"So...what now?"Ophelia asked turning to her boyfriend. It was so foreign even thinking about Rabastan's new title and it made her blush, although not as much as on the first few days after the kiss.
For the past month, she had gone through very extreme states: her training with Bellatrix continued, albeit not as severe as it used to be at the beginning of the summer. It was not her father that calmed the rabid dog down, no, he quite enjoyed seeing his daughter forced to fight for her life. The one that took it upon herself to help was actually a person Ophelia had only talked to once or twice. Narcissa Black. She stumbled into the room at a moment when Ophelia was bleeding and the whole sight made her realize that she could soften it up a little.
"What do you mean?" Rabastan asked back.
Ophelia sighed heavily and turned her attention on the view. They were sitting on an old iron bench that was very uncomfortable but it was the only place they could spend a few minutes by themselves. The position was strategic too since they were in the middle of a very elaborate garden where only house elves entered.
"Are we together or are we together only for the summer? I'd like to establish our relationship as more than a 'fling'" She added, genuinely using quoting signs at the end.
Her long green eyes turned to him slowly and Rabastan felt like he was trapped. Only Ophelia could hold so much intensity in her snake-like eyes; only her and the Dark Lord, whose eyes alone were stronger than many wizards. But she gave it a lot of thought from the moment of their first kiss. That was back in July and now was the end of August. They had one more week before she had to return to school and she was worried about Rabastan's safety. On the other side, Rabastan could hardly think about their relationship and its future because of his father and older brother.
"You just say everything that's on your mind, don't you?" He chose to avoid the answer altogether.
"I don't want to have any regrets. If that means boldly telling people what I think then be it," she replied honestly, her eyes moving down to her hands.
"Is this conversation the aftermath of one of your meetings with your father?" Rabastan asked warily, sensing the tension rising off her.
"Maybe...He has plans and I know nothing will make him go back on his word. He gets everything he wants. Always." She said with a tinge of nostalgia.
"I don't know what you two had talked about but you shouldn't worry. He will never harm his daughter, be it out of fatherly love or just interest."
Ophelia flinched as Rabastan finished his sentence. He didn't know how Tom was as a father nor how manipulative he could get. She couldn't help but remember her latest discussion with the cold-hearted snake and it still gave her chills.
She was in her seat by the chimney, a snake crawling through her legs as if it was a mere cat asking to be pet.
"Don't be afraid of her, Ophelia. Embrace her instead."
"Maybe later," she answered quickly, feeling like she just might pull her legs up in order to feel safe. "But why do you enjoy this particular snake so much? What's so special about it?"
Tom's eye glinted in the dim light coming from the sizzling fire. He was paler than ever but he looked content. His whole appearance was sickly but he seemed healthy at the same time. She hardly saw him eat or sleep and he lost a lot of weight since Christmas and yet he was moving around as if the world was in his palm.
"Nagini, come to me," he whispered with a smirk. The snake looked at Ophelia before she complied and moved to her master's side silently. He caressed her head with more care than he showed to any other being and he sighed in contempt. "There are so many layers to a living and breathing creature. Nagini is not different from you and me, she is alone in the world and she witnessed the fragility of the human life. She was hurt, deceived and abandoned and hatred is what brought her to me. Hatred that only I can understand." He spoke so calmly and with warmth that Ophelia had never heard before. It was so genuine, his soft spot for his pet.
"I guess I understand. The connection between a human being and a creature that cannot speak and yet finds a way to comfort you. I felt that when I first saw Willard, my owl. He was so lonely, so sick of humans and their antics. He wanted freedom, he wanted to receive something for his work. He seemed so human...so wise and so-" she stopped because her owl's image changed slowly into Dylis before it mashed up and a grim face rose, surprising her.
Tom narrowed his eyes as he watched her carefully. He didn't need to use legilimency in order to know that her thoughts took a sudden turn and she figured something out. It must have been buried deep within because she relaxed and looked straight into the fire, the side of her face looking so much like his.
"Do you know why I train you so hard, Ophelia?" he asked, waking her from the reverie.
"Because we come from an old family of wizards. Our magic is ancient and strong and we cannot disappoint our ancestors." she answered remembering the exact words he used so many years ago. It came very natural for her since he had planted that idea so well in her mind.
"We are the last inheritors of Salazar Slytherin. Our magic is above what the rest can imagine and we have to stick together. None can live without the other, that will never change."
"You are my father. I cannot really go against you." she said in a matter-of-fact tone. He raised an eyebrow and leaned towards her, the light shining on his face making him look really beautiful. Even she was shocked how young and sinister he could look some times.
"You see, my daughter, our blood is very precious. Our talents are numerous and significantly more polished than other pure blooded families'. We do not need anyone but each other. We have to make sure none of us will ever succumb to death." He saw the interest in her eyes and continued, "I am planning to make us immortal."
"That's impossible. We cannot control life and death, that would make us monsters. We don't have any right to-"
"But we do," he interrupted in the same suave tone yet obviously stricter. "I want to give you a part of my soul. That way I will never die and I will keep you alive as well."
Ophelia's eyes widened as the information sunk in. It was insane and yet her father was so nonchalant about it. He must have thought about it for a long time because he looked like he could do it then and there.
"I- well, this is...I wasn't expecting this," she could hardly think clearly about such a plan. But Tom was serious and he wanted it fiercely because his eyes were shining just like a kid's in the sweets shop. "How would that even work?"
"A wizard can split his soul into an acceptable number of parts. I already chose my vessels and since my blood runs through your veins -Slytherin's blood run through your veins- it's normal to choose you as well. You are a part of me and I want us to live forever."
If only the person across her was someone else, she might have answered on the spot but Tom was not just some wizard.
"Rabastan...what would you do if someone gave you the opportunity to become immortal?" She asked already knowing what his answer was.
"I'd consider it." Just as imagined. It was so fast too, he didn't think about it much but went with his gut.
"And what would you do with so much time? Wouldn't you get bored?"
Rabastan chuckled to himself and wrapped an arm around her. He pulled her to his chest and felt her lay her head against his. It was such a good feeling for both of them so Rabastan decided not to ruin it by saying the wrong thing.
That was really their last lovely moment before Rabastan became busy. They would only see each other at breakfast and even that was for a brief glimpse. Rabastan would either leave with Rodolphus or with another Death Eater. Now that she was thinking about it, she never saw the Nott or the Mulciber families around the house; only Bellatrix was an outsider and Narcissa when she had to come and have a chat with her sister.
It was already Friday when Bellatrix announced that she had better things to do than punish her, which meant a lot coming from somebody who's enjoyment for the past two months was torturing her.
"Nothing to do, nothing to-" she was already in her room when she heard knocking on her window. She opened it quickly and the owl dropped three letters in her hand before he flew on her dresser.
The first letter was from Lucius Malfoy, to her surprise. She hadn't heard from him since the end of the fourth year and she was curious just what her father made him do. It was quite short, really. The next was from Severus, she could figure his handwriting out from one word alone. And the third was from her best friend, or so it said. From the looks of it, a Gryffindor was involved.
"Miss Ophelia Molley, I am glad to inform you that you have been invited to the pre-Hogwarts party. You can bring a friend along but it is preferable not to, especially if it is an annoying twat. With that said, I do hope we will see each other at the party. The address is...Bolg's Head/Grim's Hollow?" She was confused.
"It's a pub outside Nottingham," Lucius' voice came out of nowhere, making her jump in surprise. "Students meet there some times for a drink. Muggles and wizards alike,which is why it has two names. You won't see many Slytherins there."
"How do you do that? How can you just appear every time I have a question?" She asked half irritated with his sneaky attitude. He only chuckled and looked really smug.
"I wrote to you that I will come over tonight in order to get you to another party, one that is more proper for a pureblood." He said, his grey eyes falling on the letters on her lap before he looked up at the scowling owl. "I guess it came later than expected. I sent it a week ago with your own owl."
"My owl is untrustworthy. Who knows where he was and what he's been doing." Both turned to Willy with frowns. "Anyway, what is your party about? Drinking tea, eating biscuits and praising the Dark Lord?" She asked sarcastically but Lucius seemed genuinely taken aback.
"Actually...yes. But we do discuss other topics like how to be a Death Eater, how to grow our knowledge of the dark arts, gossiping."
"You lost me at Death Eater. I think I'll stay home tonight." She replied turning her back to the blond.
"If you don't come tonight, you won't be allowed to go to Bolg's Head tomorrow." He threatened even if her reaction was not of someone who took it seriously.
"That's not very nice of you, Lucius. It's called blackmail."
"I call it an acceptable bargain. Besides, I think you will enjoy it. The party's at Nott this year." He was aware of her messing with Nott, a hobby she quite enjoyed and it proved to be quite rewarding.
"Well, I cannot disappoint my secret admirer by not coming now, can I?" she sounded so much like her father that it sent a chill down his spine.
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