⊰ weaponize ⊱

Sterling offered a silent agreement in response. Only Belladonna could make him conform to the skewed fact that letting a pureblood club member go without being hospitalized was in fact an accomplishment. As well as the later part. The fact flew over his head, but she was granting him a few extra years on his life. 

Little quiet moments between them were scarce now, and every time they happened Belladonna couldn’t help but take comfort in them. Truth was, as cold hearted, manipulative, even as machiavellian she could be  -- morality only a suggestion -- she cared about Sterling. She cared about him, loved him even, because he was really family to her. Belladonna wasn’t sure if he always knew this -- but she certainly hoped he did. “Thank you, I think I would be too. Training’s, well, intense. I don’t think I’d go in for a few more years. I don’t think --- nevermind.” I don’t think I could handle it.  

“It’s a tragedy they haven’t sacked him for numerous reasons, this being only the smallest of his blunders. I swear, my wish that my parents had sent me to Durmstrang triples with every day I spend in this castle.”

“I’ll have to agree with you there, there’s  an ever growing list of reasons with each year -- there are creatures in our year, you know. -- Hm, the Malfoy’s biggest mistake not sending their son to Durmstrang. I will say, it could be worse. At least you’ve not given into the progressive nature of this school.”

In that moment, Sterling’s eyes were forced to open, albeit lazily, meeting Belladonna’s gaze with a telling glance. This wasn’t one of those cases where he shrugged it off, placated her with an empty comment, because this was their final year. Their last chance to bring down the club. If it was the last thing he did, he was going to fucking try. 

For a few moments she could resign to the fact that she knew he would try, that she knew he would at least try to do better -- and it was enough. In this moment it was enough, and he was trying. She could feel him relaxing under her touch and hoped to get him to relax further. “I’m impressed you didn’t. Consider it an accomplishment, maybe? -- He’s first of course, but later, like you said.” 

Belladonna was right. Of course, she was always right. There was no doubt about it. However, not a single fibre of his being felt any form of regret or remorse for being able to make a Purkiss bleed. It wasn’t enough, though. It wasn’t going to be enough until he was a little more careful. 

It was easy for her to understand where his anger stemmed from with the Purkis’, she felt it as well -- but until they were where they needed to be, until their goal was in reach, was finished, the family was frankly, untouchable. “As long as you try, but you’d better try hard.” Her tone went softer then, because she was done being stern with him -- for now. 

your mouth tastes like november the sixth. treason stains your lips, wine-dark and haunting.

Ah, so she’d flattered the queen of inflated egos and Quidditch herself. It was a feat in itself really, especially when Emma came back with a retort that wasn’t just friendly but flirtatious. In a way, it was nice to see her like this, it was nice to know what s t r i n g s she had to pull as well, but seeing Emma just simply smile was such a rare occurrence -- it was an accomplishment. “You’re clever, and maybe it does. But I’m quite distracted by the beauty in front of me now, I think I could forgo ever looking into a mirror again.”

“The probability of the professors not catching scent of the alcohol in this very, terribly low. A spell or a potion could help mask the smell– if you don’t mind?” She spoke, taking a sip from her cup not minding the chance at the experiment.

“Such a clever girl you are, Pandora.” Belladonna crossed her arms inspecting the Ravenclaw and everything else around her. “I don’t mind at all, I’d actually be very interested in seeing you work your m a g i c.”

 —– –– “Yes, I know I’m beautiful,                                      but do you really have to stare?”

-- --- “Unfortunately, I do.                  It’s only in my nature to stare at beautiful places, people, and things,”                  Belladonna quips, a small smile curling on her lips.

“I really shouldn’t be surprised that Dumbledore booked the same tiresome skeleton band for the Halloween Feast again — that poor, senile old man likely forgot we’ve endured them four years in a row.”

“It’s amazing, really. I even offered this year to pay for someone better, but he declined my offer. It’s a tragedy they haven’t sacked him yet if he thinks that’s appropriate music four years in a row.”

Send my character a ★ and I’ll bold everything they feel toward your character.