Love's a Bitch And Then He Dies

Christiania was the latest in a long line of Viscardis to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She was a tall, blonde beauty, whose pale blue eyes seemed to pierce one's very soul. With her vanilla complexion and delicate, regal features; it was easy to mistake her for a Veela. Like all Viscardis before her, she was sorted into Slytherin House.

The Viscardis were an old, respected wizarding family. They claimed pureblood heritage and fabulous wealth. They owned a sprawling estate in Ireland, an apartment in Upper Diagon Alley, and a townhouse in the heart of Paris. Despite her every wish granted and servants to wait on her hand and foot, Christiania was generally down-to-earth and modest. She preferred jeans and sweaters to silk ball gowns.

Patriarch Achilles Viscardi was active in wizarding politics. In fact, he was a large reason why Cornelius Fudge was elected Minister of Magic. Fudge used the Viscardi gold to buy prime commercial time on the WWN and full-page ads in the Daily Prophet. Fudge used his position to endorse legislation favorable to Achilles' interest.

"Christiania, come," Achilles called out to his daughter as he saw her pass by his door. Achilles had been writing a letter. His den was paneled in rich cherry and emerald green drapery. He motioned his daughter to sit in one of the red velvet chairs in front of his massive desk. Christiania obeyed. She watched her father eye her clothes. He always detested what she wore, but his protests always fell on deaf ears.

Christiania noticed a picture on her father's library wall was missing. It was a photograph of Achilles and Lucius Malfoy from 1972 holding up the Quidditch cup. It was always next to her father's Comet 200 broom, which was encased in glass. Christiania knew her father was going to complain about her boyfriend, Aaron Westfield, and suggest that she date a "proper young man" like Lucius' son, Draco.

Christiania allowed a small smile. She knew that her father dare not try to force his best friend's son on her. After all, Lucius was locked away in Azkaban. Achilles could not afford to be associated with a Death Eater. "Yes, Father," she said coolly.

Achilles knew what his daughter was thinking. He inhaled a sharp breath. "Have fun," he said in an equally cool tone. With that, Christiania rose and walked out of her father's den. What Christiania did not realize, was that her father, Achilles Tiberius Viscardi had sworn his allegiance to Lord Voldemort some 16 years earlier. Yes, he was also a Death Eater.

The news that Achilles Viscardi was a Death Eater was nothing new. Ivan Karakoff and Ludo Bagman both named Viscardi as a Death Eater at their trials. The Wizengamot promised a full investigation. However, the matter was ignored. After all, Achilles contributed heavily to each justice's election campaign. All except for Albus Dumbledore, of course. The Daily Prophet refused to report the story because Viscardi was a major shareholder in the company.

Christiania's boyfriend, Aaron Westfield, also came from a wealthy family. He also was in Slytherin House. But he would never be good enough for the Viscardi family, according to Achilles. Aaron's family tree was poisoned with Squibbs, Mudbloods, and Muggles. Aaron's immediate family were the only purebloods left. The rest intermarried with Muggles or turned out to be Squibbs.

Aaron's aristocratic upbringing was largely unappreciated. He bought expensive toys only to be bored with them in a few days. In fact, he only used his Firebolt broomstick only a handful of times. He bought an expensive guitar, the same model Kirley Duke of the Weird Sisters used, only to get frustrated after the fourth music lesson. Suffice it to say, Aaron's room was full of "useless junk."

For the most part, Aaron got along with the rest of his house. Except for Draco Malfoy. He hated him. And Draco hated him. In fact, Draco often had trouble deciding who he hated more. Aaron Westfield or Harry Potter. Aaron accused Draco of trying to steal Christiania away from him.