now you hang from my lips like the Gardens of Babylon

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ

Celeste Malfoy was there, yet she wasn't. Just like earlier that afternoon, when she had been at her wedding rehearsal, but her mind was not present. Just like how she was currently sitting through an Order meeting at the Prewett's home, yet she didn't hear a single word. And just like how she had been for the past three weeks.

Three weeks.

It had been three weeks since she had walked away from Sirius Black.

She loathed herself for it. She replayed it in her mind, over and over, day and night. In every restless dream and nightmare.

But she did not regret it.

He deserved it, Celeste told herself, perfectly convinced. I did the right thing.

Now, she hoped he was suffering with the consequences. At least a little bit.

Dumbledore cleared his throat, taking Celeste's attention for the first time that day. "As the deatheater's ball approaches next week, as reported from Miss Malfoy, I've selected a new member to join the Order."

Out of the corner of her eye, Sirius shifted uncomfortably in his seat. 

"Please," continued Dumbledore. "Give a warm welcome Miss Olivia Dolos."

Olivia Dolos flounced into the room like a warm burst of sunshine, her every step smooth and graceful. She was a slim and tan girl, with waist-long golden hair that rippled like a sheet of silky water. Despite not seeing her since Hogwarts, she had aged and matured stunningly in the short year. Celeste felt sick at the sight of the beautiful girl, watching as she slid into the chair next to Sirius. 

"Miss Dolos just graduated from Hogwarts some weeks ago, and has proved to be a very helpful asset. She will join the mission to the deatheater's ball alongside Miss Malfoy, Miss Evans, and Miss McKinnon." 

Celeste felt her blood run cold. "What did you say?"

Dumbledore smiled. "Miss Dolos will you joining you on the mission."

"No. No, you said that Lily is going as well," Celeste clarified. "How can she go? She's muggleborn. That's far too dangerous!"

From across the table, James nodded his agreement.

"Miss Evans is highly prepared and is an exceptionally talented witch," Dumbledore answered. "And she has already agreed. Did you not hear that part of the conversation?"

Celeste refused to flush in embarrassment. Not in front of Olivia. "I can only bring so many people. Adding more will be a struggle. I don't know if I guarantee you three spots on the guest list."

"Are you suggesting we remove someone from the mission?"

Suddenly, Olivia frowned, with a hand on Sirius' shoulder. "Do you not want me to go? I know you weren't warned about me, but it's rather rude of you to say it to my face."

Celeste clenched her jaw, already irritated by the blonde. "Who are you, again?"

Olivia flashed a simpering smile. "Olivia Dolos. Didn't you hear?"

"Oh I did, I just didn't really care," Celeste said sweetly, not bothering to return the smile. 

Moody slammed his cane against the wooden floor. "That's enough! This meeting is over. Miss Malfoy, I'm afraid you'll just have to manage with an extra in your mission group. That is the end of this discussion. Everyone is excused."

Olivia smiled smugly at Celeste, just before she and stood and disapparated away with Sirius on her arm. 

Marlene was quick to make it to Celeste's side. "Oh," she said nastily. "I'm going to kick her teeth in very soon. Just you wait."

Celeste laughed and stood. "I'd pay to see that. Please let me know when you plan for it."

Lily's exasperated sigh could be heard from behind them. "I'm usually the one to tell everyone to stop acting with violence, but I think I'd encourage you on this one." 

Marlene laughed gleefully at the words, throwing a casual arm around Lily. "I thought I'd never see the day! She's a total bitch, isn't she?"

Lily rolled her eyes. "I'd think so. She enjoys taking taken men away from their girlfriends."

Celeste cringed. "She's been crazy for... Sirius since school. She's tried her chances with him more times than I can recall. She got lucky this time."

The two girls were quiet for a moment. Marlene hesitantly spoke, "Do you think there's any chance you would... go back to him?"

Celeste fell quiet, ignoring a roaring ache in her chest. "I don't know. Sometimes I wonder if it was fake. Because... it's out of character for him. Yet at the same time, he was already this way before I came along, right?"

"You're right," Lily admitted. "He was notorious at school for being with girls left and right. I really thought you had changed him."

Hurt flashed across her face. "That makes me wonder if his love was ever real," she whispered. "Cause it felt so real. It was so real to me."

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ

Sirius shoved Olivia off of him. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"Siri," Olivia pouted, a small whine in her voice. "Don't be angry. Is it because of her? Huh? You're like this every time you're back from seeing her. You don't even talk to each other! She doesn't even look at you!" She smiled. "Besides, you love me now? Don't you?"

"You didn't tell me that you were joining the Order," Sirius seethed.

Olivia beamed. "I wanted it to be a surprise!"

"A surprise it was," Sirius muttered under his breath. He softened his eyes. "I'm sorry for shouting at you."

Olivia smiled, pressing a slow kiss to his lips. "I know you didn't mean it."

Sirius felt a pang of guilt flash across him. The sight of Celeste's devastated face plagued his every waking moment. But then his guilt melted into anger. Celeste should have let him explain. Celeste shouldn't have stormed away. And Celeste should've said more. Jealousy, desperation, and resentment shadowed over him.  

He held Olivia's face in his hands, gazing down at her. This girl was nothing like Celeste. This girl was golden sunshine, a far cry from the tempestuous ensorcellment that was Celeste. This girl was full of laughter and light. This girl was naive and sweet, unlike the storm of darkness that Celeste always commanded. They both drew attention, in vastly contrasting ways. 

And as Sirius Black pulled Olivia Dolos toward himself, and toward his bedroom, he was utterly convinced of one thing. 

Sirius Black despised Celeste Malfoy once again.