⠀𝓭𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝓿𝒊𝒐𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆

@demonwithxn     (  . . .  )     i    would   hope    not .     [       the    ravenette   spoke   ,    tilting    her    head   to   the    side   as   she   observed the   wizard    .    her   response   was   rather   casual   ,    as    if    she   wasn’t    surprised    to find    him    like    this .   she   wasn’t    worried    about    who    might’ve   been   on the    other   side   of   this    curious   act    of    violence   .   catrina    wasn’t    even    overly    concerned    about    adolph    - -    she   had    no    doubt in her    mind    that    he    had    every    capability    of    handling    himself .     but   she    couldn’t    help    but    ask . . .       ]        do    i    / want /    to   know   what   happened   ? 
            
            /    so   sorry   for    this   being   so   late ! 

Well, he felt like he'd been run over by Merlin knows what. He'd certainly cracked a couple of ribs, that much was for sure. The extent of the rest of the damage remained largely unknown at this rate. Possibly because he hadn't been listening when Madam Pomfrey had been listing out all the possible problems. Too much pain and he had been a little high on whatever was in that potion she had given him to pay much attention. But he didn't need to give her any answers. No doubt Catrina already had some idea of how he was feeling. "Depends on who it was. They have an unfortunate habit of protecting certain people," he pointed out dryly, focussing instead on the second part of her questioning. That was nothing new, though that didn't mean he wouldn't find out on his own accord who the responsible party was. And when he did... there would be nothing that would help them. He'd make them suffer in ways they wouldn't even begin to comprehend, tear them apart so slowly they would end up begging him for a quick death.

@demonwithxn     ( . . . )       [           yaxley and her     certainly     had their    history     ,   that was for    sure     ,     but     it wasn’t     something she     was willing     to face     just yet .      they  hadn’t     exactly     ended things    smoothly .       largely    her fault    ,     more     than     anything     ,      due to personal     reasons of her own    that she wasn’t willing to share .        her mind drifted     off    from those thoughts     as he spoke     ,     squinting a little .     catrina often     had that      look about her      - -      as if     every move was an interrogation .       ]         sometimes happens ?      [          she repeated slowly ,    before shaking her head .      ]        with     you     ?      no .    it doesn’t .      [        the more     she was      hearing ,    the more she figured      this hadn’t     been an accident at all .       her jaw clenched        slightly ,    fingers     tapping      impatiently     on the arm of     her seat      .         ]            there     would     have   been     witnesses .       someone     will     fess up .    and     when they do ,    there     will be     appropriate     consequences    . . .        how do you feel    ? 

Well of course it was far more interesting to send Yaxley to her than anyone else.  Those two really had some differences they needed to work out. "I didn't see either one of them," he pointed out, giving her a half amused smile though it faded almost as quickly as it had appeared at her next words. She wasn't wrong there. Making mistakes wasn't something he did and an accident at Quidditch was new, even for him. After all, he was good at what he did. He wouldn't have been playing if he wasn't. "I can't say for sure. I didn't see what happened. One moment I was fine, the next I was laying on the ground. I possibly just didn't see the ball behind me. That happens sometimes." He wasn't going to admit to her he did have a sneaky feeling it had been deliberate, didn't want her to worry any more than she already was.

@irresistablecharm 
            
            [            she knew      there was       a      difference between      them .     she wasn’t stupid .    but equally ,     perhaps even selfishly ,       she was frustrated that he was feeling this way     ,      simply because she had thought everything had      been perfectly fine between them    .         ]         i’m not     using      you augustus     .      [         her eyes rolled slightly      at his     comment on moving on     .     how did he expect her to let this lie       now ?         ]           no ,    no .     we’re finishing         this conversation .        look . . .         [           a sigh left her lips       as her features softened slightly   ,      leaning forward in her seat    .        ]          everything I do         has an     angle .    my mother taught me        that       - -        every decision        requires evaluation     ,       a motive .    and believe     me ,     I take what I want       and I usually get it .             but    / this /   . . .       I believed        our friendship to be genuine .        not formed simply out          of politics       or manipulation ,     or   marriage        ideals .      it isn’t wasting my time          because I value     it .        [            she mused           ,        fingers tapping        on it      ,      as the corners of her mouth       curled upwards slightly        .           ]            if you truly wish       to find something that           I gain from this      ,       then      perhaps it’s because you’re         different from the other       cocky ,      arrogant        ,      pureblood men      I’ve had to deal with      .        . . .        but ,    anyhow  ,     I’m sorry that       you’re feeling this way .      

No, it had nothing to do with childish rumours. They were just words, things he barely listened to. What effect would they have in the long run if one didn't feed the fire fuel? It ran deeper than that, but he highly doubted she'd understand, or see it in the same light as he did. She was far too stubborn to let herself look at the larger picture, of what really was bothering him with the whole ordeal. With a sigh, he just shook his head, deciding there was no point in wasting his breath any further on it. He could push it to one side, completely ignore it like he had been doing. Nothing had to change. "Forget it, forget I said anything. I am merely feeling a little confused and I brought up something that really doesn't concern you," he told her instead, closing the subject down just as easily as he had brought it up. "I have no idea what I'm talking about and I don't know why I even mentioned it."

@irresistablecharm 
            
            [       her lips      pressed together into a thin line      - -       her frustration      was only deepening     with every additional word he spoke .    she would not restrict herself      to only speak with the members of the sacred twenty-eight    ,     simply     because     of her last name .     make no mistake ,    catrina valued her status    ,     and     often she used it to her advantage    ,      but there were often times were it was tiresome     being who she was .    a scoff left her lips ,     shaking her head      as she leaned back in her seat     ,     still as poised as     ever .       ]           you are     still a    / pureblood / .       you are not a traitor      and you do not associate yourself with     muggles     or     muggleborns    .     you’re perfectly respectable.        I’d hardly tarnish my own      reputation     by spending time with you .       i am not wasting my time ,       when you      are one of the few      i actually / enjoy /      being around ,     rather than simply having to tolerate .        [         in all honesty ,      the raven haired witch       felt like in his company     ,      there was finally      a moment       where she could step     back    from her obligations as a       Black      and allow herself   some peace .     to allow all tension to leave her .           ]           I know      how     politics work ,    augustus .          [          she stated     firmly    ,      stubborn hues      narrowed as she tilted her head to the side .        ]          if you were so      concerned     about this ,      then you should     have voiced it before .     you never brought      this up .    / why /    now    ?     surely it’s not just because      of      some childish rumours .    
            

The brunette was pretty sure a girls' night was not going to make Catrina feel any better. Maybe eight hours of sleep would help, but somehow she doubted that would be possible to achieve. With a sigh, she found herself leaning back in the chair, hands resting on the table in front of her, twirling the ring on her finger absentmindedly as she watched the witch stare at the pages before her. She didn't think there was much progress being made, and she wasn't sure why Catrina didn't give it a rest for now. She was only going to stress herself out further if she continued along this path. "I don't think that page holds the answers you're looking for," she finally spoke, having given them both a moment of silence to just think. "Come on, you need a breath of fresh air and a drink. Neither of which can be found in a library."

@zabiniheiress 
            
                      I’m / fine /  .       you know  me .      I’ll get what      I need from this      in the end .       I always do .      [           she teased     ,     voice surprisingly softer now ,      perhaps partly due to her exhaustion .          this was how      her mother had taught her to behave       .        ‘ be     the venomous     serpent     underneath poised skin     whenever     she needed to ,    but never break .    never crumble  .      for    that was weakness      ,     vulnerability and with vulnerability,     there was always           a loss of power .  even in front of those who you may trust ‘  .         catrina’s hand      would      lift from maya’s     ,    moving her gaze back       to the textbook in front of her     ,      fingers grazing over the page    as she avoided the burning stare from the other .          ]       I’ll have a girls night with you         tonight     if that makes you feel / any / better  .       I’ll relax . 

It was far too late for that. To witness the usually put together witch in this state was enough to cause her to worry. Catrina was the one of the few who managed to hold it together through most things, poised in a way her older sister certainly wasn't. And though her words and actions were no doubt meant to sooth Maya's worried mind, it truthfully had the opposite effect. After all, this was the first time she was stressing over/ exams/. Never before had Maya noticed that Catrina was all that concerned about her marks. There had to be more to the story. But she wouldn't press the issue, knowing she'd get no answer either way. Pursing her lips together instead, she simply nodded, as if accepting the Black witch's statement. "Well I sincerely hope for your sake that is true," she responded instead.

No doubt they would notice, considering how often her cousin seemed to spend in detention. The moment he didn't show up, they'd start looking for him. But it was certainly tempting, to drop his body somewhere in the Forbidden Woods, never to see the light of day again. There would be others around the school who would no doubt be thankful for such a thing. Many had been on the receiving end of one of the marauders 'pranks'. "He's a fool. He never did stop to think things through when he threw it all away," the dark haired wizard scoffed, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. "Never satisfied with what he had, always wanting more. But despite all that, despite leaving behind this life, it seems that his cruelty is inherent, something he can't escape, no matter how hard he tries. He's no different from the rest of us."

@demonwithxn 
            
                      [          perhaps     it wasn’t so     unbelievable that     Potter or Black was behind this .      after all ,    adolph had a point .     the way they treated severus was quite     frankly ,    revolting     and childish .     they called      themselves pranksters      ,    but    / bullies / .    that’s what they were .     and yet they continued       to pretend that they weren’t .       ]        sirius ?       oh   /   please    /     .      he    is    a traitor to our family     name     .     he    doesn’t    / need   /   a reason        to start        meddling    with our lives       in such     petty ways .     he’s always       loathed     us .     thinking about it now ,      I wouldn’t     be surprised if      he    orchestrated the       entire     thing .      [              furious     hues narrowed        into slits     as her jaw     clenched      slightly .     enough was enough .            she     brushed down         the creases in her robes       ,     pursing her lips .       ]           foolish boy .     . . .           do you think      the      school will      notice          one less      marauder      trailing around     like   a lost puppy ?       

That had been his first thought as well. He certainly wouldn't have put it past Potter or Black to come up with such a harmful prank, despite what they may have said. Their reputations were just as tarnished as his own and no amount of lying would ever change that fact. "Don't underestimate the lengths they would go to," he replied, glancing at the fallen creatures with disgust. "You and I both know they are capable of this and more. One just has to witness what they do to Severus." Adolph wasn't a good person, and he knew that, but at least he could admit to that fact. They, on the other hand, refused to take a good long look in the mirror and see the truth staring back at them. "Did you say anything to your cousin lately? Perhaps he's got yet another problem with you or one of your sisters."

@demonwithxn 
            
            you realise      that right now ,      you’re acting like       a gleeful child ,     right ?         [         the Raven     haired witch       rolled her eyes       dramatically       as she lowered      her hand       ,       not being       caught dead in the humiliation         of attempting to leap out of her      chair and         tackle the book         out of his hands .            ]            perhaps      it was      because      they knew        what I’d       do     to them     if they accused        me of such a        thing ?         [           a smirk graced       her lips ,       satisfaction forming her features       when he only      proved her point by        stepping back a little ,      glad to know      that she had       at least some       form of       power still .           ]             me of       / all /     people ?        darling     ,     there / is /       no evidence     against    me other than         your word ,      and / you / certainly can’t       be trusted .        [        she teased ,     waving her hand dismissively ,     before pouting mockingly .        ]            besides ,      building a case against me ?       I thought we were / such / good friends .          

* he simply dangled it just out of her reach, knowing perfectly well if he gave it back, she'd used it as an excuse to deflect from the current topic. and there was little chance of him allowing for that. the threat of losing a hand had little effect on him, possibly because it was one he had heard countless times * My hearing is perfectly fine. And I'm already aware that I'm mad.  It doesn't take much to figure that out. However, I am still perfectly capable of distinguishing between fiction and reality. I can guarantee you that this is a reality. Poor Catrina. No one was ever bold enough to tell her that she snores. * he flashed her an amused grin, stepping back just enough to ensure there was some room between them in the event she decided to kick him * That's a very bold statement, though, wouldn't you agree? Surely you of all people should know by now that it doesn't take a great deal to collect some evidence against you.

@demonwithxn 
            
            [         she was just about       to open the pages of       her book once again       ,      before she found it      being snatched from her      grasp .       her eyes raised     , rolling      as she took in        the smug look on his features .       a groan      left her    as one      arm reached up       to attempt to        steal it back .          ]           unless you        want me      to remove your hands ,       I suggest you hand that back ,     darling .        [           she threatened ,     a sickly sweetness dripping        from her tongue     ,     as       a small grin       formed upon her features .       she was only teasing ,     of course ,        but        she was certain that       she was more than capable .                 she raised her chin        ,       falsely innocent gaze        moving across the       common room .       the raven haired witch       clicked her tongue         ,     before a mock concerned look       flashed across her dark hues       .       ]          perhaps      you’re hearing things .      tsk ,     you should get       yourself      checked      at the infirmary .     I’ve read that      hearing things      that aren’t there       could be       a sign of insanity .     and it only goes downhill from there .        [          catrina smirked       ,       devious glint      upon her expression as she folded her arms       comfortably over her chest    , leaning back in her seat .       ]       besides ,     you have no proof of this ‘ supposed ‘ snoring ,     do you ? 

@irresistablecharm 
            
            [     roaming the halls after hours ,       where no one was around ,      felt peaceful for catrina.      she rather enjoyed it .      even with its dangers .        and this time ,      she had decided to bring     another along with her — not even / she /        really knew for what reason .        the Black witch had just been about to say something ,     when augustus stopping in his tracks suddenly had her pausing ,     her eyebrows furrowing .      his following movements had been so sudden that it had startled even / her /   ,     a muffled grunt leaving her lips as she felt herself being tugged back into the darkness .       her breath hitched in her throat when his hand covered her mouth ,      her eyes instantly narrowing at the    / audacity /     he had to do such a thing .      her hand had been halfway up to yanking his wrist away from her face ,     when she paused ,     listening intently when she finally caught the sound .         after it had disappeared ,      her eyebrow rose calmly as he pulled his hand away .           ]            was all that really necessary ?       did you have to be so aggressive ?         [        catrina asked afterwards ,     keeping her voice lower now   as she brushed down the creases in her clothes     ,     before shooting him a smirk .       ]        not that I’m complaining   .           . . .          I guess I can always count on you to get me out of a sticky situation  augustus .        / thank you / . 

@nctafraid 
            
            ‘ poor boy ‘ ?   are we speaking about the same person ?       (           the raven haired witch scrunched up her nose slightly in distaste ,     a rather dissatisfied and disgruntled look upon her face .        )               and that , dear sister ,     is why     people believe you to have a thing for him .        but perhaps you just have too good of a heart .        . . . when I see something ‘ tolerable ‘ about him , I’ll be sure to let you know .       (        never more ,     catrina / supposed / that he wasn’t as bad as       potter or black ,     both having the ability to get on most of their house’s nerves without even trying .      a playfully amused smile formed upon her features .          )          alright , you’ve made your point , dear sister .   ha , ha .      but don’t you dare tell him that you’ve sided with him on this . I won’t hear the end of it .         (          she muttered , running her fingers through her hair , before rolling her eyes once more ,    a slight twitch upwards of her lips forming into a devious smile .        )          ah ,      but being difficult to get information out of can be a very / handy / skill , no  ?        besides ,     not / everybody / is an open book , cissa .      (        she reminded her , before tutting ,      a more genuine smile forming at her last comment .        )       yes yes , I know .      I am / extremely / loveable .       
            
            / < 333

oh, of course it did. i don’t understand why you wish to torment the poor boy, he’s not that bad. a spoiled little brat he may be, but he is rather… tolerable, if you give him a chance.  * even if she was not as ruthless and cunning as the other slytherins, it did not mean she was not one. she could very well take care of herself should the need ever arise, and she wanted her sister to know that. she wanted /everyone/ who worried about her to know that, because she was a slytherin just the same as the rest of them, and the baby treatment had been getting far too old for narcissa. *  good, that’s all i wished to hear. i wanted to tell you myself instead of having him be the one to do so, i don’t think that would be quite right of either of us.  * there’s a slight laugh emitting from her lips at the last question, moving to take a small step back from her sister to put some decent space between them. *  to get information out of? yes, you can most certainly be terribly difficult to deal with, but that is one of the many reasons i love you.  * she said the words with a smile on her face and admiration gleaming in her eyes. her sisters were everything to narcissa, and she would make damn sure that they knew it too. *
            
            /  you’re truly so sweet omggg <33

@nctafraid 
            
            is it not obvious darling ?     because I believed he’d hurt you .       . . .        and it provided me with the perfect opportunity to see the blonde twat scared shitless by my wrath .      (         a cruel grin formed on her face as her eyebrows rose , replaying the cherished memory in her mind .      though that smirk faltered ever so slightly as narcissa took her hands into her hands into her own ,     her lips pursing as she watched her carefully .       narcissa could say what she wanted ,    but she was different from the other Slytherins .      she wasn’t harsh , or arrogant , or cruel like many of the others .      there were times that catrina worried that    because of that ,      her sister was more susceptible to vulnerability.       she stared at her for a minute , before pulling her hands away , holding them up in a mock surrender .       )         alright , whatever you say .        and yes , I promise to speak with you first next time . . .        but you should’ve seen malfoy’s face .        (         she chuckled ,    before narrowing her eyes slightly at the blonde’s own laughing , but for a completely different reason .        )           am I right in saying that you’re siding with corban yaxley over your own blood ?       you’re siding with my ex ?        (         catrina asked in disbelief ,      though faint amusement passed over her sharp features ,    before she scoffed , rolling her eyes .      )           I’m / not / difficult .     
            
            / it’s so prettyyyyyy either way < 333 

@irresistablecharm 
            
            (          the letter she’d received hadn’t been a shock ,     but at the same time ,      she couldn’t help but feel angry .     at her sister , androdema ,       for fooling around  with that muggle-born ,       at her parents for finally disowning her .          catrina needed somewhere to process this information , somewhere where she didn’t have to put on an exterior .              for despite andy being a blood-traitor ,       she was still catrina’s / sister / and it was still a loss ,     no matter how much catrina hated her for her actions . 
                      she paused in her tracks at his words ,      pressing her lips into a thin line as a somewhat troubled expression passed across her dark hues .     fleeting , but apparent .           )             yeah . . .      thank you .                 (             it wasn’t good to trust anyone , especially in their house ,     but something deep within her told her that she could trust that augustus wouldn’t mention this little interaction with anyone .     at least , she / hoped / that he wouldn’t .          )  

* he wasn't going to stop her, if that was what she was worried about. her business was her own and it had little to do with him, unless she saw reason to share it. which, clearly, she had chosen not to. perhaps if he had been anyone else, someone who had a habit of sticking his nose into places it didn't belong, it may have been somewhat of a snub. but Augustus had this policy. stay out of other people's business for that made it more likely they would stay out of his. it had served him well over the years and no doubt would continue to do so * Just... be a little more careful, yeah? * he called over his shoulder at her, noting that she had heeded his advice to steady. at least that way she would have less people asking her questions, if that was what she was aiming for *

@irresistablecharm 
            
            (             she couldn’t help it .        catrina had a knack for seeing the worst in people ,       whether it be those from her own house ,     or from others .        she always found a way to easily twist and manipulate everything into what she / wanted / to see .      but clearly , it didn’t work for all , and she was somewhat thankful for that .        it was true , he hadn’t judged her .      in fact ,     on a few occasions ,     he had been the one to help .      her fingers would delicately run through her hair  .           )              I’m sorry .     that was unfair to you .            (           she admitted ,    harshly biting the inside of her cheek as she shook her head .     though her eyebrow would raise ever so slightly at his last comment , her clenched fist relaxing .         )           I wouldn’t be so sure about that .          (          she mused as she tucked the scrunched up parchment into her pocket ,    moving past him now ,     at a slower and slightly more rational pace .         ) 

@impulsivemanic 
            
            (         precisely . it had only been a matter of time before malfoy had done something like this .      hence why catrina    was beginning to come to the conclusion that she should have intervened beforehand to spare      this outcome .         )             yes well ,     we all know that pureblood heirs can be arrogant fools .      (          she muttered bitterly , her cold hues glancing around the dorm for a moment , before turning to him .       her nails dug into her palms as she stood there , with her hands clasped in front of her .         had that been what she truly wanted ?        the truth was , undoubtedly ,    that he had been right all that time ago , when he had confronted her about her avoidance of him .         the reason that she dismissed their courting ,       was because she / was / afraid of her own feelings , of falling too deep .      not that she would admit that .        but she didn’t speak up to deny his claim — she knew that messing with one’s emotions wasn’t a game .    not anymore .     and if she had spoken up that it hadn’t really been what she had wanted ,     they would be on that rocky path again .        she said nothing ,     deciding now was the best time to leave .         )         well , thank you for your insight on this matter . 

* that was precisely the point. he had nothing against Narcissa because he had barely exchanged two words with her in the past. he couldn't have anything against her because he didn't even know her. the intention wouldn't mean anything and she'd probably spend more time looking at him like he had grown a second head if he did mention something * It was only a matter of time before he ended up doing something like that. Look, I'm sure Narcissa is a nice girl and all, but this is the real world, Catrina. It doesn't matter how much she loves him or loves him not. In the end, this was going to be the only inevitable outcome. Pureblood heirs don't care about some girl's feelings. She's nothing more than a tool to him, to prop him up and make him look good. And in the meantime, he's got no qualms about finding a good time elsewhere. As long as she doesn't. * was that harsh? undoubtedly so but it was also the truth, one that Catrina would no doubt know very well. the women of their society had no say. and if someone got hurt, then so be it * Doesn't matter what our reality was anymore, Catrina. It's finished, like it should have been years ago. Just like you wanted.

@impulsivemanic 
            
            why ,     is there something that bothers you about narcissa ?            (           the witch’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly — everyone knew that catrina was awfully protective over her family .     her lips soon pressed into a thin line ,     resisting the urge to roll her eyes once more .           )            it doesn’t matter who it comes from .      it’s the intention .      (             she pointed out .       narcissa didn’t have many friends    , but at least yaxley somewhat knew her due to catrina and his previous infatuation . 
                      her jaw clenched ,      piercing gaze locked onto him ,      but her anger was not necessarily directed at him .          )        parkinson .       she found him kissing parkinson .    and he knows for a fact what he means to my sister , yet he did it anyway , knowing fully well of the consequences .         (          and now , catrina was going to ensure that malfoy never forgot what he had done .     her head tilted slightly to the side at his words .        )              yes , but / she / did not deserve that , corban .      no matter what he’s done ,     she still cares and loves for him .       it would torture her .         (           she added ,     before her sharp hues would trail over him for a moment , pausing , as if contemplating something .      she knew him ,      and she knew exactly what he was implying .             )         and what’s the harsh reality , here , corban ? hm ?           what is ours ?