A Party of Such Extravagance
The Malfoy family had led many years in disgrace. Then the next generation came. Avanna Malfoy, the eldest child to Astoria Greengrass and Draco Malfoy. She was followed sweetly followed by the birth of her brother some five years later. Life had returned to the mausoleum of a house. Light and joy returned to all. For many years they had been a loving ordinary family. However, that was until Astoria Malfoy began to succumb to the maledictus curse. She was a natural mother, ensuring her children knew nothing but love. When they had first married Draco had been happy to never have children, because of the risks to his wife's health. Astoria had been the one to stop his selfless ideals. She wanted to be with her husband and give him everything she could no matter the risk.
Avanna excelled in whatever she turned her hand to. Magically gifted, there was nothing she could do. Now, the young witch was on the cusp of turning seventeen. As tradition dictated, she would be introduced to the finest in society to be sent out as a lady of an ancient house. After much protesting the young witch had been worn down into accepting what would happen to celebrate her coming of age, if only for her mother. Smartly, Avanna conditioned all involved that she would allow them to invite who they wished, but so would she.
So, here Avanna found herself with doting eyes following her around the room as she greeted her guests. Proudly, she met them at the entrance to the momentously carved ballroom. Courteous, she curtseyed as only a lady could. Her back perfectly straight, with a slight incline of the neck, bobbing a head shorter to exchange pleasantries.
"Never would I have thought to be walking in your home, Malfoy," one of the fifth year Gryffindors giggled in awe.
Behind her, Avanna felt the eyes of her grandfather burn into her. Nevertheless, Avanna repeated the same routine flawlessly, "It is a pleasure to welcome you, Fred. Please make yourself comfortable in our house. I hope you all have a fantastic night with your family, Master George and Madam Angelina."
Next came Teddy, her favourite and only cousin. He looked like his mother, from the photos Avanna had seen. With his bright blue hair, and ragged slashed dress robes he looked like a muggle rock star. "You look amazing Ava," he mocked the protocol of the entire evening boldly, full bowing to her, "Do I have the first dance?"
"I believe that choice is mine still," Avanna chuckled.
Next came the Goyles, the Zambinis, the Parkinsons, the Longbottoms, more Weasleys, the Potters. The list of society grew ever longer. Kingsley Shacklebolt, Minister for Magic, commented on her achievements and the pride she should take in them as the new Head Girl of Hogwarts. As more people arrived Avanna could feel her grandparents grow more tense. She was determined to not play the rules of playing someone else's game. They were nearly at the end of the line. Master Billius Weasley and his wife, Madam Fleur, were announced with their daughter, Victoire.
"Master Weasley," she greeted him. For the first time, she was anxious. He was not with his family. Nervously, she searched thinking she had missed him.
"Thank you for your invitation," Fleur smiled politely to Avanna.
Avanna had not pulled herself back to her present surroundings. She was too distracted. He had promised that he would be there. She could not hide the disappointment when she realised, he was not there. "Avanna," Astoria put her hand on her daughter's arm protectively, "Our guests were thanking you for our hospitality this evening."
"Don't worry," Victoire rolled her eyes, "I am sure there will be plenty of people fawning over the birthday girl."
Closing her eyes, Avanna was reminded why she tolerated such a cow as Victoire Weasley. "I care not for the flattery, I am much more content in the company of good friends, such as yourself," Avanna let the lady come to the surface not the scruffy quidditch player who would knock her off her broom the next time they were on the pitch. Confidently, she smiled charmingly, "Please enjoy your evening."
Finally, the line came to an end. A little disappointed Avanna let the speeches of her family wash over her like the sea. Different people spoke, commenting of her talents and her generosity knowing no bounds. For a moment she thought that her grandfather would choke on such words. Then came the uncomfortableness of Teddy's speech, of doing everything totally inappropriate about how she had deliberately sneaked out against school rules to see her favourite band, and how she should live according to her own rules- as one cousin to another. All declared their love for her. Then it came.
The first dance.
Awkwardly, Avanna had not thought she would have to accept another. Zambini and Flint began to march determinedly towards her as if she were a piece of meat at market. Bowing her head, she wanted to disappear. She could not stand either of her father's friend's sons. As the band began to take their seats. The witch cast a nervous eye to Teddy who just—
Blue flames erupted in the centre of the ballroom. Timely, a young gentleman about the age of 17 stepped amused from his mode of transport. His startling blue eyes found the woman he was looking for straight away. His dress robes flowed silkily behind him. Dapper- was the word muggles used. His auburn hair tied back neatly in a ribbon- which was very different from the wild mop which sat there daily. Still, the small dragon tooth earing hung from his ear. Smoothly the late comer boomed, "You don't make this place easy to find, do you?"
"Fabian!" Avanna forgot entirely who she was, who she had been. Her cheeks flushed a soft pink in the subtle candlelight. Throwing her arms around him, ignoring the confused onlookers, she held him close to her.
"I COULDN'T let down my Head Girl," he half shouted, stopping the Zambinis and Flints of the world swarming towards them. Feeling her against him, they were together, against a world filled with them. Instantly they backed away determined not to make a scene. Proudly he beamed, "So can I have this dance?"
The music began to play.
Avanna stepped gracefully, twirling under Fabian's arm. Her cool grey eyes were unusually sparkling with life. Both shared an exuberant smile which was infectious. The couple looked perfect dancing together. Avanna's half blonde half brunette merrily bouncing behind her, and Fabian looked devotedly to his partner. All were enchanted by the pair, except two pairs of stone eyes.
Lucius sneered disgusted, "Avanna will bring our house to its knees if she pursues such a match."
"It is nothing but a first love if anything," Draco watched his daughter carefully. She looked happier in the few moment than she had all summer. Calmly, Draco commented, "By Merlin's beard, she has not had much to smile about in the past few months. It will do her good to have her heart broken."
"Maybe she will break his heart," Astoria rested her head wearily on the shoulders of her husband, "She is too beautiful, too intelligent and too independent to only be a traditional wife."
Draco smiled happily at his wife's comforting words. He had been blessed to have her these past eighteen years. Avanna was his pearl, and Scorpius the wonder of his life. There was nothing more precious to Malfoy as his family. They returned in silence to watching their beautiful daughter dancing to the string quartet.
Suddenly the music changed. A fast tempo beat blared from the large emerald horn protruding from the sides of the stage. Enthusiastically, Avanna began to bounce. Excitedly, she chirped, "Come on its Hollow Godric!"
Suddenly a groups of fellow Hogwarts students jumped around Avanna. Rhythmically, they danced as if the next moment was their last. Never had the Malfoy Manor seen such a mixture of people. Avanna danced carefree not holding back any emotion, her body close to Fabian's, and his heatedly near hers. Despite the many people now swarming around them, they were centred to each other.
Meanwhile the Weasleys cloistered together out of their comfort zone in such grand circumstances. Molly Weasley gasped, "They have a lot of energy, don't they?"
Their eyes fell on Avanna and Fabian together. Equally they kept pace with each other. "I don't see what's so good about her," Victoire protested.
"You cannot choose who you love," Bill cast an eye to his wife who laughed playfully as if they were still teenagers, "Your grandmother never wanted to marry Phlegm."
Molly chuckled with her son and daughter-in-law. Victoire was not privy to such information. Disgruntled she had been dragged, she said, "I mean she's pretending to be different, but I mean she carries the Dark Mark. We have all seen it at school. She's uncontrollable."
"Wasn't she marked very young?" Molly asked concerned.
"For the betrayal of the cause," Bill muttered darkly, "They punished her for the sins of others."
"Wasn't it in the Prophet?" Molly arched her eyebrows, "I seem to vaguely remember it."
"Yes, her abduction, marking and the consequences to those who would harm her," Bill nodded briefly.
"She should be in Azkaban for what she did," Victoire growled, "Anyone else would have been."
"Harry worked the case," Bill ignored his daughter, "From what Fabian has said about her she is very different from what we would expect of a Malfoy."
"Oh yes her grand plans! We'll see what she does after school," Victoire scathed that no one else could see what this witch was really like.
"And that why Victoire," Teddy scorned entering the conversation, "You will be a bitter old witch with just a cat for company. Green is not a colour you wear well." This caused her to pout into silence. "She's marvellous, Molly," Teddy admired his cousin, "She will push him, he will challenge her. They are good for each other, it would be wrong for anyone to stand in their way," Teddy's eyes bounced back at Victoire.
Molly watched her grandson. He glowed with perfection. Tonight, she saw it in a way she had never seen before. Through an old woman's eyes, she saw her and her husband at one of the Hogwarts dances. It pleased her immensely, pride swelling in her chest at the endless possibilities. "Invite her to dinner on Sunday, with Fabian, Bill," she watched the couple.
The world had disappeared to both Avanna and Fabian. Avanna swung her arms around his neck. Deeply they looked into the other eyes. Drinking each other in they were soon drunk on each other. Hand in hand, Avanna nodded to him. Carefully they made their way to the side corridor which would lead to the expansive gardens on the West Wing, away from the stifling attention of the ballroom. Many did not notice the disappearance of the birthday girl, but a pair of icy stone ones did.