Avril Drake was your average rich witch. She never had a care in the world. Her life planned out in gold ink. Her final year at Hogwarts starts off like any other year. That is until her engagement is announced. Avril's whole life is thrown for a lo...
As summer slowly bleed into autumn the sky began to weep. Nestled within three hundred acres of woods sat a vast manor. The locals in the town of Derbyshire rarely saw the occupants of the grand estate. But they had a name. Drake. Little did the muggles know the sort of power such a family had. A father and his twin children. All three adorned with honey blonde tresses and enchanting cerulean eyes. Alastair Drake was a direct descendant of Godric Gryffindor. A son lost in time and a daughter as beautiful as the finest rose.
Axel Drake had joined the family at the ripe age of five and ten. Now three years later he was more relaxed in the comforts of luxury. Separated from his twin at birth, Axel had always felt disconnected from the world. As if he was missing something. His mother Alexandra had tried to protect him from this world. His father slowly making his climb in the ministry wanted nothing more than a son. A son she refused to provide.
Summer was fast approaching its end in Derbyshire. The blistering heat was waning into the throws of Autumn cool embrace. Drake Manor's surroundings bathed in red as the leaves lose their green hues. The rose gardens in full bloom, one of the last bouts of the season. The manors most precious flower sat in its very center. Delicate hands hold the stems as her shears snip them away from the plant. The flaxen haired girl lays the roses in a basket.
"Beautiful roses." An icy voice comes from behind her. There was a certain warmth to his voice that made her smile twitch in a knowing smile.
"A shame you can't see them."
"I'm wounded." She can hear him clutch his chest. Avril giggles as she turns to face her unseeing best friend.
"Ominis, what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Your father is hosting tonight. He, my father, Lucius and Antoine are conversing currently." Ominis approaches her, his cloudy eyes a bit off in the distance.
"Antoine?" Avril's brow arches as she stands, her hands brushing at the skirt of her dress. "Are the de Valencenne's here from France?"
"It appears so." He approaches her, his hands held forward. She takes them when he reaches her and gives them a soft, reassuring squeeze.
"What on earth could they be discussing?" Avril scoffs.
"Which son is the highest bidder for your hand." He jokes but in all seriousness it was more than likely. Avril had reached eighteen, the ripe age for marriage. In her station she had no say in who she marries.
"Has my father finally sided with me on not marrying my cousin then?"
"Lucius is still there. That engagement may continue." Avril breathes out a sigh at his words. She despised the thought of marrying her cousin Septimus. He was a cold man, alabaster hair slicked to his skull and piercing gray eyes. He was her mothers nephew. The relation a bit too close for comfort despite it being normal in their circles.
"Hopefully not." Avril sighs softly.
"On the brightside they have determined you won't go to the eldest sons. So that saves you from Marvolo and Laurent." He jokes with a soft chuckle.
"I call that a win." Avril nudges him. She loops her arm with his as they walk the path back towards the manor.
"Sebastian should be attending tonight." Ominis smiles at her, knowing it would cheer her up.
"Really? I haven't heard from him all summer." Avril's eyes find her feet. Ominis stops for a moment in the entrance hall.
"What?"
"Things haven't felt right I guess. Ever since fifth years things have felt... off." She runs a hand through her golden locks. "At first it was small things. Until this summer. He's pulling away."
"Maybe try talking to him. He will come around. He is going through a lot. Anne is deteriorating. He doesn't have much hope left." Ominis tries to get her to understand.
"I understand just fine, Ominis." Avril admits her intrusion into his mind.
"Have I told you how much I hate that?" He lets out a soft chuckle.
"You love it." She teases as they continue into the manor. It felt like an eternity till they had reached her room. She goes to open the door before turning back to him. "I'll see you tonight?"
"Of course." And with that she entered her room, gently closing the door behind herself. She slumps against it, her mind racing at all the events that lay before her. An impending decision on her future she had no say in loomed the most in her subconscious. After a few moments Avril walks to the red dress laid out for her. She slowly peels off her day dress. The warmth from the fireplace caresses her skin as she stands there nude. She glances at the dress again. Red had always been her color. Worn by everyone in her family. A standard. A requirement. Everyone had to know of her lineage. Slowly she begins to dress in the many layers of the fit, her hands slowly lacing her corset. Her father would probably be furious that she dressed herself but Avril was in no mood for servants. Turning to examine herself in the mirror she smiles. She felt radiant.
Making sure everything was in place Avril left her room. Her feet carry her to the ballroom. The sun had set, the manor's halls flickering with candlelight as it danced on the walls. Avril had always loved her ancestral home. She felt safe within its walls. Little did she know it also served as her prison. She was but a little bird, wings clipped. Her cage was locked and she had no way to escape it. She stops briefly at the grand door. Avril inhales sharply. Her future lay before her in a twisted tabloid of fate. Her thread being spun without her consent. She motions for the servants to open the door. They both shuffle to the handles, swinging the door wide. Avril walks to the top of the stairs.
The chatter in the ballroom dies down as her cerulean eyes flick over the crowd which was now eyeing her. She kept searching though. Her heart pounded against its boney prison until it stopped dead when the ocean met the land. She becomes lost in two orbs of pure chocolate. He came... and he was looking right at her.
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