was a relief.
"Hello, Andora," I glanced up from my glass to see the younger Avery and Terrence Mulciber approaching.
"Hello," The greeting was polite and unfeeling. I immediately took another drink, wishing it weren't unladylike to down the whole glass and start on the second. She wasn't buzzed enough for this.
"You're doing well, I see," Avery said, giving me a cheeky smile. I couldn't be sure if he was serious or not. I looked good, but I definitely didn't look happy and I wasn't keen on moving my glass more than an inch away from my mouth.
"I've been better, Avery," I told him, my voice just as cold as before. He wasn't the kind of person I liked. Over-confident, always making jokes. He was mediocre and he wouldn't last as a Death Eater.
"I'm surprised you didn't bring a date," Terrence said with a smile. It was meant to get under my skin and I didn't pretend for a second it didn't.
"And I suppose none of your whores were suited for such a formal event," I raised an eyebrow and took a rather deep swig of my drink. Avery laughed and looked at Terrence, awaiting his response.
Terrence was still smiling, not phased at all by my comeback. Something seemed to catch his eye, as he looked away for a moment and his smile grew. "Oh," he started. "Never mind. I see you've brought your dog," Confused, I looked over my shoulder. As usual, Fenrir was brooding off to himself.
Before I could respond Avery and Terrence walked off, leaving me to fume alone. Forgetting all manners I downed my glass and poured myself another. My nails tapped against the glossy wood of the dining table as I contemplated whether or not I really wanted to kill someone tonight.
"Aw, you started without me," My eyes rose once again to meet Bella's. She winked and sauntered over to me, getting a glass of her own.
"So, hows the party? Stuffy? Boring?" I rolled my eyes. Bella wasn't the best at behaving in social settings. She could always be counted on to step out of line.
"Oh, what's this? They invited the wolf boy. Maybe I was wrong," Her smile grew.
"I can only hope he'll leave soon or I'll be too drunk to care within the hour," I grumbled, hoping no one else would hear. I wasn't so lucky.
A hand seized my arm in a firm grip. I snapped my head in their direction ready to chew them out until I saw who it was. Rodolphus leaned in to my ear.
"Don't embarrass yourself. Everything that happens here gets back to Lord Voldemort and I will not have him believing we are a family of drunkards," Our eyes bored into each others. Neither of us willing to relent.
"Do you understand?" What I understood was that he would make me regret ever coming to this party if I stepped a toe out of line. As much as I wanted to rebel, I had been at the brunt of his wrath before.
"Yes," I said, despite myself. It was all I could do to force the word past my teeth. I glared as he walked on, unfortunately aware of Bella swooning next to me.
"Isn't he sexy? There's nothing more attractive than a dangerous man," While I agreed with that sentiment, there was an extent to which one should believe that.
"Speaking of dangerous men. Have your gotten a taste of Wolfie yet?" Bella nudged me.
"No, and if you or anyone else says something to that effect to me again I will not hesitate to put you six feet under. I have had it with this," I knocked back my second drink and went to fetch a tumbler. Wine wasn't up for the task.
I ended up in the sitting room by myself, people filtering back and forth. There I was able to cool down enough to not be enraged when people started settling in around me. The conversation was light and if I situated myself just right I couldn't even see Fenrir. As expected, the peace didn't last forever.