Lexi Layyer my only weakness*hp fanfic*

Arranged

“I’ve decided to involve you in an arranged marriage.”

I swear, someone could have lived off all the heartbeats I missed as I stared for what seemed like an eternity into the empty eyes of Voldemort, my – God, I’d never get used to the idea of calling him my father. Still, letting that sink in seemed easier when compared to the newest bombshell he’d just thrown at me.

My lip quivered as the words rung in my ears over and over and over. Arranged marriage arranged marriage arranged marriage arranged marriage

Don’t cry, I ordered myself at once. He’s waiting for you to cry. Don’t do it.

Arranged marriage arranged marriage arranged marriage arranged marriage

My head stumbled over those words as I tried to make sense of them. Arranged marriage? How? When? Why?

Who?

I didn’t have the heart to ask whether it was Draco I was supposed to be marrying. The way he’d said the word “marriage” with such relish let me know that he hadn’t organized it as some “congratulations for being my daughter” wonderful surprise present for me. No, this was a plan that had some other motive besides my own happiness, I knew that much.

…Of course, I know that the idea of marrying Draco right now was ridiculous, and getting married wasn’t something I’d pictured doing until I was way older, but… if I could choose anyone, it would be him, you know? A million times over.

But no. Voldemort didn’t have the heart for something like that. Then again, I was beginning to wonder if he had a heart at all; his only motive for life seemed to create a car-crash out of every life around him, and I was exactly the same – daughter or not.

You know, in that moment, I was suddenly overwhelmed with a desperate desire to see my Mum. I’d barely had time to miss her over the last couple of weeks, and I’d been reminding myself that she had Callum, that they were both safe, and that that was enough – but I needed her. I needed one of her hugs. I needed her here.

Oh my god, Mum, I thought suddenly, knowing she’d never hear my telepathic cry out for help but unable to stop hoping all the same. I’m getting married. I wish you were here. I wish you knew how much I loved you. I wondered if she even thought I was alive anymore, or if she’d given up searching for me. Despite the fact I’d grown up bitter that she obviously favored my brother, I found myself aching with love for her.

Don’t cry, Lola. Don’t show any emotion at all. Don’t let him think he has any power over you.

It took everything I had, but when I finally spoke I fought to keep my tone even. Murmurings had broken out between the Death Eaters after Voldemort had made his ‘big announcement’ as they sat at the table that bridged the long, long gap between me and my father. Me standing at one end, him at the other. Staring each other down.

I threw him what I hoped was a look of admirable defiance. Head held high, expression composed. Don’t cry, Lola. “There’s no point asking who it’s with, I suppose?” I said, my voice so casual I could have been asking him if he knew tomorrow’s weather forecast.

Voldemort looked at me a long while. I could tell he was analyzing my expression profusely, just waiting for it to crack with emotion. Well, I wasn’t going to give him that kind of satisfaction. I couldn’t. Don’t cry…

And then suddenly, he was smiling. Laughing, even. The Death Eaters all quickly joined in just because none of them seem capable of having a thought of their own, tittering at me like I was just some huge big joke. Which to be honest my life probably is at the moment. What has everything come to?