Being the youngest, I had to wait until both my parents and my sister had used the fireplace before making my own arrival. Beryl, our housekeeper, waited patiently behind me with the house elf. Whilst I had seen father travel to work via the floo network each day, I had never actually used it herself. I was perfectly aware that I would be safe but still the idea of being engulfed in green flames set trills of fear down my spine.
Swallowing down my anxiety, I announced as clearly as I possibly could "RMS. Titanic" before throwing the dust into the grate beneath my feet, not caring for dirtying my shoes. There was a flash of green and before I even had time to close my eyes I felt my feet touch back down on solid ground. Ducking below the mantel, I found myself emerge in perhaps the most prestigious drawing room I had ever laid eyes upon. Try to understand that the Family Manor was decorated in finery, but this vessel made our family home look like a hovel.
I couldn't help but stare, my mouth hung open like that of a goldfish. The welcoming lounge was where the Magical Guest's aboard the ship arrived and were greeted with the sight of the most beautiful chandelier, with layers of diamonds and dragon rubies. The walls had been finely painted and enchanted to resemble that of the sea outside which was currently calm and almost black. My admiration of the décor would have to wait, however, as I was interrupted by my sister who grabbed a hold of my hand before leading me over towards where our parents stood in an animated discussion.
"Addie, dear, please meet fathers new boss" My sister spoke softly in my ear as she guided us over "This is Minister Arthur Evermonde, and his son Sir Victor"
Curtsying towards the gentleman, I tried my best to look pleased to meet them. To tell the truth I couldn't care less of making their acquaintance. When there was an entire ship to explore, I had little cares for small talk. I had never much cared for politics anyway and watching paint dry was far more interesting than hearing of father's work as the Minister's Senior Undersecretary.
Often, I found it hard to believe that I was at all related to my parents. When Minister Crickerly died in the unfortunate Mandrake accident, bless her soul, the ministry mourned the loss. Meanwhile in the Weasley household, my father rejoiced. Crickerly's death had meant that Evermonde rose from the position of Secretary to the Minister and providing my father with the opportunity he needed to rise up from The Department of Magical Education. On the few occasions when I had been forced to attend my father's dinner parties, I had had the honour of meeting Crickerly and must say she was indeed a lovely woman with a sharp mind.
"Your parents and I were just discussing you, congratulations on your NEWT results" the Minister spoke with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. He couldn't care less about my NEWT grades and if I had been a braver woman I may have been inclined to point that out "I am sure Ravenclaw is very proud of your achievement, any ideas of which career you will follow?"
I never got a chance to tell the minister how I was currently undecided whether I even wanted an official career. As it stood I wanted to travel, fall in love and spend time on her painting. For the first time in my life, I had some control of where my life was to lead and I wanted to try everything. I felt like a hungry child at a buffet when thinking of the possibilities of my future. I could go into any career I wanted, I just needed to first escape my parents.
"Adeline will be following in both myself and Dorothea's footsteps and taking up position in St Mungo's" my mother's spoke proudly, her voice nasally and cold "A colleague of mine has very kindly offered to train her himself. He is planning to step down next soon and either she or Dorothea will be taking over the position as Head of Infectious Disease. We are very proud"
This was all news to me but with one look from my mother I held my tongue. My sister squeezed my hand and offered me a look of sympathy. I felt like I had walked straight into a trap. After spending so many years believing that my graduation of Hogwarts and my entry into adulthood would release me from my parent's control. It would seem I was wrong.
The discussion moved to departmental figures and strategies to handle the rising numbers of dragon pox amongst the lower classes. I was staring off into the painted sea trying to work out how I could convince my mother to change her mind though I knew it was all useless. Once my mother had settled upon an idea I would have better luck teaching a goat the jig than persuading her to reconsider.
I took this opportunity to analyse the man that was to be our leader for the foreseeable future. He was more like a wax figure than a man. His skin was pulled back tight and had a shine to it that did not appear natural. It really didn't help his case that he barely moved, he stood so still you would be forgiven for presuming him frozen. Even when he spoke, his mouth was so small that there was hardly any movement to his face. I felt sorry for the woman that shared his bed.
His son was much better. Whilst he certainly looked more human, he had the same waxy shine to his skin and a lifeless quality to his eyes. His hair looked like it was made of oil, dark and oily. At one point, Victor caught sight of my gaze and smirked in my direction. I had to look at the floor to hide the horror from my face. I had never met a man who resembled a snake as much as he did.
Between the movement of the ship and the poor company, I was beginning to feel rather sick. I had had such high hopes for this trip, truly believing this could be the beginning of something great. Instead she had a very sinking feeling about the prospect of spending the remainder of the journey unable to avoid her parents or that of their 'good connections'.
"Excuse me, but I feel somewhat faint" it wasn't hard to fake, I already felt sick to my stomach. I had to leave before I embarrassed myself or worse I heard something more to ruin my day "I will retire to my quarters, good evening"
A tear dared to fall from my left eye as I walked away though I swiped it away quickly not wishing to be seen in my moment of weakness. Just keep calm and carry on, that was the British way. I was sharing my quarters with Dorothea whilst our parents were in the room opposite. Upon entering the room, I shut the door hard behind me and collapsed against it. I ran my fingers through my dark curls, pulling out pins as I found them.
I don't know how long I sat there, my skirts folded beneath me. It felt cliché to think, but there were so many on the ship that came from lesser families than my own who would love to have all that I have. What girl would not love to be in quarters that housed velvet bedding or be dressed in silk gowns of the emerald? But what a price it came with, to live a life of grandeur you had to relinquish so much of your own free will and abide by the laws of society. I would trade everything to have the freedoms of a lower class girl, even that of a muggle.
There was a light knock at the door and I feared it may be my mother come to reprimand me for such awful manners. I took a deep breath in efforts to prepare myself before opening the door. Instead of the angular features of my mother, Dorothea stood there looking rather worried.
"Dear sister, are you okay?" she said coming into the room. I didn't have the time to reassure her that I was okay before she had her palm to my forehead checking my temperature "You have no fever, could it have been the sea perhaps?"
"There is no need to worry" I calmed her, guiding her to the bed. My sister had been lucky with looks, she was graced with the more appealing features of my mother such as her high cheek bones and slender frame whilst mostly taking after my father. Her eyes were warm like honey and never had I seen a sweeter smile. I, on the other hand, was the spitting image of my mother. "I am quite alright, I just needed to leave there. If there is one thing that can upset your morning it has to be politicians. Evermonde was such a bore don't you think? And as for his son, I would rather spend my evening with a venomous tentacular"
"I am sorry to hear that Addie and I really do hate to be the bearer of bad news but…" she paused for a moment and I braced myself for whatever train wreck she was about to unleash on me "Mother has just told the Minister how you would love to be escorted to this evening's dinner by Victor"
By now the floo network on board had been shut off and there would be no escaping the dinner. Could today get any worse?