An unlikely pair

14

After Valentina’s stunt at dinner, we were sent to our rooms while Lord and Lady Black no doubt went to Floo-call my parents to ask for the wand match—whatever the fuck that is.

"My room," Narcissa whispered as the four of us made our way up the stairs. Then, to my absolute dismay, she added, "You are very much invited, Valentina."

Of course, she is.

I did want to know if a wand match was an actual thing, but I'd rather figure it out myself than sit through another one of the spoiled princess’s lectures.

She’d take any excuse to prove she’s smarter than the rest of us, and I’d rather die than give her that satisfaction.

Narcissa’s room was pristine, as always. The fireplace burned low, casting soft golden light over the pale blue and silver decor, and not a single book or hairpin was out of place. It smelled faintly of lavender and old parchment—Cissy’s idea of comfort. I flopped into the armchair by the fire while Andromeda perched primly on the edge of the settee, arms crossed.

Valentina walked in like she owned the place, of course. She didn’t bother waiting for an invitation to sit, just strolled over to the chaise lounge by the window and draped herself over it like she was some bloody French aristocrat.

I scowled. “You’re awfully comfortable for someone who isn’t even a Black.”

She smirked, resting her chin on her hand. “You're right, I'm not a Black. I'm a Lafenier, we rank higher on the food chain."

“Bite me.”, I said, rolling my eyes at her.

“Oh, Trixie.” She gave me a look so condescending it made my teeth grind. “You’re not mad about dinner, are you?”

I wasn’t, not really. I’d seen worse at these formal gatherings, and Valentina’s little display had been more entertaining than half the evening’s conversation. But that didn’t mean I was about to admit it.

“I just don’t see why you insist on being such a—”

“A what?” She leaned forward, eyes gleaming.

I waved a hand, searching for the right word. “Fucking menace.”

Andromeda sighed heavily, rubbing her temples like she was already exhausted with both of us. Narcissa, in contrast, looked perfectly unbothered as she sank onto the settee beside Andromeda, smoothing out her skirts.

“Can we focus?” she said, tone clipped. “I want to know about this wand match, and since none of us are sneaking into the study to listen in on our parents, we might as well start here.” She turned to Valentina. “You know something, don’t you?”

Valentina’s smirk widened. “Maybe.”

I groaned. “Of course you do.”

She tilted her head, watching me like a cat playing with its food. “What’s the matter, Bell? Afraid you’ll owe me if I tell you?”

I scoffed. “I don’t owe you shit.”

“Then you won’t mind listening.”

She was enjoying this too much. I could see it in the way she stretched out her legs, completely at ease while the rest of us were tense with curiosity. And that was the worst part—she was right, and she knew it.

I hated that.

“Fine,” I muttered, slouching deeper into the chair. “Let’s hear it, then.”

Valentina’s smile was infuriatingly victorious. “Gladly.”