burned but not buried.

 “ 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚋𝚎𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍, 𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚢 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚞𝚜𝚎𝚏𝚞𝚕, 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚕𝚊𝚣𝚢, 𝚏𝚊𝚞𝚕𝚝𝚢 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚖𝚒𝚜𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚎. ” ( 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚛𝚘𝚍𝚘𝚕𝚙𝚑𝚞𝚜 )

it was clear that she relished the opportunity to spit something mean back at him. as her expression darkened, she might have been bella’s twin. nevermind that what he said was potentially hurtful. nothing rodolphus could say to her would ever matter enough to seriously wound her, she decided. 

“ and despite your noble upbringing, you are still an ugly, insufferable brute. ”  replied his sister-in-law, “ i wouldn’t be giving out criticism if i were you. not when you’ve got a face like yours, and a demeanor so foul. ” 

she examined her manicure as she spoke, only glancing up at him when she finished so to gauge his reaction. her temper was restrained ( for now ) but in the absence of others she might easily forget herself.

ORCHID ---  You are stubborn and you know it. Self aware and hard to impress, you have a close circle of friends and like it that way. You are beautifully unique, with interests that span far and wide. Likely the dark horse of the family, you've always felt misunderstood. You are a creature of habit and avoid change if possible. You are a selfless and giving lover, seeing your partner as the light of your life. Those who are lucky enough to get to know you, would do anything to keep you within their lives. You are unapologetically yourself and value others who are the same. But sometimes, you miss out on opportunities due to your stubbornness and perhaps feel like life is passing you by. Don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone my love, everyone you encounter there will find you just as exquisite as you always hoped to be.

tagged by: @marblecarved

                                                                           The audacity of the girl! 

         Teeth gritted harshly against one another as the matriarch witnessed the wave of words fall from her niece’s lips. Walburga would have never spoken out of turn like that against her elders, her betters, at that age. Yet - here was her youngest brother’s middle daughter, speaking with all of the freedom she thought she had any right to!

        Chin raised, back straightened. She wasn’t tall by any means, but it had never mattered. Walburga Black managed to capture the room with her dominance alone. “How dare you speak this way to me, girl?” this time, her voice was surprisingly low for someone known for their terrible tirades. “How dare you think to interfere in how I raise MY sons. Since when are you an expert, hm, Andromeda? In raising children?” A step closer — a raised brow that challenged the other to speak against her. 

        “Do you propose I leave him be? Run rampant without a guiding hand to lead him back to the right path? My son will do as I say, and I suggest you keep my parenting out of your business.” This had been mild for Walburga’s usual doing, if only because she wanted to give her niece the chance to amend.

she might have been brave enough to hold her ground against the onslaught of anger from her dear auntie, but she could not control the shudder that shook her frame. walburga black had a way of undermining any bit of independence, any notion of free thought, that andromeda had. when distanced from her, it was easy to laugh at the woman’s ridiculous fanaticism, but in her presence... 

“ are you the expert then? ” asked the other, “ on raising children? i suppose i wouldn’t know that, would i? seeing as you didn’t raise me. but that’s besides the point, isn’t it?

though married and grown, andy felt scarcely older than the child she was defending. sirius was just a teenager, still suffocating under the fist of toujours pur. and he, unlike his favorite cousin, already knew better than to submit to the whims of family. andromeda had not learned that lesson quickly enough. it was too late for her, but not for him. so with that thought in mind, she did not cower from her aunt. 

Oh if he doesn’t flatter himself then who will? It’s a tough job but somebody has to do it.

“Then I suppose imagining me chasing you for the rest of eternity is too much for you to handle?” The harsher she is, the softer he grows. Oh! He’s as squishable as a marshmallow. “How I wish you would keep me—Miss Andromeda, during our time apart, I’ll savor the memory of the laugh that fell from your lips.” So cruel! So honest! So beautiful! Howl bowls again, even lower, his forehead almost touches his shins, “I’ll win the next challenge in your name, sweet rose.”

flabbergasted is a good way to describe andy. horrified is a good adjective, too. this better not be a regular occurance. she’s regretting ever introducing herself to him. perhaps this is what she gets for seeking gossip about the foreign prat. do all beauxbaton boys behave like this? while any other girl might desperately wish to be the object of pendragon’s affections, andromeda would swap places with them in an instant. the thrill of being found desirable is not worth the embarrassment of his charms. and now he’s bowing again! she glances around nervously.

“What a lovely shade. The color of roses." Just as he said. "A good ruler is not always benevolent.” As she might have noticed, Howl enjoys a little roughhousing. A little mistreatment. Degradement. Especially from beautiful women. 

“But since you find such a title so abhorrent, oh Ruler of Men, I’ll keep the responsibility for now.” Ohhhh, look at that dreamy smile. That wink. “Until you find it suitable.” Heheh. He pats his breast pocket as if that was where he was keeping his heart (he left it in the fireplace), “Yes, it’s quite a wonderful house. I quite think I would have been sorted there had I chosen to come here.”

He repeats her name delicately, as if he were handling the most sacred of flames, “Andromeda.” Ah! It rings bells in his ears, “A fitting title for the future ruler of my heart.” Heh. He holds his hand over his chest, bows to her again. Waist deep. “Howl Pendragon, but you already knew that.” His real name is Howell, but she doesn’t need to know that, 

“I’m afraid I’m not acquainted with your house.” Why would he be? The Beaubatons students are seated with the Ravenclaws, and quite frankly, he doesn’t give a damn.

Her recoil does nothing to dull his smile, if anything it fuels it. 

“Your name? I’ve not yet had the fortune of becoming acquainted with it.” Ah, must be a nobleblood, then. They’re always so uptight about these things, Howl thinks it’s silly. “Such a vision you are, I almost care not to hear it. A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Oh he’s educated. And legit has zero idea who the fuck this witch is. “I only need to know the softness of your skin and the fire in your eyes." 

Oh! What is that sound? The pitter pattering of his heart against his ribcage like a mallet on a drum? Yes. The sound of love. Cleary.

Howl dips back up, smiling brightly as if she had just told him he both won the lottery and her heart, “An honest word from your lips is worth more than any wonder I could find back in France, my lady.” He doesn’t miss a beat. "If I should return anytime soon, I would rather it be with your favor.“ His eyes are sparkling. He’s smitten. "Would you enjoy an afternoon of demeaning me in Hogsmeade, by chance?”

Under-impressed? Did she not see how he handled that dragon? Well it was less handled and more spoke to the dragon. Ended things peacefully, as they should be ended. 

“The honor is mine, miss.” His bow is flourishing and dramatic, as if everything in his life was meant to be played out for entertainment, “I feel more than welcome when divine creatures such as yourself approach me with conversation.” If she allows him, he’ll kiss her hand. What a ham. “Beauxbatons has many wonderous things, but only Hogwarts has you.” Smooth.