A/N: Don't curse me for this chapter, okay?

Chapter 12 – 'The Boost for Optimism'

Rainzzi looked at her own reflection fastidiously, her eyes narrowing and her lips clasping more tightly together in dismay. She had been given a half-day off for preparation of the Ministry annual dinner which she was to accompany her parents to, while no other attendant was given the same privilege. She was forced into a shiny black tube top and an evening gown made up of range upon range of jet black gauze, which was, in her opinion, too extravagant for just a stupid function. Her dark hair was especially made in a French style, resting on her bare shoulder and now Toby the house-elf was working on her make-up inordinately.

"Honestly, Toby," she spoke to her house-elf, shifting uncomfortably in the fluffy armchair she was seated in, "What do you reckon you're dressing me up like this for? You remember I am not the hostess or something?" Rainzzi raised an eyebrow, staring at her immoderate self in the mirror.

"Yes, Toby knows," shrieked Toby passionately, taking a step backward to admire her semi-finished work from a fair distance. "But you'd want to look best in the special evening," she added as a hesitate afterthought, clinging to her delicate voice was obvious a hint of some sort.

"Special evening?" Rainzzi echoed incredulously, her face taut and momentous, "It's just an annual dinner."

Toby stopped her cosmetic work clumsily, accidentally dropping the eyeliner onto the floor in fright, but she shook her head in a secretive manner, bringing her face close and lowering her voice as though afraid of being eavesdropped. "It is," she whispered, "but it would also be anything but a mere dinner for Miss Rainzzi."

Rainzzi squinted at the house-elf on the mirror, Toby was rocking back and forth unwillingly in nervousness, but she still had her rounded eyes glued to her mistress unblinkingly, as if trying to convey a very important warning.

Rainzzi sat back, not having a single clue of what Toby was so desperate to transmit to her. She didn't ask any more question, as she knew that if Toby was allowed to confess, she would have already had. She appeared expressionless as Toby carried on applying mascara on her eyelashes, but a twinge of suspicion was slowly churning deep inside her…Being the daughter of such a celebrity family in the wizarding world she had had to accompany her parents to various functions every year, yet never in before had she been so luxuriously dressed up for them. Not even for the previous anniversary celebrations of the Ministry of Magic…

In spite of herself, she felt a slight flip of apprehension as her mind whirled more furiously around. Deep down, she knew something wasn't right; everything didn't make sense at all recently…For instance, Brice Fudge had been making appearances in the Auror Department a lot, it was as though he was desperate to be seen together with her. Besides that, her presence was demanded in the familial functions of the Fudges more often than ever…

To many these might look innocent, but to her, they all appeared too much for her liking, and they were only two of a thousand oddities. She gave a heavy sigh, waved her hand dismissively at the house-elf and massaged her forehead; she felt like her brain was going to explode when her mother's voice came from the doorway.

"Are you ready yet?" Millicent Bagnold-Delanuit asked, standing in an extravagant evening dress that rivalled Rainzzi's, a knob on the back of her head. She was an elegant lady, and very well-preserved too, when compared with women of the same age.

"Are you planning something behind my back?" Rainzzi asked behind her palms heedlessly, not meeting her mother's eyes. Although she had hidden her face in both her hands, she could perceive from the flinching shadow that Toby was shivering in fright.

There was a moment of muteness in the chamber before Mrs. Delanuit spoke again, her demeanour calm and still admirable but she was visibly disgruntled. "Toby, get your hands ironed in the laundry until they burn."

Toby let out a series of silent sobs, but she didn't dare to voice any complaints. "Mistress, please forgive Toby. Please."

Shooting Toby a silencing glance, Rainzzi looked up at her mother, her question dripped with defiance and weary, "For what? Devastating your plot or something?"

"She must have insinuated some false rumour to you. Toby, go down!" That sounded pretty irrational, but the way Mrs. Delanuit said it could always convince everyone that she's being reasonable.

Rainzzi grabbed Toby's pillowcase just before the pitiable creature obediently yet soberly gestured to go downstairs as commanded, restraining the small figure from going further. "Toby, stay here all night. This is an order!"

Launching out of the armchair she had been sitting in, Rainzzi strode to her mother, drawing level with her. She glared at the ancient woman and wrinkled her nose as she bypassed her, discontent and contempt splashed all over on her face. Yet she said nothing to her as though she considered talking to such a person would degrade herself.

Walking down the staircase to the living room with her downcast prickly head, she could see her father stood waiting with his back to her.

Mr. Delanuit coincidentally turned her way as she reached the bottom of the stairs, appraising her look and the peculiar mood she was in. Rainzzi met his father's glance in the eyes that were equally brilliant as hers, him she was not so afraid of, in fact, she barely knew him, as he took no interest in her generally.

There's a pause, as though he didn't know what to say. "You look great, Rainzzi," her father commented hesitantly after a while and kissed her cheek politely. One would tend to think that he was being too formal and businesslike given that it was his own daughter that he was talking to.

"Ah, Millicent, about time," he said abruptly, looking past Rainzzi's shoulder and held out his arm when his wife joined them, kissing her on her cheek too. Rainzzi watched in utter annoyance as her parents made a whispered conversation confidentially. Another count for recent oddities, she thought in irony.

She cleared her throat ferociously, "Quickly get this over with, shall we?"

Millicent smiled sharply at her; it was evident that her sophisticated face could show nothing other than polite smiles, though the variety of emotions behind was not perceivable. "I am sure you're really enthusiastic about the event, Rainzzi."

Rainzzi gave her a matching smile, but the sweetness and harmlessness not quite reaching her eyes and the smile vanished as quickly as it had made its way to her face.

Traveling by the luxurious Rolls Royce the Ministry provided, Rainzzi barely talked to her parents whilst they were again deep in conversation among themselves. Much to the old lady's irritation, she opened the window wide, eager to feel the breeze in her face. As the car speeded through the London night, something Sirius had said back in the Grimmauld Place struck her again. You know perfectly that you don't like your parents…

Sirius was right in every single bit, that's no denying that she hated her parents; her countenance before them demonstrated it all. Before the public, she was capable to act co-operatively as if the Delanuits was a real lovely family, but when no one was around, she had never put any effort to fool the ones concerned. She felt an odd sense of satisfaction not to.

As if it was an implied law of hers, she never cared for people she had to look down upon. And so far nobody had succeeded in changing this fundamental law of hers; no one had ever been able to tame her recalcitrance. To be trapped in earnest admiration, she must have someone who could master her. But inwardly she hoped she might never come across anyone like that, for she didn't for the slightest want to be caught in anyone's claws, not for anything.

She had been positive and firm about her own dignified isolationism, at least she still was a month ago, but sarcasm seemed to be the number one underlying assumption of the world, things one considered impossible were always disputed, and this was no exception.

Her mind was drifting off to a black-haired man again for the millionth time in the week…

Some minutes later, the car pulled to a halt with a loud horn, eager to notify everyone of its splendid arrival, concurrently awaking Rainzzi from her fantasy. Getting a grip of herself, she got off the car after her parents. She walked onto the red carpet that led to the lobby of the five-star Hotel, conscious of everyone's glance; dressed up in a style like this, there's no preventing from being brought under the limelight of the event. However, she managed to force a faint smile for display as she aristocratically carried on her advancement towards the venue.

Proceeding through the double doors that the waiters held open for her, she founded herself in a polished and resplendent hall, the centre of which hung an enormous crystal chandelier, illuminating the dancing platform below. About fifty small round tables were arranged around and at the other end of the hall, there was another platform, but a long rectangular one, presumably for the master of the ceremony and honoured guest to make speeches.

An usherette came up to the Delanuits, bowing courteously with professionalism before she led them to the front tables – tables for VIPs. Her parents settled themselves in a table right in front of the platform while Rainzzi was beckoned to another table already seated Sunny, her brother, and his pregnant wife Lydia, alongside a few people unknown to her. She nodded politely to them before she sat down.

"Hey, Rainzzi," Lydia greeted warmly, leaning forward to give her sister-in-law the closest hug her enlarged belly would allow. "I miss you."

"So do I," Rainzzi said, returning her hug as her eyes wandered past Lydia's shoulder and landed on Sunny.

"Quite modest, aren't you, huh?" Sunny smirked mischievously in a low voice, staring pointedly at her outfit.

"Yes, quite," Rainzzi rolled her eyes heavenwards, her exhaustion ebbing away at the sight of her brother whom she hadn't seen for quite a while, except in the newspaper (Sunny was the Chief Director of the Gringotts Wizard Bank, a leading enterprise that Lydia's maternal family had monopolised for centuries.)

"So how's work?"

"Very fine, thank you," she said.

Sunny smirked at the sarcasm that he had been so used to. "Recent happenings are interesting, aren't they?" he asked in a whisper, eyeing the top table with amusement.

"They're hardly recent, Sunny," Rainzzi shrugged, "Things have been interesting for quite a while now."

Sunny raised his brows questioningly. For a moment, he held her glance, as if trying to transmit his inquisition in a thought bubble, but they were interrupted by the arrival of Brice Fudge, much to her vexation.

"Good to see you there, Brice," Sunny said conversationally, however with a less than amicable tone. Rainzzi was sure he wouldn't even have acknowledged him if no one was around.

"Me too," Brice replied absently, pulling out the vacant chair on her left and perching on it. Squinting at him, Rainzzi was discontented to find him attired in a glossy black swallow-tailed coat and matching trousers, it was as if they had planned their costumes together. He gave her a light kiss on the cheek.

Rainzzi talked no more; she had lost the appetite to. She put on an interested face and pretended to be listening as Sunny and Lydia dealt with Brice on behalf of her. The dinner soon began at eight o'clock sharp. The main courses served were superb and magnificent, but she didn't enjoy much; Brice's existence was haunting her more than usual and the time during which she was trapped in such a hypocritical atmosphere was slipping away too slowly for her liking.

However, despite her unspoken reluctance, she managed to maintain her enthusiastic and appealing nutshell throughout the evening, presenting sincere regards to everyone who she came across. Sitting besides Brice became not so much of a nightmare when she let her mind wander off and imagine she was somewhere else, but still she couldn't help noticing how Brice's hand accidentally-on-purpose squeezed her laps slightly once in a while.

As the night proceeded, she found her aching muscles relaxing when Cornelius Fudge made his speech, the end of which would indicate the start of the dance, which's always when Rainzzi sneaked away unnoticed.

"I am sure you've all enjoyed the night thoroughly," Fudge was saying, his wand pointing to his throat. "And in here I am certain that you all know that today is the 1073rd anniversary of the establishment of our Ministry of Magic, a real reformed and democratized constitutional government that our world has ever had…"

Rainzzi's brain began roaming around, her eyelids felt extremely heavy and she was no the verge of falling asleep, but she could still blurrily make out what Fudge was saying…

"In the past years, we have experienced together a lot, both valuable high and low times; sadness and joy; success and failure; misery and happiness; in short, basically everything, anything at all. And the very government survived although it had been seriously threatened for quite a few times, it has kept itself running during the Globins Rebellion, the Elf Confrontation and the attempted Vampire Dynastic Reinstatement; it has overcome numerous serene conflicts we have had with the muggles, it has also defeated the dark and evil forces that emerged from time to time. Together, we have conquered every difficulty and obstacle that comes up to us by remaining strong and united.

"And so I see no reason…no reason at all to feel all frustrated and hopeless this time. It is completely true that when You-know-who has returned, we should be all in an alert mode and beware of the happenings around us, but I must…again…reassure you all that the Ministry is doing its best to maintain law and order and preserve the stability of the community…

"So far, the Ministry has got hold of some very important and vital information about what the Dark Lord may be up to and the whereabouts of the Death Eaters. Moreover, in the last encounter with most the fundamental spirits among the Death Eaters in the Department of Mysteries, our well-trained and disciplined Aurors have successfully attained their high efficiency and thwarted their core plan, along with this impressive success, they have also arrested a resounding number of Death Eaters, imaginably scattering their evil plots…

"In here, I shall not hesitate to point out that the vantage on our side has been well vindicated by the fact that the Dark Lord has, up to this point, still not made any real menaces. And I will guarantee you all that the Ministry will not only uphold a policy of containment, as what rumours and gossips had it, but will instead predominately do its very best to vanquish, to rout and to devastate You-know-who and his gang. It's the Ministry's promise that will adopt a zero-tolerance policy and will never falter until You-know-who was completely foiled."

As Fudge paused, several lapdogs stood up and clapped in appreciation, then the Hall was soon resonating with applause as everyone joined in. To the standing ones, Fudge beamed and waved. When the applause eventually faded away, he resumed his unfinished speech.

"Protected by the Ministry's strong administration and governing, we should all keep being optimistic although it is my responsibility to prompt each and every one of you again to be more watchful and cautious. At the same time we should all bear in mind the belief that victory and triumph is not far from us and that merry and joyful events will keep occurring," Fudge said cheerfully with a self-satisfied grin in a lighthearted tone.

"Just for an example," Fudge's grin broadened, "My son has just been engaged with his girlfriend, (the spotlight turned to cast on Brice and Rainzzi) and my family will soon join with a fellow prestigious family in a relational union-" he inclined his head at her Delanuit.

At first, it didn't strike Rainzzi as hard as it should have, as she wasn't really paying any attention. But realisation soon sunk in as people turned to her from every direction and she finally digested what Cornelius Fudge had just said. She remained very still as yet more people cracked their necks in attempt to get a clearer view of the newly-announced engaged couple. Sunny and Lydia were both staring at them too, thunderstruck.

She forced a dispassionate countenance and avoided everybody's glance while a twinge of panic overcame her inwardly. Inclining her head ever so slightly, she chanced a peek at her parents, but they were purposefully looking the other way, each wearing an attentive smile, it was like they had been anticipating that particular part of the speech all along.

"Oh," Fudge added hastily, bringing his hand to his mouth, as if he could persuade anyone, "I definitely shouldn't have let slip of that…"

Upon an interchange of a sign between Mrs. Fudge and her mother, as if she was struck by a sudden inspiration, Rainzzi suddenly understood it all too thoroughly – They had had it all planned.

They had been planning their engagement behind her back.

Please…Rainzzi inwardly prayed, wreck me out of the awful dream, please…But nothing happened, there's no alarm clock to wake her up…or any evidence at all to prove that she had been dreaming. As if fate was trying to intentionally devastate her, a round of whisper had descended upon the ball room when people fixed their eyes on the two of them and to make things worse, Brice had slipped one of his arms around her shoulder casually and was returning the smile to everyone in verification.

"Piss off," Rainzzi hissed under her breath in mingled fury and awe, but Brice silenced her by landing his index finger on her lips, murmuring "Shhh…" lovingly as if he was staring at the love of his life. And judging from his confidential smile, his father's 'contingent' confession was presumably part of the schedule.

Rainzzi repressed the urge to brush his hand off by taking a sip of red wine; she wanted to rise up and make an announcement herself, making public Cornelius Fudge's falsity, but no, she wouldn't allow herself to make a scene.

She remained seated, clenching her fists under the table, knuckles transparent and veins visible, when she willed herself to think rationally.

So that was it. That was what she had been kept in the dark of – the reason why the Fudges and her parents had been meeting so frequently in recent times. They had been trying to generate a new wave of topical issues and occupy the newspaper headlines by an engagement between their son and daughter, merging two of the most prestigious families. And they were probably going to hold a wedding-of-the-century to divert domestic attention from the disappointing social issues brought to light by Voldemort's return.

It was exactly what Brice had called 'the boost of optimism'.

Rainzzi cursed herself secretly, she should have seen it coming…she should definitely have seen it coming, for there were just too many clues. From Brice's sudden liking to make appearances in her work station to the constant demand for her presence at the Fudge's home, why hadn't she discovered that their parents had been creating rumours and gossips?

"You have known this all along," she said, more to herself that to Brice, barely parting her lips while she peered under her lashes at Brice who still had his arm hanging over her bare shoulder.

Brice made the slightest indication of a nod, pretending to be listening intently to his father's public speech.

Rainzzi could no longer think rationally; she couldn't be less mindful of the whispers engulfing her and the nosy glances that everyone kept aiming at her. She didn't have a clear idea of how she had managed to keep her hideous and exceptional quietness. All she knew was that her stomach was whirling so fast as she had never experienced before, and that she hardly comprehended what she should do because her head was still pounding with the oblivious announcement that Fudge had made.

Her senses didn't come back to her until Brice reached over and grabbed her hands in his, pulling her up from the chair and to the dance platform while people nearby were still secretly throwing peeks at them.

"Can you tell me what the hell is happening?" Rainzzi hissed heatedly, digging her nails into his palm, her indignation drenching her all over.

"We're getting married, Rainzzi," Brice whispered brazenly in a chortle, "You can't escape from my claws forever I've sworn. Is it that you've had no faith in me all along?"

"Tell me you're not getting along with this nonsense," Rainzzi said calmly.

Brice took one of her hands in his while he placed his other one on her waist, obliging her to move in accordance with him. "Why? I think I am."

"Wake up, Brice! The old fools are deriving benefits from us, they are manipulating us! Can't you see?" Rainzzi glared at him maliciously, but her helplessness was noticeable in her imperative voice, "But anyway, you know well by heart that I won't compromise, not for anything. It will be a cold day in hell when I marry you!"

"You will naturally have your gains if you marry me," Brice said tranquilly, tightening his grab of her waist and leaning closer, "You would be promoted to be the Head of the Auror Department within a year after our marriage."

"Thank you very much," Rainzzi almost spat at him, "But my becoming the Head is just a matter of time, I don't think your gracious help is needed for me to rise in the Ministry!"

"Patience, patience, Rainzzi. You've got to hear the whole of it," Brice said, a note of amused exuberance evident in his voice, "You will be promoted if we successfully get married. But the very opposite will be taken into action should you be so stubborn and assertive as to deny the resplendent marriage, you will not merely be demoted, but will be immediately thrown out of the Ministry and disowned by the Delanuits, and I would personally make sure you will neither be employed elsewhere. You will turn a living scandal, an outrage that was hung publicly for everyone to tease."

"You dare not!" Rainzzi croaked feverishly, sounding braver than she was. Deep down, she had been aware of many acts of corruption and grafts within the Ministry, most of which pursued by the Minister himself.

Brice brought his index finger to her lips again, tracing on the bottom one seductively. "Nah…I am more facultative that you could ever imagine. You're underestimating my authority. Believe me, I will do everything with no limited extent to get you marry me. Whether you consent or not just will not hinder me."

"You are a wise woman, Rainzzi," Brice continued, "You have two options before you. One guarantees you a bright future while the other promises you nothing other than melancholy and destruction. I am sure you would make a choice you will never regret of."

"Think you could scare me, Brice?"

"Yes, I think so. Revelation of secrets is always a dangerous weapon."

Rainzzi stared at him irritatedly, trying to comprehend what he was referring to. But she was too occupied in trying to find some clues of humour in his face…any clues of humour. To her utter terror, he was meeting her eyes unfalteringly; he was no joke and he looked more solemn than he had ever had. She had to talk some sense into him, she needed to.

"Think rationally, if you please, Brice. You could live your life as an eternal bachelor, why tie yourself down to a woman you don't like?"

"First, I must emphasise that a marriage for me is no barrier from having affairs," he explained impudently, enjoying their closeness, "Second, I enjoy the feeling of conquering you."

Rainzzi's breath was caught in her throat, as one of his hand travelled from her back down to her hips, squeezing slightly, and the other one which had been playing with her hair stayed at the back of her head, steadying their ultra closeness. "Don't do anything impulsive, Rainzzi, you're a composed lady," Brice breathed flirtatiously on her nose, "And lots of people are watching."

He drew closer. Rainzzi felt a surge of nausea when he crashed his lips on hers firmly, opening hers and began his intrusive assault in her mouth.

Kaleidoscope o'v'o): As usual, lotsa thank-yous and luv go to my greatttt reviewers: siriuszsecretlover, padfootedmoony, Nicky Black, Annoriel and EmEm. Thank you so very much for reviewing, I luv reading you guys' reviews!

Please review again and tell me what you think of the chapter! And as compensation of writing sucha wicked (yea I know…and I am sorry…) chapter, I will let you decide what happens next…okay?