Disappointment was sinking deep into Annalise's chest, it felt as though she let down her mom from the decision she made. Once the Grand Auction starts, and whoever gets to pick her, they have free agency and leeway to do whatever they want with her. Everything.
It feels like selling herseld to the demon.
Annalise knew well that by joining, she's selling herself, and she can't help but cry over how helpless she feels. If it weren't for Adelaine, she wouldn't be doing it, but it wasn't her sister's fault, it was Adam's fault. The more she realizes how miserable her current state is, the more anger she felt for Adam.
The one who was suppose to guide her, protect her, and love her, was the one who ruined her life. He was the one she needs to struggle so much in life.
It didn't help the fact that she has to follow requirements to join the Grand Auction. And those requirements were terrible. Girls shouldn't weigh over a hundred and fifteen pounds, and Annalise weigh a hundred and thirty pounds, so she starved herself everyday before the Grand Auction. Madam Rosmerta said that rich men does not choose girls who aren't skinny enough for their liking, and that made her blood boil. Nevertheless she went on a strict diet for the money.
Then the next requirement was “No body hair.” Annalise used a permanent hair removal charm on her armpits, legs, arms, stomach, back and around her private areas. Madam Rosmerta also gave her an acne-removal paste, skin-glower potion and other skin care paraphernalia.
The reason why these are part of the requirements, according to Madam Rosmerta, is because “Men are picky”
As a week pass by, Annalise couldn't help but notice she got thinner, the shirt she uses daily were loose on her body, her face and skin was glowing, her legs were skinnier, and so does her waist, even her neck got longer, and her collarbones were protruding. Despite all these changes, she felt awful, her stomach kept on grumbling, and she felt more languid, as though her body refuse to work.
Each morning she wakes up, she felt dizzy and unenergetic, that's what she get from eating so little. But as Madam Rosmerta said, the skinnier, the more money she receives. And so she continues with only eating one porridge a day, along with overworking herself by helping Madam Rosmerta at the Three Broomsticks and working out right after.
It was a tough routine to follow, she nearly faint on some days, but that did not stop her at all.
“My head hurts..” Annalise whined to herself, she had just finished taking a bath after an hour of muggle exercises. Her head was throbbing painfully, her body felt weak, and her stomach was grumbling ― begging for her to eat.
She rolled around the mattress, and covered the blanket more about her body. One more day Annalise, Survive another day. She thought to herself. Once the Grand Auction is over, and she finally gets the money, she will eat to her heart's content. That's her promise.
Of course she won't forget about buying a house, anywhere is better as long as Adelaine is with her. Adelaine. Annalise kept on wondering about her little sister's well being. Once Addy is under her roof, she will do everything to sue Chantelle.. And maybe even Adam.
“Annalise!” She heard her name being called downstairs, and so she laguidly stood up, and immediately the painful throbbings on her head intensified. Ignoring the pain, she grabbed her wand from the bedside table and walked outside then trudge down the stairs.
“Yes Madam Rosmerta?” she questioned, as she got down the staircase and looked around her surroundings. “Where are you?”
“Living Room!” shouted Madam Rosmerta, but she didn't seem angry nor mad, it's quite the opposite, she sounded excited or rather enthusiastic.
Annalise skirted to the living room, and once she got there, her jaw dropped open, her eyes wide and she couldn't swallow the gasp from her throat. “Madam you didn't have to ―”
“I wanted to help you, dear. Don't bother about it.” Madam Rosmerta responded.
Annalise stared at the raunchy dress being conjured in mid-air on top of the wooden table. It was a hot red tight-fitting, bodycon dress that resembles a corset with puffy sleeves. It was the most alluring thing Annalise had ever seen in her entire life. Her heart fluttered just by imagining wearing it.
“It looks so beautiful Madam Rosmerta” she mused and stared at the landlady who was sitting on the couch. “It really is, but.. I don't know if it will fit me.” she confessed, her voice faltered. “Those are for ladies who are naturally skinny..”
Truth be told, Annalise doesn't think her body will be skinny enough to fit in the dress, even if it will, she doubt she will look good in it.
“You've lost a lot of weight.” Madam Rosmerta stated, and she swish her wand, causing the dress to fall delicately over the table. “Now try it on, I'm sure it would look good on you.”
Annalise smiled genuinely, she grab the dress and bowed to the landlady. “I will pay you after the Grand Auction, Madam Rosmerta. I promise.” she said cheerily.
“Nonsense.” Madam Rosmerta waved her hand as a sign of disagreement, her face scrunched in dislike. “I would get a lot more money than you would once I host the Grand Auction, that dress is a small thank-you gift I bought for you since you've helped me with the pub these last few days. Go ahead and try it, Annalise dear, I'm quite excited to see how you'd look.”
There was a parental warmth hugging around Madam Rosmerta, and Annalise was so glad she bumped into her last week on Leaky Cauldron. She felt more safe than ever.
“Thank you..” Annalise muttered, and waste no time sprinting up the staircase, then into her bedroom on the right.
She bounced with pure delight knowing the dress will be hers for eternity. Not once had Annalise bought something for herself, and if she did, it would usually to benefit her and Adelaine, like School Robes and new wand holsters.
She took her time with undressing, then checked herself first, and lastly she flattened every crumpled part of the dress before wearing it. Annalise thought she would have a hard time wearing it but it was quite easy. The fabric was soft in comparison to how it looks.
Looking down at her stomach, Annalise couldn't quite catch when it had become so flat, and she doesn't recall her boobs being so... Flattering.
But she was grateful, she might thank those features in the future.
She stealthily walked out the door and slowly take baby steps down the staircase, afraid that Madam Rosmerta's judgement will be harsh. But then, as she expose herself in the living Room, the reaction was not what she had rather expected.
“You look beautiful!” Madam Rosmerta stood from the couch and clapped, she has that proud smile planted across her face. “That dress was meant for you to wear ― but there is something missing..” she surveyed Annalise up and down, her eyes narrowing, suddenly she flounced away from the living room and sprint upstairs, a few moments later, Madam Rosmerta came with long classy earings and vermillion leather pumps.
“These are mine but you can use it for a day ―”
“Oh no, no no no no, I cannot possibly use it Madam Rosmerta, you already gave me enough.” Annalise reasoned out as she shook her head.
Madam Rosmerta rolled her eyes at Annalise's response before placing the earrings and the shoes on the table. “I wouldn't allow you to pair that dress with some silly manky and shabby looking shoes! You'd look stupid! Now wear this!” she insisted.
Laughing out of pure delight, Annalise slip her feet inside the shoes, which fits perfectly, and then wear the earrings. She let her hair fall from the ponytail and when she look at the mirror pressed against the wall in the living room, she couldn't help but want to cry.
It was the first time in a long time she ever felt this beautiful.
So beautiful she couldn't believe it. Then she soon thought of Draco again, Would he be shock if he saw how much she had changed now?
Probably not.
“I cannot thank you enough, Madam Rosmerta. You gave me a room, food, money, and now a beautiful dress with accessories.” Annalise wrap her arms around Madam Rosmerta and she felt so tall due to the heels.
A hand soothed her back and Madam Rosmerta giggled from Annalise's actions. “You remind me of my old self dear, I had to look for money at sixteen, so I wanna help you. Now you need to get some sleep before I take you to the Grand Auction tomorrow.”
As she pulled away, she felt sick realizing the Auction would be tomorrow already. She wasn't ready to sell herself, she was not ready at all, however, she needs to pretend she is. And she did. “I will, thank you so much Madam Rosmerta.”
After a few moments of chinwag, she head back to her own room, take the wonderful dress off including the accessories and head to sleep.
The moment Annalise woke up, her eyes were bloodshot, she nearly had no sleep due to her fear, her hands spasmed each time she think about an old, baldy man giving her a thousand galleons to fuck her. And she wants to back out. But she couldn't, she wouldn't back out.
She took the whole morning and afternoon prepping herself, rubbing scented oils and lotions about her body, putting a thick amount of maquillage for men to appreciate her looks, wear the daring dress and practiced walking in those vermillion leather pumps with feign confidence then help Madam Rosmerta fit her ocean dress.
It was a busy day for Annalise, however, by the time the clock strikes seven, she was ready to go.
“How do we get to the Grand Auction, Madam Rosmerta?” Annalise asked as she fix the split ends of her hair with a scissor, she whip her head towards the direction of the landlady and found that Madam Rosmerta was muttering the words she's going to say later on when she hosts the event.
“Madam, you'll do just fine! You've been memorizing your lines over and over again, don't stress yourself.”
“What ― oh right! Goodness, look at the time, we're a bit behind schedule Annalise dear, we must hurry.” Madam Rosmerta quickly exclaimed as she got a look at the Grandfather wall clock, she immediately grab her purse and her wand then flounce out of the house. Annalise followed.
“Colloportus ― Can you apparate by yourself? If not we can do Side-long Apparition.” Madam Rosmerta queried before stowing her wand to the wand holster attached around her waist.
“If it's not that long then I can.” Annalise responded, her eyes darted to the High Street, Hogsmeade looked like a christmas evening with the shops lit open and smoke unfolding from chimney tops. “Where will we be apparating?”
“The Riddle house.” Madam Rosmerta said with an air of excitement.
“Wait a second..” Annalise dithered, “Little Hangleton?” she asked, and when she got a nod as a response, she quickly gasp. “But how about the muggles in the area? Won't they be wondering why people are suddenly visiting that old Manor, it's supposed to be abandoned, isn't it?”
“They have charms put all over the Manor darling, to the muggles it may look empty, dark and ghostly ― they won't see us if you apparate near the gates, and besides, this will be once in a lifetime opportunity, no one has ever been inside The Riddle House after it's residents were killed by Voldermort.”
Annalise mused, her mouth gape open. She has never been to Little Hangleton, which will make Apparating a little more harder considering she'd have to imagine a place she's never been. “Okay, I think I can apparate there.”
“Good ― now, in 1, 2, 3!”
She felt her feet rising in the air and her surroundings vanished as though she was being sucked into oblivion, seconds later her heels landed on a hard ground, looking around while panting, Annalise saw the newly mowed grass, there were rows of tall hedges surrounding them, and wizards and witches apparated all over the place. They have successfully apparated in the Riddles' land.
“Hurry dear! Hurry! I need to talk with some important personnel.” Madam Rosmerta quickly dragged Annalise away, despite lacking of oxygen she sprinted in her heels, before them was the tall composite door, and when Annalise entered the Manor along with Madam Rosmerta, her jaw dropped open.
On the ground floor, as Annalise looked up, there were white chiffon drapes connected to the gold-lighted Chandelier, which illuminated a goldenrod tint to the area, the walls were covered with fluttering fairylights, circular tables were embellished with ruby buffet cloth, making the place appear to look like a very fancy ballroom, except for the fact that the room was adjourned with tables and tufted chairs.
“They renovated the area.” Madam Rosmerta said after noticing the perplexed in Annalise's eyes.
People quickly owned the seats that accomodated the circular tables, and Madam Rosmerta led Annalise to a table full of beautiful and glamorous ladies dressed in their sparkly fineries. “This table are for ladies who signed up for the Auction ― you are Lady Annalise Monette, alright?” Madam Rosmerta lowered her voice but audible enough for Annalise to hear.
She nodded and Madam Rosmerta continued whispering, “See that stage over there?” she pointed a finger at the stage with two stone steps on each side of it at the very front of the area, it has a golden podium in the center which shined brightly around the area. Annalise quickly nodded,
“Once I call "Lady Annalise Monette", you will stand up, walk gracefully to the stage and stand next to me, say nothing, stand tall and just smile at every men in the room ― entice them, allure them, the richer ones will always be at the center, watching if any girl suits their styles. Once the highest bidder won, you sit next to him, and he owns you for one night. Alright?”
She nodded, as Madam Rosmerta left to talk to rich men in tuxedos in a nearby table, Annalise sat down to where she was appointed to sit, and she tried to avoid as many stares as possible from what she calls, co-workers.
“Why'd you join?” A redhead girl who was sitting next to her asked, she was wearing an all purple outfit, her makeup was bold, full of glimmer and her hair was done in an updo. “Debts?”
“No..” Annalise answered and she fidgeted with her fingers. “Toxic household, and a responsibility.”
“A younger sister?” the glamorous redhead asked, her eyes widen in curiosity, and Annalise was astound to see blueness in it, since it was hidden behind thick lashes.
“Yeah.”
“Guessed it right.” The girl responded with an air of pride. “I'm Lottie, you must be new here, you're the only one whom I don't recognize.” she took out a compact powder and start retouching her face.
Annalise's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, “Are you saying you've done this before?” she asked stupidly.
“Yes, I've been doing this for three years already ― these men only wants sex and pleasure lemme tell ya, they last three minutes, maximum.” Lottie said with sarcasm and she rolled her eyes while fixing the chain necklace around her neck. “But money is good, so I don't have anything to complain.”
Annalise didn't respond after, she watched the entire room, some men were dressed in very fancy fits with gold chains dangling about their throat, just like in her imagination there are some baldy old men who even came with their sons, teaching them the type of girls they've owned for a night in the previous Auctions, some look so young, and some were plain-looking.
Annalise just hoped she won't be picked by an old man, it sends shivers down her spine whenever she thinks about it. As time passes by, more men and even women came to the event, the manier, the more nervous Annalise gets.
“Good Evening to all wealthy families and individuals tonight!”
Once she heard that confident voice of Madam Rosmerta, Annalise quickly looked up at the stage in between people's head and clapped along with the others. “Today's Grand Auction is held in this very place called The Riddle House!”
All people in the vicinity clapped harder, some looked impressed while gawking around the spacious area.
“I want to thank everyone who will be participating to our huge event, I am very honoured to be given the opportunity to host tonight's Auction ― and I've got some hot girls for these young lads!”
The guys at the center clapped and whistled at her, obviously excited to buy girls. Annalise felt hugely uncomfortable by this. Men have so much lust in their souls to the point they have to buy woman to relieve it.
“Of course I won't be forgetting about older participants! But before that, let me call out a special person who invested eight thousand galleons to hold this remarkable program. The man behind this year's Grand Auction! Let us welcome ―” Black tux and grey ribbon around the neck, his shoes shiny and polish, hair tousled and neat, the man being stated walked up the stone steps to the stage, and Annalise felt her heart drop.
She suddenly wants to be swallowed alive by the ground, her hands started spasming, beads of sweat rolled down from her hairline, and her heart thudded against her chest in an abnormal speed.
No, it couldn't be him. There is just no way it's him. Annalise thought. She felt more fear than ever, and the sudden desire to run away heightened.
“Ladies and Gentleman, let us welcome, the youngest heir of a pureblood family ― Graham Montague!”