i amย my motherโsย ย S A V A G Eย ย daughter. the one who runs barefoot cursing sharp stones. i am my motherโs savage daughter. i will not cut my hair. i will not lower myย ย v o i c eย .ย my motherโs child is aย ย s a v a g eย . she looks for herย ย O M E N Sย in the colour of stones. in the faces of cats, in the falling of feathers. in theย ย d a n c i n gย ย of fire and the curve of oldย ย B O N E S..ย
Full Name: Ophelia Atalanta Burke
Name Origin:ย Ophelia comes from the Greek word ฯฯฮตฮปฮฟฯ, which can be translated as โshe who helpsโ. The name Atalanta comes from the Greek word ฮฯฮฑฮปฮฌฮฝฯฮท meaning โbalanced, having the same value (as a man)โ. ย Burke is an English variant of a surname that is common in England and Ireland which originates with the Cambro-Normans. In Old English, the name means Fortified Hill. Variants include Bourke, de Burgo, Burgh, and De Burgh. Many Irish and English emigrants to Quebec and other francophone regions of Canada chose to change the spelling of the name to Bourque. Burke is an uncommon given name.
Nicknames: Ophelia doesnโt have any nicknames, sheโs never been a fan of anyone calling her anything other than her name.
Age: Thirty Five
Birthday: 31st October, Scorpio
Sexuality: Heterosexual
Relationship Status: Single
Patronus: Ophelia cannot cast a Patronus, however it would be a Hawk if she could
Boggart: Her parents rising from the dead as Inferi
Wand Type: 12 1/2โณ Yew wood, with a Phoenix Feather core
Occupation: Co-Owner of Borgin & Burkes
Affiliation: Death Eaters
Face Claim: Jessica Chastain
Key Information: Please see below the cut
๐๐ผ๐๐๐๐ฟ ๐พ๐๐๐๐๐พ๐๐๐๐๐ ;; ย can be found by clicking here
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฝ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ;; ย can be found by clicking here
๐ผ๐๐๐๐พ๐๐ผ๐๐๐๐๐ / ๐ผ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐พ๐ ;;ย ย blood red lipstick and painted black nails, dark clothing and an even darker mind, โperhaps it has always been there, this thing, this demon inside meโ, holding hands with the person youโre handcuffed to, royal blue and silver, heels that make you walk proudly, bruised knuckles and blood stained clothing. mirrors long covered up with white dustsheets, โyou and me and the devil makes threeโ.
๐๐ผ๐๐๐๐ ๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐๐๐ฝ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ;;ย ย The youngest child by only a matter of minutes, Ophelia is the only daughter of the late Edmund and Irina Burke. Along with her twin brother Atticus, there was never any competition for their parents affections while growing up. Each sibling had their own merits, and unlike many other Pureblood families with multiple children, they were loved equally by both their mother and their father, and never once was Ophelia made to feel any less because she was not the male heir. Being a family of the Sacred Twenty Eight, however, the Burkeโs insured that their children grew up knowing exactly what it meant to be true Purebloods, and so it is no surprise that Ophelia shares many of the views of the other notable families.
Happy families do not always remain that way, however. By the time that Ophelia was eighteen years old, both her mother and father were deceased and the girls entire life had been turned upside down. Her father had been killed outside his own shop one evening before he could make it home to his family, and her mother died two years later, unable to live without her husband at her side. Gripped by grief, Ophelia became unstable, and for her own safety she was placed in to the care of an old family friend, who has long since become not only her guardian, but one of the few people that she can trust the most.
๐ผ๐๐๐๐๐ฟ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ผ๐๐๐ ;; ย Attending Hogwarts, Ophelia was unsure that she would truly fit in with her fellow Ravenclaws. She had tried to tell the sorting hat that she would be better suited in Slytherin, and though it agreed that she indeed shared the cunningness of many Slytherins, her value for knowledge and creativity were more prominent. It took time for her to change her mind, but by the end of her sixth year, she was proud to be an eagle and was glad that she wasnโt able to convince the sorting hat otherwise.ย
๐พ๐ผ๐๐๐๐ ;; ย Given that her family are co-owners of Borgin and Burkeโs, one of Knockturn Alleyโs most notorious stores, Ophelia was no stranger to the Dark Arts and objects that are both unusual and ancient. While the store is and has always been avoided by many, Opheliaโs heart had been captured by the old place from a young age. Many hours were spent under the watchful eyes of her father, reading and studying the various items that were sold there, and so it became very clear early one which of the twins would take it over when the time came.
๐ผ๐๐๐๐๐๐ผ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ผ๐ ;;ย ย The loss of her parents unlocked a deep anger within Ophelia, and for a long time she wanted nothing but revenge. Someone was responsible for taking her fathers life, and then her mothers by association, and she was determined to do anything to find them. It was around this time that Lord Voldemort had caught wind of her potential, and it wasnโt long before he was able to recruit her in to the ranks of the Death Eaters, convincing her that he could offer her a way to channel her rage that would help not only her, but a cause much bigger than she was alone.
For a long while, being a Death Eater was exactly what Ophelia needed. Her rage and lack of care for anyone that got in her way had a purpose, it gave her a sense of direction and a distraction from the ever aching pain in her heart. She was encouraged to not hold back, convinced that what she did was for the greater good. But as time went on, Ophelia slowly began to see Voldemort for the man that he truly was. She saw his manipulations, his use of fear as a way to gain followers, and she realised how those things had been used on herself and the kind of person that it had turned her in to. The person she saw in the mirror was no longer someone she recognised and couldnโt have been any further from the girl her parents had brought in to the world with every ounce of love they could spare. From that moment, she had began to distance herself from the Death Eaters. She knew, of course, what would have happened to her if she had tried to leave, but unless she was summoned, she tried to remain as far out of the inner workings as she possibly could.
๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ;; ย When Ophelia learned of the death of Lord Voldemort, it was like a huge weight had been lifted off of her shoulders. As far as she was concerned, the man had turned her in to a monster for his own gain, and for that she has to actively try every day to ensure that those traits donโt leak back in to her way of thinking. She has been left with a lot of unresolved issues, most of the time she can internalise it, but sometimes it just isnโt that easy.
While she knows there are those out there who still believe that Voldemort can be resurrected, she is content in the knowledge that he is gone for good. It has allowed her to focus on the one thing that truly matters to her - fully taking the reins of her familyโs half of Borgin & Burkes. In the last couple of years, her love of being in the store and around all of the ancient and mysterious objects they sell has returned in full swing and if there was anywhere youโd most likely find her, it would be in the back of the old shop trawling through their latest finds.
She might have brushed her hands of being a Death Eater, but that is something for her to know and the other followers to never find out. She is happy to let them still think that she believes in a world where Voldemort will return, because frankly itโs good for business. The war may be over, but thereโs no reason for the shady dealings to cease - it is, after all, one of the things Borgin & Burkes is well known for, even if thereโs no evidence to prove it.
Where: Borgin & Burkes
Who: Rabastan & @ophelia-burkeโ
โOi!โ Rabastan shouted as he entered Borgin and Burkes in search of Ophelia. To be honest, he didnโt have any reason to be looking for her, he was just bored and in the area. Stopping just inside the doorway, he looked around, not seeing her anywhere. Perhaps she was in the back, or maybe she wasnโt even there and he was wasting his time. Either way, he took a few more steps inside, letting his gaze wander to the wares around the shop. โOphelia, where are you?โ He called out again, in a bit of a sing-song like voice. โOh, are we playing hide and seek? Iโve never really been very good at that game. Never much liked the hiding aspect of it.โ He laughed to himself slightly before leaning on the counter. โDonโt imagine you can hide all day, Iโll gladly hang around until you get tired.โ
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Ophelia had been through the back sorting out orders when sheโd heard the first oi ring through her old store.ย She immediately knew who it was of course and had rolled her eyes as she continued with what she was working on. It wasnโt that she didnโt like Rabastan, no, but instead had known him long enough to see him like a younger brother. One that seemingly was out to annoy her today given how determined he was to get her attention.ย
Eventually caving and appearing in the shop front, she cleared her throat.ย โElbows off the glass please.โ She said, gesturing with her hand to stop leaning on her counter.ย โLong time no see Rabastan. Last Iโd heard you were out of the country... Howโve you been?โ
WHO: Ophelia & OPEN
WHERE: The White Wyvern, Knockturn Alley
WHEN: Present Day, Mid Afternoon
It might not have that much going for it - the food was subpar at best and the owners reputation was just as questionable as the rest of those who had businesses on Knockturn Alley - but Ophelia had grown to like spending time in the White Wyvern over the years. With most people generally avoiding the place, it meant that it was easy for her to grab a booth near the back pf the old pub during her lunch break and eat with almost no interruptions.ย
She was in a relatively good mood today, so didnโt immediately sigh when she sensed another approaching her.ย โCan I help you with something?โ She asked as she glanced up at the other person.
Antonin considers her sentiments for a thoughtful moment. She is right, thereโs difficulty in these matters peddlers of normal wares donโt face. The risk of harm is higher and the venues for testing are fewer. Slender fingers, crooked in more than a few places drum against the counter top thoughtfully.ย โTrue,โ he exhales,ย โI trust Gregorovich not give me somezhink cursed or dangerous. He might lie little bit about item but he not risk betrayink my family. Ve allies very lonk time. Several marriages across generations. You understand da?โย
Antonin stands up straight again, folding his arms over his chest. The tailored lines of his suit pull and then relax against the motion.ย โVe know anyone dumb and ugly,โ he asks with an inappropriate amount of seriousness. Having someone try it out seems the most logical solution but Ophelia is already quite pretty and heโs the only man in the room so the point seems moot. Nor would he want her shouldering the risk herself, no matter how moderate the chance might be, there was still a chance. Money had changed hands between Antonin and the wand maker for years, he was confident in their alliance, but he also knew greed was a powerful motivator. A one time pay out with a large enough number could sway someone from the good sense of steady business.ย
โ
โI understand, yes.โ Ophelia nods.ย โBut I am not a very trusting woman by nature, and given that I donโt have that same connection with Gregorovich, I will remain on the side of caution until I can be absolutely certain.โ She explained. It had nothing to do with Antonin himself, of course. And she hoped that he understood that. But over the years sheโd had countless people try to chance their luck when doing business with her store and she much preferred to be the person that people ended up on the wrong side of rather than she herself ending on the wrong side of something due to a lack of cautiousness.ย
She lets out a short laugh at his question. Had she been any other woman in their stuffy society, she suspects she ought to have been at least slightly appalled by it, but that wouldnโt be like her at all.ย โSure. You could go out in to the Alley right now and find several of them.โ She replied with a small nod. Among the dangerous and suspicious people that could often be found in Knockturn Alley, there were also those who were shunned from society hiding in the darkest corners.
โEgypt? That sounds interestingโ he responded as they made their way through Knockturn Alley. It was interesting that people like them felt so comfortable in a slum like that. No one dared to look at him, they were terrified of him and with good reason. It was as if people knew their place in this part of town.ย โWe should grab dinner when he returns, Iโm sure he has a lot to tellโ he hummed softly. He always appreciated Opheliaโs family, which was saying a lot.
โOh, you know Rabastanโฆ he enjoys too much the privileges of not being the first bornโ he hummed softly. He and his brother had an interesting relationship. He loved him and would do anything for him, but he tended to annoy him with his recklessness.ย โApparently heโs too stressed after doing nothing for weeks, so naturally, he took a trip to the Amalfi Coastโ he shook his head, making a face.
โ
โIt was a choice to say the very least.โ Ophelia replied with a shake of her head, her face contorting somewhat in disapproval. โBut absolutely. If he finds what is supposedly out there, itโll be a grand tale. But if not, you can at least join me in telling him that he was an idiot for going in the first place.โ Ophelia chuckled then. She had tried to discourage Atticus from going but once a Burke had an idea in their mind, it was seen through to the very end. Stubbornness bordering on obsessive was what most people would call it, but she had long since accepted that it was a trait she and her brother couldnโt deny.ย
โOh naturally, of course.โ Ophelia offered a roll of her eyes before shaking her head.ย โWouldnโt it be lovely if we could all just take off when we felt a little stressed?โ Though her upbringing had been very different to many of those in her society with her parents never placing emphasis on the first or second born, she had spent enough time with the Lestranges to understand.ย โBrothers ey? You canโt live with them....โย
โBuona Serata Ophelia,โ Remielโs voice slips like velvet through the settling night,ย โcome va?โ He asks how she is, closing the distance between them and offering an easy smile. He doesnโt know her well enough to call her a friend but he wouldnโt call her an enemy either. She is reliable and trustworthy in a line of work that sometimes demands one be the opposite and, he suspects, she knows what it feels like to be a bystander in everyone elseโs pageantry. It had taken him years to master every nuance needed to blend in the high society friends Allegra kept and even now, when they came to him as naturally as his own name, he still felt like he was wearing a poorly constructed mask.ย
โSembri un sogno stanotte,โ he continues before clicking his tongue at himself,ย โapologiesโฆ I said you look like a dream tonight. I always hated this part. The waiting.โ He lets out a breath, shifting the protective carrier he has slung on his back. Several pieces are safely nestled inside and he supposes he ought to deliver them soon. Heโs been hesitating, nervous that they wonโt sell. At least private buyers are guaranteed, but this auction is something else, his head feels like itโs on the chopping block.ย
โ
It was only a matter of time before someone eventually spotted her. It would have been unrealistic of her to think she could keep strictly to herself all evening, but thankfully when she looked up from her thoughts, she wasnโt utterly horrified to see who was approaching her.ย โHello Remiel.โ Ophelia replied as she stubbed out her cigarette, waving the smoke away as she offered him a polite smile.ย โIโm doing well thank you, and yourself?โ She asked with a raise of her brow. She couldnโt say that she knew Remiel all that well, but he had never given her a reason to dislike him and she got the feeling that a lot of what he did was in order to survive - which was a feeling she knew plenty about.
She was thankful that she didnโt have to ask him to translate, her Italian didnโt go much further than simple helloโs and how are youโs, though being faced with a compliment when she had never really been one who knew how to respond without feeling awkward, she couldnโt help but wish heโd left her wondering.ย โOh, thank you. I figured it best that I made an effort to save standing out like a sore thumb.โ She let out a light chuckle before shaking her head.ย โYou also look very nice.โ She offered. And yes, I canโt help but agree. Do you have some of your work for the auction?โ She asked, indicating to the carrier on his shoulder.ย
WHO: Ophelia & OPEN
WHERE: Ministry Spring Gala, Exteriorย
WHEN: 10th May 1985
Just remember, itโs good for business... Ophelia had lost count of how many times sheโd told herself those worlds as she got ready for the Gala. Even now as she stood outside, large glass of wine in one hand and and a cigarette in the other, she had to remind herself that attending these things were good for business. Growing up, her mother had never insisted on her becoming the โperfect princessโ so many other families taught their daughters do be, instead favouring the idea that she should do the things that made her happy. So while she could look and play the part very well, she never truly felt at ease at large social functions.
Had he been in the country, perhaps she could have sent her brother in her place, he was the one that thrived in these kinds of situations after all. But without Atticus to represent the family or to oversee the auction of the numerous items they had donated from Borgin & Burkes, the responsibility fell to Ophelia herself.ย
His eyes roll, amused. Genuinely, deeply amused. It was no small feet. Antoninโs face had been broken and remoulded into stony indifference so many times it seemed his laugh was more of an echo of the boy he could of been versus the man he really. But here, in this small shop, with a woman he hardly knew but somehow trusted, he let his guard down. Ophelia was like that, he suspected, good at getting people to let down their walls while hiding behind her own. She could be valuable; a spider sitting in her web waiting to lure in the right fly.ย
โFirst one free,โ he offers softly,ย โrest secrets I charge you for.โ It was his best attempt at a joke. Antonin had spent the first few years in London teaching himself the language. The lack of formal education had robbed him of much of his humour and his romance. He even sounded like a dragon, and why shouldnโt he? Let the rumours feed themselves and there would be less work for him to do. When she speaks again it seams to set into motion the cogs of his own mind,ย โve confirm it genuine, you sell for ten easy. Maybe twelve. I take seven leave you good profitโฆ or I take credit and I come collect vhen you have somezhink catch my eyes. Enchantment a lie, vell necklace alone be appraised near zhree zhousand. You know vay ve can confirm?โย
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โI see.โ Ophelia tilted her head as though giving his words genuine consideration.ย โIโd say thatโs a fair bargain.โ She said before offering a amused chuckle. She has heard plenty of stories, or perhaps more rumours about the wizard in front of her, but at no point had she been given the impression that he had the ability to joke or make anyone laugh. Not that she had any interest in listening to any of the rumours that circled around about anyone. The wizarding community wasnโt that big, everyone no doubt had some sort of story about them out there being passed around. Sheโd heard plenty about herself over the years. So unlike many others who would invest themselves in such stories, Ophelia instead chose to judge people based on how they interacted with her, made her mind up solely on personal experiences.ย
โAlright, that seems like a reasonable arrangement to me. Whether to take the money or credit is your choice as either option will benefit us both.โ She nodded.ย โAs for confirming if the enchantment is legitimate, you may have to give me some time to figure that out. Short of just putting the necklace on to see what happens, enchantments can be tricky to verify.โย
Money was the prime mover of this society, that is why the newspapers only spoke niceties about him and his wife. Admittedly, Rod would rather not have his name on the paper, but there was a long way until his name was properly cleaned. Not that he wanted that, but those were the rules in this society and he wasnโt an idiot, he would rather die than loose all of his privileges.
He offered her his arm and nodded his head.ย โLetโs goโ he said with a nod.ย โHowโs your brother?โ He then asked curiously.ย โHavenโt heard from him in a while.โ
โ
Nodding in agreement, Ophelia accepted his offered arm, linking her own through his as they made their way out in to Knockturn Alley and off in the direction of their favourite restaurant.ย
โAtticus is doing good, yes.โ She said with another nod before continuing.ย โAccording to his last owl, heโs currently in Egypt living the life of an explorer as always.โ She let out a small chuckle before going silent for a moment. She always envied her brothers ability to just take off in search of whatever interesting find he had come across. But more than that, she missed him dearly when he wasnโt around. Afterall, it was just the two of them now.ย โWith any hope, heโll be home again soon so Iโll have to tell him to pop in past to see you.โย
โAnd what about you, howโs that brother of yours doing, hm?โ
