Draco sat in between his parents, listening patiently as his mother explained all the preparations that had to be done for the ball. She had gone over just about everything, from decorations to food, but one issue still remained.

"Did you find yourself a date dear?" Narcissa asked her son with great interest.

"Yes, Mother, I did."

"Oh? Who is she?"

"Aurora Pontellier."

Narcissa gasped in delight. "Splendid!" She turned to address her husband. "Isn't that wonderful, Lucius? Emmanuel and Ophelia's daughter!"

Lucius gave his wife a knowing look and then turned his attention to his son. "Where did you meet her?"

"It turns out that we attend the same University."

"I see, looks like you were able to introduce yourself to the girl after all." Lucius smirked.

Draco grimaced; he knew his father would make such remarks. Since he missed his chance to formally introduce himself to Aurora at Reginald's wedding, his father did a great job of never letting him forget it.

"Yes, Father, I did. And what do you know, it wasn't difficult at all." Draco would never let his father know that Wyatt was the one who introduced him to her, otherwise he wouldn't have bothered to speak to her at all.

"So what is your relationship with this young lady?" Lucius asked as he took a sip from his wine.

"We're friends and only friends, and I had asked her to go to the Ball with me as friends." Draco made sure to put emphasis on the word friend, he didn't want his parents to get any funny ideas. "Also, I would like to invite her and her family over prior to the Ball."

Narcissa smiled. "Naturally dear, they can spend a few days here with us. It'll be lovely. And you had best get better acquainted with her family, since she is your date after all. I'll send an owl to Ophelia tomorrow letting her know."

Draco knitted his eyebrows together in confusion, "What do you mean by 'better acquainted'? I already know Mr. and Mrs. Pontellier as well as her brothers."

"Yes we know that dear, but it wouldn't hurt of you to strengthen relations with them."

"What for?"

Narcissa learned forward in her seat. "Sweetheart, you do realize you are going to the Ball with the youngest and only daughter of Emmanuel Pontellier. Yes, he and Ophelia are good friends of ours, and they like you, but they are extremely protective of Aurora. The fact that she grew up in America away from all of the conflicts here shows that." She sat up straight again. "And not only do you have to stay on her parents' good side, but take into consideration that she has three older brothers as well. Emmanuel and Ophelia may be more reserved in their protectiveness; however, I can't speak for the boys, and frankly my dear I would not appreciate my only son and child getting killed because of mistreating a young lady."

Draco gave his mother a puzzled look. "Mother, you make it sound as if I'm courting her. I told you, we're just friends!"

"You know, your father and I were friends before we started courting." Narcissa looked at her husband and smiled at him nostalgically; Lucius returned the favor by gently taking her hand and placing a kiss on her knuckles.

Aurora was back in her own bedroom unpacking her belongings when Beatrice burst in unannounced.

"WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?!" Beatrice shouted in outrage. Aurora sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose.

"Beatrice, since when has it ever been okay for you to burst in here unannounced, and shouting like a savage, no less. Also, why are you here? Shouldn't you be in Spain with your husband?"

"NEVERMIND PROPER ETTIQUETE, THE POINT IS YOU DIDN'T TELL ME!"

"I have no idea what you're talking about and I don't like your tone."

"BUT- BUT-"

"No buts!"

"OH SHUT UP, I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU WERE KEEPING SECRETS FROM ME!"

Aurora sighed and pointed at the wall. "Turn around, face the wall, and count to ten. I'm not going to speak to you until you calm down."

"UGGHHHH! I'm a 23 year old married woman! I'm not going to count!" Beatrice crossed her arms.

"Mrs. Enrique Amadis, I refuse to talk to you or answer your questions until you turn and face the wall and count!"

Beatrice huffed angrily, faced the wall, and began to count loudly. "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10," She turned back around. "Okay, I'm calm."

"Now, what exactly were you shouting about?"

"The New Year's Eve Ball that's being hosted at the Malfoy Manor. Why didn't you tell me that Draco Malfoy asked you to accompany him?"

"How did you find out about that? He only asked me yesterday."

"Berenice told me."

Berenice was Beatrice's fifteen year old sister.

"How did Berenice find out?"

"She heard aunt Celeste tell uncle Gavin about it."

"Ah, I see, and you're upset because I didn't tell you firsthand?"

"YES!"

"And what makes you think you have the right to know firsthand?"

Beatrice was at a loss for words; she just stood there gaping like at fish at her cousin.

Aurora led Beatrice to the door and gently pushed her out of the room. "Bye, Beatrice." With a flick of her wand the door slammed shut and locked itself.

"I swear, sometimes I absolutely can't stand her." Aurora muttered to herself as she placed one of her blouses into her closet, she continued to unpack but as suddenly interrupted by another knock on her door.

"I swear if it's Beatrice again she's going to get it." Aurora grumbled as she pulled the door opened.

"Excuse me for disturbing you Miss." squeaked the small voice of Lini, one of the House Elves. "But Lini has been sent by Mistress Celeste to fetch you for dinner."

Aurora nodded. "Thank you Lini, I'll be down in a moment."

Lini nodded and scurried away. Aurora shut the door and immediately made way to her closet. One strongly held tradition in her family was that everyone had to be dressed properly for dinner, and the way she was dressed now she knew that her Aunt Celeste would send her back up to change. Lord knows how many times she had sent Beatrice be sent back up to her room because her attire wasn't appropriate.

Since Beatrice and her husband were visiting the seating arrangement had been changed slightly. Gavin was in his usual spot at the head of the table and his wife Celeste sat across from him at the other end. Aurora was in the seat that was closest to Gavin, for it was no secret that she was his favorite niece and he wanted to keep her close. Normally Bernice would be seated next to her but tonight Aurora had to endure Beatrice sitting next to her. It could have been worse- she could have been sitting next to Rhea, her other cousin, who in Aurora's opinion was even worse than Beatrice. Rhea was 21 and she attended school in Chicago. She was a beautiful girl with dark brown hair, ice blue eyes and the thickest eyelashes any one had ever seen- yes she was beautiful and she knew it.

Aurora couldn't stand her, not one bit; conceited and nosy are two traits that she refused to tolerate and Rhea possessed both. The feeling was mutual, however, as Rhea couldn't stand Aurora either. In her opinion, Aurora was nothing but a haughty cow that had her nose stuck way too high up in the air.

"So cousin, word through the grapevine is that Draco Malfoy has asked you to accompany him to the New Year's Ball." Rhea addressed Aurora as she took a sip from her glass.

Aurora looked up at Rhea with a smirk playing at her lips. Typical. She was very familiar with this game that her cousin loved to play. Rhea knew that Aurora didn't like being in the spotlight so she always did whatever she could to provoke attention.

"Why yes he did, cousin. What of it?" Aurora said loftily, knowing exactly how to get under her cousin's skin.

"Nothing, I was just wondering how someone like young Master Malfoy could be interested in an odious individual such as yourself." Rhea tilted her head slightly has she took a bite of her chicken while making full eye contact with Aurora.

Aurora couldn't help but smile, she had succeeded; Rhea was annoyed.

"Perhaps I'm not as odious as you think."

"Perhaps, or maybe Malfoy has completely lost his mind."

"If I didn't know any better, cousin, I'd say you were jealous."

Rhea laughed. "Please don't flatter yourself. As if I would lower myself to such a level."

Aurora was about to retort until she was stopped short by her aunt.

"Girls, please, enough of these verbal altercations. It's not becoming of you." Celeste asked idly.

"Don't forget yourselves my dears, there are children present. Think what sort of example you would be setting if they saw their older cousins arguing. Also we have guests, what will Mr. Amadis think of us?" Gavin interjected.

Aurora put on her most pleasant smile. "Apologies, Uncle."

"It's quite alright my dear. Now tell me, when will you be going to your father's house?"

"I was thinking I would leave the day after tomorrow."

"Leaving? For what?" Rhea sneered.

"For the ball dear, have you forgotten? You're the one who brought up the whole matter." Celeste gave Rhea a stern look, warning her to drop the subject.

Celeste detested arguing, especially in the presences of the younger girls. She simply wouldn't have it. She had strived to raise dignified young ladies and she would not tolerate childish squabbles at her table. Celeste knew more than anyone that Aurora and Rhea didn't get along and she was grateful that Aurora had enough sense to avoid conflict. Rhea, however, was a different story. She loved to argue. In fact, she relished it; she would make a good law witch.

Creaking. Panting. Sweat. Grunting. Moaning. It was one of Wyatt's typical one night stands. He wasn't one for serious relationships and he never kept a girl for more than three weeks. Once he'd had his fill he would usually dump her with little trouble, mainly because the women he usually got involved with were loose just like him. His latest conquest was the pretty redhead he met weeks ago, Villetta.

Wyatt was too engrossed in the act of intercourse that he didn't hear the heavy footsteps make their way to his bedroom. Suddenly the door to his bedroom swung open and there stood a petite young woman with accusing eyes.

"Wyatt, you do know that you were supposed to pick me up from the train station several hours ago?"

He looked up at the girl, "Ramona, my dear, how are you? I'm so sorry. I was a bit preoccupied, as you can see." Wyatt smirked.

"Yes, I see that, brother. Well we can discuss how you've neglected to pick me up once you've finished." Ramona looked down at his current partner and wrinkled her nose. "Honestly Wyatt, you could have done a lot better." She turned and exited the room, shutting the door behind her.

Wyatt began to chuckle. "My twin sister, she's very picky."

Even though Wyatt found the whole situation amusing, Villetta was completely horrified! How could he possibly have a nonchalant conversation with his sister who had just walked in on them?!

"You know what, Wyatt, I'll see you later." Villetta stated as she pushed him off of her and she began to dress.

"Leaving so soon?" Wyatt propped his head up on one hand.

"Yes, frankly I'm not too fond of the idea of us having sex while your sister is in the next room!"

"Fine, suit yourself." Wyatt got up and made his way to the bathroom to take a shower. "Oh and make sure you shut the door on your way out!"

Villetta scowled in his direction and turned to leave.

Ramona was sitting on the couch keeping herself entertained with a book when Villetta stormed out of her brother's room. She didn't say a word to her but she did stop to glare at Ramona for the little comment she had made a moments ago. Ramona merely smirked at her and waved goodbye.

Once Wyatt was dried and dressed he joined his sister in the living room.

"What's with the face?" He asked his scowling sister.

"You forgot to pick me up from the train station because you were too busy shagging one of your whores. I feel so important right now." Ramona stated sarcastically.

"Is that what you're upset about?"

"YES!" Ramona shouted, as she threw the book that she was reading at her twin. Wyatt ducked in time to dodge it.

"Hey, no need to get violent."

"What is wrong with you?! I send you several letters informing you that I would be coming here to visit and I stated very specifically when and where I would arrive and what do you do?! You forget the whole thing because you were busy with some woman you probably just met!" Ramona was now pacing back and forth across the apartment. "I HAD TO WALK 20 BLOCKS TO GET HERE!"

Wyatt winced at his sister's shrill voice, which grew louder with every word she spoke.

"AND NOT ONLY DID I HAVE TO WALK 20 BLOCKS BUT IT'S SNOWING OUT AND IT'S DARK. GOD KNOWS WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO ME, AND TO TOP IT ALL OFF I HAD TO ASK A MUGGLE FOR DIRECTIONS! I HOPE YOU'RE QUITE PLEASED WITH YOURSELF WYATT! I HAVE NEVER HAD TO STOOP SO LOW IN MY ENTIRE LIFE!" Ramona was absolutely livid. She stood there and continued to glare at her brother.

"Why did you walk all the way here?"

"Wha-"

"I mean you could have just Apparated or something."

"I hate Apparating, I vomit every time I do, and you know that. Also, how am I supposed to Apparate if I haven't a clue where your apartment is? I've never been here before!"

"That's because you don't do it often, dear."

"Just wait until I tell Father!"

Wyatt began to chuckle "What, have we been reduced to children now? You're going to tell on me?"

"Not exactly, you know how I cannot lie to Father and when he asks if you picked me up I will simply tell him the truth" She adopted a tone of faux concern. "Oh, think how disappointed Mother will be once she hears that you neglected to pick up your sister because you were preoccupied with other matters." Ramona smirked.

"Okay fine- tell him! I don't care! And as for Mother, you know I could do no wrong in her eyes."

Ramona narrowed her eyes "You know what, forget me saying anything. You know that ball that is coming up?"

"Yes?"

"You're taking me. Forget the thought of even getting a date, I will be accompanying you to the event."

"What!?"

"It's only fair, you forgot your own sister, left her to stand in the cold for hours! And honestly I think it's an effective way of keeping you from shaming our family."

"Shame- what are you talking about?"

"Oh come on, I bet you were planning on brining that harlot you were with not too long ago as a date."

"So, what of it?"

"I will not let you bring a prostitute as a date to such an occasion! What will the Malfoys think?!"

"Okay first off Villetta is not a prostitute-"

"Girl you just met, prostitute-I see no difference. Honestly, Wyatt, when will you settle down and court a respectable girl?"

"When you finally settle down with a husband? But I don't think that will happen, now, will it- with the way you're talking you'd probably kill a man. Or you know what better yet, why don't we just ship you off to a convent. I'll think you'll fit in just fine, and you know what I think you'll look quite dashing in a habit!" Wyatt sneered. He was getting very irritated with his sister. If there was one person who could really get under his skin it was Ramona.

"Wyatt Damocles Alexander Belby, how dare you?!"

"How dare I? I didn't do anything Ramona Lydia Jane Belby!" Wyatt taunted "You're the one who came bursting in here all huffy and angry, you completely ruined my evening-"

"BECAUSE YOU FORGOT TO GET ME!"

"Keep it down will you! You're going to get me evicted! I would hate to have to explain to my landlord the reason why he is receiving so many complaints is because of my extremely loud sister! God, you act like you're doing me a favor by being here!"

At this point Ramona was extremely angry and hurt by her brother's last comment. In fact she was so angry that her eyes began to water.

"Okay fine Wyatt, have it your way. Coming here was a mistake, goodbye." Ramona wiped the angry tears away, picked up her bags, and began to make her way towards the door.

Wyatt immediately realized that he had hurt his sister's feelings. He ran past her to block the door.

"Wyatt, move."

"Hey Romy, don't leave, I'm sorry. I was being jerk, I didn't mean it."

"Yeah you did. You don't want me here, that's fine I'll just go and spend the holidays with Aunt Genevieve."

"But she lives all the way in Canada."

"So? It'd be more convenient for you right? Not only will I be gone but I'll be in another country."

Wyatt sighed. He grabbed his sister by the hand and dragged her all the way to the couch.

"Like hell you will! You're spending the holidays here whether you like it or not! I'll be damned if you have to spend Christmas with Aunt Genevieve, the only thing she owns is a mattress, bottle of holy water, and a Bible!" He stopped for a moment. "Wait, doesn't she live in a convent?"

"Well you did say that I belonged in one."

"I'm sorry, okay? I didn't mean it, honest!"

"Yeah, okay." Ramona rolled her eyes.

"Look, why you don't sit down, or unpack. The guest bedroom is right there next to my room."

"Fine, but you're still taking me to the ball."

"Yes, yes, whatever you want. Would you like me to fix you a cup of tea while you get settled?"

"I want jasmine tea, no sugar."

Wyatt chuckled. "Anything else, dear?"

"Not at the moment, but I'll be sure to think of a few things to help you ease your guilt for upsetting me."

"You know me so well it's scary."

"Well I am your twin, Wyatt, I know you better than anyone."

Wyatt smiled and shook his head as he walked to the kitchen to fix a cup of tea for his sister.