#ofsplitsouls

            there wasn’t much of a memory for her on how she had gotten to where she was currently standing even though the surroundings were different  ,  but she did know that it had something to do with a time turner  &  someone neglecting it  .  narcissa was subject to the punishment of the device malfunctioning  &  had found herself in what felt like to her was a different time all together  .  out of instinct and muscle memory she had made her way through the corridors of Hogwarts  ,  skirt brushing along her thighs as her cloak moved behind her with how fast and quickly she had been moving  .

     people were staring at her  ,  confusion and curiosity lacing their features ands he couldn't’ help but share the same look with them  .  there were new faces that she hasn’t seen before  ,  ones that she was sure she would remember since she was in her seventh year of school and the robed had the green accents on it and the snake on the school emblem on their chest  .  these were entirely new people  &  there was no way that she would be able to ask them anything  .

    after about an hour of wandering the corridors she had just about given up  &  had found herself in the library  ,  intent on researching about the device that had sent her there and how to undo the effects  .  she had hoped that eventually it would run out and she would be back home  ---  but she was also worried about doing something to cause a ripple and would disrupt the future she was trying to get back to  .  she felt someone's presence  ,  like someone was near her and she had lifted her head a little bit  ,  hearing someone call out the name   Druella  ?   with a questioning tone  ,  she heard feet shuffle away and she had been alone once more  .  

For a brief moment, the only thing Voldemort can feel is the clear wine tumbler in his long-fingered hands, the lights above the grand room reflecting upon the glass in sheer prismatic shards, the wine within the glass kept forever chilled by his magic. And it is his magic that surrounds him, radiating off him in dark, intimidating droves as he took a lazy, graceful sip from his glass, his full lips curving into a pleased smirk as the drink hit him just right.

Voldemort leaned forward to place the glass back onto the table before settling his crimson gaze on Bellatrix. It was not often his followers were bold enough to ask something of him. No, they much preferred to bow their heads in a rightfully subservient fashion, only speaking when spoken to...and Voldemort was content to let them, so long as they knew their place. But he couldn’t deny that it got a bit boring occasionally.

“You make speak freely.”

She stands, her chair scraping the floor behind her. It was a good plan, as far as plans to magically break into castles went. No one would suspect a thing, and it was an opportunity for her nephew to truly shine as he was meant to. "The vanishing cabinet is brilliant, and surely as we have lain the groundwork, the deed will be done and Dumbledore will die. However," a brief pause to let the compliment sink in-- she wouldn't want him to think of her suggestion as a criticism, "as it is, the plan presents us with a unique opportunity, my lord. Hogwarts doesn't just house one of our most sworn enemies, but also children-- including the children of those who would oppose us. Of course, slaying our enemy must be our priority, but secondarily, I feel the trick would be wasted if we didn't use it to our... full advantage."

“So sad how everyone needs an excuse these days,” She muses, an unlit cigarette dangling between her lips as she rests upon her perch. “Honestly, isn’t it more true of humanity to just do things because they can? It’s their nature. Free will dictates anyone is capable of anything given the right motivators.”

Isabelle hops off her perch,  plucking the unlit cigarette and pocketing it once more before smoothing out her jacket. “One could argue the ones that claim to do terrible things for the greater good are worse in their own right,” She muses, “Oh sure, it’s fine to kill if it protects people. It’s fine to torture if the information saves someone... Completely acceptable to ignore when a child’s in danger should we decide that maybe it’s worth the risk if the results are desirable.” She muses, “It’s a wonder how they sleep at all when they hide behind excuses rather than fess up. It’s exactly what their enemy does for a different cause. But they’re so desperate to be different.”

she could have given up ― abandon the competition, and protect her mental faculties, or brew a fantastic potion, at the cost of her sanity.

naturally, she chose the latter, which is exactly how she found herself in the potions classroom at 1 am on a friday night. most students her age either sleep or party at this time, but cornelia? she’s still in her uniform, with her skirt rumpled, her collar unbuttoned, tie loose around her neck and hair dishevelled. she’s a mess, racking her brain to come up with something to impress snape, and, more or less, impress riddle. the boy’s a genius in terms of magic, but there’s something off about him, and up until now, cornelia did her best to avoid him. now she knows she’ll be seeing him more often ― where else can you brew a potion but here?

she straightens her back, stretching her arms to relax the muscles. why must it be so difficult to brew a damn potion? the skin under her eyes begin to darken with every passing minute, and she’s yawning more than she’s working. boredom seeps into her tired brain, and she’s balancing her quill on her index finger before getting up, walking around her desk and sitting back down. music would have helped her, but hogwarts does not allow that, unfortunately.

         “It is tasteless -&& once ingested, it will bind their will to yours-”

                           “It is much more effective than an imperiatus curse,  and much less reversable, but of course...much more noticeable. A type of corruption that is hard to disguise.”

Tom's invitation had come as a surprise. Peach had felt her heart flutter, breath hitching. She convinced herself it was only the nerves of meeting new people, even though she'd never feared walking into a room full of strangers before. The witch had accepted excitedly and without hesitation, a brilliant smile glowing up at him as she ignored the frantic rate of her heartbeat.

She was an ideal guest; polite, kind, eager to engage in conversation with those she didn't know. Peach easily charmed those she interacted with, leaving a lasting and pleasant impression. She did not stray far from Tom; his presence seemed to keep the surrounding chaos at bay, neutralized the intensity of the energy. Perhaps it was the way he held himself apart.

It wasn't easy to notice; something she'd only observed because she found it difficult to take her eyes off of him for too long. He was charming, approachable, but all of him wasn't entirely there. Tom didn't offer all of him; in fact, he gave very little but just enough to satisfy the other person. The witch admired that. He didn't force himself to remain to entertain and offer joy at his own expense. Still, holding himself away and apart, she wondered if it was lonely. Peach did not stray far from his side.

She observed the night with quiet respect and the intent interest of a girl who had been sheltered her entire life. The night was beautiful; it had gotten even better when there was something Peach could recognize, even take part in. Her teeth worried her bottom lip, watching bodies twirl. Letting go to the rhythm of the music, the movement on the floor - Peach loved to dance. She'd danced with her mother before she died, her father too. He didn't dance anymore.

❛ What isn't appealing ? ❜ The witch questioned with a soft laugh. ❛ I love to dance. ❜ She turned to him them, stepped closer and tilted her head up to plead with big blue eyes. ❛ Would you dance with me ? Just a little ? ❜ Peach's head tilted, offering a smile. ❛ One song ? ❜ The witch took Tom's hand in hers, thumb brushing his palm. Her touch was soft, hot - sending bolts of energy running through each nerve. ❛ Oh please ? ❜ She begged, holding herself back from yanking him toward the floor.

Isabelle motions toward the bottle as she comes to a stop not too far from him, "Well first, you're not sharing," She quips lightly, "And I know where Maddox keeps his stash for you lot because we both pay into it." She states matter of factly as her arms cross over her chest in amusement as she takes in the sight of him lounging across the armchair.

Her nose scrunches a little in response to his jaunty little lift of the bottle as she shifts her weight, wondering if he needs cut off for a brief moment before rolling her eyes.

"Ah, yes, how could I forget? There are also the dozens of girls that glare at me and try petty little pranks in the corridors because they think I've been sleeping with their crushes," She rolls her eyes before perching herself on the arm of the sofa not far from him, "I've been watching a couple of them chase after Mads. It's the funniest thing I've ever seen."