The weekend finally arrived, and as I sat in the Great Hall surrounded by my friends, we were deep in conversation about the latest Hogwarts gossip.
"Did you hear about the new Slytherin captain?" Hermione said, her brow furrowing in concern. "Apparently, he's been making some pretty questionable decisions during practice. A few players are thinking of quitting."
"Yeah, and I overheard some Gryffindors saying they caught him sneaking around the Quidditch pitch at night," Ron chimed in, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Something about trying to get a peek at our strategies!"
Just as we were joking about whether he was trying to steal our plays or just impress some girls, I spotted Ares striding straight toward us. My heart raced—at first, I hoped this was my chance to apologize after weeks of silence, but the rigidness in his posture and the storm brewing in his eyes told me otherwise. He stood before me, chin held high.
"Mother and Father are expecting you tonight," he said, his voice clipped, as if he were delivering an order.
"Listen, Ares, I am so—"
Before I could finish, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the Great Hall, leaving my words hanging in the air like a broken promise.
"Is he still mad at you?" Hermione asked, concern etched on her face, her brow furrowing deeper.
"Seems like it. I hope we get a chance to talk later," I said, trying to stay optimistic, though my heart sank at the thought of our unresolved conflict.
"Tell me when you need help. I can try to talk to him for you," Ron offered, his tone earnest and reassuring.
"Thank you, but I started the problem, so I'll fix it."
After we finished eating, I decided to head back to my room to pack a few things for the weekend. The anticipation of facing my family filled me with dread. The atmosphere of Hogwarts, buzzing with life and laughter, contrasted sharply with what awaited me at home.
When I arrived at the mansion, the silence was unsettling—no one was waiting for me, which meant I had a brief moment to gather my thoughts. I heard voices coming from the dining room, and after a moment's hesitation, I took a deep breath and made my way there.
"Mother, Father, Ares... glad to be home," I announced, trying to project confidence.
"Alvira, good that you're here now. Sit, please. We need to talk," my mother said, her voice leaving no room for dissent.
"There will be a dinner tomorrow with suitable husbands. I want you to look and behave your best," she continued, fixing me with an intense stare that felt like a spell cast to compel obedience.
"I understand, but why is it such an urgent matter, Mother? I thought I'd finish my degree so I could be the best companion for my husband," I lied, forcing a smile that felt more like a mask than a true expression.
"This is an important time, Alvira. The Dark Lord is finally regaining his strength, and your brother and I just discussed how crucial it is to have allies during this time. We need to secure our role in the inner circle," my father explained.
I glanced at Ares, my heart heavy. "That was your idea?"
He wouldn't meet my gaze, his jaw set tight. "Sometimes young women forget their place in the world as soon as they face a duel."
His words cut deep, sharper than any spell. I had believed he was my ally, that he understood my struggles, but it became painfully clear that I was just a pawn in his game—an inconvenience when I dared to assert myself.
"It's already late. It's best if you head to bed. We don't want you to look tired for your big day tomorrow," my mother said, her tone final.
As I climbed the stairs to my room, my heart ached with a mix of frustration and sadness. The weight of my family's expectations pressed down on me like a heavy cloak. I felt more isolated than ever; Ares had turned his back on me when I needed him most, and my parents' insistence on a suitable husband made me question my own worth.
I entered my room, the familiar decor—a blend of rich fabrics and dark wood—feeling more like a prison than a sanctuary. I sat on my bed, staring out the window at the darkening sky, the first stars beginning to twinkle like distant hopes.
YOU ARE READING
Shadow of Legacy
Fanfic"I'm sorry I couldn't be more for you," Snape whispered, his grip tightening on her hand. Alvira's tears fell freely. "You were everything... everything I needed." He gave a bitter smile, though his eyes held nothing but sorrow. "Not enough." His vo...
