(Coeus Black - PoV)

Morning dawns bright and early, and I don't care! Tugging the blanket over my head, I snuggle into my sleeping companions.

The...whatever we have to do today won't be until some time not now, or soon, so the sun can just go away!

The bed is soft, the pillows are in the perfect position, everyone is comfortable, and the temperature is perfect.

Zzzzz

Wait, why am I mo-WE ARE FALLING OH CRA-

*thump*

...

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Looking up, bleary-eyed, I see Dora standing in the doorway, wand in hand, laughing madly.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Our mattress remains hovering in the air but is tilted like a ramp, showing the cause of our sudden freefall.

Well, the Levitation Charm is now on the list. You do know this means war, Dora?

Grunting, I tap the floor with my hand, revealing it is softer than usual. I believe she layed down a cushioning charm beforehand at least, likely for Iris's benefit. Not something she generally does for us, I know from experience.

Iris, who finally manages to free herself from the tangle of limbs and blankets, gazes around wide-eyed, trying to discover what the hells just happened. I point her towards the problem.

"Ah, that was great," Dora claims, wiping her eyes. "Anyhow, mom sent me up to get you lot, time for breakfast."

I glare. "It could have waited. The thing isn't until like, tonight, right? We could just have a late brunch..."

She snorts. "Not so lucky little bro, she's in full Princess mode right now...possibly my fault, sorry. After you eat she's going to try to start grilling you on names and manners."

Phoebe and I both groan, falling backward onto the blankets.

Borrring. What a waste of a day, we could be doing...anything else. Like learning the Levitation Charm, or bashing our heads into a wall for a few hours.

Dora laughs again. "No worries midgets, I'm not putting up with it. I'm sure she will be too frustrated with me to worry about what you lot get up to. Do try to give Iris at least the basics though, yeah?"

Phoebe and I nod in agreement. And maybe our revenge can wait a little bit longer if Dora is going to take a spell for us.


Breakfast is...ugh. Andy is every bit as high-strung as Dora said to expect. Fortunately, she rides to our rescue as promised, starting an argument as we finish up, allowing the three of us the chance to sneak away from the table.

Ted sighs and begins to pick up the plates. Sorry Ted, hate to leave you with all the cleanup, but I am not risking her attention.

Once safely returned to our fortress of...our room...whatever. Once back to our room, I raid the library trunk, and we get started on the Levitation Charm. Even if revenge on Dora may be delayed, it is still part of the First Year curriculum, so will be good to know. Iris won't be able to practice too much, but a little should be fine.

What should we levitate? Well, the trunks promise to be a terrible idea...most of the furniture is not much better...pillows, duh!


"Alright then, I finally esca-whoa, what happened here?" Dora asks, entering the room sometime later.

I stand victorious over my conquered foes, pillow in hand.

I am...not certain where our wands went. I suppose I should have expected that levitating pillows would quickly turn into a pillow fight instead. Phoebe may have started the fight, but I finished it!

"Victory is mine!" I proclaim, breathing heavily.

Iris and Phoebe lay defeated at my feet, their weapons discarded.

"I see, I see. Are you the new pillow king then?" Dora asks.

I nod imperiously. All shall bow.

"Well pillow king, what exactly is your plan for the giant mess you three appear to have made?"

I survey the room. Small items are scattered everywhere, much of the furniture is toppled over, there are a number of busted open pillows, and absolutely everything is covered in feathers. This...may be a problem. My domain is a ruin.

"The war for the crown appears to have been more costly than anticipated," I admit.

"Yup. Taking over is the easy part, it is putting things back together after that's a bitch," Dora informs me.

I wish I had learned this fact earlier. They really need a Conqueror's Guide for Kids. Maybe Dark Lords would be less incompetent then?

"Anyhow, it's getting late enough that you lot should go ahead and get ready. Time to get all fancily dressed up for the snooty crowd. You got Iris handled Phoebe?"

She nods. "I'm on it."

"Cool, cool. Imma go get ready myself. I guess this," she wave a hand at the mess, "can wait until...well, not now to be dealt with. I'm certainly not cleaning it up."

Booo!

Wait, she said we don't have to deal with it now. Yay? Oh, whatever. Time to change. Phoebe follows Iris to her room to help her pick out clothes while I start digging through a trunk.

Hrm, right, I didn't get new dress robes either did I? Stupid Malkin and her stupid lavender obsession. Wait, no, it was because I wanted to get away from Draco wasn't it? Well, if he asks I will have to blame Malkin, otherwise he will get whiny.

Whatever, I still have a nice set that fits. Black with silver stars like the night sky, very fancy looking. After setting something similar out for Phoebe, I shut the trunk.

Now...start cleaning up the mess, or waste time? Hah, as if that was a choice.

What exactly to do though?

...

...Well, I guess I could just go bring Phoebe her outfit.

I head down the hall to Iris's room.

She squeaks loudly and jumps when I open the door.

Figures, she is still in the middle of changing.

"You two take way too long," I tell them. "Here Phoebe, I got your clothes ready, figured I would bring them to you."

"Thanks!"

I pass the clothes off, while Iris tries to cover herself up, blushing madly.

I frown.

"What's up Iris?"

"You...I'm changing!"

"So?"

Is it about the scars? I mean, I've already seen them, and I thought she was getting better about that...

*Screech*

The owl hollers at me as well

"Hey, don't you give me any crap! I'm the one that got you food if you don't recall!"

It...did it just harrumph at me?

"Hey, did you ever pick out a name for her? Feels weird calling her 'the owl."

"What? Yes, her names Hedwig! Now, can you just...out? For a minute?" Iris asks.

"Ok, I guess..."

I make my way back out, closing the door behind me.

Now what? I don't want to go downstairs and risk getting Andy's attention, and Dora takes even more time getting ready...

Ugh, I guess I should go start cleaning up the room, it will drive me mad otherwise.


After way, way too long, the girls finish and join me. Iris immediately starts helping clean, while Phoebe sits on the bed watching until I start throwing all the feathers at her.

We have the room mostly presentable before it is time to leave.

Andy natters on about this and that the entire time, but really she is wasting her breath. Iris is too overwhelmed to remember everything, and the rest of us are ignoring her. Really, Andy, we are the Blacks. This stuff is for social climbers, we are already at the top. If they want to get pissy about it, we just step on their fingers and they fall off the ladder. Easy.

I refrain from saying anything though because I don't want her to switch again. This would be a really bad time for that, though I suppose seeing her go off on Draco's dad might be funny.

We take the floo one at a time to Grandfathers, Phoebe and I catching Iris as she comes out.

"You did a little better this time," I assure her.

Her mutterings imply she is not convinced.

We are the first ones to arrive, having come over early. As his family, we should be here to help Grandfather act as greeters and such. Which Andy is totally going to do, and the rest of us are going to go raid the library and see if we can find some cool books to sneak home while she is occupied. Anyone we actually want to talk to should be able to find us, and everyone else can bugger off.

"Coeus, Phoebe, Iris, good to see you all. The floo does take some getting used to Iris, but most get the hang of it after a few times." Grandfather greets us.

Dora chooses that moment to come out of the fireplace, limbs flailing wildly as she flips end over end, ending up upside down near the far side of the room.

"Most," he repeats.

Andy exits last, immediately starting to chatter with Grandfather about expected arrival order and such, while we take the opportunity to flee. Dora untangles herself and starts to follow after.

"Dora," Grandfather calls out before she can join us, "Dipper has already set up the buffet if you are interested."

She does an about-face and heads the other direction. I guess we are on our own for the moment.


"There you are!"

I look up from the book to find an exasperated Draco standing at the end of the row.

"Yes? Where else would we be?" I reply.

The three of us grabbed a stack of interesting-looking books, claimed the comfiest chairs in the library, and set up camp.

It can't have been that long, I haven't even made my way through the first book yet.

"Where else would you be? Coeus, the Black family is hosting the party! You two are supposed to be greeting everyone. You know this!" he whines.

I shrug.

"Yeah, but we are the Blacks. What are they going to do about it if we don't?"

He opens his mouth, pauses, and then just sighs.

"You are going to give so many people headaches..." he mutters.

He steps forward towards the third chair, before finally realizing it is occupied.

"Err...oh. Oh! Apologies, I didn't even see you there! Draco Malfoy!" he introduces himself.

"Umm, Iris Potter."

"I see. It is good to finally meet you, Miss Potter, I am glad you are finally part of our world, as is proper."

They stare at each other awkwardly for a moment, before Draco finds another chair.

"May I ask what you are reading?" he asks, after sitting.

"Oh...uhh..." She lifts up the book, showing him the title. A Brief History on the Founding of the Ministry of Magic

"History huh? Good, good, that makes sense. I can't even imagine how much you have missed out on..."

She nods. "Some books Ted recommended helped a bit, but there are still tons of basic things I don't know, lots to catch up on. And since I can't use magic much right now, I figured I may as well focus on history."

"Oh? Why can't you use magic right now?"

...

Phoebe and I put our hands on her shoulders as she sinks into herself.

"I...apologies, if it is a private matter..." Draco backtracks.

"No...it...it's fine...I..."

She smiles at us and sits up straighter.

"I have...health issues...from before. From...everything that happened. A little magic is ok, but too much right now could cause permanent damage I think? So until I finish healing, we have to be really careful about...everything. I should be fine before Hogwarts at least, so it's not a big concern."

Draco nods and maintains his composure well, but I can see him tense as he puts the pieces together. He glances at me, and I nod.

He is all smiles as he continues small talk with Iris, but his fingers clench the arms of the chair tightly.

Muggles...

And bah, this book is useless...for now. Lots of interesting-looking curses, but way too high level for me, I don't think I can cast any of these yet, and I don't have anyone to practice on regardless. Whatever, I throw it in the trunk and put it on the list to give Grandfather. It would be rude to take the books without letting him know so that he can replace them.

I dig another book on simple wards out of the pile. Maybe there will be something to keep Dora out of our room?

"Your minions ever arrive?" I ask Draco during an awkward pause in their conversation.

"Not that I know of. You know they are always late for these things and then go straight to the buffet when they do arrive."

That sounds right. I barely ever see them, not that it is a big loss. I have nothing against them, but they are not exactly stimulating conversational partners.

"How about Daphne?"

"You know, if you actually did your duties as host you might know all of this?"

I wave him off.

"Phoebe, think Daphne is here yet?"

She shrugs.

"She will probably find us if she wants to."

I point at Phoebe.

"See? Problem solved."

He shakes his head and I go back to my book.

"Whatever. I am going to the bathroom while you neglect your duties. Miss Potter, it was nice to meet you."

"Umm, you too?"

He does a little bow and wanders off.

And everything in here is even more complicated...

Like, it all looks amazing, but I need years more study for any of this...

Hrm, maybe I should dig out my Beginner Arithmancy or Ancient Runes books actually? Sure they are technically third-year classes but I don't think there are any hard requirements that I don't meet right now and those two are crippling so many interesting paths...

"Coeus!" A shrill voice intrudes.

Looking up I find Pansy standing before me.

"What?"

"Have you seen Draco? I can't find him anywhere!" she complains.

"Yeah, he was here but went off to get something to eat just a minute ago. Try the buffet?"

"Ugh, that silly boy!" She takes off in search of her wayward...

Something. She is always following Draco around but neither of us has any idea why.

"Did...you just lie to her?" Iris asks.

"Yeah, that was Pansy. She is always following Draco around for some reason, and won't ever leave him alone. Phoebe knows why but won't tell us," I reply.

She rolls her eyes.

"She likes him, you idiots."

"Well, I mean, I assumed that, considering she follows him around all the time..."

She sighs, before looking at me.

"Like, boyfriend girlfriend like."

...

"Ohhhhhhh."

...

"Wow, she is going to be really disappointed, isn't she?"

"Very likely."

...

"What? Why is she going to be disappointed?" Iris asks.

"Oh, sorry. Well, Pansy is always following Draco around, but she is really annoying, and he doesn't like her at all and likes her even less because she won't leave him alone, so she is making things worse, yeah?"

Phoebe nods.

"So, yeah, not looking good for her. Plus her dad and his don't really get along that well I don't think? Parkinson likes to compete for power or something? So really, it just is not going to happen."

"What's not going to happen?"

I turn to see Daphne has arrived.

"Hey Daphne. Pansy is chasing Draco again. Phoebe finally explained that she like likes him, and we were explaining to Iris why that is not going to happen," I answer.

"Wait Pansy is here? After what her dad tried to pull earlier? I am amazed he had the nerve to show his face...and no, no way is that happening, even more so than ever after today."

"Why? What happened today?"

"Wait, you have not heard? I expected your Grandfather would have told you all about it."

"We ran away and hid as soon as we got here so we wouldn't have to play greeter."

"Ah. Well, I do not know the details, but he did something recently, to cement control over your side of things. Malfoy ended up looking a bit weak after, so Parkinson decided to pull one of his coup attempts...by trying to sabotage the vote on your father."

...

"The vote that he is innocent? To get him released from Azkaban?"

"Yes, that vote."

...

So, just to be clear. I can't say I am overly attached to the man but...

That is absolutely unacceptable.

Daphne shudders.

"See, that right there, that is exactly why I am amazed Pansy is here...maybe she snuck out?"

"What?"

She looks at me.

"That! That look. Everyone knows how the Blacks are, and after pulling something like that? I cannot believe he would dare show his face here of all places...

I shrug.

"Whatever. I suppose Grandfather will take care of pigface then?"

She stares at me again.

"I...expect he has it covered, yes."

"Cool. So what have you been up to all summer?"

"Not as much as you, apparently."

She walks past me.

"Hi. Sorry I did not introduce myself properly, I was waiting to see if someone else would, but, well." She tosses her hair. "I cannot say I am surprised at his lack of manners. Daphne Greengrass."

"Hi. Iris Potter."

She sits in the chair Draco vacated and starts up a conversation with Iris, ignoring me.

Now, it is good to see Iris making friends.

However, I asked a question, and it was not answered.

...

A quick cast of the Ice Jinx gets Daphne's attention.

!

Daphne shrieks, leaping into the air and doing a little dance as she attempts to remove the piece of ice that fell into her clothes when she jerked away from the blow.

I wait patiently while she removes the ice and recovers.

She turns to glare at me.

"Coeus, what was that for?" she asks, voice venomous.

"How was your summer?" I repeat.

...

She and Iris stare at me. Phoebe smirks a bit behind her book. The other two can't see it, but I can.

"What? I asked earlier, then you went and ignored me. And you call me impolite."


((Nympha)Dora Tonks - PoV)

"So, do you lot have any intention of ever joining the rest of this little shindig o-"

I stop in the middle of the aisle, staring at the scene in front of me.

"What's that?" the impossible little bastard asks, looking up from his book as if this is perfectly normal.

Iris looks at me pleadingly, clearly lost as to how to deal with the situation, while Phoebe continues reading, ignoring everything.

"Why is Daphne petrified on the floor?" I have to ask.

He frowns at me before he shrugs and replies.

"We had a bit of a disagreement about manners, and she wouldn't stop trying to curse me. Fortunately, she doesn't really know much in the way of actual spells, and I am much better. I tried to let her up a time or two but she would just attack again so..."

He shrugs again

"We are leaving her there for the moment."

I don't even try to stop the facepalm. Really, these little maniacs haven't stepped foot in Hogwarts yet, and are already going around cursing their classmates...

Oh no, and they did it with the spell I used on them! That is what made them go and learn it! Fuuuuck, I am going to have to be extra careful what spells I use around these twerps aren't I? I am going to have to think over every single thing I cast because they will be trying to copy it and use it on each other and everyone else.

Right...right, focus on the here and now.

"I see. And the books stacked on her?"

He turns a page in his book.

"She was in the way, and if she is going to be there anyway we may as well make her useful? And she makes a decent enough table."

I look at the seething blonde underneath the stack of books.

Yeah, she is pissed. I don't know what he did to make her attack him in the first place...but he probably deserved it. Unfortunately for her, he is a nightmare with a wand for a not-even First Year, she never had a chance.

Now, how the hell do I resolve this? Obviously, I can't just leave her there, but if she just tries to have another go at him as soon as she is freed...

I sigh again.

"Coeus," I call his attention back to me, having lost it while thinking.

"What?" he looks back up from his book.

"You do realize she is legitimately angry at you right?"

He blinks at me, not quite understanding.

"I..." Well, I shouldn't go making assumptions here. "Actually, tell me what happened."

He does.

I heroically resist the urge to slap him.

"Coeus. Apologize to her. Then unbind her, and apologize again. Now." I order.

He frowns but complies.

"Daphne...I don't really understand, but I'm sorry," he says, before casting the counter curse.

She leaps up, throwing the books off of her, and grabs her wand. Standing, red-faced and breathing heavily, she glares at him.

He looks down.

"Sorry...I guess I was in the wrong? Though I admit I still don't know why..."

She shoves him, before stalking away.

"And Phoebe, you were right here. Why didn't you intervene?"

I know why Iris didn't, but you have no excuse.

"Reasons," she replies cryptically, not looking away from her book.

Ugh, I should just petrify the both of them and carry them into the main hall to mom, let it be a lesson to them.

...

But no, I am nowhere near that cruel.

I do have to explain why it was bad to him though, don't I?

He looks at me. Yes, yes I do.

How the hell do you even word something this obvious?