Unlikely Companions

Chapter 7 Darkness Within

The man in front of them was tall, thin, and gaunt, with very marked angular features and a long ponytail of platinum blond hair.

"Miss Burke," he said, bowing his head in greeting.

"Mister Malfoy," she said, clenching her teeth. "I didn't think I'd find you here – I thought you considered this establishment to be, what did you call it last time, ah, below your stature."

"I'm just returning from the Ministry," he explained. "I thought about checking my family's apothecary in Diagon Alley."

"I see," she said, clenching her teeth. "Well, if you excuse me, mister Malfoy, I am just returning from a long trip and would like to rest."

"Are you coming back for good? Or are you still insisting on pursuing that so-called 'adventure' that ended our –"

"There was never something between us!" she hissed. "I don't know what my father told you, but I never gave my consent –"

"You didn't have to," he said dangerously, taking her upper arm. "You just had to obey your father."

Credence saw something shift in her, as if a mask had just fallen from her face. For the first time, he truly realized that he didn't know who his traveling companion was like with other people that weren't those he trusted. That darkness that he sensed in her was now showing in plain sight.

"Mister Malfoy," she said tersely. "If you don't let go of me at this very second, I will make sure everyone in this pub knows about what happens between us from now on. And I warn you, it won't end well for you."

"Don't try to underestimate me, girl," he growled, squeezing her arm tighter so she was mere inches away from him. "Herbert promised me your hand in marriage, and I intend to get just that – I will not lose my opportunity to marry into one of the most known pure-blood houses that still exist in Britain because you are as immature as a brat who –"

He didn't get to finish his sentence. Mathilda had taken out her wand, placing it ever so carefully below the man's jaw – she began dragging it downwards, slowly and deliberately, until it rested just over his heart.

"I asked you nicely the first time," she said, low. "Now, take your hands off me."

Credence didn't know what moved him, the necessity of avoiding a catastrophe or the desire to touch her, but he wrapped his slender fingers around her wrist. She turned, shockingly fast, and blinked a few times when she saw him, as if she had forgotten that he was there.

Her fingers, slowly, let go of her wand. She kept it in her hands, waiting until Malfoy took a step back and released her arm.

"Is he with you?" Malfoy asked, not bothering to spare a look at the raven-haired boy he didn't know.

"He is," she said.

"Very well," Malfoy agreed. "I shall speak with your father to settle this matter..."

"I have not seen my father since I was ten years old," she said. "He has no say in my personal life. If you wish to discuss anything, I'll direct you to my uncle Cygnus."

The man's expression changed, and suddenly he seemed scared and weakened. He shook his head.

"That would not be necessary, Miss Burke. Thank you."

He did a small curtsy in her direction, treated Credence as if he wasn't there, and walked outside the pub and into the chilly London night.

"Mathilda?" Credence ventured to ask after a few agonizing minutes of seeing a hard-rock expression on her face. "Are you alright?"

"Room 15," she said, raising the key without looking at him in the eye. "Wait for me there."

---

He sat on one of the beds, with his chin resting comfortably over his knees. The entrance had remained closed since he had entered the room, and he had been avoiding going downstairs to find Mathilda when there was a knock on the polished surface of the door.

"It's me," Mathilda said from the other side.

He got up, feeling a little dizzy, and opened. She looked the same, albeit a bit shaken.

"How are you?" she asked. "I'm sorry you had to witness that."

"Who was he?"

The question took her off guard for a second, she staggered and opened her mouth a few times, but was unable to produce a sound. Finally, she found her voice again.

"He was a friend of my father's," she explained. "They maintain some business together, and since my father is deeply in debt, he decided to bargain my hand in marriage. Mr. Malfoy is extremely wealthy, so he considered the match to be advantageous for everyone."

"And you?"

A bitter smile appeared on her features and she looked down.

"I don't feel any fondness for him. He only wants the power that comes with being part of my family, and I'm not willing to give him the satisfaction he desires."

"But...?"

"In my family, marriages are very often arranged. If it hadn't been for the separation of my parents, it is very likely that I would be Mrs. Malfoy now."

"Against your wishes?"

"Yes."

"But, you wouldn't be happy..."

"That doesn't matter to them."

Credence stayed quiet, watching her as she removed her coat, leaving her in a simple brown dress that she owned.

"I don't think that I'll like them too much," he said.

She smiled, approaching him so she could take his cheek in her hands. He nuzzled against them, humming happily.

"That's the right attitude to have, Credence."