HEYA guys, I don't know about where you all are but I'm really glad it's spring over here now. No visible difference, of course (it's still raining and cold) but at least there's a little more hope for warm weather!
Hope you're all doing well and had a lovely Feb. Mine was hectic hence the wait.
With a little help, I've decided to keep all the review replies. But if you ever want to ask something without the answer being here, PM me!
Soo, thank you's for this little number go out to:
JonGoodWife2015; banana-potatoo1321998; PerfectionJune; Will Solace and OneInsomniaticHoosier for all the little faves and follows. And to all you lovely reviewers...
Lupin.1~ How are ya'? I hope you're just as happy right now! Glad you liked the match, it was really fun to write. No worries about the typos, I'd be a bit of a hypocrite if I held them against you! ;) P.S: THAT MAKES ME SO HAPPY (but also kind of nervous because I don't want to ruin it!) THANK YOU SO MUCH. Really, this review gave me the dumbest little grin.
Plucie~ Haha, glad you liked it. And oh yes, gotta love a bit of pissing off Ron. :P
Pkkelkp~ Hello there, I don't think we've met, I'm ecstatic. No, really words can just as equally not express the joy that filled my little ol' heart when I read your review. Thank you! Who would have thought I could get anyone addicted?! I will keep 'em coming, even if they do shuffle along a little slowly, thanks for the understanding! And why thank you, I was pretty proud of that manoeuvre myself.
Sassy Slytherin~ Hey you! Glad you enjoyed it! And yeah, sorry about that; I had to make myself a chart to write it so I can imagine it might have been confusing for you guys! And it seems you aren't the only one, I like 'em too. Replies at the top are staying!
Lupin.2~ As you may have noticed, I'm gonna keep my replies up here! Hope that makes you happy. :D
Lupin.3~ (I think this actually a reply to your 4th review, but oh well...) Hello again antsy mess! Hope you're not as antsy right now. And a Happy Belated Valentines to you too, my love x
Lupin.4~ ITS NOT EVEN BEEN A WHOLE MONTH! (February is a baby month) ITS ONLY BEEN A BABY MONTH! But yes, I know I've been teasing it for what feels like ages, its here now. Well... sorta (I'll explain)
OneInsomniaticHoosier~ Hello, there! Thank you very much, I'm glad you like what I write and the way I write it, Merlin knows I hate it sometimes! That's so cute! I'm really glad the grandma vibe is there. Here's that update.
Lupin.5~ Don't go mental. I repeat, do not go mental! I'm so sorry, I forget that people actually check for updates because I just get email alerts for fics I read. Don't be sad, it's here now. Go on, read it!
Alright then, go have a little read!
Cookie xx
Chapter 29- Thoughts on Scorpius, Preparation and Arrival
"Well, I liked him. He plays well" Angelina said pretty much just after Scorpius had thrown down the green powder and vanished.
"He had lovely manners" Hermione announced.
"Not bad looking either, Roxy" Katie said, with a little smile. Roxanne rolled her eyes, she'd only just waved Scorpius through the Floo. He'd stayed for dinner- at the allowance of his mum- and had even managed to get through some after-dinner conversation before Rox had basically told him to leave. He was beginning to nod off. She knew how tiring her day had been; it must have been way worse for him, keeping up with a family like hers.
"I thought he was a smug git" Ron said from his chair in the living room.
Rox turned, "Uncle Ron. You were mean to him from the beginning of the day, for no reason, did you expect him to be humble when he scored against you? Numerous times I might add."
Dom laughed. Ron looked a little shocked.
Rox realised she'd been a bit harsh with her tone, but quite frankly she didn't care. She'd held her tongue all day because she knew it would embarrass Scor if she'd had to stick up for him to her Uncle, but Scor was gone now so it didn't matter.
"I wasn't mean to him, Rox. I was just saying it how it is, if the boy is too weak to deal with that then-"
"No…" she interrupted, "Uncle Ron. That's unfair and you know it! I get it, you don't like his dad, but how would you feel if someone treated Hugo the same way you treated Scor because they didn't like you at school?"
"What- why would anyone not have liked me at school?"
"Ugh! That's not the point-" Rox was so frustrated with him. He was a lovely man and had been a great uncle to her and father to his kids for all their lives but sometimes he really was just so insensitive and dense.
"What Roxy is trying to say is, you were an arse to her friend and it was totally uncalled for." Dom summarised.
"Dominique!" Bill interrupted.
"What? I thought I was an adult now? I'm just 'saying it how it is'. Right, Uncle Ron?"
Ron looked down; slightly embarrassed at the dressing down he'd just received from his two nieces.
"Fine, maybe I was a bit harsh on the boy. But that face of his, it just reminded me so much of the ferret. I couldn't help it"
Roxanne sighed, "It's fine Uncle Ron. Scor's had people speaking to him like you have before, prejudice is nothing new, and he's tough enough for it." She shrugged, "It's just… well, I thought you were better than that, that's all."
"Roxanne- I'm sorry"
"Yeah okay"
She turned from him and left the room. The tiniest smirk playing across her face as she did so. ~
"You made him feel really guilty, you know"
"I meant to" she smiled in satisfaction at her little victory on behalf of her friend.
"I know you did, and I'm glad"
Rox was a little surprised. "Thanks Aunty 'Mione"
"Don't let him frustrate you. Merlin knows he does it enough to me"
"It's hard though. I didn't want to say anything in front of Scorpius but he was really getting to me. And if it was getting to me imagine how it was for him"
"It was probably easier than you'd think, Rox. Being born into that, and by 'that' I mean being born into a family where people already think they know everything they need to about you; where people already have ideas about you before you've even met them, is hard. And it's not the same thing I went through, but it is close enough. You build up the same wall and the same tolerance. I'm sure he's dealt with worse than Ronald Weasley." She rolled her eyes, "but that doesn't make it okay. You were right; the point is that he shouldn't have to deal with it. And you, sticking up for him just now? Making Ron feel guilty, that was perfect. So thank you."
"Why are you thanking me?"
"Because with things like this, he tunes out to my nagging." She chuckled, "I think he has this sense that his hate is justified and it's on my behalf, in my name and I hate it. He might actually listen to you now. It'll save me a lot of frustration"
"Well, in that case, you are very welcome Aunt Hermione"
The pair smiled at each other, Hermione stood, kissed Roxanne on the head and began to leave the kitchen. Rox had a sudden thought, "Wait, I have something else I wanted to say"
Roxanne paused, as Hermione came back to sit next to her niece.
"I wanted to apologise, for the other day. I brought the whole Ball up at dinner and I didn't think. I was so focused on getting permission I honestly didn't think about why no one had ever gone before. I forgot that it was more than just you guys being enemies at school. It was careless of me"
"No, Roxanne it wasn't. If you think something is unfair, you should be able to speak your mind without worrying about hurting my feelings"
"No, Aunt Hermione, I should have thought. I should have just paused and thought it through before I opened my mouth. I should have come to you first" she said quickly.
"And if you had, then what?" Hermione raised a brow.
"Well, I would have asked how you felt about it. You wouldn't have been put on the spot at dinner. It must have been hard"
"And you know what I would have said?"
Rox waited.
"I would have told you to do exactly what you did. You guys did plan it out exceptionally, I might add" Roxanne blushed, of course Aunt Hermione would have seen through their manipulation, "I've been wanting to have that conversation for years, but we just got into the routine of discarding the invitations when they arrived. Habits are hard to break; and I'm glad you all got us out of this one. I'm a lawyer Roxy, of course I want you to present your case and speak your mind"
"No objections to it then?" Roxanne offered, making Hermione laugh.
"No objections. I'm actually quite looking forward to getting all dressed up for New Year's, having Ron just get drunk before midnight at home has gotten a bit tedious"
"Do you think you'll be able to cope?"
"I hope so. And if I can't then at least I'll have tried."
"Better to try and fail than never have tried at all?" Rox suggested, it was something her mother had said to her before. She didn't know if it was from anything in particular.
"Precisely. And anyway, I have a loving and supportive family who'll be there for me if I need them"
"Hmm, I guess so"
They laughed and shared a hug, this time Rox let her leave as she had planned to and she made her own way into the den, where the majority of the rest of her cousins and the twins were all hanging out. ~
Roxanne walked into the room expecting way more bodies than were in front of her.
She looked to Freddie who was lounging along a sofa with his arm flung over his head and his eyes closed. She guessed he was awake. As she neared he sat up and moved over for her.
She sat next him and he shifted so his arm was over her shoulders when she laid her head on him. "Where is everyone?"
Ly and Al were playing pool. Lorcan and Liv were cuddled up in a large armchair muttering to each other cutely. James was absorbed in a game, sitting on the floor closer to the TV, eyes glazed over. She'd seen Louis pass her and her Aunt Hermione when they were talking so had assumed he was going to bed. Everyone else was missing.
"Well, Dom hasn't come back yet. Lily went to keep Rosie company and Hugo's left to check she's okay. Molly and Lucy went to bed. Teddy and Vic… a different kind of bed I think."
"Great. Just what I want to hear when I'm tired and I'm meant to be sleeping in the room next to them"
"Well, they did promise not to-"
"Oh yeah, when have Ted and Vic ever done what they're supposed to?"
"When has anyone in this family, done what they're supposed to?"
"Hmm, well there was that one time I got sorted into Ravenclaw, I was meant to do that right?" she joked.
Fred laughed, "Joke about it all you like but you really were meant to be a Ravenclaw. You're special Roxy, you should know that." Rox only rolled her eyes at her brother's comment.
"I could have been special in Gryffindor…"
"Yeah, but just think, you and the twins would be as close as me and the twins. We'd only see them around Christmas time. You and Liv? I doubt you'd be that close still. And your other friends, you wouldn't know them very well. And Malfoy, you probably wouldn't know him at all"
"Yeah, but… I'd probably still be friends with Lily, Rose might not hate me so fiercely, and me and you? We would've been close for years"
"Lily isn't interested in school very much, so I'm glad you're not that much like her. You're too much of a nerd Rox" he joked, carrying on after she elbowed him in the side, "Rose is just another story, no one really knows what's in her head and until she's willing to share, no one really will. Maybe, you being in Ravenclaw makes her dislike you that little bit more, maybe it doesn't. That one's a mystery. And me and you? I don't think we'd be as close as we are right now. I look at James and Lils, and I know that they're close and they speak but Lily'd never come to James with her problems. They don't make an effort to spend time together like we do. If we'd been in the same House, I think we'd end up like that. I only wish I paid attention enough to get closer sooner"
"Aw, Freddie. You're right, I am glad we got here. Even if it did take you forgetting my birthday for it to happen"
"You're not going to let me forget that are you?"
"Nope."
"When's my birthday?"
"January the 20th; three days after James'"
Fred narrowed his eyes at her playfully. "I'd better be getting a good present"
"You'd better just hope I don't forget" ~
"If you don't sit still I can't help you, Roxy!"
"Maybe I don't want to be helped Mel!"
"Roxanne." Mel raised an eyebrow at her from behind. Roxanne looked away from the mirror and shrunk down into her chair a little.
Melanie had promised to come over that afternoon and help the girls with their hair for the Ball. She knew perfectly well if Roxanne had to deal with her own hair that evening she might just have a mental breakdown.
Roxanne knew it too, so she kept her moaning to a minimum after that. Melanie had already inspected Roxanne's dress and accessories so that she could come up with a hair style to match. After about an hour of drying, tugging and fixing spells and products; Melanie was done. And Roxanne, she was shoved out of the chair by her next cousin and shuffled back into her room.
The girls had taken over the whole loft extension for that afternoon. They'd kicked Teddy out and were using the two large rooms and their connecting bathroom as HQ for 'Ball prep'.
It was all very organised. They took turns using the shower and getting changed into underwear and a bath robe. Then it was over to 'hair and make-up' where Mel was set up in Vic and Ted's room. She'd do their hair and they'd hang out in one of the two rooms afterwards. Apparently make-up didn't need to be done as early as hair did, so the girls would all either do their own, or in Rox's case, have someone force make-up on later.
Rox sighed. It was only four thirty. The Ball didn't start until seven. They weren't planning to leave until half past. (No-one wanted to be there first; they decided the awkwardness would be unbearable).
She was so bored. Bored, bored, bored.
That was, until a bird flew straight through the open skylight, dropping off a letter as it entered. She recognised it straight away and grabbed the letter out of Dom's hand before she could open it.
Dom laughed, "Oooh, do I not get to see messages from your boyfriend anymore?"
Roxanne and Logan had been writing back and forth for the past few days now. The grey owl, 'smokey', with bright yellow eyes studied her; it was perched on the bed frame at the end of her bed. Whatever his most recent message was, she clearly needed to give him a reply soon.
"Ooh, you still haven't told me about him, Roxy" Mel said, sitting on a bean bag next to Dom. Molly followed her in a moment later, hair perfect. Clearly Mel was done for now.
"Only cos I know Liv has" She replied. Sitting down and opening the letter close to her chest, Liv scooted next to her and Rox allowed her to peek over her shoulder.
"Hey! Why can Liv see but I can't?"
"Because Liv won't take the piss, like you have been this past week!"
Dom rolled her eyes, "I'm sorry, Roxy he seems like such a sap"
"He's sweet!" Olivia corrected.
"Exactly, thank you Livvy!"
She ignored Dom, as she imitated some of the things Logan had written to her in the past few days. Blocking her out, she read.
Roxanne,
I honestly can't wait to see you again this evening.
I know you said your family was leaving at around 7.30, but would it be okay if I picked you up a little earlier?
My parents prefer to arrive at the Manor in 'style'. My mum's hired a carriage for the evening and wants to make sure everyone sees her in it.
*insert huge eye roll*
Do you think you could be ready for 7.00?
I'd imagine you don't need much time for that sort of thing. You're gorgeous as it is.
Logan x
The owl hooted impatiently. Roxanne summoned a biro, she wasn't sure if she had any parchment lying around so she penned a quick response on the back of his letter. She knew it wasn't very civilised but she didn't really care.
Logan,
I'll be ready for 7.00. But only because my cousins made me start ridiculously early; non of that being gorgeous rubbish.
See you soon
Rox x
She tied the response to the owl's leg and gave it a little rub before the bird flew off.
"Sooo, what did he say?" Lucy asked.
"He wants to pick me up from here at seven"
"Why? We're all apparating to the same place" Molly commented.
"He's got a carriage" Liv told them excitedly.
"Merlin, Rox. Who owns a carriage?" Lily asked, looking a little excited too.
"It's rented. For the night" She explained, feeling mildly embarrassed. She wasn't used to this much attention. All her female cousins were looking at her, talking about her boyfriend.
"Never mind owning one, who the fuck rents carriages for a night?" Dom asked.
"Well, he is a Slytherin" Molly shrugged.
"He's not like that, it's more his parents" Rox defended, a little worried they'd think badly of him. She wanted them to like Logan.
"Sure, Roxy"
"No, she's right. There was a girl in my year, Tania Williams. I remember her saying she was from a Slytherin family, she had a younger cousin Logan's age. She always moaned about her snobby aunt. I'm assuming that's Logan's mum" Vic explained.
Dom didn't look convinced. Rox didn't care, Dom wasn't going to accept Logan until she'd met (and liked) him.
It was the liking bit that worried Rox.
Thankfully, the girls moved their conversation along a little. Not too far though, boys were still the topic.
"What about you Luce, you got a boyfriend yet?"
"Or girlfriend, we don't mind" Dom added, after Vic asked.
Lucy flushed scarlet. "No, no boyfriends for me"
"But you do have someone in mind"
Lucy brushed some hair behind her ear. "Nope. No one"
"Liar" Dom accused.
"Okay, fine. He's one of Hugo's friends, but that's exactly why nothing could ever happen"
"Why not? I'm sure Hugo wouldn't care"
"Oh, he would. Trust me I know him."
"Lucy's right. Hugo just doesn't see things like that, you guys could be holding hands for a week and it'd still come as a surprise to him if you said you liked each other" Rose added.
"He'd find it weird" Lucy summarised.
"Forget what Hugo thinks, if you and this guy like each other, go for it"
"Or you could just focus on your OWLs and not let some Neanderthal hold you back" Molly suggested. Dom laughed.
"No, don't listen to her Lucy. If you think this guy um-"
"Daniel"
"Okay, if you think Daniel likes you back then just have a chat with Hugo about it before anything happens. Hugo's like your best friend, Luce. I'm sure he'll come round if you're honest" The circle was a little surprised. Here Rose was, offering cousinly advice to Lucy. No sarcasm, no sneers, no indication she didn't mean what she said. She was being nice. Like the old Rose.
Lucy smiled at her and gave her a thanks. Vic took it upon herself to try and keep Rose involved, "What about you, Rosie? Anyone we should know about?"
"Nope" she told them, leaning back making it clear she wasn't up for sharing.
"Mols?" Dom asked, moving swiftly on.
Molly rolled her eyes, "Funny, Dom"
"Seriously Molly, I don't know why you're so against it. I'm sure there are plenty of guys that would love to get with you"
"Yeah, 'get with' me" She repeated.
"Ugh. You know what I mean. I'm sure there are loads of clever, respectable gentlemen who would love the opportunity to court you, darling. Better?"
"Yeah loads. Still no one I'm interested in though"
"No one's mature enough for our Mols" Lucy told them all, and Molly just poked a tongue back out at her little sister. She responded in like.
Molly shrugged. "Maybe I'll find someone when I graduate"
"I feel like you're gonna marry a fourty year old Molly, I really do"
"Gee, thanks Dom."
Dom shrugged, "Hey, you want mature. It's that or a bottle of wine from Nana's stash."
Molly rolled her eyes, suppressing a laugh.
"Hm. Well, we all know about Lorcan now, don't we Livvy?" Dom winked at Rox's best friend, who just covered her face with a grin.
"So, Mel?"
"Single as one of Elliott's socks"
Elliott was known for never wearing matching socks. Katie had been moaning at him about it for as long as they could all remember.
They laughed. "I've just been so busy, I swear it's like I have no life other than my business"
"Merlin, you sound like Louis" Vic laughed.
"Work freak. Ooh, Mel, fancy meeting my brother?" Dom added.
"Merlin no. No way could I date someone as obsessed with work as me!"
"But if he wasn't such a work freak you totally would right?" Dominique winked.
Mel threw the pillow she was holding at her. "I'm not dating your brother, Dom!"
"Now, isn't it about time you told us all about your love life, hm?"
Dom snorted, "As if. All the men I work with are too scared I'll beat the shit out of them"
"Oh, come off it! There must be someone on the training programme who's not intimidated by a little bit of female power" Victoire said.
"Nope. Like I said, shit scared" Dom insisted.
"Liar" Rox accused. "You like someone you just don't want us to know"
"I do not like anyone on the training programme Roxy" Dom shot back.
"Fine, then they're not a trainee." Rox decided. "But there's definitely someone"
"Dom, tell me you haven't got with any of your trainers!" Melanie laughed.
"Ew, Mel no. Most of them are all like Uncle Harry's age. That's more Molly's area" Dom winked and received another pillow to the face, "but anyway, I'd never be that dumb. Even if there did happen to be one super-hot young combat instructor" she coughed, "just as an example of course, I'd never do anything about it"
"Knew it" Rox smirked.
Dom rolled her eyes, "Only cos I decided you guys could know"
"Whatever, Dom. You wouldn't have been able to lie about it anyway"
"Oh please, they teach us to lie. I'm a master at it"
"So, Dom… this combat instructor, what happens once you graduate?" Vic asked suspiciously, a tease in her voice.
"Well, when I graduate the Auror training programme, I'll be an Auror, Vic." She told her mockingly as if she were explaining to a child. "It'll be my job to make sure all the bad wizards get put away. So you don't have to worry your pretty little head about anything."
"Very funny Dom. You know full well what I meant." Victoire smirked at her younger sister, "They might have taught you to lie, but you're answer just told me all I needed to know"
"So it was a good explanation of what an Auror does? Oh, good. I struggle with that usually."
Vic made a face at her, the sarcastic witch, "If you weren't planning to be involved with him, you'd have said nothing. Your answer? It means you'll probably get with him once you graduate" she folded her arms with finality and Dom didn't have a comeback.
"Should've just told us in the first place Dom" Rox laughed.
"Yeah well, I'm not 100% sure he even likes me. So I didn't see a reason to tell" she shrugged nonchalantly.
"Oh, please. Dominique Weasley, when has a guy not liking you ever stopped you before? Not that there ever were many guys who didn't like you"
Dom smirked back at Mel, who had been the year below her at Hogwarts, but that didn't matter. Most of the girls their age knew all about Dom's talent for wrapping boys around her little finger. She shrugged again, "I guess we'll have to wait and see"
The girls continued to chat for a while- Rox wasn't sure how long. Vic telling them about Healer training, Dom more about the Auror programme, and Mel about some of the new stock she'd invented and about all her employees. The other girls in the circle told them about Hogwarts a little more, and the elder girls got nostalgic, sharing stories of their time there, even though it wasn't that long ago.
Before they knew it there was a knock at their door. Ginny Weasley popped her head around it.
"You girls want some cookies? Your Grandma is stressing out about going over to the Manor so she whipped up a quick batch"
The girls all inhaled, the smell of the fresh-out-of-the-oven cookies wafting deliciously over to them.
They all nodded quickly. Ginny laughed, "Thought so"
Ginny set the plate in the middle of the circle of girls that had formed in the large room. They all reached forwards and grabbed a cookie. Ginny joined them, sitting between two of her nieces.
"Hair looks great girls. Great job, Mel"
"Thanks Aunt Gin" Mel smiled, trying to wipe the chocolate from her lip, where one of the warm chips had been brushed against her mouth.
"I'm surprised you girls haven't started getting dressed yet." Ginny checked her watch, "Well, I suppose your hair's all done, it doesn't take an hour to do make-up and get dressed"
"An hour?"
"Aunt Ginny, what's the time?"
"6.30"
"Shit" Dominique muttered on behalf of Roxanne who looked like she was about to choke on her cookie.
"What's the rush?" Ginny asked the girls as Roxanne began to stand and brush cookie crumbs from her chest.
"Rox's boyfriend is picking her up for 7.00" Lily answered.
"Oh. Why didn't you come down and tell us Roxy?"
"I didn't realise it was this late." She turned to her cousins with a sneaky smile on her face, "ah, shame. Looks like there's no time for make-up"
Mel sighed disappointedly at Rox's comment; Vic stood and took out her wand. Twirling it gracefully, looking very Veela-esque in her pastel purple silk dressing gown.
"I guess today's lesson is that there is always time for make-up"
Roxanne rolled her eyes, gaining a chuckle from Ginny as she stayed put and watched her best-friend's daughter being marched off through the bathroom and into the room next door by Victoire Weasley.
If there was anyone to get a girl dressed for a ball in under half an hour, it was Vic.~
They were all here. They being the Weasley-Potter-Scamander-Wood entourage, except it seemed to be missing a member: Roxanne. They were all here but she wasn't. Scorpius hadn't let it show though. He straightened his back and stiffened his jaw and dutifully followed his parents to greet the new arrivals.
Astoria Malfoy practically glided over to the newly assembled group of people who had just been led in by their House Elf Sif from the designated apparition point in the foyer.
Draco stuck just to the side of his wife, a hand at her elbow. Scorpius had noticed that since they'd told him about the pregnancy, his dad barely let his mum go.
"We're so glad you could make it. I don't think we've been formally introduced, I'm Astoria" she held out her hand with the most genuine smile and Scor sighed with relief as Hermione stepped forwards and shook it.
"Hermione"
"Pleasure to meet you" they both said in the same tone at the same time. Harry chuckled and the two women smiled at one another before letting each other's hands go.
Dominique rolled her eyes, "Not to be blunt but there are a hell of a lot of other hands to shake here. Scor, could you just introduce us?"
Draco looked questioningly at his son but he gave him a shrug in return. Just Dom being Dom.
Scorpius smiled at Dom. "Of course." He turned to the assembled families, "Guys these are my parents Draco and Astoria Malfoy" he turned back to his parents, "Mum, Dad this is Dominique…" and he began from there.
Of course The Golden Trio and other members of the families were already quite well aware of whom Draco Malfoy was. But Scorpius introduced them all anyway, as if it were the first time they were meeting. Good thing he did too because the tension was almost palpable, Scorpius didn't know what would have happened if his parents had had to shake everyone's hands individually. More specifically, what would have happened if Ron Weasley had had to shake his dads' hand.
By the time the introductions were over, and his parents had politely excused themselves with the proviso of greeting other guests, Ron Weasley's face was almost as red as his hair. He almost immediately stalked off to the drinks table. Harry and Charlie followed him and the majority of the others spread out around the room at their leisure. Scorpius frowned when he noticed Rox's Aunt Hermione looking at the elves coming in and out of the Ballroom in distaste. He'd have to explain that one later.
Liv, the twins and Dom moved over to Scorpius and he led them to a more quiet corner of the room.
"Thanks for making it all a bit less awkward Dom"
She smiled, "My pleasure, Uncle Ron looked like he was about to rip someone's head off. If Aunt Hermione had shook your dad's hand which of course she would have I thought he might blow"
"His mum confiscated his wand" Lysander snorted. Making Dom smack him upside the head.
"If he hears you laughing about that he'll wandlessly curse you to oblivion"
Ly looked worried for all of two seconds, "He doesn't really seem like the wandless magic type"
Dom snorted back, "Yeah you're right. He's shit at it"
"So, Scor. You going to show us around or not?" Lorcan asked.
"Aren't we going to wait for Rox?" Liv said, looking around.
"Yeah, where is she?" Scorpius asked them.
Dom raised a brow, "Took you long enough. She's with the boyfriend" Dom rolled her eyes, "Apparently, his lordship's family hired a carriage for the night and they want to be seen in it"
"Oh of course. The Williams', they'll be here in about ten minutes or so then. All the pretentious pure-blood families like to arrive at about the same time. They come in all sorts, last year we had a carriage pulled by a unicorn. They like to compete for the best entrance, then this hall gets a lot louder and a lot more fake"
"An actual unicorn?" Lorcan wondered.
"Nah, dad reckons it was just a white horse with some pretty heavy illusionment charms on it. Of course no one would dare suggest any foul play out loud"
"Can we watch?" Liv smiled.
"Follow me" ~
Scorpius led them to a balcony off of one of the stair cases by the front of the manor. It overlooked the winding pathway that led to the front gates and the large fountain that the carriages circled after coming up the path.
The three Ravenclaws, Dom and Lucy and Hugo, who'd tagged along upon seeing them leaving the Ballroom, followed Scorpius out onto the balcony. He tapped his wand on the ledge as he stepped out onto it and the wind around them seemed to stop; a shimmering barrier raised itself around all three sides and above the group, becoming invisible when it reached the top.
"What was that?"
"One of the benefits of being a Malfoy. The Manor sort of responds to you-"
"Like Hogwarts?" Lucy asked, impressed.
"Sort of, except, you have to be a bit more careful with it. Dark Magic takes longer to fade"
"So… that could have blown us up?"
"No, Ly" he rolled his eyes, "that was just keeping the balcony warm while we're out on it. My house isn't going to kill you"
"House" Lorcan snorted.
"Manor, whatever"
"Mansion? Castle? Palace?" Ly helpfully suggested.
"Guys look" Hugo pointed out to the top of the path, which was all illuminated by magical fairy lights. Which, thankfully no longer contained actual fairies, but instead were made by them.
A large, dark circular carriage came up the pathway, led by two massive black stallions.
"That'll be Zabini. He does like his dramatic flair."
The group watched as Blaise Zabini, known billionaire-bachelor-extraordinaire got out of the carriage and opened the door for the woman he was with. All but Scor gasped as the hand that took his belonged to Cressida Cowell, she was a seeker for the Cannons, and favourite for England's next World Cup team. The celebrity couple were led into the house by one of the elves, behind their carriage, was a smaller more modest coach.
"Is that-"
"The Quinn's yeah. She's just as annoying here as she is at school"
Scor told them as they watched their current Slytherin Head Girl get out of the carriage and walk up the steps to the Manor, not waiting for her parents who followed quickly behind.
"Better hope El doesn't run into her." Liv stated, thinking of her Head Boy brother, who made it fairly well known he wasn't a fan of his 'partner'.
They stood watching as Scorpius narrated, knowing each and every one of the guests who stepped out of the carriages. He told them a little about the families and any notable scandals he knew of. He knew a lot.
"Why are there no cameras, no reporters?"
"Anything capable of capturing an image will shut down when it passes the borders. There's a total ban on them here for the duration of the Ball. One of the reasons it's so popular, no one has any evidence of anything."
"Bet a few career ruining incidents have happened here over the years"
"Like you wouldn't believe, one year the-"
Scorpius' words stopped as his lazy glance fell on a carriage which carried the Williams' family emblem. They all followed his line of sight as Logan and who the group assumed to be his father got out of one side of the Slytherin-green coach. They came around to the front and Logan nodded to his dad, who opened the door and held out a hand for his wife. She got out, took his arm and they walked towards the Manor.
Scor watched as Roxanne stepped out, holding her dress up as she did so, one long perfect leg at a time, using Logan's hand for mild support. She stood, taller than usual in her heels, only now a couple inches shorter than her 6ft companion. She was stunning, even from the distance, even wrapped in a long black coat. He felt the sudden need to be much closer to her than he currently was. She was looking up at the Manor, taking in the front of the building, her face turned in his direction and she squinted through the dark in their general direction. Liv shot off a small purple light with her wand and Roxanne smiled. Scor took a step back from the balcony edge.
"Well, go on then. Go be a good host, Malfoy. We'll catch you up" Dominique told him and he left the rest of the group to their own chat, full of suspicions and theories about the two. But of course, he wasn't to know that.~
She stopped after only a few steps out of the carriage, staring up at the impressive façade of the Manor, its white stone steps and pillars making her pause to think. Did Scorpius really live here? She didn't quite connect the two in her head yet. The Manor was imposing from the outside, hugely impressive, it seemed to emanate power and a certain superiority that made her feel a bit uneasy.
She wondered how much of the uneasiness came from she actually saw in front of her now, and how much of it was because of her previous knowledge of the building, was her mind making her feel these things because of what she knew had happened here?
Her eyes drifted over the building and she was glad Logan was giving her a little time to take everything in, there seemed to be figures on the balcony of one of the front windows. She squinted. Picking out two sets of red hair, two identical sets of blonde, and- a small purple spark. She grinned, Liv was up there too. She turned back to Logan, placing her arm through his, feeling much better about the building knowing her friends and family were already inside.~
Scorpius had just reached his parents' side when the Williams' walked in. He had hoped they would have cleared the entrance Hall into the ballroom by now but they had obviously taken their time handing in their coats to the cloakroom elves again. Scorpius had watched them before; Mrs Williams always gave the elves a long lecture on how to care for her precious outerwear.
"Oh Astoria dear, you look absolutely fabulous! That extra weight on your face? It really does suit you!"
The woman told the lady of the Manor as she gave her a hug and two cheek kisses as a greeting. Scorpius wanted to hit her already.
She then turned to shake the hand of her husband, "A pleasure as always, Draco" she said sweetly.
"Thank you for coming, Cynthia" he gave her a polite little bow and she gave him a smile. His jaw was tightly clenching and Scor realised his dad must share his feelings toward the woman.
Mr Williams made slightly less loud introductions and stood, waiting to see if his wife was ready to move along yet, when she didn't Astoria started a conversation.
"And your son?" Astoria asked peering towards the entrance, "Whom is he escorting this year?"
"Oh, honestly Astoria, you'd think he would know by now what acceptable company was" she huffed, "I had a perfectly lovely pureblood girl, from Beaubauxtons no less, willing to escort him tonight, and then he tells me he'll be bringing his girlfriend?"
"Is she not very nice?" Astoria asked, looking a little concerned.
"Dreadful. She fumbled about getting into the carriage, sat there with jittery legs the entire journey and Logan did not seem to inform her on the correct colour matching they should have had. He seems absolutely smitten with her. I think it's all just to annoy me, mind. There's no way he could actually like such a girl, she really lacks finesse"
"And her name? Who is she?" Draco asked.
"Oh, I don't know, R-something or other. She's a Ravenclaw apparently; I doubt she's from any family of importance"
"Oh?" he began, turning to his son who was standing politely to the side while the adults talked, "Scorpius, she's in your house. Maybe you'll know her"
Scorpius gave Mrs Williams a little smile, "It's entirely possible, Ma'am."
"Oh, Draco I didn't mean-"
"Ah, look, there he is now" Draco interrupted with a genuine smile on his face now, he loved it when the woman fumbled for words.
Scorpius' eyes followed to where his dad was looking, Logan walked into the Hall with Roxanne's arm through his. She had taken her coat off now of course and held only onto a small navy clutch bag in her free hand. That point held Scor's attention only momentarily because he was then taking in the rest of her. As he'd noticed before she was in heels, apparent by her added height in comparison to her boyfriend. But the shoes weren't visible from under her floor length navy dress. It was simple and elegant and made her look about three years older. Coming in at the waist there was a small section of the dress cut-out just between her breasts, and the material of the top of the dress curved around them, attached to a silver- jewel encrusted band that disappeared around her neck, resting on her collarbones. Her hair was up, with a few loose curls seeming to escape the rest of it. Scorpius didn't know whether that was accidental or not, only that it looked good. It meant when his eyes finally reached her face that he could see the redness of her studded ears and the pink tinge colouring her cheeks slightly. He locked eyes with her and the redness intensified. He didn't know why she'd be embarrassed, seeing as she looked so amazing but then he realised in the time he'd been studying her, she'd moved quite a distance. She had obviously been watching him watching her. He wondered if she could read his face the way she usually did when he didn't think about it. He hoped not.
He smiled at her and she seemed to relax but then he winked appreciatively and she flushed again. Biting her lip to hide an embarrassed laugh, she shook her head slightly at him.
He just about managed to tear his eyes from her advancing figure and noticed his dad was watching him out of the corner of his eyes. The other three gathered adults were looking toward the advancing couple but Draco had been watching his son.
"You know her" he said, quietly enough that no one else could hear.
Scorpius nodded, a little smirk playing across his face, "I'll introduce you all"~
Cynthia Williams pursed her lips as her son arrived with his new girlfriend on his arm.
"You see?" she directed at Astoria and Draco without glancing at the girl.
"No, I can't say I do" Draco told the sour-faced woman, turning to her son, "Evening, Logan" they shook hands.
Logan moved to greet Astoria and Roxanne stood still. She and Scorpius were looking at each other intently and seemed to be having a conversation with their eyes that no one else could understand.
"Scorpius, dear do you know this girl?" Astoria asked her son.
Draco had a sneaking suspicion that this was Scorpius' missing friend from earlier. He had seen his son interact with his exes and it was not like this.
"Yes, mother"
"Well, do introduce us"
He turned to Logan first, "May I?"
Logan nodded, because although Roxanne was his date for the evening, it was Scorpius' family's home that he was standing in and he couldn't exactly refuse the heir to the Manor the opportunity to introduce someone to his parents after they had asked. It would be impolite, and his mother would scold him if he reacted any other way.
"Mum, dad. This is Roxanne Weasley." He emphasised her last name, looking to Cynthia Williams as he did, her face becoming pale. Sure, the Weasley family may have once been considered blood traitors but now, they were one of the most important and powerful wizarding families in the world, let alone the country.
"Roxanne, this is my mother, Astoria and my father, Draco"
"It's lovely to finally meet you, Mr and Mrs Malfoy. You have a wonderful home"
"Thank you, Roxanne." Astoria smiled graciously. "I'm so glad you could make it, I've been hearing about you for years. I believe you're the reason my son is no longer blonde?"~
A/N:
DON'T BE ANGRY!
*hides behind chair out of the way of projectiles*
Okay, so I sorta didn't actually technically include the Ball in this chapter even though, I swear I meant to. I just got really carried away with all the little bits before it that I didn't manage it.
I was debating to keep this back, add the ball on and have a Mega-chap but you all *coughLupincough* were waiting oh so patiently and so I thought, better a little now than loads later. Because really, later with me at the moment could have meant 35546284626327 years time. (Minor exaggeration)
Anyway, hope you liked what little you got and appreciate that the Ball may be a while, (another issue is I've found it really difficult to write), but you will get it.
Hang in there guys and thank you all for being such amazing, patient readers!
Don't forget to tell me what ya' think!
Lots and lots of love,
Cookie xxxx
P.S: I know this isn't like me to do, but if any of you are interested in what I imagine Rox is wearing to the Ball, google Anna Kendrick's Oscar dress 2015. It's that, but in Ravenclaw blue.
Feel as equally free not to, and just to imagine it yourself ;) x
