Four days had passed like snowflakes in the wind and the young ones had slowly adjusted to living in the dark mansion – once again.
It was as if they never had left, the atmosphere hadn't changed a bit. The first thing Mina had done was to take her bags to her room – oh well, one bag.
The house elves and her uncle had protested like crazy when she picked up her two large bags and her small one. She didn't really care for a fight, so the first thing she had done when Roman threw his first words and the elves had gone frantic was to let go of all but one bag. With a determined look she had taken that small bag and Xerxes' cage. It hadn't made Roman all too pleased, but he wasn't in the mood for arguing too much with his young niece.
Seeing his determined and fragile princess had sent some chills though him. He wasn't sure if he liked her transformation, or if it would fit his future plans. Mina had gone from his fragile swanling to almost all grown up; she was starting to resemble her mother even more than before. She was the same little thing, yet she could ruin his plans in so many ways.
He needed her to bloom into what he had once been, but dear Mina had her mothers' French heart – so fragile, so good. She was a Slytherin indeed, but she saw too much value in everything. He knew that he had to give her away soon, but that made him furious.
Mina Ophelia was his, not anyone else's.
The perfect angel, the monument of his brother.
She seemed to have gotten even freer now, something that could go very wrong if he decided to keep her here, locked inside the Lestrange Mansion. One thing rung in his head though – the pressure of marrying her away. It wasn't that the Lord demanded it, more that everyone else were starting to throw weird glances at him, wondering why he had been hiding her away; why he hadn't tried to marry her away to a son inside the group.
How could he give away his prized possession, the glistening diamond in the dark?
It was the 23 of December; it seemed like the Christmas spirit had disappeared with Hogwarts, with inviting rooms, ghosts singing carols and snowball fighting while hiding away in the library. One thing hadn't changed too much though;
Mina was hiding away in one of the libraries in the Mansion, the one dedicated to the women who were living there – though that was just her.
She had seated herself in a chaise longue in front of the fireplace. She was dressed in a long white silk dress. It covered her shoulders and down to the midst of her lower arms.
With a thick book in her hands she drifted away to places that not even uncle Roman could reach. With her mind in a dark forest with unicorns and thestrals she slowly lost grasp with the real world. She didn't need the Christmas spirit, she didn't need enchanted snow falling down while she ate supper, she needed to get away from everything and anything while reading a book; while taking in the words and living someone else's life.
Wasn't that what everyone else in a dire position needed – someone else's life?
It sure felt like it. After living in this mansion for so many years she didn't even think about the riches she lived in; riches hidden in the dark. The library was not lit up with great flames and marvelous light, but rather dim flames and the fireplace.
The library behind her was slightly smaller than the one at Hogwarts, yet she thought that she might had read at least two thirds of the books already. She had lived so many lives that weren't hers, lives that had never been and lives that were so amazing that she couldn't even imagine the glory. There were also sad stories in here; too many in fact.
There were books stained with tears from former owners; women who had let their life into a book – Oh, the misery and joy of written words and make-beliefs.
It seemed like December 23rd had passed on all too fast, before she knew the first of it, it was truly Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve in itself wasn't anything special, just a day with and extravagant dinner and fancy clothing; the sooner the day was over the better.
This was the day that Roman wanted to make formal, the day with a five course dinner and pudding.
He wanted his three little ones to dress to the nines; the boys in black and white suits, and Mina in a silvery silk gown. The dinner was always a bit too formal, but she didn't know of another life. She knew about the life at Hogwarts, she knew about those lovely dinners there; but somehow Hogwarts and the life there felt like a dream.
As she quietly chewed on her turkey and potatoes she sent small looks around her; taking in the slightly lit dining room. The room was grand; black and white marble on the floor, zitan wood covering the walls and a crystal chandelier hanging from the roof, framing in the never ending dining table; deep red, almost black. There was a lot of food, more than any of them could eat – though she had no doubt that Rodolphus would shove it all in his mouth if Roman weren't there, that guy was a bottomless pit when it came to food. There wasn't any talking during their dinner, no nothing.
Some would call it depressing, but it was just formality. If there was anyone else here they might exchange polite remarks, chat like little princes and princesses; but the truth was that Roman preferred the silence instead of small talk.
Of course she enjoyed the dinner, she even enjoyed being with her cousins. This was what she had lived with for so many years, a reality that she had learned to live with since she didn't know another reality.
After the passing of December 24th it seemed like she fell asleep all too fast. They had dined late and by the time the clock hit eleven she was too tired to make out what was what. She had not particular hopes for tomorrow, though she knew that she would be getting presents from her uncle, Rodolphus and Rabastan, Lucius and Severus. It wasn't much, but if she knew four of them it would be rather extravagant. With a blissful smile that she was determined to keep she fell asleep, shutting out the dim flames in her fireplace.
The sun hadn't even had the time to rise before she fluttered her eyelashes, slowly rising from her slumber – not sure what was waking her though. A rumbling sound rung in the mansion, the sound of running feet on Romans' marble floor. As she started to open her eyes she couldn't decide if she was just happy about what day it was – or if she should worry about who was running and what would happen if that person tore something down. With the loud noise of clicking metal in the door knob and her door being thrown open she opened her eyes completely, puzzled about the rude entrance. Mina sat up in her bed, pale golden hair surrounding her sleepy face.
The sight that met her was an ever grinning Rodolphus, still dressed in his pyjamas. She couldn't help but smile at the sight of her Roddy – his hair standing in every direction and eyes blissful as if they belonged to a child on Christmas morning.
"Mina, Mina – you must get up, Mina!" If he hadn't been as joyful as he was she would've almost started to worry if something was wrong, but if she knew him as well as she did she knew that he wanted to unwrap presents with her – mostly to boast about what he got. She sighed, though she got up from her warm bed, setting her bare feet on the already heated marble floor. Her white night gown reached beyond her knees and her hair was wavy, yet messy due to the sleep. She reached out for her morning gown that hung beside her bed, after cloaking herself in the black silk she basically got dragged out of the room by an eager Rodolphus.
She had no time to close her door or anything, just follow Rodolphus down the endless hallways; covered in paintings of distant relatives, paintings of the people that created their life, the ones they would 'thank' for all of it. Mina just faintly smiled at the paintings of wizards and witches with brown and black hair, stinging eyes that followed you.
Rodolphus got her to the stairs in an unimaginable pace, if Roman had gotten up he would probably kill them both for making so much noise – noble people did not run in stairs. Rodolphus didn't care though; he only wanted to get to the outer living room, the room where there was an actual Christmas tree. Roman wasn't too keen on decorating to Christmas, but it was tradition to have at least one Christmas tree; one hidden away. They passed endless of turns, hallways that had always looked like labyrinths to those who hadn't passed them many times before.
As he opened the last oak door the smell of a burning fireplace hit them. The warmth in the room was just marvelous. The deep red walls had brocade pattern and the fireplace was decorated with cast iron, something that brought the rustic elegance.
In the middle of the room there was a crystal chandelier hanging from the roof and a Christmas tree was close. There were plenty gifts there, something that Mina didn't argue on at all. With the feeling of being a kid again she walked willingly to the tree, taking in the small and large gifts. The door shut behind them as Rabastan followed, obviously awakened by the ruckus his older cousin and brother had made.
They sat down together, in front of the large Christmas tree – as Mina sorted the presents between the three of them the boys eyes lit up more and more each time they got a new present. Mina couldn't help but feel warm at heart at the sight of her boys; the two guys she knew she'd always protect with teeth and claws. She nodded to the both of them, a sign that they could start to open their presents. Without hesitation both of the boys started to rip open the paper on the outside of their presents, the sight was rather amusing as they greed was clearly dripping from their eyes.
Mina was on the other hand more careful – with a delicate hand she opened the gift from Rodolphus, a large book with delicate parchment; ready to be written in.
By the book there was several silver quills with a green stone at the bottom – it was neat, no doubt about it. The next present she chose was from Rabastan, it was considerably smaller than the one from his older brother. Within the package was a necklace. It was shaped as a heart with a pattern that made it look like small silver strings were entwining it in each other. She opened it to see small picture of herself holding around Rabastans' shoulders.
He was smiling shyly at the camera, clutching her skirt as if he wanted to hide. It was rather beautiful and she hung it around her neck without hesitation. The next gift she opened was from Severus, she didn't expect much from him since she knew about his financial standards; hell, who in Slytherin didn't know. From him she got a book of the best views in the magical world, something that made her laugh quite loudly. It was ridiculous; yet perfect. She shook her head slowly, grabbing the gift from her uncle Roman. He wasn't the man that did unexpected things, so she got what she usually got from him; another fancy dress. She shook her head, though she found it to be utterly beautiful.
She reached out for the gift that was labelled "To Dearest Mina Ophelia Lestrange, from Lucius Malfoy." She was unsure if she wanted to open it, though she opened the silvery ribbon and green paper. So Slytherin. Inside it was a black box, with hesitant fingers she opened it and saw an emerald green stone, larger than her thumb nail. Around it was silver entwining itself around and around, creating an intricate pattern. Beside the necklace were earrings.
They were shaped like large, emerald teardrops. She wasn't quite sure if she loved it or if she wanted to faint.
Two days had passed since December 25th; she had been drilled on dancing for an entire day and etiquette. It had been rather dreadful and unimaginable boring.
The day had come though, the day that she would finally be allowed to attend a ball; none other ball that the Malfoy Christmas Ball. She was thrilled there she stood, in front of her vanity mirror. She was dressed up in her Christmas gift from Roman, a pure silver dress with a bodice that showed how slim and well-proportioned she was.
It had thick straps and a decent neckline that didn't show off anything else but her collar bones, and it reached her to her ankles, swinging in by the legs.
It sparkled like a star and really suited her pale complexion. As she avoided looking into the mirror she combed her hair, making sure that her loose curls didn't frizz up. As she looked up in the mirror she started to pin up her hair in a neat bun in the back of her head, letting stray curls fall down on the sides of her face, reaching her shoulders.
She was quite happy about the way it turned out, she looked pretty enough she guessed. Her uncle had seen the gift she got from Lucius and had immediately demanded that she would wear it during the ball; it was polite. She did as her uncle said, though she had a feeling that Lucius would be so thrilled that it would be annoying. She put on the silver and emerald necklace and then the earrings. It actually looked nice, something that surprised her ever so slightly.
She had a hunch that she suddenly looked so grown up, though she had no idea if it bothered her or if it was just... Nice? She felt slightly pretty, at least she felt nice enough. As she faced her reflection once again she saw herself all dressed up. It wasn't the usual Mina, though not far from it – it was just a silvery girl with her hair set up, that was the only difference.
As the hours went on and the clock slowly closed up to five o'clock she got slowly more and more nervous. She had no idea what to expect of this night, that due to the fact that she had never been to a proper ball. She had slipped on her high heels, a pair of silvery cuties that added more height to her rather short person.
After the heels were on her uncle had laid a black cloak around her shoulders, it would shield her from the cold and prying eyes. He had led her out in the court yard with the boys – she would apparate with her uncle and Rabastan would go with Rodolphus.
They were the only ones who could apparate in and out from the courtyard, a little privilege of being a Lestrange in the Lestrange Mansion. As her uncle took her away from the Mansion and to the Malfoy Mansion she couldn't help but feeling a tingling sensation in her stomach, nervous about what was to come – glad about it though.
As they arrived outside the gates of the Malfoy courtyard she kept holding her uncles' arm. She was supposed to hold him as part of the old etiquette. She was a non-married young woman and Roman was to lead her to the ball, showing that he took responsibility of her since there was no way on earth that she could take care of herself.
Oh, isn't the view on women joyful?
The gates opened without as much as a sound, snakes moving away to form a pathway for the visitors. As Roman led her into the courtyard with Rodolphus and Rabastan after she couldn't help but enjoy the view of thick bushes on each side, making you feel like there was just one way; straight ahead. Close to the main door was a great fountain standing proudly, it was enchanted to still have running water, even though the ground had a solid layer of snow.
Of course the pathway was enchanted to not hold any snow at all; a woman could fall! The tingling sensation returned to her stomach as they stopped in front of the main door. While still holding her arm Roman flicked his wand so that the door knocker made three loud bangs.
Without waiting too long the door was opened by a house elf, they didn't even have to wait to introduce themselves; the elf quickly took their cloaks and led them quickly to the ballroom. As the doors opened and revealed a grandeur ballroom.
The room was so large that it put the Great Hall in Hogwarts to shame – with many crystal chandeliers in the roof and mirrors on the walls. The walls were painted in French grey and the floor was of black and grey marble. It was beyond belief and probably the most beautiful room Mina had ever seen. There were already many people here, men in suits and women in beautiful dresses. It seemed like all of them turned their attention as the Lestranges appeared, for Mina it seemed like they were ogling them like vultures.
Quickly a man approached, a man that resembled Lucius in a way that was rather remarkable. The man was definitely much older than Lucius, but his pointed face, high cheekbones, white hair and grey eyes were not to be taken mistaken for.
He was a true Malfoy. He seemed to be at ease and in his black suit and cane he was elegance impersonated. He reached out his arm in a friendly gesture, obviously glad to see Roman.
"Ah, Roman! Finally not too late!" The men shook hands, Mina quite puzzled by seeing her uncle actually smile. "And you brought your whole family, even the mysterious one." The man quickly fixated his eyes on Mina, taking in her whole appearance, also her necklace. He bowed deeply for her and Roman let go of her arm.
She politely offered her hand to the elder Malfoy, gaining a kiss on top of it. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you. My name is Abraxas Malfoy." She looked at him as he looked up at her while bowing; offering him a small smile she bowed her knees in a respectful curtsy. She lowered her chin ever so slightly and looked up at him again as she stood straight.
"I'm pleased to meet you, master Malfoy. My name is Mina Ophelia Lestrange." She spoke delicately, gaining an approving look from her uncle. He was rather pleased about the way he had raised her, she was the perfect picture of a young pureblood woman. Abraxas smiled politely at her, though she quickly recognized the almost hungry look in his eyes, some sort of greed while his smiled resembled a smirk. He was so much alike Lucius, it was rather amusing.
As he let go of her hand he nodded to the boys and then they could move further out on the ballroom floor. Nobody had started to dance yet, but Mina knew there was a time for that too, now she just had to wait. Roman were immediately socializing with everyone that seemed to be of importance, in the meantime Rodolphus stepped to her side and started his little shepherd routine.
As he gazed around the room he easily saw how many that were looking at Mina, and no wonder – Mina looked like an angel there she stood in her slightly sparkling silver dress. Her hair was put up, though some strands framed her face, she looked so different from many women here; she seemed so innocent and pure.
There weren't just the lazy married ones that stared at Mina; it was also the prince of the ball. He gazed at her from a distance, noticing how she wore the jewelry he had given her for this Christmas. Something inside him told him that it was just common courtesy, but something else wanted it to be just for him.
He was slightly hesitant to approach her, though every cell in his body screamed at him for not letting them come close. She was the embodiment of purity where she stood; so much better than some of the awkward younger women that circled the ballroom floor.
Lucius didn't want any of them, he didn't want a woman that fought for his attention – he wanted the one woman that he just couldn't have. But he would have her, he was quite certain of this.
If he had his way he could arrange an engagement, and wouldn't that make Mina happy? He truly hoped so, though his instincts told him that she was utterly stubborn and could easily oppose it. But hey, he was a better match than any other Slytherin – and he was most certainly a better match than an elderly man.
He knew that people stared at Mina; he knew that plenty of them felt drawn to her. She was something different in their society, she weren't a power seeking, money digging snake that yearned for everything she didn't have – she was the woman that could sit on a bench for hours, gazing at the lake and watch the sun go down.
She was special, remarkable – and soon his.
He gained courage after a couple of minutes and walked across the room and to his Mina, and his best friend. Roman Lestrange was close, though Lucius knew well that if Roman opposed his presence he would feel the consequence.
His father, Abraxas wouldn't like if his fellow Death Eater to refuse his son anything, at least not at his own ball.
As Lucius approached the sibling-like couple he threw on his most polite, yet mischievous smirk. The first one to notice him was Rodolphus; being the good shepherd he was.
"Ah, there are my fellow Slytherins" Mina looked straight at him, clutching her lower arm with her hand, she looked a little nervous; yet there was a refreshing glow in her face. It seemed like getting out of that mansion did her well, now he just had to make sure that she felt more at home.
She gave him the slightest smile as he reached for her hand. Like his father had done he kissed the top of it, carefully enough to show that it was out of the utmost courtesy, but a glint in his eyes made something tingle inside her.
"Yes, have you seen the Black family?" Ah, this made sense – that was why Rodolphus was looking so much around himself, he was looking for Bellatrix.
Lucius didn't take his eyes away from Minas' emerald ones, yet he laughed at his best friend.
"Yes, I've seen all but Narcissa. Cygnus didn't have much of a reason, but I know that Bellatrix is here." He tore his gaze away from Mina for a moment, something that made her lower her gaze. When he had held her eyes like that it had felt so odd, but she was starting to feel more at ease with him – the man that kept surprising her and intriguing her.
It seemed like Rodolphus got confused, he looked at Mina and then out into the crowd, obviously confused if he should leave Mina; something Roman would disapprove of. "Oh, go on then. I can make sure that Mina is fine," with a rather odd look from Rodolphus he huffed, rather offended. "I'm perfectly capable, and besides – it's kind of my party!" He tilted his head challenging and sent Rodolphus wandering into the crowd – looking for his fiance. Mina knew that Roman would wrinkle his brows at this, but he shouldn't be unhappy; she was perfectly safe and happy enough with Lucius. "I guess his engagement is going just fine." Lucius hummed as he watched his best friend aim in for a woman with wild hair, and dressed in a black dress.
He guessed that they were a good match; Black women were usually not too bad. He was once supposed to be engaged to Narcissa Black, though things happened and his father, Abraxas, had suddenly changed his plans. Many people, at least those at school, thought that it was Lucius who were in the first place pushing her away; but it was at the will of his father.
He shouldn't encourage a woman that he wouldn't marry, so he kept her away – and that had shown the really bad side of her. After living through a 'Narcissa hell' he was quite happy about not having to marry that woman.
He was – at the moment – a free man, probably free to marry the best girl that appeared; and in his head the best girl was Mina Ophelia. He could envision a life with her; he saw how well she would fit in the Malfoy Mansion, how well she would fit in the garden, by his side and then how well they might fit together after a while. He couldn't understand it if she was married off to someone else than him; he was Lucius bleeding Malfoy! There was none other than him that would suffice.
"Are you going to stare into the open air for a long time?" The woman at his side tilted her head; she smiled ever so slightly, but not while showing much emotion. He shook his head and offered her to rest her arm at his.
"Not at all – will you dance with me though?" In his eyes there was a playful challenge that made her want to laugh. If someone had told her earlier this year that she'd be standing at the Malfoy ball with Lucius – ready to accept a willingly dance with him – she would've called them utterly bonkers. But here she was; ready to take on the world.
"But there isn't any music playing, Lucius." He smile was slightly mocking, yet he wasn't offended. He just raised his hand for a slight moment and beautiful music filled the ballroom. It seemed like it took many by surprise, but the two of them just joined arms and walked out to the dance floor. As she rested one hand on his shoulder and the other in his hand he held her waist, standing a head taller than her. He looked rather dashing in his black suit and it was suddenly as if she hadn't seen him before now. His hair was tied with a black band, something she had seen him with before – yet there was something new about him; where she had seen him arrogant and boyish at school; almost a bully, she saw him as a man now, there was something grown up about him and she couldn't help but compare him to his father.
She guessed they mirrored each other, though the one was the mirror of youth and the other one was the mirror of what was to come; adulthood. He led her through the melody, looking down at her with that look he had earlier on, before Rodolphus left. She looked up at him too, though she had lost her shyness and something appeared within her while she danced. Something had awakened; her steps that always held grace were now strong yet flowing.
It was like the two of them melted together; something that didn't go unnoticed by Uncle Roman.
The two of them were among several who danced; yet they were the center of attention. He squinted his eyes, not sure if he actually appreciated his Mina dancing with the young Lucius. It wasn't that the boy wasn't fitting, he was actually perfect.
He had a high social rank, a lot of money and the right associates. He would one day become a great man; Roman had no doubt – but that was his niece that he was dancing with. The apple of his eye, his prized possession.
Lucius on the other hand enjoyed the attention as much as he enjoyed the contact he had with Mina while they danced. They had danced for several minutes, none of them seeming to get tired. He liked to dance, he liked the attention he got and the connection it made; and dancing with Mina was purely delightful. He knew very well that he couldn't let her go.
As the hours went on and Mina danced more than she truly appreciated, her feet hurt like crazy and the fun had gone away each time Lucius left her for someone else to dance with her.
No, she wasn't in love with him.
It was merely the fact that he was a very good dance partner. He fulfilled her in dance, he was a good lead and there seemed to be something between them.
Mina wouldn't say that it was affection or love, merely two who were more alike than she wanted to admit. She had never met a man like Lucius, just as she had never met someone who seemed to challenge her intellectual while not talking about books.
Yet the night didn't evolve around Lucius Malfoy – just almost. She had regular dancing brakes while sipping to champagne and talking to Rodolphus who kept awfully close to Bellatrix. She couldn't love between them either; just an attraction that none of them had decided what was yet. Was this to be her life?
A life of balls, dances, clothing and dining?
She didn't know if it was what she wanted yet – but it was better than hate and death.