One day and several hundred pounds later, Odile sat in front of the vanity in 12 Grimmauld Place with a pit in her stomach. She looked stunning, a few loaned pieces of jewellery from Angelina pulling the look together. Odile almost asked her to come get ready with her, but Angelina told her she'd had some plans with George that night. Judging by the look on the girls face, Odile was quite sure she didn't want to know what those plans entailed. She fastened the pendant at her neck and adjusted how it hung. Looking over her form she began to do some final touches, making sure the loose hairs from her updo curled just right. She perfected her dark red lip, the colour coinciding with the smoky brown of her eye makeup. There was a gentle knock at the door and she turned to see Remus standing there, a soft smile on his face.
"Is there something on my face?" She asked after a moment when he didn't say anything, and he blinked before stammering his no.
"Sorry, it's just… well I was imagining if I had a daughter. I know it sounds ridiculous but… well if I had one, I'd want her to be like you. Not in a creepy way," he corrected with the quirk of her eyebrow, "But you know, strong, intelligent, kind, surprisingly good at cooking." She laughed at that, and a small smile returned to his face.
"So, why haven't you tried? I'm sure you've had women pound down your door. After all, chicks dig scars." He shot her a look before chuckling at her exaggerated wink.
"You'd be incorrect in that assumption dear. And… well, I suppose it's the curse. I'd never want my child to go through what I do."
"But you'd be there with them. That's the best part, they wouldn't be alone. They'd have the best Dad in the world watching over them the entire time. Then, one day, they return the favour. That's how kids work, right?" He nodded, but she could see her words hadn't made much impact in his decision. She hoped he could find someone who would make him change his mind, help him raise a beautiful family. Maybe Tonks, if he ever made his damn move. She wasn't blind, she could see the way they looked at each other, the extra glimpses whenever the other wasn't looking. It took everything in her power not to smack them upside the head everytime she caught sight of the secretive smiles and unconscious touches. She finally understood George's struggle before she and him had finally admitted their feelings for each other. The grandfather clock in the hallway struck 6 o'clock, sending a eary gong throughout the house.
"Ready Odile?" She heard Tonks' loud cry from behind Remus' figure, causing the man to jump. She smiled as Remus turned to read the woman the riot act about sneaking up on him once again, but there was no anger in his voice. Only a deep rooted fondness he was failing to conceal. Odile grinned, running her mascara wand through her lashes once more as Tonks squawked some excuse about her shoes in lieu of reply. Remus shook his head in amusement when Tonks morphed into literal puppy eyes. They continued to argue like an old married couple for a few more minutes before Odile cleared her throat, catching the attention of the two adults. They turned to see her stand, the added height of her heels making her 5'8 figure seem like an Amazon.
"You look amazing Odile! You're going to knock all those prissy socialites out of the bloody park." Tonks exclaimed, and Odile let out a breath she didn't even realise she was holding.
"Thank you Tonks. Well… I suppose, wish me luck?" She sounded a little unsure, and Remus clasped his arm around her bicep in a comforting manner.
"You know we can make sure you get there alright? Apparete to the mansion with you?" She smiled but shook her head, trying to soothe her nerves.
"That would just be putting you and the Order in unnecessary danger. I'll be alright, it's my Dad after all. What's the worst he's going to do, ground me?" She asked, with an admittedly empty confidence. She could see the worry lines on Remus' face deepen and she shoved him lightly.
"Quit worrying mister, it's aging you prematurely." He gave a gasp of faux offence, bringing a hand to his chest.
"Odile, how could you? You know that's the thing I'm sensitive about!"
"I thought that was your feminine hips." Tonks muttered from behind, causing Remus to scowl at her.
"Well that too, but you didn't have to say it Ms Peacock Hair." Odile rolled her eyes as the two began to squabble again, grabbing her clutch and concentrating on her apparation path.
"See you two later then." They turned to continue the earlier conversation but she disappeared with a large crack, leaving the two standing in an empty room. Remus turned to Tonks, a thoughtful look on his scarred face.
"Well I think that went quite well, what do you think?"
"You did great Remus, you could really feel the serious energy you were bringing to the table," she said sarcastically, giggling at his rather put out face, "Come on then Grandad." She joked, laughing as he opened his mouth to begin his rebuttal.
Odile shivered slightly when she arrived, the kiss of autumn's chill tingling up her spine. She quickly patted over her body, ensuring all her body parts had made it with her. She released a breath of relief at finding herself all there before gulping slightly at the sight of the mansion before her. Nerves filled her body, and she did her best to calm them as she approached the building her father called home. Although she'd lived there for many years, she could never call it the same. It never felt like home, just another place to sleep. As out of place as she'd felt at Hogwarts, it was even worse when it came to the mansion. It was intimidating to simply look at, least of all to live in. The addition of house elves was the first thing that shocked her when she'd moved from home. Where the Fuller's relied on no one but themselves, her father was the polar opposite. All of his personal waitstaff were human, given he refused to interact with the house elves themselves, viewing them even lower than dirt. The only upside is that her father didn't abuse them, just pretended they didn't exist. He left any and all punishment up to his butler, who also happened to the kindest teddy bear of a man in the world. Buxtley had practically raised her from the moment she moved into the mansion. He made sure she ate her meals, and coaxed her into showering many a time when she didn't leave her bed for days on end. He was the only person she'd met in the UK who truly worried and cared for her. At least until she'd met Fred, even if he was a total prick at the start. And at the end, she thought before shaking her head to forcibly will the tears away.
She slowly approached the mansion, carefully as to not topple herself over on the cobblestones. As she got closer she heard the rumble of carriages and the skeletal figures of the Thestrals pulling them. She did her best to ignore the sinking feeling in her stomach, the one she had whenever she laid eyes on the creatures. The wafting sound of classical music curled around her, drawing her closer with each rise and fall of the violin bow. It was a familiar aria, one her father had played numerous times. Her father was many things, but even she had to admit he was a talented musician. Had he not been an absolute egomaniac she might've even told him so, but knowing him it would be turned into a speech about how she would never live up to his standards.
As she passed the carriages she heard the excited chattering of the guests, cloaks draped around their bodies to ward off the cold. She was starting to wish she'd brought hers, the cape over her sleeves only doing so much. She hurried a little more as the wind began to pick up, the frigid cold biting at her exposed skin. She began to hunch slightly to avoid being seen by the crowds when the voice of the shopkeeper echoed in her head. Did she want to be just another face in the crowd, or did she want to be unforgettable? She pushed down her nerves and lengthened her form, shoulders back and standing tall, trying not to walk rather than to float. She heard the whispers begin to swirl around her, but she continued on her path, her determination giving her a new confidence. As she reached the open doors she took a deep breath, and stepped inside.
A/N: The real drama is about to begin, be prepared Shout out to the incredible M-chanchen for your review, genius as always!