Chapter Title: Ebony and Brown
Prompt: Judgment
Word Count: 982
Rating: G
Original/Fandom: Fandom: Harry Potter ("draconem non est fabula" 'verse)
Pairings (if any): OCs/OCs (you'll see)
Warnings (Non-Con/Dub-Con etc): OC-centric
Summary: Apparently, when you know someone like Ebony Benyth, you're not allowed to be a hermit anymore. -Collection of pieces written for LJ writing community, all loosely related.
Despite her cheerful and sometimes loud behavior, Megan Watson was horrible at being consistently social. In fact, she was quickly in danger of becoming a hermit. It was only the interference of her friends and old classmates that she was dragged from her flat out into the wizarding world.
One persistent owl and a Howler later, and the brunette found herself standing with ex-housemate Ebony Benyth in the front yard of the Benyth family manor. It was dark and grand, Victorian architecture blended with Greek elements, and it was currently charmed to shimmer in the various colors of a phoenix. It was the anniversary of the Dark Lord's defeat, and it gave cause for much celebration even more than a decade after the Second Wizarding War. It was also an excuse for the flashier wizards and witches to show off their magical abilities and wealth, as was evident in the harmless flames dancing on the edge of the roof. Megan likened it to the gaudy Muggle traditions of Christmas.
"Come on, Watson!" Falling back on last names in her irritation, Ebony marched her through the front door and into the receiving room full of the affluent and famous. Spying several Ministry officials, they steered clear of most before finally coming across Mrs. Benyth in the kitchen directing her House Elves.
"Wonderful to have you here," the older woman gushed, embracing the brunette tightly before turning to shout at a House Elf for putting too much pepper in the soup. It was obvious where her daughter's dark, wavy hair came from. She then directed them towards the back door, exclaiming, "The celebration's outside, ladies! Enjoy yourselves—Ebony, your best behavior."
Ignoring the teasing this earned her from the guest, Ebony held her chin high and led Megan through the crowd of people, giving brief introductions when necessary and whispering commentary that brought out careful snorts.
"This man is insufferable," she revealed just before donning the brightest smile and calling out to her uncle. A hug and two kisses on either cheek later, they were walking away as she discreetly wiped her face with the sleeves of her elegant robes. They shared a conspiratorial smile when her cousins mistakenly drank from the bewitched punch bowl, gaining animal snouts and the irritating habit of garbling their words as they tried to reverse the effects.
"Crazy party," Megan muttered slyly. This earned her a tickling hex.
Suddenly, she stopped, bringing Ebony to a halt as well. Muffling a squeak, the brunette stepped just behind her friend, pointing across the garden, "Is that the guy who caught us in third year when we were practicing the Disillusionment Charm?"
"Well, look at that." The question was ignored, effectively answering it as she added, "I'm more interested in the man beside him. Isn't that his brother?"
"Brother?" Thaddeus and Loic looked nothing alike; while the former was muscular and blond, the latter was lean and raven-haired. "Are you sure?" Their last names differed, as well.
"Absolutely," Ebony replied before making a beeline for the two wizards, dragging her reluctant friend. "Their family was full of scandal several years back. Care to say hello?"
"I'd really rather not—"
"Oh, hush," she scolded the brunette. "Socializing is good for you."
Noticing their approach, both men turned to greet them politely: Thaddeus with a boyish grin, Loic with a calm smile. "The lady of the hour," joked the blond, holding out his hand for a firm handshake. "Our father thanks you for the invitation."
"The pleasure is all mine," Ebony easily replied. Then she laughed, musical and bright. "Or at least, that's what my parents would say." She was meant for these kinds of social events, despite how much she disliked running them; with the way she was raised and the manner she carried herself, she was going to make an excellent hostess in her future. It also helped that she was absolutely gorgeous.
Feeling awkward in comparison to her ex-housemate, Megan tucked some hair behind her ear. "Hi." It was a very lame way to start a conversation, but she knew it would've been worse if she had remained silent. I'll just be dubbed the wallflower, no biggie.
She didn't expect Thaddeus to reach over and clasp her shoulder, cheerfully parroting, "Hi." Laughing when she glanced away in embarrassment, he tugged his brother against his side, starting the introductions proper as he threw his arms around both of their shoulders. "The name's Thaddeus. This is my brother, Loic."
"She was in my House," was the other man's exasperated response, although he looked amusement when she met his gaze. Inclining his head, Loic teased, "I remember two young ladies slithering out of the Common Room to practice their chameleon impressions."
"For all you know," Ebony cut in with another laugh, "we were doing our homework."
"I highly doubt the assignment was to Disillusion yourselves and wander about the castle at night."
Thaddeus' laughter was joyous and loud, catching the attention of some of the other attendants. Patting both of his captives on the back, he exclaimed, "You two ladies brighten up this celebration. We should meet up another time, without the dress robes and Ministry officials."
The mini-hostess smiled warmly. "That sounds wonderful." The blond's grin was infectious as she was soon sporting one herself, and she suggested in an all-too-innocent tone, "We could make it a double-date."
Megan smiled nervously at the idea, but was sure to gently flick the wand at her side, throwing the Twitchy-Ears Hex at her friend. Ebony's hand rose momentarily before she countered it, giving her a knowing look. The brunette's reply was late and unenthusiastic. "Fun."
Someday soon, Ebony is going to face my fiery judgment and find herself lacking. She only hoped she could avoid her friend's wand-happy moments before a date. If Ebony was too busy with Thaddeus, it might be possible.
-Dragon