✷ Chapter Nine , The Autopsy of Melinda Ackerman
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SHE WAS DEAD.

Capella, bearing the weight of her painful past, returned from Bedelia's house to the somber news of Melinda Ackerman's demise. The woman responsible for her suffering was now cold and confined to a small metal box in the ground. The news brought a mix of closure and lingering emotions for Capella.

Staying in an inn before catching the train, Capella encountered her boyfriend during the journey. He offered her a box of tissues and some orange chocolates, a gesture of comfort during an exciting time. His presence provided a glimmer of solace amid the shadows of her past.

Bedelia's house, usually bustling with family activity on Yule and Epiphany, now stood mostly empty. The absence of Callum, her mother, and father left a void that resonated with the silence and serenity within. It was a quiet and peaceful place, though haunted by memories of what once was.

Bedelia's siblings, a troubled lot, seemed to have chosen paths leading to Azkaban. Capella couldn't help but note that Bedelia stood as the sole inheritor of the Parkinson Line. The burden of securing the family's legacy rested heavily on her shoulders.

Perhaps Bedelia's cousin could step into that role, Capella pondered. He appeared less prominent, married to the heiress of the Leaky Cauldron. In the midst of loss and transition, the dynamics of both Capella and Bedelia's lives were intricately woven, reflecting the complexities that often accompany familial legacies in the wizarding world.

In the quiet moments before school resumed, Bedelia and Capella found solace in a field of pansies. The vibrant colors surrounded them as they laid together, sharing dreams and secrets amid the blossoms.

"Oh, how I'd love to be buried in a field of pansies," Bedelia mumbled, her fingers delicately twirling a pansy in her hand. Capella, immersed in the beauty of the moment, continued reading poetry aloud.

"I've always wanted to be buried in a field of forget-me-nots. But Regulus and I want to be buried together. Unfortunately, my father always has his way, and I'll be separated from my love for eternity in the Lestrange Mausoleum," Capella uttered, her voice carrying a mixture of longing and resignation. With a heavy sigh, she stood up, breaking the tranquility of the field.

The two girls walked back to the Manor, their steps measured and deliberate. The winter's breeze played with strands of their hair, carrying with it the unspoken weight of their fates. Despite the beauty of the pansies, the reality of family expectations and tradition lingered, casting a shadow over the idyllic scene.

As they approached the grandeur of the Manor, the essence of winter enveloped them, and the girls faced the inevitable return to the complexities of their lives. The field of pansies, once a brief respite, now existed as a memory—a fleeting moment captured in the tapestry of their intertwined destinies.

Upon their return to the Manor, the grand structure loomed in the background, a stark reminder of the responsibilities and expectations that awaited Bedelia and Capella. The winter's breeze persisted, weaving through the bare branches of trees that stood sentinel around the estate.

Bedelia, her thoughts lingering on the field of pansies, broke the silence. "I wish we could escape this, Capella. The weight of tradition and family expectations feels suffocating at times."

Capella, her eyes reflecting the same sentiment, nodded in agreement. "I often dream of a life where we can be free, away from the constraints of our families' legacies. A life where we can choose our own path."

As they entered the Manor, the air grew colder, and the echoes of their footsteps resonated in the hallways. The specter of the Lestrange Mausoleum loomed ahead, a symbol of the fate Capella reluctantly accepted. The choices they yearned for seemed distant, elusive in the face of entrenched traditions.

In the dimly lit library, Bedelia and Capella found a moment of refuge. Bedelia, with a hint of defiance in her voice, suggested, "Maybe we can find a way to break free, Capella. Write our own story, one that defies the expectations placed upon us."

Capella's eyes sparkled with a glimmer of hope. "Perhaps, Bedelia. But breaking free comes with its own set of challenges. It won't be easy."

They exchanged a knowing look, understanding that the journey toward autonomy and self-determination would be arduous. The winter's breeze, now a silent witness to their whispered aspirations, carried their shared dreams into the vast expanse beyond the Manor's walls.

As the day of departure for Hogwarts drew near, anticipation crackled in the air. Bedelia and Capella found themselves on the train, surrounded by the hustle and bustle of students preparing for the journey ahead. Regulus, Capella's steadfast companion, joined them in their compartment, his presence bringing a sense of comfort amidst the chaos.

As the train chugged along, Capella and Regulus found a quiet moment together, away from prying eyes. With a longing gaze, Capella reached for Regulus's hand, their fingers intertwining in a silent promise of solidarity.

In the dim light of the compartment, their gazes met, the unspoken desire hanging between them like a delicate veil. Without a word, Regulus leaned in, capturing Capella's lips in a tender kiss. Time seemed to stand still as they lost themselves in each other, the rhythmic clatter of the train fading into the background.

Wrapped in the warmth of each other's embrace, Capella and Regulus found solace in the intimacy of the moment. In a world governed by expectations and obligations, their love was a beacon of defiance—a testament to the power of choice and connection.

As Capella and Regulus pulled away from each other, a sense of reluctance lingered in the air, mingling with the remnants of their shared passion. Capella smoothed down her tousled hair, a blush still lingering on her cheeks, while Regulus hastily adjusted his attire, a hint of sheepishness in his demeanor.

Capella, her gaze flickering to the letters from her father, sighed in frustration. "Ugh, my father is sending me more letters. He's trying to get me to negotiate a dowry."

Regulus frowned, a shadow crossing his features at the mention of the archaic tradition. "Tell them you'll take it," he suggested, his voice tinged with resignation. "Maybe we can put it in a trust for our child."

Capella's heart skipped a beat at the mention of their future together. Despite the weight of their families' expectations, the prospect of building a life with Regulus filled her with a sense of hope and possibility. She nodded, determination flickering in her eyes as they shared a silent vow to defy the constraints of their lineage and forge their own path forward.

Regulus made her feel more. More than what she needed. Capella didn't deserve this happiness and contentment. She deserved to be stabbed in the heart until she couldn't breathe. Her last words would be something stupid.

AUTHOR'S NOTE━━━━━━━
i twist , you turn , who's the first to burn?

hiiii
i know it's been a while since i updates but life happened and unfortunately i got broken up with again. i did have this chapter pre-written since about beginning of march, but i kinda just disappeared and im back now!
lemme now what u think and leave a comment pls pls pls nothing makes me feel more whole inside then reading ur comments

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xoxo inez