Recollection

Twelve

TW: Bullying, violence, blood, gore

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Eliza's POV

Eliza shifted awkwardly atop Ambrose's lap as Hector Fawley vaunted to their group about how the Minister of Magic had come to dinner at his family's estate over the summer. A story he had already told a tenfold of times in the few days they've been back at Hogwarts yet continued to boast about as if he had something to prove in order to stay in Ambrose's inner circle. Ambrose was particular about the company he kept and had no problem cutting ties when a relationship no longer served him. Hector did in fact have to prove himself to remain amongst Ambrose's ranks. Although he was from a pureblood family, they were not as wealthy as the other families of noble lineage. It was only after Hector's older brother Thomas began to climb the ranks of the Ministry when Ambrose had invited him to sit with them at the end of the previous year. Of course it was odd to see an eagle sitting in a sea of snakes, but when Ambrose extended an invitation it was not wise to decline.

Their circle was elite and aside from Hector, screamed of generational wealth and power. Also being from notable pureblood houses, they were at the top of the food chain in their school's social environment. They thrived off intimidation and fed off fear of those they deemed beneath their status. Spencer Rosier, Holden Avery, Benjamin Greengrass, Amon Dolohov, Kathleen Selwyn, Holly Parkinson, Grace Pinch-Smedley, and Violet Mcdowell in addition to Lilith and Amara had all been family friends long before their days at Hogwarts even began. In this sense Eliza had been the odd one out as she only had met them when she began as a fifth year. Though she was already tied to Ambrose through the marriage contract she felt the need to make an extra effort to prove she belonged, that she was one of them.

Lilith however has grown distant over the past few days and seemed to be keeping her distance from the rest of the group. After her stunt in potions of not saving Eliza a seat, the two girls had an argument which resulted in giving each other the cold shoulder. They had always sat together in class during the previous year which made Eliza question why Lilith had been acting so indifferent towards her. Eliza was worried about her and didn't want to see her become ostracized from the group. It had always been the three of them Lilith, Amara, and Eliza but just within the past week they seemed to have drifted miles apart. Eliza couldn't help but wonder if Lilith was feeling left out now that she and Amara were going to become sisters once she married Ambrose. Maybe if Eliza could reassure her that nothing would ever come between their friendship then everything could go back to normal. It was their last year afterall, before they'd all be married off and start families of their own. She didn't want to waste the limited time they had over petty arguments.

Eliza's cheeks flushed as Ambrose gripped her waist to still her from fidgeting. It wasn't that his lap itself was uncomfortable, it was more so how many eyes were on them in what felt like a way too intimate position on public display. They were seated in their usual spot on the west side of the transfiguration courtyard where their group often hungout between classes and before meals when they weren't in the common room. She would have preferred to occupy the space next to him on the bench, however he didn't even hesitate to pull her onto his lap as soon as he sat down.

Ambrose listened intently as Hector droned on about the topics discussed during the dinner party with the Minister. Eliza couldn't have cared less as if the Minister hadn't dined with most of the families in their group but she did well to hide her boredom. Since Ambrose appeared intrigued she needed to as well. It was important to her that his interests became hers. She took note of everything, his favorite foods, beverages, hobbies, and subjects even and adopted them as her own. Even now the group they sat in had all been his friends first.