Chapter 1- 'Sinister Sisters and Masquerade Masks'
---Astoria—
Sometimes, I really wonder what I did to deserve this. Sure, living with the Greengrasses was definitely a luxury and Mr Vincent Greengrass and his son Jacob Greengrass were more than nice to me. But-
"Astoria! Get up, you useless pig, we're going to be late for the ball!" screeched Daphne. That would be my sister. She's not really my sister. See, I'm adopted into the Greengrass family. I never knew my original family. Most of the family seems to like me but not Daphne and Mrs Greengrass. Oh try as I may to get on their good side but they seemed intent on hating me. But though my efforts are fruitless, I will always try. In the family, Daphne seems to detest me most. She couldn't be angrier that I was invading her home.
"ASTORIA!!" shouted Mrs Greengrass.
"I'm coming mother!" I shouted back, though in a softer tone. I powdered my nose and looked myself in the mirror of the rosewood vanity table. I looked at those brown eyes which bore into mine. My eyes moved down to look at the reflection of my body. I wore a simple rose-pink and white dress. It had white lace beaded with pearls along the hem and sleeves. The dress had a low but modest neckline and it hugged my curves perfectly. On the whole, it was quite beautiful.
My eyes moved back up to my hair which was done up in a French twist with pearls weaved into it. I always thought my hair was dull, the colour of dirt it was; just plain brown, not like the Greengrass' beautiful honey blonde hair. I looked at the mask seated on the vanity. It was quite exquisite; a silver mask with intricate designs formed by the light pink glitter and pearls outlining the edge. It was a simple design but it spoke volumes. I was entranced as I watched the glitter and pearls reflect the light, throwing it across the room, causing the mask to sparkle. For a moment, it looked like there were diamonds on my mask instead of glitter.
"ASTORIA!!!!!!" shouted Mrs Greengrass and Daphne in harmony. They snapped me right out of my daze. I carefully pick up the mask with my silk gloved fingers and went down as fast as my white satin heels could take me. I dashed down the winding red carpeted marble stairs awkwardly. Slipping as I went. When I finally made it down the stairs, I was greeted with a startling sight.
Daphne looked beautiful. She was perfection head to toe. Her dress was deep purple satin, so dark it seemed to suck all the attention to her, with gold trimmings along the bodice and along the edge of her frock. The gown seemed to be encrusted in diamonds making her sparkle. When she moved the gown seemed to move with her; like water. Her bodice had a plunging neckline though it was not too low, just low enough to be tasteful. Around her neck she wore a purple choker with one solitary diamond. On her face, she wore a mask. Saying it was beautiful would be an understatement. It was magnificent. The colour was dark. I couldn't tell the exact colour. It was black but it was blue, it was purple but not quite. I finally settled for royal purple. It was lightly dusted with gold. Golden lines and curves ran across the mask like vines. It started from the bottom and ended at the top where a large glinting pearl was embedded. Several purple feathers completed the mask. It added a gentle touch to the fierce and daring but beautiful features. My eyes moved up to her hair. The honey blonde curls were held in an elaborate knot on top of her head by a simple but breathtaking diamond clip. Two curled tendrils of hair escaped down her neck to complete perfectly coifed hair. Her complete look from her hair down to her shoes left me jaw slacken and breathless. She looked like the angel of the night, her pale skin a lovely contrast to her dark outfit.
"What took you so long? Get in the carriage!" she snapped. This sent reality crashing back; she may look like an angel but she was anything but.
"You look beautiful" said Jacob and Mr Greengrass in sync. Mrs Greengrass and Daphne glared at them. I gently thanked them with a curtsy. We exited the ten foot long mahogany carved doors into the cold night. And waiting on the gravel drive were four Palomino horses with their chestnut fur brushed to glisten. A footman held open the door of the dark wood carriage.
The Greengrasses took this carriage to fancy events much like this one. Mrs Greengrass and Daphne were first in the carriage. I waited for Mr Greengrass and Jacob to get in first but they motioned me to get in first. That was strange. Usually the whole family got in before I did. I carefully made my way into the carriage, sitting opposite Daphne and Mrs Greengrass on the red satin cushioned seat. Mr Greengrass went to sit next to Mrs Greengrass and Jacob sat next to me.
The horses neighed and the sound of hooves clicking against the ground and the wheels of the carriage squeaking could be heard. We were on our way to the Malfoy's Masquerade Ball held at their mansion, Malfoy Manor.
---Draco---
I looked at the full length mirror framed in intricately carved, gold-painted wood. I brushed my already immaculate robe sleeves and fidgeted with my cuffs. I wore a satin ebony robe over my silver waistcoat and stark white shirt, a pair of tailored inky black pants and a white bow tie. I smoothed back my platinum hair. My eyes swept over my reflection.
I turned my head a fraction and looked at my mask on the nearby table. It was silver with obsidian lines which seemed to slither across the mask like snakes to from patterns and to finish off the design there were onyx stones set around the eyes and edges. I would wear it tonight at the masquerade ball. I've always hated balls; having to dance with every girl in the room and mindless banter about nothing in particular.
"Draco! Draco, darling." a nearby voice called. My head automatically turned to the direction of the source of the voice; my door.
"I'm in here, mother." I called back. I turned back to my reflection and look at my stormy grey eyes. Behind me, I could hear a door click open and soft footsteps across my carpeted bedroom floor.
A feminine face of a lady appeared next to mine in the mirror. Her pale blonde hair pulled up elaborately, held together by single diamond encrusted gold barrette.
"Dearest, you look very handsome. All the ladies will be waiting to get their dance with you, I'm sure." grinned mother. I rolled my eyes. She was being biased as usual. But one must admit, I did look rather dashing. I grinned at my reflection as well.
"Be down in about 5 minutes, our guests are going to arrive soon." reminded mother with a tap of her finger on my nose and a kiss on my cheek. Out of habit from when I was younger, I wiped at my cheek and turned around to watch her leave the room. She pointed at the mahogany grandfather clock and looked at me sternly, shutting the door softly.
I pivoted to scrutinize my reflection for any sign of a crease or strain in the image in the mirror. When I was satisfied that everything was flawless, I wandered around the room looking for something to do. Semi-consciously, I stopped in front of the window and gazed out into the drive.
Carriages were swamping in and the hum of excitement was contagious. Suddenly inspired, I straightened my back, pulled at my robe and strolled to the table where my mask lay. With one last look around the room, I walked out the door.