A Ball

It was tradition in the high wizarding society to officially introduce your heirs at a ball. Every year it was held somewhere differently, but always hosted by a family who were introducing a child. When a wizarding child was to be attending Hogwarts, they were deemed old enough to 'officially' enter society. Before then they would not have met many people outside of oath bound tutors and close family or allies.

The year Rose was to attend Hogwarts the Ball would be held at Malfoy Manor, since the Malfoy family were one of the most powerful families in wizarding society right now without a visible Head of House Black or Potter. Despite not being an Ancient House, the House of Malfoy had always had powerful Lords with a strict moral code and the ability to work themselves into powerful positions.

There were several stages to go through in order to prepare for the ball. The first was seen too by the parents: being taught the proper etiquette to interact with high society and to be able to recognise everyone based on family colours and crests.

Then it was learning the traditional dance: the waltz. The best boy and girl dancer were also selected by the Lords and Lady's at the Ball to dance the Viennese waltz so everyone was also taught this dance by hopeful parents. The boys had it easy during this process since they learnt the 'beginner' or basic waltz which had been choreographed for that year's ball. Then, if they mastered this dance that would be taught the 'intermediate' version. Finally, if they mastered the intermediate dance, they would be taught the advanced waltz. Since they were all the same length, the three dances were done to the same four songs which had the appropriate beet behind them. Girls had it harder since they would be changing dance partners on the night. They had to learn all three of the levels, and if they didn't it would show on the night if one or more of the boys had progressed to the advanced dance.

The boy's had to do very little to prepare for the dance beyond making sure that their suit and over-robe fit (something that the lady of the house normally ends up helping with since they had a better understanding of fashion and what would suit them). The girls, however, were being show cased. This was their first time being out in society and it was when potential marriage contracts were formed. The girl's had to compete against each other in order to obtain the attention of the best family.

In order to do this, they had to advertise their beauty. Most girls went to the best seamstresses that they could afford to make their dresses. But some chose to broadcast their own skills by making their own dresses. However, it was something that not many girls did anymore since sowing wasn't a skill as highly priced by women as it used to be. The last Lady to make their own dress for the ball was Adrienne Black in 1851 who married into the Prewitt family.

Rose chose to make her own dress. The Lady Greengrass had gifted her with a mannequin that would adjust to however she liked. It used to belong to the late Lady Greengrass before her, but since neither the current Lady Greengrass, Rose's 'mother' or the two heiress showed a liking to making their own cloths it was gifted to her. Rose preferred to make her own because she could add her own adjustments and not have to pay for the time or silence of the maker.

The dress she had decided to make was simplistic and elegant in its nature. The upper body of the dress was similar to that of a corset, tight to the skin and making the little curves she had, at the age of eleven, stand out. The top-front of the corseted section was squared with silk fabric reaching up to cover her shoulders. This fabric then travelled down her arms, but started fanning out slightly at her elbows to allow a slight range of movement for her hands. The back of the dress dipped slightly to show her upper back but was solid fabric from just below her shoulder blades.

The bottom part of the dress was inspired from the muggle-Victorian era. She allowed the hips of the dress to form low on the body and come away. Instead of the ridiculously large, bell shaped dresses that were the fashion at balls, Rose only allowed a small bell shape no more than four inches from her body. The fabric was layered to form a wave like pattern in the dress.

The colours she had chosen to use were black, purple and silver. The majority of the dress was a solid black but purple appeared along the front of the dress since she had formed a design that – had she been older – would have perfectly followed her curves and shaped her breasts. It was a dark purple that only stood out when the light caught it just right, and nearing the edges merged into the black. Dancing throughout the dress was a sprinkling of silver that sparkled when the light caught it.

To accompany the dress she wore a pair of elbow length silk gloves, a black choker with the house crest (a silver fox) on and simple silver studded earrings. Her hair – which she had never cut beyond getting rid of dead ends – wouldn't be in the plait she normally wore it (too keep it out of her way). Instead, she had curled it until there was a thick weave going through her hair. This allowed her to then slowly start folding it at the back of her head using 'invisible' clips, weaves and plaits. The final effect meant that her hair was pulled tightly at the back of her head, revealing her back and giving her the illusion of being taller.

Since she was only eleven, and having never liked make-up (in this life or the last), Rose settled on mascara to extend her eyelashes and a small amount of eyeliner (shaped like a wing) in order to bring out her eyes which were a stunning violet that she had gotten from the Black side of her ancestry. The black eyeliner had a slight silver sparkle to it, which gave her face a bit of a lift without her adding anything else. On her feet she wore a simple pair of strapped black dance shoes. Her dress reached to the floor, so her heels were two inches high to allow her dress to lift enough to show the tips of her toes as she danced.

The other accessories she was wearing were not something that would be 'socially approved'. She was about to attend a ball were all but, perhaps twenty children, would be carrying at the very least a wand. Most of them would also have a back-up wand on their person and it wasn't uncommon for the Lords to be carrying a dagger on their person. Because of this, and her training induced paranoia, Rose decided to bring the elven dagger she had been gifted. It was small and light, so easily hidden in the folds of her dress at the small of her back. On her left arm she also strapped a goblin made dagger that she had been gifted when she graduated from her second level of training three months before the ball.

As was tradition the ball took place on August 4th. This was because it symbolized the end of the Celtic Holly Tree season and introduced the beginning of the Hazel Tree season. This day symbolises many things, including the end of the last year's children, and the introduction of the new, as well as the amplification of the best of Holly and Hazel to the children being introduced.

All the children who were to be introduced had been sent a portkey that activated three hours earlier than the ball was to start. The children were allowed only these three hours to prepare – without the help of house elves or family. It took Rose only an hour to wash, and begin the process of styling her hair. While her hair was half finished, she took five minutes to get dressed and do her make-up before spending another thirty minutes finishing her hair. In her remaining hour, Rose took the time to read one of the books that had been in the room the Malfoys provided her.

Finally, the time of the ball was upon them and the children began to be called. Since it was an introduction, and the single men and women as well as the parents of single children, were looking for the most beautiful (handsome) and poised partner they could find at this stage (later they would start looking for other character traits), those being introduced were called one by one in alphabetical order: men than women.

"Alexander Avery, heir of the Most Ancient and Nobel House of Avery."

"Vincent Crabbe, heir of the Minor House of Crabbe."

"Gregory Goyle, heir of the Minor House of Goyle."

"Ernie Macmillan, of the Minor House of Macmillan."

"Draco Malfoy, heir of the Nobel House of Malfoy."

"Theodore Nott, heir of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Nott."

"Robert Rowle, heir of the Most Ancient and Nobel House of Rowle."

"Blaise Zabini, heir of the Nobel House of Zabini."

"Lavender Brown, of the Minor House of Brown."

"Melinda Carrow, of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Carrow."

"Felicity Flint, of the Minor House of Flint."

"Daphne Greengrass, heiress of the Most Ancient and Noble house of Greengrass."

"Pansy Parkinson, heiress of the Minor House of Parkinson."

"Eleanor Rosier, of the Most Ancient and Noble house of Rosier."

"Sophie Rosier, of the Most Ancient and Noble house of Rosier."

"Rosaline Selwyn, Heiress of the Minor House of Selwyn."

Rose's name was the last one to be called. With careful, elegant steps Rose left her room and headed down the long corridor that led to the grand staircase that led to the Grand Ball Room. Most of the girl's had descended the stairs using the banister due to the heels that they had worn (no more than two inches due to their age), but Rose descended down the middle of the staircase like the boys before her. Her head was held high and proud, her feet soft and shore, and her hands rested lightly in front of her.

Stepping lighting onto the flat ball room floor, Rose glided to the centre were the others were waiting for the first dance. They had partnered up as they entered: Alexander was facing Lavender; Vincent was facing Melina; Gregory was facing Felicity; Ernie was facing Daphne; Pansy was facing Draco; Theodore was facing Eleanor and Robert was facing Sophie. Rose came to a stop opposite Blaise.

Blaise was a handsome young man with dark skin, high cheek bones, and a strong, broad frame that was clade in an Italian silk suit that made his features seem mysterious. He had calm honey golden eyes, which seemed to be observing the whole room at once. When he was older, Rose could tell that he would become a very handsome young man.

"Now that all our young heirs and heiress have been introduced, let the first dance begin." The Lady Malfoy announced from her place next to her husband.

Immediately the band began to play the first note of the waltz. As was proper, Blaise offered his right hand to Rose with a slight bow of his waist while his left hand folded behind his back. Rose accepted his right hand with her own while offering a light curtsy. With steady steps Blaise led her through the steps of the dance with no hesitation. He was well practised, Rose noticed, and not hesitating about leading her into the more complicated twirls and dips that most of the others were ignoring.

When the dance ended they bowed to each other and Blaise led her back to the line where he passed Rose onto Alexander. Alexander was more willowy than Blaise, and also about half a head shorter (making him only an inch or so taller than Rose). He was blond, with soft features and baby blue eyes. He struck her as more awkward than handsome (or even cute). Just as he was awkward in looks, Alexander was also in the dance. His movements stiff and slightly jerky, he stepped on her toes twice and held her hand too tightly.

With the end of this dance Rose did not curtsy as deep as she had done to Blaise, showing her disagreement with his dancing style. Those paying particular attention to either her or Alexander would being taking not of her opinion and using it to help form their own.

Alexander handed her off too Vincent. Vincent was one of the largest boys in the group, with rounded features, drooping eyes and limp hair he wasn't even classically handsome. The suit he had been forced into was fitted and ill-made for his broad and stocky frame. Vincent was clumsy on his feet and obviously unsure of the steps. Realising what the problem was, Rose subtly took control of the dance. Using her hands and hips to lead Vincent without making it obvious what she was doing. The steps were simple and they never left a close hold, but Rose was also the first girl that Vincent completed the dance with (and without stepping on their toes).

Gregory was much like Vincent in both body shape and his dancing style. However, he was also extremely shy and was shrinking away from some of the judging and sneering looks he was getting from their audience. This time, when Rose stepped into hold, she forced Gregory's arms and shoulder's up which made him straightened his back. She then led him through the dance in the same manor she had done with Vincent, and every time his shoulder's started to drop and his back slouch she would straighten him out by applying pressure to his shoulders. This gave him the illusion of being confident while dancing with her to anyone who wasn't paying very close attention. Those who were paying close enough attention took note of her skill and subtly.

The next boy she was handed off to was Ernie. He was about average height for the boys in the room, his nose slightly too sharp, his eyes a generic blue; his hair a dusty blond that appeared to have gel in it to make it styled. The moment the dance started, Ernie forcible took control by grabbing her around the waist hard enough to bruise and fixing a vis-clamp like grip on her hand. The dance he led her through was not as complicated as the one Blaise had used, but it was still fairly advanced. He was obviously still only at an intimidate level, but was trying to incorporate the advanced dance steps as well, which put them out of sync with the other dancers. Rose hid her discomfort and pain and simple went with the dance right until the end.

The Lady Malfoy had been watching the dancers with more attention this year then she had at the previous Balls she had to attend as a member of the elite. Not only was she hosting the Ball and so expected to have a nice word about all the dancers, but her son was also looking for an eligible wife. It was because of her close observation that she noticed when the Macmillan boy changed his dance routine. All the other males had chosen a dance type and stuck with it – only Draco, the Zabini heir and Nott had gone with an advanced dance – but he had decided to change. He went from using the simple two-step Waltz he had used with his other dancer partners to a more complicated unpractised version when he started dancing with the Selwyn heiress who was clearly the most skilled dancer of all the girls. Looking to her left let the Lady Malfoy now that her husband had also noticed this shift and that he was prepared to intervene if it becomes necessary for him to do so.

The dance was just coming to an end when Ernie made his fatal mistake. He had pulled her into a close hold for a couple of steps before spinning her out sharply in a move that was supposed to look graceful and elegant. However, he had pushed her too sharply and released her hand removing any counter-balance that she may have gained. With a cry of shock Rose was thrown backwards onto the floor were her momentum carried her several feet.

The music died and all appreciative chatter and applause stopped the moment Rose hit the floor. The Lady Malfoy and Lord Malfoy swiftly moved across the floor to the fallen dancer. Luckily for her, she had been thrown to the feet of the Lord Malfoy's close friend – Severus Snape, Lord of the Noble House of Prince.

"Heiress Selwyn?" he asked, kneeling down next to the fallen girl and gently supporting her head as he draw his wand.

"My Lord," Rose responded after a moment to clear her confusion. She wasn't sure which Lord had chosen to help her but from his style of robe and the manner in which he had tied his hair, she would guess one of high standing.

"Can you tell me if you hurt anywhere?" he asked as he briefly cast a diagnostic spell to see if the foolish boy had caused the heiress any harm.

"I don't believe so," Rose answered as the Lady Malfoy knelt on her other side. Lord Malfoy stood and watched, making sure everything was alright before he dealt with the foolish boy who had dared harm an heiress while in his home. In a show of 'care' both Ryan and Ralph came to stand by the Lord Malfoy, looking absolutely furious.

"There's no damage to your head, it appears you were lucky enough to have not hit it on the floor. However, you have bruising on your waist and hand were the boy held you and the start of bruising forming across your lower back and shoulders." The Lord reported allowing Rose to sit up properly.

"Is there anything you can do for the bruising?" Ralph asked stiffly.

"No, the bruises need to form, but by the end of the night she will be able to apply a cream to help lessen the damage. I'll have it for you when the night is over." The Lord stood and offered his hand to Rose to help her up.

Rose gratefully accepted the hand. Once she was standing she was able to identify the Lord for who he was and she dipped into a light curtsy. "Thank you for your help, Lord Prince."

"I'm glad I could offer my assistance, Heiress Selwyn." He responded.

"Ernie Macmillan, of the Minor House of Macmillan, Lord Macmillan, Lady Macmillan," Lord Malfoy turned and faced the foolish boy and his aunt and uncle who stood behind them. Lord Macmillan had a strong grip on his nephews shoulder and he look most displeased.

"Lord Malfoy," Lord Macmillan responded with a polite, deferential bow of his head. "Our nephew has offered insult and injury to the heiress of the Selwyn Family, and disgraced your noble halls." Lord Macmillan seemed to take a deep bracing breath. "For these acts of insult we offer services in retribution to the House of Malfoy and the House of Selwyn."

"For the insult done to my house, I ask only that the trouble maker and his parents are shown to have learnt the proper way of society. They will no longer be able to attend a function in which I, or my family run, until they have redeemed themselves." Lord Malfoy offered a lenient punishment. Since it was the duty of the parents to teach the child how to act, and with his words Malfoy resolved the Lord and Lady Macmillan of any responsibility.

"I will ensure that my brother, sister in law and nephew learn their place." Lord Macmillan promised with a bow.

"I have no other retribution to add to this insult." Ralph said. With Lord Malfoy's punishment, and the offer of lenience and mercy there was nothing Ralph could add without it looking bad upon him – especially since his 'granddaughter' had not been seriously harmed.

"Then we will take our leave of the ball tonight, for we do not deserve to remain." The Lady Macmillan announced. And with a short curtsy she led her family from the room.

"Now that this distraction has been dealt with let us continue with the dance." The Lady Malfoy announced brightly. "Since we now have an odd number of girls to boys I would like a volunteer from one of last year's boys to step forward if their family has yet to find them a match."

There was a lot of hushed whispering throughout the crowd before Danial Davis heir of the Minor House of Davis stepped forward and took Ernie's place in the line. Lord Prince took Rose's hand and led her over to Draco Malfoy and with a light bow handed her off to him.

Draco was average height, with lightly styled blond hair. He wore a nicely styled suit that suited his frame well. His dance style was similar to Blaise: shore and confident. He was more graceful then Blaise as he seemed to glide across the floor with her, but Blaise had been more practised with his dance. However, he was only just taller than her and the similarity in heights made the dance look slightly less elegant despite the fact that they did not miss a step or beat.

Theodore was her final dance partner of the night since time had run short. Normally she would have also danced with Robert but because of the incident earlier she did not have time to dance with him. Theodore was tall with brown hair and eyes, his face angled with high cheek bones. Rose was sure that as he got older he would have many girls wishing to be his wife. His dancing skills were simple, but he pulled it off well and gracefully, gently leading her across the floor.

With the final dance over, Rose bowed to Theodore before looping her hand though his offered arm. The other children had also taken up similar positions. The Lord and Lady Malfoy began to lead the way through to the dining room. There were three long tables. The table on the far right was designated for all the married Lords and Ladies (and the ones who were widowed). The table on the far left was for all the eligible partners who were over the age of 15. The middle table was for new Hogwarts students and the children up to 14. If a marriage contract existed between a child aged 12 and up then they were to sit at the end of the far left table normally next to the person they were betrothed to unless they weren't present.

Floating above the seats in the dining room were an individual's name, letting them know where they were to be seated. Theodore led her to the end of the middle table were the Lord Malfoy was stood at the head with his wife stood behind the seat on his left. On the seat of honour to Lord Malfoy's right, there stood Lord Prince. Rose's name was floating above the seat next to his, and facing Draco.

Next to Draco was Blaise, then Robert, Theodore, Gregory, Vincent and Alexander. Eleanor was next to Rose, then Sophie, Pansy, Daphne, Felicity, Melinda and Lavender. She wasn't aware of the names of the other children who were on their table, but she was sure she would figure it out when she went off to Hogwarts since these were the people she would have to keep an eye on in order to prevent her 'father' from creating a marriage contract she didn't approve off. Luckily the Greengrass family still had some say in this matter.

"Now that we have seen our next generation dance, let us eat. The voting for the best boy and girl dancer will occur after the feast. I hope you all enjoy." The Lord Malfoy announced before taking his seat. With the Lord of the Manor sat everyone else followed suit.

The food appeared on the table the moment everyone had sat. The Malfoy's had sent out a menu for the night and when sending their acceptance of the invite, everyone also included the food that they would be eating. For her starter Rose had picked the watercress and celeriac soup.

"So," Draco drew everyone's attention. "I'm looking forward to starting Defence against the Dark arts when we go to Hogwarts. What lessons are you looking forward too?"

"I'm looking forward to learning transfiguration." Blaise was the first to admit, starting a circle of answers.

"I'm interested in starting charms." Robert bowed his head slightly as though he had admitted something slightly shameful.

"I'm interested in starting to study history, but I would much prefer to do Ancient Runes. Unfortunately we don't start Ancient Runes till third year." Theodore informed them proudly.

"I'm looking forward to Care of Magical Creatures." Gregory said shyly.

"I'm looking forward to charms." Vincent said slightly sullenly like he wasn't actually interested in it but was told to say it.

"I'm also looking forward to Charms." Alexander nodded his agreement to Vincent, either not noticing or choosing to ignore Vincent's tone.

"I'm looking forward to Herbology." Lavender admitted brightly.

"I'm looking forward to starting Arithmancy in year three." Melinda said boldly.

"I'm looking forward to transfiguration." Felicity said shyly.

"I'm looking forward to Ancient Runes and charms." Daphne was next to say her subject, her eyes flickering to Rose slightly as the only other person there who knew that Daphne wanted to go on to be an enchantress.

"I'm looking forward to Charms." Pansy said, her voice slightly high pitched and shrill.

"I'm looking forward to history." Sophie admitted embarrassed since they had all heard stories about the ghost who taught history. Theodore had also said history but he was more interested in Ancient Runes.

"I'm looking forward to potions." Rose was the last to admit.

"Potions?" Blaise asked curiously. Most students didn't enjoy potions because it was a messy task, and the preparation normally put people off – especially women.

"Yes. I enjoy the idea of all the things you can create from such simple things. It's an area that's always adapting and developing as problems appear in society. Like when the Wizagnmont needed a way of getting prisoners to tell the truth, Veritaserum was invented by the Youngest Potion Master in centuries - Severus Snape. The key ingredient is Jobberknoll Features, the rest are simple and easily found ingredients that any wizard would have access to." Rose explained passionately. It was one of the things she indulged most of her free time doing since the area of potions was very diverse.

"You know quite a lot about potions." Lord Prince said from her said, making Rose blush ever so slightly as she realised that Lord Prince was also known as Severus Snape.

She had been only slightly surprised when she realised that he had taken up a Lordship in this universe since she had known his mother was from an old pureblood family.

"I do a lot of research into potions in my spare time, Lord Prince." Rose admitted, turning her attention to the Potion's Master while the others started up their own conversations about their subjects.

"What sort of potions did you look into?" Lord Prince asked interestedly. He didn't often find someone who was interested in potions and this would be one of the rare times he could talk to this eleven year old without repercussions.

"I started with healing potions: bruise balms, wound-cleaning, wiggenweld potion and burn paste. Then I moved onto other potions, their development and uses. It wasn't so much about what the potion did, but more of how they got to the final product and the independent ingredients." Rose tried to explain what it was she liked the most about potion making. Although she did find their usefulness as something to be praised, the brewing process itself was also relaxing and the satisfaction she felt when she had finished a potion was something she hadn't truly experienced in her previous life.

"The effect of something as simple as stirring the potion one way could make or ruin a potion, and being able to choose the right order of instructions and preparation is such an amazing feeling." Lord Prince agreed, his oxen eyes sparkling in his passion despite the fact that his expressionless mask did not fade.

"You are the Hogwarts potion master, are you not Lord Prince?" Rose asked curiously. She knew the answer off course, but this would probably be one of the few times she would be able to make civil conversation with this man since she would soon be one of his students. and she wanted to get to know what sort of man he was – not the damaged, heartbroken but strong hero that she had gotten to know through the books of her old world. She wanted to know the true people of this world.

"Indeed," Lord Prince agreed with a dry tone.

"Do not you enjoy it?" Rose asked, noticing the under-current of annoyance in the man's posture.

"Although it is rewarding to be able to educate the next generation of Potion Makers, I find my patience waning when it comes to the first few years of students." Lord Prince acknowledge.

"The title of Potion Master is an extremely hard one to obtain. No one from Britain has been accredited in eighty years before you and none since. That combined with your status as the youngest Potion Master in three hundred years should surely give you some leeway with the Headmaster and board of governors in getting a second potions teacher in to teach the younger years. That would also give you more time to experiment." Rose frowned lightly in confusion about why this hadn't happened yet.

She had been surprised when she realised that there may have been a lot of potion brewers (mostly those who had joined the auras or healers) but Severus Snape was the only Potion Master in Britain. Those from Britain who had actually managed to get an apprenticeship generally stopped at Juniorman since they didn't need to study any further to get the job they needed. Outside of Britain there were around five to ten Potion Masters every generation but they didn't normally obtain this level until they were twenty six. Severus had managed it when he was twenty.

The Lady Malfoy laughed lightly and drew their attention. "Severus has been trying to get a second teacher in for years."

"Unfortunately the headmaster refuses to release any funding for a second teacher when there are other things that we need to spend money on." Lord Malfoy explained.

Rose looked confusedly at him. "It was my belief that the Hogwarts's charter stated the Board of Governors had complete control of Hogwarts – her funding, staff positions, lessons, exams. The only way the board of Governor's could be overruled is if at least two heirs of Hogwarts's claimed their titles and agreed with each other."

"I've combed the rules, Miss Selwyn, the charter mentions that the Headmaster of Hogwarts in the absence of the true heirs, has the final say in all matters obtaining to Hogwarts and her students. And even then, all the heirs must be in agreement in order to take control back." Lord Malfoy told her gentle.

"Yes, that's what the edited charter says." Rose acknowledge. She had read that one from the Selwyn library, however she had found the original copy in the goblin library and decided to read it as a translation task in old English. When she had begun reading it and realised the glaring differences between the two books she had been trying to figure out a way to get this knowledge known. This conversation had presented her with a perfect opportunity to let someone with a large amount of influence on the board know.

"By edited charter, I mean the one most people have access to which was written in 1802. But the original charter, the one written by the founders that could not be changed, mentions no such power. Lord Salazar said: "Hogwarts's was created for the students. As we fade into darkness, let our legacy live on. Let the students live and learn without the effects of politics. Let no one man or women control Hogwarts. This charter binds to the very foundation of Hogwarts – no one has the power to overall what is written here. The children of the future, shall live and learn and the teachers will be bound by these rules. A board shall control her students and the studies, 12 men and women of standing offering balance between Dark, Grey and Light until the time of our heirs by blood, by magic and by might should return and retake their mantal."

"Were did you get your hands on the original charter, my dear?" Lady Malfoy asked her curiously. "It was believed to have been lost during the great siege on Hogwarts."

"The goblins, My Lady. They have library's full of wizarding genealogy, and when I was researching the origins of the Most Ancient and Noble Houses and their lines to today, they allowed me access to the information on Lord Gryffindor and Lady Ravenclaw."

In order to get more time out of the house without sneaking around Rose had convinced the Selwyn's to let her do a complete genealogy of the Selwyn family as well as all the Most Ancient and Nobel Houses. Since such was in keeping with their pureblood ideas they had allowed it, allowing her a certain amount of time both at the ministry in their archives and with the goblins.

"The other two founders are stored in the same place, but they don't have the title of Most Ancient and Noble. Anyway, they had the Hogwarts's charter stored on a pedestal. According to its history, Albert Stump, the headmaster of the time, was friends with the goblins. When Hogwart's came under attack, he gave the charter to them for safe keeping. Then every headmaster until Dippet visited to ensure that they understood the rules. When Dippet became headmaster, he wrote a new charter – amending what he needed in order to give himself more power."

"The new charter was accepted because Dippet said he compiled the notes from the previous administration and used the portraits that hung in his office." Lord Prince said as though he had just realised something.

"Do you think that the goblins would allow me to take the book from their bank?" Lord Malfoy said thoughtfully – he was obviously planning something.

"The goblins didn't release it to the other headmaster's for a reason: Stump put a condition on the removal of the book. Only a founder's heir would be trusted." Rose explained. "But the goblin librarian has given me permission to write a book on their history and customs. If I'm careful, I could properly get permission to re-write the charter and then bring it to the board after getting it certified by a goblin, yourself and the other members of the board." Rose offered hesitantly.

"How long do you think it would take to get the charter rewritten?" Lord Malfoy asked her shrewdly.

"A primary copy would probably take me until this time next year. If I didn't have to attend Hogwarts, I could have it done by October but without access to Gringotts it will take me longer." Rose hesitantly gave her time line. She had memorised the book and could rewrite it from memory but she didn't want that know about her so she gave the extended timeline so she could take her time in writing it out and making sure the design of the charter is the same: perhaps including an Appendix which explained what some of the charter means in more simple terms.

"I think, such a long time line will be fine. We now have the ability to make plans were before we would have been stopped before the plans began." Lord Malfoy allowed a slight smile to grace his lips to show he was pleased. "I will contact you to discuss payment."

"Very well, Lord Malfoy, it will be a pleasure working with you." Rose smiled slightly in turn. She would have copied the book without payment but that would have made the House of Malfoy indebted to her and Lord Malfoy would never allow it.

"I think it's time we move away from such hard topics." The Lady Malfoy suggested as the starter was replaced with the main course.

"What would you like to discuss then, Narcissa?" Lord Prince asked, a slight teasing lilt to his tone. The other children were still deep in discussion. It seemed they had split in two, one group (mostly consisting of boys) were discussing Quidditch and the other group appeared to be discussing their favourite animals.

"I've spend most the night trying to identify the design of your dress, Miss Selwyn." The Lady Malfoy said turned an interested gaze to the girl who had captured their attention. "However, even this close I cannot think of any design quite like it."

"That's because I did not buy it, My Lady." Rose admitted.

"Truly? I did not believe the women off today were interested in such skills?" Lord Prince asked intrigued. Not even Narcissa made her own dresses. She would occasional take part in crotchet with the elder women of society, but cloths making was a completely different skill.

"Yes, most of the cloths I wear are pieces that I have made." Rose informed them. At first that was something that had started from practicality since Ralphus and Ryan got annoyed when she ruined one of the 'perfectly good dresses' they brought her, but then it became something she enjoyed. Like potions, it had a calming effect on her.

"Amazing. The dress you are wearing is beautiful." The Lady Malfoy complimented.

"Thank you. It is one of my finer pieces." Rose accepted the compliment gracefully.

"Are you thinking about selling the design?" Lord Malfoy asked. It seemed that this young lady was just full of skills.

"I was thinking about doing a few custom jobs, and then when I am older starting up a business where others can make the dresses to my designs while I focuses my attention elsewhere." Rose confided. It wasn't one of her big plans, but having a foot in the fashion industry was always profitable.

"Then perhaps I could be your first customer?" The Lady Malfoy asked.

"It would be an honour to make you a dress, my lady." Rose bowed her head in acceptance. Lady Malfoy, over the last few years, had been setting the fashion trend. What she wore, other's wanted to ware.

"Then I will be in contact with you to discuss how it will be done." The Lady Malfoy promised.

Word count: 6587

Edited: 26/06/2018