Hydra arrived home, bone tired. Before she had even registered her surroundings, her bedroom door was thrown open. It slammed against the wall as Hermes ran in.

"You're coming tonight, right?" he demanded as he grabbed her shoulders. She yawned instead of answering and he shook her slightly. "Hydra!" he whined.

"Of course, I am. I just—" She yawned. "—need to sleep for a bit first. I'll be there around 11, is that alright? Or do you want me there greeting with you? If so, I'll be ready by nine."

He shook his head. "No, no. Eleven is fine. I just need you to be there." She opened her arms and he immediately hugged her. "I've missed you, Hyde."

"I've missed you, too. I'm sad we couldn't have done your Ball earlier and that I have to miss a part of it."

He stepped back and stroked her sweat-matted hair. "Don't worry about it. You're living your dream, and I start my dream as a full-fledged Unspeakable on Monday. It's a small price to pay to see my little sister happy."

She smiled and hugged him again. "Love you, Hermes."

"Love you, too, Hydie."

She was left alone soon after, which she then proceeded to shower and brush her teeth. Wrapped in a large white towel, she went to her dressing table and brushed her hair before she tied it into multiple braids and cast a wandless drying spell on them. The Wards around her room flexed in warning of an incoming visitor.

Clarrissé stood behind her.

Hydra stood and held the towel tight to her chest. "Director—what—am I in trouble?"

"Calm yourself, Snapdragon. You are not in trouble. I am here to give you something."

"What do you mean?" She yawned.

"Panther informed me that your brother's political ball is in a few hours and that you didn't have time to get a dress. I wanted to show my appreciation not only to you, but to your family by giving you this."

The woman waved her hand, and on a dress-stand was a beautiful, strapless A-line dress with a sweetheart neckline made out of dragon skin that was the same blue as her Uniform. It had a train longer than she was tall, and steel embellishments along the neckline formed roses on vines. Embellishments of steel, copper, and gold along the train's hem were in the shape of snapdragons. Along the center back of the dress, from the top of the back to the end of the train was a dragon spine made of the same steel embellishments on the neckline.

She looked to her boss with wet eyes. "Thank you, Director. How can I ever repay you?"

She waved her hand. "Think of this as a bonus for passing your placement test."

"But—"

"Fine. If you feel like you need to do something to repay me, continue to progress in your training. Maybe see your Soulmate tonight. You did mention in your letter that he attends these balls. Your magic could use some time with him."

Hydra look down. "It's not that simple. He's engaged to someone else . . . and she'll be there tonight."

Clarrissé shrugged. "Kill the fiancée and your troubles will be fixed."

Hydra snorted and looked up at the warm hand on her bare shoulder. "It will work out, Hydra. Magic will always find a way to get those She wants together, together." Her eyes began to glow. "Just have faith and hold on a little longer.

"Okay."

The Elder left, and Hydra was left feeling empty for a moment. Too tired to get dressed, she climbed into her bed, set her alarm for 10 PM, and immediately fell asleep.

-|}(){|-

Hydra was pleased to discover upon wearing the dress that it moved like water instead of leather. She transfigured one of the snapdragon stems at the tip of the train into a bracelet to wear on her left wrist with her portkey. The dress acted like any other dress she had done that with and laid in attractive waves.

Something she was less excited to discover was that like her uniform, it was sensitive to magic. Luckily, it wasn't as sensitive, but she guessed it was about as sensitive as her Training Uniform—which was laughable at how weak it was compared to her real uniform.

She stepped into a pair of black stiletto heels with the hydra constellation on the outside of the shoes with small glittery stars on the rest of the shoe. She slipped a metal arm wrap that went from her shoulder to the top of her hand and was in the shape of a seven-headed hydra. All the heads stopped at different points on her arm and the metal bent when she bent her arm. The necklace she wore was a silver snake that wrapped around her neck once with the ends—the head and tail—hanging freely on her chest.

Instead of dealing with the entirety of her hair, she pulled half of it up and secured it with her wand. If someone complained about it, she'd hex them. The rest of her hair, wavy from the braids, hung around her back and shoulders and somehow didn't get caught on the metal designs.

Her makeup was simple, just enough to hide the dark circles under her eyes and to add a little life back into her face.

She stared at the mirror for a few minutes before she sighed. She removed the transfigured bracelet from her wrist and placed a little charm on it that would allow it to come to her with a little flick of her hand and headed towards the second-floor entry to the ballroom.

Upbeat salsa music reached her ears long before she reached the room, and a tired laugh left her at the knowledge that many of the older patrons of the ball would be highly confused. Most of them only knew how to waltz, as they had been raised with the idea that it was the only appropriate dance at these kinds of functions.

Which, when one considered how intimate the dance was, made her cackle like a madwoman whenever Dorian or Crista got her drunk enough to talk about England—which she was embarrassed to admit was fairly often considering her schedule.

She entered the room and stood at the top of the staircase for a moment and just stared out at the crowded room. Murmurs filled the air—no doubt questioning her absence for the last three weeks—before rapid footsteps thudding up the stairs from her right startled her.

"James," she greeted tiredly.

"You're here!" he shouted. He wrapped his arms tight around her as he pressed his face into her shoulder. "I've missed you."

She returned his hug with as much force as he held her with. "I've missed you, too." She pushed her younger brother away. "You've grown taller. How dare? You're not allowed to do that."

He stuck his tongue out at her before he was violently shoved out of the way by Regulus. "You're here!" he shouted. Silence filled the ballroom as he hugged her as tight as he could, his face pressed into her stomach. Regulus was seven years younger than her, and she had ten galleons on him going into Hufflepuff, while Chadwick, Skye, and Jensen thought he would go into Slytherin—granted, she had to explain the whole House and Sorting system to them first before they made that decision.

Dorian and Crista agreed with her—it had helped that they had heard some stories from when she was at school.

You didn't want to get onto a Hufflepuff's bad side. They would screw you up.

"I missed you," Regulus blubbered.

She gently pushed him away from her and conjured a tissue for him and wiped at his eyes. "I know. I miss you too, buddy."

He sniffed. "Can we dance?"

She smiled at him. "Of course, we can."

She took his offered arm and laughed when James forced her right arm into the crook of his elbow. The three walked down the stairs, everyone's eyes on them. Hermes approached her in his white suit. "Looking good, little sis." He offered her his hand, and she took it. Before he could kiss it though—as was customary—she pulled him into a hug. "Where'd you get the dress? Wait—is that dragon skin?"

She laughed as he pulled away. Her hands were snatched up by her younger brothers. "Yes, it is. The Director gave it to me as a show of appreciation to the Black family for allowing her to steal me from my duties as Heiress."

Hushed whispers from those nearest the Black children started up. "Well, she has lovely taste. And I can see the hellions are going to kill me if I keep you any longer. I get the next dance."

She laughed as her brothers began to tug at her. "Of course, Hermes."

A new song started, and she and her brothers began to dance. The three constantly switched between each other—something they'd do when they got bored during their summer dance lessons and wanted to annoy the absolute snot out of their dance teacher. By the time the song had finished, they had accumulated quite the crowd. The magic gently pulsing from her Mark told her Tom was nearby.

Hermes replaced her brothers as soon as the song ended, and from there, she was passed to Blaise who kept her for two songs because they were so busy catching up and talking about their jobs. After Blaise, she danced with her father, Uncle Remus, Vega—who also kept her for two songs—her mother, Regulus, James, back to Hermes. The pattern repeated itself before Abraxas and Lucius were thrown in, and the rest of Society took that as a cue to start dancing with her.

She danced with so many Heirs, she lost track of their names and Titles. When Theo tried to dance with her, she quickly grabbed at the first man who wasn't dancing and was embarrassed to see it was Tom.

Who was busy.

With Lord Nightingale and other Lords of High Society.

He pulled her into his side, thinking she was his fiancée.

"I'm so sorry!" she gasped. "I just—didn't want to dance with—" The men she was standing with all laughed as Tom reluctantly released her. A part of her hoped that he knew it was her and wanted the excuse to hold her in public and called her Historia to confuse the men they were around.

"It's alright, Heiress Black. You've been quite busy all night," Lord Greengrass placated her. "Besides, it is normal to not want to dance with one's ex."

"Especially after such a harsh breakup with someone of a lesser class," Lord Nightingale sniffed.

"True, true," the men chorused. Tom was relaxed next to her.

Is he not insulted?

"Tell me, Hydra," Lucius started, "how has work been treating you these last few weeks?"

Lord Parkinson handed her a glass of champagne. She winced slightly but took a pretend sip to not appear rude. "It's been well. Very enlightening and very busy. It's kept me away from England, and I'm very fortunate that they've given me time to be here for Hermes' Ball."

"When will you enter phase three?" Lord Nightingale demanded.

"Monday."

"What's phase three?" Lord Goyal asked politely. As far as she was aware, the man had no idea where she worked.

"It's another shift change. Phase one is a 24-hour shift, phase two 36 hours, phase three is 48 hours, and phase four is a weeklong shift."

"When does phase four start?"

"After I've been there for six months. I'm not too sure of the exact date, but I think it'll be sometime in January."

"Tell me, Heiress Black, where is it you work again?" a female voice cut in. Lady Craft shoved her way into the group after finishing with a nearby group of women. She was among the Lighter families and was a Vassal to the Smith Estate, if Hydra remembered correctly. Vassals were rarely invited, and if they were at a High Society function, they were usually invited as a guest of those they were Vassal to.

"I work for the International Curse and Warding Association."

Lady Craft visibly flinched while the men she had been speaking to looked impressed. "Your father allows you to work for such a Dark and evil cooperation?" she demanded aghast.

Hydra snorted and took a sip of the champagne and grimaced at the taste—she had forgotten it wasn't fairy water. "Actually, going by magic class, I shouldn't be working for them because they are a neutral based cooperation." The woman began to sputter. "What the ICWA mainly does is aid Magical Researchers in Tomb searching and studying by removing harmful Wards and Curses, which, if you did even the most basic amount of research, you'd know this. I don't know where you got the idea that helping others makes us an evil cooperation, but I can assure you that we're not." Lucius suddenly snatched the champagne from her hands and replaced it with fairy water. "Thank you, cousin." She took a sip.

"How can you allow yourself to be brainwashed like that? Anything to do with Curses is evil," she snarled.

Tom cleared his throat. "When I worked at Gringotts as a Magical Researcher, I worked closely with the ICWA. They save many lives doing what they do."

"As did I," Lord Nightingale spoke. "And my wife was a Warder at the ICWA before she quit to have our children."

What? She quit? I—I don't want to quit to have kids. Maybe I can work something out with Clarrissé.

The woman's jaw clenched before she sniffed. "Obviously, you are all evil if you believe this." She lifted her nose into the air and marched away to a group of ladies and began to speak wildly, no doubt telling them about the conversation she just had.

Hydra finished her drink before she snorted. She broke down into heavy laughter—she barely registered the disappearance of her glass. The Lords around her quickly joined her, and it wasn't long before she had to lean on Tom—who was also laughing—to keep herself from falling over. His right hand held hers while his left hand rested on her back.

Just as they all thought they had a hold of themselves—

"What are you all laughing about over here?" her father demanded amused. Her mother was with him, and she smiled brightly at her and Tom.

The seven of them broke down into hysterical laughter once more, and Lords Crabbe and Goyal excused themselves a few moments later.

"Well?" her mother asked.

"Lady—Craft," Hydra started. Her laughter was made so much worse at her mother wrinkling her nose. "Hah—she thinks we're all evil—because of the ICWA!" This started another round of heavy laughter, and she collapsed fully against Tom, who easily took her weight. He wrapped his arm around her waist and held her against him.

Her parents joined them in their laughter, and it was quite some time before any of them were their respectable selves once more.

"That is quite—hehe—the claim to make—hehe," her father giggled as he wiped at his eyes. He flicked his wand, and a waiter was at their group in moments. He grabbed a tumbler of whiskey for himself, a glass of red wine for her mother, and a glass of fairy water for Hydra.

Tom grabbed a whiskey, and she stopped paying attention to the others as his hand squeezed her side. "You're beautiful tonight, darling," he whispered.

She snorted softly. "Thank you for lying to my face." He rolled his eyes and mouthed not lying before she spoke again. "You look quite handsome yourself, as usual." He squeezed her hip and pulled her just a bit closer to him. She took a sip of her water and smiled at her mother. "How has tea been without me?"

"Awful," she answered instantly. "There's no one to talk about the other ladies with. Narcissa's too busy getting blackmail, and if I were to try and tease others with the other women, it would be out in Society within the hour."

Hydra laughed. "I'm sorry to say I won't have a Saturday free to attend with you for quite some time."

Her mother pouted. "What days will you have free?"

She thought. "The soonest that I can think of having the entire day free is September 4th."

"Oh good," she said. "That means you can come with us to the Greengrass Luncheon. Your father and I have been invited. You were invited as well, but we told them you probably wouldn't be able to attend."

"But—water," she hissed.

"We'll keep you away from the water," she begged. "Please?" she whined.

Lord Greengrass laughed and winked at Hydra. "Knowing your mother, she'll continue to beg until you agree."

Her father laughed. "You have no idea."

Hydra sighed, and Tom rubbed her back before he suddenly pulled away. A few moments later, Historia forced her way into the group and wrapped her arms tight around Hydra. "Hydra, it's been so long!" she squeaked.

Oh, dear Circe have mercy. The girl was drunk.

"Historia," she greeted uncomfortably. She tried to push the girl away but failed as the pink monstrosity of a dress caught on one of the steel roses on Hydra's. She looked to her mother with wide eyes.

She's stuck, she mouthed.

Before her mother could interrupt to help, Historia spoke again. "I want you to be one of my bridesmaids," she slurred.

"No. Absolutely not."

"Why not?" The girl tried to pull away but was forced to stop as Hydra's dress tugged on her corset—at least that was proof that her dress wasn't going to get ruined. "Awe, you love me, too!" Hydra was encased back into her smelly grip and trapped Hydra's hands at her side.

"I don't know if I'll have the time off for your wedding, and I know I won't have the time or will to help plan the wedding. Find someone who actually likes you to do it."

"But—I really want you to be one of my bridesmaids."

"Why?"

"Because Theo really likes you."

Hydra lost her patience and shoved the woman away. Her mother picked the pink threads off of the rose that had gotten tangled. "Listen to me, Historia. I will not be at your wedding. I will have no part of it. I hate you and I hate Theo. Nothing will ever happen between the two of us, so stop trying to make up for your past by torturing me even more."

"Here, here," Lord Nightingale cheered with a sip of his drink. Lords Lotus, Tauris, Greengrass, Borealis, Fogs, and Parkinson all joined in with the sentiment. Lucius and her father laughed loudly.

"But—I want you to be my sister," she blubbered.

"You're drunk, Nott. You don't mean that."

"But, I do! I want you to be family." The girl began to sob, and Tom sighed.

"I apologize," he said with embarrassment. "I'll calm her down."

"Good luck," Lord Nightingale snorted as the two left.

Hydra excused herself and hid in an alcove until the urge to cry had left.

-|}(){|-

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Vega asked hesitantly.

Hydra snorted. "I'm running on four hours of sleep and I'm mildly drunk. There's no way this is a good idea," she responded. She rubbed her forehead. "I just—the Director told me I need to spend time with Tom. He's alone right now, and Historia's passed out in some chair—it's the most privacy I'll get with him tonight.

Vega smiled softly. "Okay, but first—" She snatched Hydra's wand out of her hair and smiled smugly. The rest of her hair tumbled down her shoulders and back. The bracelet that made the train acceptable in such a crowded space was removed. Once she was given the go-ahead, she slipped her wand into the back of her dress and stepped out onto the balcony. Vega silently closed the door behind her, and Hydra sent a mental thanks to her best friend.

Her heels clicked against the smooth stone of the balcony, but Tom didn't look at her. "Not now, Historia." He continued to stare out and the magnificent and vast grounds of Black Manor. She wrapped her arms around him from behind, and he tensed for a moment before he relaxed. His knuckles were white from where his hands still gripped at the railing.

She pressed her forehead against his back. "I hate whenever you say her name," she muttered. He grabbed her hands where they gripped onto his suit. "I hated when you called me it. I know it was to save face, but—I want her dead."

"Earlier it was to save face, I knew it was you the moment you touched me. Whenever your skin touches mine, my Soulmark burns. Just now, however, I honestly thought you were her until you held me." He laced his fingers with hers and pulled her closer to him. She pressed her forehead into the center of his back. "Every time Theo says your name, I want to kill him. Whenever you say his name, I want to make him hurt until he begs for death. He's still in love with you. He came back from France to try and win you back. He even asked me to help him the day we went dress shopping. I had agreed because I didn't know who you were, and because I wanted a distraction. I had been so angry at you for being so perfect, and then I saw you and how hurt you were—"

He turned around and stroked her cheek. She leaned into his touch. "I couldn't be mad at you anymore."

She kissed the palm of his hand. "Why? Why did you care that early?"

He tilted her head up and kissed her softly. "Because when I saw you, I knew that you'd be my wife one day." He kissed her again, and she responded until his words processed with a stab of pain straight to her heart.

She pulled away and pushed at him. "You can't say things like that."

"Why not? It's true."

"You're engaged, Tom."

"That doesn't matter, Hydra. I'm going—"

"It does matter, Tom." She tried to get out of his embrace, but he pinned her against the railing.

He grasped her face between his hands and desperately looked into her eyes. "Don't you see, Hydra? It doesn't matter because it can change."

"Yes," she agreed. Relief crossed his face. "When you're married to her."

"No—Hydra, please. I don't want her." He kissed her with so much longing it hurt. "Hydra, you're all that I want. You're my future, you're my everything."

"Tom—stop saying that."

"Why?" he snarled. "Is it because I'm poor?"

"What? No, Tom. I don't care about money."

"Then why?"

"Because they're just words until you do something about it!" she shouted. Her voice echoed as she pushed him away with a burst of magic. "They're just pretty words that give me so much hope it kills me a little inside. They're beautiful words that accentuate the best kisses I've ever had and the most intense love I've ever felt for anyone, and they hurt so much that I can't breathe." Her body began to shake with her sobs. "I can't breathe I love you so much, Tom. I can't stand to be without you I love you so much. Every day is Hell when you're not around. I thought I knew what it was like to be in love, but I was wrong. I was so damn wrong. You're Stolen, and I've given you my entire soul." He wrapped his arms around her, and she clung to him as she sobbed. "I love you, and I can't breathe."

"I know," he murmured as she continued to chant into his chest. "I know." He kissed the top of her head and rocked her side to side until her tears stopped. He pulled away enough to look into her eyes. His eyes burned brightly. "I will marry you, Hydra. One day, one way or another. You will be my wife."

A choked sob tore from her very soul as she pulled further from him. "Tom," she trailed off. "I can't take it—you can't . . ." She pulled him down to her and kissed him like she'd never kiss him again. "I love you," she whispered against his lips.

"I love you, too."

When they said goodbye that night, she vowed to herself to never give into him again.

Maybe she'd learn to breathe again.

I'm sorry?