Lacuna

chpt.33

Cordelia and Draco didn't get back till dinner time on Sunday night. They entered the great hall, hand in hand following behind Theo and Blaise. He towered over her.

Cordelia had a black turtle on and had her hair down keeping her hair also covering her neck. She walked to their table and she sat beside Draco keeping quiet.

She stared ahead and she could see the back Hermione's head and her big bushy hair. Ron sat beside her and his bright orange hair shined in the light.

Harry sat across from them and she could see only the top of his head. His scruffy dark hair was a complete mess and she could see the top brim of his glasses.

"Who gave you ring?" Pansy pointed her fork at Cordelias finger. Cordelia turned her head and faced Pansy.

"Draco." She answered her sticking her hand out. Her voice was still scratchy and sounded even worse. Pansy softly took her hand into hers admiring the ring.

"W-why is it on your ring finger?" She asked looking up from the ring.

"We're getting married Parkinson." Draco said poking at his food with a fork. Everyone froze and Adrian choked on his food.

"Hold on mate- you're getting married?" Blaise looked at Cordelia and Draco.

"I know you two have been together for little while but- marriage?" Theo butted in.

"We don't need to hear everyone's two fucking cents." Draco snapped at them. Cordelia jumped at his loud voice and folded her hands in her lap.

"When you know...you know." Cordelia whispered and forced a smile. Their friend group all looked between each other not knowing what to say.

"Don't tell anyone you guys won't be in the wedding." Draco said throwing his fork down standing up from his seat leaving dinner. Cordelia took a deep breath and rested her head in her hand.

"Cordelia..what's up with your voice?" Daphne pointed out.  Cordelia shifted her eyes at her glaring at Daphne.

"Probably from screaming Draco's name all night long back at the manor." Adrian snickered and soon got followed by a high five from Goyle. Cordelia scoffed and took her fork jamming it into Adrians hand.

Adrian winced and everyone's eyes widened at the sight. Blaise and Theo bursted out into laughter at the gesture.

"Next it'll be your fucking balls." She seethed before getting up and leaving dinner as well.

———

Cordelia stood in the shower and the now cold water rained down on her. It rained down on her aching neck as she looked up at the ceiling lamp that stood in the shower.

She sat down and brought her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around them pulling them closer. Cordelia tilted her neck up and closed her eyes taking a deep breath as the cold mist splashed down on her face.

She didn't want to be alive. She had no reason to be alive in the moment. She thought about what she could possibly do to make Draco so mad to where he'd actually murder her. She knows he gets mad very, very easily but she'd have to really get under skin...but he'd hurt Harry.

He'd kill him.

Cordelia snapped open her eyelids and let the water burn her eyes. She closed them once more and put her forehead on her knees and let out a broken cry.

She cried about her parents.

Cried about the marriage.

Cried about Harry.

Her salty tears felt warm on her face. They felt hot. She could've sworn they were steaming.

"Cordelia? Are you in there?" Daphne asked knocking at the door. Cordelia picked up her head and sniffled.

"Yeah?...why?!" She said standing up from the shower floor.

"Do you mind if I come in and grab my brush? I think I left it in there." Daphne asked Cordelia.

"Yeah sure- can you grab me a towel from the shelf outside!" She answered her. She heard rustling and the door opened.

"Merlin Cordelia it's freezing in here." She said throwing the towel on the curtain rack and Cordelia quickly took it and shut off the water.

"No it's not." She answered her opening the shower curtain stepping out adjusting the her towel.

Daphne grabbed her brush and before she left she left her eyes fell on Cordelias neck and nearly missed it. She doubled back frowning with a shocked and worried expression. Cordelia furrowed her eyebrows.

"What?" She asked her. Daphne turned facing her gently touching her own neck. Cordelia quickly covered hers with her hand.

"Who did that to you?" Daphne softened her voice taking slow steps towards her. Cordelia shook her head.

"I uh- no one...nobody- I fell." Cordelia lied to her. Daphne frowned again and gently pulled back Cordelias hand and she allowed her. Daphne gasped at the large blue and purple bruise that wrapped around her neck.

"Who did this?" Daphne asked in a soft voice. Cordelia took a deep breath and looked away.

"Cordelia-"

"Draco." she answered. Daphne pulled her hand away from her neck.

"W-why are you marrying him then!" She awkwardly laughed. "Did he do this because you said no first?"

"No- no he didn't try and kill me because I said no...we've been sort of engaged ....for a while." she lowered her voice and looked in the mirror at the bruise.

"How long is a while? You two haven't been together that long-"

"It's an arranged marriage! We're under a fucking curse, Daphne. No matter how much we hate hate each other- we have to marry or else we'll fucking die." Cordelia shook her head and ran her fingers through her hair.

Daphne was shocked and her mouth gaped.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I'm embarrassed...I'm embarrassed to wear this bloody ring too." She twisted the ring between her fingers.

"Im so sorry." Daphne put a hand on her shoulder. Cordelia exhaled and forced a smile.

"No...it's fine." She shook her head at Daphne. "We'll be okay."

Daphne smiled at her before leaving the bathroom. Cordelia stared at herself in the mirror watching as the water dripped down her forehead.

Cordelia grabbed her clothes and threw them on and put her hair in braids. She let out a shaky breath and leaned over the sink closing her eyes with her mind full.

She left the bathroom and slept a restless night.