Chapter 26: Kidness

I had spent the day after Christmas alone, each member of the Kersey household attending to their own duties. This was perfectly alright with me, for I had a jungle of thoughts to sort out.

Perhaps one could attribute this confusion in my mind to the nearing end of the year, but I figured it would be best ascribed to the pressure of so many problems, few being solved, and many more appearing for each of those few.

Arielle plagued my mind, along with the expression that her mother had assumed at my, admittedly cruel, words. My grandfather was right, that woman meant a lot to my father, to my parents. If they had died to keep her alive, I would not betray them by being the one to take her life.

And it wasn't personal, I knew that I would hate anyone in her place. It was an irrational, destructive feeling, and I would rid myself of it, if I only could.

But knowing that she had survived, that someone could have survived, made me angry. Why? Why couldn't it have been them? Why did I have to lose them? Why couldn't they have lived to see my first year in Hogwarts? Melody's wedding? Her family? Why?

I knew that she had suffered, that she had lost a child, that Arielle grew up being the pillar of her family. But I lost all sense of judgement when I saw her, when she welcomed her daughter… and when my mother could not welcome me.

I was sorry for what I had done, regretting it from the conversation I had had with my grandfather. That was no way to treat family.

But I would not be the one to apologise first, for they had wronged me too. Showing me those scenes was worse than one hundred Cruciatus curses, and had Zabini not been there, I would have seriously killed her.

Ah, he was another problem. Two days had passed after Christmas, and I could not get him out of my mind. What sort of a son is so terrified, so saddened by his own mother? Why was he so afraid? And why in the name of Merlin's most potent hex did it matter so much to me?

I had decided to work, finding escape in reading the letters that had piled up on my desk, and sorting them out, replying to some and some blatantly ignoring, throwing them in the bin without a second of hesitation. The amount was ridiculous, and I could have sworn that it had doubled from last year.

A faint pop to my side startled me out of my thoughts, and I looked to the side to see Serpen where he was, napping on my bed, now a metre and a half long, and Tolly by his side, peering up at me.

"Mistress!" exclaimed she, bowing to me. "You have a visitor."

I arched my eyebrow at her, turning away from her and returning to my letters.

"Who is it?" I asked, in no mood for company.

"It's miss Arielle mistress" squeaked Tolly and my hand paused in the middle of writing a word.

"Lead her to the visitor's lounge," I spoke "I will be there shortly. Thank you Tolly."

Once more, a faint pop was heard in the room, and I sighed, standing up and discarding the quill I had been using.

I had made a mistake, it was time I owned up to it.

I walked over to the mirror, summoning my brush and quickly running it through my hair. I had chosen to wear a white sleeveless tulip tank, a grey cardigan with a beige pattern on my chest and a deep neckline, black leggings, grey leather ankle high heels boots and a necklace with black roses.

Upon a closer inspection, I found that my appearance was suitable for the occasion and I approached my bed, where my snake was still napping.

"Serpen" I called, and I felt him stir out of his sleep "Serpen."

He opened one green eye sleepily, staring at me, wondering as to why I was waking him.

"Rise my friend, we have company." I urged, and he opened his eyes, gave a sigh, and then slithered down from my bed, approaching me.

"Come" I spoke, turning to the doors and opening them, tucking my wand in the inner pocket of my cardigan as we walked. I had no plans to use it, but should push come to pull, I would have a means of defending myself.

We descended the grand staircase, Serpen slithering beside me, and entered the Western wing of the manor, coming to a stop in front of the second doors to our right. They had been closed, and I looked down to my snake in a moment of hesitation.
I could not afford to lose my head today, and I sought reassurance in my familiar.

He looked up at me, showing his encouragement, and I turned away from him, raising my chin and turning the doorknob lightly, slowly pushing the doors open.

My eyes wondered to the beige velvet couch on my left, in search of my visitor, than to the couch opposite it, still not seeing her, and then finally to the tall windows opposite me.

Night had already fallen, and I saw her with her head tilted upwards, observing the stars.

I had to admit she looked rather short in front of the tall windows, despite the black high heeled boots she had chosen to wear. She had paired them with blue jeans, a black turtleneck and a red poncho over that turtleneck. Not a combination I would generally choose for myself, but a combination she would most surely choose as a more serious look.

Her panther was the first to notice me, and I noticed that the feline had grown in the time I had not seen her, already more than half the size it would be as an adult.

Serpen greeted her with a hiss, coming to a stop with me.

It was this hiss that alerted Arielle to our presence, and she turned around, her ocean blue eyes finding mine. I noticed she had styled her hair in waves, the strands left to a mind of their own, flying around her face. She was serious, merely staring at me, trying to read my expression for any sign of emotion.

I simply stared back at her for a moment or two, anger once more surfacing in my mind, this time pushed down with sheer willpower.

"Have a seat" I spoke, waving my hand lightly towards the beige couch on my right.

"I'd rather stand, if it's all the same with you." Responded she, her tone polite, guarded.

"As you wish" I responded, not really caring. Neither of us moved, the length of the room between us, our eyes locked into a staring contest.

I looked away first, my anger rising as the sight of her eyes reminded me of her memories.

"Have you come to apologize?" I asked, breaking the loud silence around us, my eyes focused on Serpen who made a circle around me as I spoke and once more focusing on Arielle as I awaited her reply.

Her eyes darkened for a second, her hands curling in fists, and I watches as she took in a deep breath, calming herself.

"Not exactly." Spoke she carefully, her tone guarded, not a single emotion escaping her. "I came to talk."

She gave me a moment to respond after that, but I figured it best to remain quiet. I could not trust myself to keep my tone levelled.

"We were both out of line at the station." Spoke she, lifting her hands in a peaceful gesture, only causing my anger to soar "And I believe we really need to talk this out."

Memories once more flashed through my mind, each word returning to me, my father's voice, my mother's face, they both came rushing back to my head. Hate blossomed in my chest and I had to employ inhuman effort to remain calm.

If she wanted to talk, we would bloody well talk.

"Talk?" I spoke, fighting to keep my tone from becoming ice cold and losing that battle with every word more "I do feel inclined to talking. How about you start first?"

I had narrowed my eyes at her, and I fought with myself to keep my palms from reaching for my wand.

She seemed calm and collected still, and anger made me push further, simply begging for a fight.

"As I recall, you had plenty to tell me and even more to show me the last time we talked." I spoke, my tone just barely above a hiss.

Serpen had no such manners, and he hissed in anger, assuming my emotions.

Shadow seemed to glare at us from across the room, but otherwise, remained completely silent.

I noticed a brief look of anger in Arielle's eyes, but she composed herself quickly, once more speaking in that controlled tone.

"I did." Spoke she, "And that wasn't very nice of me."

Nice? Nice? That was worse to me than any torture curse, and she knew that well.

"But you must understand… " spoke she, stopping and heaving a sigh "My mother is everything to me. When you pulled that little stunt of yours I…."

She stopped once more, closing her eyes briefly, and then opened them once more, continuing "Let's just say I snapped. I am sorry that I said that you are nothing like your father. I don't remember him all that well, but from what my mother told me, what I had said is false. In fact, you can be as kind as he was when you want to be."

Kind… there was a word I didn't hear every day as used to describe me. And a word I would never use myself.

"And I suppose you wish for me to show that kindness here?" I spoke, smirking at her, my anger pulling my lips up "You shall be glad to know that you were right. Or perhaps that will sadden you. No matter…. I am not like him Hayes."

I spoke, my anger rising all the more with every word "I am not kind. You see there is this rage, bubbling under my skin, right here" I pointed to my heart, "this hatred, consumes me!"

I stopped for a moment, watching as her eyes softened "Therefore, rejoice Arielle Hayes, you were bloody right! My father is dead and I… I am the monster he left behind."

There was understanding in her eyes as I spoke, my tone laced with that same hatred I had been talking about towards the end of my sentence.

"And I say you aren't." spoke she, "I even told off McGonagall when she suggested that and I am not going to let you say that about yourself either."

Like she could bloody well forbid me!

"I understand that rage" she spoke, and for the first time, I thought that maybe, she really did, "the need to protect Mells. We both suffer so that our sisters don't have to. And the pain… it's almost unbearable."

She looked down as she spoke that, and as she finished the last sentence, she turned around, her head tilted so she could once more observe the stars.

There was something broken in her tone as she spoke, and I knew well she used it only with me.

"You know, sometimes, I feel like I'm alone in the world, despite my friends, no matter how many people surround me. But…." Said she, and came to a stop, as if she was trying to determine the best way to express herself. "With you, I don't need to pretend, I can be my true, miserable, broken self. So very damaged. And I know that you won't judge me if I tell you about the darkness that swirls inside me, because you feel it too… That is your way of showing kindness Linds… you are very, very kind."

"Darkness?" I echoed, now realizing that she did not understand me "It is not this darkness that I fear. It is the emptiness, the hollow feeling in my chest. Do you have any idea just how bloody empty I feel?"

She turned around at that, observing me as I spoke, and once I started, I felt like I could not stop, not until I let it all out.

"Do you have any idea how much I resent you for remembering my father? Because I don't. Not one single thing, you don't know how much I wish I could recall the shortest word spoken to me- but I cannot. They were taken from me when I was too young to fight back, to defend them. And to know that someone survived, that I survived, while my parents had to die, while they fought for their lives, for your lives with their last breath…."

I stopped at that, my palm curling into a fist, "I hate you." I said and watched as her eyes darkened at those words " I hate your mother, but that is nothing, NOTHING, compared to the hate I feel for my own accursed self!"

My voice turned into a hiss and I pressed my mouth shut tightly, keeping myself from spouting any more venom.

"Don't you worry" spoke Arielle, anger in her voice "we hate ourselves too. You know, I didn't speak for five years after that.. I couldn't. I was a child, and I felt so guilty, so very guilty, despite not knowing what I was guilty for, not even understanding my feelings, because I was so damn young. Was there a way for me to find that power sooner? Could I have blown them away before anyone got hurt? Why didn't I?"

Her fingers too were curled into fists, and I looked away. It wasn't her fault, I knew that, but that didn't lessen my rage.

"Do you know how many hours I spent staring at the picture of your parents? Trying to wish that night away? Do you have any idea how many nights I woke up scared, crying and shaking, waiting for them to come back? How many nights I was awoken by my mother's screams? I feel so dirty, and I try every day, every blasted day, to atone for my sin. And when I heard that Zell was going to be born, I promised myself, no one else. No one else would die in front of me again. I would protect them. Naïve? Maybe… but I was only eight."

She looked back at me, her words simply ringing with sincerity "But I am trying to keep that promise. Especially for you and Mells."

She turned around at that, and spoke with her back turned towards me, thinking that I could not see her. She did not take my farsightedness into account, and I saw the tear that escaped her eye clearly in her reflection in the mirror. And I would never mention it.

"I may not be a great dueller like you Linds… but I would put my life on the line for you."

"I have no wish for your life" I spoke, wishing to make that clear, Serpen moving around my legs, unsettled "or that of your mother. In fact, despite the hate that I feel, I would do the same as my parents had done if it were necessary. For you… I would die. For your sister, for your mother… I would lay down my life. Because you are family. And I promise you, what happened on the station will not happen again. I will take this rage, this hate, and I will bury it deep, let it rage inside me, but consume only me. No collateral damage."

She turned around at that, watching me with her brow furrowed in contemplation.

I smiled at her at that, a small, bitter smile "Besides, I do not expect to survive this war. Laying down my life for family… I will consider it my privilege."

I spoke the truth then, for I had known for a very long time that I would not survive. I could feel it, my time coming to an end. I would not see the new world I was fighting to create.

Her face darkened at that, and she snarled at me "By the four founders Linds, I will not hear you say that! If I have to go to the other side to fucking bring you back, I swear to you I will not rest until I found you and drag you back to us! Do you ever think about how Mells would feel if you died? Me? Your grandfather? Astoria? Daphne? We will all survive this war, you and me and Mells and Clo. We will be on the front lines, killing all those bastards that dared hurt us before, but we. Will. Survive."

I thought she was going to downright snarl at me as she finished her little speech, such was her conviction.

But I only smiled back at her.

"How naïve…" I spoke, and Serpen gave me a distressed hiss "do you honestly believe that? You and I both know which one of us will be duelling the Dark Lord, and if killing him means killing myself… I will do it. Because I am just that selfish. The only reason I am still alive is because I have nothing to die for… yet."

"Don't give me that!" exclaimed she but the once more seemed to make an effort to calm herself. "I have to be naïve, it's the only thing that keeps me going. And I do realize that you will be going against Voldy, but I see that you also forgot about that stupid prophecy. Despite how much you want to, you can't kill him."

I gave her a glare at that, and she rolled her eyes at me. Just because I could not kill him did not mean I would not try.

"Yeah I hate the fucking thing too. And I can't see Potter killing him either, but those things have a way of working themselves out despite our wishes. We have our missions, to save lives. And yes you are bloody well selfish Rosalind Valeria Kersey, very selfish indeed, just as you have always been. I'm not asking you to think of me or your grandfather. But please, think about your sister, think about Mells. Sure she's cold now, but she still cares about you, a lot. Trust me, I know that for a fact."

I listened to her talk, and I heard her. But she didn't understand that I was always thinking about my sister first, not me, always her.

I turned around at that, quiet.

I had to move on, and the only way for me to do that was to forgive them. Both Arielle and her mother. And I already had, I didn't know when, but I knew that I had. The only problem was saying that, letting my lips form those words.

I struggled with myself and then slowly turned around.

"I… forgive you. Tell that to your mother." I spoke and saw a hesitant smile blossom on her face, which only spread as I finished my sentence "And you too… I forgive you."

"Told you, you could be kind!" she exclaimed "I take it we are done here?"

She then moved, walking past me and towards the doors before suddenly stopping.

"Oh and yes, Merry Christmas" she said, tossing me a small box.

I stood there, staring at the box, before speaking up.
"I am afraid you have me at a disadvantage, I have no gift for you…. I invite you and your family for dinner tomorrow, here, at the manor. And Arielle" I spoke, giving her a small smile "Merry Christmas."

"Sure thing Lindsy" smiled she, Tolly popping next to her with her coat "See ya tomorrow."

I watched as Arielle disappeared in emerald flames and sighed, turned and walked back up the grand staircase.

I admit that I felt anger, and I knew that it would be a long time until I managed to get rid of that choking feeling, but there was also a significant amount of relief. Strings seemed to be woven back in place between me and Arielle and the ill blood seemed to drip away slowly, drop by drop.

Serpen seemed wary of me , eyeing me when he thought that I was not looking, and I knew well what bothered him.

I closed the doors of my room with a wave of my hand, and then proceed to walk up to a dark green couch in my room, sitting down and patting the spot beside me lightly.

"Come Serpen" I called and he stopped on his way to my bed, turning his head to observe me.

"Please." I whispered, and he slowly approached me, slithering up the side of the couch and resting on the spot beside me for a moment, before placing his head in my lap.

"What I said to Arielle…. I mean it." I spoke and he hissed angrily, raising his head and glaring at me.

"Don't Serpen…" I spoke, feeling his sorrow at the mere prospect of me dying. "you know that the chances of me surviving are slim, don't accuse me."

I needed no words from him to be able to tell what he was saying. Not you.

"Everyone dies my friend" I spoke, petting his head, wishing to chase his sorrow away. "and should my sister be attacked, I will do anything to save her. Even die. You can't blame me for that."

His anger was tangible, and in an effort to distract him I took the little jewellery box I had been given and opened it, pleased indeed with the sight that welcomed me.

It was a silver bracelet in the form of a snake coiling around one's hand, two small emeralds placed in the eye sockets.

I placed it around my wrist, observing it and deciding that it matched my pale skin.

"Arielle got me this…" I spoke to him, just to break the silence that weighed down on my heart "you know, it reminds me of you. It seems to be protecting me, doesn't it? With the way it is curled around my wrist…"

"If I promise to try and live as long as possible, will you not be angry with me?" I asked, not wishing to fight with him.

He seemed to agree with my terms and I ushered him to my bed, once more returning to my desk, with every intention of finishing my work.

It was not to be, for I found another, new letter on the pile I had left behind.

My address and my name were written in green ink, the cursive letters instantly familiar. I knew whose hand it was that had written to me once more, despite my explicit forbiddance of that precise action.

What in the name of Merlin did he want now? And why was I so curious?

I took the small knife on my desk and opened the letter gently, removing the seal and retrieving a single piece of parchment.

I sighed, debating reading the letter now or postponing the action until morning. Perhaps I should leave him to wait an entire week, just out of spite for daring to write to me again.

But a single word echoed in my head… kind.

He had called me that too once. Could I really be kind?

I opened the letter quickly before I had a chance to change my mind.

"Rose…

I write to you, knowing that you will not read this letter. I write to you…. Not knowing how to say this. I write to you… because I had to try, because I feel like my mind will combust if I don't explain. If, by some luck, you are reading this letter, I want to say… please. Please don't assume that you know my mother. Please don't judge her. Please don't form your opinion of me, based on the rumours you have heard about my mother. And I know that there are many, and I know that they vary in expression but not in content. I do not attempt to justify her, nor do I attempt to deny or affirm anything. I am not interested in your gold Rose, believe me, I never once was. I am interested in you, and I want you, nothing else. So please… just please. If it were anyone else, I would not care in the least, but you, you must understand. I know how much I ask, and I know that you are very unlikely to grant me my request. But Rose, trust yourself, your mind is brilliant, what does it tell you? I trust your opinion, I trust your judgement. If you have had the patience to read through this letter, than I once more must ask for a favour. Answer me. This is the first letter I have written on this subject, and the last I shall ever write. Rose… please.

I believe in you, Blaise

P.S.

Rose, I never got to say, Merry Christmas. I wish you the very best new year you could hope for."

I stared at the letters for a while, my mind blank. I had never known Zabini to be this… desperate. Something in me stirred as I recognised this emotion, and I closed my eyes tightly, trying to think.

I took out a parchment, once more my actions quick, as to not change my mind.

I dipped my quill in ink, hesitating as I brought it to parchment.

Why did I care? He was no one…. Was he?

Kind.

I know, Arielle, I know.

"Zabini,

You seem to be the one not reading my letters. I seem to recall specifically asking you not to write to me again. But it seems that you are not listening to a single word I say. For a person that claims to know me so well, you seem to be rather ignorant. It has never been, nor shall it be my practice to judge a person based on rumours I have heard about them. Nor is it my practice to judge a person based on the behaviour of their parents. My opinion of you, however unflattering, is based on your deeds alone, and on what I have observed myself. I ask of you once more, not to write to me again.

I wish you a not horrible new year.

Rosalind Valeria Kersey."

I rose early that morning, walking to my bathroom and waving my hand lightly, opening the taps. I could barely keep my eyes open, but I still walked up to my little shampoo collection, chose some vanilla scented body wash and a random hair shampoo before stripping and stepping into the hot water. It was very warm, to the point of burning, but I didn't mind as it chased away the coldness that seeped into my bones.

There would be a lot to do today, and I had to create a plan to sort out all of the matters that required my attention.
First off, I would need to notify my family of the new developments and have them clear their schedules for tonight.

Then I'd have to convince Melody to come shopping with me, and then do the actual shopping. How bothersome.

Next was the mountain of letters that still awaited my attention, and to my dread kept growing bigger with every letter my diligent house elf brought me. How lovely.

And then there was the dinner itself. I would need to be calm, collected, polite. And I would need to apologize personally, a fact that had me contemplate death by drowning briefly.

It was not worth it, I concluded, taking a breath and sinking my head beneath the surface of the bubbly water I had found myself in. My bath could pass for a small swimming pool and as I surfaced, I decided to swim to the other end, to clear my mind, only to find that Serpen was already on that edge, waiting for me, hurrying me silently.

What a bothersome creature he was.

The breakfast of that morning was going rather well, my sister chattering with my grandmother about the ball, gushing over this dress or that.

I used a brief moment of silence and spoke up, earning the undivided attention of my family.

"We have company for dinner tonight, I would appreciate it if you were to clear your schedules." I spoke calmly, laying down my fork and knife as Tolly poured some more pumpkin juice in my goblet.

My grandfather looked up from his plate at that, his eyes focusing on me, waiting for an explanation silently.

"Who will be joining us Rosalind…. Dear?" asked my grandmother, offering me a forced smile.

"The Hayes family, I invited them personally last night." I replied, staring right back at her.

"Hayes!?" exclaimed Melody, turning in her seat, her eyes wide, a hopeful look settling on her face.

"Yes, as I said a moment ago, Arielle and her family will be joining us for dinner." I replied, watching as a smile blossomed on her face.

"Really?" exclaimed she, her voice hopeful.

"Really." I replied, shortly, returning to my breakfast.

"Forgive me Rosalind dear," spoke my grandmother and faltered in her words slightly as I fixed my eyes on her "but are we to take it that you have resolved your.. ah… disagreement with the family?"

"Yes, Arielle visited me last night, and after a lengthy conversation, I found that we had resolved our differences to the point in which we may resume our friendship. On such a note, I chose to invite her and her family for dinner tonight, as a reconciliatory gesture." I replied, my tone final, ending the discussion between us.

I turned to my grandfather and he nodded to me, as a sign of approval, returning to his breakfast.

"That's great Linds!" exclaimed my sister, taking my hand and squeezing it in her excitement.

As our eyes met, her words rang in my mind. Selfish bitch.

I frowned lightly at that, Serpen giving out a low hiss at my discomfort.

"Yes it is." I replied, lightly shaking her hand off and pulling my hand back to myself.

There was a moment of hurt in her eyes and she slowly turned away from me, focusing on her breakfast, her brow furrowed.

I could see that Merlin glared at me from the chair next to her, and I reckon it was him that prompted me to offer my sister a shopping trip with me, something we rarely ever did.

"Melody" I called and her head slowly turned towards me, "I have decided to go to Diagon Alley today, I need to shop for a late Christmas gift. It would bring me great pleasure if you were to come along ."

She hesitated for a moment before offering me a brilliant smile.

"I would be delighted to."

The shopping itself was rather torturous for me, with Melody stopping every now and then to admire something in the windows of the shops, even the most mundane things, such as Christmas lights in Madam Malkin's, and I was forced to wait for her, with Serpen by my side rather entertained by the screams and jumps of the passer-by's.

I found the gift I had been looking for quickly, only to find that my sister had already bought hers, and had come along just to keep me company. I could not understand her in the least, what in the name of Merlin was she doing out in the cold if she did not have to be here? What an odd girl.

And as every minute sped past me at a ridiculously fast pace, I found my nerves straining with each moment more.

And now, we were standing gathered in the visitor's lounge, waiting for our guests to be announced.

I had chosen to wear a stormy green silk sleeveless gown, with two straps and a v neck cleavage, and a plunging back. There was also a black belt around my waist, that had the dress flare out bellow it.

I had chosen drop earrings of the same colour, with two stones on each, a black onyx rectangle ring with a diamond in each edge and black sandals.

My grandmother was very formal as well, choosing an emerald floor length dress without sleeves as per say, with two straps of fabric wrapping from the neck down to her chest and forming sleeves. She also chose a vintage diamond necklace, her silver wedding ring that sported an emerald in the middle, and emerald earrings surrounded in diamonds.

She was talking to my sister, who had chosen to be the least formal member of our household. She had styled her hair in waves, allowing it to flow freely past her shoulders. As for her clothing, she had chosen a black blouse with a vertical bow in front, a dark grey pencil skirt, black sandals, a diamond ring in the form of a daisy flower and chandelier earrings.

A faint pop brought me out of my thoughts, and I watched as Nally, my grandfather's elf, announced the presence of guests in the entrance of the manor.

My grandmother approached grandfather and linked her arm with his, and I followed her, standing behind grandfather with Melody behind grandmother.

We walked out of the room in unison, and I found comfort in Serpen who was slithering by my side.

Merlin was flying by our side, following his mistress but not landing on her shoulders, having been instructed in manners expected from him.

We came to a stop in the wide lobby, and I stepped forward, standing beside my grandfather.

What greeted me was a family of four, the youngest child standing opposite me.

She was standing in a royal blue classic skater dress with a black sash on the waist. She also had white ballerinas and butterfly shaped silver earrings. She had a couple of strands braided and pulled back with bangs left to frame her face. The resemblance to her sister was striking as her dark blue eyes gleamed, save for the hair, which was black, just as that of her mother.

Beside her stood Arielle, her own blue eyes having been enhanced by a smoky eye effect, which differed greatly from the natural look of her young sister. Even I had less make up on, simply black eyeliner around my eyes, mascara, and some faint pink lipstick. Something told me this was not Arielle's choice. Her dress may have been, for it was red, satin, with floral patterns, of floor length, designed to tail her as she walked. She had also chosen a black bag with silver lining, black high heels and a spiral bangle.

She too smiled at me, but more moderately than her sister, who was grinning.

Her father was dressed in a black suit with a white shirt, a dark grey tie with blue diagonal stripes, and two golden rings on his fingers.

And then there was her mother, whose eyes were focused on my grandfather, yet kept glancing at me every few seconds.

She had chosen a dark blue lace gown, drop diamond earrings, a sapphire ring, a simple white purse and white high heels, all matched with the barest hints of make-up, ascending her natural beauty.

She had pulled the front strands of her hair back, leaving the rest to fall as it pleased, in an elegant sort of disorder.

Her eyes met mine, and anger flared in my chest once more, a hint of fear in her eyes known to me.

But I did not glare, minding my promise, simply inclining my head in greeting and then looking away, not trusting myself to remain emotionless.

"Welcome to the Kersey manor" rumbled my grandfather, bringing me out of my thoughts as I once more focused on the family in front of me.

Zellena's eyes were positively gleaming with delight as she saw Serpen by my side, and I allowed myself a small smile at the satisfaction that radiated from my familiar at the reaction of the family members who had this as their first encounter with him. Arielle's father, a muggle man, kept glancing at Serpen, a hint of uncertainty to his looks.

He seemed to have been warned, but had not warmed up to the idea just yet, if he ever were to do such a thing.

But my grandfather was not done speaking, and as I observed the two family members, he said: "We are pleased to have you here."

I once more devoted my entire attention to the family, slightly curious to see who would be the one to reply and return the greetings.

It was customary for the head of the family to reply to their host, but Arielle's family was a bit peculiar, for they had no head of house. They seemed to function with shared responsibility between all members, something I could not imagine.

Lynette smiled at my grandfather, inclining her head, in a move I knew well, taught to me very early in my life.

"We thank you Kenneth" Spoke she, her smile that of polite interest "we are very privileged by your invitation."

She stopped at that, turning slowly to me and nodding once in her thanks.

I tilted my head to the side lightly, accepting the thanks as manners dictated.

"Please, accept this as a sign of our thanks" she spoke, waving her wand and summoning a bottle of what appeared to be brandy.

Caleb, Arielle's father, caught the beverage from mid-air and moved forward, walking towards my grandfather.

He offered him the bottle confidently, with manners worthy of a wizard, and a small, polite smile.

Dragon Barrel Brandy, I noticed, a very good, very expensive beverage. A suitable gift.

"Thank you very much Caleb, Lynette." spoke up my grandmother, a gracious smile on her face, I had no doubt about that, "I suggest we move to the dining room now."

She then linked her hand with that of my grandfather, and they led the way to the eastern wing, while Melody and I staying behind, allowing the Hayes couple to walk past us.