An – sorry I haven't written for a while had writers block again. I know what to write but can't find a way to get there. Thanks to anyone who's sticking with me, I really appreciate it. Anyway on with the chapter. Plus I'm running out of names for chapters so I might leave some blank and if you have a good name use that…

A visit from Family

Riddle manor was quiet as always. Her father was in town and she was trying to keep as far away from her mother as she could. As she walked down the corridors her thoughts turned once again to Zarian. She missed him so much and it had only been 3 weeks since she left school, but she was so used to seeing him everyday that being without him was strange.

She was pulled out of these thoughts by the sound of the door bell ringing. It couldn't be her father he had only been gone a short while. Curious she made her way to the staircase that led to the hall to see who it could be. Smiths the new butler opened the door to reveal the visitors. Anya who had been hopeful for a friend or even Zarian to be at the door felt her stomach drop when she saw it was her grandparents.

She sighed and plastered a smile upon her face before walking down to see them. The senior Riddles had hardly aged a day that was the benefit of having a rested and wealthy life.

"Grandfather, Grandmother." She called as she walked them into the sitting room asking Smiths to put on tea. She was used to being a host and hid a smirk when she realised that this was meant to be her mother's job. No sooner had she thought it when Mrs Riddle entered the room looking somewhat flushed and humbled.

"Ahh Margaret, Harold how nice to see you." She said sitting down opposite them. "I'll have Smiths put on some tea for you…"

"No need, I have already asked him" Anya stated looking rather smug, and noticing the amused glint in her grandmother's eye that vanished quickly.

"Ohh, well that was good off you." She said inwardly cursing her step daughter, she always managed to make a fool out of her, when she was home always one step ahead.

"So what brings you here? Tom is away in town at the moment attending to some business, but he should be home soon."

"We were just passing and decided we should pop in to see you all, and to apologise personally for not being able to be here for Anya's birthday." Her grandmother spoke accepting the tea from Smith.

"Where are you going?" Anya asked before she could stop herself. It wasn't a surprise that they wouldn't be here again, but it still made her sad to think they wouldn't even be there for her 16th.

"We will be away in Ireland attending some business, we leave tomorrow. I'm sorry dear, but it is unavoidable…we have your present in the car however." Her grandfather answered and indicated to Smith to retrieve it.

Anya merely smiled politely. She couldn't wait till her birthday for she was going out with Naria and Zarian to Diagon Alley. There she could actually have some fun.

"We will of course be back in time for the ball. We wouldn't want to miss that." Her grandmother added with a smile.

This threw Anya. A ball, why did she have to have a ball? Sure she was 16 but what did that really mean. Why did she need a ball? She didn't voice this out loud however merely asked "A ball?"

"Yes my dear, its tradition to have one on your 16 birthday. The invitations have been sent out all ready. It will be marvellous dear; lots of gentlemen will be there including Lord Harts Son. You remember him surely, Albert?" her grandmother replied sounding pleased, and excited at the prospect of him attending.

God did she, Albert Hart was an arrogant 18 year old who her parents had made her play with during her summers here, obvious in the interest of creating a match for them. She knew she would rather put pins in her eyes than spend an evening dancing with him, let alone marrying the tosser.

"Yes I remember." She said through gritted teeth trying hard to stop her grimace from forming on her face.

"Yes he must be around 18 now, charming boy, he comes from good stock." Her step mother added "you always got on well with him, didn't you Anya?"

Anya merely nodded not trusting herself to speak, for fear of her thoughts coming out.

"When is the ball going to be?" she asked after a while.

"On Saturday, we will be back by then. It would have been nice to have it on your birthday but we wouldn't want to miss it."

Saturday! That was only 5 days away. Her birthday was in 2 days time. She knew what this would mean tomorrow she would have to go shopping with her mother to buy a gown. This day kept getting better and better.

"Will I be able to invite some people? I like it if they could be there?" she was referring to Naria and Zarian, particularly Zarian especially with Albert going to be there.

Her family looked at her curiously before her grandmother said reluctantly "that should be…fine"

Anya smiled before excusing herself. Maybe the party would be bearable with her friends around her. Meanwhile Zarian would be able to meet her parents, somehow that thought made her stomach squirm, would that be a good thing or a bad thing. Hmmm.

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Just as she had suspected she was forced to go shopping with Mrs Riddle for a ball gown. They planned to go to London to shop as there was a lot more choice than in Hangleton.

Shop after shop they entered and with everyone Anya felt her patience snapping with her step-mother, whom seemed to be insistent that she wear a pink gown. That was not going to happen…ever!

Finally, after visiting every shop imaginable Anya had had enough and suggested that Penelope go have a cup a tea, while she went to another shop further up the road. Tired from all the walking her step-mother agreed. Little did she know just where Anya was going…

Anya walked down towards the "leaky cauldron" pub and continued through it greeting the barman "tom" with a smile. "Didn't expect to see you here today, little early for school supplies isn't it"

"I'm not here for supplies. It's my birthday tomorrow and my family are having a ball so I need something to wear. Muggles gowns aren't all that great." She laughed and walked to the entrance of Diagon Alley.

Once there she headed for "Miss Malkins – robes for all occasions", there she would be able to find a suitable dress, particularly one to stun Zarian.

"Hello dear may I help you" came the kind voice of Miss Malkin, she was not much older than herself and Anya couldn't help but be stunned by this.

"Um... Yes I need a gown for my muggle ball, it's my 16th birthday."

"Right, well come this way and I'll measure you." She followed the girl to the back of the shop. "Any particular colour?"

"Anything that's not pink" replied Anya with a laugh.

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Half an hour later Anya walked out of the shop with the gown in a box under her arm.

"Get everything you need?" Tom asked as she got to the Leaky Cauldron once more. "Yes thank you." She replied and smile on her face.

She met up with her stepmother who was sitting in a tearoom reading a magazine on fashion.

"Ah there you are." She said as Anya walked towards her "Have u got a gown?" she asked eyeing the box.

"Yes. I'm ready to leave if you are."

They left and returned to the car. Anya felt more confident about the ball now she had a gown that would make many men gasp. Including Zarian…