Here we are, our dear Vengelings! We're back with the next chapter! Are you excited? We're excited! Updates will be every Wednesday, and after some discussion with each other, we might even start updating twice a week! Fingers crossed.
-Bug & Dreamer
Marylebone, Muggle London.
Ever since that day on the couch, when Nicole had unknowingly planted the seed of bringing down James Potter—and, by extension, the entire Potter family—Severa had been consumed by one singular purpose: to make it happen.
The groundwork, the preparation prior to the actual plan, was the most challenging aspect. While it was essential, the true effort came afterwards. Severa devoted every waking moment of her life to methodically positioning each element, always having a backup for every possible outcome. Every key was concealed, and every alternative was thoughtfully evaluated in case Plans A, B, or C did not work. She refused to leave anything to chance.
She knew there were some things she needed to change about herself for this plan to work. After all, she understood the game well enough, even if she had no prior experience. Men were drawn to the pretty girls—those with the right proportions, not too curvy nor too fat, but just enough of both to be considered desirable. The ones with long flowing locks that framed their face prettily but not so long it became a tangled hazard. The girls, both Muggle and Wizarding, who spent hours in front of their mirrors, layering creams and powders to smooth over every imperfection—Severa had never been one of them. Makeup wasn't exactly her forte, but she had an idea of where she could turn for help.
With Nicole out on another date and not expected back until the morning, Severa saw the perfect opportunity to slip out without any questions. She grabbed her coat and keys and left the flat with a quiet resolve.
She'd set her deadline; the plan had to be in motion before the end of the month, which gave her just barely enough time to fine-tune and tweak every detail and ensure she was prepared for anything.
As she walked down the street, her eyes wandered to a couple laughing across the street; they were utterly lost in one another. Since Nicole had given her the idea, Severa had spent hours studying couples whenever possible. If Nicole dragged her into public, Severa would always find herself observing whatever couple was nearby, analysing their movements, their interactions, and the way they seemed to fit together so effortlessly. And on the days that Nicole didn't drag her out, Severa would make her way to the park around the corner, book in her hands, pretending to read as she watched couples pass and interact.
It was all part of the plan.
She spent hours observing how some women trailed their hands down their partner's chest or arm, watching as the man stopped whatever he was doing and shifted his entire focus on his partner.
And how a simple 'You look good' could completely shift a man's mood, brightening his entire day.
Severa watched, noting the subtle shifts in the men's expressions, how their shoulders relaxed and their eyes softened. It wasn't just the words or the touch; it was the effect of being wanted, feeling seen, and being needed.
She made mental notes—and later actual notes—of the small things that seemed to matter the most: a smile when it wasn't expected, a laugh shared in the middle of a mundane moment, and the way a well-timed compliment, combined with a gentle touch to either a hand or arm, could create an instant connection.
It was all about control, she realised. Control over how someone felt, how they responded, how they saw you. And she had to learn how to wield that power carefully as a weapon.
By the time she reached her destination, the first steps of her plan were already taking shape in her mind. She was ready to step into a new role—one that would bring her closer to Fleamont Potter and further away from the life his son had trapped her in.
As she entered a small Tesco, her eyes immediately scanned the aisles for the section she never imagined herself seeking: Beauty and Fashion.
Her gaze hesitated, feeling a sliver of disgust run through her as her eyes lingered on the glossy covers that seemed to promise perfection. The pictures were flawless—smiles that sparkled, skin that looked like porcelain, clothes that whispered wealth and sophistication. A world she had never been a part of, but it was now a world she needed to understand.
Severa approached the section with an almost reluctant determination. She skimmed through a few magazines, her fingers brushing the pages, absorbing the vibrant advertisements and glowing beauty tips. It wasn't just about looks—it was about crafting an image, an aura that drew people in and made them pay attention.
She pulled a few magazines from the shelf, flipping through the pages as she tried to make sense of the unfamiliar terms and tips.
"Is there anything you need help with?" a cheerful voice asked from behind her, causing Severa to freeze. She turned to find a young girl in her late teens in a shop uniform, her smile as bright as the yellow polka-dotted bow in her hair.
"You look like you could use a hand," the girl continued, her eyes sparkling. "And I happen to love Beauty!"
Severa blinked, a wave of annoyance threatening to rise, but she quickly masked it. She wasn't here for distractions. But the girl's enthusiasm was relentless, and Severa could already feel her patience thinning.
"I'm fine," Severa replied, her voice steady but cold, hoping to end the conversation quickly. "Just looking."
The girl, because honesty, she must be daft, didn't take the hint. "Well, if you're looking for something specific, I can help!" She beamed, utterly unfazed by Severa's icy tone. "Are you interested in skincare or makeup? Or maybe some tips on how to pull off the perfect look? I've got tons of tricks up my sleeve."
Severa studied her for a moment and weighed her options. From the looks of it, the girl herself was half decent at makeup, so perhaps she wasn't a complete dolt. But then again, her high energy was already wearing her patience thin. Maybe she could brush the girl off and continue on her way, or… maybe, just maybe, there was something to gain from this nauseating, bubbly distraction.
"Makeup," Severa said, her voice clipped, "but nothing too... obvious." She was testing the waters, curious if this girl could provide something more than just useless chatter.
The girl's eyes lit up. "I've got the perfect thing for you, then!" She grabbed a handful of magazines from the nearby shelf, her enthusiasm never faltering. Severa couldn't help but roll her eyes inwardly, but she played along if only to escape this hell a little quicker.
"Anything else? I can even give you the family discount!" the girl chirped, tossing the magazines into a basket Severa hadn't even noticed she'd grabbed.
Severa raised an eyebrow, her gaze flicking between the girl and the basket. "We... We aren't related," she said, her tone flat as she corrected the girl. Her attention shifted briefly to the glossy pages of the magazines, highlighting the latest 'craze' in hairstyles, but she quickly dismissed them.
The girl's smile remained unwavering, her eyes still sparkling with excitement. Merlin, this girl, was nauseatingly happy. "Maybe, but my boss doesn't know that." She giggled, her gaze following Severa's to several hair magazines on the shelf. With a sudden squeal–that had Severa wincing– she exclaimed, "You need hair ones, too?"
Before Severa could get a word in, the girl was already tossing them into the basket, her hands moving with quick efficiency.
Severa watched, slightly stunned, as the girl continued to fill the basket with magazine after magazine, all the while chattering excitedly. "You'll thank me later, you know! These ones are essential and all the rage right now. And anyway, you can't get a look right without the hair." She paused, giving Severa a quick once-over. "And trust me, hair's half the battle."
Severa's hand instinctively tightened around the handle of the basket. "I didn't—"
The girl waved her off, not waiting for Severa to finish her sentence. "Don't worry! You'll be perfect in no time. Just leave it all to me!" She turned and began walking towards the counter, her bubbly energy not leaving her for a second.
Severa stood frozen for a moment, trying to process what had just happened. It wasn't the help she'd asked for, but maybe it was the help she needed. A small part of her—one she couldn't quite identify—began to stir.
Or maybe that was just indigestion from how utterly disgusting this whole interaction was.
Severa reluctantly followed the girl to the counter, but before they reached it, the girl veered off toward the fashion section. With a quiet sigh, Severa reached out and gently took the magazine–the words Harper's Bazaar in big, bold pink across the front– from the girl's hands. "I don't think I need all of these," she said, flipping the magazine to read the back.
'RICH & RACY! The way to look right now!' plastered on the back with a pretty blond girl giving a seductive smile.
Ugh.
The girl's smile didn't falter. Her eyes remained wide and cheerful as she picked up another magazine, practically shoving it into Severa's hands; this one said Elle across the front of it with the words 'IT'S COOL TO BE HOT.'
"Don't worry about the price," the girl chirped, "I'll give you all the discounts!"
Severa paused, her fingers tightening around the ridiculous magazine as she glanced at the girl, who was already reaching for another one with relentless enthusiasm.
Don't hex the muggle, Severa thought to herself. She could feel the beginning of a headache coming on.
She shook her head, but the girl's smile didn't fade, and the excitement in her eyes remained unwavering.
"I'm not concerned about the price," Severa said slowly—she was— "I just don't think I need all of these." Honestly, there were at least five, better yet, ten, too many. Her intentions were only to buy two, maybe three at the most.
The girl blinked, momentarily confused, before her face lit up again. "It's fine! You're going to look fabulous. Trust me, all of these are just the basic essentials."
Severa felt the growing dread at the sight of her increasingly large stack of magazines. She could feel her wallet getting lighter just by looking at them, and she let out a small sigh as she glanced at the girl's name tag. "Melissa, I don't need all of them," she said, her voice careful but firm, if not with a bit of disdain colouring her voice.
But Melissa, undeterred by Severa's protests, flashed an even wider grin. "Of course, but I just know you're going to need this one too!" she chirped, pulling another magazine from the shelf and adding it to Severa's basket.
With a resigned sigh, Severa let Melissa lead her to the counter, where the girl began ringing up the stack of magazines. Severa could already tell that this would cost far more than she had initially planned to spend.
As Melissa placed the final magazine into the bags, she smiled at Severa. "That'll be... £14 even," she chirped, not noticing Severa's shocked expression.
"Are you sure?" Severa asked, her brow furrowed in disbelief. "That should cost far more than just £14."
Melissa's smile remained unwavering as she adjusted the bags. "Oh, it's the family discount!" she said, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. And to her, it probably was. "My boss doesn't mind. Besides, you'll love all these. Trust me, you'll look amazing!"
Severa stared at the total, still in disbelief, but after a brief hesitation, she handed over the money. She didn't quite know what had just happened, and her wallet was much lighter than she expected, but the girl's infectious cheer had somehow pulled her along.
As Melissa packed the magazines into a bag, she handed it to Severa with an over-the-top flourish. "You're going to be fabulous!" she beamed.
Severa managed a slight nod, a mixture of confusion and annoyance bubbling inside her. She'd wanted a few magazines, not an entire arsenal of them. But as she made her way out of the shop, her mind already whirring with the thought of what to do next, she couldn't help but feel a little... curious. Maybe, just maybe, there was something to all this after all.
With her new haul in hand, she stepped out into the cool London air, ready to begin the next step of her plan, even if it did come with a hefty side of confusion.
Severa paused in her step and put a hand to her stomach, a small groan slipping out; it was indigestion, after all.