Arcturus and Melania Black were hosting their annual dinner, a grand event that brought together the prominent families of the Malfoys, Lestranges, and Potters. The opulent Black Manor was abuzz with the clinking of fine china and the murmur of polite conversation as the guests gathered for the evening.
Orion Black, just seventeen years old and already bound by a marriage contract with Lucius Malfoy, sat stiffly beside his betrothed. Lucius, ever the picture of poise, occasionally cast furtive glances toward Narcissa Black, the very woman he was secretly involved with. Narcissa, despite her outward calm, couldn't help but notice the discontent in Orion's eyes whenever Lucius's attention strayed.
Dorea Potter, Orion's protective older sister, sat at the head of the table, her gaze sharp and unwavering as she kept a close watch on Lucius. The atmosphere was tense, charged with unspoken emotions and the weight of hidden truths.
Under her breath, Dorea muttered, "Cheater," a harsh whisper that only Orion could hear. She glanced at him, her expression a mix of concern and frustration. Seeing her brother's distress, she signaled with her hands, using sign language to silently instruct him to keep quiet and not confront Lucius directly.
Orion, feeling the sting of betrayal but bound by his duty and the constraints of his marriage contract, took a deep breath and tried to focus on the evening's festivities. The dinner continued, each course a reminder of the complex web of relationships and deceptions that overshadowed the event.
