Balls & Statements
June 1972
With the school year over, a conversation for the upcoming summer was needed. As such, that was how Paisley, Alecto and Maxton decided to spend their train ride back to London.
Paisley's family typically throw a party every summer, and she was able to have an invitation extended to Maxton's family. Except it wasn't needed for Alecto's family since they were already invited due to their closeness with the Malfoy family.
"Is your family going to go all out?" Alecto questioned, and Paisley looked over at her. "I've heard rumours of what the balls your parents have thrown in the past are like."
"Oh, Merlin," Paisley complained. "If you're talking about the abraxan in attendance, then please realise that it wasn't the truth. Like my grandfather would let my parents waste money on something like that." She continued explaining, and she could tell that Alecto was a bit put off by the truth. "But they are extravagant, though. My parents go all out with the food and request the house elves to make only the most decadent foods. There are copious amounts of champagne and fire whiskey available. The dress code is also top-notch."
"That's right, I heard they refused entrance to Madam Parkinson a couple of years ago," Alecto pointed out, and Paisley nodded. "Honestly, though, I heard my mother talking about her robes, and they do sound hideous." That caused all three to let out a laugh.
"Would your grandfather be in attendance?" Maxton questioned, and Paisley was silent for a moment.
"My grandparents are always invited, but it is 50/50 as to if they actually show," Paisley explained, and they both nodded.
"I couldn't imagine having been forced to put up with all those Light families as you had to growing up," Alecto spoke, quickly changing the subject.
Paisley raised an eyebrow, sharing a quick glance with Maxton. "Yeah, why is that?"
"They're weak, allowing those that are beneath to gain control, and they're mixing what was once our pure and powerful blood," Alecto spoke with disgust. "They've allowed themselves to become weak and have dirtied their blood."
"Regardless, there are still Purebloods out there, and not all of the Families have been mixing their blood. Some are still as mighty as they have always been," Paisley responded sternly. "Regardless of all of that, it is handy having connections from all Families within the Light, Grey and Dark. Despite my grandfather's connections to the Potters, we have been seen more as Grey because of our beliefs."
"Like a family of Light will align themselves with our beliefs, they won't want to put a law in place that helps benefit those of the Dark," Alecto pointed out.
"But why do you think we've had no new laws put in place for a long time? because the votes are almost evenly split between the Light and the Dark and the Grey swings between depending on their own views," Paisley argued, staring straight at Alecto as she spoke. "Imagine how different things would be if we would be able to swing a family of the Light, swing one of their heirs to the side of Dark. I believe that's what someone hoped to do with my father, forgetting that he isn't the heir."
"As long as your uncle lives," Alecto muttered. Paisley narrowed her eyes but didn't say anything before looking at Maxton for a change in conversation.
"Did either of you read the article in the Daily Prophet this morning?" Maxton questioned, and they both stared at him, hoping he will continue. "Well, you know how the giants have been making a move?" they both nodded. "It turns out that while they were out causing chaos in Muggle London. Lord Voldemort entered the Ministry of Magic with a group of people wearing masks trailing behind him. he claimed they were his followers and referred to as Death Eaters. He declared war on the Ministry."
Paisley held her shock internally. She had secretly been keeping an eye on the Daily Prophet, noticing more and more movement of the giants. Even more werewolf attacks, but she just thought they were strange occurrences. Even the Ministry workers that went missing seemed odd, but she didn't know it would lead to a war like this.
"It's about time someone declared war about the Ministry. They've been running our community into the ground," Alecto declared. "Like who honestly thought a Muggleborn Minister for Magic would be a good idea."
"The current Minister for Magic is advocating for the rights of squibs," Maxton added.
"No freaking way," Alecto complained.
Maxton waved his hand. "This Voldemort person is supposedly advocating to put our Ministry back on top like it should be, as well as giving the power back to the Purebloods. Murmurs are he is also protesting for the rights of werewolves and the like, but some say he is just saying that to get them on his side.
"About time someone is doing something. This guy has my full support," Alecto spoke proudly. Still, Paisley didn't say anything at first, but she felt forced to when Alecto turned her gaze from Maxton to Paisley.
"I may wait and see what happens. I do admit there are some laws out there that are completely bogus, but I won't be jumping up and down showing my support," Paisley spoke carefully. "The world, not just our magical community, is still recovering from the effects of Grindelwald. I think I may wait and see what this Voldemort person's plan is to make sure I'm not aligning myself with the same sort of craziness." Paisley levelled her gaze with Alecto, almost challenging her to say something.
Paisley knew the mention of Grindelwald would stop Alecto from actively voicing her thoughts on Voldemort. It was still a sore topic to some families that had felt the destruction that chaos he created across Europe the world.
"I think that is a brilliant point Paisley, I have to agree. Voldemort seems to be making rather large strides very quickly. It will either backfire on him or us. Let's wait and see what he has planned first," Maxton added.
"Whatever, I'm going to go find Amycus," Alecto muttered before she stood up and left the compartment, the door slamming shut behind her.
"Merlin," Maxton breathed out, and Paisley looked over at him. "Why do I get the feeling that if we were leaving Hogwarts after having just graduated that Alecto would sign up to be one of Voldemort's followers?"
"Who the fuck knows with Alecto," Paisley responded before she stood up and dug through her trunk and pulled out a block of Honeydukes chocolate and handed some to Maxton. "Lucas gave it to me after their last Hogsmeade trip."
"Thanks." That was all Maxton said as a comfortable silence fell between them.
.
.
.
Paisley had a slight smile on her face as she walked through her grandparents' house in search of her grandfather. She had escaped the craziness of her own home as her parents got the house ready for the ball that was occurring that night. She took the chance to escape and question her grandfather.
"Grandfather," Paisley greeted, a minor knock on the open door of his office.
"Paisley, what are you doing here?" Septimius spoke, a kind smile on his face as he beckoned his granddaughter to enter and take a seat.
"I wanted to ask you a couple of things about the book you gave me," Paisley spoke as she walked towards the couch. Still, she stopped as she took sight of the Phoenix statue sitting on her grandfather's desk that she doesn't recall seeing the summer before. "What's that?"
"Just a gift from Albus Dumbledore. He wants me to help him with something, but he forgets I don't trust him," Septimius responded, and Paisley raised an eyebrow.
"You don't trust Dumbledore?" Paisley questioned softly, and Septimius merely gave her a look. "I had a dream of me in the future, I don't trust Dumbledore, and when I told Lucas, he seemed shocked. So I assume my reasons come from you then," Paisley confessed, taking a seat on the couch.
"It's highly possible but not for you to worry about just this moment. What did you wish to speak of?" Septimius spoke as he joined her on the couch.
"Are you sure you don't know other which families the clans belong to?" Paisley questioned.
"I see you have taken to using their terms," Septimius spoke proudly, and Paisley beamed in pride. "But no, I do not, just the three families I mentioned."
"You don't have any idea as to who the others could be, though, like Darkness, for example?" Paisley spoke, hoping to urge her grandfather and light a spark of recognition in his memory.
"Where is this coming from?" Septimius questioned, and Paisley let out a sigh.
"I had a dream and added that to a passage in the book; it's looking pretty grim the information I've been given. I may need to find the Darkness clan to work out what exactly is happening," Paisley explains.
"Is that the passage regarding Darkness having invented a spell to allow someone to split their soul more than once?" Septimius questioned, and Paisley nodded. "You're far too young to be looking into something like that," Septimius spoke sternly, and it shocked Paisley.
"I had a dream regarding a Horcrux; how am I too young if the elements deem me old enough to have a dream regarding them?" Paisley questioned. "Do you know anything about them?"
"A Horcrux is a vile piece of magic, and only one person has ever managed to successfully do it, and he was the original creator. Even if a Darkness family member had shared the details, surely we would have heard about it," Septimius spoke sternly before standing up. "Now, I believe you should head home before your parents begin to question your whereabouts."
Paisley sat there in shock as Septimius left her alone in his office, heading to another part of the house. She also couldn't believe how dismissive he was of the conversation she attempted to have with him. She was curious as to what Lucas would think when she told him.
She let out a sigh before standing and leaving the room, and heading back towards the living room where the fireplace was located so she could floo home.
She found Lucas standing in his room, staring at the set of robes placed on his bed. "Problem?" she questioned sweetly, and he swung his gaze around to land on her.
"I feel like our parents are hoping this ball will bring me a potential bride. They've gifted me some high-quality robes," Lucas spoke with a scowl on his face, and Paisley just let out a laugh.
"I wonder what sort of dress I've been given," Paisley had a grin on her face before it fell, a reminder as to why she originally came searching for him. "I tried to speak with grandfather, but he was rather dismissive about the whole thing, claimed I was too young to know about such magics."
"The young thing isn't at all strange, but the dismissive thing is," Lucas responded before he threw himself on his bed, pushing his robes to the floor.
"Mother won't be happy if they're wrinkled," Paisley pointed out as she walked over and sat down beside him. "You don't find it odd that grandfather won't help me this? He stated he would help me with anything regarding the gifts I have been given, and now he won't."
Lucas tilted his head to look at his sister, even though she wasn't looking at him. "You are only twelve years old, a child. You do not need to worry about magics that may or may not be an issue in the future. Just worry about the here and now."
Paisley snapped her gaze around at her brother. "Oh, you mean like how this Voldemort person is declaring war on the Ministry?" Paisley muttered before she jumped off the bed and stormed from the room, entering her own down the hall.
She stopped at the sight of the stunning gown on her bed. She knew her parents weren't overly affectionate people, only having children to appease their own parents and the terms of their own marriage contract. Still, they tried their hardest to give their children the best. As such, it showed in their possessions. Paisley wasn't at all surprised by the feel in quality of her dress robes as she lifted the item and held it in front of her body. At the same time, she stood in front of the full-length mirror placed in her room.
"She's outdone herself this time," Paisley whispered to herself. She placed the dress robes back on her bed and entered her bathroom, knowing she had to shower and start getting ready for the ball that was due to begin in a couple of hours.
Paisley was expected to stand near the fireplace with her brother and parents as they greeted guests on arrival. She smiled and greeted each one, being polite as needed until she could escape from her duties at the fireplace since it seemed as though everyone had finally arrived. Those that hadn't yet, well, it would seem as though they won't be invited to the next event by the Families since they can't show an ability to arrive on time.
Paisley was standing outside getting some fresh air when she felt someone appear beside her, a turn of her head, and she found Maxton had taken up position next to her.
"Stalking me, Flint?" Paisley teased, and the boy grinned at her. "How are you enjoying the festivities?"
"It certainly is a sight, thank you for extending the invite to my family," Maxton spoke honestly, and Paisley nodded. "But, should we be worried about our parents in constant communication?"
Paisley turned and looked at where both her parents and Maxton's were still communicating like they were an hour ago. "Do you fear for an arranged marriage between us? I'm hurt you find me so unsightly."
Maxton shook his head, unable to keep the smile from his face. "I can do so much better than you," Maxton responded with the teasing comment. Paisley let out a laugh before turning back around and looking out into the grounds from the balcony where they were standing.
"No need to worry about one between us. Can I trust you?" Paisley questioned softly.
"One way to find out," Maxton responded, and Paisley was silent for a moment.
"My parents have their ideal match for me in their minds, they have already broached the topic, and their ideal partner for me has parents that agree on the match. The only person who disagrees is my grandfather. That is what is preventing the marriage contract from being signed," Paisley explained, turning to look at Maxton, who looked to be in shock for a moment before he recovered.
"Who?"
Paisley didn't say anything. Just looked back into the ballroom, where she caught sight of Sirius and her brother conversing together. And she wasn't at all surprised that the only two non-Slytherins in attendance found comfort with each other.
"That doesn't matter," Paisley waved off the question.
"Come on, he must be of importance to get in so early since we haven't even begun our second year at Hogwarts," Maxton commented. "Now, he and his family must be in attendance tonight, so let's see who we have out there of significance." He mused before listing those he thought could potentially be a worthy partner in her parents' eyes.
"Keep guessing. I'm going to find Alecto," Paisley commented before heading inside, leaving Maxton alone with his thoughts.
Paisley gracefully walked through the ballroom, looking around at the guests and wondering where on earth Alecto had gotten to. The other girl had arrived with her family, and she had seen them conversing with some additional guests. While she could see Amycus and his parents, Alecto was nowhere in sight.
She walked over to where her brother was still talking with Sirius and softly placed a hand on his shoulder. "Have you seen Alecto?" she questioned softly, looking at both of them.
"My Paisley. I didn't realise I had become invisible to you," Sirius joked, and Paisley flicked her gaze to the boy before she gave him a sinister smile.
"I didn't realise you became so attached to my presence. I thought your disagreements with our potential arrangement were similar to mine. Because I honestly find you horrid," Paisley had a teasing tone to her voice while the smile stayed in place.
Sirius narrowed his eyes as he took in her words, but Lucas just let out a laugh. "She got you good, Sirius. Now, as for your friend, I believe I last saw her heading towards the direction of the bathroom."
"Thank you, brother," Paisley tilted her head at both of them before she departed and went in search of Alecto.
She was curious how the other's summer had been so far. Their last conversation on the train wasn't all that pleased with the words of Lord Voldemort and their differentiating ideals when it came to blindly following the man.
"Alecto?" Paisley called out as she caught sight of the other girl attempting to open a locked door, a purposely locked door. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, just awfully lost. Your home is too large," Alecto commented, turning to face the girl.
"You're telling me. I needed a map until the age of nine," Paisley lied, but it caused the other girl to let out a laugh. "Where are you headed? Maybe I could help?"
"My way back to the ballroom, I got lost looking for the bathroom but eventually found it," Alecto responded, and Paisley nodded before turning and holding out an arm.
"This way." Paisley wasn't at all sure if Alecto was telling the truth or not, but she knew this wasn't the time to question it. She just led Alecto back to the ballroom so they could continue their night.
Paisley spent the rest of the night sitting at a table with Maxton and Alecto as they talked about various things. Occasionally several other students from Hogwarts joined them and their discussion before they ultimately left for their own reasons.
The night was almost over. It was only those of the closest with her parents that were still in attendance. While Paisley was incredibly tired, she could not escape to her room until the last guest had left. Instead, she had taken to be outside, back out on the balcony so she could enjoy the summer night.
"Sickle for your thoughts." Paisley turned her head and found that Sirius had joined her. "Do you really find me so horrid?"
"Are you really hurt by my comment?" Paisley retorted.
"Not particularly, I know just how pleasant of a person I am," Sirius grinned, and Paisley shook her head.
"I'm pretty sure plenty of my housemates will disagree with that comment," Paisley pointed out. "I believe Snape, in particular, can disagree with how pleasant of a person you truly are."
"Snapeā¦"
Sirius started, but Paisley quickly cut him off. "Is my housemate, and as I've told you before, whatever issues I have, I can handle myself. As for your actions against my housemates, they are absurd, and I find that occasionally others look down on me because of your actions and the closeness of our families."
"Why do you care?" Sirius questioned instead.
"Why do I care? Because I have to survive in that house, I need to make waves to prevent hiding under the radar. For one to hide in that house, especially from a family like our own, is suicide. I will not allow myself to fall for the politics when I can rightly play them," Paisley responded hotly. "Perhaps if you hadn't have been so afraid to show that you could thrive in that house instead of finding a way to stick it to your parents."
Sirius' mouth fell open, and Paisley turned and stormed off as gracefully as she could with the remainder of the guests still present. She escaped the ballroom and made her way through the winding corridors. Until she found herself running through the back door that led out onto the grounds where she could hide from the final guests before she was able to get some rest.
She knew the jab at Sirius was a bit harsh, but she had to. He took too many jokes with her ignoring the fact of what could happen to her and her place within the Slytherin common room. She needed to take a stand to try and secure her future. She had particular plans that required her to follow a very tight path, which involved her staying on the good side of the Prefects. Not all of them will take too kindly to speaking with Sirius Black regularly.
"Miss." Paisley turned her head at the sound of the house-elves voice. "You wished to know when the last guest left."
Paisley nodded her head. "Thank you, Tibbles," she gave the elf a smile before she stood up and headed back inside, grateful to finally be able to get some rest.
