WISH I COULD FIGHT IT. }{ {holden}

[molly elaine penderghast]

Molly was piling her books into her bag, she'd been a little late out of class, even the professor had left already. Being the last class of the day, she didn't have to worry about disrupting the next class. Which was good, because she was a little meticulous about how she liked her things to be. It was easier to waste time now organizing them, then to have to rifle through her school bag to find her homework later. Being disorganized came so easily to Molly, and it was one thing about her she absolutely could not stand. It was a lot of extra work, but it saved her a lot of grief in the end. Her room mates thought her odd, becoming entirely stressed and irritable whenever they had their clutter about her space. She didn't often raise her voice to anything, but her face got all red and hot and would resemble a turnip. The other girls mocked her, and it was true, she was quite odd. She didn't enjoy gossiping about. And why should she? It didn't accomplish anything, really, and what good did it do her wasting her time? No, she had to be good about her studies, uphold her duties as prefect. She had to meet and surpass expectations, otherwise, she would likely be disowned. And she couldn't fathom the idea of that. It was just too awful. No. She couldn't let that happen.

She didn't worry about making friends, or seeking the approval of others. As a matter of fact, everyone hated her, and it was just something she had grown used to. Even her elder sister thought she was a complete waste of space. And she was beginning to believe it. After all, what good was she to anyone? She was a burden on her family and just another student to pass in the hallway. She sighed, knowing full well why she was stalling.

What Molly dreaded most of all was seeing Holden Avery. This was not just a usual 'ignore and avoid' maneuver situation. No. That wouldn't work, for you see, the two of them were betrothed. Yes. That's right, even in these days her pureblooded parents were that old fashioned. An arranged marriage wasn't really the ideal situation, but without it, what use was Molly to her mother and father? She wasn't anything special, and she wasn't a boy... But she completely and utterly loathed him, he was chauvinistic and an absolute menace. And he scared her. He scared her more than anyone else and one thing she feared most of all was making him angry. Maybe if she just waited a bit longer, then the great hall would be too full, and they wouldn't have to interact. Then maybe she could spend the rest of her night in the library and catch up on some of her assignments. Just maybe, had she been lucky enough.

[holden humphrey avery]

Holden Humphrey Avery was a well-known name around Hogwarts. He was a Keeper and the captain of the Slytherin quidditch team. He got good grades mostly because of his parents' influence on his schooling situation. He had friends all over the house of Slytherin. He had enemies everywhere in the Gryffindor common room. And, most importantly, Holden had a higher cause. He had the Death Eaters. He had his master. Holden had his priorities in order and he knew how to manipulate the system while inside Hogwarts. The one thing he couldn't manipulate was the arranged marriage he had with Molly Penderghast.

Holden knew Molly was just as annoyed by the prospects of their marriage as he was. He also knew that Molly was like a terrified little mouse. Molly would never, ever stand up to him. Molly was ideal for a marriage with a guy like Holden. So, Holden put up with the knowledge that, someday, he and Miss Penderghast would end up together. Until then, he enjoyed traumatizing her in the smallest way possible. He loved that constant reminder that he was in charge, he had all the power in their twisted little relationship. And he loved letting Molly know he had all the cards in his hand. He loved scaring her and then leaving her feeling broken down. It lifted him up and put him on top of the world.

It had been late and Holden knew that Molly had a Defence Against the Dark Arts class just minutes earlier. Holden also knew that she liked to avoid him. It didn't take a genius to guess that she was still there when everyone else was heading for the great hall. Holden decided to take his little detour and take a peek on his future wife's current goings on. He'd made his way up a floor from the ground level and started toward the classroom. He leaned into the door frame and his eyes searched the room like a hunter's might. He spotted her there, rummaging through her bag, probably having one of those obsessive moments. That was one of the things Holden looked forward to in their relationship. Holden would never have to worry about keeping their home clean, Molly would always be too obsessive to make a mess of her own and she's surely clean up after him. Holden believed that was a woman's place, cleaning up after him and doing as he said.

"Long time no see Lovely." Holden murmured as he took a step into the room. He walked with a sort of strut. His tone was mocking when he said the word lovely. His sarcasm wasn't exactly concealed. Lovely was a word he would use to describe maybe Kyndrick Laurent or Rita Skeeter. Molly would be described as innocent or childish looking. "It's been a while since our last little chat. How have you been?" Holden asked her. He made his way closer and sat down on the edge of her desk. He was so close to her that he knew he would be making her uncomfortable. That was his purpose, to make her uncomfortable.

"My mother tells me she plans our wedding for next Winter. That's barely a year from now. We're practically married already. So why, Molly, do we not spend nearly enough time together?" He was baiting her. With each word, Holden leaned in closer to her. He brought his hand up to touch her cheek and felt how rigid and warm her face was. He was pushing her and he knew it. His own face was unreadable, daunting yet blank. "We should really, uh, get to know each other better." Holden whispered. He leaned forward to kiss her cheek. He waited for her to slap him and wondered if she would. Would she displease their parents by hitting him? Holden needed to know how far he could prod her until she lost it.