Thank you for everyone who is reading this and reviewing. To those who have no idea what was happening in the last chapter, Sam Greene is originally a nobody, who kind of became a hero for surviving a bullying by the Slytherins. He had some hero worship for Seraphina for saving him in first year, but it got a bit...twisted. He let his hero status go completely into his head, and had been an unofficial leader of the muggleborns. But with that power, he thought himself king, he did not really enslave anyone, Seraphina was taking advantage of the situation to get revenge without getting her hands dirty.
To TheCrimsonShout, SHE IS THIRTEEN! Anyone who gets randomly dragged off by a guy, especially during the Victorian Era that age would be in shock! SHE DOES NOT KNOW MARTIAL ARTS YET! She can't just throw him off physically! Sure, she could've used magic, but SHE WAS IN SHOCK! She has never been in a situation like that before.
To everyone else, thank you so much for reading and reviewing, this is my first story from an idea stuck in my head. I hope you enjoy it, and I apologise for ranting.
Chapter 15 Christmas
Seraphina POV
"You are going to love the Yule Ball." Athena said, while bidding me goodbye on the platform.
"I can't wait to see it." I replied.
For the first time, I got off the train from Hogwarts with enthusiasm. I usually spend Christmas in Hogwarts, but I need to get my emancipation from the orphanage as soon as I can, before they throw out anything I might have left behind, not to mention get new robes and find out what happened to my mother. I stuck out my wand at a back alley of Kings Cross, and a violently purple bus appeared.
"Swanley Park please."
The driver looked me up and down.
"Ten knuts."
I paid the fare and was led to a bed. Where I promptly fell asleep.
I woke to being violently thrown off the bus, my trunk almost crushing my stomach before bouncing to the ground. I groaned, I am definitely learning how to apparate as soon as I can.
I got up, brushing the dirt off myself. Casting a wandless scoungify and reparo, I fixed my dress. I am so glad they haven't figured out how to trace wandless spells yet. It would simply not do for me to bargain for my freedom while dressed like a beggar. Brushing my hand through my hair, I walked towards the sad orphanage.
"Hello Sister Ida." I greeted.
She grunted, then did a double take, "Y-you! Why are you here?" She spat.
"Why, I am here to get my identification papers, before I am leaving you for good." I replied in a level voice, used to her hostility. Pretending to run my fingers through my hair, I discreetly casted a Confundus and temporary Compulsion on her.
Suddenly, she became the easiest person to work with in the world, her smile brighter than the stars. It was so out of place, that I can't help but take a step back. If you want to know what it looks like, imagine an old crone who eats children smiling like a five year old.
Disturbing, I know.
Within half an hour, the procedures were done. I placed the papers into my trunk before heading towards the music room.
"Wait! Where do you think you're going?" Sister Ida snapped as the compulsion wore off.
"I am getting what is rightfully mine." I replied, ignoring her fuming form.
"Oh no you don't! That violin is the orphanage's and I'll be damned to let you steal it!" She snarled.
Okay, one thing you need to know about me, is that I am usually not a violent person, preferring to use my newfound charisma to the maximum. But another thing you need to know is that I do not suffer fools gladly. So as soon as Sister Ida tried to grab me by my hair from behind, I reacted.
I grabbed her hand, twisting it into a painful position before flinging it away from me. Her face morphed into one of pure terror as I grabbed her veil, ignoring her surprised and pained yelp to stare into her blue, beady eyes, letting my wand drop into my hand.
"Obliviate."
I guided the spell with my wand to erase any traces of my presence today in the music room, and implanting a fuzzy fake memory to show that I left directly after she signed my forms, and her presence in the music room was a result of her trying to find her hidden bottle of whiskey, accidentally knocking over my violin and stepping on it in the process. Finally, I quickly cast a overpowered wandless anger compulsion on her to snap at any mentions of my violin. I am glad that the loophole of the Statue of Secrecy made the Obliviate spell the only one that will not trigger the trace, because legal trouble is the last thing I need.
Her reaction should be enough to make the others think that the violin broke, and if it doesn't, her badly made false memory should provide enough evidence, which is good enough for me.
Quickly reaching into the false back wall of the cabinet of the music room, I grabbed my violin in its case. A rough transfiguration of the false back wall panel and a dozen cutting curses later, the floor in front of the instrument stand now has a new addition; a horribly crushed violin. Ignoring the slightly dazed form of Sister Ida in the hallway, I quickly placed my violin inside my expanded trunk, before leaving the god forsaken place forever.
It is quite ironic that the one place where I have never once felt god is a nunnery.
I floo'ed to the Black Manor in a simple but stunning sky blue dress. My hair was done in a half up half down manner. In the hidden pocket, I carried my wand and a large box of wrapped assorted sweets, my gift for the hosts. I would love to show up in darker colours, but Victorian wizarding convention makes those colours suitable only to adult witches, who are at least fifteen, then it will be an expectation. But I digress, I looked around the hall I found myself in in awe.
It was like walking into a winter wonderland.
The hall was decorated with forever lasting icicles, live fairies fluttered here and there, giving off faint glows. Fake snow that vanished upon contact fell from the ceilings, while tinstles decorated every window. Guests milled around, plates of finger foods and drinks floated around slowly and randomly, no doubt controlled by house elves. To the side, a wizarding orchestra played, using magic to amplify their music and weaving energy into their notes. I have never seen anything quite like it. They were actually channelling magic into their instrument to make people less likely to get tired during the party. Even though it was stated to be conventional for higher class parties in the more obscure wizarding etiquette books, it is still very impressive to see in person. Maybe I can try to weave a spell with my violin in the future…
"So good to see you, Seraphina." Arcturus greeted, taking my hand and brushing his lips against my knuckles.
He was wearing a green and silvery grey ensemble, which matches his eyes, looking very much like an elf from Lord of the Rings. I curtseyed.
"Thank you for inviting me to the honourable house of Black." I replied, as expected of any pureblood guest, or basically anyone with etiquette.
"So, you are the talented Seraphina Astrum." A soft low voice drawled. I looked up, walking towards me down the steps in a black and emerald ensemble looking not unlike a vampire with his black hair, long cape and shimmery grey eyes, was Phineas Nigellus Black, aka Headmaster of Hogwarts and Lord Black.
I curtseyed once more as he approached.
"I am honoured. Thank you for inviting me to your noble home, Lord Black."
Lord Black eyed me with a critical gaze. Oh, right, legilimency. I instantly channelled my magic into my shields, strengthening them to a point where I hope no one can breach. It is rude to look away during a greeting in the wizarding world, just like it was rude to not shake a person's hand in the twenty-first century. It is, afterall, within Lord Black's rights to use legilimency to skim surface thoughts of guests within his home.
I felt the tell-tale brush of his mind probe, gently guiding it away. Outright slapping is rude, but this way, I basically politely told him to mind his own business. He raised a single eyebrow at my gesture. I smiled politely in return. His eyes sparked with slight amusement and respect. Huh, I guess not that many people practice Legilimency or Occlumency these days.
"We will be watching your progress with interest." He said cryptically, before turning and leaving Arcturus and I.
"I am so glad you're here!" Athena squealed happily.
I raised an eyebrow, "I told you I would be."
Athena looked away, slightly embarrassed, "Yeah, well, I wasn't sure because the Blacks usually only let purebloods into these balls and all…"
I raised an eyebrow. That explains things a bit. I spent the past hour walking around, networking, yet most people looked at me with more interest than I expected. If I am really the only halfblood here, that means the Blacks are making a statement. Not only are they recognising that I am powerful, they are calling dibs on backing me when I succeed in the future. Wow. That's a huge show of trust, especially of the sexist Lord Black to place it on a girl.
…Maybe I went a little overboard with the show of power.
Slowly, the music began changing, becoming louder and more climatic. Everyone moved away from the centre of the ball room, leaving a huge space. Slowly and elegantly, the entire Black family descended from the stairs. I am pretty sure they are the origin of muggle astrocratic vampire stories.
Gracefully, Lord Black bowed to Lady Black. He grabbed her waist as she placed her hand on his shoulder. The music changed to the beginnings of a Waltz, then the Blacks opened the dance. Lord and lady Black gracefully twirled around the hall, her dark green dress sweeping behind her as she spun. Twirling gracefully in Lord Black's arms. The two of them formed a perfect pair, each move smooth and synchronised, as if they were one instead of two. A few minutes later, they were joined by Sirius Black and Hesper, his betrothed. Hesper's movements were a lot less graceful than Lady Black's, not to mention the significant height difference, causing a stark contrast between her and Sirius' fluid grace. As the opening song ended, more couples joined them on the dance floor. I walked around casually, trying to make conversation and form alliances. They will be very beneficial to me no matter what path I take in the future after all.
"May I have this dance?" Alvis asked, grinning wildly as the second song began.
I raised an eyebrow. This is probably a political statement, but you know what? Sure.
"You may." I replied, placing my hand in his.
Alvis smiled, placing a hand on my waist, he led me through a waltz on the dance floor. I have never been so happy that I performed in so many parties before this and learnt how to waltz.
Sirius POV
"Ah, so you do not believe that the ministry is justified in restricting underage magic, even to maintain the Statue of Secrecy?" Lord Rosier asked just as I passed by.
Interesting. I have seldom heard anyone protesting this, of all the riots that have happened, given that most of our wards bypass this restriction anyway.
"If I may be frank, Lord Rosier, I believe that the restriction is detrimental to the overall wellbeing of our society." Seraphina replied. "Seeing how underaged students such as myself will still experience magical buildups as we are inexperienced in our control of our magic, however this is usually released through deliberate use of magic, guided by our wands. Without the ability to use this outlet will result in a more dramatic release in the form of accidental magic, bringing danger not only to the surroundings, but to the child themselves. In this situation, Lord Rosier, the Statue of Secrecy should be the least of our concern, would you not agree?"
She did seem to have a point, accidental magic is known to decrease as soon as a child gets their first wand afterall.
"If accidental magic is so dangerous, then why don't we see more of their damage then, Miss Astrum?" Lord Lestrange asked.
"Lord Lestrange, please, correct me if I am wrong, but we, as magicals, all value magic, even in children, is that correct?" Astrum asked.
"Yes, but I don't see how that is relevant." Lord Lestrange sniffed pompously.
"Ah, but that is the crux of the problem, Lord Lestrange. Young magicals forced to live in the muggle world, such as myself, are often shamed for our magic. There is a reason why obscurials only form in muggleborns nowadays, afterall. " Astrum replied.
Those muggles really are barbaric, not even able to recognise the gift of magic, instead opting to shame children. Obscurials are one of the worst things that can happen to a magical, being condemned to never be able to control their power and to die as a child.
"The problem arrives when a muggleborn child finds a need to protect themselves from the attacks of muggles, see, the extreme emotions of fear and terror when they are prosecuted often triggers accidental magic, unlike in pureblood families, where bouts of accidental magic is celebrated and usually not triggered in desperate self defence. Hence in this situation, when the muggleborn child's magic explodes, it would be a lot more violent. So tell me, Lord Rosier, Lord Lestrange, should we really deprive a child of their only form of self-defence, for the sake of protecting the fragile worldview of mere muggles?"
Lord Lestrange and Lord Rosier inclined their heads, smiling slightly. From their eyes, I could see that their respect for Astrum had grown. It was surprising how easily Astrum has gained two more powerful allies in the first twenty minutes of this party alone.
I watched Seraphina throughout the night, as she socialised and built connections with the purebloods with ease. Not for the first time, I am impressed by how easily she built alliances, considering her upbringing at a muggle orphanage. Her very strong magical presence certainly helped matters.
I watched as she accepted to dance with the Rosier heir. To my surprise, she danced with grace and fluidity, as if she had been dancing her entire life.
"The Black family must be happy to have such a talented daughter." The subtext is clear. I missed your introduction but have been observing her and found her alliance building skills impressive.
I turned around. Sure enough, behind me stood the infamously tardy Florean Potter, also known as the new Lord Potter, his father having passed the Lordship to him a few years ago, when he turned twenty. He was staring at Seraphina's dancing form.
"Lord Potter." I greeted.
"Heir Black." He nodded in return.
"As much as I would like to claim credit for my house, Miss Astrum is not a member of house Black." I have no idea where she got her skills.
His eyes widened in surprise.
"Astrum…as in, the dying minor house, Astrum?" He asked. The halfblood heir of the pureblood daughter's scandal?
"Indeed." But she is more than what meets the eye.
He raised an eyebrow, "I did not realise the noble Blacks consorted with minor houses." Why was she even invited?
"She is quite talented, the top of her year, in fact. " She is powerful and a good ally to have, we are keeping an eye on her.
"Ah. I see." I'll keep an eye on her as well, then.
Throughout the night, I danced with several people, forming alliances and trading conversations with multiple meanings while keeping an eye on Seraphina. Surprisingly, she behaved very naturally, as if she has been to parties like these her whole life. Not for the first time, I wondered if she actually was raised by a pureblood.
The party ended around midnight. After bidding all the guests farewell as they left, I went into the study to my father.
"Father." I greeted. He looked up from the flames, a tumbler of firewhiskey in his hand.
"Sirius. Take a seat." He gestured to the other armchair.
I moved to sit in it. As much as I am exhausted, I put on a neutral expression, masking my feelings deep inside myself.
"Now, tell me about the party."
As the heir, I have always known and hated these meetings, where I had to report on what alliances I formed, and which people to look out for. But they are important.
"From my dance with Hesper Gamp, I have no objections to my betrothal to her. I danced with Evaline Rosier, first born of the American branch of the Rosier family. They will make a good alliance, very beneficial to expanding our house elf exporting business to the States. The Malfoys desperately wish to continue our alliance, however a betrothal would not be beneficial for us as their businesses are not doing well lately. The Burkes on the other hand, are currently expanding their book trade business to antiques, a marriage contract to their heir would ensure that we will have a hold over their company as they expand. Similarly, the Yaxleys are gaining power in the ministry, considering Bartemis was recently promoted to head of the department of magical law enforcement, while his brother Yermis was promoted to the head of magical creatures regulation. With the fool Spavin continuing as Minister, there is little to no way to change any of our political power, the Yaxleys on the other hand, can be our insurance policy for my brothers. Our decision for the betrothal contract between our families seems like the best way to gain an alliance with them so far…" I continued listing our positions with various families and my observations for the best way to take care of each for the next ten minutes, Father occasionally asking for me to clarify my view now and then before finishing. "Finally, Seraphina Astrum, she caused quite a stir at school, from her sporadic speeches in the Slytherin common room, she has managed to modify the views on muggleborns and improve the standing of halfbloods…" I paused, not sure if I should proceed. On one hand, Seraphina is definitely someone to look out for, on the other, she is still a halfblood orphan…
"You believe she will be a worthy addition to our alliances." Father completed for me.
"Yes." I replied hesitantly, waiting for his reaction. While Seraphina has opened my eyes to the magical potential of all magicals, afterall, they are just people gifted with magic, but unfortunate enough to be forced to live with muggles, Father was still a staunch supporter of the Pureblood ideology. I have no idea how he will react to something like that.
He was silent for a while, pondering my words. Finally, he spoke.
"Sirius, you have done well in your analysis of the motives and state of alliances of our house. I know Astrum is powerful from the reports of the teachers, but she is of no importance in the long term as a halfblood. Continue to observe her if you wish, but do not get drawn into her web. Be careful, I suspect she is as sly as Salazar himself."
"Yes, Father."
He waved his hand, dismissing me. I left without another word. Father might think that Seraphina is nothing, but I know that Seraphina will change our world. I can tell from how she changed Slytherin in her first year alone, she is a good leader, her brilliance and power cannot be denied. Maybe soon, Slytherin will have a court once more… Too bad it will probably not happen before I graduate this year. Watching such a powerplay would be a very…interesting experience.