Chapter 4
"No!" Jaguar yelled. "You're still doing it wrong! Hold the shaft like this! It's not that difficult, Lily!" She balanced in the air next to her cousin, who was also on a broomstick.
The two girls were staying at Nivea's house. Nivea was at the Ministry of Magic working, so Jaguar and Lily had no supervision in the amazing palace that Nivea lived in. Instead of throwing wild parties, Jaguar had decided to teach Lily all she knew about the Wizarding World. Jaguar fluently spoke English, French, and Italian. She was passably fluent in Spanish, and could understand Latin and most other romance languages. She was trying to teach Lily rudimentary phrases in these languages. The Cortez family spoke mainly French, so they spoke French often at home. Lily would eventually pick up on it even without help. It was too frustrating trying to learn, and Lily soon gave up.
They moved on to magical languages. All Jaguar could do was tell her about the ones she knew of, since she didn't personally speak any of them.
Jaguar was now trying to teach Lily how to ride a broomstick. Lily had to admit that it wasn't as easy as it looked. Jaguar balanced perfectly, as though the broomstick was an extension of her body. It was the result of years of practice, and entirely effortless. She bobbed slightly up and down in the air now, hands on her hips. If she wanted to, she could hold the broom completely still.
Lily struggled to stop her broom without falling off. Her body slipped to one side, and she had to pull herself up with her hands.
"Wow," said Jaguar. "I honestly do not remember it being so difficult."
Lily was finding it nearly impossible to sit on such a narrow surface. It took a lot of upper body strength to hold on. And when she tried to keep the correct grip, she couldn't keep her balance. Plus, the broomstick was horribly uncomfortable to sit on.
"Shut up," Lily gasped between breaths, trying to concentrate. "It's not funny."
"No, it isn't," Jaguar agreed. "It's horrific. C'mon, Lily! You can do this! It's not hard at all. Okay stop!"
Lily had been moving forward. Now she skidded to a stop again.
"Sit up straighter. Don't lean forward so far, or you'll go too fast. You might get out of control. Just remember… We're inside. There is a mat on the floor. You can't get hurt. But outside, you would die."
"I know about the mat," Lily said, laughing bitterly. She had fallen to the floor hundreds of times over the past two weeks.
"THEN WHY ARE YOU ACTING LIKE A WIMP! JUST GO FOR IT!" Jaguar yelled in her face. "Come on! You sissy!"
Startled, Lily tumbled to the side, gripping the broom as hard as she could to prevent falling. To her surprise, she swung hard enough to come up on the other side of the broom. In shock, she looked at Jaguar, before promptly losing her grip and falling to the ground with an "Oomph!"
"Oh my God!" Lily shrieked. "I did it!"
Jaguar grinned proudly and gave Lily a thumbs up before swooping down to land next to her. She offered her cousin a hand and helped her off the ground. "Awesome," she replied. "We'll work on it more with Sirius tomorrow. But we have to get ready now."
Lily remembered suddenly that the Ministry Ball was to take place that very same evening. She had absolutely no idea what to expect. She had asked Sirius what it was all about, since everyone seemed to be frenzied over it.
He had looked at her, rolling his eyes as he spoke, "A bunch of old wizards and witches get together to brag about how rich they are, or how much they've done for the world, or how good looking their families are. It's a dreadful bore, but I have to go. My father is the Minister of Magic."
Lily really had no idea at all what a Minister of Magic was, but she assumed that Sirius' father was probably important. The Ball itself sounded like parties her father, Richard Evans, had held when she was young, in a way.
Jaguar led the way back into the main part of the house, this time not pausing to put her broom into the broom closet for storage. Lily didn't stop either, instead following her cousin into the hushed silence.
Nivea's house looked to Jaguar like an ancient Greek or Egyptian palace. It was all gold and ivory and marble. The hushed, dimly lit interior told the same story. The rooms were all high-ceilinged and spacious, with old treasures lining the walls. There were low couches everywhere, and plates of grapes and figs and wine drifted slowly from room to room, waiting for someone to snap his or her fingers to call them over.
As the girls walked, their footsteps echoed slightly on the shiny floor. Lily always felt like she shouldn't touch anything here. That everything was so incredibly expensive that it would break at the slightest abuse. It didn't feel like a home at all. But it was the most beautiful place Lily had ever been in.
Soon the girls emerged into the hallway where their bedrooms were located. Lily's came first, and she entered it, nodding farewell to Jaguar. Jaguar skipped away down the hall.
Closing the door behind her, Lily surveyed the room. It was more livable looking to her than most of the rest of the house. There was deep white carpet lining covering the floor. Floor to ceiling windows on the far side of the room, letting the sunlight stream in. Behind those doors, a large balcony stood, overlooking the woods that Nivea lived next to. The room may have been extremely huge, but it was so filled with stuff that it felt smaller. It was a good thing, because Lily found it hard to relax in big rooms. She always felt as though someone else was there, or someone was watching her.
Still, she felt a little odd accepting all of Nivea's gifts. Although from what she had seen of Nivea's extremely private life, the amount of money she had spent on Lily was far less than the worth of a muggle penny to her. Lily gazed around at the big screen TV that descended from the ceiling at the touch of a button, the large surround-sound stereo… It was completely overwhelming. She knew that she wasn't dreaming, but it sure felt like she was.
Turning on the stereo to Nivea's cd, Lily put those thoughts out of her head and focused on getting ready for the Ministry Ball instead. Nivea's voice filled her ears, and Lily swayed softly across the room. Nivea is perfect…
In her own room, which was right next to Lily's Jaguar was bouncing around the room to the beat of Madonna's music. It was a slow song, very inappropriate for bouncing, but Jaguar was excited. Unlike all of the other children she knew, Jaguar loved Ministry Balls. They were a chance for her to socialize with other children, and also a chance for her to see how magical life was for the adults. She would sit amongst them, absorbing their compliments, but not taking any of them personally. They said the same things to most people. She learned, through Ministry gatherings, and through her astute observations in everyday life, how adults behaved.
Jaguar's room was a bit smaller than Lily's but no less luxurious. She even had her own private bathroom with a very large bathtub and any type of bubbles she wanted. She bounced off in that direction to get cleaned up before getting dressed in her new grey dress.
The fabric of her dress was so soft it felt like a second skin. It flowed smoothly around her, and when she twirled, the fabric lifted and spun in a graceful circle. She had matching shoes to go with it. And she was going to wear makeup! She was very excited about that. Nivea had said that when she got home, she would do Lily's and Jaguar's hair and faces for them. They had all gone to the spa yesterday to get ready for the Ball. Jaguar's finger and toe nails matched her dress and shoes.
Lily's gown was the same shade of green that her eyes were. It reached the floor, but had short sleeves. It was tight, but not tight enough to make her look fat. It had a black scarf around the waist, so Lily's shoes were black to match that.
An hour or so later, Jaguar emerged from her room fully dressed just as Nivea was coming down the hall.
"Oh my!" Nivea said, leaning back to look at her niece. "You look so old!"
Jaguar twirled around several times giggling. "Come on, Niv!" she yelled, dashing forward to grab Nivea's hand. "You have to do our hair and makeup!"
Sirius Black glared at Ari as she threw her arm over his shoulder. Danika stood in front of them, smiling mischievously in her little blue dress. She hated Ministry Balls as much as Sirius did, but was so good-natured that she realized it would end soon, and she could combat her boredom the next day. The three of them were posing for pictures, as their mother stood before them with a camera.
Ari was squawking something in his ear, but Sirius was trying very hard not to listen. "And oh my Goddess. I never like expected that at all. I was like so angry. But then I realized that the only reason he would like hang my underpants from the ceiling was because he likes me, so then I was happy again…"
Sirius wondered why his sister expected him to care what some boy was doing to her underpants.
Ari continued babbling. "How do I look, mother? Because I wasn't sure about this necklace. This gown is Christian-cut, and the necklace is a symbol of the Goddess. I guess it doesn't matter. Everyone thinks I look pretty no matter what I wear. So I guess maybe I am. Are we almost done? 'Cause I can't wait for the Ministry Ball to start! Oh, it's going to be amazing. I'm old enough to really appreciate it now!"
"That's great, Ari," Susan Black said. "But please close your mouth long enough for me to take a picture."
Ari made a face at her, and then shut up.
The siblings looked at the camera smiling, as it immortalized them on film.
Ding-dong. The four people in the room turned
"I'll get it," Ari said. "It might be Annabelle or Aaliyah. I told them to bring…" Ari's voice faded as she disappeared around the corner, and Sirius could only assume that she was still talking.
Susan shook her head, smiling.
"Wow," breathed Danika. "She's got a set of lungs on her!"
Sirius tried to keep a straight face, but ended up laughing at his little sister. Impulsively he bent down and hugged her. "Aw," said Susan, snapping several pictures.
"Oh," said Ari, as she opened the door. "It's you." She stood in the doorway for several moments looking Jaguar, Lily, and Nivea up and down. "You're early."
"Yes," said Nivea. "Now let us in."
Ari opened the door slightly wider and stepped back. "Come in."
The girl was dressed in a flowing yellow gown, and a gold tiara with yellow jewels set into it. She looked like a princess, despite the slight sneer on her face. She didn't like Lily; that much was obvious.
Jaguar and Lily found Sirius, and posed for several pictures with him, before escaping up to his bedroom. There, they sat on his bed, trying hard not to rumple their clothes.
"Is Remus coming?" Jaguar asked.
"I dunno. Prolly," said Sirius.
Remus' father worked for the Ministry, but his parents never made him come to the Ball. He always did anyhow, because it was a chance for him to be around his friends.
Jaguar nodded. "You know…" she said thoughtfully, biting on her thumbnail, careful not to chip the polish. "We have all that joke stuff, but no one to use it on…" She looked up at Sirius, and the gleam in her eyes matched the gleam in his. She leapt up, and began pacing the room.
"What do we have? Like, what can we use? And who can we use it on?"
Lily twisted her mouth to one side, thinking. "Will there be anyone you hate there?"
In unison, Jaguar and Sirius answered, "Yes."
Lily grinned. "Good. Okay then… This is my idea…"
The three of them leaned close together, plotting.
The Ballroom was a new addition to Sirius' house. Maybe not new, since it appeared for every Ministry Ball… But for the rest of the year, it was not there. Tables filled one side of the room. They were draped with white cloth that looked very expensive.
Nivea entered the ballroom with her sister Monica at the beginning of the Ball. Their names were announced, and they descended a long staircase, and took their places at the table with the people who had jobs of similar importance. There was a spattering of applause, but as there were not many people there yet, so it was not overpowering.
Jaguar and Katrine walked behind them, staring around at the beautiful room. Their names were not announced, since they were so young.
A man in tuxedo robes moved forward to escort Katrine and Jaguar to the children's room. Jag shook her head and sat between her mother and her aunt.
Turning her head between the two women, as they talked to the people around them, she could see the contrast between the sisters. Monica was more serious than Nivea was. Her dress, while extravagant, was not risqué in the least. Nivea, on the other hand, was not wearing much of a dress at all. It was low-cut in the front, and had no back. The neckline plunged nearly to her waist between her breasts, and the dress was so short that she could hardly decently sit down. As much as Jaguar admired Nivea, she did not admire the way her aunt dressed. Monica was more conservative than her younger sister, and it showed in the way she carried herself. While Nivea sat comfortably in her seat, moving her arms expressively, and laughing with her mouth wide open, leaning back and forth as was appropriate, Monica didn't laugh much, although she did smile with her mouth shut, and she hardly moved at all. It wasn't shyness, since she was always in the public eye, and had plenty of friends. But her and Nivea were really nothing at all alike. Monica had no wild side, and Nivea had no quiet side. They complimented each other.
Jaguar watched the French Minister of Magic and his family enter the room. His daughter did not seem to find anything beautiful about this room. Instead of staring around in wonder, she rubbed her nose as though she were sick, and followed the man in the tuxedo out of the room.
"Shit!" Jaguar swore.
Monica's head swiveled around like lightening. "Pardon?" she gasped.
Nivea looked over, laughing. She reached up to touch her sunglasses before realizing she wasn't wearing any. "Oh Christ, Mon. She just said shit. Pas de problem." Dejectedly, Nivea looked through her handbag for glasses, and looked defeated when she couldn't find any.
"Watch your mouth," Monica said, ignoring her younger sister. "And why don't you go play with the other children?"
"Because!" said Jaguar sternly.
"Why?"
"Paris is here. I just saw her with Jezebel."
Now Nivea's head snapped back to stare at her. "No. No. Are you positive you saw them?" She groaned. "Oghghhghgstdf," she said, making an impossible sound that had everyone around their table looking at her to make sure she wasn't choking. "But Jezebel doesn't work for the Ministry!"
"Eh," said Monica. "Her new husband does, I think."
"She's married? Wow," said Nivea. "It really never fails to astonish me."
"I know," her sister responded, leaning forward conspiratorially. "Really. What do men see in her?"
"Je ne sais pas," Nivea said.
"She must be easy," said Jaguar.
"Must be? Oh no… She definitely is easy," said Nivea. "I can scarcely believe she has only one child!"
Monica choked into her napkin.
Nivea looked at her sharply. "Hm?"
"I'm sorry," Monica Brazil replied, shaking her head. "You calling someone else easy was just too funny."
Nivea tried to look angry. Finally she gave up and giggled. "Ah. Touché." She seemed suddenly to realize that Jaguar was sitting there listening. "Run along, Jaggie."
Jaguar frowned and left the table. Around the corner of the ballroom, she ran into her friend Sirius.
"Siri!" she cried out joyously, before realizing that he looked very pissed off. "What is it, Siri?" she queried.
He glared at her. "Don't call me that!"
Jaguar looked after him as he stomped away. She was clearly upset, as Remus Lupin saw, as he walked out of the room Sirius had just emerged from.
"Don't pay him any mind," the sandy-haired boy said kindly. "He's not mad at you."
"He's a jerk!" said Jaguar. She and Sirius never fought or argued. She was on the verge of tears by now, clenching her fists. How dare he talk to her that way? She had always called him Siri, and she never said anything rude when he called her Jaggie, which was obviously a more hideous nickname. Jaguar was torn between running home and following Remus. When he said her name, Jaguar shrugged and followed him. Nothing would be gained by running home and crying, and she knew it. It would just ruin her hair, and make things difficult for Nivea when the Ball was over. Jaguar remembered that she wasn't even living at Brazil Manor for the summer. For some reason, that put her in an awful mood.
The children's room was full of kids of all ages, up until age 14 or 15, when most children got out of going to the Ball, snuck outside to the bushes, or mingled with the adults. Jaguar, staring around the room with narrowed eyes, noticed a couple of Ari's friends, although Ari herself was nowhere to be seen. If Jaguar knew her at all, she would bet that Ari was off snogging some guy in her bedroom upstairs, or out pretending that she was an adult and knew more than everyone.
Katrine and Danika were sitting next to each other at a table near the door, giggling as an older boy leaned against the table talking to him. Jaguar ignored Katrine's waves and followed Remus through the room. There were many children here who knew Jaguar, and a few that would be classmates at Hogwarts next year. She was not in the mood to be around them. Silently, Jag prayed that she wouldn't see Paris anywhere. Because if she did, she might not be able to hold her tongue. She was surprised that Sirius saying one mean thing could affect her so much.
Eventually Remus led her to James, who was sitting with his cousin Jasmine on the other side of the room. They had already nearly finished their meals as Jaguar and Remus took seats.
"Did you find Sirius?" Jasmine asked, laying her fork down on her plate before she spoke. "He seemed very upset when he left."
"He was," said Remus. "I didn't catch up to him, but look who I got instead!"
"Yay!" said Jasmine, smiling brightly. "It's Jaguar! Greet to see you again, Jag."
"Yeh," said Jaguar. She smiled slightly, realizing even as she did it that it looked more like a cringe.
Jasmine flipped her blonde hair back, and narrowed her sky blue eyes. "What's wrong?" she asked.
"Nothing," said Jaguar, sighing. "It's just… Sirius… He was really mad at me…"
James laughed, then shut up when he realized that Jaguar wasn't joking and Remus glared at him.
"No he's not, Jaguar," said Remus, looking at her. "He's mad at—Maybe he should tell you—I wish we could find him…"
Jasmine frowned, and all the light left her face. She was still lovely, but she looked very tragic. "I made him angry, Jaguar. Gosh, I'm sorry if you thought he was mad at you."
Jaguar tried to smile. "It's okay. But no matter who he's mad at, I don't know how he comes off snapping at me like that."
Jasmine and James exchanged glances. "Yeah…" said James slowly. "Come on. Let's go find our friend."
"I'd rather not," said Jaguar. "I want to stay here. I don't really want to see Sirius right now."
James and Remus looked at her sadly. "You know he didn't mean it," said Remus. "You know that."
Jaguar just looked down at her hands.
The boys stood up.
"Uh, you know," said Jas. "Maybe I ought to stay here too… Moral support for Jag." It was clear that she didn't want to see Sirius. James and Remus left the room to search for Sirius.
Jaguar had no appetite, but she ordered food anyhow, which she picked at while Jasmine talked about her father's plan to run for Minister of Magic in the next election. He was the Assistant Minister, but he had a lot of public support, apparently. Jaguar listened, not paying much attention, because she had never been interested in politics, although she was around politicians a lot of the time. Perhaps that's was why she was so disinterested. And of course, she was only ten years old, although she was very precocious at times.
"And you?" Jasmine finished, looking at Jaguar curiously.
Jaguar had to think for a moment in order to remember the question she had been asked. I haven't had training yet, but I will. I'll find a cure to every incurable disease, both muggle and magical. I want nothing so much as I want to be a doctor. And you?
"Oh," said Jaguar. "I don't know… Maybe I'll be a movie star."
Jasmine looked skeptical. "Well," she said after a moment. "If that's what you're passionate about, then why not? I'm sure you have connections through Nivea."
Jaguar had forgotten why she never called Jasmine or wanted to hang out with her. She was never good at being a friend to other girls. With that thought, Jaguar wondered where Lily was, but that thought soon slipped out of her head. "I'm not passionate about that. I don't know yet, honestly. I love to sing more than anything. Even more than flying. But I do love flying. I think I want to be a Quidditch player, and sing in my free time."
"You know," said Jasmine, "you could do acrobatics on your broom as well. I've always thought that looked like a lot of fun."
Jaguar had never thought about that. She was good at doing broom tricks. But she did love Quidditch. She went to as many games as she could, and knew all the scores. She was not as obsessed as Sirius and James were though. Those two boys—
Upon the thought of Sirius, Jaguar's mood sunk again. Now she felt bad for not looking for him. And if she didn't see him again tonight, she wouldn't see him for another month, until September 1st.
"Have you met my cousin Lily?" asked Jaguar.
"The one with the black hair? Her name is Lily? Huh. It doesn't really fit her…"
"No," said Jaguar darkly. "Not her."
"Oh. Then I guess not. Not yet anyhow. Will she be at Hogwarts?"
Jag nodded. Jasmine was certain to be sorted into Hufflepuff, so at least she wouldn't have to listen to her long rants about medicine everyday. If Jaguar remembered correctly, Jasmine's older siblings were all in Hufflepuff.
The two girls talked for awhile longer before going out to the adult Ball for a few minutes. They chatted with Jasmine's older brothers Brian and Thomas. Brian was very nice, and really cute, in Jaguar's opinion.
"No, Anna," said Ari, pushing her hair out of her eyes. "I will not ask him to dance!"
Annabelle grinned. "Of course you won't. I guess I'll have to ask for you then."
"No!" Ari screeched, catching the attention of the people nearby. "Anna, don't!" She reached out to grab her friend's sleeve, but the brunette was already dashing across the dance floor. Ari swore crudely, and pounded her fist on the table.
The girl she was sitting with giggled. "Aw," she said. "You love Adonis!"
"Shut up." Ari picked up her butterbeer bottle and took a gulp out of it. "God. I hate Anna!"
Soon enough, Annabelle had returned, looking really upset.
"What?" Ari demanded. "What did he say?"
Annabelle shook her head. "Ari, I am so sorry."
"You're joking," said Ari, nearly having a heart attack. "Annabelle Selene Potter, you are a dead woman."
Annabelle grinned. "God, Ari. Chill. He said he'd ask you if he felt like it."
"I don't know what you see in that guy," said the girl next to Ari. She was a year younger than the two girls she was with. They only put up with her because everyone wanted to be friends with Ari. She drew people to her like moths to a light, and she could never figure out how to shake them off.
"Good." Ari stared at her. "You wouldn't have a chance with him anyhow."
The younger girl laughed, but Annabelle was silent, recognizing that Ari wasn't joking.
After the two older girls glared at her for a couple minutes in silence, she stood up and backed away. "I-uh-gotta go…" She turned and raced toward the door.
"Poor girl," said Annabelle.
"Poor? She's probably as rich as you are! She doesn't need to hang around me like a sick puppy. What a lesbian. Ooh!" Ari leaned closer to her best friend. "New rumour. Teresa is a lesbian. She eats muff and won't even hold hands with a guy."
"Good one," said Annabelle. Then, "Oh my God. Don't look now!" Of course, Ari did. Adonis, her crush, was walking over to their table. Ari stifled a squeal.
"Oh crap! Is my hair okay? Do I have food on my face?"
"You look perfect as always," Annabelle whispered. "I'm going to get another drink," she announced, although her butterbeer was still full. Some of her friends were standing across the room, and she waved at them as she skirted around the edge of the dance floor.
"Hello Arizona," said Adonis, looking absolutely gorgeous as always.
"That's not my name!" she snapped, checking to make sure no one had heard. "My name is Ari. Period."
He laughed and looked down at her dress. "I hope you're not leaking."
Ari gaped at him for a moment, and then blushed. Adonis was the only person who had ever made her blush. "Why do you always tease me?" She demanded to know, glaring up at him.
"Because you think you're better than everyone else!" he said.
She opened her mouth to refute the statement. She shut it again. "I don't have to defend myself," she replied finally.
"Aha. Would you like to dance?"
"Yes," said Ari.
Adonis was a wonderful dancer, and Ari's years of ballet seemed to have paid off, as they glided around the floor, even while bickering.
"Just because I wear crowns does not mean that I think I am a princess."
"Ah yes… Did you go by the name Empress Ari last year?"
"That was a joke!" Ari yelled in his face. "Can't you just shut up and enjoy the dance?"
"Not while I'm dancing with you. You're the most annoying person I have ever met."
Ari stopped moving in the middle of the dance floor. It felt as though a weight had apparated into the center of her chest. Her eyes stung. Oh no…I can't cry here! "Then why did you ask me to dance?"
"Your friend asked me to, and I have no problem with Annabelle. Plus, she promised to get her father's autograph for me."
Ari was nearly speechless. She was coming horribly close to having a hissy fit. "Oh." She said after a long silence.
"God, Ari," said Adonis. "I wouldn't have asked you to dance if I didn't want to dance with you, okay? Oh jeez… You're not crying, are you?"
With a start, Ari realized that her eyes were watering. She tried to say that there was smoke in the air, but a sob came out of her mouth instead. She wanted to spit on him, but she was not that vile. Instead she kneed him hard in the crotch and ran out of the room, as he fell to the floor behind her.
Across the room, Ari's friends, who had been watching, so excited to see that something was coming out of Ari's obsessive crush on Adonis, now looked on in astonished disappointment.
"Maybe we ought to help him..?" one of them suggested after a moment.
"Yeah…" another one said. "But what about Ari?"
"She won't want to be bothered. She's crying," said Annabelle, who now felt guilty.
The first girl who had spoken was already running across the dance floor to the boy. Ari paused in the doorway, her back to the room, and rubbed her eyes. "Adonis," she said, her voice strong enough to be heard from every part of the room. The adults even looked at her. "I can't believe I wasted even a moment of my time on you. I'm so glad I see you for who you finally are. You are slime. You have been demoted in my mind to the lowest order of human being. No. You are, in fact, a slug." With that, she whirled and walked away.
Well, she thought, now I've really blown it. Sometimes her mouth ran too much… It was a problem she needed to work on. Soon.
There were footsteps behind her, and Ari slowed, almost afraid to look back. She knew it couldn't be Adonis, but she couldn't help hoping. Finally she looked back. Nivea was standing in the doorway looking at her. Neither said anything, and finally Ari turned and walked away.
"You know," said Nivea, "if you ever need help with anything, I can help you."
Ari continued walking.
Jaguar realized suddenly that she hadn't seen Lily since the beginning of the party. She had come in early with Sirius, long before Jaguar had entered with Katrine, her aunt, and her mother. And Sirius had gone hours ago, presumably to bed, and neither Remus nor James had returned to the party.
If she didn't run into her cousin soon, she would have to figure out how to execute the prank on Jezebel all by herself. Of course, she could do it. But pranks were always more fun when your friends were involved.
Since Jaguar didn't trust Jasmine, she would have to lose her first.
It was easy. Jaguar simply got up and walked away, leaving Jasmine talking to a doctor who worked for the Ministry of Magic. His wand was emitting sparks randomly, which did not seem very professional to Jag, but then, what did she know about medicine?
"Jaguar!" someone called. It was Katrine. Jaguar grinned.
"Katrine!" she exclaimed. "How very glad I am to have run into you!" She embraced her sister.
Katrine looked at her suspiciously.
"Shoo," said Jaguar to Danika, who was standing behind Katrine.
Danika sneered and then stuck her tongue out at the older girl.
"Don't be mean," said Katrine, when her friend had walked away. "What do you want?"
"What do I—" Jaguar snorted. "So now I have to have an excuse to talk to my darling little sister?"
Katrine simply stared at her with her dark grey eyes.
"Have you seen Lily?" asked Jaguar.
Katrine nodded, distracted by a cart of sweets being wheeled past. "Yeh."
"Where? When?"
"Just a few minutes ago," said Katrine. "Someone was calling my name, and I looked 'round. It was both Paris and Lily. That's why Danika and me came out here."
Jaguar gasped, suddenly furious. "Paris," she sneered. "I should have known."
Katrine giggled. "She really isn't that bad."
"Paris is mentally ill."
"Well, there is that," said Katrine smiling. "Can I go now?"
Jaguar had planned to ask her sister to help her with her prank. Now, however, she was so disheartened that she couldn't even imagine pulling a prank. She trudged out of Pleasantville and over to Brazil Manor, where she crept through the darkened mansion until she reached her bedroom. There, she laid down, feeling depressed for the first time in her life.
It was a new feeling, and very frightening. Jaguar Brazil had never felt so defeated in her life.
In her room, Ari felt the same way. But she wasn't going to give up. She would win Adonis. She had to. No, you don't understand. She had to. She had removed her golden dress, and her tiara, and was lying down, staring up at the relaxing patterns that swirled across the ceiling.
Well, she thought, that was the worst Ball ever. But it wasn't the end of her life. She'd just have to learn from this experience.
The Ball was officially over at 1am, although people hung around for hours after the official ending. By the time Nivea was free to leave, it was well after 3am, and she was in no condition at all to drive.
Nivea stumbled into Katrine, who was heading up to Danika's room, where she would be spending the night.
"Oh, hello Katrine!" Nivea giggled, slurring her words slightly. "Where is Jaggie?"
Katrine looked at her, disgusted, and shrugged.
She tried to go around her aunt, but Nivea grabbed her shoulders. "What about Lily? They're off conspiratoring, aren't they?" She laughed raucously as though this were some huge joke. Katrine just looked extremely uncomfortable.
"I'm here," said Lily, yawning from behind Nivea. She waved goodbye to the girl that she had spent all night talking with. "Goodnight, Paris. See you on September 1st!"
Katrine pried herself away from Nivea. "Okay. Well see you both… Some other time." She retired.
"Are you drunk?" Lily asked, yawning again.
"Yes," said Nivea very seriously, before nearly collapsing into laughter.
"Oh. Then can you drive?"
"No," said Nivea looking sad. "I mean, I can, of course… That's like riding a broom. Bike. Ah, whatever. I just think I probably shouldn't."
"Where is Jaguar?" asked Lily.
"I don't know..." Nivea seemed tired. "I'm going to sleep at Brazil Manor… You can go ask if you can sleep with Sirius and the boys. Jag is probably with them. Or with Katrine and Danika… Or you can come with me."
"I'll stay here," said Lily. "Do you need help over to Jaguar's house?"
"Nope." Suddenly Nivea was no longer there.
The cleaning staff laughed at the astonished look on Lily's face.