Chapter 1: Welcome to The Sacred Twenty Eight Club
The last days of summer break is filled with many things: children playing outside, trying to soak up the last of the sunny days, families going on vacation, and kids sleeping in while they have the chance, for school is just around the corner.
For me, the last Sunday of summer meant getting dressed up and going to brunch. They weren't normal brunches because nothing could truly be normal with this many purebloods involved. There was gossiping, arguing, laughing, and no brunch was complete unless three drinks had been thrown on someone.
I kept my eyes trained on the white linen table cloth that covered our large table at the restaurant. Our monthly brunches were always the same. The adults would give their opinions about anything and everything, mostly politics, and I would silently judge them, while pretending not to pay attention.
"This whole crisis in Germany is simply none of our business," Cynthia Selwyn declared, slamming her fist a bit too hard on the table. The more she drank, the louder and more violent she got. "We have our own problems to worry about." Loose tendrils of her dark hair fell out, making her look more intimidating and wild than usual.
"Yes, but think about it," her husband, Robert, said, "sending a bunch of wizards off to a war would surely help our overpopulation problem." He barked at a waiter to refill his empty martini glass.
Around the table, many adults were arguing both sides of the issue. Many agreed that it wasn't out place to intervene in Germany, especially without them asking for help. Our Ministry was considering sending troops to stop the outbreak before it started. Of course, the others who supported it only did so because they believed it would help our population decrease. As long as they didn't have to fight, they didn't care.
"But what is this whole problem even about?" Pansy Avery asked, scrunching up her pug like face. She never was the brightest of the bunch, and she didn't pay much attention to politics.
"There is an expanding group of rebels, who are trying to take down the German Ministry," Thantos Carrow drawled. He took a long sip of his martini before continuing. "It's quite idiotic if you ask me. They're upset about inequality of blood status." He rolled his dark eyes, sharing a smirk with Fletcher Rosier. "Also, they've been enslaving werewolves and shipping them off, but the rebels don't see what a favor the Ministry is doing for them."
"Bet you those fucking Weasleys would be the first to volunteer to fight," Albert Yaxley spat. "They're half the reason we've got a population problem. All of them breed like rabbits." The rest of the table roared with laughter, not necessarily because it was funny, but when a Yaxley tells a joke, everyone has to laugh.
"Not to mention, they're the ones who got all of those Lupin Laws passed to protect the werewolves," Jack Avery sneered. "Why should we be protecting those beasts? Next thing you know, we'll be having tea parties with banshees." This lead to another round of laughter from the table.
Naturally, anyone here would agree with whatever they said. The Carrows, the Yaxleys, the Averys, and the Rosiers had become the unofficial leaders of our little society. Going against them was about as wise as tickling a sleeping dragon.
I really tried to bite my tongue, but the Raveclaw in me couldn't keep her mouth shut. "But, when you think about it, they're only monsters one night a month. They're just normal humans every other day," I said, immediately regretting opening my mouth.
Avery turned to look at me with his cold eyes. A smirk grew on his face. "What a clever girl you have here, Sullivan," he said to my father. "I see she's been studying extra hard in the library." He brought his champagne glass to his lips, but his eyes never left me.
His look terrified me, but I knew he wouldn't do anything to me. After all, I was only seventeen, a mere child to him. He may have been a horrible person, but he still had morals. Well, at least he was better than his ancestors, who murdered hundreds of people just because.
"Yes, that's my daughter. Clever little Ravenclaw she is," dad boasted, ignoring the sarcasm in Avery's comment, or perhaps he didn't notice it. He could be rather daft.
"Carina, dear," mum said to me. "Why don't you go sit with the other children?" She pointed to the other table across the restaurant, where other people my age were sitting.
"Of course mum," I replied, standing up. The look in her eyes told me I didn't have a choice either way.
"Oh, why don't you sit next to Scorpius?" Astoria Malfoy suggested brightly. "He's been talking about you all summer!" I seriously doubted it, but I nodded anyway.
There were limited options of spouses that weren't our first cousins in our social circle, so Astoria and mum had decided to try and set me up with Scorpius. They claimed it was because we got along well, even though he was a year below me. Personally, I think it's because my platinum blonde hair will ensure that the trademark Malfoy gene will be passed on.
Unlike old pureblood traditions, today we weren't forced into marriages; our parents just heavily suggested certain people. Of course, if we didn't marry a pureblood, we would be cut off and shunned. But at least we weren't forced into marriage.
I took a seat next to Scorpius and Ophelia Avery, a Slytherin in my year. She was heavily flirting with a brooding Damien Rosier. She was twirling her light brown hair in her fingers and snorting a rather unattractive laugh. Damien's blue eyes were glazed over, and his mouth was set in a scowl. I don't think that scowl has left his mouth since his parents told him they wanted him to be with Ophelia. I didn't blame him, though. Ophelia got her pug face looks from her mum.
"Wotcher Carina," Scorpius greeted me when I sat down. "Got kicked out of the Adult Table?"
I rolled my eyes. "Yes, unfortunately. I can't seem to keep my mouth shut." I always sat with the adults, seeing as I grew bored of the conversations that went on at this table. Now I guess I was stuck here. "Oh, your mum says you couldn't stop talking about me." I gave him a smirk.
"That woman is nuts," he groaned. "If we do wind up getting married, we're leaving the country. I can't live around her for the rest of my life!"
"Of course, dear," I laughed.
I truly did like Scorpius- at least as a friend. My parents could have picked someone a whole lot worse, because Merlin knows some of these boys were not attractive at all. He had platinum blonde hair that he always slicked back and steely gray eyes. He was rather pale with sharp features, but overall, he was quite good looking.
"C-can I get you something miss?" a waiter, who couldn't be older than twenty, asked. He was shaking, and I felt bad that the poor guy had to wait on all of us. Most of them were quite nasty to the help, believe it or not.
"I'll have a dirty martini," I said, smiling, which didn't seem to ease his nervousness.
"Right away miss." He made a speedy exit to the bar.
"A martini?" Scorpius raised a pale eyebrow. "I think you're slowly turning into a fully fledged member of The Sacred Twenty- Eight Club."
"I suppose I am," I grimaced, taking a sip of the martini that the waiter had just sped back with.
Ah, The Sacred Twenty- Eight Club, as we were so aptly named. We were an 'elite' society filled with perfect families, but the family secrets were even dirtier than the martinis we drank. Technically, there weren't twenty- eight families anymore, as many died out or defected during the Second Wizarding War. We kept the name because it had a nice ring to it, and frankly, no one could be arsed to change it.
Basically, our little club got together for social events, with the hopes that we would pair up with other purebloods and carry on the traditions. Our social events were not BBQs or reunions where everyone wore matching t-shirts. We had balls where I was forced to dress up in poofy dresses. And, of course, we had monthly brunches, because nothing says 'we're classy' like getting drunk before noon.
"Wow, look who it is," Ophelia said, looking at the door, "the Potter clan has arrived." We turned to see three mops of unruly black hair and two redheads walking through the door. Harry Potter had indeed brought his wife and kids to brunch, though I'm sure it was no coincidence.
"Here to make sure we don't blow up the place I'm sure," Roscoe Yaxley muttered darkly, as though reading my thoughts.
It was no secret that Harry Potter, Head Auror, didn't trust our group. He always happened to show up whenever there was a large gathering of us to make sure we kept in line. Well, he knew that certain members were more dangerous than others. Most of the families- such as Scorpius's and mine- didn't believe in the old traditions, but they stayed because they didn't want to be the ones to blame for ending the purity line. However, families like the Averys, the Rosiers, the Carrows, and, of course, the Yaxleys still believed in the old ways. They were the ones who gave us purebloods such a bad reputation.
The Potters walked to their table, which was far enough away to seem less suspicious, but close enough that they could react quickly if something were to happen. The little redheaded girl, Lily, spotted us and made her way to us, unnoticed by her family, who had their backs to us. She boldly walked up to our table and tapped the shoulder of Levi Avery, Ophelia's little brother.
"Hello, Levi," she said. It was no wonder she was in Gryffindor. No one else would be reckless enough to approach a table of purebloods. Especially considering we certainly weren't members of the Harry Potter fan club.
"Er-" Levi looked around in panic, avoiding her deep brown eyes. "What?" he snapped after receiving a curious look from his sister.
"I've been writing to you all summer, and this is the way you treat me!" she exclaimed, clenching her fists. Murmurs started around the table as she caused a scene. "I thought you loved me!" Levi was looking panicked now, and he ran a hand through his light brown hair.
I'd heard rumours that he and Lily had been sneaking around together, but I hadn't believed them. The idea of an Avery and a Potter together was ridiculous. Seeing as how Lily was putting herself out like this, I supposed they were indeed true. I felt bad for the poor girl because I knew what was probably going to happen next.
"I don't know what you're talking about," he insisted, avoiding her eyes.
"What do-"
"Listen here, Potter," Ophelia cut her off sharply. "He said he doesn't know what you're talking about. Why don't you do seek attention elsewhere?" she sneered.
"Obviously, you're not as close to your brother as you think. We've been dating since last year, and we love each other. Tell her Levi, or we're over," Lily commanded.
They both looked over at Levi. He had his eyes cast down at the table, but everyone could see him shake his head no.
"Levi?" Lily whimpered, staring at the boy she thought she loved. He didn't respond.
Just as she was about to leave, Ophelia stopped her. "Oh, Lily?" She turned around. Ophelia took her flute of mimosa and threw it on Lily, drenching her and her white dress in the sticky orange liquid. "You might want to clean yourself up. I don't think orange is your colour."
Lily gasped and quickly turned on her heel, sprinting to the bathroom. I watched as she disappeared around the corner. As I looked away, I caught the eye of her older brother in my year, James, who appeared to have seen the whole exchange. He sent me a dark look before following after his sister.
The rest of the table was laughing, sans Scorpius and me. "That'll show her not to make up rumours for attention," Ophelia said smugly.
"Was it necessary to do that in front of everyone?" I asked her.
"Of course. I'm not going to let that snooty bint ruin my brother's reputation for attention," she declared. "Stop being so sensitive Carina."
I rolled my eyes at her. "I have to use the loo," I said to no one in particular.
Outside of the woman's room, James Potter was banging on the door. "Just come out Lily! Mum and dad are going to be worried!" I heard a muffled reply, and I assumed it was a rejection because James continued to bang on the door.
"Er- excuse me," I said awkwardly. I wouldn't have said anything, but he was blocking the door.
He turned around and glared when he saw me. "What are you doing here, Fawley," he hissed, saying my last name as though it were poison.
"I need to use the loo," I replied simply. His eyes narrowed at my response.
"Yeah right," he snorted. "I'm sure you're just here to finish what your Master started. Do you ever get tired of being her servant?"
It was my turn to narrow my eyes at him. I hated being associated with the rest of The Sacred Twenty- Eight Club, and I certainly did not appreciate being referred to as nothing more than a girl who does everyone's dirty work.
"I'm not doing anything for her, Potter," I spat back. "I happen to be a good person, and I just came to check on your sister."
"I don't believe you for a second," he told me, crossing his arms. "And there is no way I'm going to let you near her."
"What are you going to do, follow me into the ladies' room?" I asked, pushing past him and going into the restroom. He gaped in shock as the door shut in his face. I was almost certain his pride would stop him from following me in here.
Lily was standing by the running sink, attempting to was the sticky juice from her red locks. Her head snapped up when I entered, and she sent me a glare to rival her brothers. I began to question whether or not I should keep listening to my moral compass. I think it's going to get me killed.
"What do you want," she growled, although it came out as more of a sniffle. She wasn't actually crying, but her eyes were red rimmed.
"I just came to see if you were all right," I said to which she snorted.
"I'm sure. You probably just came to finish what Avery started." She turned back to finish rinsing her hair.
"Why does everyone keep saying that?" I muttered to myself. At school, I never really hung out with them, partly because they were almost all in Slytherin, but mostly because I hated them. Apparently the only thing these Potters noticed was my last name, which I thought was pretty hypocritical of them.
I really should've left, but I came in here to do something, and I wasn't going to leave until I did it.
"Let me help." I moved, so I was next to her at the sink.
"I don't need your help."
I rolled my eyes and pulled out my wand. "I think you do because there's no way you'll be able to get that stain out with water." She was only fourteen, so she wasn't old enough to do magic outside of school.
She looked at the orange spot on her dress, then back at me. "Fine," she conceded. I gave her a faint smile before siphoning away the stain and drying her hair. "Thanks," she mumbled.
"Lily," I started before she tried to leave, "just so you know, I don't think what they did was fair. Also, you could do a lot better than Avery, he's a bit of a prick." I felt the need to tell her this because I hated it when people assumed I was just as cruel as the others could be.
At this, she laughed. "I can see that now." She looked me in the eyes for the first time. "I'm sorry," she said sincerely. "I know you aren't a part of that group, and it was wrong of me to accuse you when you were helping."
"It's cool, it happens a lot," I shrugged. She gave me a faint smile before leaving.
I checked myself out in the mirror because I didn't want to leave at the same time as her. Also, mum would freak out if my green sundress was the slightest bit ruffled. I smoothed it out, and smoothed out my glossy blonde hair for good measure. We were all about appearances here. I stepped out of the bathroom, only to be pinned to a wall with a wand at my throat.
"What did you do to her," James growled, his brown eyes boring into mine. I noticed his jaw was clenched as he pushed me further into the wall. He also smelled nice, which was probably something I shouldn't have noticed, seeing as his wand was still at my throat.
"I didn't do anything to her, which I'm sure she told you." He obviously didn't believe me, and he pressed me further against the wall. "And didn't mummy and daddy teach you not to point your wand at someone? It's rude," I snidely remarked. He put his wand away and dropped the arm that was pinning me down. He still had me backed into the corner.
"My parents taught me a hell of a lot better morals than your parents taught you," he spat venomously.
"Don't talk about my parents that way!" I snapped. They may not have been the smartest people, and I didn't agree with most of the things they said, but I loved them. I wasn't going to allow Potter talk that way in front of me.
"Hit a touchy subject, have I?" he mockingly cooed. He stepped closer, so he was right in my face. I could've counted his eyelashes. "If you mess with my family again, I will make your life a living hell."
"What are you going to do? Talk to me, because that's just pure torture," I quipped. It wasn't the wittiest thing I'd ever said, but it gave the desired effect.
He let out a deep breath. "Watch your back, Fawley." He pushed off the wall and went back to his table. I waited a few minutes before going out. I didn't want anyone to think I was associating with Potter.
"What took you so long?" Scorpius asked when I sat down. I normally wouldn't have minded telling Scorpius, but there were too many people around.
"Nothing."
I could feel Potter's glare on me, and it certainly didn't feel like nothing.
So, I did what anyone in The Sacred Twenty- Eight Club would do. I knocked back a double martini and ordered another.