Fandom The Gathering of Death Eater Children

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Luna stood once she had completed her breakfast, "Thank you for the lovely meal."

Aaron stood as well, "You are very welcome". He kissed her hand, and walked over to the door, opening it for her. "I'm sure you have got things to do.", he said with a small smile.

Luna bid him farewell, and went to Knockturn Alley . After a meeting with another team member, she was walking toward the shop that she purchased the magical shades from. A few drunken wizards were descending the steps of the pub, wobbling and stumbling, clearly lacking the brains to resist daytime drinking.

"Hey, lovely!" the shortest one called to Luna. "You look so tense! Why not come relax with me back at my room in the pub?"

Luna did her best to ignore him, and walked on. Fool. You do not recognize me? How I'd like to teach you a lesson.

"No need to be rude, lovely!" his drunken smirk vanished when he finally recognized her from the wanted posters.

"I'd be more cautious in the future. . . .love " she said mockingly. "This may help you remember." She pointed her wand at him, and out of the tip shot a streak of boiling hot water, right at his pants. She smiled broadly as she walked on, his screams echoing through the street. She turned to see him clutching his pants, as his fellows attempted to help him back to the pub. Suddenly she collided with someone slightly taller than her, and fell to the floor, clearly caught off guard.

"Oh my! So sorry." a man's voice came. A hand reached to help her up, and Luna ignored it, getting up and getting a hold of her wand.

"Excuse me. " she said angrily.. "I better get going. "

"The man recognized her as well, and instead of the usual fear, his face reflected interest.

"May I accompany you?" he said charmingly.

"I hardly recommend it." she said, giving him a piercing glance. "Anyone that meets me tends to mysteriously die not long afterward. " Unless you are truly loyal, in which case I wouldn't mind having you around.

"I think it's worth the risk. " he said happily. "My name is Robert Linden. My parents were of service to the former Dark Lord. You can trust me to do the same."

She held out her hand, so that she could apparate away with him. "Don't say I didn't warn you." They appeared in the front lawn of her manor, and Luna turned to him, very serious. "If you pass this test, you may have a chance to join me. "

"I have confidence." he said gracefully. "That I can try my best, and succeed. Failure is not an option."

"Couldn't agree more." she said quietly. She let out a loud hiss, and Nagini came slithering down the front steps. Another his, and her gaze locked onto Robert. Nagini gained speed, and looked as if she was about to strike. Robert raised his wand to shield himself, but was disarmed by Luna.

"What are you doing?!" he yelled.

"If you are telling the truth, you have nothing to fear. " she said calmly. "I've never heard of your family name. Why are you here, and who sent you?"

"No one! I swear, our meeting was random, and I was genuinely pleased to have a chance to serve you, like my parents. They were French, but I was educated in London. "

Nagini hissed as she was three feet away, but Luna told her to back off, and she slowed down. "I believe you, but still don't trust you." she tossed his wand at him, which he caught gracefully. "Tomorrow will be another test. "

 

[Hikari Chan]

It was a beautiful yet cold afternoon when Elias arrived in Paris. He arrived in the wizarding area where all the shops were full of activity. Only in the muggle word the shops were closed on Sundays. He walked briskly towards the Hotel d'Emeraudes, a wizarding luxury hotel in Paris., and checked in. He got a grand and elegant suite, furnished in rococo style, with a city view from grand windows that covered the walls in the living room. The Eiffel Tower, which the muggles visited daily and was located miles away, made a nice touch to the view he had from windows. I hope she does not expect to see me to soon, it's better to let some time pass away, let her miss me for a while before I ask her to meet again, then she would gladly see me rather than feeling annoyed by my presence... He thought as he pulled the curtains and let the room sink into darkness.

Meanwhile Knockturn Alley, London
Aislinn was sipping hot chocolate while going through some letters at Zayne's cafe in Knockturn Alley (the name of the cafe which Lily goes to)
There was nothing important. Only a letter by the P.O. apologizing that they had worried her about the disappearance of Sherwood and that he was actually safe and had been seen them the last week. As if I care if he disappear or not..And there were several letters by Sherwood. And all his letters had the one and same message. How she was doing and if she could meet him. And Aislinn had always to reply him with the same words, that she was doing fine and being busy with work. After replied on about ten times she got enough and ignored to write back to him. Sigh....he is so pushy, he does not understand, he never gives me any peace or room to breathe...well actually I could have chosen to not contact him after the events at Rosa's birthday party, but on the other hand I need a puppet at the gala and I could not find anyone better than him, besides it is also the best timing to crush his heart.... When Aislinn could not avoid Diagon Alley and had to go there for urgent errands she had made sure to be hooded and cloaked well so that no one would recognize her, especially Sherwood. She had seen him passing by, with the look of being pondering about something, though he had never seen her. She recognized that pondering look of him. She had seen him like that after Rosa had taken care of him. Something of his mind had been off since then. After that he had purchased the gown for her, she had forced herself to eat lunch with him before aparating home where she stored the gown in her closet, leaving it to wait to be worn at the gala. Since that she had been avoiding him, excusing herself being busy with work. But he never gave up as he kept sending her a letter every day. She was safe in Knockturn Alley, knowing that Sherwood won't put his foot there unless she asked him to come. And safe from that Aaron Glass, whom she could never trust.

7 p.m. Evening in Paris
They met at the noble Restaurant L'Eblouissant in the wizarding area in Paris. They were seven representatives, three women and four men, from ministries of magics, one from each country, United Kingdom, Andorra, Burkina Faso, Bulgaria, Germany, New Zeeland and Norway.
As Elias arrived to the place, the representative of Andorra, a young Frenchwoman and half veela, in her mid-twenties, approached to him.
"Bonsoir Monsieur Elia' Shadowwalke' (Good evening Mr. Elias Shadowwalker), long time no see, comment avez-vous ete dernierement? (how have you been?)" She took his hand as she greeted him and kissed his both cheeks, as typically french greeting. Elias went stiff though replied politely as he tried to keep his cold tone low while letting go of her hand: "Good evening miss Blanc, I am doing well, thank you, how about you?"
"I am doing very well, merci, Je suis co-..(Thank you, I am..)" and on she chattered in French, but Elias was not listening, even if he understood the language perfectly.
He greeted the other representatives and sat down. Miss Blanc took the seat in front of him and smiled dazzlingly at everyone, though mostly at him. Elias' face was expressionless, her beauty and charm did not have any effect on him while the other male representatives were flattered by her.

Elias was half listening to the conversation which started as soon as they all were seated and ordered food, while his mind was wandering elsewhere.

I cannot feel true sadness, pain, love. . .Even with Blaise, there was still a disconnection...

Everyone were talking, of course in English with each different accent, filling in with anything they had to say as they enjoyed the exclusive gourmet dishes for dinner.

"Do you feel it? The beating?". "It's only a fake. I do not have a heart inside me.

They were only chatting about social and trivial matters, nothing of importance or relevance, thus Elias was silent and only talked when he found it necessary or when he was questioned.

I keep it protected, my soul is not fractured, and I didn't have to sacrifice anyone's happiness but my own....

Even if he was far away from home, far away from her at the moment and even if the food was so delicious, Elias still had no appetite. He forced himself to eat and tried to not picking in his food to avoid to be questioned about things he least wanted to talk about.

..will never be able to truly love you..

They finished around 10 p.m. and decided to meet the next day, Monday afternoon, to start with work and discuss more relevant things that mattered affairs and politics in the international wizarding world. Elias bid everyone goodnight and left, not hearing miss Blanc’s: "Sweet dreams, Monsieur Elia'.

..It is up to you to decide when we shall meet again, unless I require your assistance sooner...

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Aaron appeared in Luna's bedroom on Thursday, as she was discussing final Gala preparations with Nagini. "Hello, Luna. " he held out a hand to her.

" A bit late." she said coldly. "I assumed you cancelled tonight's lesson. " she stood up reluctantly, and took his hand. Once they were in the gardens, he looked into her eyes. "I have said before, I will never miss out on an opportunity to look into those stunning eyes. "

She raised an eyebrow, and continued on wordlessly through the maze, walking so briskly that Aaron had trouble keeping up. They reached the middle, and the lesson begun.

"Tonight, " he gestured to the shining moon "will be your final lesson on disappearing into smoke."

"But I have done nothing but fail at that. I can barely do my hand." She held up her hand, which she willed to disappear. It disappeared, and her wrist emitted so much smoke her arm could have been on fire.

"It's because you are thinking too much. " He appeared behind her, and held her shoulders, pulling her close. With her back against his chest, he whispered in her ear. "Try it now. "

Luna smiled with a sudden thought, and both of them disappeared, reappearing high above a glistening ocean. "I've had enough!" she yelled as they began to fall, and right before they hit the surface, Luna disappeared, arriving back in the center of the labyrinth. Aaron's lungs began filling with water as he took in Luna's betrayal. Luna panted as she calmed herself, taking in Aaron's successful death. Aaron focused his anger into appearing on the grassy floor right beside Luna, soaking wet, and coughing. Before Luna could react, Aaron turned to her with blazing eyes, and pointed a finger at her. Chains sprung from the nearest hedge, and pulled her toward a newly formed pillar. The chains tied her hands behind her back, and wrapped themselves tightly making it impossible to reach her fallen wand. Aaron stood, and advanced on her threateningly.

"After every effort I've put in to befriend you, you betray me?"

Luna remained silent, angrily staring at the grass, where her wand had fallen.

He appeared close, and said quietly. "Answer me!" When he received no reply, he put a finger to her chin, making her look at him. "What a pity. Such beauty and potential, yet you insist on killing all of your allies?"

"Only the ones who are useless." she whispered confidently.

He smirked, "One failed attempt at my life has led you nowhere, but if you try it again, you will receive a worse fate than anything you could have planned for me. "

Luna struggled, but Aaron allowed the chains to fall to the floor with the wave of his hand. Luna fell to the grass, and grabbed her wand, but he disappeared just in time. Nagini rushed in; clearly she had been rushing to get there. "I felt it." she said weakly. "Is there any severe damage?"

"No" Luna replied, standing up, "Not compared to what he will get when I finally exploit his greatest weakness." He could have killed me. He didn't because he loves me, in some twisted way. That is his weakness.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Paris
Eleven days flew by rapidly. They had a couple of hours meeting once day, discussing issues that mattered the international wizarding world. Most of them were talkative, especially Miss Blanc, who easily forget to speak English and instead went on with French until those who poorly understood the language had to remind her gently. Elias was the one who remained silent and listened, letting another magical quill of his taking notes for him, while his eyes and ears followed the discussion. During the last discussion on Thursday afternoon, the German representative suddenly mentioned a subject which Elias never could expect. Rumors about dark power that was lurking in United Kingdom had been reached outside.
Everyone looked questioningly at Elias, wondering if he knew anything about this kind of dark power. Everyone but Miss Blanc was silent. She was chattering anxiously and looking very worried.
"Mon dieu, quelle horreur (Oh my god, how awful), if these rumors have reached Germany does it mean that the dark power has reach-..."
Elias silenced her with one cold look. She looked apologetically, smiling excusing yet charmingly at him but she could have been smiling at the wall as Elias showed no reaction towards her.
"If there's anything.., " he spoke quietly and calmly, barely moving his lips. " which is threatening both the wizarding and muggle worlds, the British Ministry of Magic will do anything in its power to eliminate the evil....and if the evil spread outside United Kingdom, Merlin forbid it, I expect that the other ministries of magics will of course cooperate in order to defeat the evil, won't they?" Fools, I would gladly support her with all my heart and you will never be able to defeat her.....

The meeting had reached to its end and Elias excused himself that he was in hurry to report to the British Ministry of Magic because he had a lot of work to take care of. He left while the rest could not stop talking though discussing about other kind of things, mostly social and trivial matters. Miss Blanc attempts of trying to catch his attention were futile.

Elias decided to stay another day in Paris. It was Friday and he was actually not in hurry to report anything to the Ministry of Magic because they awaited his reports on Monday. And Friday was a perfect day to be spent in leisure in Paris. After a small breakfast, consisting of a cup of tea and a croissant, he took a walk in the wizarding shopping area. He was looking through the windows of the shop, trying to find a nice gift to buy to this sister when a certain shop which was selling perfumes caught his attention. The perfume bottles, which was on display, looked very fancy and elegant. His thought was suddenly driven to her. Would she be happy if I sent her a gift? We have not seen each other since the dinner twelve days ago. She might be missing me at this moment, wondering why I have not contacted her since then. And I miss her so much, that my heart is aching. Would it be rude if I suddenly sent her a gift today? I don't want to give her the impression that I’m trying to buy her love. On the other hand, it feels rude travel back home empty-handed. What if she summons me and asks me about my whereabouts during these days? She does not know that I work in the Ministry of Magic, but soon she might know and it would be discourteous if she learn that I have been in Paris but not bought a gift for her...
"Bonjour Monsieur Elia' (Good day Mr. Elias), " a familiar voice suddenly interrupted Elias in his thoughts. Miss Blanc smiled charmingly at him as he caught the sight of her in the corner of his eye.
"Good morning, " he replied curtly.
"How are you doing today?"
"I am fine, thank you, I hope you are doing good as well."
"Il est une belle journee aujourd'hui (It is a beautiful day today). Friday is the best day in the week, isn't it, Monsieur Elia'?"
"I prefer Mondays.." Elias lied. I actually detest Mondays...
"Mon dieu, Monsieur Elia' (Oh my god, Mr Elias), you must be joking with me? By the way, I'll be travelling home to Andorra this evening, care to take dinner with me at 5 o'clock this afternoon?"
"I am sorry, but I have planned to travel home at 4 o'clock.." Another lie..
"Oh, quel dommage (what a pity), well never mind, what about lunch then?"
"I'll see, though my first priority is to buy some gifts for my mother and sister before traveling home." Elias said as he entered the shop which was selling perfumes. Miss Blanc followed him in his heels. He tried his best to ignore her as he looked at elegant bottle of fragrances. He walked slowly around in the shop as he let his eyes wander among the perfumes. The saleswoman, a short and chubby witch with grey hair, who was wearing a lot of pearl necklaces and a pair of round glasses, asked if he needed any help. Elias thanked her though he replied that he preferred to look for himself which in return put Miss Blanc in an awkward situation as she was ignored by Elias. She smiled nervously and excusing at the saleswoman before leaving the shop. Elias saw her waiting outside as he wandered in the shop. Well I'll take as much time as I need...
After about a couple of hours he had found three different perfume bottles, each with a beautiful and unique fragrance.

For his mother

For his sister:

And for his precious, a silvery shiny yet transparent bottle, with a green jeweled snake slithering magically around it. The fragrance was breath-taking. He smiled like a fool as he looked at the perfume, he had chosen for her. He asked the saleswoman to wrap them in gifts before paying and then leaving the shop. When he walked out of the shop, the time was already past noon. Miss Blanc had been waiting outside, looking now hopefully at Elias as she expected to have lunch with him before they parted. He excused himself, telling her that he needed to check out from the Hotel d'Emeraudes before traveling home. He promised her that they would have dinner another time. An empty promise which is already broken..
He hurried away before she had the chance to persuade him to stay a little with her. Before he sent away the gift to Luna Lestrange, he attached a small card to with a short message which read:
From Mr. E. Shadowwalker. Paris 2018-02-26
He was not that good with writing letters and hoped that she would understand him.
Then he travelled home and arrived around 10 p.m.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Luna got ready for the Gala, both anticipating the event, and dreading seeing Aaron again. She put on Aaron's dress, Elias's perfume, and the mysterious necklace she had had checked for curses. She packed all of her necessities in her usual bag, and bid Nagini farewell. She walked outside, and stood to watch the setting sun for a few moments whilst awaiting Aaron's arrival. When the sun had just disappeared behind the hills, Aaron appeared beside her. He offered her his arm like a gentlemen, which she took without comment. They disappeared together, and appeared in another lovely garden, where crystal clear water flowed from one of the many small fountains nearby. Flowers outlined a path to a monstrous flight of steps, leading to the official entrance where guards stood ready to check for false invitations. She took a moment to admire the numerous trees surrounding the garden; walnut, cherry, ash, oak, willow, and more.

"This place is owned by one of Ollivander's most reliable wand - wood suppliers. For generations, this estate has been passed down, gaining the family much wealth as well as social status. "

"Let us continue on?" Luna said softly, insinuating that she didn't care to hear more.

After a few steps Luna resolved to simply smoke the rest of the way upward, since it was a wizard - owned property. However, Aaron gently held her arm, and whispered calmly. "There are certain spells causing unbearable pain to those who apparate or smoke too close to the formal entrance. " So, they continued on silently, Luna slightly faster. Finally, she reached the top, and handed her invitation to the guard. He took it from her, and was about to use his wand to check its origin when Aaron placed his invite in between them. The guard made eye contact with him, and immediately began apologizing. "I am so sorry, Sir Glass. My apologies, my apologies. . . " But Aaron had already calmly taken Luna's hand and lead her away from the guard. They approached a balcony overlooking the ballroom, which was filled with many people of differing nationalities dressed in formal attire. Some were talking over the many small tables with magically appearing food and candles, or dancing to the music played by the orchestra to the far side of the room. Two flights of stairs branched from either side of the balcony, the right for going down toward the ball. and the left for leaving. Luna gazed at the enormous crystal chandelier, and the many pilasters lining the room. A closer look showed that they had trees painted on them, with wands hanging from them instead of fruit.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Saturday 5:00 pm 27th February

Aislinn was visiting the hair parlor in Diagon Alley. As soon as her hair was done, she put on her hood so that no one would recognize her as she walked out before apparating home. She wanted to avoid meeting especially Sherwood, or anyone else from the P.O. or D.A. teams at this moment. She had already made up with him where and when to meet. She was not in mood to see him before. She was actually never in mood in seeing him at all, though the plan of crushing his heart made it worth to meet him sometimes. As the wicked girl she was she could not satisfy herself with what happened with him during and after Rosa's birthday party. I have not told her my intentions. If she has been invited to the gala and attends it, I bet she'll be surprised to see him there with me..

Aislinn put on her gown and applied some make up to match the colors of her apparel. As her hair was already done in a pretty style, she did not need to bother herself with trying to fix it by herself and thus she looked for some jewelry to wear. My necklace with the shark fang won't suit and this locket look too much, besides it doesn't even match...I think this will be enough.. she thought as she put on a pair of black pearl earrings. When she looked satisfied in the mirror, she tucked her wand in her left sleeve, which was enough in length to make room for her wand.

Meanwhile at madam Puddifoot's

"Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday Dear Clarissa
Happy Birthday to You.
From good friends and true,
From old friends and new,
May good luck go with you,
And happiness too."

"Clarissa try to not spit while you blow out the candles!"
All the girls burst out in laughter.
"Mmm Madam Puddifoots' cake is so delicious"
"Yeah, I love its chocolate cream"
"I’m not fond of whipped cream as I’m of vanilla cream, though this one is allright."
"Oh vanilla cream tastes like heaven, I can never have enough of it.."
"hahah if you eat too much vanilla cream, Rhaine, you'll get round and fat just like Mister Fatso.
The girls could not help but laugh out so aloud that everyone at madam Puddifoot stared at them annoyingly.
"Oh good Merlin," Clarissa was trying to caught her breath as she wiped away her tears of joy carefully while checking her eye makeup in her pocket mirror. "I couldn't believe my eyes that time when I witnessed him asking you, Rhaine, if you wanted to go to the Yule Ball with him."
"I was wondering if he had lost all his sanity back then.."
"As he has any sanity at all, he is just getting fatter for each year..."
"And uglier..."
"Do you think he would be handsome if he was slender?"
"I don't know, but it doesn't matter, handsome or not, he is still not in our house.."
"Yeah you're right.....Anyway it's too bad you can't stay the whole evening with us Lily"
"Yeah we have planned to continue the party at Sassy Serpents Nightclub in Knockturn Alley and then be back at Hogwarts Sunday morning. The famous wizarding rock band The Pirates will play at that club tonight. The members of that band are so handsome...and young teheheh"
"The singer is the most handsome.."
"Naah I like the one who plays the keyboard..."
"I prefer the guitarist..."
"Who of them? There're two.."
"The one who is blonde, not the one who has dyed his hair midnight-blue even if he looks good as well.."
"Well that left out the drummer, who wants him? He doesn't look bad actually..."
"Lily may have him!"
The girls burst out in laughter.
"If we are lucky, we'll hopefully get their autographs heheh..."
"Oh good Merlin, you're all crazy hahaha, are you sure that Sassy Serpents will allow you entrance?"
"Yeah we are all 17, which is the age limit there, it's just Clarissa who is one year older than us now, but we will catch up soon hehe"
"It is really a pity that you can't join us Lily.."
"Aww another time I'll tehehe.."
"By the way why did you not tell that old foreign friend of your father about us? You ought have told him so we could have continued the celebration at the gala tehehe.."
"Oh good point, if I’ve only thought about it, anyway next time I won't forget.."
"But next time when it's my birthday you cannot be invited to a gala or we all have to come with you"
"Wouldn't your birthday be on a Monday?"
"It will, so I'll throw the party on Saturday the 7th April"
"Allright, if I get another invite to a gala, I'll make sure to take you all with me teheh"
"We'll take it as a promise Lily hehe, don't break it or Pegah* will never forgive you for fudging her birthday party hahaha"
"Hahaha it's allright girls, Lily has not made any promise yet...."
"And I won't make any promises hahaha, by the way Clarissa, are you not going to open our gifts to you?"
"Oh I almost forget heheh.."
The girls laughed heartily as Clarissa opened her gifts. By Lily she received a silver heart locket with pearl ornament. The gift by the twins' Summer and Rhaine, was the latest release of a new kit of make-up by the famous witch and make-up artist Tamara Queen, and Pegah gifted Clarissa a magical diary.
"Oh, thank you sweethearts, thank you thank you" Clarissa hugged all her friends at the same time.
Suddenly the bell above the door jingled as someone entered madam Puddifoot's. Lily smiled when she saw her brother coming in, knowing it was the time to leave. He remained at the entrance as Lily hugged Clarissa once more. The girls were staring at the charming man who was no more than the brother of their friend Lily, yet so handsome. Elias seemed to ignore their stares as he adjusted his cloak.
"Lily, is your brother dating someone?" Clarissa whispered. She was already wearing the necklace which Lily gifted her, fingering on the heart locket as she glanced at Lily's brother.
"hhhhh perhaps, I don't know hhhhh..."
"Seriously??..Lily, I’m not joking..hehe.."
"Clarry you can't have all the men...., Summer giggled. Rhaine looked suspiciously at her twin sister.
"Hey chill girls hhhh, he is not the only man in the world, right, hhhhh..by the way I have to leave now."
"Oh allright, have fun sweetheart,"
"I will, and you too but don't get to tipsy hehe, see you tomorrow"

7 pm The Gala

Elias apparated with his family several feet away from the entrance. The first thing he noticed there was the last thing he wished to see. He recognized her from the behind as she walked up to the entrance, arm in arm with a man whom he seemed to recognize from Zayne's Café in Knockturn Alley. He felt a twinge of pain and jealousy in his heart when he saw this, not being the one who escorted her. Why I’m not the one who is escorting her, not the one by her side, we have forgiven each other, shared secrets with each other, seen each other’s' weaknesses. I feel more closer to her in my heart and soul than I ever did before. Why Luna? why? She asked to see me for leisure the other day, we spent one wonderful evening together, she gave me the freedom to see her whenever I wished, so what is the meaning of this? Did she easily forget me because we did not see each other since about one to two weeks ago? Or is she trying to fool me once more, making me repeat the same mistake I did before the battle? If so, she is only fooling herself and not me, committing her own mistake this time. I am not the same now as I was before the battle against her mother. I am not a fool, she just gave me another reason to stay away from her, making the distance to grow between us. So, who is he?

"Oh I knew it, I knew it. She is here just as I predicted." Lily cried out excitingly as she spotted a familiar person close to the entrance.
"Who my flower?"
"Miss Luna Lestrange, Mama, Eli told me once she is the dark heiress, Oh let's hurry, please...Miss Lestrange already went inside!!"
"Calm down Lily....Miss Lestrange you said?"
"Yes Mama..."
"Oh good gracious...Lily, calm down, please.."

The family strode up to the entrance. Lily was impatient as she tried to walk the same pace as her family who walked calmly. As they came closer to the entrance, Elias observed that the guards had pieces of parchments in their hands. Looks like guest lists... He gave them the invites and of course they refused to allow his parents to enter since their names were not on the guest list.
We are to close now, why did I not think about to use the imperius curse...now it's too late to pick put my wand...
"We have received these invites by owl..." he started, thinking of a way of trying to persuade the guards to allow his parents entrance...
Meanwhile Lily had picked out her shades from her purse and put them on to check out the facial colors and emotions of the guards for fun. She could not help but to giggle.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Aaron turned to see Elias failing to negotiate. He excuse himself, and calmly walked over to the guards. "Is there a problem?" he asked, his voice both calm and intimidating.

"Yes, Sir. These people seem to have forged fake invites. Two are genuine."

"Ah." he said, eyeing Elias and Lily with interest. "They may all enter. I'm certain they are who they claim to be."

The guard nodded, and allowed all of them to pass.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Elias remained silent when the person, who he least expected, came to his help. He looked back at the man coldly. Lily wrinkled her nose as she entered. She did not like the kind of color and emotion she saw through the shades when a certain man allowed them all entrance. She could not help but feeling uncomfortable and put back the shades in her purse. They entered together, though remained at the entrance as they almost wanted to turn back and leave the place.
"He must be the host, mustn't he?" Elias' mother whispered.
"No doubt..." his father replied quietly
"What kind of interest does he have in Elias and Lily?"..You two...have you?...do you know that man?"
"No, absolutely not Mama, it is the first time I see him, I have never seen that man before..."
"I do not know him, I have noticed him once at Zayne’s café in Knockturn Alley, but I have neither talked with him nor heard anything about him..."
"Then why on earth did he invite you two to this gala?...I do not like this, absolutely not, we should turn back home, now at once!"
"Eliza please, I am actually curious about this, let's find out what this is all about, and do not worry, Lily did not came to this place alone, we came all together, so she'll be fine, won't you dear?"
"I'll be allright Papa,"
"Good, now let's proceed indoors, it is rude to stay here and whisper, ignore the host if you want, I do not mind that, though let's greet the Lady, are you not going to introduce us Lily dear or perhaps Elias shall introduce us?"
Lily almost run over to Miss Luna Lestrange, not giving her brother a chance to speak though he did not mind. I prefer to remain silent this evening and observe things.. he thought as he walked calmly behind his parents and sister.
"So we meet again," Lily cried out excitingly as she took Luna's hand in her. "Thank you, thank you for the lovely gift, that was so sweet and generous of you. " Lily kissed her on the cheeks and then continued: "Mama and Papa, this is Miss Luna Lestrange, Miss Lestrange, this is my mother Elizabeth and my father Alexander. And eeh..eeh.." Lily looked at her brother, then back at Miss Lestrange and added: "And I guess you already know my dear brother Elias hehehe..." Lily could not help but giggle.
Do not misunderstand this Lily...It is not like what you think... Elias thought. He looked at Luna calmly, keeping his face expressionless.
"It is a great honor to meet you, dear," his father greeted Miss Lestrange.
Elizabeth smiled politely as she looked at the dark heiress curiously.
So this must be her, Miss Luna Lestrange, a beauty indeed and so young.. She glanced at her son. What is up with him, looking so cold and emotionless, I who thought he had feelings for her...perhaps I was mistaken about it?....
Lily frowned when she discovered that the host was accompanying the dark heiress. She left and walked down one of the stairs which led down to the ballroom. Her parents excused themselves to the dark mistress and hurried after their daughter, so they won't lose the sight of her. Elias, quickly nodded towards Luna, suppressing his urge of kissing her hand, before following his family down to the ballroom.

7:15 pm
Merlin's beard he is a quarter late...if he does not turn up soon I'll ditch him..he is giving me a good reason to already dump him, and I don't need to-
"Aislinn, I am so sorry, I deeply apol-"
"Save it! I don't like to hear excuses," Aislinn cut off annoyingly with a warning tone when Sherwood had arrived. "Better to show off your best side at the gala tonight..."
He did not say a word. Aislinn noticed how ashamed and hurt he looked like. I know he has a good excuse, but I'll never give him the chance, I'll use any means to crush his heart...
"Well, shall we?" she hold up her hand. A gentleman is supposed to escort his lady to any event, how ridiculous it must be when it is the lady escorting the gentleman right now..." She thought sarcastically before apparating with Sherwood.

They arrived, a bit late. As they approached the entrance Aislinn noticed that the guards had guest lists in their hands. Oh shoot, I hope what I prepared will work... She picked out the invite. She had manipulated it earlier today, using Rosa's birthday invite to give the gala invite a look of that she was allowed to bring one guest with her.
She smiled innocently as she gave one of the guards the invite.
The guard looked confusingly at the invite.
"Miss, your name is on the list, though I can not recall that invited guests are allowed to bring uninvited guests with them..."
"I received this invite which is saying that I am allowed to bring one guest with me.."
"I understand, but unfortunately, of what I know and of what I have been given order about, this is not what the host decided about this gala. You are allowed to enter but not your companion, I am sorry."
"But he is with me.." Aislinn was thinking hard. Bloody hell, I should have prepared myself with using the imperio curse instead, this is not how I planned to crush Sherwood...

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Luna watched curiously as she caught her first glimpse of Elias's family. She smiled warmly as Lily ran over and took her hand.

"So we meet again!" Lily said excitedly.

"Good evening, Lily" Luna replied calmly.

"Thank you, thank you for the lovely gift, that was so sweet and generous of you. "

"You're quite welcome." Luna remained awkwardly still as Lily kissed her on the cheeks, not being one for much physical contact while greeting.

"Mama and Papa, this is Miss Luna Lestrange, Miss Lestrange, this is my mother Elizabeth and my father Alexander."

Luna shook hands with the mother and father. "Elias holds you in very high esteem, and I am honored to finally meet you both."

"It is a great honor to meet you, dear," the father replied, while the mother smiled politely.

"And I guess you already know my dear brother Elias" Lily continued happily.

Luna met Elias's cold gaze with a warmer one, though she didn't give away her feelings within the glance. Once again, you attempt to conceal your true feelings? I suppose it is your best choice, given that your parents are close by. I shall see you again tonight.

Aaron walked over to stand by Luna, and the family left to join the party. She noticed the look in Elias's face as he excused himself, disappointed that he wasn't the one to stand by her. Aaron beckoned for her to follow him down the steps, but Luna spoke gracefully:

"I will accompany you once I have ensured the rest of my team has arrived. "

"Very well." he said calmly though didn't bother to conceal his disappointment.

Luna greeted Robert next. Throughout the last few days she had put his through a few tests, and deemed him worthy of a place in her team.

"Good evening, Luna." he said as he bent to kiss her hand.

"Good evening, Robert. Well done on your final test. Enjoy yourself."

"Thank you." he said as he turned to descend the stairs.

Then she greeted newest and most promising member, Crystal. She was wearing a beautiful red ballgown...

Crystal walked toward Luna, and politely greeted her before descending the steps as well. Luna saw Aislynn having trouble at the entrance, and walked over to help.

"Is there a problem?" Luna said, imitating Aaron's way of dealing with the last problem.

"Yes, miss. This is yet another case of forged invites. This lady-" he gestured to Aislynn, whom Luna gave a brief nod-"Is attempting to bring a guest. I was under strict orders not to-"

"But he never got a chance to finish, because Luna's wand had handled the situation with a quick imperious curse. Aislynn and Sherwood passed the entrance quickly, and once they were out of the guard's earshot at the balcony, they greeted each other. "Good evening, Aislynn." Luna said genially.

Luna watched as they entered the ballroom, and then made her way to the steps. As she was going down, she searched for Elias in the crowd, and found him near the middle of the room, dancing with Lily. She reached the bottom, and meant to go to him, when Aaron appeared at her side. "Shall we?" he said, as he led her to the middle of the ballroom. "May I have this dance?" he asked, though his tone showed that only one answer was acceptable.

"Yes."

They began dancing to the song the orchestra played...




Aaron gradually made his way closer and closer to Elias and Lily, and finally he addressed Elias directly. "Do you mind if we trade?" he gestured to from Luna to Lily.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Aislinn was thinking hard as she was trying to persuade the guards to allow Sherwood to enter with her when Luna finally came to her help.
"Is there a problem?" Luna asked.
"Yes, miss. This is yet another case of forged invites. This lady.." the guard replied as he gestured towards Aislinn. "..is attempting to bring a guest I was under strict orders not to--"
He was suddenly silenced when Aislinn noticed a quick movement from Luna. Then the guards allowed both her and Sherwood to enter. Perfect..
"Good evening, Aislynn." Luna greeted her.
"Good evening, Luna," Aislinn smiled and then looked at Sherwood and then back at Luna with a face which was saying -My puppet for the evening, do not worry about him, he is under our control-.
Sherwood was looking a little bit confused as he greeted Luna. He wondered where he had seen her, but he could not remember. It was like part of his mind was blank.
Aislinn noticed that Aaron was standing close by and she decided to ignore him the best she could. She descended the stairs. When she entered the ballroom, she noticed that Sherwood suddenly had forgotten her. He had caught a glimpse of a familiar face, Rosa Claire Rosier, among the crowd of the guests. He lost the grip about his own will completely. "I'll just say hello to Miss Rosier.." he said vaguely, speaking half to himself and half to Aislinn, as he walked towards the crowd of guests vanishing among them. Aislinn watched surprisingly as Sherwood went ahead of her and vanished in the crowd of guests. Huh? what an idiot? And I who thought I’m going to have some fun time mocking with him..Whatever, he just made it easier for me to ditch him after the gala...

"Oh your companion left you, such a pity...tsk tsk...what a man, if I was him I would have thought twice before leaving such a beauty alone, what a looser..." a creepy voice near Aislinn spoke suddenly. She glanced to her right side, wondering who had been taking a notice on her and Sherwood, and discovered a lanky man looking at her with an eerie interest.

She turned her head towards him and eyed him coldly from head to toe until she met his gaze with such a boldness that it only increased his interest in her. He was tall, gaunt and unnatural pale. His half long hair, which was tied in a sloppy style, was black as well as his eyes. He was very elegant dressed in lace and suit, not really modern muggle clothing but not even wizarding robes. There was something sick about his facial appearance, like he was lacking on proper nutrition. Aislinn also noticed his pointed ears and then a glint of his right fang as he smiled wryly yet charmingly. ..A vampire..no doubt...I just got rid of a mudblood by ease but now I get someone else's attention, someone who isn't even a human, seriously.... The vampire smirked eerily as he moved closer to her. She did not look away but kept his lurking and creepy gaze and she did not move an inch backward but stayed firmly on her place. I'll stay calm, fear is the last thing I would show him, besides he can't do me any harm here among all this guests, can he?..It is illegal to kill a vampire, but I'll do anything in order to protect myself even if it means I have to kill him..

He held up his bony hand and spoke:
"If you do not mind, may I have one dance with you please?" He asked very politely and solemnly yet charmingly.
Merlin's beard, is this man serious? Seems like he cannot try to bite me in front of all the guests, so he is trying to get closer to me. Well I’m not a fool, even if he has manners and acts like a gentleman, I'll play around with him and then ditch him..
"Unfortunately I’m not a good dancer, I might step on your foot," Aislinn replied teasingly.
"Do not worry about that, I'll lead," He chuckled, still holding up his hand towards her.
Aislinn smiled innocently as she tentatively placed her hand in his. Well this won't last long, just one dance and then I'll get rid of him, besides I’m in a mood of mocking around with any man right now and this one seems to be a perfect choice for fooling around with...

Meanwhile
A young and handsome man, very elegant dressed, with jet-black hair and grey eyes, wearing a pair of round glasses approached the Shadowwalkers shyly.
"May I have one dance with you, my Lady?" He asked Lily solemnly, feeling the color rise to his cheek as he bowed his head in respect to her.
Lily wrinkled on her nose and picked out her shades and put them on. hmm..his face is sky-blue, a polite gentleman, a little light lilac flashes over his face, he is shy..he looks good..but..
"I’m not interested to dance with a nerd-looking fellow," She replied calmly.
"Lily!" her mother exclaimed shockingly. "Please excuse my daughter's rudeness, she is yet young and has not finished her school yet." She added as she smiled towards the gentleman.
"Lily, is there any problem?" Her father asked her.
"No, not really, Papa.."
"Then you owe this gentleman a dance,"
Lily tried to keep her face straight as she replied: "But..but Papa, I want to dance with Elias and you..."
"I am not in mood for dancing, Lily.."
"Not in mood?, Elias? What is that? Why did you even come here?" Elizabeth interrupted. "Be nice to your sister please.."
"Lily, if you dance once with this gentleman, I'll dance the next dance with you.."
"No, I want to dance first with you, Eli and then with Papa. You all know that these are my rules at parties. This gentleman may wait for the third," Lily protested and then turned towards the young man and added in a gentle tone: "When I am at any gala I always dance the first dance with my brother and the second with my father, you may have the third dance with me, if that is not a problem I hope?"
"Not at all, my Lady.."

Aislinn could dance though she pretended that she could not. She literally stepped on the vampire's left foot not only once but twice, trice, fourth and fifth times and even as many times on his right foot until he bent his head forward, dangerously close to her neck, and whispered charmingly yet eerily into her right ear:
"How ridiculous you are, you are such a good dancer and yet you like to step on my feet"
Aislinn bit her lower lip hard to not nervously laugh out aloud. She could feel the panic rise within her though she managed to calm down as soon as he straightened his neck. She pulled herself and danced more seriously as she was trying to figure out how to use the imperius curse on him without drawing any attention.

Meanwhile
"That girl looks so familiar, she is alike Isabelle Gaunt in her young years.." Elizabeth whispered to her husband
"Could she possible be her daughter?" Alexander whispered back.
"Merlin knows, we were in same year and house, but not that close friends, just acquaintances, at Hogwarts. I did not see her after the graduation until the late Dark Lord recruited her and Mr. Edward Monroe in 1996. Mr. Monroe was two years ahead of us at Hogwarts and they always used to hang around together, they never had any other friends beside each other, because everyone, even the ones in our house kept themselves away from Isabelle and Edward. She once destroyed part of her skin due to an accident during a potion lesson when she was 13 years old and nor madam Pomfrey neither the healers at St Mungo’s could find a way of restoring her skin, leaving her a creepy look and above of that she was childish and wicked, so all the girls stayed away from her and of course I followed the majority. As for Edward, his eyes were creepy, no one dared to look him into his eyes, but the headmaster and some professors, thus Edward and Isabelle ended up to hang which each other so I was not surprised to see them married when they were recruited as deatheaters, though I never saw if they had a child or not"
"I agree, his eyes were never human, I always suspected him to be a half breed of some kind of creature but he always boasted about himself being a pureblood wizard among the deatheaters. He might had one child which he left in someone else care.."
"Merlin knows if he did.."
"and do you remember, the late Dark Lord always called her my dear cousin.."
"Yes, I remember...they were related, weren't they?"
"They might have been, I’m not sure, sometimes they happened to converse in a weird language."
"and he got so furious when the Monroes went missing all of sudden."
"I can recall, they were among his most loyal and talented deatheathers. Their bodies or any remains of them were never found, do you think they might have been buried in Azkaban?"
"Possibly, those deatheaters who were killed the last time were buried there. The aurors might have caught the Monroes and killed them, but one can only speculate and Merlin knows what truly happened to them....poor souls"
"Such a pity. Mr. Monroe seemed to be very handy with dragons. He managed to steal a dragon egg and brought up the dragon by himself illegally.."
"But he did not get far with that, did he?
"No he did not, that blood traitor Charley Weasley took of course care of it as soon as the Ministry of Magic found out about it at the same time as the Monroes disappeared..."

When the first dance was over, the vampire persuaded Aislinn for a second dance.
"You owe me another dance, since you did not dance seriously from the start," He smirked as he kept his arm around her waist while clutching her hand in an iron grip. "I don't like to have my dance fudged..." He added in a dangerous yet alluring tone. Aislinn sighed inwardly as she danced once again with him. Sigh..it's my own fault, I can only blame myself for fooling around with the first dance, I wonder if it was worth to step on his feet, it was fun though perhaps I overdid it.. Aislinn glanced over his shoulder and she saw Elias swirl past. He was dancing with a girl who ridiculously was wearing a pair of shades and grinning gaily. Aislinn got eye contact with Elias a few seconds and she could not help but grin at him. He looked a little bored. She also caught glimpse of Luna dancing with Aaron nearby. She turned her head to look over at them as she saw how closer they got to Elias but further away from her and the vampire.

Elias was dancing with his sister when he got eye contact with Aislinn who was dancing with someone who did not seem to look like a human. That's so typically her…hehe...
He noticed in the corner of his eyes that Luna was dancing with the host. I hope she is enjoying it…
"Do you mind if we trade?" he heard a voice behind him and then turned his head to see the man gesturing from Luna to Lily. Elias looked coldly at him before replying calmly:
"I do not mind..." Elias smiled and then looked at his sister: "Do you mind, Lily dear?"
"Of course I mind," She said annoyingly. "You know I always have the first dance with you and then the second with Papa and I have given my word to another gentleman to dance the third dance with him...so...If you excuse me." Lily turned on her heels and walked away to her father.
"I apologize," Elias smirked. "Please excuse my sister's stubbornness...you may have the fourth dance with her, if she accepts..." Elias bowed on his head, more as a respect towards Luna, before walking away, leaving the dance floor.

When the second dance was over the vampire forced her into a third one. "When I dance, I want my partner's fully attention, " he said calmly though the hint of annoying tone in his voice did not slip Aislinn. Merlin's hairy beard, he is so picky, my fully attention huh....

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Luna sighed as she saw Elias turn away from her instead of joining her. Aaron gently took her arm, and whispered to her. "I gather you have grown tired of dancing? Perhaps a quiet moment upstairs, on a terrace overlooking the gardens will help?" Luna nodded absentmindedly as she followed Aaron toward the steps. She caught a glimpse of Aislynn dancing with a gaunt and pale fellow, and couldn't understand why she had such a bad feeling about him. So pale? Surely he isn't sick. A werewolf, perhaps? I hope not. The man momentarily made eye contact with her, and she felt a chill go down her spine. A moment later, they both looked away, and Luna walked the rest of the way upstairs thinking the same thought. I have never felt such fear before in my life. However, I have never met a werewolf, or even a vampire before. Aislynn, I'm sure, knows what kind of creature she's up against? Aaron held Luna's arm, leading her through a long hallway, at the end of which there was a large balcony. A lovely view of the gardens could be seen, but Luna paid more attention to the sky, which held a full, glowing moon along with shimmering stars. Whether he is a werewolf, or a vampire, both have disastrous consequences at a full moon. Werewolves transform, and vampires thirst for blood more than usual. That's it, I am going back to Aislynn right this moment, because she might think she has the upper hand here. Little does she understand, he wants her to believe that. Luna excused herself, although Aaron clearly had other plans.

"Restless tonight? It seems you cannot decide where you ought to be."

"One of my clients is in dire need of assistance. I am certain you could understand that. " Luna avoided using any other word, because she assumed he would understand her.

"You mean the silly Monroe woman? I gather she is, and will be, doing quite well this evening. "

The way he spoke it, so carelessly, made her very angry. "How dare you? She is with a monster, for all I know, and you cannot care less!" She tried to break free of his grasp, though it only became more firm.

"However, I foresee a great danger in you confronting this monster. "

"Better me, than her. That is something far beyond your understanding, I'm sure." Within minutes of running, she was back at the same steps leading to the ballroom. She went down slow and graceful, every step more aggravating than her worries. Finally she reached the bottom, and began to make her way over to Aislynn and the man as discretely as possible, whilst keeping them in eyesight. They were still dancing, (fourth) when Luna politely interrupted them, though her tone was not the least bit cordial. "Excuse me, Sir. I must speak with her-" she gestured to Aislynn "It is urgent, and I refuse to wait another moment."

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Excuse me, Sir. I must speak with her-" Luna spoke "It is urgent, and I refuse to wait another moment."

The vampire stopped abruptly in the middle of the dance causing Aislinn to almost stumble over him though he caught her gracefully in her arms. He looked confusingly at the lady who had interrupted their dance so suddenly. What does this mean? I absolutely do not like my dances be interrupted.... He smiled wryly, his right fang glinting, as he eyed the lady creepily. "Excuse me?..I-"
"Please," Aislinn interrupted, turning his attention towards her. "I know that you do not like to be interrupted during your dances therefor I promise you another dance..."
"If so, then it is fine..." He said quietly, kissing her hand though giving her the look which was saying I do not even like to be interrupted in the middle of my speeches! He walked away and took a seat alone at the opposite side of the ballroom.

Aislinn sighed with relief as she turned towards Luna, but still kept the vampire within her sight.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Aislynn. I am disappointed that you would allow him to fool you into thinking you have the upper hand here. That is the illusion he is giving you. Please, allow me to explain. I understand that you are capable of handling yourself, but whether he is a vampire, or a werewolf, it is a full moon tonight. Therefore, vampires hunger for blood more than usual, and you are aware of what werewolves do. "

"Now, you promised him another dance. If you wish, I could take your place. In the end, he'd end up dead, with his body somewhere in the gardens. I don't care about laws that go against my wishes, and I do not think he deserves to live. So, what do you propose we do?"

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Huuuuh..." Aislinn almost made a weird face when she heard what Luna told her then she burst out in laughter. When she had calmed down, she replied with a serious tone: "For what good reason shall we kill him? I think he is a vampire by the way of what I can tell from his black eyes and pointed ears. He has only asked me for a dance, no more or less, but do not worry, he cannot do any harm here, not among this number of guests.... " Aislinn gestured around with her eyes and then continued: "And he is a guest of Aaron, I do not think that this vampire entered without an invite. And I also think he must have arrived here before me because I arrived late and when I came to the entrance the guards seemed fine, not in a bloody mess or having their necks pierced. He has not done any harm to any of the guests so far, and if this vampire had done any harm to the guards or the guests, he would immediately been eliminated. He is alone here among so many humans, one wrong step might cost his life. And I have a feeling that Aaron has some kind of interest in his guests somehow, I do not think he would allow a vampire savour his guards or guests and so it would be a very bad mistake if we killed one of the Aaron's guests if he has not done any harm to us. It might be dire consequences for us. By the way I have a feeling that this vampire has his hunger under his control even under the full moon..." Aislinn paused as she glanced sideways at the vampire who was drinking from something that looked like a pocket flask. "I would immediately notice the hunger in his eyes...and I’m prepared if anything, Merlin forbids it, happens..." Aislinn pointed at one of her sleeves where she had tucked her wand. "And I also brought Sherwood with me, I did not bring him fatuously because I do not trust Aaron and bringing a mudblood with me which I easily could sacrifice heartlessly was not a bad idea after all, if the vampire hungers for blood, then I would not hesitate any minute to throw the auror into this beast. Now I have promised him one more dance, asking him to dance with you instead for me might only anger him more. Perhaps you should...." Aislinn nodded towards Elias who was standing, resting his back against the wall and looking at Luna, while his family was sitting and enjoying some delicious treats. ”...try to break the ice..." Aislinn giggled. "And do not worry, I trust my instincts...I do not have the usual bad feeling about the vampire as I have about Aaron though I have a weird feeling about this vampire, but I cannot put my finger on what...and that is what I want to try to find out tonight.." Aislinn smiled before she turned on her heels and walked over to the vampire who was sitting alone at the other side of the ballroom. He smiled charmingly as he saw her approaching him.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Luna signed audibly. So confident. I hope she is right. Luna made eye contact with Elias, who tastefully looked away. I believe it is perceived as bad taste for a lady to ask a man to dance. I'll leave him be, for now. It's not up to me to keep pushing the envelope. He needs to show me he takes it seriously. How did he make it through school? Did he always just remain in the sidelines, hoping a girl would notice him? The thought is laughable. Perhaps a nudge will help. Luna smiled as she realized something she should have long ago. I can send patronus messages indoors! With all of the lighting, they will be nearly transparent! She sent one to Aaron first.

"Aaron. I have handled the situation with Aislynn, not that you would care to hear me elaborate. I will remain in the ballroom for a while, dancing with someone who treats me like a lady rather than a b****." The silver, almost transparent patronus slithered through the wall, making its way to where Aaron was waiting. \

The next one was to Elias: "Elias. May I have a dance with you? I understand it is not traditional for a lady to ask, but my desire overrides the need to follow certain rules. " She made sure to whisper her message, so that his family would not hear i, and it slithered away, toward Elias. Luna could barely see it from across the room, but she knew it was working.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Elias was gazing at the beautiful Luna when she suddenly met his look. He looked away. I shouldn't look at her...I must not forget that she had chosen someone else in front of me for this event.... He suddenly felt a soft touch slithering near his ear and cheek, a soft voice whispering into his ear: Elias, may I have one dance with you? I understand it is not traditional for a lady to ask, but my desire overrides the need to follow certain rules.
He looked up, surprised over the message, he met her gaze once again. He smiled charmingly. The *** with traditions and rules...I neither know why she has left her companion nor do I know who he is, this is my chance...my chance to be with her rest of this night and my chance to know about this mysterious man...
Elias bowed gracefully to her before he walked over to her and soon they were swirling around in waltz.

Lily was drinking pumpkin juice when she suddenly saw her brother dancing with the dark heiress. As she was using a straw to drink, the surprise made her blowing through the straw by mistake causing the juice to bubble and fizzle very loudly that her mother looked up at her.
"Lily, behave for Merlin's sake...and take off these shades, seriously, the light is not that...ooh..." Elizabeth eyes fell on her son. "Oh...." She was suddenly sobbing.
"Are you allright dear?" Her husband asked her, looking at her surprisingly.
"I am fine, I am....I mean....Elias looks so happy...and it makes me so happy when I see him happy, " she sobbed, gesturing with her hand.
"Oh I see, hehehe..."

Meanwhile
Aislinn danced with the vampire once again, now with no interruption or anything that could fudge their dance. I should not, though I cannot feel but enjoyment and amusement. And he is such a good dancer...I almost forget that he is not a human...but I must be on my guard and not fall for his charm or I'll dig my grave with my own hands..
The vampire was about to ask for another dance when Aislinn hurried to say: "I’m a little thirsty...please" She thought she got her chance to get rid of him, but alas he followed her tightly in her heels to the tables with the white cloths where golden goblets and plates with ornaments and dishes were placed. He picked up two goblets of wine and offered her one before she even got the chance to see if there was some pumpkin juice. She took the goblet of wine tentatively as she looked for a place to sit down. She found an unoccupied table with two chairs. She sat down and tried to stay calm as her companion sat beside her. What a coincidence, finding a table with exactly two chairs. Why did I not decline his invite for a dance from the start? Well I won't see him after this gala…
She sipped the drink and frowned. It was her first-time drinking wine. It tasted differently than firewhiskey. It did not burn her throat, but the taste was weird. A kind of sweet and bitter. So bittersweet, is this what Elias and Sherwood enjoy to drink?...
"We never got introduced to each other properly, I’m Vincent D'Arcy…Nice to meet you Miss?.."
"..Monroe.." Aislinn filled in coldly without looking at him, not interested in giving out her first name to a vampire. She could feel his creepy eyes on her. She was not going to give him this chance. She would do anything in her power to make him to lose his interest in her.
"Monroe you say..." he spoke thoughtfully after a moment of awkward silence. "My great aunt was married to a Monroe who was a human."
"Aha so you are a half breed of some kind creature?" Aislinn asked rudely, ignoring the fact that she actually knew he was a vampire, as she glanced at him.
He looked a little offended over her sudden question but smiled forgivingly as it was nothing at all.
"I am actually a pureblood vampire. My both parents are vampires. Though my father's cousin was a dhampir because my great aunt was married to a human."
"Interesting..." Aislinn said with a mocking tone. And what a coincidence...his great aunt was married to a Monroe and my father was a Monroe. And he speaks of his great aunt's husband and his father's cousin as they were dead but the rest of the family seems to be alive...but come to think about, it sounds normal…after all vampires live longer than any human being...but on the other hand...how old was his father's cousin to be dead?...when looking at him, he looks so young, he might possibly be a few years older than me but not more.. "So, you enjoy wine?" She asked rudely and then added: "I thought vampires only survived on blood?"
"Blood is definitely our only nutrition, though we tolerate human diet without any problem even if it does not give us any useful nourishment."
"Aha and you can speak like humans? You don't have a uhm certain beast language?" Aislinn asked without thinking about how insolent she was until she noticed how irritated and insulted he was getting because of her rudeness.
"What do you mean?" He asked with a dangerous tone. There was an undertone of anger which did not escape Aislinn. I must be careful with my reply now and not cross the line or it may cost my life..
"Well every species, giants, trolls and so on have their own language, so I was wondering if vampires had their own language" Aislinn said innocently trying to ignore what she had learned about vampires in her DADA lessons at Hogwarts. She knew very well that vampires shared same language as humans though she wanted to mock as much as she dared with Mr. D'Arcy. "And there's even a few humans who are able to understand snakes," She added without thinking.
"Understanding snakes you say..." He said thoughtfully after an awkward moment of silence. He seemed to have forget her previous question if vampires had their own language or not. "You do that? don't you?..." There was an interesting and inquiring tone in his voice.
"Huuhh....,"Aislinn tried to make a funny face and laugh it away. But she failed. She blushed and flustered, feeling angry with herself that she almost had revealed things about herself to a stranger and the worst a vampire. "hheheh me? oh no not at all hahahahah..." Her laugh was hollow and false. She looked down in her goblet, trying to think of a way to get rid of him without any harm.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Luna and Elias danced quite gracefully together, neither made a single mistake, and after a minute they weere doing it without thinking much. "How was your visit to Paris?" Luna asked casually.

"I admit, after a week I began to worry about you." She teased.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"How was your visit to Paris?" Luna asked as they swirled around.

"It was allright, it was a casual week. Because I work in the Department of International Magical Cooperation in the Ministry of Magic, I was sent on a mission in Paris for a week, to meet every representative from six other countries," Elias replied.

"I admit, after a week I began to worry about you." Luna teased.

"I am sorry to have worried you dear. To be honest, I missed you so much during those days, so next time I'll take you with me hehehe," Elias teased back. As he was so close to her, he could smell the lovely scent of the perfume he had gifted her. He smiled charmingly, he had already forgotten about the time and the guests surrounding them, only seeing her.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Luna noticed how the look in his eyes had changed, and she pretended to forget all else but him. She allowed her breathing to slow, and smiled so charmingly at him. Out of the corner of her eye she saw his mother weeping happily. Now what? Surely not a kiss in public? What would someone in love say? How about we go for a walk in the gardens so we can continue this moment in privacy? I'll let him lead.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Aislinn was sipping her wine, trying not to make a grimace while swallowing the bittersweet drink. She glanced carefully at Mr. D'Arcy who seemed to ponder about something as he was looking thoughtfully over the dancing guests.
Now what? Would he mind if I left him now?... Aislinn thought as she squirmed. The silence between them had grown awkwardly long. She looked at the dancing guests and caught a glimpse of Elias dancing with Luna. Oh wow, Merlin's hairy beard, I wonder how they ended up together tonight?

"Miss Monroe..." Mr. D'Arcy suddenly spoke as he rose up from his place. Aislinn rose up slowly, almost dreading that he wished to dance with her once more or the worst taking her with him outside to speak in privacy. But then he said something that took her by surprise and relieved her. "I am afraid I have to leave for tonight, I thank you for your company, my Lady." He kissed her hand and bowed gracefully to her and then left. Aislinn was feeling to relieved and stunned to reply him thus she remained silent as she was staring at him when he walked away. Thank heavens, and I hope we never meet again.....

They danced until the music was over and the orchestra started to play a different kind of music.
Elias noticed that Luna had relaxed. The very perfect moment...
"May I talk with you in privacy please," He asked gently as he hold out his arm to her.
They went up for the stairs and walked out in the lovely gardens. They strode together, side by side in the beautiful night, the full moon shining and the stars twinkling above them. Am I a lucky man? Have my wish truly come true? I do not need to say any word, I could just kiss her and that would speak for all my feelings..., Elias thought for a moment as he stopped to walk and looked at her beautiful face. ...but no, not before I have eased my mind...I'll be straight with her...
"Who is he? How is it possible that he knows about me and my sister, when we have never made any acquaintances with him before?" Elias finally asked, calmly and quietly.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Luna's first thought was that of relief. Thank god, not a kiss. "His name is Aaron Glass. Our meetings have been strictly for business. He has been teaching me certain difficult types of magic. " When it seemed he didn't fully believe her, she decided showed him. She drew out her wand, and threw it across the garden, where it audibly fell into a bush. Elias looked surprised, and nearly went to get it when she stopped him. "Watch. Don't move." She concentrated hard, and it flew back into her hand.

Next, she focused all of her anger into disappearing, since focusing her emotions rather than her thoughts proved more efficient in smoke manipulation. She disappeared, and appeared close, with her face three inches away from his. "Do you see? It was strictly for business. The only reason I didn't want you to escort me was because I assumed after your long trip, you would want to escort your family, rather than me."

 

[Hikari Chan]

"His name is Aaron Glass. Our meetings have been strictly for business. He has been teaching me certain difficult types of magic." Luna replied.
"Aaron Glass..." Elias said, looking a little suspicious at her.
To Elias surprise, Luna drew out her wand and threw it across the garden, where it audibly fell into a bush. Elias looked astonished and took one step, wondering if he should get the wand for her, but she stopped him.
"Watch. Don't move." she said and soon the wand flew back into her hand.
"Amazing," Elias commented.
And soon she evaporated in smoke. She disappeared for several seconds and then appeared in front of him, very close, her face only three inches away from his.
"Do you see? It was strictly for business. The only reason I didn't want you to escort me was because I assumed after your long trip, you would want to escort your family, rather than me." She said.
Elias looked thoughtfully straight into her eyes. He took two steps backwards and applauded. Amazing, she has learned how to evaporate in smoke like I do. But I am still not satisfied yet and that was not really something I asked about, she met that man for business, I see, she had learned interesting magic, fine. But her last words is giving me a feeling that she is hiding something.
"I see," Elias replied quietly. "But do you think that I regard you as a burden whatever I have to take care of? I would simply take you anywhere any time you wished; I would escort you to the moon if you so desired no matter how much work I have in my life. By the way, how does he know about me and my sister?"

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"I see," Elias replied quietly. "But do you think that I regard you as a burden whatever I have to take care of? I would simply take you anywhere any time you wished, I would escort you to the moon if you so desired no matter how much work I have in my life. "

"Yes." Luna replied sadly. "I did believe you saw me as some kind of burden, perhaps. I had no idea you felt the exact opposite. You see. .." she took a deep breath. "There was once another, with whom I shared my secret. . ."

Luna looked into the eyes of a tall and fair - haired man, with blue eyes like the sky. "After these past months, I trust you like I've trusted no other. I must let you in on a secret of mine. " Luna told him, in the same way she had told Elias, of her heart's secret.

"I had no idea." he replied. "However, you mustn't worry, my love. I will look at you no differently. In fact, I think it makes me love you more. "

"Why?" she replied, quite disbelieving.

"Because you just gave me the opportunity to become the Ministry's new favorite. "

"You said you loved me, you fool! " she attempted to draw her wand, but it was gone. A moment later, he held it up proudly.

"I can't have you kill the Minister to be, now can I? You're the fool, to trust someone like me. I never loved you at all. I just wanted to exploit your every weakness for my benefit. " he said with a smirk.

She lunged for her wand, but he used his to hex her. She flew across the room, and her chest hit the flooring painfully. She stayed there, clutching her bleeding chest, breathing heavily. He walked over, and magically conjured chains to keep her there.

"I'll be back with a few friends. Enjoy your last few moments alive."

"No! Let me go!"

He gave her a look saying "Why would I do that?", and walked out the door, locking it.

A few seconds later, Luna saw him with his back against the nearest window, and a thudding sound could be heard. Blood splattered the window, as he grew weaker and weaker with every blow. Moments later, Nagini came in from under the door, still having been in her younger, smaller stages, with Luna's wand in her mouth. She dropped it near her hand, and Luna freed herself, blessing the day she had met Nagini. She was about to say her thanks when Nagini made a face saying "Leaving is more important." Outside, footsteps could be heard. Luna left out the back door of the house, and didn't look back. . .

"And," she continued "he couldn't keep the secret. He betrayed me as soon as I told him. Needless to say, he didn't live to tell the tale."

"By the way, how does he know about me and my sister?"

"Because he invited me, and I asked him to invite you, and Lily, as well as everyone else who is on my team. He asked for your names, for no other reason than to put you on the guest list. " She lied convincingly. She had inherited her father's knack for making lies sound remarkably like the truth.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"I understand..." Elias replied after he had listened to her story and reply. Now other things make sense now and I also understand more why she cannot trust a man with her love, not only because she has removed her heart, but also because of why had happened to her in the past. But her reply has not satisfied me yet, I cannot help but suspect Aaron Glass even more. He invited her to the gala and she asked him to invite her team members, Lily and I, but we received our invites long before she came to my place to apologize for what she did to me after the battle....well whatever I'll drop the subject here and now...I am not going to push her or force her into telling me the truth, if she is hiding something or lying she might have a good reason I hope...though one thing is for sure, I can never trust that Aaron Glass..
Elias looked across the garden, he looked at the shining full moon, admiring it for a while, letting some time to pass in silence. Then he turned his face to her, smiling as he held up his right hand, closed it and opened it, magically conjuring a red rose. He attached it gently to her hair. I have my chance now.... He thought as he literally imagined how her lips would taste like. But no, not yet... Instead he held up his arm. "Shall we?"
They walked back to the ballroom. He took her with him to the delicate decorated tables and picked up two goblet of sparkling crystal wine and gave her one.
"I hope you do not wish to drink water tonight like you did at our previous evening," He said teasingly.
Lily was standing nearby at the tables, trying to choose between the delicate treats when she suddenly heard her brother speaking nearby. She stared with wide eyes at her brother and Miss Lestrange, while trying to pick a chocolate cake but unnoticeably putting her hand in a pudding.
"Eeewww oohhh good Merlin, girl, have your parents not taught you manners," one of the guests who was standing nearby, exclaimed as she saw what Lily had done. Lily felt the blood rush to her cheeks, as she magically cleaned her hand and hurried away from the tables.
Of course, Elias noticed the incident. He bit his lower lip to avoid laughing. Then he spoke to Luna:
"You do not mind sitting with me and my family, I hope, or you rather want to dance once again? I will dance with you over and over again, if you so desire..."
They walked over to where his family was sitting. He drew out a chair for her and sat down beside her. His family rose up and sat down as soon Miss Lestrange had taken her seat. Lily was grinning, her smile reaching from her right ear to her left. Her mother had of course calmed down, she was not weeping anymore, but smiling curiously. Her husband looked as usual, casual, his blue eyes twinkling.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"I hope you do not wish to drink water tonight like you did at our previous evening," He said teasingly. Luna smiled and took the wine from him. As usual, she discretely added one drop of her poison - check potion to hers, then his. Luna noticed what Lily was doing with the pudding, and smiled while she averted her gaze.

"You do not mind to sit with me and my family, I hope, or you rather want to dance once again? I will dance with you over and over again, if so you desire.."

"No, I don't mind at all. After all of this walking, we deserve a rest." she smiled. They walked over to where his family was sitting, and gracefully sat on the chair he pulled out for her. She silently observed the other people dancing, unsure of how to break the silence and once again choosing to let Elias make the first move.