Camilla found it amusing to watch everyone scurry about with such obvious alarm but she hid that under a cool expression as she marched through the atrium on her way to the lift. Her position was most effective because everyone underestimated her. She liked looking the part of a thoughtless socialite when the truth was quite far from that. But she did take a minute when she was facing away from everyone to smirk about it all. When she turned back around, she eyed the disruption curiously, leaning forward ever so slightly to catch what was happening.
Holding the lift was a happy accident but she didn’t acknowledge that. “Of course,” she said politely. “Which floor?”
“Department of Mysteries.” One of the historic benefits of working as an Unspeakable was the apolitical nature of the work done in their Department; no matter whose hands the Ministry was in at the time, there was still research to be done, spells and potions to be refined, magical theory to expand upon. It would have been highly irritating to have her own work interrupted by political whims. "You’d think people would have gotten used to the new security measures by now.”
the decree itself seems rather nonsensical to her, though it does not particularly upset her as it does so many ( the repercussions hardly seem dire to her, given that she has firmly aligned herself with what she knows to be the right side ); there are more important things to fret over than wizards with creature blood, aren’t there? ophelia had never understood the fixation some had on half - breeds.
the scuffle catches her attention and ophelia lifts a brow as she watches the wizard be pulled off in another direction, leaning back against the wall as she waits for the doors to close once more, only for another witch to duck inside at the last moment and half - heartedly thank her for holding it. she hasn’t, but still she murmurs no problem.
she doesn’t care about the decree, truly, but it is in part her job to find out where the allegiances of her fellow witches and wizards lie, and that’s the only reason she asks, a bit suddenly, “ this business with the decree is awful, isn’t it? ” it’s not a particularly strange question, really; the whole of wizarding england is quietly buzzing about it.
Nadia’s eyes slid over to Ophelia, torn between some kind of irritation and bemusement. To ask such a question---to have even a hint of critique against Ministry policy when that Ministry was so obviously in the hands of Death Eaters----was either a supremely stupid question to be asked in the open, or one asked purely to gauge Nadia’s reaction. The name Rosier was easily recognizable, and if this had been twenty or thirty years ago Nadia could know with certainty whose side Ophelia was serving; but thing had changed, allegiances muddled, and one pitfall of neutrality was that even as well connected as Nadia’s family was, there were still things your neutrality meant you couldn’t know for sure. War bred mistrust, and Nadia was not one to give that out under the best of circumstances, anyway.
So she did not know, really, whether Ophelia was fishing for information for the Order, or the Death Eaters, or maybe just for her own curiosity, but Nadia wanted no part in it.
“Depends on your position, I suppose. It’s not as though I have anything to worry about----despite what some might claim, my grandmother’s feminine wiles are all her own, not the result of some Veela great-aunt. And as I don’t go around cavorting with a pack of werewolves----” She tried not to think of Teddy at this moment, of his father---she wasn’t involved---and shrugged, “No piece of legislation is ever going to universally loved. I couldn’t care less, really.”
“Of course,” Eden waiting for Nadia to recognize her. When the older woman didn’t look up, she added, gently teasing: “Good morning, Eden, it’s good to see you, it’s been so long!”
She’d been watching the scuffle at the entrance with bemused interest – why did people think they could so easily flout the new regulations? She was rather convinced that the best thing most of these so-called revolutionaries and resisters could do would be to leave Britain altogether.
A far cry from her more daring looks, the youngest Dolohov chose a more conservative set of robes for her business at the Ministry that morning, and was starting to feel a bit stifled by the height of her neckline, the heaviness of the cloak around her knees. “Tell me,” she began, smoothing at the front of her outfit – a deep blue fabric buttoned up to her throat, embroidered in silver. “Do you know much about this Dolores Umbridge woman? I’ve heard she’s less than pleasant, but she’s hiring assistants to help with the registry and I am dying – ” she rolled her eyes. “For something more stimulating than selling frocks to old crones.”
Nadia gave the other a wry smile, “Well, you can’t blame me for not expecting such pleasant company on my morning lift ride. How have you been, Eden?” Her eyebrow arched as she listened to Eden’s question, the answer to her unasked query as to what she was doing at the Ministry in the first place answered. Thankfully they were alone, so Nadia could give her unfiltered opinion, “Dolores Umbridge is a mediocre bureaucratic arse-kisser who isn’t nearly as clever as she thinks she is. But you're a Dolohov and her desperation for acceptance by people above her is so transparent, I’m quite sure she’d fall all over herself to give you the job even if you weren’t qualified. But just in case----she like cats. And apparently----the most horrid and gaudy shade of pink. That last one is a warning, by the way, you’ll see what I mean when you meet her.”
where: ministry atrium
when: tuesday, february 28th, 7:50am
who: open
The air around them all had changed with the reveal of the Ministry’s latest proclamation; the registry that had sent an undercurrent of fear through the community, even though statistically speaking, it could not have impacted that many. No, the fear was mostly what it might mean for the future---who else might be targeted eventually, if this went unchallenged.
Nadia made her way swiftly through the newly heightened security checkpoint before entering the atrium, trying not to think about it. The plan remains the same, her grandmother had written from their villa in Italy, we stay out of it.
She was not one to disagree with Amalia Zabini, but perhaps neutrality was a more feasible stance when you were over a thousand miles away.
A scuffle behind her broke her from her reverie, for a moment, and she spun around; someone had failed the security check, and they were currently being escorted elsewhere. Nadia frowned, making her way to the lift; and barely making it in time.
“Thanks for holding it.” She said to the person next to her, without looking up.
“My palate is more suited to a night out in London than an Italian countryside– but that could change with time. –And it isn’t that bad. I actually like this one..unlike the first few.” He grinned wide, cheeks growing warmer when she mirrored him. “I don’t know you’ll have to let me know, does it?” he followed up with a chuckle. if this was some sort of muggle cartoon, his eyes would have turned into massive hearts– luckily, for Teddy he would seem that obvious. Though it seemed he couldn’t help himself from letting a bashful grin spread ear to ear. “Dia. I–” Maybe he’d tasted a little too much wine. “–You know this place is big for just one person.” He added, turning away from her to gaze out at the living area ( though he was sure she would have a different name for it ), scruffling the back of his hair that had turned a charming shade of maroon.
“And have you turned into an elitist connoisseur of liquor like myself? Your extended family would burn me at the stake for corrupting you.” She couldn’t help the smile that twitched onto her lips at his grin, and answered his question with an evasive, “I haven’t decided yet.” When he turned to look out at the rest of her flat, she hopped off of the stool she’d been sitting on and walked around the counter to join him, “I like the room---some might say a remnant of a spoiled childhood. I don’t----” She faltered, here; she and Teddy were usually all sly words and clever quips, at least on her part. Sharing something more personal than that was strange, especially for her. “I don’t usually have visitors. Artemis and Wes, maybe, and my brothers, but---” But most other people were not worth the effort, in her opinion. “I didn’t expect to see you at the Ministry party. I thought you’d be-----at Diagon Alley, maybe. It’s not exactly safe, Teddy.”
when: december 31, 2023; 11:50pm (flashback time!)
where: nadia zabini’s bougie flat, london
who: @teddylvpn
“sangiovese.” teddy repeated, squinting down at the glass before shooting a grin in her direction. he wasn’t personally into the whole ‘swirl and inhale your drink before slurping it down’ but for nadia’s sake he gave it a small spin around the glass before downing it. “–you know, this one isn’t that bad.” he pushed the glass back towards her. “and you know what, i’ll go with red because…” he leaned across the marble counter, resting his chin on his wrists.”..it’s my favorite’s favorite and everytime i see her, she’s reaching for a bottle of red.”
“Isn’t that bad,” Nadia mimicked, eyes rolling, “Your palate is in dire need of refinement, Lupin. I shudder to think of what you choose to drink.” Lips quirked upward at his words despite herself, and she busied herself with her own glass to avoid eye contact, “You’re ridiculous. But the correct answer was red, so also lucky. Tell me,” She leaned forward, mirroring his own pose, “does that sort of flattery often work for you?”
when: december 31, 2023; 11:50pm (flashback time!)
where: nadia zabini’s bougie flat, london
who: @teddylvpn
“Try this one.” A glass was pushed across the countertop, Nadia looking expectantly at her companion. Why she was doing this, she couldn’t say. She wasn’t dwelling too much on the why-----or how Artemis would never let her live it down if she knew Nadia was hosting an impromptu wine tasting at her apartment, with Teddy Lupin as the sole guest. “It’s a sangiovese. You still haven’t told me if you prefer white or red. There is a correct answer, by the way.”
❝ Let me tell you what my mother told me, and these are words to live by: selfish people live longer. ❞
AJA NAOMI KING? No, that’s actually NADIA ZABINI. Only TWENTY-FIVE years old, this SLYTHERIN alumni works as an UNSPEAKABLE and is sided with THE NEUTRALS. SHE identifies as CIS-WOMAN and is a PUREBLOOD who is known to be ARROGANT, ALOOF, and VINDICTIVE but also POISED, CLEVER, and INNOVATIVE. { ARIELLE, TWENTY-SEVEN, PST, SHE/HER }
( AT A GLANCE )
nadia vedetta zabini. twenty-five. scorpio. unspeakable. former slytherin. pureblood. old italian money. istj. true neutral. vice: pride. virtue: diligence. wand: walnut, phoenix feather, demiguise hair, 9 inches. prodigal skill in potion crafting. sharply winged eyeliner with a tongue to match. a glass of barbaresco at the end of a long day. meticulously kept notes. meticulously kept life.
vic: but i feel like you’d be KILLER on a trivia team? you’d be amazing. like. fantastic.
vic: … we don’t talk about that.
vic: i broke into the ministry of magic and got it because i wanna be your FRIEND.
nadia: and carry your dead weight? i think not.
nadia: hard pass, bridge troll.
nadia: is lupin putting you up to this?
“oi – they were five galleons yesterday. have dragon scales miraculously increased in price? do you take me for a fool?” eden clutched a pair of dragonhide gloves in front of the shopkeep’s face, irritation etched into her features. she tossed the gloves down on the floor in front of her. “i know my dragon products; i suggest you do your bloody research.”
“and this is why i get all of my dragonhide products imported; you’ll find the quality of those locally-made goods a bit lacking for the price. but, isn’t a lack of quality this entire island in a nutshell?” nadia swept by, giving a cursory nod and smile to eden before handing a receipt to the shopkeeper, “i’m here to pick up the acromantula venom i had on order----i assume it’s ready as promised?” the shopkeeper scurried to the back, and nadia’s nails tapped against the counter at a quick tempo, “last minute holiday shopping, eden? i noticed i haven’t received a gift yet.”
nadia: stop sending me text invites to bar trivia at the hogs head.
nadia: as if i would ever be caught dead in an establishment run by a man accused for fornicating with goats.
nadia: how did you get this number?
“you know, a back alley fight does sound like a good time– but i figured having the chance to run into nadia zabini would be better. especially when she’s looking this cute.” a smirk curved onto his lips as he looked down at the drink he’d procured for himself and offered it to her. “it’s not a red but the auror department doesn’t do italian wines, dia. –we could make a round see with the other’s brought– maybe they’d have something to your tastes?” Teddy smiled, offering his elbow.
Nadia rolled her eyes, lips curing upwards into a smug, but pleased smile despite her best efforts otherwise. “I always look this good, Lupin.” She says, taking the place from his hand and giving it an experimental sip, “I’m sure every other vintage procured for this sham of a party is equally disappointing---the British have no concept of true depth in flavor----but,” Here was where she would normally end the conversation, send whoever had approached her off with a remark that would be ambivalent at best and cutting at worst. And yet---“My grandmother just recently spent a few weeks at our vineyard back home, and brought a few bottles back for her favorite granddaughter---I---well, you should get to experience decent wine at least once in your life. If you’re interested.”
when: december 31, 2023, 11:27pm
where: ministry of magic new years soiree
who: @teddylvpn
It’s a change in the air that first alerts her to his presence. The air feels charged, somehow, a warmth that----much to her annoyance----is not altogether unwelcome at this point. Teddy Lupin is a pest of the highest order, and there are days where she swears she’d rather drown in bubotuber puss than admit it, but.... she presses her lips together to keep them from quirking upward, before finally speaking, “Color me surprised. Somehow I didn’t think hobnobbing with the Ministry’s elite was Teddy Lupin’s idea of a good time. No back alley fights to get into on New Years Eve?” She peered over at him, “You could at least offer to get a lady a drink.”
❝ Let me tell you what my mother told me, and these are words to live by: selfish people live longer. ❞
AJA NAOMI KING? No, that’s actually NADIA ZABINI. Only TWENTY-FIVE years old, this SLYTHERIN alumni works as an UNSPEAKABLE and is sided with THE NEUTRALS. SHE identifies as CIS-WOMAN and is a PUREBLOOD who is known to be ARROGANT, ALOOF, and VINDICTIVE but also POISED, CLEVER, and INNOVATIVE. { ARIELLE, TWENTY-SEVEN, PST, SHE/HER }
( AT A GLANCE )
nadia vedetta zabini. twenty-five. scorpio. unspeakable. former slytherin. pureblood. old italian money. istj. true neutral. vice: pride. virtue: diligence. wand: walnut, phoenix feather, demiguise hair, 9 inches. prodigal skill in potion crafting. sharply winged eyeliner with a tongue to match. a glass of barbaresco at the end of a long day. meticulously kept notes. meticulously kept life.
I. HISTORY & BACKGROUND
Nadia Vedetta Zabini was born on November 14, 2000, middle child and only daughter to Blaise and Lynette Zabini, and eldest granddaughter to the infamous Amalia Zabini. The Zabinis are an old pureblood family from Italy, their family business primarily in vineyards and distilleries that service both the magical and muggle communities. Nadia’s grandmother attended Beauxbatons, and already had two dead husbands under her belt when she came to Britain, serving as an ambassador for the French Ministry. It was here she met Blaise’s father, a man inconsequential except for the son he provided. Due to her work, the family stayed in England, long enough that Blaise attended Hogwarts---and in turn, made his own life there rather than on the mainland.
Rather than live in the UK with her parents and siblings, Nadia was whisked off to her grandmother’s side at a young age, due to the promise she showed. If Lynette Zabini had any qualms about her only daughter being plucked from her grasp, she was too wise to voice them to someone like her mother-in-law. And as such, Nadia spent most of her childhood in Italy, and spent her first three years of schooling at Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, where she excelled----as if Amalia would have accepted any less. Despite the distance, Nadia held a fierce love for her brothers, and they for her----family, they were taught, was more important than anything in world (though she would be lying if she said there were not times where she resented her father’s absentee style of parenting).
Over the course of her third year, her grandmother’s health took a turn for the worse. Amalia still commanded the same authority she always had, but by the start of summer it was clear---she was in no condition to be the sole caretaker for her granddaughter, and it was decided the two would move back to the UK, to stay with Blaise, Lynette, and Nadia’s brothers. And so, Nadia found herself traversing the same halls her father had so many years ago---Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
II. HOGWARTS & CURRENTLY
Hogwarts did not impress. For a school whose alumni were so boastful, Nadia was quick to find fault---the food was heavy, the classes substandard, and the society left much to be desired. And a girl like Nadia---who had never had trouble giving her opinion---made no short work of making her displeasure known. She soon became known for her sharp mind and sharper words, and if her professors had any qualms about her attitude, they could find nothing to criticize in her schoolwork. In Potions particularly she excelled, impressing on a level that her father former professor had not. And so it was no surprise when she was recruited by the Department of Mysteries to work as an Unspeakable after graduation---where she has been working ever since. It’s a good fit---entitled though she may be, Nadia is not the lazy sort, and she enjoys the challenges presented by examining the very basis of magic, and creating things no one has ever seen before.
Of course, with the latest change in regime have come new dangers, and the Zabinis have always been good at reading which way the wind is blowing. They are firmly neutral at this point, despite the pressure Nadia is sure her father is facing from some of his old school friends---and the pressure she herself has been feeling to pick a side, either side. She does not believe in pureblood ideology----no matter how elitist she is in other regards---but with her talents, she doesn’t think the Death Eaters exactly care about her beliefs, just her wand in their corner. Still, Nadia is not eager to choose a side, and so if happy to defer to Amalia’s say on the matter----to stay out of it. But how long such a stance can endure is anyone’s guess.
