Chapter 16 The Grand Ballroom

Meanwhile, as the High Lord's falcons were busy shocking and or, agitating the who's who in the country, the Grand Ballroom in the Ministry's fifth level was in frenzy. Since six in the morning, no human was able to get in. No one was able to get past the heavy bronze doors.

Inside however, was filled with hundreds of house elves, all attired in wither pristine white togas, or smart-looking black tail-coat like apparel. On their left breast was the familiar bronze doe crest. Each and every one was busy with a task. This quiet and organized chaos was being comandeered by a small army of goblins, all similarly dressed in crimson robes lined with gold. They too, carried the same crest on their clothes as the elves.

A particular goblin named Gorbink was busy with checking the guest list. The affair was private, so he needed to weed out the gatecrashers as they come by. The guests were coded in three: red for the personal friends of the High Lord; the Lords and Ladies of Wizengamot were in blue; the Ministry Officials were in Yellow. Gorbink was especially ordered by his superiors to monitor the names in blue as the event was an important formal gathering for the High Lord and his Court. Proper protocol must be followed at all times. While Gorbink was conversing with another sentry, an older-looking goblin appeared behind him.

"Gorbink, how is everything?"

"Coming along smoothly, sir Gareth." Gorbink nodded. I do have a question though.

"Ask away, my good goblin."

"I was asked to assign goblin escorts for the personal friends of the High Lord asnd the esteemed Lords and Ladies -but there seems to be no order to provide for the current Minister of Magic, his Deputy and the Chief of Wizengamot -"

"I assure you it is not an oversight, Gorbink," Gareth smiled, eyeing the massive place which was now filled with white calla lilies and red winter roses in elegant glass urns, floating votive candles and royal blue and deep green silk draperies hanging from the ceiling, and numerous large round tables -each seating about a dozen. He turned to the lead sentry. "It is not an over sight, but a forewarning," he concluded cryptically.

0101010101010101010101010101 01010101010

Once the clock struck two, the dozen anterooms on one side of the Grand Ballroom became busy. Each portkey letter went off on time, but arrivals must still be timed and organized, and in cases of those in code blue, announced.

The first portkey to go off was that of the Hogwarts contingent. They were assigned anteroom #6. The goblin escort for them was Ivan Longsword. He smiled politely as he welcomed the group.

"Welcome Headmistress and Professors of Hogwarts, I am Ivan your escort."

Headmistress McGonagall, who was wearing robes of plum nodded back politely.

"Thank you, Ivan it is a pleasure to be here." The goblin nodded.

"I would need to check for your names before you are ushered into the ballroom.

"Certainly," Minerva McGonagall stepped back and allowed Ivan to survey her delegation. Aside from the Headmistress, those who came were Aurora Sinistra, Astronomy Professor and new Head of Ravenclaw House, Rebeus Hagrid, Care of Magical Creatures, who was wearing his horrible brown suit, Pomona Sprout, Septima Vector, new Head of Slytherin and Arithmancy Proferssor and Remus Lupin, returning DADA Professor and new Head of Gryffindor House. The goblin looked pleased at those who were present. He turned to the Headmistress.

"Very well Madam, I shall ask for my assistant Cormwall to lead you to the main ballroom. I need Professor Remus Lupin to remain."

The werewolf raised an eyebrow. He knew of the current Ministry's views on werewolves, especially after Umbridge made Chief of Wizengamot. But he had expected the goblins to be more reasonable –truly, he did not believe Minerva when she had hastily explained to them about the Ministry Ball and that they were all to attend in two hours –no questions asked. He did not even outrightly believe even more when she mentioned that the legendary High Lord of WIzengamot was their host –but surely, if the High Lord had anything against werewolves, should he not have been invited in the first place? The amber-eyed man turned to Minerva. To his surprise, the formidable witch was smiling.

"Ah yes. The High Lord did mention Remus in his invite." She turned to her Head of Gryffindor House. "Worry not, the High Lord thinks fondly of you," she said with a wink before ushering the rest of their group out of the room. Remus stood alone, confused, until Ivan addressed him with a bow. The goblin handed him a box.

"Please call for me when you are ready. I will be outside to escort you to the ballroom once you are done." Without another word, Ivan left. Remus eyed the box in his hands. A note was taped to it.

You look good with Black –but for now, would you do me the honors of wearing my eye color?

The werewolf frowned as he set aside the cryptic note. He opened the box carefully and gasped at what he saw.

A set of formal robes in the most brilliant shade of emerald green was ensconced inside the plain-looking box. Remus touched it gently and the silk felt like liquid glass in his fingers. He pulled it out. Another note fell from it.

Don't even think about not wearing the robes, Moony. If you try to leave this room in your old robes, let's just say that it would not be my fault if your skin turns blue all of a sudden –I am not the sole heir of the Marauders for nothing.

P.S. Minerva knows, but don't tell anyone yet. Not until I reveal myself –or I'd hex you. Emjoy the party.

Remus dropped the note, his eyes wide like saucers. The High Lord requested his presence. The High Lord gifted him with these robes. The High Lord's eyes were emerald green –and he was the sole heir of the Marauders. The High Lord left this note. The High Lord was…

"Merlin!"

0101010101010101010101010101 01010101010

A slightly larger contingent arrived in anteroom #3. The goblin in charge was called Darcey Copperworth. He was new in his job, but he was one of the best. Darcey was proud that he was assigned to escort a Lord and his family. So when the portkey went off, depositing a bunch of redheads in his care, he was automatically on his best behavior.

"Lord Prewitt and family," he bowed deeply. "An honor, sir. My name is Darcey, your lead escort."

A redhead with long hair tied at this nape, wearing formal robes of periwinkle blue and a crest of a snow leopard and a pine tree and a six-pointed star on a deep blue background stepped forward.

"Thank you, Darcey. These are my family. Shall they be escorted too?"

Darcey nodded.

"My assistant Lumiere will usher them now into the ballroom. As per protocol, you shall remain here until it is time to announce your presence, my Lord."

The young Lord Prewitt smiled and turned to his family.

"Mom, Dad, everyone, go with the other goblin, Lumiere. He's your escort –"

"Wow, a real –"

"Live goblin sentry –"

"For an escort!" Fred and George in identical robes of lime green exchanged high fives. Arthur in black formal Ministry robes smiled slightly, as did Charlie in navy blue. Ron looked green, clashing with his scarlet robes, while Ginny giggled in violent pink robes. Molly dressed in light gold on the other hand, looked worried.

"Bill, are you sure –"

Bill smiled at his mother.

"Mom, I'd trust these goblins with my life. Don't worry, okay?"

Darcey smiled at the exchange and eyed Lord Prewitt with a renewed sense of awe and respect.

0101010101010101010101010101 01010101010

In the next half hour, the rest of the arrivals filled the remaining anterooms. But none was far too eventful than the arrivals of room #12.

A very cross goblin by the name of Firebreath Dragonchain was waiting on the arrival of his last-minute appointed charges. He drew the short stick so he was now stuck with the most unpleasant contingent –and he was in no way happy about it.

At half-past two, Minister Fudge, Deputy Minister Scrimgeour and Wizengamot Chief Dolores Umbridge arrived with varying scowls on their faces.

Firebreath made no move to welcome them. Instead, he charmed the exit to knock the three out cold should they dare to leave before they were supposed to. And Firebreath need not wait long. As soon as the three landed in the anteroom, the toad lady moved towards the exit, the two wizards in her wake. They did not even acknowledge the smirking goblin in their presence. As soon as the three touched the door, they were knocked out cold by goblin magic.

And they would remain to be for hours, or until the High Lord requires their sorry arses inside the ballroom.

0101010101010101010101010101 01010101010

In the inner chambers of the Grand Ballroom, tow wizards sat, awaiting the start of the ceremonies.

"Who do you reckon would faint sooner?" The younger of the two asked as he fidgeted with the sleeves of his royal blue robes. He spoke to the older man who was seated across him.

"My bet would be on the toad –after she realizes that her dreams of marrying me are over. How about you, Har –Tristan?"

Harry aka Tristan, smiled.

"I'd say the same, Severus. But just to get a bet rolling… Fudge –after I tell him he's sacked."

Severus raised his eyebrows.

"And pray tell, what, are we betting on. Lord Peverell?"

Tristan Peverell looked thoughtful for a while. He then shrugged.

"If I win, you'd have to kiss me, Lord Prince," he said.

"And in the event that you lose?"

"Then I'd kiss you," Tristan said simply. Severus paused for a moment before making a face.

"Some bet,"

But before Tristan could retort, a goblin appeared before them.

"Lord Peverell, Lord Prince," the goblin bowed deeply. He handed Lord Peverell a piece of parchment before excusing himself and departing. Lord Prince looked on curiously as the younger noble read. A few seconds later, the blue-green-eyed man was laughing.

"Anything I should be worried about, Tristan?" Severus asked.

Tristan turned to Severus, his eyes shining.

"Nah, just a thank you note from one flustered werewolf." He pocketed the missive and grabbed his wand. A quick 'Tempus' spell showed the time to be 2:30 p.m. He looked at the Potions Master.

"Ready to begin our sinister plan of world domination?"

Severus smirked and stood up from his seat with a mock bow directed towards his companion.

"Lead the way, oh mighty conqueror of men and hearts!"

The two most powerful wizards then made their way to the outer chambers just beyond the massive staircase of the Grand Ballroom and surveyed the area with appreciation. Gareth and his team outdid themselves. Now, it was show time.

0101010101010101010101010101 01010101010

Guests inside the ballroom were mingling amongst themselves, seeing familiar faces for the last half hour. As soon as the clock struck 2:30 though, the soft string rendition of muggle composer Sir Andrew Lloyd Weber's 'Masquerade' ceased, causing a hush of silence to wash over the entirety of the huge, impressive space.

A team of goblins in rich crimson and gold robes appeared by the main entrance and closed the doors. The group of spectators dutifully lined the pathway awaiting the entrance of the first distinguished guest.

They need not wait any longer.

Not a minute after the bronze doors closed, it opened yet again, permitting the first member of the elite body to be announced.