A/N- OK, a quick note. This chapter is VERY LONG. So I'm hopin' for some nice, big, juicy reviews k? Pretty please? :-) Oh, and Eruantane, FallenAngelOfInnocence, AshNPadfoot, cyrstalheart, xxmuseclioxx, Fireblade K'Chona, fantasy4, and An Anti- Sheep Cheese Muffin- Thank You! Plus, thanx to FallenAngelOfInnocence for the title! ;-)
Anya stepped out of the car, and looked around. Vast grounds, scattered with extravagant marble fountains, and immaculate hedges surrounded the Ministry cars. She turned around, and found Ginny behind her.
"Oh Anya, it's lovely!"
Anya smiled. "Yeah." she said in an undertone. "Home sweet home."
"It's not bad." Said Draco, to no- one in particular, as he stepped out of the car behind them.
"Oh shut up Malfoy." Snapped Ginny.
"I wasn't talking to you Weasley." He sneered back quickly.
"I don't care, I'm talking to you."
"Oooh, good comeback Ginger."
"Go fuck yourself."
"GINNY!" Molly had heard, and drew herself up fully, radiating fury. For such a tiny woman, she was remarkably good at striking fear into the hearts of her children.
"I wont have you using language like that! Apologise at once!"
"But mum…!
"VIRGINIA!"
"Ok, ok!" Ginny turned to Malfoy with a pained expression on her face. "Sorry."
The second Molly's back was turned Draco winked at Ginny. She made a noise like an angry cat, before stalking off to help Fred, George and Sirius with the luggage.
Anya watched the entire scene with mild amusement. Those two reminded her of someone, especially when they rowed… she couldn't quite put her finger on who though…
"Miss Williamson!" Everyone turned, as a short, round man with thinning grey hair, and a trench coat covered in grass stains appeared from behind one of the hedges. He hobbled forward, grinning toothlessly.
"Hello Josh." Said Anya smiling.
"Miss said you were visiting! I didn't believe her though! Little Miss Williamson, back here!" said Josh, looking positively delighted.
"Yep," said Anya, forcing a smile. "Little Miss Williamson's back."
Josh grinned again, before turning to the others. "Would you like some help with the bags sir?" he asked Fred, who was weighed under by several.
"I wouldn't mind some actually mate." Said Fred grinning.
Josh hobbled away, and after a minute or so, came back with a few butlers.
"How many servants does your mum need?" asked Sirius amused.
"You don't know the half of it." Replied Anya. "Last time I asked, she was hiring her fourteenth maid."
One of butlers approached Anya and Sirius, and after bowing his head, addressed Sirius.
"Would you like the bags taken to the guest rooms Sir?"
"Erm…"
"Yes thanks." Said Anya.
The butler turned to Anya. "How many rooms Ma'am?"
"Molly and Arthur are sharing, so are Fred and George… Erm… Harry, Ron and Draco can share, and so can Ginny and Hermione. The others are getting here later, they're not staying." Said Anya, who was looking progressively worse. She could think of a million other places she'd rather be.
"I'm not sharing a room with Malfoy!" said Ron furiously. "Are you mad?"
"Ok." Said Molly sharply. "You can sleep on your own!"
"Mum…!"
"Don't start Ron!"
Ron turned to Harry, fuming. "What is with her and Malfoy? All she does is defend him!"
"Maybe she feels sorry for him." Suggested Harry, remembering how Molly was with him when he had stayed at the Burrow for the first time.
"Oh yeah. Poor Malfoy. Only one of the most evil gits in the world, along with his dad!" snapped Ron.
"Oh Ron for heavens sake!" burst out Hermione. "Give it a rest!"
"Oh you would say that wouldn't you?" retorted Ron, as everyone made their way into the house. "When you've shoved your tongue down someone's throat, you tend to feel a bit protective towards them, don't you?"
Hermione blushed scarlet. "Oh grow up Ron!" she said, but remained distinctly quiet after that.
Draco watched, smirking. How fun was it, causing all this trouble, and then being able to watch it?
"Stop smiling to yourself, you complete freak."
Draco turned to find Ginny's tiny frame next to him.
"Are my facial expressions anything to do with you, Virginia?"
Ginny blushed but retorted all the same. "When you're standing there, grinning like a complete psycho at my friends, yes it is!"
"Since when have they been your friends?" replied Draco scathingly. "The Magnificent Three, they are. Who're you? The Weasel's little sister? Potty boy's girlfriend? The Mudblood's mate? Where exactly do you fit in?"
Ginny opened her mouth to reply, blushing furiously, but Draco continued.
"As far as I'm concerned, you're nothing to do with them. Why? Do you have this little fantasy where you're one of them? Running around with Potter? Getting him to save you from the evil old wizards?"
"Do you really think it's your place to be accusing me of being neglected?" snapped Ginny. "Your own dad wants nothing to do with you Malfoy! And let's face it, you're hardly Mister Popular around here are you? If anyone's the odd one out here, it's not me!"
"I think you'll find it is." Replied Draco, who despite himself was rather enjoying the row. "I've always been the outsider. I wouldn't have it any other way. Do you really think I want to be associated with The- Gimp-Who- Lived, his ginger sidekick, and Little Miss Mudblood Brainbox? No, whereas you follow them round in some pathetic attempt to be a part of their lives!"
"Well at least I'm a part of someone's life." Said Ginny, so angry her voice was no more than a vicious hiss. "Who've you got Malfoy?"
"No- one." Replied Draco. "Just how I like it."
"You can tell yourself that for as long as you like, but you know as well as I do you're just a pathetic loner, who hasn't got anyone." Said Ginny, before beginning to walk to Fred and George.
"Whereas you're Ginny Weasley, friend of the world right?" sneered Draco to her back. As she was already gone, and failed to hear him, this was less than satisfying. As he began to climb the stairs, and loud voice came from a nearby room downstairs, causing everyone to jump.
"NO! For heavens sake Gustav, I said gold, not silver! I told you, I want the best! For heaven sake does any thing I say ever penetrate your thick skull?" A male voice, with a strong Spanish accent replied.
"But Miss…"
"Shut up you stupid little man! I am sick to the back teeth of this! The guests will all be here in a matter of hours, and you can't even sort out a simple matter of cutlery!"
"Miss! Silver is good!"
"Shut up!!!! What is the point in being my butler if you don't do as I say?"
"Miss…"
"WILL YOU LET ME FINISH! Take all of this away, and replace it with the gold. DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?"
"Yes Ma'am."
"Gustav! Don't call me ma'am! It makes me sound so old! MISS, not Ma'am, Miss!"
"Sorry Miss."
"So…?
"So what Miss?"
"GO!"
A small man in a butler's uniform scuttled out of the room, and disappeared into what appeared to be the kitchen, without even acknowledging the people on the stairs.
Seconds later, a woman swept out of the room, and turned to find several slightly stunned faces staring at her. Anya, who had had her eyes shut through the row, now turned around, with the air of one being led to the gallows, and gulped quietly.
"Hello Mum."
"Anya!" squealed Maria, before flouncing up the stairs in an affected fashion, and kissing the air on both sides of Anya's face. "It's so lovely to see you again! How are you?"
"I'm-"
"Fabulous! Oh, I can't wait for you to meet Sam! Who are all of these then?" she added, looking around.
Anya hurriedly began introducing everyone, as though trying to get the worst over with.
"These are the Weasleys, Molly, Arthur, Fred, George, Ginny and Ron. This is Harry Potter-" Maria's eyes did the customary flicker to his forehead, - "Hermione Granger, and Sirius Black."
"How lovely!" said Maria, who clearly hadn't listened to a word Anya had said. "I'll have the butlers show you to your rooms."
"Mum, I've already-"
"Now, you can all have your own room, each of you, ok?"
"Mum, I think they'd rather-"
"Nonsense! Just tell the butlers who you'd like nearby, ok? Now, go on, take them upstairs!"
Everyone began to follow the butlers again, but Maria's voice piped up again.
"Anya! Stay behind for a minute sweetheart, I want a word!"
Anya grabbed Sirius' hand. "Stay with me." She muttered, and he turned. One of the butlers spotted Sirius' hand in Anya's and gave Sirius a ridiculously flamboyant wink.
Sirius ignored him and turned back to the matter in hand, taking time to evaluate Anya's mother.
Maria Williamson had the air of a woman, who had retained the vestiges of beautiful looks, but was clinging onto them for dear life and refusing to grow old gracefully. In Sirius' books, she looked nothing like Anya. While her daughter had soft chocolaty locks that looked reddish brown when they caught the light, and fell about her shoulders lightly, Maria had masses of jet- black hair, which cascaded down her back in intricate curls and locks. However, instead of looking lush, and bouncy, they appeared to be held in place with copious amounts of hair spray, giving them a brittle look. Her make- up seemed to have been applied with a shovel, plastered over her face ridiculously. She was wearing an expensive looking lilac gown, but it looked as though she had bought one two sizes too small. It had enormous indigo fluted sleeves, which Sirius guessed were supposed to give her an elegant air. But they were so fluted she just looked ridiculous. The gown puffed out at the waist, pleated, and she had an indigo sash around her waist too. The bodice was studded with vast amounts of diamonds. There was an enormous gold pendant shaped like a raindrop around her neck, and each of her fingers had at least one ring adorning it. She was the epitome of flamboyancy. She had none of her daughter's quiet elegance, or gentle sophistication. Sirius remembered when he had been younger, Maria Williamson had been considered beauty personified. It was incredible what time could do to someone…
Anya's voice broke in through Sirius' musings, as she addressed her mother.
"Mum, you wanted to talk to me?"
Maria nodded, and then spoke quietly, as though cradling a bombshell.
"Anya, darling it's just…well…"
"What?"
"Sweetheart, I mean this in the best possible way, but… you've really let yourself go to the dogs, haven't you?"
Sirius stared at Anya in shock. How rude was it possible for this woman to be? This was her own daughter she was talking to! And anyway, Anya looked fine, she was dressed simply, a little black sweater and a short denim skirt, that was just above her knees, along with some black suede knee- high boots. Anya however, seemed mildly surprised, if that. She sighed in a long- suffering way.
"Mum, I've been travelling ok? I'm hardly gonna have the glamour of Audrey Hepburn. It's not like I'm wearing this to the ball!"
"No dear," simpered Maria, "But it's not just what you're wearing, is it?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, Anya, for heavens sake, your hair's all over the place!"
"It's tied back!"
"It's all falling out sweetheart! It looks like a bunch of rats tails!"
Anya turned to Sirius, looking like she was about to scream. She took a deep breath and shut her eyes, as though praying for patience, before turning back to Maria.
"Anything else mum?"
"Well," said Maria, now on a roll, "Your make- up…-"
"I'm not wearing any!" said Anya indignantly.
"Exactly!"
Anya made an impatient noise. "Mum, for gods sake, I don't-"
"I'm just saying dear, that's all. What's the point in inheriting fantastic looks from your mum if you don't make the most of them?"
Anya looked as though she was about to cry with embarrassment. She swiftly changed the subject, and motioned behind her. "Mum, this is Sirius."
"Oh?" said Maria, stepping forward; looking at Sirius how one would expect a shark would look at a rather fat salmon. "And who's this then?"
"Hello Ma'am." Said Sirius grinning.
"Oh call me Maria!" she simpered back. "How do you know my Anya then?"
"Erm…"
"Mum," cut in Anya, "He's erm… he's my fiancé."
Sirius turned around in bewilderment, but he didn't have time to say anything.
"OH! How fantastic! Anya darling, how unexpected! Oh, this is wonderful!"
"BUT, we don't want anyone knowing yet." Added Anya quickly. "So don't say anything, ok?"
"Yes dear, of course. Although why you would want to keep being engaged to someone as tasty as him a secret, I don't know!" said Maria, nudging Sirius, and winking very obviously.
Sirius found himself torn between the urge to vomit, or laugh hysterically. In the end he just smiled oddly, causing him to resemble a strange breed of fish.
"Well, I'm going to check the preparations are coming on alright! Honestly, Gustav is such a fool! I'll leave you to it! You can share the double masters room on the third floor, ok?"
Anya quickly intervened. She wasn't going to share a bedroom with Sirius. "Actually, mum…"
"What darling?"
"Well…" Anya wasn't too sure haw to explain she didn't want to share a room with her 'fiancé.'
"Erm…"
"Anya, for heavens sake, tell me later, I haven't got time right now!"
Before Anya had time to reply, Maria had flounced back into the ballroom.
The second she had left the hall, Sirius turned to Anya.
"We're engaged now!?"
"Oh! Yeah… you've been promoted."
"But…"
"Sirius please! Just for a few hours!
Sirius stared at her, but found this was not particularly good for his resilience. "But Anya…"
"Sirius, I'm desperate. I will do anything. Do you want me to beg? I'll beg. She'll be ten times worse if she thinks I'm still single!"
"Did you say you'd do anything?" asked Sirius, smiling.
"Yes."
"We're sharing a bedroom you know." Said Sirius, now grinning wickedly.
And… oh! No! There are certain things, which I wont… Oh no! You have such a sick mind!" She began to walk up the enormous staircase, muttering various phrases, including- 'Pervert.' And, 'Twisted'
Sirius just laughed.
***************************************************
"This is one nice house." Said Ron approvingly, as he flung himself on one of the three four- posters.
"Yeah," said Harry, throwing his back on the next bed, and flinging himself on after it. "It's great."
"Well I suppose to you, this is what heavens like, right Weasel Boy?" said Draco, from his bed in the corner. "I mean, this is probably your first time sleeping in a room without the rest of your family?"
Ron was up like a shot, but Harry quickly intervened, grabbing him by the shoulders. "Leave it Ron!" yelled Harry. "Just ignore it!"
"Just ignore it, Ron!" mimicked Draco, "Please, don't let the nasty Slytherin boy get to you!"
"Fuck off Malfoy." Said Harry quietly, still not letting go of a struggling Ron.
"Oh, for god's sake Potter, why don't you mind your own business?" sneered Draco. "Do you have to get involved in all your boyfriend's arguments?"
For a moment, Harry had the mad urge to let go of Ron, and join him in pummelling Malfoy to a pulp, but he held his ground.
"That the best you can come up with Malfoy?" he spat back.
"Oh sorry! I forgot, you can't be Harry's boyfriend can you Weasel? You're in love with Granger, aren't you?"
Ron was now desperately trying to shake Harry off. "Leave it out Harry!"- But Harry kept hold of him.
"Ron, leave it!"
Ron stopped struggling, but he was blushing furiously.
"Oh, I'm right!" said Malfoy triumphantly. "You are in love with the Mudblood! How pathetic."
"Say's the one who kissed her several times a few days ago." Spat back Harry. He felt bad saying it, it felt like he was insulting Hermione, but it was the only comeback he could think of. It had the desired effect anyway,
Malfoy flushed slightly, before shrugging. "Yeah, well, helped pass the time… she wasn't too bad actually… for a Mudblood.
Harry instinctively grabbed Ron again, but he was finding it increasingly difficult not to go for Malfoy himself. He just hoped Hermione hadn't heard anything…
****************************************************
"I can't believe you Hermione!"
"What?"
"Draco Malfoy? The most infuriating, maddening, up- his- own- arse prick I know! What possessed you?"
"Ginny…" said Hermione in a pained voice, "I really don't want to talk about it right now."
"Well, tough! You've been skirting round it for ages! Don't you care that Ron's barely speaking to you?"
"Of course I care!"
"Well, wouldn't it make things better if you explained yourself?" said Ginny exasperated.
"Yes… no! I don't know Ginny! Why do you care so much anyway?"
Ginny blushed slightly. "I t doesn't! I just think it's a bizarre thing to do, is all. Cop off with a Malfoy. You can't tell me that's normal!"
"Well, I'm not normal then am I?"
Ginny snorted. "State the obvious." She muttered.
"Ginny," said Hermione, in her bossiest voice, "Why do you care so much? If I didn't know better-"
"DON'T you dare say it!" said Ginny quickly. "Don't you dare try an turn it to me by saying I'm jealous! I'm not the one that did… stuff with him!"
"Oh for goodness sake, we only kissed! Once!"
"And that's ok? After everything he's done? After everything his dad's done?" said Ginny loudly.
"He's not his dad though is he?" said Hermione.
"Oh don't give me that crap!" scoffed Ginny. "He's as bad as his dad and you know it!"
"I don't think that's what's getting to you Ginny." Said Hermione calmly, as she pulled out her dress to hang up. "I think there's a completely different reason as to why you're so annoyed about all this."
"Yeah, that's right, I'm in love with Malfoy!" said Ginny, with a kind of vicious sarcasm, grabbing her own gown, and flinging it onto the bed. "Madly in love with him."
******************************************************
Anya and Sirius seemed to be settling in to their room quite nicely, despite the fact there was only one bed.
"It's huge!" said Sirius. "Fucking huge!"
"Yeah. Massive." Said Anya unenthusiastically. This didn't seem to dampen Sirius' spirits though,
"You know what my Aunt Pescha would say if she saw this room?" he said in awe.
"Why the hell did my parents name me Pescha?"
"Amazing. Even when you're down, you can still be complete bitch." Said Sirius, flinging himself onto the enormous double bed.
She gave a fake smile. "One of my many talents." She replied dryly. "We only have one bed." She added.
"It doesn't really matter though." Said Sirius thoughtfully. "It's so bloody huge, we can easily go the whole night without going near each other."
"Hmm." Said Anya uncertainly, opening one of the closets.
"Unless you don't think you'd be able to control yourself in the same bed as me." He added, with a straight face.
Anya swung round to him, outraged, but lost her anger the second he burst out laughing.
"The look on your face!" he spluttered, while she watched him, slightly amused.
"That was amazingly mature Sirius!"
"Wasn't it?"
She shook her head helplessly. "We should get ready." She said, looking extremely downcast. "For the Ball."
"Don't sound so excited!" he said dryly.
"I'm ecstatic." She replied, equally sarcastically. "Delirious."
Sirius just grinned.
"Oh, by the way, I'm doing Hermione and Ginny's make- up and hair. So you'll have to get ready in Harry's room." Said Anya, emptying a bag of cosmetics onto the dressing table.
"Oh, what?!"
"Sorry Sirius, but the were gonna have a girly session, and we cant if you're in here!"
"You're kicking your own fiancé out of the bedroom!"
Anya turned around, smiling for the first time in a while. "Yep."
He sighed. "You'll be asking me to sleep on the sofa next."
"I've already tried that." she replied, now grinning fully. "Didn't work."
"And you're secretly relieved right?" said Sirius. "I mean, you get to fulfil your fantasy of spending one wild night with me!"
Anya threw a bottle of hair stuff at him. "OUT!"
***************************************************
10 Minutes later, there was a knock at the door. Anya was in her underwear… nothing else. She thought it was Ginny and Hermione. "Come in!" she yelled form her wardrobe, pulling out a shirt to cover up.
In walked Sirius.
"Oh!" said Sirius. "Shit! Sorry!"
"I thought you were someone else!"
"Well, yeah! Erm… should I … turn around?"
"Yes!"
"I've seen it all before!"
"Where?"
"The lake!"
"I was underwater then!!"
"Ok, ok!"
"Just get your stuff and go!" said Anya, completely mortified, as she grabbed the duvet, and wrapped it round her.
"Ok, I'm going!" said Sirius, who was blatantly trying not to laugh. "I'm going!" he grabbed his shirt from the chair, and made to walk out. He paused for a minute.
"Oh, by the way…"
"What??" she said angrily.
"You look really good, erm… y'know… without… clothes." Before she could reply, he scooted out of the room, shutting the door behind him.
****************************************************************
"What is it with girls and getting ready for balls?" said Ron irritably. "We've got about an hour left! How long does it take them to throw a dress on?"
"Make up and hair mate." Said Sirius wisely. "You ever seen a girl apply her make up?"
"No."
"It's not just chucking a bit of sludge on. To them, it's an art. You don't mess with the make up." Said Sirius.
Ron gave him a strange look.
************************************************
"So, who are you girls planning on pulling then?" said Anya, as she began twisting Hermione's hair up into a chignon.
"No- one!" said Ginny and Hermione automatically. Anya grinned. "Yeah, whatever."
"Oh you can talk!" said Ginny, also grinning. "Mrs Black!"
It was Anya's turn to blush. "Ha, ha Miss Weasley, very funny!"
"Mrs Malfoy." Said Hermione.
"Oh you can talk!" said Ginny sharply.
"I'm sure Draco would be delighted to have two ladies such as yourself fighting over him." Said Anya swiftly.
"Anya!" said Ginny and Hermione, both scandalized.
"What?"
******************************************************
"Right." Said Sirius. "I give up." He had been trying to do his bow tie up, but to no avail. The others, Ron, Harry and Draco didn't have them, so had one less problem to cope with. Instead, they all wore suits, with simple open- neck shirts. Harry's was a forest- green, Ron's a maroon, (much to his disgust,) and Draco's- surprise, surprise- was black. Sirius gave up, and tied his bow tie in a ridiculously lopsided way, over his snowy- white shirt.
"Well, I think we look alright." Said Sirius.
"Well," said Draco admiring himself in the mirror. "I do."
"You know." Said Ron. "For someone who accuses me and Harry of being lovers, you're incredibly camp."
Draco ignored him, but had evidently heard, as he automatically moved away from the mirror.
There was a knock at the door. "We're ready!" came Ginny's voice. Sirius, Ron and Harry all exchanged a look, before going into the corridor. Both Ron and Draco seemed temporarily stunned. Hermione looked typically classic, in a spaghetti strap, deep red floor length gown, with her hair twisted up neatly, and a few strands framing her face. Ron genuinely couldn't take his eyes off her. At first, Harry thought Draco was looking at Hermione too, and felt a moment of hot, swooping anger, but following Draco's eyes, found them resting on Ginny. For a moment, Harry was stunned, but quickly got over it. Draco, staring at Ginny? But then again, it made sense really. She was dressed in a deep green velvet gown, with a plunging halter- neck. The gown was floor- length, pleating gently at the hem. Her fiery- red hair tumbled on her shoulders and back, a waterfall of fire, completely loose. 'She looked… grown up.' Thought Harry. 'The same age as Hermione.'
"Malfoy you're drooling." Said Harry.
Draco swung round furiously, while Sirius let out a guffaw. "Where's Anya?" he asked a blushing Ginny.
"She's still in her room. She's looking for her gloves or something." Said Ginny. "She said to go down without her."
Sirius shook his head. "No, you guys go down, I'll go get her."
Hermione and Ginny grinned at each other, while Sirius looked puzzled.
"What?"
*********************************************************
"Anya!" yelled Sirius, knocking on the door. "Anya, are you decent?"
"Yeah!" came a yell, and Sirius walked in.
He froze at the door, and felt his jaw go.
"What?" said Anya, turning around, as she pulled on some white satin, elbow length gloves. She was dressed in what would probably be the simplest dress at the ball, yet Sirius could instantly tell she was going to attract the most attention. She just looked so striking. It was a simple cream satin strapless gown, which reached the floor, nipping in at the waist, and clinging to every curve of her petite frame. She had pinned the top half of her hair back, leaving the rest of the chocolaty locks to tumble down her back, and across her shoulders, a few curls framing her face. Along with the white gloves, she looked the epitome of glamour. She was sophistication personified. She was just…
"Sirius!" Anya's bewildered voice broke through Sirius various thoughts.
"Huh?"
"What is it?"
"Nothing! You look… just…wow."
"I look wow?" she repeated grinning. "I'm gonna take that as a compliment, ok?"
"Definitely." He said looking her up and down in a totally inappropriate manner.
"Great." she said, evidently not noticing. "You look wow too. Except for-"
She gave his collar a strange look.
"What? Oh! Yeah, bow tie, erm… had a bit of trouble, haven't worn formal stuff in ages…"
She grinned. "Come here." She said, walking over to him and undoing his bow tie. "I'll do it." She paused. "Actually…" she mused. "Let's just leave it." She let it hang undone loosely around his collar. She took a step back to admire the affect.
"It looks stupid not done up." He said bewildered.
"No it doesn't!" she said laughing. "It looks sexy. Very George Clooney."
"Who?"
"Doesn't matter." She said smiling. "Just a muggle."
"Anya sort it out please!" he whinnied.
"No." she said stubbornly. "I like it like that."
Before Sirius had time to reply, Maria flounced in, without bothering to knock. "Mum!" said Anya furiously. "Knock!"
"Yes, yes darling. I know, you may have been doing something. But really, are you going to be having sex just before the ball?"
Anya made a mortified noise, before looking up again. Sirius struggled not to laugh.
"Did you want something mum?" said Anya sharply.
"No…not really. Except this ball's meant to be for you, and you're not even there to welcome the guests Anya! Honestly, I thought common courtesy was one of the few qualities you do have!"
"Alright!" said Anya furiously. "Fine! We're going!"
"You know, you actually look quite nice tonight Anya." Said Maria thoughtfully, noticing Anya's dress for the first time. Anya smiled painfully.
"Once again mum, you demonstrate your incredible ability to make even a compliment sound negative."
Sirius snorted, but quickly smothered it. Maria, however, seemed totally unfazed.
"Yes darling." She simpered, infuriatingly oblivious, before flouncing out of the room. Anya made several violent gestures to her back, before muttering a string of fantastically colourful obscenities, much to Sirius' amusement.
"She seems… nice." Said Sirius. Anya looked at him, and at her expression, it was all he could do not to burst out laughing there and then.
"Please tell me that's just one of your twisted jokes."
"Oh, come on! Don't you think she has a sort of… charm?"
Now it was Anya's turn to smother her laughter. "I've met Death Eaters with more charm than her!"
Sirius sighed. "Ok, ok fine." He said. "She's awful."
"Thank you."
"Hideous."
"You're telling me."
"Even worse than my mum."
"I know."
"A crime to humanity."
"You know." Said Anya seriously. "I quite like being engaged to you."
Sirius grinned. "Wow, what a compliment!"
Anya nodded.
"We should get down there you know." Said Sirius.
Anya sighed. "Do we have to?"
"I think we do." He offered his arm, marvelling at how this woman could face several Death- Eaters at once, and not bat an eyelid, yet a simple Ball threw her into fits of fear and panic. "Come on. It probably wont be as bad as you think it will."
"No, you're right," said Anya, taking his arm, as they walked out. "It'll probably be worse."
****************************************************
"You're family sell their house to afford that dress Weasley?" sneered Draco, as he walked alongside Ginny to the ballroom.
"Wow Malfoy, original, haven't heard that one from you in, oh, at least a minute." Replied Ginny, looking supremely unconcerned.
"I aim to please." He replied.
"Why are you walking with me?" she burst out. Draco grinned.
"Because Weasley, it seems to intensely annoy you, and as far as I'm concerned, anything that annoys you is worth doing."
"Malfoy, you're existence annoys me."
"Which is why I intend to stay alive for a very long time."
"Oh joy."
"It's great, isn't it?" he said grinning vindictively.
"What?" she snapped, curious against her own will.
"My ability to always have the last word."
"As if!"
"Well it's true!"
"I don't think so Malfoy."
"Funny, I do."
"I grew up surrounded by rowing brothers. I learnt from the best."
"I'm gonna win Weasley!"
"Not today."
"Still talking."
"Not for long Ferret Boy."
"WILL YOU TWO SHUT UP?"
Ron, Hermione and Harry had been waking a few paces behind, and had overheard everything. Ron looked furious that Draco was even looking at his little sister.
"Honestly, Ron, don't be so overprotective!"
"Excuse me?" said Ron, goggling at Hermione. "Excuse me?"
Hermione blushed, but continued. "I'm sure Ginny's perfectly capable of taking care of herself around Draco."
"Well you certainly weren't."
Harry let out a snort of laughter, but quelled under Hermione's furious gaze.
The second the five of them entered the ballroom; they all let out gasps, even Draco. Ron let out a low whistle. "This is some room."
The Williamson's ballroom was the only room Harry had ever seen which rivalled the grandeur of the Hogwarts Great Hall. Diamond chandeliers hung from the enormous domed ceiling at various points, illuminating the entire room in a soft, shimmery glow. The pine wood dance floor in the middle was polished to within an inch of its life, reflecting the chandelier lights perfectly. All around the edge of the room were tables for up to six people, each one covered with snowy white tablecloths, crystal glasses, fine china plates, menus and glittering gold cutlery. Beside each table stood a waiter, in a crisp uniform. At the very end of the room, was an enormous stage, where a band seemed to be playing some wizard music. It was breathtaking.
A few people had begun to arrive already, and Maria was flitting about between them, welcoming them with a toothy grin, and then moving onto the next guests. People were beginning to sit themselves at tables. Molly and Arthur were already seated, along with Amos and Amanda Diggory, and Suzanne and Brian Macmillan. Seamus Finnigan and his parents were seated with Dean Thomas and his parents, and they both waved enthusiastically at Harry and Ron, before spotting Draco, and subsiding into hushed whispers. Ernie Macmillan, Hannah Abbot, Justin Finch- Fletchley, Cho Chang, and Marietta Corrine were standing around with their parents, as were Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet, Katie Bell, and even Oliver Wood. Fred and George, who had entered just before the others, seemed to be talking earnestly to Angelina and Katie.
"We should go and sit down." Said Hermione.
"What? Us four?" said Ron at once.
"No Ron." said Hermione annoyed. "Us five."
A minute later, Anya and Sirius came in, and Anya was immediately smothered in people congratulating her on her promotion. The hall was beginning to fill up now, with only a few tables left. Maria was in her element, squealing like a schoolgirl, and generally behaving in an embarrassing manner.
"Anya!" she called. "Come here! I want you to meet someone!"
Anya turned to Sirius, but he was engrossed in a discussion with Brian Macmillan, about life since his release. Anya smiled discreetly, before walking over to her mum.
"Meet Samuel darling!"
Samuel Hendrickson was a bizarre little man. He was only just as tall as Maria, and looked…well, weedy. Spindly, and with thinning hair, Anya was surprised. He wasn't the kind of man Maria usually went for…
"Hello." Said Samuel in a ridiculously high voice. It was all Anya could do not to burst out laughing there and then. For the first time, she was genuinely pleased she had Sirius. Not only did it look like she was no longer single, but compared to Samuel, Sirius was Brad Pitt!
"Hi." Said Anya, struggling to keep a straight face. "Nice to meet you."
"And you!" he replied, before placing his arm around Maria's waist.
"Samuel, not now!" said Maria, giggling in a ridiculous manner. Anya forced a smile, before walking back to Sirius, who was standing in the middle of the hall, looking slightly lost.
"Having fun yet?" she smirked.
"It's only just started!" said Sirius defensively. "It'll get better!"
"You're so optimistic." Said Anya, in an almost pitying way. "It's tragic."
"It's tragic you wont even give this ball a chance!" replied Sirius. "It could be ok!"
"Oh, you haven't met Samuel yet have you?" said Anya, smiling wryly.
"No."
"Or seen how he is with mum?"
"No."
"Poor deluded fool."
"Anya!" called Maria. "Come and sit down darling."
Anya turned to Sirius. He grinned back lopsidedly. "You ready?"
A/N- Ok, the next chapter's nearly ready, (I wrote it all in one block, but it's soooo long, I've broke it up into separate chappies. It needs a bit of editing, but should be up in a couple of days or so. Anyways, can you review this extra, extra long chapter please?
Cinderella200 x