It had snowed last night, covering the grounds in a glittering, white drape. The snow was fresh and undisturbed by even the wind under Jasmine's window. The pane to which was fogging slightly from body heat, as she nestled into the window seat - the chill kept at bay by the coverlet from her bed. She smiled, looking out over the Estate always made her feel secure. Something about being at home, surrounded by her family - including Jamieson's new bride Magenta - put her at ease. No matter that their Mother had been in a flurry since she and Pansy had returned from Hogwart's, ordering the house elves around and owling Madame Malkin personally. It was still Yule.
The sun had risen a little higher in the sky and Jasmine knew she was in danger of being late for breakfast, but she could bring herself to move just yet.
There was a firm knock at her door, "Jasmine are you up?" It was the resonant voice of her older brother.
"Come!"
"Hey there lazy-bones, what's so interesting outside?" Blythe Jr. sauntered into the room and stooped beside Jasmine, lifting her legs and settling comfortably beside her in the small seat.
"It snowed last night," Jasmine smiled up at her eldest brother. The tall, sandy-haired man was smiling down at her, looking every bit as impish as his ten-month-old son Devon.
"I know." He was continuing to grin at her like an idiot.
"What?" It was starting to worry her, his obvious delight at something of which she was unaware could only mean he was about to lord something over her.
"Nothing," he frowned a bit, then went back to grinning. "So you coming down for breakfast now?"
"If you'd leave so I could get dressed, yes I'll be down."
"Right then - I'll shove off." He stood and returned the way he'd come.
Well that was certainly queer. Jasmine frowned as she dressed, pulling on a simple black cashmere jumper and a hounds-tooth skirt, which were worn under a sleeveless charcoal robe. Her long legs were kept warm in thick, black, winter stockings, and her feet incased in black flats - this was a family event after all.
As she made her descent into the main foyer, she could hear her family gathering in the dinning-room. The chatter of lids coming off the buffet was cause for Jasmine to cringe - she was late.
"Jasmine, how nice of you to grace us with your presence this morning." Her Mother's cheerful voice belied the scolding undercurrent.
"I apologize for my tardiness Mother, I was admiring how beautiful Parkview looks this morning and lost track of time. If it weren't for Blythe, I would never have made breakfast at all." Jasmine smiled as she moved to kiss her Father.
"It's alright Angel, the Estate is always lovely this time of year." Jasmine thought she might be imagining it, but her Father held her close for a few seconds longer than usual.
"Happy Yule Mother." Jasmine leaned over to kiss her mother as weel and was enveloped into one of her Mother's rare embrace's.
"Happy Yule Jasmine." Hyacinth Parkinson was not an emotional woman, but her eyes were glassy when she released Jasmine. "Go get your tea dear."
"Yes Mother," Jasmine glanced at her sister questioningly as they moved along the buffet. Pansy just shrugged her shoulders to say "Your guess is as good as mine."
Once she sat down at the table, Jasmine frowned into her tea, but quickly smoothed out her features at her mother's warning look. Breakfast was as usual, a fairly simple and unexciting event. The buffet consisted of Eggs Benedict, bacon, sausages, champagne and orange juice, and assorted fresh fruits & cheese scones.
The boys ate with relish, piling 3 of the rich egg & muffin concoctions onto their plates. Jasmine frowned at her sister-in-law as Octavia took a large helping of bacon; it wouldn't do for the younger Lady of Parkview to put on anymore weight. Surely the baby had been a viable excuse, but he was ten months old now.
"Jasmine, stop frowning, you'll line your face permanently." Her mother's voice cut through her thoughts.
"Yes Mother," Jasmine smiled at her parents as sweetly as possible.
"Octavia dear, that's a bit much for you isn't it?" Jasmine forced her face to remain impassive as her mother ignored Octavia's embarrassed flush to move down the table to gently chide each one of them. "Pansy, that lip mark on your glass is atrocious, do wipe your mouth before you take a sip."
Blythe Senior and Junior were oblivious to the women as they discussed some new merger Parkinson's Potions Providers was about to engage in. Jamieson had his arm draped across Magenta's chair while reading some article on new Artihmantic equations in the reversal of some transfiguration incantations Jasmine was itching to read. She was stuck between pestering her brother about the article and eavesdropping on her father. Her mother and Octavia were embroiled in a discussion about what colours to do the Ballroom in this year, which Pansy had latched onto.
"Jasmine darling, what do you think? Should we do the traditional emerald and silver or like Octavia is suggesting, navy and gold?"
Jasmine rolled her eyes internally. She couldn't care less about ball room colours and Octavia's clinging to her Ravenclaw heritage. She was just excited at the thought of seeing her friends again and seaking off to one of the Montague's empty rooms at the party tonight. She was looking forward mainly to drinking the pilfered champagne and fire-whiskey - not that her mother needed to know that.
"I agree that the emerald and silver is a bit over done, but I don't like the navy and gold any better. Why don't we skip the metalloids entirely and go for shades of dark green & maybe some purple - it's very chic right now. And deep plum is so regal." The 4 other women in the room were staring at her, none had the ill-manner to gape, but they were as close as any Parkinson came to gaping.
"You've always had beautiful - if a bit odd - taste Jasmine, but whatever you want darling you'll get." It was Jasmine's turn to gape at her mother; when in the name of Salazar had her opinion gained any sway? Seeming to realize Jasmine's confusion at their mother's declaration of her new found leverage Jamieson's face darkened briefly, before he put his paper down.
He glanced at his father meaningfully, "Father, I do believe we should move to the library now." At his son's look, Blythe Senior turned his eyes to his wife. A long look passed between them, causing Hyacinth to redden slightly. Why on earth it appeared Jamieson had just chastised their Mother was beyond both Jasmine and Pansy as they shared a look. The sisters trailed behind the rest of the family, who were busy with a babbling Devon.
Yule was always a festive season at Parkview. The ever extending family would gather for the week and attend a round of international parties with all the other prominent wizarding families in Europe. Jasmine and Pansy were only allowed to attend the British and selected French parties, but the parents occasionally traveled as far as Egypt and New Zealand. Tonight was the annual gathering at the Montague's English estate.
Cecily Montague was a renowned hostess; Hagan House was always breath-taking, the food beyond comparison, free alcohol flowed all night, and ever prominent Wizard in Europe could be met there. For both Jasmine and Pansy it was a bore they couldn't wait to get over with, the thrill of new robes faded with the endless stream of patronizing questions. An up-side to the event was getting to see their far-flung friends for a few, nearly un-chaperoned, hours. In the hours before the party Hyacinth would go into a fit trying to get herself looking flawless as well as ensuring her childeren and husband were turned out in perfect form. All this while attempting to arrive within the limits of fashionably late.
Most of today's presents were for Blythe's son, as the newest heir to the Parkinson line, he and his mother were showered with gifts and praise almost constantly.
Yet Jasmine was surprised at just how much she herself received. A beautifully engraved ebony trunk with her initials and jasmine flowers inlaid with ivory, containing a family album, ivory with emerald coloured trim satin sheets and a beautiful, gray wolf-skin shearling robe. But the biggest surprise was the emerald and diamond tiara she knew her mother had worn for her wedding.
"Why don't you try it on Jasmine?" Her mother's voice was strained, as Jasmine looked up at her parents. She looked back into the box to see that nestled on the pillow and encircled by the platinum band was a thick cream envelope.
Jasmine pulled out the package and opened the flap hesitantly, her hands were starting to shake and she could hear her heart beating in her ears.
The parchment was thick and the document was two pages long. The title caused Jasmine to suck in her breath : 'Betrothal Agreement'. Not sure if she really wanted to know, Jasmine scanned the page, searching for the name of the other party. It didn't take long; the third line held the two concerned names'. "Edward Montague and Jasmine Parkinson."
She felt numb, totally and utterly numb. Her family was watching on expectantly and it was all Jasmine could to not to tear the parchment to shreds. They were trying to ruin her life.
Her father was staring at her, as if to say 'Well, what do you think'. He looked so pleased with himself.
Dear Merlin, she was actually shaking now, shaking like a leaf as she repressed a cry.
"Thank your Father Jasmine," her mother was no longer smiling and her voice was icy cold.
"Thank you Father. I'm... speechless." With that, she rose quickly and walked calmly out of the library - away from her family. As soon as she was out of sight, Jasmine started to run, she ran through the large manor house towards her suite of room, anger and betrayal vying for dominance in her.
Flinging open the door to her room Jasmine started flinging anything in sight: all the books and trinkets on her shelves, the hangings on her bed were shredded and ever the chairs and desk found themselves overturned. Her temper tantrum through, Jasmine stood in the middle of her now destroyed room, her chest heaving. She flung herself face first into the bed and began to sob. Her whole body was shaking and she could only gulp in air.
How could they do this to her, her own parents? They were supposed to love her, not sell her off to the enemy!
She'd always thought her parents would allow her the choice of husbands at the very least. It had been unlikely that she would be the sole decision maker in the marriage, as Sheraton would, but Jasmine had always assumed she'd be given a list of acceptable suitors to choose from at graduation.
The door to her and Pansy's adjoining bathroom creaked open. "Piss off!" Jasmine yelled into her pillow.
"Jas, it's not as horrid as you're making it out to be. He's a good choice and a perfect match for you; socially and mentally. You just need to get a little perspective."
Jasmine rolled over to glare at her sister. She hadn't really expected sympathy from Pansy, but for once it would have been nice to find an ally in her sister.
"Perspective? Get a little perspective Pans: he hates me! And I hate him! Ed treats me like I'm some whoring Hufflepuff who hasn't the brains to stay out of his way. He's a prat worse than bloody Malfoy with an ever increasing ego! I HATE HIM!"
"He hasn't got an ego bigger than he deserved Jas. He's very smart, a natural leader, amazing at Quidditch, pure blooded, extremely wealthy oh and did I mention dead sexy?" Pansy's face was clear as her mirth but out at Jasmine.
"GET THE HELL OUT!" Something inside Jasmine was threatening to snap.
"Okay, okay. I just wanted to tell you Mum said the cream pencil skirt, cream cowel-necked jumper and that new shearling robe; you do remember that the Montague's barely stoke the fires. Maybe you can change that?" Jasmine was no longer facing her sister, but knew full well the younger girl was smirking in a perfect imitation of her boyfriend.
"I'M NOT GOING! And get out! NOW!" On that note, Pansy sauntered towards the bathroom. Jasmine squealed with rage and threw a pillow at her sister, where it hit her square in the back of the head with a satisfying thump. Pansy hollered in indignation and slammed the bathroom door closed.
Hyacinth was the next person to interrupt Jasmine's sulk. The woman was already impeccably turned out in a beautiful, bronze, slubbed-silk sheath dress which show cased her still slim legs and ankles. Over it she had a sheer, emerald coloured, robe adorned with tiny jeweled buttons. Her hair was swept up in combs and she wore only staple jewelry which consisted of her wedding rings and a pair of diamond earrings.
"Jasmine, I know this has been a bit of a shock for you but if you aren't ready we're going to be late. We're expected at the Montague's by six-forty-five, which is in an hour. I was under the impression Pansy - "
"She told me. I'm not going." Jasmine cut her Mother off without even turning to face her. It did no good to make her Mother more upset - especially not before a major social engagement - today however, Jasmine didn't really care how angry her mother was. Maybe if Hyacinth was angry enough she's understand how Jasmine was feeling, the younger girl reasoned.
"Jasmine I don't have time to play these games with you tonight. Just put your clothes on; you're the guest of honour tonight so you must attend."
"I'm what?" Jasmine's blue eyes enlarged as they met her mother's serious gaze.
"Tonight is the announcement of your betrothal - I assume you at least remember the ceremony from Jamieson's last summer?" Hyacinth snapped.
"Of course I remember it." Jasmine couldn't believe this was happening, her life was actually ending. By the time she returned to Hogwart's the entire school would know about her engagement to Edward; if they weren't at the actual party. Maybe Luck would be kind to her tonight and someone would object to the match.
Not bloody likely, she thought glumly.
"Good - the carriage leaves at six-thirty. Remember I want you in the cream out-fit. You'll want to look subdued and beautiful tonight, so skip the blood coloured lipstick." And with that Hyacinth was gone to supervise someone more pleasant than her petulant, older daughter.
There would be no point in trying to reason Jasmine out of this fit. She should be thrilled by such a lucrative match, but then neither Hyacinth nor Blythe had been thrilled with their partner in the beginning. Over the first year of their marriage it had become clear that their parents had made the correct decision. By the birth of Blythe Junior their relationship had progressed to loving. It might take longer than that for Jasmine to warm up to the young Montague, but they had the rest of term to work it out.
As predicted, the Parkinson's two enchanted carriages left Parkview at 6:30, flying quickly under concealment charms. As tradition demanded, the men rode in the first carriage and the women in the second. So, Jasmine sat surrounded by her sister and sisters-in-law, the whole while glaring at her mother. The same woman who had barked at her to take her hair down in order that she at least look like the innocent she was expected to be. True or not, Jasmine was a - mortified that her mother felt it prudent to point out her knowledge of Jasmine's activities, and b - furious because she knew she looked prettier and more elegant with it up. She attempted to use the second argument on her mother, who promptly pointed out she wasn't supposed to look elegant or refined, she was trying to give the impression of a seventeen year old who was beautiful, innocent and nervous, not furious, about her impending marriage. Damn the woman for always being if not right, at least one step ahead.
Not even the house, lit up in all its glory could maker her smile; nor could Octavia and Magenta cooing about the added decoration on her behalf.
"Why don't you girls go calm your husbands down - I'm sure Blythe has them worked into a state by now. Pansy, I'm putting you in charge of keeping your father in line, he's more nervous than Jasmine. You can remind him he still has one more daughter," Hyacinth was smiling and chatting pleasantly with the other girls, but they didn't need to be told twice to bugger off, and leave mother and bride to be alone.
As soon as the three other Parkinson women left, Hyacinth rounded on Jasmine.
"It is highly unbecoming of you to be sulking at a moment like this. You knew this would be the year of your engagement and I can't honestly believe you thought your Father and I would allow you to marry that Pucey boy? It's bad enough that you've been running around with him since the Flint's summer ball, but to allow it to continue would be too much - you may actually end up foolishly feeling something for him." Jasmine was dumb-founded. How the hell did they know about Adrian? She's been so sure to be discreet in public! Pansy was going to pay for being a little tattle tale.
"Anyways," Hyacinth interrupted her daughter's thoughts. "I expect you to behave as the proper lady that you are, polite, warm and grateful to the Montagues." Jasmine gritted her teeth, praying to every god in existence that they wouldn't stiff her by watering her wine. "Nor will you speak to the Pucey boy alone at any moment." With a look that brooked no argument, Hyacinth left the carriage with Jasmine on her heels.
Her father strode over and wrapped Jasmine in the tightest hug she'd ever receieved.
"We all love you Jasmine. Make us all proud in there tonight with that beautiful smile, Angel." He kissed the top of her head and between both her parents, Jasmine made her way towards the doors of her own personal hell.
The house was bloody freezing. It was all Ed could do to keep himself from shivering as he huddled close to the drawing room fire. He understood that it would be unbearablely hot with the five hundred or so guests in the house by eight, but it didn't stop the house from freezing colder than the Slytherin dungeons' beforehand.
Ed stared enviously at his father's glass of scotch, shit, at this point he would settle for a glass of the sweet sherry his Mother was sipping. Instead he opened the small silver box in his hand for the millionth time this hols. It had been handed to him upon his arrival and his Father had told him to keep it visible; a reminder of his fate so that by tonight he could happily accept it. They had told him as the united front his parents always were, that the marriage to Jasmine was in his best interests, and it nothing else went well he'd be a wealthy man with 4 beautiful children.
It was the eve of the announcement and he still couldn't wrap his mind around the situation. He would be putting a beautiful piece of his heritage on Jasmine's finger and watch his father and Jasmine's greet eachother like close friends and business partners rather than as the rivals turned polite aquaintances they had been for over thirty years. The ring really was a beautiful piece of art. The center diamond was easily two carats and surrounded by a square of half carat diamonds and flanked by 2 single carats, raised slightly out of the platinum setting. The whole effect was elegant, just on this side of ostentatious, a carefully crafted piece of art - it would suit Jasmine perfectly.
"Well son, I believe that is the Parkinsons arriving." Roberto Montague turned from the window. He patted his son on the shoulder as Edward began to stand. Cecily enveloped her son in a warm hug. Edward smiled at the small, frail-looking woman who had been such a strong presence in his life.
"I'm trying to be happy about this Mum, I know you think it's best and for you I will try."
"We know Edward, and you'll understand soon enough." Cecily wiped quickly at her eyes and brushed a strand of chestnut hair behind her shoulder. "Go get your girl and give her that lovely ring." Roberto took his wife's hand and squeezed; Edward noticed that his father smiled when she squeezed back.
Jasmine's rather large family filed into the atrium, led by the former and her parents. Not that the Parkinsons were anything close to the Weasleys, but they were the largest family of any of his parents circle, with four living children. Edward was surprised by how poised Jasmine was, walking calmly between her parents. Her long hair hung in loose waves to her waist, glowing a muted gold in the candle light. Her cream skirt and form fitting jumper showcased her lithe body without exposing her or making her look trashy. 'Her mother must have dressed her tonight,' Edward thought unkindly. Her silver jewelry was modern and sat flat to her chest and arms, shaped like snakes but without the traditional eyes or tongues favoured by most Slytherin women. It was so simple yet the artistry caught his eye. He could see that her elegance came from her mother, for the woman on Jasmine's right was the spitting image of Pansy, perk little nose and all. Jasmine, he noted idly, had her father's stronger nose and blue eyes.
It was odd to watch as Mr. Parkinson and Mr. Montague smiled and shook hands, looking genuinely pleased to see each other. They launched immediately into shop talk; it seemed neither was really prepared for the coming evening or allowing their children to cross the threshold into adulthood. Edwards was grateful when his mother moved forward to touch his father's arm and say quietly, "Roberto you have all evening to discuss potions, but the other guests should start arriving shortly." Both men had the decency to look a bit sheepish.
"Of course. Edward, will you come here please." The two Montague men stood side by side, Ed was even height with his father and both looked determine and confidant.
"Blythe, Hyacinth; it is our honour to tell you my son accepts the offer of your elder daughter." Roberto shook Blythe's hand before moving to kiss Hyacinth's hand. He turned to face Jasmine with a warm smile while his eyes roamed her body, only for a moment before she was confronted by his dark eyes. "Welcome to Hagan House Miss Jasmine." He took her arm and led her away from her parents, across the entry way and to Edward's side.
Ed couldn't take his eyes off her and they made eye contact as she soon as she was past her parents. Her blue eyes were crystal clear and filled with righteous anger. She looked to him as though she was daring everyone involved to push her just a little farther. Her heels echoed through the hall as she crossed the mosaic of the Montague family crest.
"Hello Jasmine," Edward smiled but he knew it looked cold and heartless. Part of him was screaming that this was no way to treat your future wife, while the other part wanted to make her pay, play by his rules for once. He wasn't sure where either desire came from and found that a bit disconcerting.
"Edward," she nodded her head in his direction without breaking eye contact.
Silently he opened the small box, presenting the ring to full view. He watched Jasmine's face as she appraised the ring, searching for some kind of a reaction. He wasn't sure to be pleased by the flash in her eyes, but decided not to care.
Jasmine presented her left hand, which Edward took dispassionately. He slid the large ring onto her fourth finger.
He watched her face, fascinated as the mark of indifference began to slip off. Jasmine was obviously fighting the same torrent of emotions he was. They were all jumbled in his stomach, innumerable and unnameable as they pitched. He wasn't sure if he should thank his father for keeping him out of the scotch or curse him, it wouldn't due for him to be sick all over Jasmine, but the alcohol may have saved him from the nerves in some part.
He cleared his throat, waiting for Jasmine to act on her final part in this farce of an engagement ceremony. She was just staring at the ring on her finger, expression unreadable. 'Gods, I hope she's not like this all evening. It's going to be bad enough as it is, last thing I need is to deal with Princess Parkinson in shock, or worse, sulking.'
As though reading his thoughts, Jasmine suddenly looked up, a smile playing dangerously on her lips. She stepped towards Ed and kissed him full on the lips. He was surprised by the softness of them and how demanding the kiss was. In fact, he let out a startled gasp, which Jasmine took full advantage of by sliding her tongue past his lips. She tasted like whiskey, overlaid by peppermint and her tongue was silky. The combination was wreaking havoc on his seventeen year old body.
Just as quickly as she had started the kiss, she ended it by taking a step back. The kiss couldn't have lasted more than half a minute or the adults would have made a move to break them apart. 'Where the HELL did she learn to kiss like that?' In all his seventeen years, no single kiss had ever been... like that.
The unnameable feeling was quickly replaced by anger once Ed took in the smug look on her face.
"Enjoyed that Ed?" his eyes narrowed dangerously at her, praying none of the onlookers had caught that.
Before he could answer, she moved on to chastely kiss his Father and warmly embrace his Mother; finishing the familial acceptance ritual. Now all that was left was for the guests to arrive, when the public announcement would take place.
That was when the shit would really hit the fan.