Eyes on Fire by Blue Foundation
Felling any foe with my gaze
And just in time
In the right place
Steadily emerging with grace
January 31st, 1980
Sitting on the edge of the loveseat on the Haven's dark balcony, Ivy was hunched over, elbows on her knees. She was continuously being jostled, as her hands were on her head, and her right leg wouldn't stop bouncing uneasily. Eyes unfocused, she barely registered the dark planks of wood under her bare feet. Head hung, her manicured fingers clenched slightly at the roots of her hair to grip her scalp.
Her mind had become a whirring, whistling mess in the last hours. She didn't know what to do, how to handle what Theya had done. She didn't know what it would mean for any of them, for their relationships with one another. Severus was like a brother to her. Theya was a sister, both by law and emotion. Losing either or both of them was unacceptable.
Ivy had no clue what to expect.
She hated that.
The recently purchased grandfather in the sitting room chimed. The midnight song rang out through the open double glass doors directly below them, causing her to sit bolt upright in surprise. The sound was loud enough that both Theya and Severus looked toward the house. Neither of them noticed her and Regulus out on the balcony. Her husband didn't register the sound at all, appearing lost in thought, just as she'd been for the last several hours.
Theya had been gone for several of those hours.
Which was why Ivy and Regulus had come out to the balcony in the first place; to watch for signs of a return.
Approximately two hours ago, Regulus had spotted two pinpricks of light out in the darkness. A while later, Theya and Severus appeared through the garden door. Since then, the couple had been on their feet amongst the overgrown, unseasonal flora. Ivy and Regulus had been silent since their arrival, though they weren't listening in. It wasn't for lack of trying, they were simply out of earshot.
Admittedly, she had spent much time studying Severus.
His arms were stoically folded across his chest and his face was set in a scowl, but that was hardly abnormal. By all appearances, he was taking the news well. She assumed Theya was spilling her guts, though context clues evaded her, as the witch predominantly had her back turned to the house.
"I wish he would emote more," Ivy muttered.
"He hasn't yelled at her yet," Regulus pointed out. "That's a good sign."
"I don't know that Severus is the yelling type." Ivy stuck her fingers back into her hair and pulled lightly. "What are we going to do? He shouldn't be involved right now."
"There's nothing we can do." Regulus reached over to gently pull one of her hands into his gasp. "What's done is done… Wait. Ivy, he's coming inside."
Lifting her head, she watched Severus stalk up the mossy stone pathway towards the house. Circling round the weeping willow, he headed for the double glass doors directly beneath them. Theya followed at a snail's pace, and at a distance, as though in dread.
On her feet in an instant, Ivy stepped around the wicker loveseat and whipped open the door to where she and Regulus slept. The silver-themed master bedroom was barely digested, as she hastened to the corridor and across the dark-wooden floor.
Skidding to a halt at the top of the staircase, she froze upon locking eyes with Severus. He was in the centre of the sitting room, directly below the high skylights, coincidentally wearing the dark blue robes they'd picked out together in Peru.
"I told her not to," Ivy blurted.
"We need to talk right now." He pointed a finger at her, black eyes narrowed.
She obediently began down the steps.
"I don't think so," Severus shook his head. "In private. Find us a room."
Ivy slouched like a scolded hound dog with its tail tucked between its legs, and went back the way she came. Passing by Regulus on the stairs, he gave her hand a comforting squeeze.
Tromping back down the corridor, she opened the door to the study and used her wand to light the room. The space wasn't quite finished, as they'd only recently finished painting the walls a deep shade of emerald green. They had yet to decorate or organise the furnishings, but there was a dark-wooden desk and two deep green armchairs, accompanied by a decorative floor lamp.
Taking one of the armchairs, she watched Severus shut the door behind them.
Hand lingering on the brass door handle, he remained there where he was
"What were you thinking?" He asked somberly.
"My sister-"
"I know," Severus cut her off. "Theya told me all about your sister. I saw her, remember? The flash of green light, the word SQUIB carved into her arm. Back in fifth year when you were teaching me Legilimency. I always thought your reaction was overdramatic, but this is psychotic. What were you thinking?"
"I was thinking," Ivy said in a low voice. "That my sister was murdered by more people than just the Lestranges."
"And just what were you thinking," he went on as though she hadn't spoken. "Dragging them into it? Regulus and Theya?"
"Theya discovered what was going on by accident. And Regulus," she laughed mirthlessly. "Regulus hounded me for years, trying to suss me out. There came a point when I had no choice but to tell him. I never forced either of them into this. Even if Theya says she's grown to regret it, the door has always been open for them to leave."
"She regrets it?" Severus finally turned to face her, but he didn't seat himself. Instead, he took a wide stance and folded his arms, looking down his hooked nose at her. The stance reminded her so much of McGonagall that she began fiddling with her fingers.
"No, not really," Ivy admitted. "I think she was trying to illustrate her point more than anything else. We both said some things that shouldn't have been said."
It wasn't that she'd lied during their argument. Some thoughts just needed to stay private.
"And what do you have to say for me?" He asked coldly.
"I tried to stop her from telling you," she told him earnestly. "I can't tell you how hard I tried."
"You didn't try hard enough."
"The only other option was to put her in a Full Body-Bind Curse."
"Then you should have cursed her," Severus snapped. "I don't want to know this."
"I know," Ivy insistented. "That is exactly what I told her. I told her repeatedly. Screamed it in her face a few times, if you want to know the truth."
"Do you understand what this means for me?" He ran a hand over his face. "Do you even comprehend the kind of danger you've put me in?"
"I do. That's why I didn't want to involve you yet."
"Yet?" Severus narrowed his black eyes at her. "But eventually?"
"I was never going to tell you until you were ready. I tried to tell her that too, that you may never be ready - you may never want to know."
"You were right."
"I know." Ivy pinched the bridge of her nose. "Severus, please don't be upset with me. I tried to stop this."
Part of her wanted to ask that he not go too hard on her. Unfortunately, that was inevitable. She had a good heart, but she'd dug her own grave with this one.
"You shouldn't have started this in the first place," Severus glowered. "This is not our responsibility. It's the Ministry's. Its the Order's…" He suddenly groaned. "Merlin, tell me you haven't been passing information to the Order."
"No." She said solemnly, before her brain caught up with her mouth. "Actually, I guess I did out Pettigrew as a spy. To Dumbledore and Evans. Dumbledore didn't even do anything with the information, Evans is the one who got him locked in Azkaban with Sirius. But that's it."
"Dumbledore? Lily?" He blinked, evidently distracted from his anger. "How'd that happen?"
"It's a very long story, on both accounts. They've known I was up to something for years, but they only found out what it was a year ago. Neither of them are going to tell. Dumbledore actually wanted us -me, really- to join the Order after graduation."
"Really?" Severus almost sounded impressed.
"Yeah. We declined. Or, rather, I declined for us. Didn't want to be beholden to their entirely too rigid moral standards. I think Theya's still miffed about it, she wanted very badly to join."
"Does anyone else know?"
"Er…" Ivy swallowed. "Marlene McKinnon has sort of known from the start. Another long story."
"You two always did fraternise too much," Severus drawled.
"Dorcas Meadowes," she went on. "Is soft on us, even you. And Frank Longbottom is lenient with Regulus. But they don't know anything."
Severus shook his head. "What, then? Big Bad Ivy is going to take down the Dark Lord?"
"That's exactly what I'm going to do. That's what we've been doing. And I'll have you know that we've been doing a fantastic bloody job of it too."
"Then why is he not in the ground yet?" He sneered. "If you're so powerful and cunning."
"Because he has Horcruxes."
Severus blanched, his entire body tensing.
"I see Theya explained the term to you. How far into it did she get?"
He swallowed. "Not very."
"Well, you're going to love this. The Dark Lord made not one Horcrux, not two, but six."
Severus all but fell into the armchair, face draining of colour.
"Yeah, you heard that right," Ivy scowled. "Six. Fucking. Horcruxes. Not to mention, we suspect he's working on a seventh as we speak."
He released a long, defeated groan and put his hands over his pale face. His voice was muffled when he spoke. "You've got to be taking the piss."
"I wish," she scoffed. "Fortunately, we're already in possession of two. We're currently putting together a plan to get a hold of a third." It was Ivy's turn to fold her arms defiantly. "Big Bad Ivy is going to take down the Dark Lord."
Groaning again, Severus shifted into the position she'd been fond of earlier; he rested his elbows on his kneecaps and stuck his hands into his hair, tugging out of aggravation.
"This is mad," he grumbled. "You're off your ruddy head, Iv."
"I know."
"I mean, really, what the fuck?" He released another tortured moan. "Your sister was murdered. Murder Rodolphus and Bellatrix. That's all you had to do to get even. You really couldn't just let it be, huh?"
"Have you met me? Besides, like I said, the Lestranges aren't the only ones responsible for Hazel's death. My parents were. I am. Every single person who turned a blind eye is culpable. It's everyone who contributes to this twisted society, where people like you and me can spray blood across Europe with zero consequences."
Severus looked at her between his fingers as she continued on her tirade.
"Death Eaters aren't merely those who committed themselves to the Dark Lord. They are government officials and housewives - everyone who is too damn prejudiced to aid someone like my little sister. Someone like you, a halfblood. Someone like me, a blood traitor. Someone like Lily Evans, a Muggleborn."
Perhaps it was low to bring her up, but he needed to hear it.
"Potter. Her last name is Potter now." He mumbled, dropping his hands from his face. "So you plan to murder anyone who had anything to do with it?"
"Don't be ridiculous," Ivy rolled her silver eyes. "I'm just going to demolish the culture. Destabilise the foundation, and the entire structure collapses."
"You need to listen when I tell you," Severus told her sternly. "That will get you killed. All of you. Sooner or later, all three of you will be caught, tortured, and killed. This is not going to happen the way you want it to."
"Probably not," she said fairly. "I never expected to make it out alive. I also don't expect that we'll remain anonymous forever. Things get stickier by the day. I know that. Regulus knows it and Theya knows it. We're not blind to what's to come."
"But Ivy," Severus shifted forward in his seat and clasped his hands together. "You know that if you're caught, you won't just be tortured. You'll be raped. Theya will be raped. Regulus, too, if Ariadne has anything to do with it."
A chill shook her body and she choked her emotions. "I know."
"I know you know," he said gently. "I'm not worried about your expectations; you've spent your life in these murky waters. I'm sure you and Regulus know exactly what you're getting yourselves into. Theya, however,has never so much as dipped a toe into that pool. She cannot comprehend how bad it will be."
"Then I'll make her understand. And if she wants out, she can be out."
Severus shook his head. "No, I'll make it clear to her."
"Why you?"
"She didn't listen to you about not telling me. Who knows if she'd listen to you about this? I will talk to her."
Ivy analysed him, cautiously optimistic that his anger was forgotten. "If you're aware that they would rape us all, how can you in good conscience call yourself a Death Eater?"
Severus's black eyes widened, as though the thought had never occurred to him. He even leaned back into the emerald armchair, shame dawning across his face. With a shake of his head, he swallowed twice, evidently at a loss for words.
"You don't need to respond right now." Her tone bordered on cold. "So long as you have a damn good answer the next time we talk about it. All I need right now, is to know whether we can trust you."
Heavy silence permeated the room.
She didn't think he would say no. In fact, she couldn't imagine a world where he would. Still, she should have a plan for if he did. The cellar was an option, but only as the very last resort. That thought in particular was unsettling. She pushed it away.
We can trust him, Ivy convinced herself. He wouldn't betray us.
Eventually, Severus replied. "I have no choice but to say yes. You can trust me."
February 8th, 1980
Leaving the country had not quelled Rodolphus's interest in Ivy. If anything, it seemed to have intensified. He'd only been back a few weeks, and yet, she'd seen more of him than she'd seen of Doe, who she regularly lunched with. Every single shift she had at the Ministry, he conveniently appeared like an altogether heinous jack-in-the-box. Rarely in the same place twice, which led her to believe that it was strategic.
From down the black-tiled corridor in the Department of Mysteries, she could see him waiting by her desk. He was sitting on the edge of it, fussing with his fashionably unkempt black hair.
Getting nearer to him and to being fed up, Ivy called down the hallway derisively. "Twice in one day. To what do I owe the pleasure this time? Have the lights mysteriously gone out in your office again? Or are you just taking another stroll?"
Only when the typically empty office came into full view, did she realise that he was in the middle of a conversation with Maryanne Parkinson. Ivy pressed her lips together tightly, to keep her other disparaging comment from rolling out. The Head of the Department looked her up and down scathingly, dark brown hair in its usual tight bun.
"Mrs. Black, that is no way to talk to your superior," Ms. Parkinson said witheringly.
"My apologies," she started. "I thought-"
"Don't make a habit of it," Ms. Parkinson cut her off with a dismissive flourish of her wrist. "Anyhow, Rodolphus, as I was saying…"
Ivy took it on the chin and sat back down at her desk, while the pair moved to the other side of the room to finish their conversation next to the door. She shuffled paperwork around, trying to look busy. There were only a few minutes left of her shift and she had nothing left to do. She'd only left her desk in the first place because she'd been so bored.
When the sound of laughter reached her ears, she looked up to find Rodolphus and Ms. Parkinson flirting. He was braced against the dark wall with his arms crossed, smirking at her. She coquettishly shoved him on the shoulder, leaning her head in closer than what was appropriate.
Before she could be caught watching, Ivy dropped her gaze to the paperwork on her desk. Severus had been correct all those months ago when he told her that the most information she'd be privy to was redacted scribbles.
"Black," Ms. Parkinson walked over to the desk, grey robes flourishing as she went. "Since you've apparently got nothing better to do than harass Rodolphus, I'm sending you up to the Librarian's Corridor. You haven't been yet, have you?"
Ivy shook her head.
"Rodolphus will join to ensure that you have the access you need. The Corridor is a maze that you will get lost in if you don't know your way around. Fetch me Magical Trespassing by Pete Rodnerik and bring it to my office before you leave for the night. By the time you bring me the book, I expect that you will have worked out the hostility I saw a few minutes ago. I do not want to see that in my Department again. Understood?"
"Yes, ma'am," Ivy said quickly.
Ms. Parkinson looked at Rodolphus expectantly.
"Who, me?" He scratched the back of his head. "You know I'd never-"
"I don't want to hear it," she held up her hand. "I'm sure you're just as culpable as she is."
He sighed. "Alright, alright."
"Good." The Department Head gave them each a stern look, before exiting through the door opposite to Ivy's desk. The door snapped closed behind her with a resounding click.
Rodolphus turned to her with a cheeky grin. "Don't make a habit of it, Mrs. Black."
"Bugger off." She got out of her seat and headed down the black-tiled corridor to the left, deep red robes fluttering behind her. "You're doing it on purpose."
"What have I been doing?" He caught up with ease.
"Bothering me. Lurking."
"I don't lurk," Rodolphus looked offended.
"Fine, you creep. Lie in wait. Prowl. Is that better?"
"I like prowl."
"You are such a - that doesn't answer my question. Why do you keep appearing oh-so-conveniently?" They rounded the corner, the Entrance Chamber's door coming into view at the end of the long corridor. "What is wrong with you?"
"Nothing is wrong with me. You just have something I want."
"And what is that?"
Rodolphus looked her up and down suggestively.
"I would never. You are revolting and I am taken." To illustrate her point, Ivy waved her Moly ring in his face. "I've no interest in you whatsoever."
He rolled his eyes. "I've heard that before."
"You're not helping your own case."
"Oh, but I think I am. You pureblood socialite witches always tire of your husbands eventually."
He wanted something more from her than sex, she was sure of it. An affair was an easy excuse to get close to her. But to what end? She couldn't fathom what he was after.
"Sooner or later," he purred. "You'll want to feel that excitement again. That rush of knowing you're doing something… unforgivable. And who better to do it with, then a bachelor such as myself?"
"You're married."
"Only in the crudest sense."
"And, might I add, delusional."
"If you say so." Reaching the black door at the end of the hallway, Rodolphus opened it.
Stepping inside, the door behind them shut on its own, while the room whirled. It spun, round and round, before the twelve identical black doors settled into place.
Ivy gave him a disgusted look. "That's how you ensured your trustworthiness to Ms. Parkinson, isn't it?"
Rodolphus burst into boisterous laughter. "You think I seduced my boss for sport?"
"You're doing it to me."
"You're not my boss," he countered. "No. Sex is not all I'm good for, I assure you."
"Then what are you good for?" Ivy asked wryly. "So far, the answer seems to be nothing."
Rodolphus didn't respond. Instead, he approached a black door behind off to the right. When he stood before it, it opened on its own. Beckoning her with a nod of his head, they entered the Librarian's Corridor.
The dimly lit space expanded as far as the eye could see, in every direction except downwards. There were rows upon rows of black bookshelves, all painstakingly organised, with not a single book out of place. There was no decor whatsoever. In actuality, the only thing inside other than books and torches, was a black podium several metres in, which presented a very thick book. The enormous room was multi-levelled and when she looked up, the levels stretched out of sight, making her wonder if it was perhaps an illusion. She couldn't understand why the Ministry needed to keep that many books under lock and key.
What kind of forbidden knowledge did the Librarian's Corridor hold? Was it possible that information on Death Magic or Omens of Death could be found here?
"You asked what I'm good for," Rodolphus spread his hands wide, the black door behind them snapping shut. "I could get you any book you like from here, being the Death Handler and all."
Ivy gawked at him, at the seemingly unending books.
"I thought that may interest you. Now, let's find Maryanne's book. Follow me." Rodolphus led her to the black podium, motioning for her to stand in front of it. "Just say the name of the book."
She looked uneasily down at the huge, black leather book. "Magical Trespassing by Pete Rodnerik."
The cover opened of its own accord and the pages began turning rapidly, before stopping abruptly. When it did, a row of bookshelves directly to the left lit up. The torches burned bright, all the way down the row, before they appeared to veer off.
Peering down at the script of the book, which was made up of foreign runes. She had an inkling that the language was very old, as her Ancient Runes class at Hogwarts had been very thorough, and she didn't notice a single familiar symbol.
"This way." Rodolphus walked down the row of bookshelves that had been lit, motioning for her to follow.
Ivy went after him in awe, realising as she went down the torchlit path that every book was the same. The spines were all perfectly black, their height and width exactly the same. Nothing but silver script listing the title and author distinguished each book from the next. It had to be an enchantment of some kind, presumably to make things difficult.
"You said you could get me any book I wanted," she said. "Did you really mean any?"
"Yes," Rodolphus followed the torchlight down an aisle to the right, then sharply to the left. "Any book."
"How would I even know what book to want? There's clearly… a lot."
"Do you have a topic in mind?"
Ivy hesitated. "Death Magic."
Rodolphus stopped in his tracks. "Why do you want to learn about that?"
"The Grey Lady mentioned it to me once," she responded smoothly. "Never been able to find a book on the subject though."
He eyed her, before shrugging and continuing on. "Books on that sort of magic are scarce. I don't know if even the Ministry has anything on it. But I'll see what I can find."
They walked for quite some time, taking the occasional turn, but always following the torchlit path. The other aisles seemed very dark in comparison, and while she was tempted to wander into them, she was certain she would get lost. The only thing keeping them from wandering endlessly through the rows was the torchlight, which eventually ended in the middle of an aisle. The remainder of the row stretched on into total darkness.
Rodolphus gestured around. "Find it."
"How am I supposed to-" Ivy stopped suddenly, as something silver was glowing at the edge of her vision. Turning her head to the right, the book was illuminated, its edges gleaming bright silver along with the script. "Oh. You can't see that, then?"
"You were the one looking for it; it'll only reveal itself to you."
"I see. Am I the only one who can take it, then?"
"Indeed."
Ivy reached out for the book, which ceased its glowing as she made contact. As she pulled it from the shelf, it transfigured into a large, beat up old book. It turned a faded shade of brown, revealing its actual cover and spine.
"So it is an enchantment," she said with a sense of wonder. "You implied that I wouldn't be able to take just any book myself. What's stopping me?"
"Try and see what happens."
"It's not going to hurt is it?"
"No," Rodolphus chuckled. "Give it a go."
Tucking Magical Trespassing under an arm, she selected a book at random and reached for it. Her hand hit something solid and invisible, fingers sliding up and away, as though a transparent wall stood between her and the tomes.
"Acquiring any book that you do not have explicit access to is strictly forbidden," Rodolphus explained. "These books are not to leave the Department of Mysteries. Thievery of any kind will earn you a sentence in Azkaban. Assuming you can even get your hands on one. Which, without my help, I assure you, you can't."
"And you're allowed to do that?" Ivy asked sceptically. "You're allowed to give me books from here?"
"'Course not," Rodolphus smirked. "If either of us were caught, we'd lose our jobs and have adjoining cells."
"Interesting," Ivy mused. "Say you did find and give me a book on Death Magic, what would you want in return?"
"Catching on, I see," he stepped into her personal space. "I want a date."
Ivy couldn't believe her ears.
Whatever it was he wanted from her, it was worth the risk of losing his job and winding up in Azkaban. What the hell could it be? Perhaps he was under the impression that she had useful information. Or, maybe he was suspicious of her. But he had no reason to be. Her underwear had been found near Wilkes and Rosier's bodies, but he had no reason to tie that to her. No, that didn't make a lick of sense. Just the other day, he'd come to the defence of Regulus against his own wife. He didn't have to do that in the first place, much less if he was distrustful of them.
He had always been keen on her, flirting even when she was underage… Perhaps he really did just want to shag her. Narcissa hadsaid that he'd pursued her relentlessly for a year. Besides, Ivy had seen enough to know that what got him off was the chase. The excitement, the forbiddenness. He was a very attractive man; if he wanted easy, he could find easy. No, he loved the pushback.
"You're out of your mind," Ivy backed away from him.
"Alright, I can compromise," he gave her a charming grin. "In exchange for a book, I want you to consider a date."
"Not going to happen."
"Would you consider considering a date?"
"Blimey!" Ivy threw her hands up in defeat. "If that's what it takes to get you to sod off, then fine! Now, can we leave?"
"Sure," Rodolphus said merrily. "After you."
Muttering insults under her breath, she stomped back the way they'd come. Going along the torchlit path, she grumbled until she was out of crude names to call him, eventually falling into silence.
Admiring the somewhat ominous spines as she went, she entertained herself by trying to catch titles. She was only able to snatch up a word here and there; Wild, Unveiled, Strange, and Magic about a hundred times.
It was only when the word Inferi caught her eye that she backtracked. Inching closer to the spine, she tried to read the full name, but Rodolphus gave her a gentle shove to keep walking.
She threw a dirty look at him.
"That's another thing," Rodolphus herded her onward. "When you're looking for a book, never stop until you've reached it. You'll turn yourself around and have to come all the way back. I got stuck in here for hours once. Maryanne thought I left in the middle of the workday and I was nearly sacked."
"What is it that you do, exactly?" Ivy rounded a corner, seeing the main area of the library at the end of the torchlit shelves.
"I handle death," Rodolphus snickered.
"Clearly. You can't tell me anything else?"
"No. We're called Unspeakables for a reason."
"Prick." Reaching the podium, the torchlight faded behind them, and she made for the black door that would release her from the Librarian's Corridor. Catching his expression, she raised a brow. "You look rather smug for someone who was just rejected about nine times."
"You considering to consider a date," he laughed. "Is the best outcome I could've hoped for."
"That's pathetic."
"That's progress."
"Merlin," she shook her head. "I do not get paid enough to work with you."
February 16th, 1980
Arriving at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, Ivy entered the small shop with a great shiver. It was quite warm indoors, but as the door shut behind her, it kicked a flurry of snow inside. Spotting the society ladies at one of the larger tables, she paused upon noticing who was in attendance.
Nariccsa and Bellatrix were present, of course, but their mother Druella was as well. She'd only spoken with Regulus's aunt in passing, but the woman was a force to be reckoned with. Often dominating conversations and giving orders to whoever was unlucky enough to be in her vicinity, there was a reason she avoided encounters with her. The Black relatives were joined by one other witch, whom she hadn't met.
Before they had a chance to notice her hesitation, she walked over, careful to keep her perfect pureblood posture, lest Druella find a reason to pick at her.
"Why are we here in the dead of winter?" Ivy asked breathlessly.
"Little Draco is craving ice cream." Narcissa told her amusedly, running a hand over her growing belly. "Pistachio, to be specific."
"You've named him already?" Ivy removed her winter coat, sending snow falling to the floor, where it melted on contact.
"My mother and I," Narcissa smiled fondly. "Have had that name picked out since I was a girl."
"I see." Removing her winter coat, she placed it on the back of an unclaimed chair. Only one other seat, the seat across from hers, was vacant. She fleetingly wondered who else was set to arrive, and greeted the other witches.
Bellatrix, seated to the right of Narcissa, nodded in return.
"Bellatrix, don't be rude. Say hello! She is, after all, the newest member of our family." Druella chastised from the other side of Narcissa. When her daughter didn't instantly respond, she went on. "Really, any kind of verbal response will do."
"Hello," Bellatrix said tightly.
"Good, good." Druella nodded her approval. "Now Ivy, are you acquainted with Josephina Flint III?"
"I don't believe I've had the pleasure," Ivy dipped her head in greeting.
Josephina, a heavily pregnant witch with stark hair and an apparent penchant for ugly robes, gave her a smile that didn't quite reach her hazel eyes. "Happy to meet you."
"Ivy, do get yourself some ice cream," Druella added. "While we wait for… the other one."
"Mother," Narcissa said meekly. "There's no need for that."
"I'll behave however I please," she replied snootily. "Your sister shouldn't have even invited her; she knows how I despise the girl."
"You've never met her," Bellatrix sighed.
Druella gave an indignant huff. "I know enough."
Deciding it was time to depart from the familial bickering, Ivy hurried off to the shop counter. While glad to get away, at least she was in Druella's good graces for marrying into the Black family; she pitied the poor soul who had not only been referred to as the other one, but who was also late.
Upon reaching the woman behind the counter, she opened her mouth to order a sundae, when it registered who she was talking to.
Alice Longbottom née Fortescue stood there, looking very uncomfortable.
Wide blue eyes staring into equally as wide silver ones, they said nothing.
"Be snappy!" Druella called from several metres behind.
"I'll be right there!" Ivy called over her shoulder. Clearing her throat, she addressed the witch behind the counter. "Er, I'll have a sundae, please."
"Just a regular one?" She asked timidly.
"Yes, that's fine."
Alice Longbottom moved to the bucket of vanilla ice cream and began to scoop.
Ivy couldn't help staring at her.
Her head was wrapped in a silk bandana and she thought back to what Regulus had said about the brutal scalping she'd undergone at Selwyn Estate. There were spells to regrow hair, but she wouldn't be surprised if the bandana was worn to help shield her mentally from the incident.
The witch was shaking as she finished putting together the sundae, stuck a spoon in it, and placed it wordlessly on the counter.
Ivy slid her a Galleon, knowing that the total was much less.
Her throat closed at the thought of how it must have felt to serve Bellatrix, the woman who had so mercilessly tortured her at Selwyn Estate mere months ago. To put a smile on and pretend that she wasn't the reason for the bandana, must have been excruciating.
"I'm sorry," Ivy's voice was barely a whisper. "For what happened to you at my home."
Not waiting for a reply or her change, she walked back to the table as though she had said nothing at all. Her words had been risky, but they had gone unnoticed by those in her group.
Setting her sundae down on the table, she pulled her chair out to sit down. Midway into her seat, she froze upon seeing who the other one was.
Ariadne, who she had barely seen in over a year, was directly across from her. Currently in the process of fixing her hat hair, she was preoccupied with running her fingers through the long, dark locks.
She hadn't noticed Ivy, who slowly slid into her chair.
"Quit petting yourself." Druella said condescendingly to Ariadne, who ceased immediately.
Ivy ate a spoonful of her sundae, pondering how she should play things.
There was one hex in particular that had her name written all over it. She could get away with it, too, if she timed things right. Not to mention, she had enough experience with polite society to know how to twist the knife. And she would, in a while; even slinging insults had to be done delicately, properly. One had to pretend that they were accidental or thoughtless. It fooled no one, but that's just how it was. Unless one was old, like Druella, in which case the rules didn't apply.
Ariadne glanced around the table, doing a double take upon seeing Ivy, who grinned and waggled her fingers tauntingly. Her dark brown eyes widened and her lips parted, but no sound came out.
"I cannot believe how long it's been," Ivy said sweetly. "You look… well."
The dark-haired witch continued to stare blankly at her.
"Close your mouth," Druella directed Ariande exasperatedly. "You are not a fish."
Ariadne did as instructed and leaned back in her seat, analysing Ivy intently.
It suddenly hit her why Regulus's aunt was exemplifying such scorn for Ariadne; Druella had been present when the love potion wore off of her nephew back in sixth year.
"I didn't realise you two were acquainted." Narcissa shot Ivy an inquisitive look, letting her know that she'd caught on to the tension between them.
"We are very well acquainted," Ivy smiled. "Are we not, Ariadne?"
"Yes," she cleared her throat. The witch wasn't very fast on her feet, as she still seemed to be fighting off her shock. "Very well."
"Do tell," Bellatrix prompted.
"Oh, I'm sure we'll get around to it." Ivy held Ariadne's gaze and separated the sundae's cherry from its stem with her teeth. "Chit-chat can wait; we need to organise Naricssa's baby shower."
"That we do," Druella said firmly. "First thing's first, we need to set a location. My darling Bellatrix has already offered up her home as the venue."
"Why not Malfoy Manor?" Ivy proposed strategically. "Won't Narcissa be more comfortable in her own home?"
"I'm seven months along myself," Josephina mused aloud. "She'll be the same in May. I can tell you from experience, she'll be right sick of her home by then, manor or not."
"I'm already going a bit stir-crazy," Narcissa agreed.
"The Lestrange home it is," Druella declared. "Now, how do we feel about a royal theme?"
Well, shit, Ivy thought despondently. So much for quick access to the Malfoys' Horcrux. Guess I'll watch my little sister's eye bob around in a jar instead.
Tuning them out as they discussed whether blue or purple was more fitting, she leaned back in her chair. In order to not contribute, she kept her mouth preoccupied with small bites of ice cream. Luckily, she was only halfway through her sundae when they began wrapping up discussions of the baby shower.
"One o'clock in the afternoon is perfect," Josephina was saying. "What time of day says newborn more than the afternoon?"
"Right," Narcissa gave her an odd look. "Well, I'm not opposed."
"I really couldn't care less," Bellatrix said.
"My child," Druella sighed. "You are twenty something years old, have some manners."
"Twenty-seven," Bellatrix said. "You have my apologies, Cissy. I care very deeply about what time of day says newborn."
Narcissa covered her smile with a hand.
"Oh, enough of you," Druella scowled. "Go get your mother a bowl of cherries."
"Of course." Bellatrix sounded relieved to be momentarily departing and she made for the counter. Ivy tracked her and she respite in that Alice Longbottom had been replaced at the counter by an elderly wizard.
Realising that there was a lull in the conversation, Ivy seized the opportunity.
Leaning forward, she pushed her spoon around the half-melted bowl of ice cream. "Ariadne, I must say, I'm dying to know how you've been getting on."
"What?" Ariadne frowned, likely stunned that Ivy was being friendly.
"She asked you how you are," Druella announced loudly. "Surely, your ears work better than your brain."
Regulus's aunt was growing on her by the second.
Narcissa raised a brow, looking between her mother and Ariadne.
Bellatrix returned to the table, wordlessly setting a small bowl of cherries in front of Druella, who did not thank her.
"Forgive me." Ariadne forced a smile. She was not as well-trained as Ivy, that much was obvious. "I'm well, Ivy, how have you been?"
"Quite well." She smiled back, genuinely, as she was about to wreck the slag. Lifting her left hand, she stared her dead in the face and touched her thumb to her ring finger. "I'm sure you've heard that Regulus and I were recently married."
Her smile faltered and ire seeped into her dark eyes. "I heard."
"Not to worry," Ivy simpered. "You're a… passably attractive woman. I'm sure you'll get prospects on the docket eventually. Unless you and Mulciber are still going steady?"
It was Ivy's turn to be eyed by Narcissa, who was too invested to realise that she'd been sucking on her spoon for a solid minute. Druella hadn't noticed either, else she probably would have scolded her daughter.
"We are," Ariadne replied plainly.
"Ah, well," Ivy maintained a light-hearted smile. "I'm sure a proposal will come one day."
Josephina leaned in. "You aren't referring to Adrian Mulciber, are you?"
This startled Ivy, as she'd quite forgotten the witch was there. How, she didn't know, since her robes were the ugliest shade of yellow she'd ever seen - and patterned like one of the sofas Avdima had kept in Selwyn Estate.
"Yes, Adrian," Ariadne looked relieved. "We've been together for nearly a year."
"And he hasn't proposed?" Druella raised her brows. "How odd."
Ariadne ignored her to address Josephina. "How do you know Adrian?"
"He's my least favourite cousin." Josephina frowned. "I didn't realise you were the witch he's been… seeing." Her last word was clipped with distaste.
"They were quite close during our seventh year." Ivy took a small bite of her half-melted sundae. "Ariadne and I were actually in the same year and House at Hogwarts. We met shortly after the Sorting Ceremony, where we were placed in Slytherin. You know, that reminds me-"
"Oh, dear," Ariadne cut her off with a laugh. "I quite forgot to fetch myself some ice cream, didn't I?"
"You don't find it rude," Druella narrowed her beady eyes. "To interrupt someone when they're speaking? Really, I expect more from someone on the Sacred Twenty-Eight."
Narcissa had abandoned her pistachio ice cream, paying rapt attention to the battle of wits. Although she was committing impropriety by having her elbows on the table, her mother was too zeroed in on Ariadne to take notice.
Bellatrix, however, was picking at her nails out of boredom.
"Right," Ariadne said tersely, evidently trying hard to keep her composure. "What were you saying, Ivy?"
"Oh, nothing important, I was simply reminiscing over the various incidents from our school years together. Did you ever manage to kick that, er…" She tapped the side of her nose.
Druella gasped. "Drug habit?"
Bellatrix looked up at them, as though the conversation had suddenly become interesting.
"Merlin, no!" Ivy interjected before Ariadne could, placing her hands in her lap. "She kicked that habit ages ago, around sixth year. Wait - it was actually fifth, wasn't it? My apologies. Those years of schooling really mix together after a while, don't they? I got confused, see, sixth year was when she drug- er, gave my husband, Regulus, a love potion. Fifth year was when she stopped doing… other things."
Josephina and Druella looked absolutely scandalised by the nonexistent drug addiction.
Ariadne seemed… Well, Ariadne was clearly livid.
It was sad, really, seeing as she was very out of her depth.
Addressing the table, Ivy took it upon herself to graciously explain. "Anyhow, the incidents I was originally referring to involved the Bat Bogey Hex."
"During our first year," Ariadne attempted to regain the narrative. "Mundungus Fletcher gave me an altered version of the spell. I accidentally hexed the entire first year class with it. Anytime a first year sneezed, bats would fly out of our noses."
"It was ridiculous." Ivy nodded sympathetically, inching her wand out of her sleeve beneath the table. "They even gave you a nickname, didn't they? What was it, what was it… Bogey something… Ah, that's right! Bogey Girl."
Ariadne's eye twitched, face beet red with embarrassment and barely contained rage, as she spoke through gritted teeth. "The issue disappeared after first year. And mysteriously reappeared during our sixth. When it did, though, it somehow only affected me. Strange how that happened, huh?"
"To my understanding," Ivy said peacefully, gripping her hazel wand beneath the table. "The issue never went away after that. Is it true that whenever you sneeze, bats still fly out of your nose?"
"Oh, you jest," Druella chuckled.
"It's true," Bellatrix piped up. "I've seen it."
"Really?" Narcissa gawked. "How is that possible?"
Silently, Ivy flicked her hazel wand at Ariadne underneath the table.
On cue, she sneezed.
Stuffing her wand back up her sleeve while a torrent of bats flew out of Ariadne's nose, she took advantage of the distraction. Shovelling a spoonful of vanilla and fudge into her mouth, the bats stopped coming, but began smacking themselves against the ceiling.
The elderly shopkeeper shrieked and reached for a broom.
"That's it!" Ariadne slammed her hands down on the table, ratting it and everyone around her. "I've had it with you, Ivy! You ensured that I'll sneeze bats for the rest of my life! You stole Regulus from me! You made me sneeze just now!"
Faux shock graced Ivy's features and she held her hands up in defence, leaving her spoon in her mouth on purpose.
"And I have never had a drug habit!" Ariadne yelled.
The elderly wizard, who had been swatting the bats out the front door, which let in a very cold draft, paused to stare at her.
Ivy decided to let the moment sink in a bit.
It was clear by Druella and Josephina's reactions that they thought Ariadne was mentally disturbed. Bellatrix seemed simply delighted by the chaos, as she was grinning ear-to-ear and lounging back in her chair. Narcissa, had her light blue eyes fixed on Ivy, seeming oddly impressed.
Swallowing around the spoon, Ivy set it back in her ice cream bowl. Putting on a confused face, she laid a hand over her heart, and lowered her voice to a whisper. "Ariadne, your behaviour is obscene. It is absolutely improper. I mean, raising your voice in an ice cream shop? Throwing around baseless accusations? Are you… Are you on drugs right now?"
Ariadne twitched forward, as though ready to lunge across the table. Instead, she stood abruptly, her chair giving a grating creak of protest. Withdrawing her wand, she rested a hand on the table, leaning across it to point the tip in Ivy's face.
"I ought to do you in right now," she hissed.
"You forget yourself, Ms. Zabini!" Druella reached out, placing a hand on top of Ariadne's wand, which she slowly lowered. "I think its best if you leave, before you get yourself arrested."
Ariadne glared daggers at Ivy, maintaining her position for another moment before she straightened and tucked away her wand. Even while she snatched her coat from the back of her chair and put her hat on backwards, she stared her down vindictively.
The witch maintained the nasty look until she left through the open door into the winter storm, the last bat following her out. The door snapped shut behind her, leaving the near-empty ice cream shop in utter silence.
Ivy, who was truthfully unbothered, slurped a spoonful of creamy fudge.
That takes care of that, she thought happily.