Ortum Infernum [d.m]

Chapter Six

When they arrived at Wiltshire, it was almost six in the evening. Draco assured her that it was fine and that they normally have dinner at a later hour because of his father's work, so she needn't worry at all about being untimely. But as the Malfoy manor rolled into view, Odette fell into a state of nerves.

Draco noticed and gave her a soft kiss on the forehead, rubbing a hand up and down her back in calming circles. "I'll be with you the entire time. I promise."

The Malfoy manor seemed to be in a perpetual state of stillness. She wasn't sure if it was the magic rooted to it or if it was the way everything seemed to be abnormally and immaculately in place. Not even the trees and hedges seemed to rustle in the wind.

They were greeted by Draco's mother once they stepped into the foyer. She was dressed in a velvet black dress with an ivory collar and elaborately jewelled buttons. Her dark hair was done in a half updo, revealing the blonde streaks that were slightly curled inwards at the ends.

Narcissa Malfoy was the exact opposite of her son at first glance.

Appearance-wise, they contrasted each other in every way. Draco inherited his fair hair, light eyes and sharp edges from his Malfoy roots, but upon closer inspection you could clearly see where the Black bloodline prevailed.

They showed up in the straight line of his nose, the sharp cut of his jaw and the effortless elegance in his posture. He got most of his facial structures from his mother. It was easy to tell when they stood side by side. But what surprised Odette the most was the similarities of their mouths.

The moment she saw Narcissa's lips twitched into a half smile, she felt most of the apprehension bleed out from her body at the familiarity of it.

It was Draco's smile.

"Welcome, Odette." Narcissa's voice saying her name almost startled her as she was so lost in thought. Draco gave her a concerned look which caused her to flush even more.

"Thank you for having me, Mrs. Malfoy."

It was hard to keep her voice even when she met the older woman's steady gaze. Her eyes seemed to be looking straight into her soul.

After a moment, Narcissa dropped her gaze from her face to appraise her attire. Odette fought the urge to fidget under her gaze.

"I see you're wearing Draco's gift," a sincere smile tugged at her carefully painted red lips. "It looks stunning on you."

Her cheeks bloomed scarlet. "Thank you, Mrs. Malfoy. The dress is truly breath-taking."

"I would say it's the wearer that brought out the beauty of it," said Narcissa with a slight smirk that mimicked her son's. "You could imagine my surprise when it was delivered. I didn't remember ordering this dress. Who would've thought that Draco was the one who ordered it."

Narcissa flashed an amused look at her son, who appeared chagrined at the teasing.

"Now I can see why," she turned the beguiled smile to Odette who shied away from it.

The interior of the manor house was as elaborately decorated as the exterior. The floor was entirely made of marble and extravagant chandeliers lit up the large space. Antique vases housed enchanted flowers on every fancy table top and the walls were decorated with countless framed paintings that twisted up the winding stairs and spread out along the two opposing corridors—a gallery of the Malfoy ancestry.

They all watched with the same silvery gaze as Odette walked through the grand door.

Narcissa was talking about the weather as she led them towards the dining hall. Odette couldn't help but feel the apprehension sink back into her bones at the silent stares of the Malfoys' dead relatives.