𝐌𝐘 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐄

chapter two ━━━ rude

               OPHELIA FIDDLES WITH the scratchy collar of her dress as she waits for the Black family to arrive.

    Her mother and father stand behind her. Her mother's hand rested on her shoulder, which gave Ophelia some comfort.

    The most noble and ancient house of the Black family was coming to the Fawley residence to see Ophelia for the first time, to meet the witch who their son would marry.

    To see if she was good enough for him.

    Ophelia had never met Walburga Black before, but from what she heard from the Slytherins at school, she was absolutely terrifying. As if she was straight out of a horror story.

    Ophelia has no time to ponder anymore, for the fireplace bursts with green flames, and three people emerge from it.

    "Joseph, how long has it been?" Orion Black steps forward with a smile and shakes her father's hand.

    "Only a few weeks, but that's quite a long time, old friend." Mr Fawley laughs.

    "Ophelia? Let me look at you." Before Ophelia can even comprehend what is happening, long fingers grab her by the face to the front. She meets the smiling face of Walburga Black, though the smile does not reach her hard brown eyes.

    "You're quite pretty, aren't you?" she muses, turning Ophelia's left and right to inspect. "Yes. . . you'll look good with my Regulus."

    Ophelia stiffens at that.

    "Let go of her, mother. You're making her uncomfortable"

    "Of course, I'm not!" Mrs Black scoffs but lets go of her anyways.

    As Ophelia turns to see her saviour, she's met with the same cold hard eyes as Walburga Black's. They were narrowed and seemed fully guarded.

    "Hello," she greets Regulus Black with a smile, though he doesn't return it. He gives her a nod of acknowledgement, which makes her frown.

    She realised an awkward moment later that their parents were staring at the pair. "Shall we all go have tea, then?" She sprints off to the drawing-room without another word.

    "If you both don't know," Orion Black speaks to Regulus and Ophelia, "You two, by the end of this day, will be engaged."

    Everyone sat in the drawing-room with tiny cups of expensive hot tea in their hands, silent until Mr Black had spoken.

    Ophelia does not reply to his words, only taking a sip of her tea.

    "Today isn't necessary, but we would like for you two to get to know each other before being engaged. So," Mr Black digs inside his pocket and draws a small black velvet box out of his coat and places it on the table. "I want this ring on Miss Ophelia's finger by tonight."

    "Yeah, sure, but a few hours is way too much time to get to know your fiancé, though, Mr Black, isn't it?" Ophelia mutters under her breath, though by how Regulus raised his eyebrows at her, she reckons he might have heard.

    "Yes, father." Regulus nods, taking the ring box and slipping it into his pocket. "I will do as you say."

    Of course, you will, Ophelia scoffs inwardly, Like the perfect obedient son you are.

    "Ophelia, dear," Mr Fawley speaks up to break the uncomfortable silence, "Why don't you take Regulus to the back garden and show him around?"

    "Why don't you shut the fuck up?"

    That is what Ophelia wants to say, but that would seem 'rude', unfortunately. She loved the garden; she didn't want someone as cold as Regulus Black ruining the bright mood.

    "Yes, father," she replies instead, getting up from her seat. "Coming?" she extends a hand to Regulus.

    He stares unbelievingly at the extended hand and then disregards it, getting up and walking forward, ignoring the hushed gasps from his parents behind him, leaving Ophelia to follow behind him awkwardly.

    Arse. Ophelia huffs to herself as she speed-walks in front of the rude stoic boy, determined to not allow him to disrespect her anymore.

author's note ━━━ hey, I'm kathu, and my speciality is writing the shortest chapters to ever exist. nice to meet you :)