Chapter 52 Sweet Sixteen
A/N if you have any questions after you read this, the A/N at the bottom should explain them. Otherwise, send me a PM or review, and I'll explain as best I can.
And you may notice that part of this chapter is kind of low on dialogue, this is because the rest of it is so HIGH on dialogue that I was getting sick of the talking… I hope you don't mind, I did try.
One little treat I have, is a playlist. I put together a little playlist on YouTube of the songs I picked for the party. More are on the list then are mentioned, cause I didn't want to mention all 45+ songs, but if you search june potter on YouTube, it should pop up. You can listen to it starting at the music part, or you can start now. Trust me, it's long enough. I recommend setting it to shuffle, and if you so desire, click the song when it's mentioned or just let it play through. I really hope most of you know these songs, they're really greatness.
^_^ special thanks to Copious Grace for betaing, even though I did delete your suggestion.
~*~ JP~*~
On the morning of her 16th birthday, June woke up refreshed and excited. She went downstairs and had a bagel and smear with her Dad and Remus. It felt so weird, to call him Dad in her head, purposely. Sirius had insisted that she needn't call him Dad at all, that he was fine with Sirius, but he didn't mind if she called him Dad either. So, she decided that she would call him Sirius, be refer to him as her Dad. It was just more comfortable for her.
After breakfast, she headed up stairs, showered, brushed her teeth and put on sweat pants and a tank top. She went down stairs to wait for Fleur.
At about noon, she received an owl from Snape; it was the potion that corrected her eye sight, with directions to take it eight hours before she wanted her eyesight to return to its current condition. As if she hadn't taken this potion two years ago for the Yule Ball.
So, since her party was five hours long, she would take the potion at 2 o'clock, and not have to worry about her glasses for an hour after the party ended.
At 1o'clock, Fleur arrived in beautiful lavender robes, her hair in a lovely French twist, perfect make-up, and the envy of every girl in the world. She looked June up and down in her sweat pant ensemble, and tsked. June just rolled her eyes and led Fleur up to her room.
She admired her room a moment, then rushed June into the bathroom.
For three hours June was worked on.
Fleur had handed her a potion first off, which grew her hair out to her waist while Fleur was laying the base work for her make-up. With the base done, and her hair grown, Fleur took out her wand and started cutting. June had felt the magically grown hair, and Fleur must have had a very expensive form of the hair growth potion, because it didn't feel thin or stringy at all, in fact it felt thicker and heavier then normal. She also remembered to take Snape's Potion.
Once Fleur was done cutting, she added a few products, some heat, and then pinned it all out of the way with a thousand bobby pins. She finished June's make-up, then went back to work on her hair.
More water, creams, sprays, and heat were applied, along with a few hmms and huhs.
At 4 o'clock, Fleur left her to get dressed and get ready for her entrance, while she joined the party.
June slipped on her white and gold dress, white baby doll gloves, and white lace ballet slippers. She added two thin gold bangles on her right hand; she looked in the mirror and smiled. She had been right; her hair was thicker and heavier then usual. It was big and fluffy, like she was on one of those American country music award shows. Her hair hung in soft curls around her shoulders, with the curls framing her face perfectly; her make-up was natural and soft, making her look perfect and young.
She snuck down stairs between guest arrivals, and ran past the table that held her few presents and her cashbox, an ornate box that people put bank notes in, and into the library before Sirius could let in another group.
Dumbledore was sitting in her big squishy chair, reading a book, when she entered.
"You look lovely, my dear," Dumbledore smiled, looking over his glasses at her.
June blushed, "Thank you." She sat on the nearest part of the couch to him.
She looked at his hand, last she had seen it, it was black and withered, but Dumbledore was wearing gloves. He defiantly looked the part of an Officiate. He was wearing a deep purple robe with gold and silver stars embroidered all over it. His beard even had two little braids running down the sides.
They sat in silence for another minute before June asked the big question.
"So, when do we go out there?" June asked shifting nervously.
Dumbledore smiled reassuringly, "Wendi will let us know when the head count reaches seventy."
June nodded and sat back to wait.
~*~DM~*~
Rule # 132; Malfoys are always fashionably late, so as to make an entrance.
Rule # 50; Malfoys never break the rules of high society
Draco and his parents Apparated just outside the gate leading into Black Manor at 4:05, about thirty minutes before they'd usually arrive in this type of situation. Draco had argued with his parents for a good thirty minutes to get there reasonably on time; he refused to miss anything important on June's special day. They had walked slowly up the path from where they had appeared. The house was situated on a large bit of land in a Wizarding neighborhood, a pretty good ways from Malfoy Manor. Of course, the Malfoys lived in a very rich neighborhood, and this was one of many 'well-off' neighborhoods. It was probably the Wizarding community closest to June's Aunt and Uncle's house.
They had walked up the long brick path lined with Hibiscus bushes and Birds of Paradise stalks. Spells must have made the tropical flowers grow in the yard, but that wasn't odd for wizards. In the center of the path, which went around in a large circle, was a fountain. It was a nice marble statue of a stag and a doe, standing together facing the left side of the yard, in front of them sat what looked like a wolf howling, facing the opposite direction, a grim looking dog curled up at the wolf's feet, facing forward, with a swan, looking kind of like it was added as an after thought, facing the same way as the deer, just sitting with the canines like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Beyond the flowers lining the path, the Malfoys could see a miniature forest to their left, and an expansive stretch of wild flowers surrounding a gazebo and a Willow tree to their right. The only way to get to the gazebo appeared to be a grey stone path that led from behind the Manor. It was an interesting mix of wild darkness on one side, and wild beauty on the other.
The Malfoys made it to the door, still admiring the surroundings. With a ring of the bell, they were greeted by their host. Sirius smiled tightly at them, greeted and welcomed them in. Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy had their envelope with the typical sweet sixteen bank note for the girls future. Draco was holding an actual gift. Very few people give a girl a sweet sixteen gift, it's considered really personal.
June's Godfather showed them to the gift table, narrowing his eyes slightly when Draco laid his box down among the small pile of packages, then led them to the party area.
It was a modest sized room; it fit the size of the Manor, about half the size of the Great Hall in Hogwarts and about ten square feet smaller then the one in Malfoy Manor.
They weren't the first people there, but they defiantly weren't last. Unless only twenty people were invited to this party.
Draco watched his parents make their way over to Snape, who was sulking in a corner scowling at the werewolf who appeared to be trying to socialize with him.
Draco headed over to the table covered in appetizers, where all the teens were. Only the Weasley bunch, Granger and the Beuxbaton's Champion were there. They probably came early.
This meant, of course, that June's current boyfriend was there. He assumed it was the Twin that didn't have his arm around the ex-Gryffindor Chaser.
He noticed that the Twins had developed a sense of style over the past weeks, dressing a lot more extravagantly then they used to. Even the youngest Weasley male was looking sharp. Both Twins wore dark blue, and Ronald wore a set of robes in an interesting dark violet color. The girls looked really pretty, even Granger. Granger had on a rose pink colored sundress looking ensemble and the Weaslette was in a cerulean one shoulder, goddess style dress.
Draco stuck to the opposite side of the table, people were coming in every minute or so, he saw no reason to talk to June's boyfriend.
The food was interesting; he'd never tasted anything like it. He'd have to talk to June about it. He tried some kind of crispy orange glazed chicken, a meatball that had broccoli tops stuffed in the center, and some chicken on a stick that had an odd sauce on it; it was a little sweet and a little salty. There was a large ravioli looking item that tasted nothing like Italian food, but was good. It was pasta wrapped around some kind of meat and cabbage mixture, from what he could tell, and the dipping sauce added a little salty sweet, but different then what was on the chicken. He wasn't brave enough to try what Granger called a spring roll; she seemed much too excited about it.
~*~SS~*~slightly earlier
Severus scowled at the man talking to him. He'd already refused his request, but he was still talking.
"So, you're absolutely sure you don't want to do it?" Lupin asked for the 5th time. "I'm sure June would appreciate it if you did."
Severus glared. "I said no, and I mean no. Now bugger off. I'm here, that's more than enough." He growled.
Lupin sighed, but did, at last, bugger off.
Severus tried not to groan as the Malfoy's took his place.
Was it so much to ask to just be allowed to disappear into a corner and watch?
~*~RW~*~
Ron stood next to the food table, he'd got a butterbeer and headed over with the rest of the Weasley group, they'd been there well before the party started, so that his brothers fiancé could help June get ready.
Ron watched as Fleur flipped her beautiful blond hair over her shoulder, taking a bite of the strange, but good, food that was on display. She's so pretty. Bill has to be the luckiest guy ever. I wish I could be as cool as Bill… he just makes it look so easy…
Ron glanced over to his sister, who was talking to Hermione. Hermione was pretty… in a plain, smart kind of way. Her hair looked better today than it usually did, similar to the Yule Ball.
His eyes strayed back to Fleur, she had her arm in Bill's and was laughing at something he had said. What made Bill so cool, and him so not? What was the difference? Was it clothes? The Twins had better clothes, and June just dumped George. And June was almost as good as Fleur. What made her like George in the first place? Was it the Twin thing? But Malfoy wasn't a twin. In fact, Malfoy and George are about as opposite as they could be. The Diggory guy didn't have anything in common either.
Ron watched Ginny and Hermione as they looked at the people arriving. What was it that made girls like someone?
Ron took another bite sized food item from the table and popped it into his mouth. Maybe the answer would come to him as he got older.
~*~DM~*~
At about 4:15, Draco assumed most of the people coming were there, and he wasn't surprised to see no Slytherins. Fashionably late was in another five minutes, so they'd be there momentarily.
Draco sighed as he counted the number of Malfoy Rules he'd broken for June so far, he was up to twenty at least, and he'd broken another two insisting he get there on time and bringing the wrapped gift.
Teddy Nott entered and headed straight for Draco. He was probably the only person he really knew in the room.
"I didn't expect to see you here," Draco stated, raising an eyebrow.
Teddy shrugged, "I told Pansy I got an invitation, and she asked me to come. Are the girls here yet?"
Draco looked around and saw them coming toward them, he didn't know how he missed the girls, but he assumed it had something to do with the two glares he was receiving.
Pansy was wearing a dark red dress that showed off her… assets. And apparently Blaise shopped at the same store, because her more ample 'assets' were clearly on display in her black dress. Teddy was dressed in typical dress robes, for the mildly well off pureblood, in tan and dark blue.
Draco had strayed away from the Malfoy tradition, black, green, silver or white, and was dressed in dark grey robes with cornflower blue accents. They were softer and more inviting, which was breaking another of the Malfoy rules, number sixty-two if he recalled correctly, and he did.
Draco noticed the door open again to admit more guests, and saw Daphne with her family. Draco excused himself from his fellow Slytherins, more then ready to get away from the angry glares the girls wouldn't let up on. He was still on pretty good terms with Daphne, so he took his blessing when he saw it.
Daphne was dressed in a spring green dress that looked lovely on her. Her mother wandered off quickly to the drink station, leaving what looked like Daphne's little sister behind.
Draco stepped up and grinned at her, "Daphne, a pleasure as always."
Daphne gave him a tight nod and introduced her sister, Astoria. Astoria was much different then her sister. She had light yellow hair and baby blue eyes, where Daphne had mousy brown hair and topaz colored eyes.
Daphne grinned maliciously as Astoria attached herself to Draco and asked him to keep an eye on her, before heading over to the Weasley bunch.
Over the next ten minutes, Draco found out a lot about Astoria Greengrass. She was fourteen and transferring to Hogwarts, lucky him, she had her own horse and she wanted to work in a job that let her work with animals until she got married. Astoria liked Quiddich players, but wasn't very good at playing, she came from a pureblooded family and was her fathers pride and joy, so she'd be making a good match to some very lucky pureblood man. Draco rolled his eyes, this little girl was more annoying then Pansy.
Finally, she was silenced by a commotion outside the Dining Hall, everyone turned to look as the Minister of Magic entered, a scowling Sirius leading him.
He stood off to the side, only speaking to those who came to him, which was only the werewolf.
A few minutes later, the appetizer table disappeared and the guests all stood around the edges of the room, a chair materializing in the middle of the room. Once it appeared, everyone stepped a little closer, then settled. The doors opened once again, and a camera flash went off.
June walked in, led by Dumbledore. He held her hand and walked one step ahead of her, as ceremony dictated.
She was wearing a white dress with gold trimming, and it was just so June, that Draco couldn't help but smile.
~*~JP~*~
It was 4:30, and everyone should be there by now. The library had a charm on it, so she couldn't hear anything going on outside the room.
Sirius entered, letting her and Dumbledore know it was almost time, and warning them that an unexpected guest had arrived, the Minister of Magic.
Sirius smiled at her, "Don't worry about it, there's not much he can say in front of all these people, so I say we just ignore him."
Dumbledore agreed, "This is your day Juniper, you can't let someone as insignificant as the Minister of Magic stop you from enjoying it."
June grinned and nodded. She wasn't sure how she'd be able to speak when it came time, but she would enjoy this day, no matter what happened.
Sirius exited, and June and Dumbledore stood in the entrance hall for a few moments.
"Ready?" Dumbledore asked
June looked up at him, "If I freeze or mess up, will you help me?"
Dumbledore smiled, "You have nothing to fear June, these are your friends and family. They love you. And I will do my best to save you if you trip."
June smiled and took a deep breath.
The doors opened.
There was a path leading to the middle of the room, where they were headed. Every eye in the room was on her, and she could feel her face heat.
She glanced around, looking for a friendly face, and noticed the walls. There was a blown up picture of from the Yule Ball, a little ways down, there was one that she assumed was her mother on her sixteenth birthday, a little past that, just over the stage in the corner was one from the Quibbler last spring. On the other side of the room held a group picture of her and her friends in third year, a picture of her between Sirius and Remus, and lastly, one of her brewing, hair up and glasses slipping down her nose. They were still shots, and they calmed June down exponentially.
Dumbledore led her to the chair and she sat down with her hands folded gently in her lap. He stood behind her, hands on the back of the chair.
June smiled at her guests, waiting. A movement to the side made her turn her head, Sirius was coming out of the crowd. He was holding his hands out, carrying a necklace. He stepped directly in front of her and spoke loudly.
"This necklace was given to your mother on her sixteenth birthday by your father. She wanted you to have it." Sirius smiled, holding up a delicate silver chain with three emerald tear drop pendants, two slightly smaller then the one in the middle.
Dumbledore held June's hair out of the way as Sirius put it on her. June wasn't allowed to move or speak for this part.
Sirius placed a kiss on her left cheek and stepped back into the crowd.
From the other side of the crowd, Remus stepped forward, a delicate tiara in his hands. A couple people oohed a little at the sight. It was a thin silver band with many fragile branch-like filaments of silver going up to form the half circle crown of the tiara. Set in the very center was a bead of gold, and off to the sides were two more, slightly smaller.
Like Sirius before him, Remus stepped directly in front of her and spoke loud enough fro everyone to hear. "This Tiara represents your station in this world. It was passed from your father's mother down to you. It was his fondest desire that you wear it today." He smiled, placing it on her head gently. Remus gave her a kiss on her right cheek and stepped back into the crowd.
Sirius stepped out of the crowd directly in her line of sight. He stepped forward, not presenting anything. He knelt down on one knee in front of June and held up a signet ring for her inspection. She had expected some kind of mix of the Potter family crest and the Black family crest, but it wasn't. It had a stag and a doe profile silhouetted together in the background, with two wolves, one looking more like a dog, howling with their backs to each other, and a swan taking flight right in the middle at the bottom, wings outstretched covering the backs of the two canines. It looked a lot like the fountain at the front of the manor…
"This ring is a symbol of the family we've created. This is a gift from me to you." He picked up her left hand and slipped it on her index finger. June blinked and one lone tear fell down her cheek. Sirius smiled, got up and kissed her left cheek again, wiping away the tear before standing behind her on Dumbledore's right.
Remus stepped out of the crowd from the same spot that Sirius had. He carried two high heeled shoes in his hands. They looked like they were made of glass with crushed gold flakes melted into the top.
He stepped forward and knelt in front of June. Remus very slowly and very carefully removed one of her lace ballet shoes. "These shoes are a gift from me." He placed the first shoe on her foot. They looked like glass, but they felt like cotton. Remus removed the other slipper. "They represent your transformation from a lovely little girl, into an enchanting young woman." He placed the second shoe on her foot. He looked up at her, smiling.
June smiled back at him as he stood up and kissed her right cheek. Remus moved behind her to stand to Dumbledore's left.
June stared out at the rapt faces staring at her. Dumbledore stepped in front of her and held out his hand. With his help, June stood. Dumbledore turned to face the crowd, still holding her hand. June didn't move.
"May I present Juniper Elizabeth Black Potter," Dumbledore winked at her as the whispering started and a camera flashed. "The heir to the Potter and Black family, and a young woman."
The crowd clapped and cheered softly. Dumbledore led her to the raised platform in the corner of the room. There was a table set up on it with an elaborate candelabra sitting in the center. The whole thing was circular with sixteen candles of different colors.
The candelabra was comprised of three layers of candles. The base was pretty plain and traditional, about a foot and a half tall, with a hollow half circle at the top. The first layer was four candles evenly spaced around the edges of the bowl, the second layer of candles also had four candles, two branches from each of the first candles met to hold the second layer of candles in place, forming four pointed star if you looked down on the structure. The last layer of candles was held by each of the middle layer of candles having two branches lead off to hold the final eight candles.
The center candles had two red ones across from each other, and the other two were purple. The second layer of candles had one blue, one pink, one white and one orange, and the third layer were all green. She understood the significance of this, but knew the Headmaster would say it all out loud any way, so she just listened and responded.
"Juniper, the first candle is to be lit by your father," Dumbledore said to her, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Who will you choose to stand in the place of James Potter?"
June spoke to Dumbledore, not looking at the crowd, "I choose Sirius Black as my father. He has been like a father to me for many years, and has recently become my adoptive father."
Sirius stepped up to the table and lit the first red candle with his wand, unprompted as everyone else would do, even if they had no previous warning, which no one was supposed to have. He stepped down immediately.
"Juniper," Dumbledore said again, following the tradition to the T. "The second candle is to be lit by your mother. Who will you choose to stand in the place of Lily Potter?"
Again, June spoke directly to Dumbledore, neither of them paying much attention to the crowd or candelabra. "I choose Remus Lupin to fill in for my mother. He has a kind spirit and has always been there for me. He is always willing to listen to me, and objectively give an opinion."
Remus stepped up, a smile lighting his face, and lit the second red candle in the center of the candelabra, and stepped down.
"Juniper, the third candle is reserved for a mentor." Dumbledore said solemnly, "Who do you choose to light this candle?"
"I choose Severus Snape to light this candle." June said formally. "He is my Head of House and has encouraged my passion for Potions. He has always patiently answered my questions and explained magic I didn't understand."
Snape stepped up, scowl in place, but a light in his eyes. He lit the orange candle in the second tier of the candelabra and stepped down.
"Juniper, the fourth candle is reserved for someone who has changed your life significantly," Dumbledore recited, "Who do you choose to light this candle?"
"I choose Rubeus Hagrid to light this candle." June said, sneaking a glace to see Hagrid's surprised face. "He introduced me to the Wizarding World and took me to Diagon Ally for my supplies. He was the one who took me across the Lake as a first year."
Hagrid sniffed as he stepped onto the platform and lit the white candle in the middle layer with his pink umbrella. He sniffed again as he stepped down.
"Juniper, the fifth candle is reserved for someone who helped you grow as a witch." Dumbledore said, "who will you choose to light this candle?"
"I choose Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy." June smiled as a few people actually gasped. "They have welcomed me in their home every summer since I was eleven, and taught me politics and Wizarding customs."
Narcissa and Lucius stepped up together and both held Lucius' wand to light the pale blue candle in the second level. They stepped down.
"Juniper, the sixth candle is reserved for someone who has helped you grow as a person." Dumbledore said, smiling proudly at her, "Who do you choose to light this candle?"
"I choose Arthur and Molly Weasley." June said calmly. "They have shown me the kind of mother I want to be, the kind of marriage I want to have, and that the important things in life are always worth fighting for."
Mrs. Weasley was openly crying when she and Mr. Weasley stepped up. They held Mr. Weasley's wand and lit the rose candle, and stepped off the stage.
"Juniper, the seventh candle is reserved for a friend." Dumbledore said, "Who will you choose to light this candle?"
"I choose Draco Malfoy" June said, smiling as another gasp made its way around the room. "He was my very first friend in this world, and we have remained good friends despite a few ups and downs."
Draco stepped up on the stage and lit the first green candle. He stepped down.
"Juniper, the eighth candle is reserved for a friend." Dumbledore said, "Who will you choose to light this candle?"
"I choose Millicent Bulstrode," June said, happy to be able to honor her friends in this way. "She is open-minded, honest, and trustworthy. She will always help out her friends."
Millie practically skipped up onto the stage and lit the second green candle, then skipped down.
"Juniper, the ninth candle is reserved for a friend." Dumbledore said, "Who will you choose to light this candle?"
"I choose Neville Longbottom." June said, peeking at her friend to watch him blush. "He has always been able to keep me smiling and get me out of even my grumpiest mood."
There were a few soft giggles at this, but Neville proudly stepped on stage and lit the third green candle. He stepped down, still a little puffed up with pride.
"Juniper, the tenth candle is reserved for a friend." Dumbledore said, not showing any wariness at asking the same question over and over again. "Who will you choose to light this candle?"
"I choose Luna Lovegood." June said grinning, "She keeps me sane."
Luna pranced up, lit the fourth green candle and pranced down again.
"Juniper, the eleventh candle is reserved for a friend." Dumbledore said, "Who will you choose to light this candle?"
"I choose Cedric Diggory." June had to stifle a laugh at his shocked face. "He was the first to treat me like a young woman, and not a little girl."
A little stunned, Cedric stepped up and lit the fifth green candle.
"Juniper, the twelfth candle is reserved for a friend." Dumbledore said, "Who will you choose to light this candle?"
"I choose Ginevra Weasley." June said, "She keeps me down to earth and gets me away from my books when she can."
Ginny happily stepped up and lit the sixth green candle, before stepping down again.
"Juniper, the thirteenth candle is reserved for a friend." Dumbledore said, "Who will you choose to light this candle?"
"I choose Ronald Weasley." June smiled, why did the guys always look so surprised? "We didn't start out as friends, but we have both grown up since then. Now we are close enough that I don't mind when he beats me at chess every time we play."
Ron stepped up and lit the seventh green candle, still a little dazed, and stepped down again.
"Juniper, the fourteenth candle is reserved for a friend." Dumbledore said, "Who will you choose to light this candle?"
June hesitated slightly, which everyone noticed. "I choose George Weasley. He keeps me laughing."
George stepped up, smiling slightly, and lit the last green candle.
"Juniper, the fifteenth candle is reserved for your oldest and dearest friend." Dumbledore said, "Who will you choose to light this candle?"
"I choose Hermione Granger." June said confidently. "She was the second friend I made, and has never waivered in her loyalty and friendship."
Hermione stepped up with a big grin on her face and lit the first purple candle in the center of the candelabra.
"Juniper, the sixteenth candle is reserved for your newest dear friend." Dumbledore said, "Who will you choose to light this candle?"
"I choose Daphne Greengrass," June said relieved at how close to the end they were. "I've known her less then a year, but we had a connection from the moment we met."
Daphne stepped up and lit the last candle, the purple one in the first tier. She stepped down.
June turned to her candelabra, every candle was lit. It was meant to show her how loved she was, and how much she has impacted the life of those present. The candles wouldn't light if the people she chose didn't love and appreciate her back. There was nothing more embarrassing then unlit candles on ones sixteenth birthday.
The candelabra disappeared; it would be displayed in the library for the year, according to tradition. The candles would burn down this time next year.
All of the seventy-one guests crowded toward the back of the room, as soon as the candelabra disappeared. As soon as everyone was out of the way, Sirius raised his hand and five long tables appeared in Hogwarts formation around the room.
Each table had fourteen seats, seven on each side; each seat had a formal place setting and a name tag. The tables were covered in shimmering white table cloths, with emerald green runners down the center. There were two center pieces on each table, a glass fish bowl filled with white and black marbled stones, a purple Gerber daisy sitting on top with three stalks of white lily of the valley sticking out on one side.
The place settings had gold plates, gold and glass goblets, and gold utensils, with a purple napkin held in a cylinder by a gold napkin ring with JP in large calligraphy on the face. At the top of every plate was a dark purple gift box with ribbon holding it closed and tags that told people where to sit.
Each guest had a ribbon appear tied around their pinky finger, indicated which table to look for their name at.
The head table had white ribbons, this was where the hosts and their dearest would sit. The first table perpendicular to the head table had gold ribbons, the younger Gryffindors and their parents were placed at this table. The table next to it had black ribbons, this is where older Gryffindors, and a few real adults, were placed. The third table had silver ribbons, and was mostly comprised of Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, plus a few adults. The last table had green ribbons, and they were the Slytherin guests, and Rita Skeeter.
Since he wasn't invited, Hagrid gave up his seat at the head table to the Minister of Magic, but Hagrid was seated at the end of the table, so there was very little disrupted.
Luckily, Hagrid had been seated as far from June as possible, so the Minister still couldn't reach her. Not that anyone had explained what would be so bad about the Minister getting a moment of her time, but she didn't want to ask questions today.
Everyone found their seats, and the meal began.
At the Head table, Remus sat at one end of the table, next to him was Sirius, then June, Daphne, Hermione, Millie and the Minister. Hagrid sat at the end, and on his other side was Fleur, Bill, Snape, McGonagall, Dumbledore, Arthur and Molly, who sat across from Remus.
The second table started off with Neville's Gran, who sat next to Colin's dad. Then was Dennis, Colin, Ginny, Luna, and Luna's father. Across from Mrs. Longbottom was Seamus' mum, a seventh year Gryffindor prefect Ben Jackman, his fellow prefect Britney Jones, Seamus, Dean, Ron, and Neville, who was seated as far from his gran as possible, while staying at the same table.
The third table began with mostly adults. Mr. Patil sat on the end, Mrs. Patil was next, and then Mrs. Brown, Ms Zabini, Blaise, and George finished off the first side. Across from George sat his twin, who seated with Angelina. Alicia and Katie were next, with lavender, Pavarti and Padma finishing off the loud group.
The fourth table was pretty noisy as well. Mr. Abbot, Susan Bones' Aunt, and Mr. Macmillan all talked Ministry business and politics. Cedric was next to them, but focused on his neighbors, the current seventh year prefects for Hufflepuff, Emily Leonard and Jason Seller. Michael Corner finished off that side of the table, but spoke with those across from him. Zach Smith was directly across from him, next to Anthony Goldstein, then Terry Boot, followed by Justin Finch-Fletchley, Ernie Macmillan, Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott, the last three sitting across from the adults who brought them.
The last table was very quiet and dignified. The Malfoys started off this table, Draco on one side, his parents on the other. Next to the elder Malfoy's were the Slytherin seventh year prefects Phillip Lynch and Eva Creed, then the Ravenclaw seventh year prefects, Aurora Honeywell and Elliot Logan. Rita finished off that line. Next to Draco sat Pansy, then Teddy, Cho Chang, the date she brought, a Ravenclaw seventh year named Borachio Priam, but called Boro by most. Last at the table was Daphne's mother and little sister Astoria.
The traditional eight course meal started with the appetizers when everyone arrived. June hadn't gotten any of these, so she was particularly hungry.
The first course was the salad dish. Usually it was something like an oyster salad with bitter greens, but for June's meal, it was and apple, asparagus, strawberry and romaine salad with balsamic vinaigrette. Fresh, light, and yummy. A few people looked shocked, but after a bite or two, started talking to their neighbors again.
At the fifth table, conversation was a little stilted.
Pansy was sneering at her salad, picking around the fruit while most of the others were secretly enjoying it very much. "I hope the whole meal isn't this undignified." She muttered to Teddy.
Teddy shrugged and picked a strawberry out of Pansy's dish, earning him a glare from everyone who saw. It was not proper etiquette to eat off of someone else's plate.
"So, what did everyone think of the ceremonies?" Rita asked from the end of the table. She, personally, found the salad to be exceptionally fresh and delicious, but she had been seated with the perfect table to really get a good story about the lack of proper etiquette seen so far.
Cho decided to speak up, for what ever reason, "I think it was a very modern and personal take on the traditional rituals. The candle ceremony really honored her friends and family, and the shoes ceremony was almost too personal for this many people to see."
Rita turned to the young woman, "And how do you know Miss Potter? Are you in her House? In her class?"
Cho blushed, "I'm a Ravenclaw, and a year above Juniper, but I'm a Seeker, and we've competed together."
Rita smiled condescendingly and turned to the others present. "Draco, how did you feel, lighting a candle for your ex girlfriend?"
Draco went into Malfoy mode, and answered politically, "I was honored of course. We have remained friends despite our lack of romantic relationship."
Rita grinned like a cat with her cream, "And how do you feel about her recent break up with her Weasley boyfriend?"
Everyone at the table looked shocked and quickly looked to the Weasley Twins seated a few tables away.
"I-I didn't know." Draco stuttered, looking around to see if anyone else had known.
"It happened two days ago," Astoria spoke up, batting her eyes a little at Draco. "Daphne was very worried about her, but she was the one to break it off, and the boy doesn't seem to mind too much."
Rita turned her attention to the fourteen year old who seemed to be completely up to date on all things Juniper.
"And you are?" Rita asked as the salads disappeared.
The small salad was followed by a chilled tomato soup, with a ribbon of cream swirled on top. Again, this was not the norm. At, say, a Parkinson sweet sixteen, the soup course would be a boulyabaze or a French onion soup in the cooler months.
Everyone paused to taste the soup, most finding it as wonderful and interesting as the salad, although Pansy sneered at it, of course.
Astoria turned to the reporter, "I'm Astoria Greengrass, my big sister is June's best friend!" she said with a proud grin.
Rita's feral grin reappeared. "really? What else can you tell us about our little June?"
Astoria opened her mouth, but was quickly silenced by her mother.
"If you would like to know more about Juniper, I recommend you ask her," she said, nose in the air and sneer in place. Mrs. Greengrass was a fierce woman to behold, almost scarier then Narcissa, when she wanted to be.
Pansy spoke up, talking straight to the reporter, "I think June's bastardizing pureblooded Wizarding traditions with the cavalier way she discards the most important aspects."
Everyone turned to look at her, including a few from the table behind Pansy.
"Having gold on her dress is a sign that she tainted and impure, having people present her with gifts more then once during the shoe ceremony is disgraceful and insulting to those deceased that they are supposed to represent, and having that many boys in her candle ceremony is lewd." Pansy looked down as the soup was switched out for a pasta dish, and wrinkled her nose. "And this food is just insulting to her guests and their sense of taste.
The pasta course was the third to appear, and instead of some horribly fancy pasta with a super fancy sauce, Sirius' House-elf chose to send out lobster ravioli in a creamy lemon better sauce. Even Narcissa Malfoy looked pleased.
"Parkinson," Eva Creed, the Slytherin Prefect above June, said, "do yourself a favor, and shut your mouth."
At the table next to the 'Slytherin' table, the 'Gossip' table, was definitely buzzing with talk.
The Patil Twins and Lavender Brown were the biggest gossips of Hogwarts, second being the Hufflepuff girls Hannah and Susan. So with the two Hufflepuff girls, and their parents, the table was a riot of discussion, from each plate of food to every candle lit. Hannah and Susan would be telling everyone they knew about the modernization of the old traditions, and they could imagine that in a year or two, the whole thing would be torn up by the roots and reworked to be specific to the personality of each girl to turn 16.
Cedric stayed unusually quiet, preferring to eat the food before him, to gossiping with those around him. He was used to it, before June's class of Gryffindors, Hufflepuff was known for their gossip chain.
Zach Smith was just as bad as Pansy, sneering and picking at everything put before him. He was not used to be invited to these things, he wasn't exactly popular with girls, and as a naturally picky eater, he didn't like pretentious food. And as un-fancy as this food was for Pansy, it was equally too fancy for Smith.
The main course was pineapple and cherry glazed chicken on small bed of jasmine rice with a side of broccoli. This would be where high class witches would have duck, rabbit or venison at their party. June liked chicken, and Wendi knew this. As 'peasant' as the dish was, it was beautifully presented and delicious.
Except for two people. Zach proceeded to scrape the fruit off his chicken and barely touched it, while eating the rice. Pansy scraped the fruit onto the rice to flavor it, pushed the plebian meat aside, and enjoyed the broccoli the most.
When the main course was finished, the cheese course was presented. This actually awed a few people. It was a cheese soufflé, where most would have some horrible stinky cheese and wine. Everyone's drink was replaced with wine for this course, but it was a sweet wine that balanced the slightly salty soufflé perfectly. No one was given enough to get tipsy. As soon as everyone finished their soufflé, the wine was replaced with their previous drinks, weather it be pumpkin juice, butterbeer, or something stronger.
The plates disappeared and rotating trays popped in filled with a selection of cake pops. There was a lemon cake pop covered in a light glaze, a red velvet cake pop with a cherry filling and a chocolate coating, this one came in a little dish of whipped cream. The last flavor was chocolate cake pop, dipped in a mint glaze, then dipped again in chocolate glaze. There was more than enough for everyone to try each flavor.
The third table down, dubbed the 'Twin' table, for the two sets of twins spaced over the fourteen seats, were the most excited about this particular course. Of course, with the lineup of Quiddich players, gossips, and parents who knew each other very well, it was probably the most exciting table to be at.
"How are we supposed to rig the cake to explode, when the cake is in the form of personal treats?" Fred asked, frowning at his mint pop.
Angelina picked out her second pop, a lemon one, and grinned, "Who cares? You could market these things so easily! They're delicious!"
Alicia nodded enthusiastically, "who would have thought of personal cake on a stick? These are ten times better then cupcakes!"
George smiled, picking up a mint pop. He knew June wasn't particularly fond of mint in general, it was his favorite. He wondered if she'd thought of him, or if it was coincidence. He glanced up at her, and she winked at him, holding up a red velvet pop.
With Neville's Gran at the head of the last table, it was defiantly the quietest. The Gryffindor boys used their best manners, eating and talking quietly.
The Prefects made themselves known to the adults present, they'd be out in the world next year, knowing a few people in the Ministry could only help them at this point. Of course, what they didn't know, was that of the three adults present at their table, none were in a position to further their careers, unless they wanted a job at the Quibbler.
Even the younger teens were well behaved and quiet, following the example of those around them. It didn't even seem like a party at the 'Quiet' table.
When people stopped reaching for more, the cakes and tarts disappeared, reappearing on a table along the back wall where the appetizers had been before.
For the last course, a cup and saucer appeared in front of everyone. Coffee was in the cup, many options for how to fix it along the table. On each saucer was a single chocolate truffle. The teens, being teens, popped the truffle and downed the coffee. The fun part was next, and they were eager. The adults fixed their coffee and stood up with their cup and saucer. Once everyone was up, the tables disappeared. The teens stood a little back from the stage, leaving a good amount of space. The adults took their coffee to the walls where chairs had appeared.
On the stage, where the candelabra had been, now stood a stereo system. This was usually when a live Wizarding band, like the Weird Sisters, would come out.
June had spent the entire meal talking and laughing with her friends and new father. Snape sneered through the whole thing, but seemed to enjoy the food; he grabbed about four of the lemon cake pops.
June's teachers had seemed to take on the mission of not letting the Minister take her attention for even a moment of her dinner, keeping him busy with questions and opinions for the changes he'd made so far. Hagrid especially seemed able to draw his attention when it started to linger on June for too long.
When everyone was once again intermingled, June was happy to see her father come straight to her, bow and a request the first dance.
Sirius led June to the middle of the open space. He waved his wand and wrapped his arm around his daughter's waist.
As My Girl by the Temptations started playing, they danced smoothly to the beat. Sirius was a very energetic dancer, but it was a pretty mellow song, so he didn't wear June out on the first dance.
"So, how do you think its going?" Sirius asked, spinning June around during the chorus.
June laughed, smacking into his chest as she was pulled back to him. "I don't care, I'm having fun!"
Sirius grinned, "Then all is well in the world," he said, dipping her as the song ended.
After the traditional daddy-daughter dance, Remus stepped forward and cut in. the second My Girl ended, Isn't She Lovely by Stevie Wonder started. Remus wasn't quite the dancer that Sirius was, so they stumbled around the floor a little, but so many people were awed by the song, that they barely noticed.
Remus and June laughed as they both almost tripped over their own feet to a song that, while most hadn't heard before, had almost every woman in the building crying just a little, and a few men bright eyed as well.
At the finish of the song, Remus kissed her hand and left the dance floor.
June heard the first two notes of the next song and quickly gestured Hermione, Daphne and as many girls as she could grab onto the floor. Wannabe by the Spice Girls started the dancing with a bang.
Even though no one but June knew any of the songs, as Hermione wasn't really into music in general they all had fun listening and dancing to the music.
It was a pretty good mix of modern pop and the oldies that June and Sirius just loved.
George managed to dance with June when Two Princes by the Spin Doctors came on, and they laughed the whole time. Lovefool by the Cardigans came on just Draco requested a dance, but when he heard the beat he said he'd wait for a better song. He caught up with her when I Have a Dream by Abba started.
Neville danced with her of Wouldn't It Be Nice by the Beach Boys, and blushed the whole time. You're Sixteen by Johnny Burnette played while June danced with Ben Jackman, a seventh year Gryffindor prefect, and he talked about how he'd be Head Boy this coming year the entire time.
Snape requested a dance when Hero by Mariah Carey came on, he didn't look pleased with the lyrics, but confided that it was better then some of the songs that had played.
As the teens got more energetic, the adults joined more often. Lucius danced with June during Dr Hook's Only Sixteen, which was a little funny, but no one would dare laugh at Lucius Malfoy.
Fred danced with June for Dancing Queen by Abba, and it was… interesting to watch.
When June heard the beginnings of the Shoop Shoop Song by Betty Everett, she managed to get Ron and Hermione dancing, but it didn't end like she'd wanted it to.
June danced with every young man at the party, and she'd seen Daphne's little sister, Astoria, talk Draco into dancing with her several times. Looks like Draco has a bit of a fan.
Rita walked around interviewing people randomly, and Colin made a bit of a nuisance of himself with his camera. The Minister tried to speak with June on several occasions, but whenever one of her teachers saw him heading her way, she was asked to dance with them.
Dancing with Dumbledore was interesting. He caught her during True Colors by Cyndi Lauper, which is luckily a slow song, and one that no one would tease her about. Hagrid was a fun dance partner, just because the size difference between them was so ridiculous, and he caught her during You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby by Bobby Darin, which had them both laughing.
It was almost time for everyone to start heading home, which was good because June was starting to fall asleep where she stood. The last two songs of the night she defiantly leaned on her partner a little more then usual. It was lucky her last two partners could hold her up.
Ordinary World, by Duran Duran had been claimed by Draco, and she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and practically hung off of him.
Draco could be seen smiling peacefully while slowly swaying to the song, his dream girl in his arms.
Sirius claimed the last song, and she stood on his feet so she wouldn't have to dance to the admittedly slow song, Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton.
After the last song, June, Sirius and Remus lined up by the door and bid everyone goodbye, personally thanking them for coming and handing them the little purple box that had been at each seat. Many commented on how much they'd liked the party, how much more fun it was then their sweet sixteen, even Pansy and Blaise were giddy and excited when they left.
When everyone was gone, June went into the library and lay down. She knew she wouldn't make it up all those stairs, so she planned on sleeping in her big comfy chair.
She'd never managed it, and she knew it wouldn't work this time either. Someone always moved her. She suspected Sirius, but it could be Wendi too.
~*~SB~*~
After putting all of the packages June had received for her birthday in her room and the box full of bank notes in the safe till they could go to Diagon Ally, he headed to the library.
Remus was helping Wendi get rid of all the decorations and clean up a bit, so it was up to Sirius to put June to bed.
She tried sleeping in that chair about three times every summer, but Sirius knew she'd regret it in the morning, so he moved her upstairs every time. Cradling her against his chest, he went up the stairs and into her room. He deposited her on the bed, removed the enchanted glass heels, her tiara, necklace and bangles. He slowly pulled the signet ring off her left index finger and the Weasley Wizard Wheezes ring off her right ring finger, and pulled off the gloves. Concentrating, he managed to switch her gold and white dress with her pajamas instantaneously. Then he vanished June's bra to her laundry basket. He'd learned that one from Wendi.
~*~DM~*~
Draco opened his favor box when he got home. It was a picture frame and a note. The picture frame looked like it was formed with silver ivy. The branches were silver, the leaves stained green, with little purple flowers on each of the corners. It was a very feminine frame. Draco opened the note.
Thank you so much for coming to celebrate my birthday with me, please wait two days before deciding what to do with your gift.
Yours,
Juniper Elizabeth Black Potter
Draco placed the frame on his desk. He could wait two days.
But, that brought up another little piece of news. Apparently Black had decided to adopt June… it was an interesting development; it meant that Black was now in charge of her betrothal. And since he had rebelled against the pureblooded family he came from, Draco doubted June would be betrothed anytime soon.
Another thing had bothered him about the party. During the candle ceremony, June had said that the Weasley's marriage was the one she admired, not his parents. Did June want eight kids she is barely able to feed? Did she want to be a laughing stock of the Wizarding World? He couldn't be with someone like that. He couldn't be Arthur Weasley.
He needed to speak with his mother. Maybe he was reading it wrong. Maybe she meant it in a different way. Just because he couldn't see it, doesn't mean his mother didn't.
~*~next morning~*~
"Mother," Draco said to get his mums attention. He was standing in the doorway to the library where she was sitting, flipping through a book.
Narcissa smiled and waved him over. "I was wondering how long it would take," she muttered.
Draco's brow furrowed in confusion, "How long what would take?"
Narcissa smiled at her predictable son, "For you to come and ask me questions about June's candle ceremony."
Draco pouted and slouched in his chair. "Well, if you already know what I'm going to ask, then tell me the answer," he said testily. This wasn't the best way to get information out of his mother, and he knew it, but she seemed in a very relaxed mood.
Narcissa took a sip of her tea and placed a bookmark to save her page. She turned to her son, giving him her full attention, and started. "First, don't feel less important just because you were one of the first to light a candle, she didn't line you all up in order of importance like some girls do. Be flattered that she thought of you first."
Draco smirked, feeling smug that she hadn't actually known what he wanted to talk about, but still feeling a bit of the knot in his stomach loosen at that particular subject clearing up.
"Second," Narcissa smirked, seeing her son's face flit through smugness and realization, then settle back on pouting. "June admires the Weasley's parenting style more then ours because she sees how the Weasley sons have turned out. They are loving, tactile, honest and ambitious without stepping on anyone else. They are each an individual because their differences were nurtured."
Draco's brow furrowed in confusion. "So, I'm not an individual?"
Narcissa smiled reassuringly, "You are very much like any pureblood, Britain raised, only child Slytherin. You are very much like your ancestors."
Draco blinked, thinking.
Narcissa patted her son's hand. "It's not your fault, your father and I thought that our lives were what's best for you. But I've been thinking, that maybe its time for a change."
Draco looked at her with wide eyes, "What do you mean?"
Narcissa sighed, "It's time you step out of your fathers shadow and be yourself. You need to think for yourself, do thinks you enjoy, and find your real passions. June wants to be a Healer or a teacher. What do you want to be?"
Draco looked confused, "I want to work at the Ministry. I want to work above people and improve the Malfoy name. I want to marry someone suitable and have a son. He will continue the Malfoy line."
Narcissa smiled, "That is exactly what I mean. That is exactly why June chose the Weasley family over ours. You sound like a robot, programmed to answer questions a certain way, think a certain way. What if you became a teacher? What would you want to teach?"
Draco thought hard. It really was difficult not to automatically say that he would never be something as low as a teacher, but then, Severus was a teacher.
"I guess I would teach potions and be the head of Slytherin." Draco said, hesitatingly.
Narcissa considered him, "what about Transfiguration? It has always come naturally to you."
Draco wrinkled his nose, "That's not a very dignified position."
Narcissa shook her head, disappointed in herself and her husband as much as in their son. "Draco, I want you to try something for me, and for yourself. I want you to break as many Malfoy rules as you can this year at school."
Draco's eyes widened. He'd been forced to recite all hundred and thirty-five from memory when he was eight. Those rules were more a part of him then his blond hair and grey eyes.
Narcissa smiled at her sons gob smacked look. Rule 87, Malfoys never looked surprised. One down, 134 to go.
This wasn't totally true, Narcissa knew that quite a few of the Malfoy rules have been broken since Draco met June, but she wanted her son to be aware of the rules he broke, if he wasn't already.
"If you can break most of them, I'm sure that June would have no problems welcoming you back in as her boyfriend. You just need to show her that there's more to you then your name," Narcissa said when Draco's attention returned to her.
Draco thought for a moment, and then nodded. "I'll try mother."
A/N Appetizers, if you couldn't figure it out, was Chinese food. Orange chicken, broccoli beef meatballs, teriyaki chicken skewers, spring rolls and potstickers. Bet you can't guess what I was eating when I planned this, eh?
Ok, the 'gift ceremony', the first gift (a gift of jewelry) was supposed to be given by the girls mother, June doesn't have a mother, so a gift was given in her honor. The second gift (a head piece, usually a tiara) is given by the father, again, he's dead, so one was given in his honor. The third gift (a symbol of love and/or luck) is supposed to be given by the Godparents and the last (shoes) by grandparents. In the place of any of the last two sets of people, the parents are supposed to appoint someone, a friend of the family or their daughters favorite teacher. Sirius decided to do it all with him and Remus. Snape declined the offer to be allowed to give her the shoes. Remus made the offer, not Sirius, during the arrival of all the guests. The left and right specifications are important too. The mother's side of the family is to kiss the left side and stand to the right, the fathers side kisses her right and stands to the left. They're to stand behind after giving a gift, but Sirius and Remus had to go back into the crowd because they each presented twice.
Borachio is from Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, my fav play, and Priam is from Shakespeare's Hamlet (I think)
The meal: technically it's a 9 course meal, with an appertif somewhere in there, but I cut it cause it sounded dumb. And the pasta course, it's supposed to be a bread course, but again, that sounded dumb. ^_^ so I changed it. This is my wizard formal meal. Semi formal.
A cake pop, for those who don't know, is a ball of crumbled up cake mixed with a little frosting to hold it together, then dipped in a glaze or melted chocolate, or sometimes thinned frosting.
Honestly, I don't have 135 Malfoy rules. I would LOVE your help coming up with some. I have about 40, so if you can think of any creative ones, drop me a line. I may even post the full list, if I ever get it completed.
So, what did you think! Review! ^_^ 3
