Amortentia Dolorosa

The St. Mungo's Hallow's Eve Ball was never held in the hospital, itself, for erasons of safety and minimising the impact of such a large Wizarding celebration on the surrounding Muggle community. Instead, each year, one of the hospital's donors would volunteer to host. This year, Lady Cassiopeia Avery had volunteered her family's country home, in Buckinghamshire, somewhat to her husband's dismay and her sons' great pleasure.

At seven-thirty, the old iron gates swung open, and the footmen posted themselves in it, to greet and direct the guests. Stabling was made available to guests who preferred Muggle means of transit, but the apparition point was a stone disc, set in the ground, just a few yards from the gate.

Castor and Pollux Avery stood outside the front door of the house, joking and elbowing each other, placing bets on which of them would catch a prettier girl.
"Best just watch you don't wake up next to Alecto," Castor laughed, shoving his brother.

"Best watch you don't try to go to bed with Mistress Yaxley," Pollux shot back, slapping his brother in the head.

"Merlin's balls, Pol, we'd both die!" Castor grimaced and straightened his jacket, before opening the door for the first guests. "Good evening, Master and Mistress Rosier. Coats to the right, and the hall's just ahead of you."

"An excellent evening to you both!" Pollux chimed in, with a bow.

All the old blood had been invited -- all the old blood who still had money for charity, anyway. It promised to be a wild night. These things usually got just a little out of hand.

"Rhiannon" Lestrange popped into existence with a crack that likely deafened the wildlife for a few metres into the surrounding moor and a short stumble of the sort common to those who are accustomed to neither high heels nor self-apparition. And then, there was the surprisingly weighty blue and silver dress, which felt like it was only held up by the breasts Lucius had been so kind to provide in a bottle, for the evening.

Well, Roddy had dolled up, before, and he kept reminding himself that it would be fine, as soon as he got over the apparition sickness. The dress would stay put. His hair would stay put. And he certainly wouldn't fall off the heels.

He tucked the wand down the front of the dress, unfolded his fan, and took a dainty step off the apparition point.

Lucius Malfoy appeared at the apparition coordinates with a quiet pop of displaced air. He was quite nattily dressed, in a set of formal dress robes of black, with a white dress shirt underneath. His black top hat was perched on his immaculately groomed blond hair. Running his hands over his robes, he assured himself that everything was laying properly before looking around.

"Rhiannon, darling," he said, spotting the beauty in the blue and silver dress. He moved to give 'her' a hug, and planted a quick kiss on her cheek. "Is your date not here yet?" he asked. "Narcissa said she'd meet me here at some point, but until I've had the chance to ensure you're in the proper hands, I can certainly squire you around. I'm certain Cissa won't mind," he said, knowing that once he'd mentioned certain pertinent facts, his date would be all too amused.

"Oh, Lucky, you're such a dear!" Roddy cocked his hip in a half-curtsy and batted his eyes over the top of the fan.

"Mr Nightrain said he'd meet me at eight, he did. It's still just a wee bit early, but I'd never turn down your company." His eyes were all that showed over the top of the fan, as he smiled coquettishly. "And I'd love to see Narcissa! How is she, these days?"

Lucky nodded. "Cissa's been a bit bored, I think, but I couldn't convince her that a freelance job or two would help." He sighed, before returning his expression to a proper social smile.

"Still, she's a right to her own opinions. Although, when I think of her, there are times I do miss Hogwarts," he said, thinking of a few occasions when he'd seen her privately. "It doesn't help that we both still live at home. And she is always so concerned with not disappointing her parents. But I suppose we all are," he said with a wry grin.

"Why, Lucky! The things you say!" Roddy sniffed primly and raised an eyebrow. "I've never disappointed my parents! Not even when I started collecting Englishmen."

Roddy snapped the fan closed, poked Lucky in the chest with it, and whipped it back open to shield his face from scrutiny.

"It's a shame that she's so discontent, but it's too true that we had so much more to get into and then back out of, in school. A pity she's not so free as I am to combat boredom with lechery." He giggled. "Do you think her parents would let her stay with a good Irish family, for a bit? A 'cultural experience', we could call it. I even promise to keep the cousins off."

Lucky chuckled. "Your parents are different from ours, my dear. I don't see them disowning a child," he said. "But then, how could they with one as lovely as yourself." He piled on teh flattery hoping to distract.

"I'm not sure. Cissa seems wary about staying out overnight, but I'm sure you could ask her. Perhaps have your mother send an invitation?" he said with a raised eyebrow. "And I daresay you would be keeping your cousins off." Lucky looked at Roddy rather pointedly. "But your family does seem to provide a 'cultural experience' for many of the Slytherins of recent years.

"Well, you know, it's just because we're so very enjoyable, as you well know," Roddy commented, slyly. "Although your poor dear Severus needs to unclench before his eyeballs burst."

"But, I'll see what can be had with getting mum to send a note to old Madame Black. Who's representing, this time? Do you know? I so hope it isn't Bellatrix. Babs would just go ape, and the last thing we want is one of the brothers behaving like a monkey..." As opposed to behaving like a queen...

Denathaniel took in his breathe back, having just managed to get away from his brother whom had gotten it in his head that he was attending with him at the St. Mungo’s Ball. The idea had first come from his Attending Supervisor, wanting for him to at least have company in his reluctance of being present. Sadly for her, Denathaniel did not want his brother anywhere near his coworkers and senior Medi-Wizards and Medi-Witches.

To make sure his brother wouldn’t be making a surprise visit, he’d not only taken his wand away, but also all of his money that they had on hand. This way he was sure Christobal wouldn’t be making any other mischief to get back at him either. But Denathaniel was pretty confident that he had gotten across his brother’s head that were he to cause any kind of trouble that night, that he would be spending the rest of his life as a eunuch.

Shaking his head, he made it inside and he looked around, trying to spot a shock of red hair, hoping he wouldn’t have to search for long to see his date.

The fabulous pile of vines and flowers braided into his long red hair were nearly impossible to miss, especially since he wasn't exactly short without the heels. But, just in case, Roddy called out, fluttering the fan.

"Mr Nightrain? Is that you?" The voice was clear, clean, and a full register higher than Roddy used in normal conversation.

He winked and elbowed Lucius. "Thank you, Lucius. I wouldn't have known him, without your help."

"Not a problem, Rhiannon," he said, a wry twist to his voice. "After all, I can't have it said that I left a lady of your quality unescorted. After all, you were far too delicate to come to school with the rest of us."

"Ah," Lucius said, striding forward. "Nightrain," he said with a smile. "May I present your date for the evening." Lucky's face was a mask of social politeness.

Andrya arrived at the Apparating point and took a moment to steady herself. She wasn’t used to wearing corsets, but had let her date talk her into wearing one because he insisted that it made her look even better in her dress. Said dress was fairly simple, at first glance it appeared black, but in the light it had hints of a deep purple.

She wouldn’t admit it to anyone, but being at such an event made her a bit nervous, and she came only because there would be at least one person she knew there. Taking a deep breath to chase the nervousness away, she headed inside.

[If somebody needs a date, this post is a good place to look for one. Castor Avery is also available.]

Near the punch bowl, Frank and Alice Longbottom whispered to each other, in the way that couples do, when they're in love. They have been traditional guests of the event, since Augusta stopped coming -- or perhaps since they stopped inviting the troublesome old bat.

"Do you think Abraxas will come?" Alice asked, looking around the room.

"Probably not," Frank replied, pointing to Lucius. "I think I see his son. I wonder who he's here with."

Fabian and Gideon Prewett joked with each other, near a potted plant, in the back of the ballroom, speculating in how long it would be, before the first drunken hex flew. They were never apart and finished each other's sentences, and one wondered at the patience their dates (presuming they had dates) must have had to tolerate them.

Amelia Bones dragged a rather disgruntled-looking Thorfin Rowle onto the dance floor, and insisted he give her 'just this one dance'. The burly blond sneered down at her for a long moment, as the Prewetts made bets, before finally rolling his eyes and holding out a hand.

Two cherubic sisters in their twenties, Jocelyn and Lydia Rosier, entered the ball together, but looked owlishly around the room, as if expecting to meet someone. They were followed by Delphinius Crabbe, who was notably alone.

[Dibs on Jocelyn. I can still be appealed to for other verbs involving nouns.]

Shorter and stockier than his younger brother, Rabastan still cleaned up well, when he was forced out of his Hawaiian shirts. He stepped up to the Rosier sisters and bowed, offering his elbow, expectantly.

Jocelyn took his arm and kissed his cheek, before suggesting that he should offer the other arm to her younger sister, until they found her date.

With an angel on either arm, he began to make his way around the ballroom, looking for Lydia's date. They were great, but the two of them could be dangerous, together, as he'd learned. After all, he was here.

He took in the red-haired girl who'd entered just before him, reassuring himself that, yes, she was too short to be his brother, in drag. His look may have lingered a little longer than might be considered appropriate, but he didn't think Jocelyn had noticed.

Denathaniel heard his name being called and when he turned, he barely kept his jaw from dropping at the vision before him. If he didn't know any better, he would have thought that a prairie Nymph. And he was also surprised at how similar Rodolphus and his twin sister could look; it was actually unheard of fraternal twins of the opposite sex being almost identical.

"Hello Lady Lestrange. I must say you are absolutely stunning, it barely leaves me any breath," he said with a small smile. "Thank you, young Master Malfoy for keeping milady accompanied. I would have felt horrible had anyone antagonized her, especially since I was slightly late."

"Lucius and I are old friends. He carries on with both brothers, and they always bring him around. Like a cousin, he is." Roddy squeezed Lucky's arm, affectionately, having said one thing and meant something entirely else. "He does take such good care of me. But, he's waiting for his lass, he is, the poor lad. Aren't you, dear one?"

He unhooked his arm from Lucky's and blinked, wide-eyed, at Denathaniel, waiting for an invitation. "And you weren't late in the least, Mr Nightrain. I was just a wee bit early."

Lucky smiled. "Oh, I'm sure Narcissa will be along eventually," he said. "I just wanted to be sure that no one gave you any trouble," he said.

He nodded to Denethaniel. "I'm only doing what I'd have done for my own sister, if I had one. Rhiannon is right that I spend a great deal of time at the Lestrange household, with one family member or another."

"That's good to hear. It's best to know at least one familiar face anywhere you go, and milady seems to be in good hands at all times, from what your brother mentioned last month."

"Well, seeing as you kept my date such great company, allow me to extend the courtisy to you, Master Malfoy. We'll gladly accompany you until you have your lady by your side," he said with a smile, extending his arm to Rhiannon in a silent invitation to take it.

The exaggerated curtsy covered a twisted ankle, as Roddy fell off one of his heels for the first time, that evening. With a giggle and a smile mostly hidden by the fan, he took Denathaniel's arm.

"Oh, darling Lucius, would you mind terribly much if I took a dance, before we wait with you for Narcissa? I might be able to spot her from the centre of the floor..." Roddy batted his eyes and wiggled his ankle, making sure it would stand under him for the whole of a dance.

In all actuality, he was a good deal more concerned with the splash of red he'd noticed in the corner of his vision. It might not be his brother, but he thought it best to get the hell out of the way, just in case it was.

Lucky smiled. "Oh do go for a dance," he said. "I'm sure I know people here, in fact, I might have just spotted one of my business contacts. I'll happily rejoin you later for a bit of conversation, though." He looked around, an eye out for exactly the same reason as Roddy.

Smiling, he gestured them on. "Besides, I'm sure I can grab a dance with any number of young ladies, should I be inclined." Having encouraged them onwards, he nodded his head, and started heading towards the drinks.

"Then we shall dance my dear," he said, placing his hand over 'her' hand and leading her to the dance floor, looking at 'her' from the corner of his eye. He'd seen 'Rhiannon' slip a bit, but if 'she' didn't seem to mind, then who was he to contest? "Be warned milady, I am not the best at dancing footwork, but I can still manage to keep off your toes," he teased.

Once in the middle of the dance floor, he stepped in front of 'her' and extended his hand in invitation to start the dance, noticing another shock of red hair in the crowd behind his companion. He tilted his head for a second before taking his eyes back to 'Rhiannon's'.

With a giggle, Roddy swept Denathaniel into his arms, and dipped him, before coming to his senses. He folded his fan and stuck it down the front of the dress, next to his wand. Boobs, he'd noticed, were terribly convenient, and he was somewhat saddened that he didn't have them more often.

"Oh! Too sorry, I am!" he chirped. "You lead!"

Rabastan left the Rosier sisters chatting with the Prewetts. He didn't particularly like the Prewetts -- they reminded him of his cousins, but in a more slapstick and less sexual fashion. He also didn't like the reminder that he didn't get along nearly so well with his own half-magic'd cocksucker brother.

"Pardon me, ladies. Business calls. I'll be just a moment or two," he excused himself, wandering after a trace of red, in the crowd.

He grabbed the shoulder of a red-haired figure in a dress. [Andrya, that's you.] "Roddy, what are you d--"

He blinked, and blinked again. "I'm so sorry, you're not at all who I thought you were. How bloody beastly of me."

"Lestrange," he introduced himself. "Rabastan Lestrange. A pity to make your acquaintance in such an appalling manner. Can I make it up to you?"

The hand on her shoulder was so unexpected that Andrya nearly reached for her wand, but she stopped herself in time. She had been mildly annoyed at first, but it didn’t last long. At least now she wasn’t looking around wondering what to do.

“I must say you startled me, and had this happened elsewhere you would have gotten hexed,” she told him with a smile. “But it still is a pleasure to meet you. I’m Andrya Scova.”

“To make it up to me, I think I will ask for a little excitement. Make sure that this doesn’t turn into a dull event.”

After a moment, it suddenly dawned on her that she had been called Roddy.

“How could you possibly have mistaken me for your brother?”

"A genuine pleasure, Miss Scova." Rabastan bowed, an utterly flawless impression of having manners. "I almost would have welcomed the hex -- an opportunity to test my reflexes. One can't let oneself get rusty, with so many thoroughly unconscionable people in the world."

Turning on the Cambridge charm, nicked after a good bit of study from old man Mulciber, he persisted in the delusion that she was unfamiliar with his family for another five seconds. Then it sank in...

"You know my brother? Permit me to apologise on behalf of my family. We're not all like him." A fair percentage, sure, but not all, he thought. "It's the hair, it is. I saw the red, and well, he is the sort to ..." He raised an indignant eyebrow. "...dress for these occasions."

"But, you wanted excitement." He bowed shallowly, lifting her hand to just shy of his lips, and gave a sincerely cultured but utterly dangerous smile. "I'm certain it can be arranged. These affairs never end as well as they might, these days."

He was distracted from his chuckling from being dipped by such a strong willed 'woman' when 'Rhiannon' placed her fan between her breasts, making his swallow with difficulty.

"If the Lady wishes to lead, who am I to complain? We'll surely look more adept should you be in charge, milady Rhiannon," he said, with his best immitation of his brother's flirting smile.

Turning Rhiannon into a circle, he once again caught a flash of red in the crowd, but this time a second had joined the first, making him frown.

"If you want me to take charge, I'll do it, I will."

Roddy twitched his right shoulder back, like Caolan had taught him, and sure enough, the boobs bounced. He glanced down at Denathaniel's face, with an amused smirk, and drew him in as close as the massive skirt would permit, without crushing the crinoline. It was far too early in the evening to be crushing the crinoline, and he thought to himself that he'd rather Lucky took the first honours, there.

As Denathaniel's eyes settled on something else, with consternation, Roddy glanced in that direction, and caught the flashes of red hair. One colour he recognised instantly, and horror flickered across his expression, before he regained his composure.

Narcissa walked into the large doors and looked around for Lucius. Her long blond hair was styled up in a Gibson do and she wore a 50's swinger style dress in a dark blue. He nails, shoes, and accessories all matched her dress making her fair skin and hair stand out and making her feel quite beautiful.

It had taken her weeks to find something that she liked, and that pleased her mother. She had to ask for Bell'a's help to convince her mother, and aunt into letting her wear it.

On his way to fetch a drink, Lucky suddenly spotted Narcissa's pale hair across the room. With a smile, he turned and headed towards her, nodding politely to a couple of people who waved at him in passing.

"Narcissa, darling," he said with a smile. "You look ravishing, as always." Moving closer, he pulled her in for a hug, placing his mouth where he could whisper in her ear. "Roddy's here, pretending to be his own twin sister, Rhiannon. Best I tell you so you can join in the fun."

She wrapped her arms around him gently and pulled him into the hug, expecting a kiss when he leaned in, she instead had to stifle a laugh in Lucky;s shoulder.


"Of course!" she said excitedly, backing up and taking his arm. "How is dear Rhiannon these days?" she asked with a grin.

"Oh, Rhiannon's having a good time, out on the dance floor with a date," he said, smiling at her. "Some American bloke Roddy and I met in a shop." He chuckled. "Roddy asked me if I'd take Rhiannon tonight, and when I mentioned that I was taking you, Denethaniel offered to instead."

"So how're things at home?" he asked.

She grinned from ear to ear as she looked around for the 'girl'.

:You know..." she said, still looking around. "The same old boring thing..."

"I believe I know who your sister's date is," she said with an amused look. "Perhaps at some point in the evening, we could go and say hello to them. I'm certain Roddy will be glad to know that we're watching out for her."

Andrya quickly glanced around, and thought she spotted Denathaniel. But, not being sure she was right, she didn’t mention it.

Rabastan blinked. "I don't have a sister... Just the brother."

His face paled as he scanned the crowd, looking for anything that might be related to him. "She might be a cousin of mine. I have some cousins who are girls... ... sometimes." He muttered the last word under his breath. "But, if you spot this alleged sister of mine, you'll point so I can see who she rightly is, yeah? I'm sure she's just a cousin..."

He hoped she was just a cousin... But, a sick sensation lurked in his stomach.

"Well I have never actually met her to tell you the truth. Hoepfully whenever I see her date she won't be too far."

Andrya looked out to where she though she had seen Denathaniel just a moment before, but other dancing couples were now obstructing her view.

"There is always the possibility that I was misinformed. It could definitely be a cousin," she said even though she was now convinced otherwise.

Rabastan looked around the room, again, spotting Lucius and Narcissa. "I think I see my boy-o, Lucky, off a piece, I do."

He bounced up onto his toes, flipped his head to flash his chin-length hair, and waved. The hair was usually an attention grabber.

"Dheara, he'll tell me what's what, to be sure," he muttered, before swallowing his accent, again. "Have you met Mr Malfoy, yet? He's a bright one. I'll introduce you when he makes it through the crowd, if you've not."

Denathaniel noticed when his 'lady' looked frightened and he tried to spot what could have caused the reaction, but it wasn't long before he was distracted by a very commanding woman in his life at the moment.

"Not that I wish to cut this dance short, dear Rhiannon; but I must speak with my superior. Shall I escort you back to young Master Malfoy and his lovely lady with golden hair?" he asked, already leading the redhead in his arms towards the two blondes.

[[Collision course anyone? ^_^]]

Roddy giggled brightly. "Of course, Mr. Nightrain! I haven't seen Cissa in months!"

...And then he saw Babs, waving Lucky over. The smile didn't falter, but his eyes turned calculating, as he took in the options. Narcissa. He'd grab Narcissa and make for the back of the room, with some excuse about 'ladies' concerns'. Lucky would play along, and hopefully, Cissa would, too.

"Narcissa, darling!" he called out, fluttering a hand at her. "How have you been? Come, you must tell me everything!"

She had been watching for a while, and had expected to be taken away in the middle and laughed, "Oh course!" she said, excited with a bright smile, "My dear, I haven't seen you in ages!"

With a smile, and a nod to Lucky, she let herself be lead away.

"Auntie bless you, lass," Roddy whispered, leading Narcissa through the crowd. "I haven't had nearly enough to drink to be on the receiving end of the first punch of the evening, and you know how Babs gets..."

He thought about that for a moment. "Actually, I don't suppose you do. All for the best, it is. Tell me, dear one, how are things with you and Lucky?"

As the too-tall redhead vanished into the churning crowd on the dance floor, Rabastan caught up to Lucius. "Lucky, old boy! Do tell me -- who's the eedjit posing as my sister?"

The grin on his face was nearly feral, and it was clear that he was ready to hold Lucius responsible for all of it, if a decent explanation wasn't forthcoming. Then his manners caught up.

"Lucius, this is Ms. Scova. I hear she knows my brother. Ms. Scova, may I present Lucius Malfoy, possibly the richest and most well-born chancer in the whole of the Isles."

She laughed, and led them to a far corner where they could still see the happenings.

Looking around, she grabbed two champagne flutes from the nearest waiter and handed one to Roddy.

"Good I think..." she sighed, "I just don't know, honestly." she said, her smile faltering, and her expression turned serious, "I feel that I've been unbearable as of late, that I can't be there for him..." she shrugged, and forced the smile back onto her face.

"Such things are quite unpleasant for such an soiree, how are you? And why the need for public drag?"

"Oh, a need. What a bottle of swill is that, sure it is." Roddy laughed. "There's never a need for it, but sometimes there's an opportunity too good to let slip. That poor bastard offered to take my sister to the ball. Of course, it may well have been my fault he thought I had a sister, but what man makes his entrance into a new country's society by offering to take some fresh-met man's unseen sister to a pricey ball? I couldn't say no, after I set him up so easily."

He sipped the champagne. "Of course, I should have known that if I wasn't holding an invitation, that meant my brother got it. And it's so hard to keep my head down, in heels..."

"I wonder if I should take a bet to see who get's punched first..." she said with a laugh, taking a mouthful of the champagne watching Lucky.

"Lucius suggest I have a sleepover some night with you lot....perhaps we could put this sister of yours to good use."

"Lovely to meet you, Miss," Lucky said, bringing her hand to his lips and placing a polite dry kiss on it. "You'll have to pardon Mister Lestrange here, I'm afraid social niceties are rarely his first thought."

Having bought time by being polite, he turned to look at Babs. "Must we discuss this in the middle of the ball, Babs?" he asked. "You know some matters are best kept private." He inclined his head, suggesting that if Babs would follow him to the gents, a better explanation would be forthcoming.

"Lucky, me oul' lad, it's a perfectly civilised conversation. I haven't raised my voice, yet." Rabastan paused, letting a dangerous smile begin to creep across his lips. "Am I to gather that's my brother in a dress? Because if it were one of the cousins, those would have been the first words out of you, they would."

"You know I won't make a scene. There might be a scene -- several scenes, even, it's one of those kinds of parties, it is -- but there'll be none to hang on me." He draped an arm around Miss Scova's shoulders. "Certainly nothing to ruin this lovely lass's evening."

He didn't look any less like a fatality waiting to happen, and if one was familiar with his occupation, it was easy to see that both this state of affairs and his previous statements were probably perfectly accurate.

"Blood and bones, Cissa! I hope you mean to keep Lucky with you, if you're staying with us. A pretty thing like you -- the cousins would have you for good use in half a second!" Roddy laughed behind his fan. "But, just tell them no, and they'll lay off. And whatever you do, don't tell them they'll have to fight Lucky for you. Cathan will win that one, if Ceallach doesn't duct tape the poor lad to something before the fight even starts. It'll take Murphy's sword to put an end to that, it will."

"I think the Prewetts are taking bets, over there, if you want to place one. They'd know the odds, for the night, they would. My money's on Cas Avery, if we're counting slaps. It looks like he's putting the moves on my brother's date." He pointed with the fan toward where one of the Rosier girls looked far less than amused with Castor.

She blushed at his comment and nodded. "I'll have to remember all of that...however, at the moment, I am more worried about the expression that just crossed your brothers face..."she let the sentence hang, and nodded her head towards the men who were talking across the room.

Lucky chuckled. "It's all on a lark, Babs," he said with a grin. "We were in Malkins, your brother and I. Just a stop between pubs, really, to check what was being passed off as fashion this season." Lucky was watching Babs as he spoke, keeping the corner of his regard on Miss Scova.

"We met the American gent there, and he mentions the ball. Roddy's taking the piss, and asking me to take his sister before he had a chance to think. I, of course, declined, making it clear that I was taking Narcissa." He smiled at Babs. "After that, it was all his date's fault. The chap offers to take your sister to the ball, and I just couldn't spoil the fun from there."

He raised an eyebrow at Babs, with a smile on his face. "Sight unseen, the man offers this. To someone he's just met. It was the perfect opportunity, and with no real set-up on our part." Lucky snickered slightly. "But really, most people will have no idea. And it'll be something to laugh over later."

“It certainly is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Malfoy.

She followed the conversation with interest, not commenting too often.

“Oh, even if you made a scene you couldn’t ruin my evening. In fact you saved it, seeing as my date didn’t show up. I’m guessing he’s been tied up somewhere.” Literally, I bet.

She noticed that Lucky was paying attention to her, and she just smiled.

“Yes, Deny tends to be like that, jumping in to help a stranger. But he’s a good judge of character, if he had thought that either of you were suspicious he would not have offered.”

"Oh, Cissa, you worry so much. What's the worst he can do that my cousins can't fix?" Roddy laughed brightly. "Aside from kill me, of course, but don't think he hasn't tried. He'd have to actually succeed for that to be a problem, sure."

"What say ye we go make some bets, instead of worrying our pretty heads about things we can't change, yeah?"

It took every remaining ounce of control Rabastan had not to burst into hysterical laughter. "Sure we're not suspicious. We're gentlemen, eh, Lucky? Surely not the type to dirty our hands skulking about and terrorising people, for Merlin's sake."

The fact that he could say it with a straight face -- that he could even manage to scoff -- was a testament to his strength of will. He had to admit, he'd been practising, lately, even if he had been a master of the art since birth.

"Which reminds me," he added, holding a handful of galleons out to Lucius, "I cheat at cards. Here's the twenty I actually shouldn't have of yours."

He smiled absently at Andrya. "Well, since your date seems to be missing in action and mine's too busy being offended by the Prewetts, perhaps if we stand next to each other long enough we can start some entertaining rumours. Nothing like playing the crowd at an event like this..."

And not in the usual way, either.

"Oh course." she said with a smile and allowed herself once again to be lead.

He'd just finished talking to his supervisor and she was less than pleased that his brother had not showed up, though the fact he had been seen on the dance floor with such a beautiful flower had regained him a few points...and a few suggestions from his co-interns as he passed by a few. He would have rather that the night was over than to keep this farce up any longer.

Passing his hands over his face and then hair, it made Denathaniel think of another farce as he spotted a petite redhead he needed to have a word with. Making his way towards Lucius, Andrya and Rabastan, he placed himself behind the young woman and grabbed her by the arm that was not restrained by the red haired male and spun her around twice before hugging her to his chest.

"Ah, dear lady Scova! Alas I am saddened to inform you that your companion shall be missing this evening and that he is absolutely at fault for the reasoning of why. It would be my tremendous pleasure should you desire to decide to remove his neither regions as he is in no needs of specific parts. I do not expect to be an uncle in these close times," he said with an innocent smile. "Should you require the tools to do so, they are right by the cooking knives."

"But how rude of me, you were in the middle of a conversation. Please pardon my interruption," Denathaniel turned to the two men. "It would seem that my lady Lestrange has stolen your lady, Mr. Malfoy, and so soon after you had just found her too. My apologies," he finished with a small bow of the head.

After she got over the shock of being grabbed and spunned so suddenly, Andrya promptly took out her wand and sent a stinging hex at Deny.

"That is for scaring me half to death just now, and that," she said as she cast a second one, "is just cause I felt like it. But seriously, querido, I have my own tools. No need to offer me yours. Christo will get what's coming to him."

"Now if you'll excuse me, we were trying to start rumours here," she added as she took Babs' arm.

"But do join the conversation. We were talking about you and your date mostly."

Rabastan half-smiled at Denathaniel, in an unsettling fashion. "Rabastan Lestrange. I understand you're here with my ... with a relative of mine."

There was no sense in providing a public motive for the murder he was about to avoid getting accused of. Besides, he was curious to see if the man had figured his brother out, yet.

"Are we counting hexes in the evening's hit count? Because I suspect we've just blown the odds on Gideon and Fabian's game."

Roddy was discussing the odds with Gideon Prewett when the first hex of the night fired. "That didn't take long. What were the odds on that one?"

"What?" Gideon blinked and looked up from "Rhiannon"'s cleavage.

"I don't know who she is," Fabian confessed. "Didn't enter our calculations at all. This is going to make some people extremely unhappy, don't you think, Gideon?"

"We'll be lucky to get out with our skins on. There are no winners, on that one, myself included. I had my money on your brother, Ro-- er, Rhiannon." Gideon shook his head and poked one of Rodolphus's breasts. "How did you manage that, anyway? Is that Lucius's doing? And if it is, can I buy some?"

"Gideon, do at least behave as if our friend is a lady. It would be a terrible shame if the Lestranges suffered further embarrassment than being Irish." Fabian grinned. "And our other friend here is a lady, and such things aren't polite to do to or in front of one."

"So she is, brother!" Gideon bowed to Narcissa. "My apologies, Miss Black."

Denathaniel tilted his head as he took in the red haired man. "Lestrange, eh? Closely related? You wouldn't happen to know about her cousin Finnegan, would you? I heard he was an interesting hat maker," he said with a bright smile.

He looked down at Andrya and raised a scolding brow. "Starting rumors dear? How un-lady like. And what's this I hear about bets? There's a betting pool on hexing people tonight? Why didn't anyone tell me?" he pouted.

"Finney's a c--" Rabastan started, and then drew up short with a cough and a glance at Andrya. "Finnegan's got a way with hats, he does. And a way with a few things that haven't a thing to do with traditional headwear, if you catch my meaning, sir."

A relatively unpleasant smile crossed his face, much like a ravenous jackal considering its next meal. Then it was gone, and Rabastan looked like any other slightly non-traditional young pureblood, talking shit about his relations.

"Finnegan's not best suited for these sorts of gatherings, but is otherwise someone I enjoy the company of," Lucius said.

He smiled ad Denethaniel genially. "Oh, I'm not so very worried about Narcissa. It is, after all, a large social gathering. I'll see her later, or if need be, I can drop by her parents home for a visit. As long as she's having a pleasant time, I'm content."

Lucky brushed away the coins that Babs was holding out. "Consider that whisky money. After all, I drink it it yours often enough."


(OOC: Sorry it took me so long to respond, but work's been crazy busy, and I got sick.)

He laughed. "Yes, I had gathered that Finnegan wasn't one you'd bring to public fonctions, though I wish I could meet him one day."

Noticing how Andrya seemed to be rather content in just peering around and not answering him about the bets and rumors, he smirked at the money being dicussed over.

"You know...this is a fundraiser for our most favored medical establishement, I'm sure a few of my collegues wouldn't mind having it added to the bin we're collecting," he joked, snickering.

His attention then was caught by the Prewett brothers looking very closely at his date. His brow almost twiched as it meant he wasn't being a gentleman by keeping her away from potential troublemakers.

"Andrya dear, here's Christobal's wand; should you decide to free him from his punishement earlier than I feel he should. If you'll all excuse me, I have a man I must see about a curse," he said with a tight smile, though he did look amused as he daringly placed the wand into Andrya's corsage, fleeing as fast as he could so that there would be as many people as possible between him and her hexes.

Rabastan shrugged at Lucius. "They're all like that, aren't they? No bloody manners, these Americans."

He draped an arm around Andrya's shoulders and looked down into the astoundingly forward placement of the wand that had been thrust upon her. His eyes gleamed with the thought of an excuse to make trouble in these stuffy environs. "Are you going to see to that affront, Miss Scova, or shall I?"

Rodolphus grinned at Fabian and slipped a few fingers somewhere into the gown, drawing them back out with gold coins between them. "Put me down for five galleons that I make it to the end of the week without Babs successfully hitting me, for this."

He winked at Narcissa. "Do you want in on this one? My brother's excellent at what he does, but I'm still faster."

Gideon hiked up an eyebrow. "Define 'end of the week'. It's Thursday, mate."

Fabian grinned back. "It is, indeed. And we're not the sort to doubt you can dodge that for a day or two. If you want to make it a full week -- seven days from the moment -- I think we can find some folk to take the other side of that. 'Course we'll have to play around a little if we're not to out you."

"You kidding? If he calls it Thursday next, I'll counter that. One-five to one, against," Gideon offered. "You're good, but you're not that good."

"You're right. I'm not that good." Roddy folded the galleons into Fabian's hand. "I'm better. Thursday next. Not a mark."

A slightly antagonistic smile unfolded across his face. "Bring Lucius over to spell me, so you'll know if he hits me. And don't let him put money on it, so you'll know his work's still straight."

Andrya's thoughts were taken away from the torture she was already starting to plan for Denathaniel.

"Since you offer, you can take care of it. No matter what I do to him and his brother, they never learn a thing. Perhaps you can get the message through to Deny," she said with an almost devilish smile.

Denathaniel saw 'Rhiannon' give Fabian the galleons, which intrigued him, as he arrived besides them and glanced over his shoulder to make sure that Andrya wasn't coming after him.

"My, ladies. Gambling so early in the evening? Not even an hour has passed yet," he teased, giving the Prewett brothers a slight smile.

Lucky hid his mouth behind one hand, so as not to be caught snickering. "I'm sure he'll learn, one way or another. Although I'm sure we could instruct him on why one doesn't do that in particular without invitation."

"And yes, they do seem to be. Perhaps you should pick the next one, Babs, you might have better luck." He smiled at his friend, the teasing evident in his tone.

He couldn't kill the American. That would be a bit much. Instead, he slid the end of his wand down into his palm, from where it rested in his sleeve, raised his hand as if covering a cough, and pointed his elbow toward Denathaniel. Hopefully a little discomfort would indicate the depth of his transgression.

"Evanesco!" he coughed, focusing not on what might be on the robes, but on the robes themselves. The stitching, in particular, that held together the lower half of the sides. Perhaps a draught about the nethers would put him right. And if it didn't, well, there were more seams that could be taken farther.

Feeling a shift in the way his robe hung on him, he frowned and looked down. He raised a brow as he came to see his dress pants showing by the now open seams.

"Would you look at that...seems like Madame Malkin isn't quite as good as the reputation gives her. And I'd just bought these," he sighed, not even bothering to spell it all closed up. It was his brother's job to do them mending of clothes, while Denathaniel himself mended the skin.

Roddy turned around just in time to see the stitches vanish, Mr Nightrain's robe swirling open as he stepped forward. He flicked his fan open and giggled behind it, wondering which of the party was responsible. He'd have expected something more tasteful from Lucius, though, and something more bloody from Babs, which meant it was probably Miss Scova -- That was Miss Scova, over there, wasn't it? ... With his brother. Oh, dear. The evening had just become a fair sight more interesting.

He leaned in toward Fabian, grinning behind the fan, as he whispered, "That's my date. Do make him a bit jealous, yeah?"

Narcissa stood quietly watching the happenings and enjoying herself immensely. Finishing her glass, she placed it on the nearest tray and let her mind wander, not really paying attention to the conversation.

However, out of no where Mr.Nightrain's robes started to fall apart at the seems.

"Mr.Nightrain." she said, holding back a chuckle. "Madame Malkin's reputation holds. I believe someone might be having a laugh at your expense."

She looked over to Roddy and shook her head slightly. "I don't know where you found this one dear, but he certainly isn't used to this crowd."

"That he surely isn't, Cissa dear."

Roddy draped himself onto Fabian's arm with a giggle. "Oh, Mr Prewett! You're so bad!"

He widened his eyes at Mr Nightrain, with a tiny shocked gasp. "Why, sir! Your trousers are showing!"

The fan stayed firmly in place, covering the lower half of his face, upon which a distinctly unseemly grin had taken up residence.

Upon hearing Narcissa's assurances that it wasn't the seamstress' fault, he turned his head just slightly and gave Andrya a look that said he wasn't impressed at all, especially since he thought she was more civilized than Christobal...maybe he needed to spend a bit more time getting to know her in the future, and teach her about certain rules of etiquettes...

"Yes, I seem to be aware of that peculiar fact, Miss Lestrange. It may even be the excuse I was looking for to escape this night. No doubt that you ladies would be disgraced to be seen with such a low class wizard such as myself," he said, looking down at his robes and wondering if there was something he could do about them except for sending them to get mended.

He then lifted his head and gave Fabian a once-over. Can this night get any worse? he wondered, looking to see which of his fellow interns were laughing at him by now.

Andrya took the wand out of her corsage and placed it into her hair, but not without pointing it subtly towards Rabastan, knowing Denathaniel would get the message. He was an idiot if he seriously thought she had cast that spell.

"Gentlemen? Would either of you care for a dance?" she asked as she turned away from Denathaniel, gazing up at the man whose arm she was holding onto.

"Babs?" Lucky said, looking at his friend. "I think this is your cue, as is would be rude to Cissa not to have danced with her first. And it would never do to be rude to my date."

He looked over at Andrya. "I am sorry to decline, Miss Scova. But perhaps later, when I have danced some with Narcissa," he said with a polite smile on his face.

Rabastan smiled broadly -- a little more broadly than his face looked like it ought to support -- and looked interestedly down at Andrya. "Shall we, Miss Scova? I believe I hear a minuet beginning."

He winked at Lucky. "Go see to your lass, Lucky. I think she's with my cousin, over there."

"I understand, Mr. Malfoy. Until later then."

Andrya then looked back at Rabastan.

"I have actually never danced a minuet. But I am certain that with a cavalier like yourself, I should do just fine," she said with a sweet smile.

Rabastan took Andrya's arm, leading her out toward the dance floor. "Ah, that I'd only grown up in a place where ballroom dancing was not a must among the pureblood families... And I fear to be a cavalier, I'd need a horse, and horses and I, we've never quite been on the best of terms."

It wasn't quite a lie. He liked horses just fine, as dinner. But, they'd not tolerate him to ride, which was fine, since he'd little if any intent toward riding one.

"But, I'm good enough blood you'll know no shame by me," he offered with a faintly unsettling smile, pulling Andrya to him and leading her into the first steps.

Andrya was amazed at how easily, and quickly, she adjusted to the style of dance.
She wasn’t sure if it was due to her occasional dance practices, to the confident way Rabastan was leading her into the steps, or both.
But in any case, she made very few noticeable mistakes. A fact that she was very proud of.