Benevolence, she was rather embarrassed to admit had never been kissed – not even a peck in the Hogwarts broom cupboards like many of her cohorts would have managed; she had been too quiet, too into her plants, and if she was honest she had been like one of autumn crocus’s – late blooming. And the opposite sex hadn’t looked at her twice when she had been in school – and no one had really bothered to look at her since, but as a consummate wall flower it was hardly surprising.

Despite Melody’s misgivings about her relationship with Ben Crouch Benevolence was envious of the relationship – of the passion and affection that seemed to exist between the two. Their relationship might not make good social sense but it was what most girls dreamed of – passion, love, romance, being swept off ones feet by a gent prepared to throw good sense to the wind to win you. This American didn’t seem inclined to any sort of acts of passion, he had involved himself in an arranged marriage after all – the fact that he wasn’t introducing himself until right before the wedding was proof that he was clearly not a passionate person.

’Oh Mel’ Ben said in a near whisper grasping her friends hand and giving it a squeeze tightly. ’Is there no way your father might reconsider the marriage? Or give you time to find someone yourself?’ she asked, then thinking better of it, reached into her pocket and cast a privacy spell about them.


Melody Crouch