(Coeus Black - PoV)
So much for my plans to sit out the party...
While I think I was perfectly in the right to defend myself when Daphne started trying to attack me, Dora claims that I was wrong to cast at her in the first place. Which, ok, maybe I can see it.
I still think she was kind of rude, and that she absolutely overreacted to a little ice spell, but fine.
Dora may have a point that using her as a table was a bit much...for someone I like anyway. But I had no idea what to do at the time!
In retrospect, yes, I should have gone looking for someone to ask for help, or tried harder to talk her down, but...
Ok, I don't really have a good defense there. Clearly, I need to work on my diplomacy skills. I am supposed to be a Slytherin, not a Gryffindor, ugh. Violence can be an excellent solution but it is not the only solution.
Of course, now I have to try to find her, which is proving...problematic. Black Manor may not be some enormous, sprawling complex, but it is not a small house, and she could be moving as well.
"Phoebe?" I ask.
She shrugs. "You know it doesn't work like that...most of the time. She probably won't kick you between the legs though?"
Well, that's good. Still, why couldn't future sight be more specific?
"Well, she probably won't be around the buffet, or any place with a lot of people if she is still embarrassed." I figure. "Where would she go?"
"Bathroom?" she suggests.
...Duh.
"Aaaand backward we go, which one is the closest to the library again?"
*Knock* *Knock*
"Occupied," a muffled voice sounds out.
"Daphne?" I ask.
"Go away."
Not the best start.
"Can you come out? I uh, came to apologize? Like, properly?"
...
...
There is no response for long enough that I consider knocking again before the door swings open.
She is still red-faced, her hair and robes in disarray, as she glares at me from the doorway.
She always puts so much effort into her appearance and composure, I've never seen her looking like this before. It is...different.
...
"Well?" She demands.
Right, stop staring.
"Sorry, I, err."
It is hard to resist the random urge to hug her. Bad habit, and I suspect it would invalidate Phoebe's prediction.
"Right, so, Dora talked to me and explained things. I am sorry for casting a spell at you in the first place, ok? I was annoyed that you were ignoring me and did not think it was a big deal. That was a mistake."
Honestly, I still don't. But I am sorry that it caused a fight, so that counts, right?
"And, umm, I'm sorry for using you as a table. That was...really rude. I didn't think at all there. And for just kind of leaving you there on the floor. I just didn't know what to do with you at that point. I really should have handled things better."
...
We stand there awkwardly while she continues to glare at me.
"Uh-huh," she says. "Now, how much are you actually sorry for, and how much is just you saying the words?"
Damn, she's onto me. Ish.
I fidget.
"I...really am sorry for using you as a table? And that we had a fight in the first place? Oh, and that I didn't know how to fix it."
...
"Really, you are a friend Daphne. Most of the other idiots I wouldn't care. Please forgive me?"
...
She sighs.
"Ugh, fine. But you owe me. And I want something really nice for my birthday," she demands.
"Of course," I agree.
This would probably be a bad time to admit I have no idea when her birthday is.
"Now, you wait right there while I actually get cleaned up!" she demands once more, before closing the door.
...
"This is going to take a while, isn't it?"
"Should we leave him here to wait it out alone?" Phoebe asks Iris.
"Please don't..."
Thankfully, Iris shows mercy, and they keep me company while Daphne does...stuff. I can't tell if it actually takes her this long or if she is just doing it to get revenge on me.
I started to pull out my trunk to find something to read, but Phoebe advised against it. Annoying as it is that she neglected to advise me earlier...well, at least she is telling me now.
...
Boring!
I could try to talk but...what is there to talk about?
"So, how did you meet Daphne?" Iris asks.
Saved by Iris, thank you!
"A big get-together like this one, she came with her family. They are officially neutral but are an old pureblood family, so tend to lean our way most of the time. She was really eager to get away from her parents, and we were avoiding Draco, who was being a drama queen that day, though I don't remember why?"
"Something about his hair, I couldn't really tell the difference though." Phoebe answers.
"Oh yeah, that. That explains why he was still complaining later. Anyhow, we retreated to hide in, well, the library...we are getting predictable aren't we?"
"A bit."
"We may need to change it up, don't want people thinking we are Ravenclaws. Though Ravens are almost acceptable...Anyhow, I think we hit it off fairly well. Draco did eventually find us, he pulled up a chair-"
I am interrupted as the door opens, and Daphne exits, as her more usual immaculate self.
She does that little sniff/huff thing on seeing me.
"Coeus. Telling stories?"
"Iris asked about how we met."
She nods. "I see."
"Where to?" I ask her.
"I want a drink." she declares.
"Fair enough, to the buffet then."
We head in that direction.
"Anyway, so Draco eventually finds us, pulls up a chair, and starts ranting about his hairdresser or whatever. Daphne joins in with him, and they start talking about it, really going on and on. Eventually, Daphne compliments him, what was it you said?"
"It's so nice to have someone who actually understands! My sister is still too little, and boys just don't get it." Daphne replies.
"Wait, but Draco is a boy," Iris objects.
"Yeah, but he didn't introduce himself, and Daphne had never met him! She just assumed from meeting him that he was a girl!" I explain while chuckling.
I will never let him live that down, ever.
"I certainly did not expect any boy to discuss hair care and cosmetics with me for over twenty minutes. Coeus, what shampoo do you use?"
"Whatever Phoebe tells me to."
Daphne nods. "Honestly it was a great conversation but he certainly took offense to my assumption."
I nod. "And our laughing about it, he wouldn't speak to us for months. Though I admit we might have some muggle ladies' room signs we still occasionally put on whatever restroom he uses."
Phoebe giggles, while Daphne and Iris smile, though Iris looks embarrassed about it.
We reach the dining hall, with the glorious food display. Honestly, at this point I wouldn't mind loading up, but would Daphne take offense? This little trip is supposed to be for her...
We just grab drinks for the moment, before retreating to an unobtrusive corner. I can feel all the eyes upon us, bleh.
"So, Phoebe, I have to ask, why did you not say anything earlier? You usually keep a better leash on your brother," Daphne asks.
Leash? Don't talk about me like I'm a dog!
"He needed to learn," Phobe says.
She's...not lying? But I get the feeling that isn't everything...
Damnit Phoebe, what games are you playing now? We could have avoided this whole mess...
"True, but I think there is more to it, yes? You could easily have explained everything to him," she pries further.
Phoebe smiles at her. "What took you so long in the bathroom before we arrived Daphne?"
...
She is silent.
Wait, what wa-
"Mister Black, Miss Black, Miss Greengrass, and...Miss Potter, I presume?"
Turning, I find Draco's dad has approached us.
Iris nods in confirmation at his question.
"Pleased to meet you, Lucius Malfoy. Pardon the interruption, have any of you seen Draco? I was under the impression he was off to find you?"
"He did but left to go to the bathroom. He is probably hiding from Pansy now, last we saw she was searching for him." I reply.
He pauses.
"Pansy, you say? Pansy Parkinson is here?"
"Yeah. Daphne said she thinks she might have snuck out or something?"
"I see. Please, excuse me, and if you see Draco do tell him to stay with you until I return."
"Ok, good luck."
He quickly strolls away.
"That was...odd."
"Indeed," Daphne agrees.
"Was it?" Iris asks.
"Yeah. Honestly, I expected him to try to chat you up a bit more. He should have to tact not to overdo it, but to leave without saying almost anything was weird..."
"He seemed worried about Draco, any idea why?" Daphne asks.
Shrugs all around.
"And who have we here?"
We turn to find an older man and his son, the Notts.
"Theo, introduce us?" he...suggests, his hand tight on Theo's shoulder.
Right, I suppose I have seen him but never really been formally introduced.
Theo clears his throat.
"Uh, dad meet Coeus Black, Phoebe Black, Daphne Greengrass, and...uh..."
"Iris, uh, Iris Potter,"
Theo blinks in surprise, his eyes doing the flick to her lightning scar.
"Oh...Oh, apologies, I didn't realize...Right, sorry. Everyone, my father, Edmund Nott."
We all exchange nods before Nott speaks again.
"My, I did not expect to find such august company hiding away in a corner! A lucky day for us all, I suppose. Tell me, Miss Potter, how are you finding things in the proper world so far?"
"Umm, really good? A bit overwhelming at times, but with Coeus, and Phoebe, and everyone else...it's nice."
"Good, good. I -"
*Ting* *Ting*
Grandfather draws everyone's attention to the front.
"If I may have your attention? Thank you. Thank you all for coming, and thank you all for your votes! Thanks to all of your hard work, my grandson is finally free!"
He gives a moment for polite applause.
"Thank you. He could not attend tonight, due to health reasons of course. Such a long stay in Azkaban is not without its consequences, but we have every expectation he will recover. But you gave him that chance -"
I start tuning out the rest of the speech. Am I going to have to give these one day? I hope not.
Glancing over the crowd, they seem politely attentive at the very least. Are they actually listening or are they as zoned out as I am?
You know, since no one is looking I wonder if I could get away with sneaking something from the buffet, I am getting pretty hungr-oh, no, everyone is looking at us now why are they looking at us?
Shitshitshit.
Iris gives a small wave.
Oh, Grandfather is introducing Iris then? Maybe?
This is rather awkward.
((Nympha)Dora Tonks - PoV)
I remain across the hall from the trio...quad? Foursome.
Heh, foursome.
Anyhow, I changed looks, so they didn't notice me as they came in. Luckily it seems all is forgiven...ish. They are on speaking terms at least.
No one pays much attention to my new form, so I have no trouble playing wallflower, sipping my drink while keeping an eye on them. Odd that Malfoy ran off so quick, I expected him to suck up more.
Glad that Gramps speech cut off Nott though. He always gave me the creeps and was another Death Eater bastard.
...
I hope Sirius gets better soon. I can't imagine someone like him will enjoy being cooped up in the hospital, even if it must be a damned sight better than Azkaban.
...
Oh yes, clearly if the vote hadn't gone through it was just a matter of time till the Ministry started locking away people without cause, and then no pureblood would be safe. I mean, it's not like there is any really good reason for anyone in this room to be put away.
...
And now all the attention is on Iris. Well, she is dealing with it better than she would have before at least. And Coeus wasn't listening to anything at all was he? Yeah, that little bastard has no idea what is going on. You need to work on your poker face little brother.
Can't say I blame him though. I would prefer to grab some more food and scram, this is so not my thing. Not unless I can come in here wand blazing.
Arcturus does at least draw attention back to himself, thanking everyone once again, and fluffing their egos once more, before releasing everyone to be about their business.
How much longer till we can go home? I've never actually attended one of these before...
(Coeus Black - PoV)
Alright, it's over. Hopefully nobody noticed. Maybe.
Ok, people totally did, but I can hope, right?
"That sucked..." Iris complains.
"Totally..." I agree.
"Wait, what?" Daphne asks.
"Brother wasn't paying attention and got caught out. Everyone noticed." Phoebe explains.
...Balls.
"Hey, why didn't you warn me?" I ask.
...
"I...may not have been paying attention either?" she admits.
...And no one noticed because she just always looks like that. No fair.
"I...you are both impossible. You know this is an important event right?"
"So?" I ask, cocking my head.
"Getting caught out like that, embarrassing yourself and your family..."
She shudders.
"You have no idea how lucky you are you can get away with it so easily. I don't even entirely understand how to can get away with it."
Shugging, I respond, "I'm a Black. We crush everyone who objects. This may not be the best time for it but...well, like earlier."
She blinks, before glaring at me.
"No, I mean really. If I do something that offends most people, they either get over it or try to do something about it. If they try to do something? We crush them. You are a friend, so I didn't know how to deal with it, because I didn't want to actually hurt you. So I just kinda...half-assed it?"
"...That was "half-assing" it?"
"Well, yeah? Anyhow, if you don't want to have to deal with people's shit, I can maybe try to teach you to duel or something? Or at least we can practice a few more spells, the Stinging Hex is not going to cut it if that's all you know."
"...Yes, but this doesn't count as my favor!"
"That's fine, this is just being friends, right? We've been practicing a bit with Iris, as much as we can anyway, with her limits on magic."
Daphne frowns.
Aaand that brings up that whole discussion again. Thankfully, Iris doesn't mind clueing Daphne in as well.
"That is..."
She twitches.
Aye. It's like that.
Bloody muggles.
We are interrupted by Draco and Pansy?
"There you are!" he says. "I thought you intended to stay in the library?" he asks, Pansy following at his heels.
"We did but there was a, uh, incident," I reply.
He frowns.
"An incident?"
"Err..."
"He started a fight with me," Daphne explains.
I guess we will go with that.
He raises an eyebrow at me and I shrug.
"Odd, I would have expected more...ruin."
It is my turn to frown.
"Hey, it's Daphne, I'm not going to unleash hell. I learned the Full-Body Bind."
"Ah, useful that. I should practice it..."
"Well, you do have two free target dummies around here somewhere, don't you?"
"They should be," he replies. We look around the room but can't catch sight of them, oddly. Both the boys and their parents tend to stand out.
"Draco!" Pansy whines. "We found everyone else, will you stop ignoring me now?"
He cringes.
"You know, if you knew the Full-Body Bind already you wouldn't have this problem," I tell him.
He nods.
"Wait, what problem?" Pansy asks.
There is no way this girl is getting into Slytherin.
"Children, enjoying yourselves?" Grandfather asks, having snuck up on us. Or maybe casually walked over. One or the other.
"Could be worse," I admit. "Nothing and no one is on fire...this time."
We attended an event with the Mclaggens once. Never again.
"Always something to be happy about, at least. Miss Parkinson, I must say, I am surprised to see you here. Is your father attending as well?"
"Oh, uh, no? I don't think so, at least. He seemed like he was in a really bad mood when he got home. But I wanted to see Draco so I...maybe...kind of...came by myself?" she admits, embarrassed.
"I see. No, I am afraid that simply will not do. Come now dear, let us get you back home. You should know better than that, no matter how much you may want to see your friend. There will be plenty of time for that at Hogwarts, no?"
Pansy deflates but follows along after Grandfather to the Entrance Hall.
The moment we can no longer see them Draco lets out a sigh of relief.
"Oh thank the old gods, she's gone!"
Phoebe and I laugh, while Daphne and Iris frown at him.
Neither have a chance to speak, however, before we are approached once more, by a very unwelcome pair.
"Daphne, come. It is time for us to return home, to ensure your sister has not done anything untoward," one of them says.
The Greengrass's, Daphne's parents.
Yeah, while Daphne is great, I really do not like them at all.
"Yes Father," she replies dutifully.
I barely resist giving him the finger as they leave. We never did get to practice...
"Bastards..." I mutter.
Draco frowns at me.
"They are not that bad..." he defends them.
We argue back and forth for a bit before his father arrives.
"Ah, Draco! There you are...
"Father? I was wondering where you were, I expected you to be here..."
"Yes, well..."
He steps forward, putting his hand on Dracos's shoulder.
"I was a bit concerned when I could not find you." He nods to us. "Thank you for keeping an eye on him."
I shrug.
"He came in with Pansy not too long ago. Then Grandfather took her off to send her back home."
"Ah...I see..."
He looks around the hall.
"Hmm, it seems that more than a few people are heading home. I believe we shall do the same."
"Good evening, Mister Black, Miss Black. Miss Potter, good to meet you, apologies for not chatting longer."
"It's fine. It was good to meet you?"
He nods.
"Do feel free to write, Draco can always use more friends and associates. Come, Draco."
He rolls his eyes but obeys. "Yes, Father."
We watch them leave.
"Well then, back to just the three of us," I say.
"Escape?" Phoebe asks.
"Pillage first," I disagree.
We loot the buffet tables before retreating to the library before we are intercepted again.
And there we remain until Dora comes to retrieve us and we can finally go home for the night.