*

( all that scheming,, forcing the two together... pulling some strings so the crouch girl would get promoted within the ministry to work for lestrange— it was all his doing,, all thanks to him. this was his way of making sure odette broke all contact off with both of them. he wasn't going to waste all that effort. his loafers tapped against the floor,, his precise step muffled by the carpet as he took another step closer to her, gripping her chin in his cold grasp, directing her attention towards him. ) look at me,, ( he murmured,, pulling her out of whatever nightmare she had fallen into. ) i would not be telling you this if i did not know it to be true.. ( his voice was uncharacteristically tender,, modified to this state just to fall upon her ears and soothe her. )

@undyings    ( ..& )   ( her fingers trembled as she clutched the fabric of her sleeves, her breath coming in short, uneven gasps. a suffocating tightness gripped her chest, as if invisible hands were pressing down, forcing the air from her lungs. ) no… no, this isn’t right, ( she whispered, shaking her head violently. the words felt foreign on her tongue, like she was forcing them out through sheer desperation. ) someone must have twisted the truth—lied to you, my lord.. they would never… they could never. ( her stomach churned with nausea, a cold sweat forming at the nape of her neck. her entire world tilted, unraveling thread by thread, and yet he stood there, unmoving, unwavering. the weight of his silence was unbearable, pressing down on her until she thought she might break apart completely. )

( he stood up, setting down the perspiring whiskey glass on the table and towering over her, slowly breaching the boundaries of her personal space. he was closer than he had ever been,, his slightly reddish eyes soft, feigning emotion. his cold hand pressed into her cheek, caressing her jaw,, the ring he wore searing cold against her skin. his thumb brushed against her cheekbone,, a gesture that was meant to be endearing. ) have i ever lied to you, odette?? ( he asked,, faux tenderness lacing his voice,, forcing affection into his tone. ) they're sleeping together..