Ravenclaw

Chapter 66- The Married Life

Song for the chapter: What Lovers Do by Maroon 5 featuring SZA

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The view from his father's balcony in England was simply fantastic-- the grassy plains and fields of the Muggle farmers around them looked peaceful, tranquil, as the morning sun shone over them. The hills in the background were paved with dirt roads, and once in a while, a red wagon or a brown carriage would be seen travelling over them, entering or exiting the valley.
The farmers dwelling in the area could only see a large expanse of unkempt field sitting in the middle of their farm, their plains. They knew it was owned by a very rich man, who could buy the entire valley and rob them of their property, but did not do it because he was satisfied, satisfied with this patch of wild growing ferns and grass and whatnot. The farmers leave it be.
But because of cleverly placed enchantments, Salazar could continue watching these farmers carry out their manual labour, suffering from the heat and exhausted because they bore no wand, they bore no signs of magic. For as long as they could see the large expanse of wild grass, they would never be able to see the large manor resting in the middle, with freshly manicured, healthy green grass growing in contrast to the dead brown wild ones the Muggles saw.
"Salazar, quit watching the Muggles labour," a soft voice called from the bedroom.
He turned around, locking his gaze with his wife, Maria, who stood in the doorway of the room. Nobody except Salazar and his mother dared to enter the room of Salazar's father, and it seemed that even after his death, it remained that way.
Salazar moved from his place on the balcony and to the doorway, closing the polished wooden door behind him as he left the room.
Maria hadn't moved throughout this process; she was now as close to Salazar as she wanted to be, physically, not emotionally. She knew that she would have to wait a very long time in order to break down his walls of steel.
"Your mother is calling another meeting." She whispered. Even if they were husband and wife, she still did not dare to look him in the eyes. The sadness that took over him after Helga had left made him different, made him come over to the 'right' side, but it wasn't enough to stop him from going back to that dreaded castle.
"I know," He said, moving past her. "I know, and I was trying to avoid attending the meeting." He sighed, and started down the stairs. Maria stood there, afraid of what her mother-in-law might say of Salazar didn't end up at the dining hall.
"Salazar, please wait." She pleaded.
For the first time, he stopped, listening, hand clutching the banister tightly as he waited on the steps for her to join her. Maria immediately rushed to his side, and together, they walked down the stairs.
"Let's skip the meeting," she said, and Salazar stopped abruptly, turning sharply around to face her. "What? Skip the meeting? You?" He narrowed his eyes at her, and she tried her very best to maintain his gaze, tried very hard to stand up to her husband.
"Yes, me, Salazar." Maria said. Salazar merely walked away, ignoring her once again. Maria rolled her eyes.
"Would you quit that?!" She suddenly yelled, and Salazar was happy that there wasn't anyone in the large, marble foyer. He turned round to stare at his strange wife.
"Would you stop acting as if we're... business partners?! People who are together for show?!" Maria cried exasperatedly. Salazar's stare intensified; Maria took a step closer.
"Maria, we are just for show," he said harshly. "I would never be in this marriage if my mother never interfered. You know that our mothers are in fact business partners, if that's what you could call them." He took a step towards her. "Maria, I will never love you."
His words were like a knife through her heart-- her beating organ clenched and her eyes started to water. It felt like a punch to her gut, and as if she was being choked to say the words. Sure, he may never love her, but the fact that she had already fell deeply in love with him made the truth feel like dying.
"Well, Salazar, I'll have you know that Helga will never love you either." She fired back.
In one swift motion, Salazar had her by her throat, carrying her by her throat as she wriggled and clawed at his strong grasp. Her feet could no longer touch the floor, and she could not scream for help.
'You're lying." He said softly. "You're lying!" He growled. He released her and she dropped to the floor in a heap, wheezing and gasping for air on her knees, dress around her in a mess. Her coughs and chokes filled the empty foyer. With such a large manor, it might be that no one would pass through and witness the little scene.
"You're lying." Salazar gritted his teeth, clenched his fists. Could it be, though, that what Maria said was true?
What if it was? Would he then, be truly alone in this vast world? His mother cared not for his wants and needs, his friends were already semi-upset with him after he abruptly left Rowena and Godric's wedding... could it be that he was already alone?
And this woman before him, he almost killed her for telling the truth. What did he have to lose anyway, if nobody loved him? If nobody loved him, what was so wrong with having someone to lo--
"Are you alright?"
Maria looked up at her husband, shocked to hear such words from him. She nodded her head-- fear of him had returned. Salazar sighed-- this was his last chance, he could not screw it up. He knelt down next to Maria.
"Come here," he said, arms outstretched. Maria timidly came closer, and Salazar sat on the floor, cradling her in the giant foyer. "I'm sorry, m'love."
Maria nodded. She was still recuperating from that little stunt he pulled, but her breathing was already steady. They listened to each other's heartbeat as the clock tower struck three-- the meeting had started.
"I guess we will be skipping that meeting after all," Salazar mused, and Maria laughed. Was this how marriage was like? Fighting, but then making up just like that?
It was quiet again. The foyer was quiet, apart from the slight movements of Salazar rocking back and forth on his bum, Maria swaying with him, lying in his arms. This is what they were supposed to be doing.
Finally, Maria spoke again. "Is it true?" She said. "Is it true, that you would never love me?"
Silence. Salazar was thinking about his reply, wondering whether what he said earlier was true. He spoke again. "No, no. I would love you, eventually." He felt Maria take in a sharp breath. "But it will take time."
Maria relaxed again. It will take time, she repeated in her mind. Time. Time that she may not have, time that could be lost to that wretched, little Hel--
"What about you?" He said abruptly. "Do you love me?"
Maria didn't hesitate to answer him.
"Yes," she said. "Yes, Salazar. I have tried not to interfere, but I... I...."
     "I know I'm irresistible. Quite the charmer, really." Salazar said. Maria wanted to slap him playfully on the knee, but she knew they weren't close enough for her to do so. Well, she could, but then the moment would be ruined, they'd return to cold glares and barely talking.
     The fact that Salazar was talking to her was an achievement— the past two weeks of being married did nothing to help the fact that Salazar hated Maria. She didn't even feel love right then— she only felt slightly less hatred.
Maria decided to break the awkward silence, as well as the precious moment.
"We should probably look as if we were doing something useful," she said. "You know, if they ask us what we were doing, skipping the meeting."
Salazar sighed, before nodding. "You're right. We should."
They both got up from their comfortable position on the floor, Maria straightening out her dress and Salazar readjusting his cravat. When they were both finished, they looked at each other again.
Salazar broke the silence.
"You know, I'm getting quite tired of the 'wreck and havoc' we're planning," he said sadly. "I really don't want to carry out the plan, or have any reason to."
Maria frowned— she knew that whatever Salazar was going through was difficult. After all, how painful is it to threaten and harm the lives of everyone other than the Resistance? The rest of Old Kingdom, his once-lover, his children? It must be tearing him apart, eating him from the inside, knowing that even being here meant agreeing to harming all that he had worked so hard for, all that he had loved.
And for what? For the 'greater good'? For the benefit of all wizard kind? For some sick, lame vengeance and fake monarchy?
"They wouldn't know if your friends get angry at you. Just lie to them. You're quite the natural at pulling off a cold, neutral face." Maria tried, and Salazar chuckled.
"Quite right, you are, my dear, but my mother and you're aunt aren't stupid. They've got spies from the children of the members of the Resistance, and I cannot trust most of the faculty in the school." Salazar sighed. "I am trapped, but at least, I am trapped here with you."
Maria's heart fluttered. Whether that was a compliment or not didn't matter— it made her feel special, and, being married to a semi-emotionless, slightly cold-hearted being such as Salazar, such words could only be bursting with positivity.
Maria smiled. "Well then, it is my pleasure to be your cellmate in this horrifying prison."
Salazar laughed. "And I, yours."
He held his arm out, and Maria eagerly looped her hand through his, and together, they laughed and danced all the way down the corridor, round the large house, talking as if it was just another ordinary day.
If another ordinary day included the preparations for war and possibly, genocide.

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