Winter Gala

Aster had learned that every year, two days past the conclusion of Yule, the Malfoy's and the Fawcett's would host rival celebrations. The Malfoys was ostensibly called the Winter Gala, while the Fawcett's was a Christmas Ball. When she had asked about it, she had been informed that the Fawcett's were a modern pureblood family, and catered to the modern christian holidays as a result. Lady Malfoy was subsequently busy with preparations, decorating the ballroom and the entryway, deciding on menus and seating. A side effect was that Aster was able to spend more time with the male Malfoy's. She found Lucius to be a model father, he cared about his son and nephew, and held up their accomplishments. He also would play quidditch with them, or chess or gobstones. Whatever they wanted he did his best to provide it. Watching it all made Aster feel a deep aching loss for James Potter. Would he have been proud of her? Would he have played with her and cared for her the way Lucius did his boys? She felt a stab of anger towards Voldemort. Why did he have to kill her family? She couldn't watch anymore, and wandered in search of the gardens.

"I had wondered if you might seek me out." Aster was taken aback at the unfamiliar figure standing in the garden. "You won't know me child, but you have started to recognize your birthright. When you come into your power you will know me." The woman was breathtaking, long black hair that was braided intricately with silver and gold twining through it. Her eyes were bright green, and her skin was fair as the sun was bright. "I am summoned by Witchcraft done and blood of mine. You are lucky to stay with a family that practices proper witchcraft. Most of the blessed have forgotten that before wands and staves and incantations magic existed and was harnessed by a Witch and sacrifice." The woman's mouth quirked upwards into a smile, her mouth splitting to reveal perfect white teeth and long canines. "I saw you interact with the Dead on Samhain. It is a curious thing childe, you have faced Death and escaped his grasp and He has not come for you. Not many can claim that." Aster couldn't keep the blood from draining from her face, how did this woman know? She hadn't told anyone about that. She had hoped to keep it secret. Who was this woman? "I am the first of my line, and you are the last of it. Learn the rituals. And ask around, why was it that the unblessed targeted Witches?" The woman's eyes gleamed with a light that made Aster think of uncontrolled flames. "I am out of time. Next time I can see you is when you have done the rites." The woman simply vanished, no sound or fading. Aster placed her head between her legs and breathed. She wasn't losing her mind. She wasn't. The woman wasn't real. She couldn't tell anyone about the dead. But her eyes were hauntingly familiar, Aster could have sworn she had seen them before.

"You are safe. You are calm. You are in control." Aster stood and regarded the frostbitten garden with contempt. She would have thought that the Malfoys would have known magic to keep flowers blooming through the winter.

Lady Malfoy was determined that Aster look 'up to standards'. She had all kinds of opinions on what was and wasn't acceptable for the Malfoy's houseguest to wear to their yearly festivities. She couldn't wear the blue tinted silver that the Malfoy's were all going in, nor blue or gray because that would make it seem as though she were indebted to them or being inducted into the family. She shouldn't wear and house colors because that was far too garish for an event this sophisticated. In the end she wound up in a pale shade of periwinkle, in robes far too heavy and restrictive for normal use. The robes were three layers, the first of which was a modest heavy fabric that formed a high collar and long sleeves and left little separation between her skin and the fabric. The second was a lower scoop neckline with bell sleeves and billowy skirts, and the third was a thin floaty layer of pale transparent fabric that wrapped over her shoulders and around her waist, with curls of the material flowing to the floor. It was heavy and tight and she felt partly suffocated and partly like someone was holding her tight. She wasn't sure how to feel about it.

As Aster herself owned no jewelry, Lady Malfoy escorted her to Gringotts to see if there were any suitable pieces in the vault her Grandmother left her. The trip to the vault was harrowing and Aster felt quite like vomiting when they arrived, but entering the vault that had stored her Grandmother Dorea's jewels made her forget all that. The vault was lined with shelves of boxes and cushions to display the pieces. The first that caught her eye was a large diadem made of silver inset with hundred of tiny black diamonds. They curled around the silver, demanding attention and sparkling aggressively. Tearing her eyes away from the sight, Aster saw that black diamonds must have been her Grandmother's favorite, as they were everywhere. Hair combs, necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings. Aster took her time, admiring each piece and looking for something that spoke to her. She found it in a set of rose gold jewelry with black pearls. The earrings were drop studs, a fine rose gold chain under a black pearl. The necklace was tiered, with rose gold chains and glossy black pearls. The bracelets matched, and the headpiece was a hair net that looked incredibly old fashioned. This was something that she felt fit her. It was clearly old, but it was elegant. And trying it on she felt like she was wearing armor.

As she was a guest, Aster didn't have to wait by the floo to greet all the arrivals. She instead settled herself in a corner of the ballroom, partially obscured by the curtains that hung by the windows. People kept coming in, all looking very stately and grand. Witches wearing robes with layers corsets, wizards in embroidered robes that looked heavier than hers. The hats were the weirdest part though. She was shocked to discover that her rose gold and black pearl hair net was ordinary compared to what most of the invitees were wearing. A witch in all pink had a large hat with a wool cat affixed to it, one in chartreuse had a three foot high feathered cone. A wizard in olive green had a top hat that was bedazzled with gemstones. It was overwhelming the number of textures and colors present.

The next to walk through the doors included someone Aster recognized. Daphne looked lovely in sunset robes and bright gold jewelry. And her hat was a perfectly reasonable golden headband, if such a thing could ever be called reasonable. Making her way carefully around the room, keeping a wall to her left in case she needed to escape, Aster approached Daphne and her family.

"Miss Greengrass, how are you this evening?" Daphne turned, and smiled seeing Aster.

"I'm well Miss Potter. How do you fare?"

"Until your arrival it was dreadfully boring. Nothing better to do than wonder why the witch in pink has a cat on her hat." Daphne giggled at that, and her parents looked on bemusedly.

"Daphne, introduce us to your friend."

"Mother, father, Tori, this is Aster Potter. Aster, this is my mother Lady Greengrass, my father Lord Greengrass, and my little sister Tori. Bolina is at home with a sitter."

"A pleasure to meet you."

"You as well." Lord Greengrass's eyes glittered, and his tone was kind.

"This is Aster's first event. She was born too late in the summer for a debutante."

"Stick with us then Miss Potter, we won't let you drown." Lady Greengrass had the loveliest voice. It had an airy, dreamy quality to it, and her silver eyes were pools of tranquility when Aster met her gaze.

"Thank you very much." Staying with the Greengrasses offered Aster a buffer between her and all the people popping out of the woodwork to inquire about the boy-who-lived's sister. Aster was content in how Lord Greengrass would cow them, reminding them of how improper it was to bring up her brother when she was the one present. After causing a man who claimed to be the Minister and wore a surprisingly tame lime green bowler to retreat in mortification she caught the mischievous glint in Lord Greengrass's eyes. He saw her looking, and winked. A warmth spread through her. Not only was he keeping all these people from her, but he was enjoying it. Aster quite liked Lord Greengrass.