Chapter Three: A Little Bit of Clarity

It was safe to say the Black family was unamused with Cordelia's sudden disappearance.

Two hours had passed since the Triwizard Champion graced the breakfast table with her distraught presence and dishevelled hair, but Melania hadn't thought of silencing herself even once.

"Leaving your own ball! If your father hadn't covered for you people would have taken to ridiculing us in an instant!"

That wasn't the first time her mother had mentioned how Arcturus saved the day with lies of the ministry summoning him and Cordelia. The half-lie was one she had been grateful for, and it did help matters that Arcturus had in fact been called upon to discuss certain political matters, yet Cordelia couldn't help but frown as she thought of the lies bound to slip her tongue the second a guest from the ball crossed paths with her.

"And with a boy no less-"

the groan that escaped her lips at Melania's umpteenth mention of Theodore wasn't taken lightly as the older woman glared at her firstborn.

"Let me make this very clear, I will not have a harlot for a daughter!"

Cordelia almost let a satirical snicker slip as she looked past Melania to meet Arcturus's amused smirk. For a moment, a briefly sardonic moment, she considered retorting in kind with mentions of her mother's past, but Cordelia knew better to prod at her mother's sole weakness.

"My head hurts."

Her alternative response wasn't much of an improvement, but fortunately, Melania had calmed down enough to dismiss her daughter with a wave of her hand and a reminder of the lesson due that afternoon.

Cordelia would normally be entitled to a day off during the weekend but after her disappearance last night the head of the Black household was set on punishing his daughter with extra lessons; something that Melania approved of with a coy smirk.

"Would mistress like to be reminded of her lessons?"

Tinky's question was met with a dismissive nod as Cordelia retreated to the confines of her room to waste away the greater part of her Saturday.

Unlike everyone else in the Black-McMillan manor, someone seemed more than elated to see Cordelia as she paced through the teenager's lavish room and circled her feet. Nix's hearty purrs contradicted the small nips on the brunette's feet and tiny holes in her skirt as the cat attempted to climb her owner, but Cordelia didn't mind.

The black Persian was one of the few beings who could get away with ruining the Slytherin Queen's wardrobe. Unlike her brother and best friends, Nix wouldn't leave more than small cuts and holes littered across her skirts: something that Cordelia could easily fix with a spell or two.

"Did you miss me, kitty?"

The purr that followed her question made the young girl giggle as she bent down and scooped the black furball in her arms. Cordelia then proceeded to collapse onto her bed and play with Nix's soft fur as she let her mind and tongue run free.

It was unlikely that the cat could understand her, but over the years Cordelia had gotten used to conversing with Nix and ranting about problems no one else could know.

"I'm not sure if I want to go to Hogwarts or never step foot in that castle again."

As she spoke the words Cordelia felt a coil in her stomach tighten in anticipation, but it didn't stop her from continuing.

"I thought the Tournament was bad, but I didn't realise everything after it would be worse. It's like everything I've done over the past year was building up to that moment of victory, and now I don't know what to do next."

Nix's small meow probably wasn't meant to be taken as a response, but in her tired state Cordelia couldn't help but think of it as encouragement.

"There's Riddle and Dumbledore and the Slytherins and the head girl position and the NEWTs and my friends and Riddle and-"

her rant slowed to a stop as Cordelia thought of the last problem on her list; a dilemma that wouldn't have risen if she had stayed at the ball last night.

"-and Theo."

Theodore Nott had always been one of Cordelia's closest friends, but more importantly, he had also always been just that.

Just a friend.

Sure, Cordelia had thought about him romantically and giggled about his features during her late night rambles with Druella, but she had never considered actually courting him. Up until the previous day.

Two days ago, she would have turned a blind eye to the mere suggestion of her and Theodore courting one another. He was betrothed to a splendid girl and had been smitten with Yaxley since their contract was made, and Cordelia had always thought of him as her second brother.

How could one embrace change that?

A groan escaped her lips as Cordelia shuffled her digits through Nix's fur and muttered a curse.

"Boy drama is the least of my concerns."

Even as she said it, Cordelia felt her lips curve into a small smile as she recalled how considerate Theodore had been. That certainly wasn't the first time he had helped her out in such an emotional situation, yet something about it changed her perspective and had Cordelia sighing in frustration.

"How is it that everything about my future seems to revolve around a wizard?"

She hadn't realised she had asked the question out loud, but her voice solidified Cordelia's resolve as she subconsciously tugged on Nix's fur a little too hardly.

"Everyone expects me to live a certain life and be a certain way and I'm sick of it, Nix! I'm sick of being told that at the end of the day I amount to nothing just because of my genitals."

The black Persian let out an annoyed yelp and broke away from her owner's suddenly rough touch, and it took Cordelia a moment to calm the cat and express her benevolence. When Nix finally calmed down enough to settle back into the bed, Cordelia turned away from purring cat and let her gaze travel across the room as she scratched under Nix's chin in contemplation.

She had been looking for a clock or pocket watch to keep track of the time, but somehow Cordelia found herself staring at the glistening badge wedged between her wand and a stray pot of ink.

"Dumbledore, of course!"

If anyone was capable of understanding Cordelia' emotions and guiding her down the right path, it was Albus Dumbledore.

Over her time at Hogwarts the man had become a father figure of sorts for Cordelia. Their unceremonious bond wasn't one many people understood, but the Transfiguration professor had earned a soft spot in her heart and was someone she could always rely on for the right advice.

Sure, Dumbledore wasn't exactly appreciated in the Black household and Cordelia had received one too many taunts for associating with a blood traitor, but everyone respected him too much to complain.

It was unfortunate that he couldn't make an appearance at the ball. Things would have been easier if Cordelia could speak to him in person rather than sending a letter, but she couldn't do much except work with what she had.

A quick glance at her wall clock entailed Cordelia had an hour left before her lesson with Melania. It wasn't a lot of time, and she probably would spend most of it casting a spell that ensured only Dumbledore could open it via his wand, yet Cordelia found herself smiling as she stared at the blank parchment before her.

"Good talk, Nix."