A/N: Hey I'm back and I recognize it's been awhile since I last posted. I had a serious case of the writer's block but now I'm back on track. And PS: I still don't own anybody except the characters in my own imagination. And Dayaneria the spawn of Satan belongs to my friend Meghan (You better start posting your story soon!) Anyway, on with the next chapter…
Chapter 9: A Return to Ancient Times?
"I must say that I am very pleased with our progress so far." Alexander said, as he and Ada sat in front of the lake. Two weeks had passed since the training began and it was obvious that Alexander couldn't be prouder of his younger sister. The last two weeks had been full of sacrifices and long nights where they practiced everything from dueling to the protection of their minds against anything that might happen at the DeLeon Estate. They had to learn how to be as cunning as their enemy in every way.
Ada smiled at Alexander's words of approval. It was a beautiful day at Hogwarts, as the wind blew in her hair, and she watched the other students enjoying their time outside. They were dead serious about their task, as there would be no room for failure. Everything would be at stake, even their lives. If Christian DeLeon showed no compassion for his sister, imagine her children?
"I'm glad you approve. So when does the old hag arrive for our etiquette lessons…what a laugh!" Today would be her first etiquette lesson of the day with Dayaneria after two weeks of learning from her older brother.
"If you mean Daya, she'll be arriving soon. She's at a prefect meeting. You know, I wish you two would stop your bickering."
"Never. I'm still waiting for the day you break up with her; I'll be laughing in her face from now until graduation." Ada smiled. Having Alexander break her heart would be the ultimate revenge against Dayaneria S'rendi. "You're still breaking up with her, aren't you?"
"As soon as everything's over." Alexander sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. So until then, please try to be patient because we still need her help. And I know you're rolling your eyes at me at the moment but it's true. Having good etiquette will equal getting into our dear uncle's good graces." He added. Ada knew that if this pact meant a lot to her, it meant even more to her brother…because no one had been more tormented with the murders than Alexander.
"Speaking of him Alex. If we are going to do this, you need to tell me how you came across the information. Who gave you that name? Who told you it was Christian DeLeon?"
"Believe me it's unimportant. All I can tell you is that it was a reliable source. Please don't ask me again."
"Fine. I just wish you would confide in me."
"I do confide in you. I'm just trying to protect you. Even though I know you hate being protected." He added, glancing at his sister, who had pouted at the mention of her having to be protected.
"Well Alright. Since you won't tell me that then there's something else we need to do before the Bandon Banshee gets here." She couldn't resist saying one last thing about Alexander's girlfriend. After Alexander chose to ignore her last comment Ada continued, standing up.
"I want to make sure that we're not forgetting anything that might help us find the other people involved. I've been debating whether I wanted to remember what happened that night but there might be something there that we might've overlooked."
"I'm surprised at you Ada. I didn't realize you were giving everything so much thought." She could see why Alexander would think that. There were a lot of things happening to her besides the pact that were competing for her attention. "But I think you're right, no matter how much we don't want to."
"Alright I'll begin. We're facing three people and by what we know, they were all men. One of them was our uncle Christian. We don't know why exactly but they all had a reason to kill them." Ada said softly. She knew it wouldn't have been easy to recall what happened that night but talking about it made it seem so fresh and new…as if the wounds they carried with them had never quite healed at all, they were just hiding.
"A big advantage we have is the name we heard. It'll be the first step in finding the person responsible for wanting our father dead." Alexander continued…
"But as far as I'm concerned, the biggest mistake they ever made was that they underestimated us. They won't expect us to come after them. What about the last man? Did you pick up anything interesting on him?"
"No. But there was something about him." She replied, looking towards the distance, willing herself to remember something, anything about the last person involved. "But I'll know him as soon as I see him." Alexander put an arm around is sister as she continued to think. They were soon interrupted by the sight of Dayaneria running towards them.
"Before we get started I want to get a couple of things straight between you and I. If you think I'm going to go easy on you because you're Alexander's baby sister than you've got it all wrong. The most respectable families in our society are bound by the rules of etiquette; it's what makes us different from the rest of the scum and lower classes around us."
Only five minutes had passed since Dayaneria began her speech and Ada was already losing focus. It was as boring as any lecture by Professor Binns. Rolling her eyes at every opportunity she got, she still couldn't comprehend the importance of etiquette. Like saying please and thank you were going to help her! It was all useless junk.
"Stop rolling your eyes at me."
"You can't tell me what to do." Ada replied happily. Dayaneria quickly turned towards her boyfriend for help. "SEE. I TOLD YOU THIS WOULD HAPPEN! SHE HAS NO DISCIPLINE AT ALL!"
"Ada please, do it for me." Alexander said, clearly amused with his sister's ability to make Dayaneria angry. As soon as Daya turned around, he smiled at his sister.
"It is always harder for us woman as the rules apply more seriously. Usually, a man's behavior is likely to be forgiven. But for a woman, anything we might do wrong can be interpreted in many different ways. It's as if we're under constant evaluation. Besides, eligible men look for a proper girl. If you act incorrectly, you may end up a spinster."
"I'll never marry." What the hell was S'rendi talking about? It seemed surreal. Like Ada was being thrown back into some ancient time.
"What do you mean you'll never marry?"
"As in I'm not interested in marrying anyone. Marriage involves too many problems." Ada replied in a sincere tone. Despite wanting to date Rowan Alden she could never see herself marrying him, or anyone else for that matter. Look at what happened to her mother and father.
"Not in our world you can't." Dayaneria replied. "We're lucky now a days. As women, we actually get to pick our husbands. Before, pureblood marriages were arranged. I am telling you this sincerely, from a woman to another woman. If you don't get your act together and make yourself eligible for the man you want, you're uncle will pick one for you."
"I'd like to see him try." Ada muttered under her breath.
"Carrying on. Your uncle is going to test you and depending on that test, he'll decide whether the both of you are worthy enough to be his heirs or not. Rumor has it, he's not happy with your mother and he doesn't quite know what to expect from her offspring. If you act rebelliously, he'll send you back to the orphanage for sure. And you don't want that do you? Everything from the way you interact and communicate with others. Even the way you walk will have to change. Oh… and make sure you don't pick any fights with others. Although I reckon I'd like to see you try to hit me again."
Ada was just about ready to pull her hair out! If it wasn't bad enough to have to listen to her, now S'rendi was mocking her.
"I still have two months before I go home, if you're that excited I'm sure we can have a second round." Ada retorted. Holding tightly to her wand, she was sure to be ready to use it.
"Are we doing this again?" Alexander interrupted both girls, who had been oblivious to his presence until now. "Honestly, I'm sick and tired of this!"
"Fine." Both girls muttered before turning away from each other.
"What kind of things are we expected to do Daya?' Alex continued. He had been sitting on the grass while listening to the speech. Dayaneria sat next to him, smiling. While Ada had to stifle her desire to throw up her breakfast.
"Well, the biggest challenge you'll have is over dinner and with visitors. Every year, one of the prominent families hosts a Christmas dinner. It so happens, that this year it's at the DeLeon Estate. Meaning that both you and your sister will have to be on your best behavior. Although after last years dinner, you want have much competition."
"What happened last Christmas?" Ada interrupted, highly interested for some unknown reason. Which Dayaneria didn't fail to notice. Sneering she replied.
"The Black's hosted last years dinner. Needless to say that your friend Sirius Black ruined everything." She continued; enjoying Ada's surprised expression. "I don't even know if they're invited this year after the fiasco that occurred."
After a few minutes, Ada's look of surprise turned into understanding. Knowing Sirius she would expect something like that to happen. Although she did wonder what kind of punishment he might've received in return.
"You know Bella told me later on that she'd never seen her aunt and uncle so angry. It must've been some punishment he received."
"Listen. Are we here to talk about The Blacks or etiquette? Because I do have better things to do than listen to you all day." Ada was furious! The funny part was; she couldn't quite understand why she was getting all worked up in the first place.
"Lesson number one. Never lose you temper or attract attention with excited conversation. And if you can, make sure you avoid swearing or talking uproariously." Dayaneria said, as she leaned her head on Alex's shoulder. "I reckon we might have to work on this one most of all."
"I'll prove you wrong."
"Well I hope you do Ada. For your brother's sake I mean. I really can't say I care too much for what you do or don't do."
"Daya. That's enough. This is my sister we're talking about so I would appreciate it if you would show her a bit more respect." Alexander replied, looking angry at his girlfriend. Ada couldn't help but smile knowing that he'd break up with her soon.
"Let's leave the lesson for tomorrow shall we? We're tired and I'm sure Ada wants to go see her friends." Alexander added, "We still have plenty of time until Christmas." Ada couldn't agree more.
Next Chapter: As the weeks continue…a new relationship develops while another changes…please review.