I do not own Harry Potter or anything you recognize from the Harry Potter World. I do not own Dorian Gray. I do however own Hazel Gray, Morgan Gray and the idea behind this story.
Upon arriving at Graymire, the teenagers followed Caspian inside the townhouse, though Hazel was hanging behind, looking about as though expecting an attack. It wasn't until she seemed to visibly relax and moved further into the entry that Severus realized why. Though, even then he was mostly confused.
Upon moving a meter into the entry away from the door, Hazel gasped and stumbled forward, clutching at the cloak rack and started turning red. Morgan had already walked past them and was in a doorway but hurried back to her side and started yanking at her robes.
"Mother! You said you removed the jinx! You promised me in your letter!" He snapped, his fingers deftly untying the knot of a thick ribbon on Hazel's back. Severus stood still watching all of this going on, wondering what in Salazar's name was going on. Though considering that within heartbeats a corset was hitting the floorboards with a dull thud, it was quickly explained through actions.
He remained rather concerned but still a bit shocked. Though it wasn't until Hazel started cursing and insulting the woman's parentage in her mixed way that his brows nearly shot into his hairline. Severus hadn't been aware she knew that many insults.
"Giggles!" Morgan called out, still mumbling things about his mother under his breath as a rather young House Elf popped into the entry and instantly started wringing its hands. "Giggles, I would like you to take Hazel up to her room. Severus and I shall be up shortly to check on her."
The elf nodded quickly and took Hazel's offered hand before popping away with her. Severus turning to Morgan with a single raised brow. Morgan sighed and scrubbed at his face tiredly.
"Its to bloody early for this shite." That brought both brows up again. Severus hadn't even been aware that a Pureblood that wasn't Gryffindor knew how to curse like that. "Mother is more Victorian minded than Uncle Dorian. She insists that Hazelnut wear a corset to 'appear as a proper Pureblood Lady' to keep from disgracing the family. Way we see it, if Uncle Dorian doesn't make her wear one of those torture devices, then why should anyone else?" Waving his hand, Morgan started leading the way up the stairs of Graymire.
"Does this happen often?" Severus inquired, following behind the other boy.
"Not really. It was bad in the beginning, but I had a flare of accidental magic that redirected the jinx to myself rather than my cousin suffering the pressure." They were nearing the second flight of stairs now, the landing they were coming up on rather gaily decorated in blues and sea green.
"Truly?" That was something, with his Slytherin mentality, Severus couldn't understand.
"Yes. I already played in my grandmother's clothes with her in the attic with all of the old things we don't use unless its a large event, so it wasn't anything to me." They turned and started up the next flight going toward the third floor now. "Growing up with an older sister and Hazelnut, I thought it was normal. Now, to me, it is." Morgan shrugged as they finally reached the third floor, starting down the rather woodland colored hall toward a door with a mermaid carved into it.
"I see," Snape nodded as the violet eyed boy knocked on the door, the same elf from before opening it and wringing its hands again.
Kneeling on the carpet, Morgan took the elf's hands in his own. "Giggles, Mother and Father cannot harm you, Uncle Dorian forbade it. You don't have to worry about being yelled at. Yaya isn't yelled at, so there is no reason for you to be either, ok?"
The house elf nodded, its large batlike ears flapping before popping away to continue cleaning.
"He's a good House Elf, but he lets my parents run all over him when I'm not home." Morgan sighed before wandering into the still open doorway. "Hazelnut, your Slytherin Prince and favorite cousin have come to rescue you from the horror that is corsets!" Here he smirked and winked at Severus, making the Half-Blood rather uncomfortable. "At least as far as you care about them that is."
Hazel growled something in Greek that Morgan only shrugged at, though Severus flushed a bit at how creative her insults were compared to everywhere else. She had been so relaxed in Italy and Sparta, yet here in London, she was so...
"The London climate doesn't agree with Hazelnut. She was born and raised outside of the United Kingdom, and as such doesn't care for this place at all." Morgan supplied, seeing the look of confusion on Severus' face.
"It is your mother. Why does she think I need a corset? I do not even have to wear anything so restrictive at foreign functions as Princess of Sparta!" She spat, lying face down on her too soft mattress, if the deep pit she was lying in was anything to go off of.
Morgan just laughed at her, though he was quickly pelted with a pillow to the face.
.:':. ':.:' .:':.
"No, no, no! You have to sit as though your spine was a pillar, holding aloft the temple that is your mind! Honestly, you are worse than Hazelnut!" Throwing his hands into the air, Morgan stalked out of the tea room, mumbling about expecting a rather nice gift in exchange for this nonsense.
Hazel, the chit, chuckled lightly at him and shook her head.
"He is right, you know." She commented, once she had control over her giggles. "Its one reason mia zia forces me into a corset, I cannot stand sitting upright constantly. Its not comfortable. However, it is proper." Shifting in the hard backed seat, Hazel started pointing out ways to ensure the back was straight enough to pass inspection without causing too much discomfort.
Severus grumbled about never going to understand all of these small rules that spoke louder than the larger ones but dutifully adjusted himself until Morgan stomped back into the room, an underbust in hand. The Pureblood boy paused, narrowed his eyes and walked around Severus' chair until he nodded and tossed the corset onto a spare chair.
"It'll pass. After all, you haven't been through these lessons since you were toddling about." Morgan commented, taking a seat and showing Severus how to hold himself while carrying on a conversation as though he were entitled to being taken seriously. To sit as though every word from his lips was a gift of the gods themselves and to be taken as such.
After a few minutes of this, Hazel showing how the female side of things would react and the small social cues to watch for from others, Morgan declared Snape ready for that part at least.
"Its your voice," he explained, "that deep rumble makes people want to know what you think if you display yourself correctly."
"Think of it as selling your point," Hazel interjected, already speaking with her hands and drawing him in. "You have the voice to draw them in, it is up to how you carry yourself and your words that make them want to keep listening and take in what you say. Each person is different, it is up to you to find what speaks louder than your words." She finally placed her hands in her lap, looking at him with a barely there smirk.
Within heartbeats, Severus realized what she was talking about. Where as Morgan sat stiffly and spoke with emotion and accented certain points with his hands, Hazel spoke with her hands and moved to show she was interested in whatever was being discussed, or she sat stiffly and without movement if she was not interested.
"I, see." He paused, his brow furrowing as he thought over how best to show his own personality in a way that Purebloods would take him at his real value, rather than that of his blood or title.
"Think over it. Morgan and I shall be happy to sit with you when you wish to practice with others. Until then, we still have much to teach you." Hazel allowed him to sit for a few minutes in silence, before reminding him they were far from done for the day.
With a groan, Severus fell back into his chair, wincing at the sharp pain in the back of his head from hitting the wood.
"But first, how to show displeasure without harming yourself." Morgan grinned, already rubbing his hands together eagerly. Another groan from Severus just makes him laugh.
.:':. ':.:' .:':.
"You're doing quite well, Severus. For only being here two weeks, you hard learned what normally takes three years." Morgan praised, earning himself a satisfied smirk from the Slytherin.
The young Lord Prince had finally passed the tests placed by Dorian to be considered acceptable. Not only that, but Hazel had helped him develop his own unique style for social interactions. Now it was time to practice them in front of someone accustomed to such things.
"It was a pleasure to work along side you, Lord Gray." Bowing the tiniest bit at the waist, his back straight as an arrow of course after two weeks with the threat of an underbust should he slouch, Severus quirked an eyebrow at the other boy. Straightening, he folded his arms across his chest, tucking his robes into the crook of his elbows and inclining his head. "Though I must admit to being grateful it has come to an end." There was a new drawl to his voice, enough to command attention, which he was getting from where Dorian and Hazel where standing off to the side and talking. At least, they had been before he spoke.
Dorian raised a single brow and smirked before leading Hazel over to where the two boys were standing, leading his daughter in the "proper" way, arms linked and both backs painfully straight and stiff.
"Now that your basic training has been completed, perhaps a dance? The ball is only in another week, and we still need to go shopping for robes." There was a gleam in his eyes as he bowed to pass Hazel too the Slytherin, a playful light in his violet eyes.
Hazel for her part, was smiling a Slytherin smile at her friend that he had done so well. Dropping into a curtsy even as Severus bowed, they instantly started dancing a waltz. Despite not dancing since Halloween, they moved perfectly together. Dorian laughed and declared Severus ready, Morgan let out a whoop at no longer having to teach etiquette, and Hazel just grinned at the young man dancing with her.
Severus himself, well, he couldn't he happier, and even smiled truly for the first time since they arrived in London.
.:':. ':.:' .:':.
The day of the ball arrived, and everyone was busy getting dressed for it. Morgan, Severus and Hazel actually showing excitement because they would finally be able to see their friends again. Dorian chuckled every time he went near them, and Caspian and his wife just sniffed and moved on away from them.
Severus was dressed in fitted black dress robes with a hint of Slytherin green at the cuffs and buttons. Morgan was more vibrant in dark blue trimmed in white with metallic yellow buttons. Dorian was dressed of course in dove grey, Morgan's parents in dark grey. Hazel, however, was the most colorful of the bunch in a deep wine dress that was held against her by what appeared to be the outlines of tulips against her torso and the front and top of her dress. Her back was bared, making Severus swallow thickly. He had become accustomed to seeing her in very modest clothing again, and this was a bit of a shock after months of demure clothing.
Moving to link their arms together, Severus started to look down at her but quickly decided that was not the most idealistic places to look. Instead looking to the side of her and not at the rather low bodice of her dress. He had been informed he would be escorting Hazel to the ball, she was accustomed to the social cues, and would be assisting him should he stumble.
"Are you ready, Severus?" Hazel asked, speaking in low tones and in Greek to keep any but Dorian from knowing what was said.
"I, I believe so. It will be very different from Hogwarts, won't it?" he inquired, trying to fight down nerves as they made their way to the Floo. Lord and Lady Gray made their way first, followed by Morgan after a quick wave. Dorian inclined his head and then left, leaving them there in the room alone.
"You will do perfectly, Severus. I have faith in you." Standing on tip toes in her low heeled sandals, Hazel placed a gentle kiss to his cheek and then threw down the floo powder, calling out their destination.
After flipping about in the network, they arrived in the entry room of a rather stately manor, a house elf vanishing the ash from their clothing as they strode toward the people being greeted by the host. Severus couldn't quite recall who it was, only that it was some high ranking ministry employee that was seeking to gain more standing in the social circles of the elite.
The heavy set wizard gushed over them, though his eyes were leering as they took in Hazel's dress, rather than the girl herself. Hazel, for her part, remained cool and impassive in the face of being stared at for her choice in dress robes. Well, Morgan's choice, but she was the one wearing them.
"It is an honor for you to invite the entirety of the Ancient and Regal House of Gray, Lord Hearthstone." She inclined her head, her body stiff despite the sticking charms keeping her dress in place. "Mio Papa was glad to receive your invitation. It is so rare for anyone from the ministry to invite us in such a way. We hardly ever get to bring mia zia and mio zio as well as mio cousin Morgan."
Here she paused, a Slytherin worthy smirk of the more refined Slytherin curving her painted lips. "We are ever so grateful with how you worded the invitation. After all, Papa is sponsoring the young Lord Prince, Severus Snape, and this shall do wonderfully as functioning as his debut into our society. After all, seeing as it is being held in the gardens of your estate, Papa is able to attend as there are no portraits to restrict him."
Severus had to bite his tongue to keep from laughing at how the portly bloke started turning red. The poor man hadn't paid attention to his wording, and if what Hazel said was to be believed, the bloke had invited everyone in the families he invited. It was laughable, but also a bit discerning, considering this wizard was high ranking in the ministry.
With a sweet, innocent smile though Hazel was being anything but, they made their way into the party itself without having to shake his hand or have him slobber over Hazel's. Severus couldn't stop the low rumble of a chuckle once they were well away, shaking his head as Hazel beamed in satisfaction.
"That was brilliant, Hazel." He praised softly, inclining his head as they moved but directing Hazel away from the main crush of lecherous old wizards. He was using his superior height to search out the other two Slytherins in their group. A sigh of relief and he started directing them toward Regulus and Rabastan, who were standing with their now joined families.
"Aderfós mou!" Hazel gushed as much as any proper Pureblood lady gushed and moved to take Regulus' hand in her own and gave it a squeeze. Hugs were frowned upon, and so long as the hag of Lady Black was watching them like a hawk, she wasn't going to tempt fate. "It is wonderful to see you. How have you been?"
She was actually breaking a rule, Severus realized with a start, not greeting the reigning Lord and Lady first. Though given the look of disdain, he figured this was a normal occurrence between them.
"I have been well, as have my Lady Mother and Lord Father." He inclined his heard to each as he mentioned them. Lord Orion inclined his head, though he did not speak. Lady Walburga, however, ignored them both, though looked at Regulus fondly.
It was enough to make Severus squirm minutely. Rabastan however, was watching Hazel with a hint of worry in his eyes as Bellatrix moved over to them.
"So you're the heir to the House of Gray?" She sneered, taking a deep drink from her wine glass. It was an even bigger insult that what Hazel made, interrupting and demanding an answer in such a way.
"Si, I am the heir to the Ancient and Regal House of Gray. You must be the newly married Lady LeStrange. It is nice to formally meet you." Hazel showed her breeding well, though Severus couldn't shake the uneasy feeling he had, watching them interact. Rabastan had actually stiffened when they started talking.
After a few more not so pleasant pleasantries, the teenagers were allowed to leave for a few minutes to talk without the elders listening in. Hazel instantly hugged Regulus once they were away from most eyes, though her greeting to Rabastan was a bit cooler, a quick hug and then she instantly stepped back toward Severus and linked their arms again.
"It is good seeing you both again. Have you found out when you shall be going to Diagon Alley?" Hazel inquired, letting Severus tug at the neckline of his robes along with the other three boys.
"The week we get our letters, I'll owl you on the set date. Unlike you four, I'm still under aged and as such, am at my parents whim." Regulus sighed, leaning into Hazel and pressing his face into her curls piled on top of her head.
Frowning, Severus was trying to figure out just why he was doing such a thing before Morgan snorted rather unbecomingly.
"Must you seek comfort in such a way? I know Hazelnut tends to mother us Pureblood boys, but really now!" Morgan sighed, being dramatic as he himself leaned into Rabastan. Rabastan, for his part, just grinned and wrapped an arm around the other boy.
Hazel scoffed and carded her fingers through the hairs at the base of Regulus' skull, making the younger boy nearly purr as he hugged her tighter to his side before releasing her and stepping back before anyone came looking for them. "Just because I no longer treat you as a small child, Morgan, does not mean I cannot treat others in such a way." She hadn't paid attention to her words, though the second they were out of her mouth she clamped a hand to her mouth. Turning wide eyes to Regulus, she instantly started apologizing, though it as in Italian.
"Hazel, English please." Snape interjected when she paused for breath.
"Aderfós mou, I did not mean it as such. I still stumble over some things in English." Her eyes were stricken though she kept her voice level so no one paid them more mind than they already were.
"It is fine, Hazel, I know it was not intended. I stayed with you over Christmas hols, remember?" Winking to set her mind as ease, he bowed over her her hand and lightly pressed his lips briefly to her skin before straightening once again.
Severus took all of this in, picking up the cues and hints that he had been unaware of before now and seeing them for what they were.
Before, most of the things Purebloods did confused him to no end though he tried his best to discover the meaning on his own. After three weeks of being "trained" by the House of Gray, he felt he understood so much more than before. It was both aggravating, and relieving, to have the knowledge at his disposal.
A.N.: Hello all! Hope you've all had a wonderful week since my last update! Not much going on, but at the same time quite a bit. Next chapter will be the last bit of Summer hols, then seventh year starts. Lots planned for that, so if there is anything you wish to see the five get into during the summer be sure to let me know in a review and I'll see about adding it in if it fits with the story.
Thank you all for reading, and adding this story to your various lists, getting the notifications in my email makes me incredibly happy, and getting a review email all but makes me jump for joy. This chapter is unbeta'd so if you see any mistakes, please feel free to point them out so I can come back in and fix them.
This coming week I'll try posting the pics to my Tumblr (same username as here on FF net) but I have been being a bit active there. Expect the fan casts, and the two dresses I've mentioned so far that look better than I can describe in words to be posted as soon as I have time between work and cleaning up from bad weather.
Have a wonderful week, and I'll see you all again next Sunday I hope!
(Chapter Pre-Note: 3,383)