Saudade

Chapter 16 Cordelia's Shop Ophelia

Every Christmas Eve, all of the prestige wizarding families gather together to celebrate Yule. Ophelia and Draco had always been barred from attending the party but this year they were able. Ophelia would have been excited to finally attend, she always envies the way her mother dressed for occasion. But she wasn't excited, she wanted to stay home, stay in her room by herself. But this year it was hosted by Blaise's family, so of course Ophelia had to be there.

"Mum!" Ophelia called, entering the large bedroom of her parents.

She stopped spotting a house-self she'd never seen before.

"Who is this?" Ophelia asked.

He had a nose that resembled a bulbous snout, with bloodshot eyes that gazed at Ophelia in admiration. His face had numerous folds of skin, and white hair sprouted from his ears, resembling those of a bat.

"Kreacher," her mother says. "You met him when you were a baby. Do you remember, Kreacher?"

"Yes, Mistress, Kreacher remembers the young mistress very well," the small creature said bowing.

"Go on then, Kreacher," Narcissa ordered.

"Yes, Mistress," Kreacher said, bowing once again before he popped away.

"Is he a new house-elf?" Ophelia asked.

"No, don't mind him," her mother said, waving her off. "What is that you wanted, dear?"

"Oh, that's right, is father around?" Ophelia said, glancing around.

"He's off doing business," her mother said turning to the mirror and checking her makeup. "He'll be back before we leave."

"Good. I wanted to ask you about how you and father--"

"Is that what you're wearing?" her mother remarked, her voice dripping with disdain.

Ophelia glanced down at her vibrant sweater vest and sleek black pants. "Um, yeah?" she replied, slightly taken aback by her mother's judgment.

"Sweetheart, this will be your first Christmas party, don't you want to wear something more... reasonable?"

Ophelia's gaze lingered on her mother, contemplating her words. While she understood her mother's perspective, Ophelia simply wasn't feeling the desire to wear anything other than pants at that moment.

"I'm wearing heels," she stated, motioning down to the black three-inch heels she always wears.

Her mother shot her a disapproving look before resuming her makeup routine. "If that's what you wanna wear, fine," she said, using the same manipulative tone she used with Ophelia's father. He always gave in and dressed as she pleased. But that tone grated on Ophelia's nerves more than anything. It made her feel insecure. For a moment, she considered changing into a dress or skirt, but her anger overwhelmed her, and without uttering another word, Ophelia stormed back to her room.

"Ophelia, darling! How are you?" greeted happily, pulling her into a hug. Ophelia always found Blaise's mother warm and inviting. She never had a bad thing to say about Alodia even if it had been rumored she poisoned her late husbands. Ophelia didn't care, Alodia was the kindest woman she ever met.

"I'm doing well," Ophelia grinned.

"Blaise is inside mingling, I'm sure he needs you two to break him free," Alodia whispered, motioning for Ophelia and Draco to head inside.

Even though Alodia has more money than any of the wizarding families, she never flaunted it... not in an obnoxious way at least. Her winter home wasn't small but it wasn't big either considering her main home which was just as big as Ophelia's own home. But out of the many homes Alodia owns, this one was by far Ophelia's favorite.