Chapter 6: Peri Claimed
"Good morning ladies" said Aura in the early morning, when we'd cleaned and clothed ourselves and then eaten.
"Good morning Mistress" we all said.
Normally, I wouldn't have such acceptance of this behavior, and neither would Rogue; however, we had to survive somehow.
"Today you'll be claimed by a man, he will select you...if you are not selected, you may have another chance in the future" said Aura.
Rogue and I looked to one another. Claimed? Wasn't that rather barbaric?
"It will only become a code claim for the moment, until you are deemed ready for a full claim" said Aura.
Many girls giggled, however me and Rogue stood by each other and neither of us giggled.
"How can they not be worried about this" asked Rogue lowly to me.
"I haven't a clue" I replied also in a low voice.
"Your claimers, will also return something of yours taken on your arrival" said Aura.
Both me and Rogue were thinking the exact same thing..our necklaces, it was the only small ounce of memory of either of our parents.
"Your training will continue, though you've been selected...however, you will then be called Peri, and whom ever's last name you are claimed by" said Aura.
"Come when called" said Aura.
Aura began to read off names, and girls were stepping out.
"Rogue" said Aura.
Rogue looked at me sadly, and then left my side.
"Masquerade" said Aura.
I came beside Rogue, glad to be beside her once again.
"Follow Mistress Bellatrix to the hall" said Aura.
Bellatrix then brought us along to be followed by her, however not many were as thrilled as they had been yesterday. Everyone seemed to be in the same situation, and many didn't know what "code claimed" meant. When we arrived in the hall their were many men standing there, I could clearly recognize Scabior and Lucius Malfoy; for they were the only two I knew there.
Unsurprisingly, Draco Malfoy wasn't there, probably not deemed worthy of a Peri.
"Select now, or forever hold your peace" said Bellatrix then laughing slightly.
The men walked forward accordingly, I noticed Lucius Malfoy move to Rogue almost immediately. While Scabior hesitated, and then approached me.
"We meet again lovely" said Scabior.
"Thought you'd choose someone else" I said lowly.
"Don't get snippy lovely" said Scabior removing my necklace from his neck, and then placing my necklace over my head and around my neck.
"Just couldn't help, but wear my necklace" I asked lowly.
"What can I say?...It matches my eyes" said Scabior jokingly, but lowly.
I giggled slightly, trying to hide it behind my hand.
"First time I've ever seen you smile...I do hope to see it often" said Scabior placing a platinum ring on my finger; engraved with the name Scabior.
"Don't worry...you won't" I said.
Scabior smirked slightly at me, and then walked away with Lucius Malfoy.
"Extravagant, isn't it" asked Rogue while lying in her bed, referring to her ring and placing her hand on her face with a smile.
Her ring had the name Malfoy, engraved into it on the inside and had a round opal jewel that was a greyish blue.
"It's gorgeous just like the person who is wearing it" I said.
Rogue smiled, and did a hand gesture; meaning "Oh, stop it".
"Why wasn't I shown yours" asked Rogue.
"It's nothing special" I said.
"Let me see" said Rogue grabbing my hand and looking at the ring.
My ring look like an open flower with a diamond on top of it, and Scabior's name engraved on the inside like Rogue.
"I would trade you claimers in a heartbeat" said Rogue.
"Rogue" I said.
"It's the dammed truth, I mean look at that thing" said Rogue.
"She's right, Peri claim rings show what you can expect in the future" said a black haired girl with pale skin.
"Who are you" I asked.
"I'm Peri Carrow...and you" said Peri Carrow.
"I suppose, I'm...Peri Scabior" I said.
Peri Carrow turned and looked to Rogue.
"Peri Malfoy" said Rogue.
That was the moment none of us had the names we used to be called, it was just "Peri (insert name of the one you are claimed by) ". Or at least this is how I felt, as it suddenly was January.
"Peri Scabior" said Peri Malfoy to me as I sat outside listening to the trees.
"Yes, Peri Malfoy" I said.
I had stopped calling her Rogue awhile back, it was what she wished...and an order of Mistress Fawkes, directed to all those who were claimed.
"I've heard of a betrayal being planned amongst the other Peris, and hoped you were not apart of it...for you know the punishment of -" "betrayal leads to punishment, and punishment leads to blood...blood leads to replacement, and replacement leads to death" I said interrupting Peri Malfoy.
'and blah, blah, blah' I thought to myself, making sure I did not say so aloud.
"So you are not apart of it" asked Peri Malfoy.
"Of course not, if I am to survive as I have been permitted, then I would not plot betrayal" I said.
"Yes, I know this-" "Then why ask such a question of a fellow Peri" I asked, interrupting her.
"Forgive me cousin, I just do not wish anything to happen to you" said Peri Malfoy.
"Your wish will be fulfilled then, for I am not planning on attending a betrayal...and I suspect Mistress Fawkes will learn of this, and we will be in no need to worry when she will know of it" I said.
"I hear that Lucius is holding a get together to celebrate the coming of the new year, and I hear that Mistress Fawkes will permit a few of us to go; I could always insist on you coming, or perhaps get Scabior to come to you" said Peri Malfoy.
"I would rather not, I haven't a thing to wear" I said.
"We could always get one of the betrayed Peris gowns" said Peri Malfoy.
"Such as" I asked.
"Mistress Fawkes is always speaking of the betrayal of the old Arcangela Malfoy, unsurprising really...but I know Mistress Fawkes may allow me into one of her gowns" said Peri Malfoy.
"Peri Malfoy, what if your suitor Lucius would not want to see you in Arcangela Malfoy's gowns...perhaps if we received a small amount of gold, we could go along and get you a new gown" I said.
I did this in an attempt to please Peri Malfoy's side of selfishness, for in her mind she'd think of an old gown as nothing to be compared to the beauty of a new gown.
"Of course, a new much more magnificent gown would be much more appreciated then that of an old lusterless gown of Arcangela Malfoy" said Peri Malfoy.