Ch. 2 Uniforms and Unity…………
Once inside the brightly lit hall reeked with an aura of wealth and pride. Portraits of ancestors decorated the walls. Various dark magic artifacts covered side tables. As the pair continued down the passage in silence, a doorway to their right was slowly opened by a shabby house elf; nodding in a slight bow as they entered.
The lounges perimeter was similar to the size of the average muggle's entire house. A glittering chandelier hung from the ceiling, a large fireplace accompanied by a stoic painting on the mantle; a marriage commission of Lucius and Narcissa. Celeste, astonished by the splendor around her, surveyed the room in bewilderment. She was acquainted with a wealthy lifestyle, yet even her house in Beverly Hills was a trailer compared to this place.
Lucius, sitting in his black leather arm chair while reading the prophet ignored their presence. While his wife sat in the matching love seat, smiling at them warmly for a few brief moments; then returning beneath the mask of an aristocrat. "Draco dear, you need to finish packing your things and Celeste, your uniforms have arrived so it would be quaint for you to change into them", Narcissa stated bluntly; ever eager to be alone with her husband to attempt to calm him.
"Uniforms….." Celeste said slowly, tasting the word as well as the idea. After a few moments she looked to her brother desperately. "Sorry 'leste , I'm not sure what your accustomed to living as a spoiled yank all these years but here its all about unity" , Draco boasted as a wry smirk spread across his handsome features. "And indoctrination……" Celeste muttered bitterly. Hearing the crackling of folding paper the trio looked to the source, meeting Lucius's curious gaze.
His platinum brow arched in question, blatantly asking or daring her rather to explain the harsh statement. Taking a deep breath of air she replied, "Clothes, like many other opportunities for self expression are essential within a teen setting. For the importance of revealing one's social class and status, matters little to my classmates; only personality and taste." Pausing letting him get the chance to swallow these facts, knowing it must be difficult for him. Then continuing in a French accent; slightly jokingly," Par example, I would prefer to wear casual clothes that I may do anything I like in; while as my brother would rather saunter about in velvet and fur…Much like yourself father." She added after demonstrating a ridiculous manly swagger about the room. After noticing no one except herself was amused she cleared her throat trying to regain composure then once that was achieved finished her point, " Getting straight to the point, I'd like to make my own impression without Draco's victims and friends believing I'm his younger double simply because all they can observe is matching robes and last name!!!"
Her father's emotionless eyes regarded her for a few seconds before unfolding the prophet in front of him. Behind the newsprint his snarky tone barked at her, "That may be, but given the choice between Hogwarts' and Beauxbatons' uniformsI think it's obvious that I have done you a service. And a school without uniforms is out of the question since there is luckily no school of magic that has such disgraceful regulations." As Celeste began to open her mouth in protest her eyes were attracted by the picture on the front of the prophet. A gaunt woman with a square jaw and wild dark brown curls was sneering and laughing while bound in chains. Before she could further examine the photograph or heading Draco took grasp of her arm and lead her out of the room while reminding her time was short and they needed to prepare for the train. Her complied in silence , still processing what she had just seen and why the sight left a feeling of nostalgia in her heart.
AN: This is set to be during the Order of the Pheonix . Ch. 2 is thefirst look into Celeste's rather feral and rascally behavior and attitude. Her character will grow significantly so this first expression of personality is extremely important and probably gives many hints away about the coming chapters but oh well…..Also I'm up for subtle critiques and any sort of review on my work. Especially on this fanfic which I have worked on the longest. Ch. 3 is nearly done and I plan on finsihing it in two weeks…tops. Sorry for the long wait for this ch. by the way.