So was able to smash this out. Am on a roll people... just smashing into everything as I have no idea what is being liked about this story or even if it's being liked at all.
BTW... coz a few people asked why I rated this story M? Be prepared for some heated up action as the story progresses. I know I should be more traditional, but let's face it, who doesn't love a bit of sex?
Harry Potter remains as always the work of the great Sensei Rowlings.
"So I think that's everything" Careen said in a worried tone as she surveyed the ballroom. She had turned up that morning and spent the entirety of the day strategically placing decorations as Nifty and Jiffy cleaned out the dust and cobwebs. The doors were opened to the garden which in the absence of the three years since my father was arrested had grown into a wild jungle. Despite Jiffy's itching need to maintain the lawns and hedges I put a stern foot down and declared that I liked that wild look. I had to relax my all muggle rule when I discovered that Nifty was absolutely incapable of doing any cleaning without a touch of magic and I think Careen was more than a bit appreciative that she could use magic to aid in decorating.
"I still can't believe that you actually have a ballroom in your house!" Lily observed next to me, "Not to mention a ghost!"
I smiled as I remembered Lily's shock when Lady Gwendolyn floated through the wall as Lily was having a bath last night. Gwendolyn was an Aunt of mine who decided that she would rather die than go through with the arranged marriage she had to look forward to, so she hurled herself off the battlements, but retained enough fear and regret to become tethered to the place. For me Aunt Gwen, as I called her, had always been a staunch ally, determined for me to rein supreme in every one of life pursuits. She took every opportunity to push the case for female supremacy and particularly at a young age she would not allow me to lose so strategic of an event such as hide and seek even if it meant helping me cheat! Said ghost was currently sulking in the kitchen when I informed her that my Aunt was to be attending. Aunt Gwen it seemed did not like my father's sister too much.
"Ok," Careen came over to us looking professional with a clipboard and monogrammed, pastel green muggle business suit. it was very form fitting and most glamorous. "So the decorations are done, Nifty and Jiffy assure me that all the food is ready to go and the guests should start arriving any second now... it's just a shame that Alice didn't come earlier..."
"She wanted to be with Frank" Lily sighed "Those two are so perfect for each other; I just hope one day I could be so lucky."
"Their affection and numerous public displays of said affection make me violently sick." Careen said looking down at her notes "And as if you won't just end up with Potter anyway." She wandered off to straighten some tinsel on the tree before Lily could respond.
"I will not just end up with Potter!" Lily spluttered. "I would rather marry the Giant Squid!"
"I'd take James over the Giant Squid. Less inky." I said thoughtfully.
Lily looked like she wanted to respond but instead just laughed and grabbed my hand to twirl me around. "Well just look at you darling; lovely tiny, little red dress, I do believe that you will have every eye on you tonight!"
I struck a pose and we both laughed "You can talk! What about your little number?" her emerald green dress matched mine, but I think we both just loved how risqué our ensembles were.
"Battle stations people!" Careen cried from across the room as the fireplace lit up with the first guests.
I took the time to mingle with everyone and I think the party was a real success. Presents had been heaped under the tree and a countdown had been established before we could break them open at midnight. My family had come and gone, I couldn't really blame them as the average age of the party was under 20, but they assured me that they had had a good time and confirmed that I was to attend Christmas lunch at their place tomorrow.
I caught sight of Lily who was talking to an elegant brunette who I recognised. Smiling I wandered over "Hello Mrs. Potter, I'm so glad you could come."
"Mrs. Potter?" Lily exclaimed in surprise "James Potter's mother?"
"Yes." She said smiling warmly "unfortunately I do provide a bit of a shock when I introduce my son."
"Well this is Lily Evans, Mrs. Potter." I said smiling broadly.
"Lily? Really? I have heard so much about you! The way James tells it, you are the smartest girl and the most beautiful creature in Hogwarts!"
"Mother!" James said outraged from behind. I smiled again as I saw Lily blush as she caught James' eye and looked away. I took this as my queue to leave them to it.
Keeping my eyes on the ground and smiling to myself I accidently felt myself bump into someone.
"Umpf!" they said grabbing my upper arms to steady me on my heels as I threatened to over balance from the unexpected contact.
"Well I certainly wouldn't mind getting you for Christmas!" I looked up as I recognised the voice and saw shock in his grey eyes as he realised who I was. He quickly let go and stepped back, "Jez, I'm so sorry, I had no idea..." I watched him flounder for words with an amused smirk.
"Great Party!" he settled for laughing nervously while rubbing his neck and for a moment I saw the opportunity to perhaps salvage our broken friendship. That is until I heard a great commotion out in the hall.
"Hold that thought Sirius" I smiled over my shoulder as I walked away in what could be described as a seductive manner and I saw him notably brighten. I was shocked at myself slightly as I left the hall strutting in an alluring way simply because I knew he'd be watching. I guess those muggle spirits are really quiet strong and mess with your head something chronic. Particularly the tequila one.
What confronted me in the hall was the lovely Lady Gwen screaming at Frank Longbottom and a cowering Alice.
"Oh my goodness Frank!" I said quickly stepping between my ghostly Aunt and my friends. She started howling out great tears and quickly floated away. I let her be; the woman was over three hundred years old, I'm sure her feelings were used to being put through the wringer.
"Jez, I'm so sorry I was just kissing Frank." She blushed as she said this but continued "and then she comes screaming out of the wall. Literally!"
"Alice this isn't your fault at all! Neither is it yours Frank. It's mine really; I should have remembered and warned her. She killed herself to save herself from an arranged marriage."
"Oh my!" Alice said clasping her hands over her mouth in shock.
"George Longbottom right?" Frank said thoughtfully.
"Um, yeah. How did you know?" I said with more than a little surprise entering my voice.
"I think she was meant to be he's sixth wife. He would've been about eighty at the time. I believe that he was also the Minister of Magic at the time too. Rumour has it he used to use his young brides as bribery and then dispose of them when they got too old. Quiet sad really."
"So what you're saying to me is that he would use is wives basically as whores to seal deals for him. Give their bodies as rewards? That's vile!" I said with emotion filling my voice.
Frank looked slightly embarrassed "Well he certainly is the best member of my family. From what I remember she was Hector Phoenix's daughter. The man had already lost his title and thought that to sell his daughter would perhaps regain a margin of the power he was born to."
"That makes the story even more despicable Frank. I know it's no reflection on you, but I'm sure you can understand why she reacted the way she did when she saw you."
"Of course Jez." He said warmly squeezing my arm in a reassuring manner before he lead Alice back into the ballroom. Alice sported me a content smile as she allowed herself to be lead.
"I really shouldn't be surprised by all the stories I hear about your family, but wow... the shocks just keep coming." Thomas Deerbourne had stepped out of the shadows apparently having witnessed the entire incident.
"Unfortunately there are a lot of skeletons in this family closet and even we don't have enough closets to hide them all." I smiled at the boy. I was rewarded with a bright smile in return with the whites of his teeth standing in pleasant contrast to his tanned skin and dark features.
"I find that hard to believe in a home this size." He spread his arms wide as he came towards me; he stopped when he was less than half a metre away. I knew him, hence his invitation, but despite being in the same year as me, I virtually knew nothing else about the Ravenclaw boy expect that he was seeker for their quiddich team and I vaguely remember his mother trying to introduce him to me at the party held at the Malfoy's that summer, meaning he must be a pureblood.
"Thank you so much for inviting me" he continued, "I must admit I was quiet surprised by your invitation... I didn't think you even knew who I was!"
"You'd be surprised about what I know" where on earth had this seductive, flirty girl come from? Go home already!
"I'll bet you know all sorts of secrets" he whispered in a warm voice that made me shiver slightly which had nothing to do with the temperature. He tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear and moved in close enough that I could feel his breath on my face.
"I'll bet you even know what effect you have on boys like me. I bet you even enjoy the power it gives you." He whispered hotly again and I squirmed slightly trying to fully comprehend the situation outside the warm feeling I was getting. I had a sneaking suspicion that the alcohol heightens the sensations that I was feeling.
Before I knew it felt his lips against mine and his moist probing tongue seeking access to my mouth. I'd kissed boys before, but most of the time it had been a chaste event the only time that I had ever really lost control being when Sirius had kissed me... and now I guess.
I found myself bringing my arms up to pull him closer to me and deepen his kiss. Sirius was the last person I wanted to be thinking about right now, but for some reason he maintained a small presence in the back of my mind.
Finally be came up for air and panting slightly he touched my cheek before winking and walking off saying "I guess I'll see you around Lady Phoenix."
I hate to say it, but the way he treated me, like I was nothing special appealed to me greatly and I spent the rest of the night so preoccupied by swapping smouldering glances with him that by the time I collapsed into bed I realised two things. Firstly I hadn't opened my presents and secondly I had never sought out Sirius to work out our issues.
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