JULIET {remus lupin}

FOURTEEN

Persephone Parkinson stood wringing her hands anxiously in the courtyard of Hogwarts, as Caius Avery paced back and forth, apparently thinking of what to say. Several times, he gestured with his hands and went to speak but stopped himself. The witch knew what he was thinking, and she was only thankful that he was giving her all this time to think of an excuse.

"This year, Persephone, I have become more and more concerned about our... arrangement."

"Engagement," she corrected sharply.

The boy smirked, "you didn't disappoint me at all, last year. Which is why I agreed to unofficially begin our arrangement, however, as it has become official this year, you appear to be becoming increasingly... reckless."

"I'm sorry you feel that way, Caius-"

"Don't interrupt me," he spat, willing her to back down. "You know, Persephone, that your family is utterly in the hands of mine."

The witch swallowed, she hated being reminded of the dire situation which her family was in. Although they had the blood and status, their funds were significantly lacking. Only the Avery's knew, and her mother had warned her that should anyone else find out- Juliet or Ophelia in particular- the Parkinson family would be ruined. She knew that her marriage to Caius was their last chance, with no siblings she was who they were counting on.

"I know, Caius."

"And, all I need to do is tell everyone about your unfortunate situation. Your family's reputation would be ruined and my parents would release me from this engagement."

"Why haven't you already done that, then?" She snapped. "You love Priscilla, as you told me, why not free yourself?"

Caius laughed, "this engagement does in fact benefit me, Persephone. I'll inherit a lot of money from my father when I marry a woman who pleases him, and Priscilla is more of a nobody than you are-"

"Both of us are sacred twenty eight," she hissed, suddenly feeling like she ought to protect the witch that Caius claimed to love.

He laughed again, "so what? The Nott's are broke, and one of their cousins ran off with a mudblood. At least I know your family is devoted to the Dark Lord."

Persephone swallowed, she wasn't used to such open talk.

"I don't believe you," she said shakily. "I think that you wouldn't expose my family like that."

Avery rolled his eyes, "don't mistake this for care, Parkinson, if you continue to embarrass me-" he spotted Regulus Black making his way up from the quidditch pitch and smirked, recognising an opportunity to prove his seriousness to his fiancee. "Regulus."

The boy strolled over and stared at Avery expectantly.

"The Parkinsons are broke, no money left at all. They rely on us. Don't tell anyone this unless I say to."

Regulus smirked at Persephone and then nodded at Avery, before walking away slowly.

"You git-"

"See how fucking serious I am?" 

"I haven't even done anything."

The boy scoffed, "no, of course not. You constantly show me up in potions-"

Persephone couldn't help but laugh, "is your ego really that fucking tender-"

"Shut up," he snarled. "At Juliet's party-"

"I was drunk."

"Which is why I chose to forgive it. But today? You were with Sirius Black."