There are two types of people: those who would kill for love and those who would die for it. And they usually end up attracted to each other. • {slow burn friends to lovers, arranged marriage, morally grey characters, fluff and angst, happy ending}
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October 3rd, 1891
"What do you think? Does it look distinguishably elegant enough, like the invitation requested?" I asked Natty as I stood before the full-length mirror in our dormitory, nervously twirling on my dress for the hundredth time.
"Carolyn, you look perfectly fine! Stunning! Please calm down your nerves, you will be late!" Natty said in her most reassuring way, but I also sensed that she was already fed up with my self-consciousness.
I was wearing one of the evening gowns I purchased last summer during one of our visits to London. It was insanely difficult not to go bankrupt when I sifted through the racks that day. The fabrics, the cuts, the details, whispering promises of memorable evenings. Dresses. They made my heart pound.
I had chosen a long piece in satin, in a shimmering dark red tone. A cascade of delicate layers of black lace starting at the high neck framed the V-pointed bodice, with a trail of black velvet-covered buttons closing up on the front. The fitted cuffs had the same fine finish in black lace, and the hemline was trimmed with a black taffeta ruffle. I was in love with it.
"I don't know, Natty, I wonder if those people will be wearing something more... puffy." I bit the inside of my lip with uncertainty. I fidgeted with the loose strands of my hair - I was wearing it down for the first time in a while.
Natty rolled her eyes. "Those people might as well wear the puffiest sleeves the wizardkind has ever seen, for all I care. I also have the impression that they only wear black or green for some reason... But you look just perfect. Now please, go before my patience is permanently depleted!" She cackled, and I laughed along.
"Carolyn! Just go!" Natty pushed me to the dormitory door, our eyes tearing up from laughing so hard. Catching her breath again, her expression was now more serious. "Now, do have in mind that those people are... cunning. And by that, I mean manipulative. This is how they remain influential and powerful. But I know you can take care of yourself." She winked.
*****
Ominis and Sebastian were already at the Undercroft waiting for me when I arrived. Acknowledging my presence, they stood up from the armchairs and came to my direction.
"Carolyn..." Sebastian's eyes met mine.
His lips softly parted as his gaze travelled up and down to the sight of me. I don't blame him, I was ogling him with the same intensity.
"You look- Your hair, you are... wearing it down." He cleared his throat, adjusting his tie. "Your hair, I mean, is very long. I didn't know. And you're red- I mean, your dress is red. It is a nice colour." He scratched the back of his neck and looked down, but finally managed to let out a charming smile.
"Thank you, Sebastian. You don't look so bad yourself." I blushed as I attempted to state it in the most casual way possible.
The sight of him was refreshing, to say the least.
He had combed his hair back, though a few rebel strands persisted in falling on his forehead. He was wearing a black suit with a dark tartan vest and a matching brown tie.
"I don't think I have ever seen you wearing anything that was not... green. You look elegant, Sebastian." That was all I managed to add.
Then, I looked at Ominis. Unsurprisingly, he was wearing green: a dark forest-green suit, with all-black shirt, vest and tie. He just looked expensive.
His arms were crossed in front of his body, highlighting the toned body beneath way too much. His usual hunching posture was nowhere to be seen - instead, he stood tall with his shoulders back, his head lightly held high.
"You are too quiet, Carolyn. Now stop staring at me, you will have plenty of opportunities to do that for the rest of the evening if you wish to. But we need to get going." Ominis darted at me.
I felt my face burning hot. "How do you-"
"You would be surprised by how much I can perceive my surroundings without actually seeing." He said with an unbothered face.
Though Ominis looked indifferent, Sebastian was frowning as his eyes darted between Ominis and me. "She was not looking at you, old bat," he laughed sarcastically. "She was admiring the looks of me, the actual handsome friend."
"Whatever you wish to believe, Sebastian." Ominis sighed impatiently.
"Boys, so, where do we go from here?" I interrupted the bickering. "Are we taking a carriage outside? Though I do have the slightest trauma of those, I don't think that flying on a broom would be appropriate with this attire," I commented, remembering my first-ever carriage ride being interrupted by a dragon and a man being killed.
"Carolyn, don't worry. I will apparate us from here." Sebastian explained.
"Apparate? How is that possible? Hogwarts has all these security spells in place," I replied, confused.
"You see, Carolyn, for centuries, the school faculty has indeed done a brilliant job in protecting each corner of the mapped castle. But as you know, the Undercroft is not a mapped location of the castle." Ominis smirked proudly.
"Well, aren't you two always full of surprises?" I responded as I stood between them, holding one hand from each. "Should I be nervous? I don't think I ever apparated before."
"You haven't? I am honoured to be your first, then." Sebastian grinned.
"You will be alright, Carolyn. You will feel disturbingly disorientated, and when you can't bear it any longer, you will suddenly be at your destination." Ominis squeezed my hand reassuringly, though his words were the complete opposite.
