The Ball: Stepping Stone

[Lucius Gray]

Setting (Location, Weather, Time): Lucius Gray's Manor in the Village next to Hogsmeade, A clear December night
Status (Open/Closed/Preffered Characters): Open to all wizards
Rating: R-13
First Post Summary (A brief summary of your first post, stating what the thread is all about): I've made is short and sweet. The eating part of the ball is done and now everyone is ready to socialise and dance. Lucius has announced Emelia Vogel's arrival, as well as his betrothment to Gertrude Prewett.
General Plot (What story do you wish to impart?): The serving of the divorce papers of Nadine Vogel, Nikolas' shocking announcement, the death of a student, the important alliances made between the people, and the organised chaos between muggleborns and pureblood wizards.

The night had started out quite well. People had started to arrive, and soon, the ballroom at Lucius' manor in the town just beside Hogsmeade was filled with wizards of all types and ages. Both muggleborn and pureblood wizards were there, but one could clearly witness the divide in the room. The muggles were in their own group, as were the pureblood wizards. The half-bloods were scattered around.

However, amidst this small problem of socializing, everything was turning out quite grandly. The food was magnefique, as was the dessert, and now it was time for dancing and merriment. From his seat at the head table, Lucius could already see that the Hogwarts students were starting to finish up their desserts to dance the night away, and after a few moments, Lucius stood up and tapped his crystal glass thrice.

The room fell silent as he cleared his throat to speak. "Good evening, my fellow wizards. Tonight we gather here in celebration of many things. First and most importantly, the arrival of the daughter of Hogwarts' Headmaster, Nikolas Vogel." he smiled at Emelia with whom he had been with for the past week. The sixteen year old maiden was a goddess personified. Her hair was dark and long, her lips were the brightest pink, and she clearly had her father's dark brown eyes. "Emelia Vogel, welcome to England." he said, raising his glass up in the air. "To Emelia!" he announced, and drank from his cup, the room followed along with him.

He cleared his throat again, and it quieted down once more. "Now to the second reason why you are all here, and why I wanted you all here, is to announce my betrothment." A murmur went across the room, and Lucius waited patiently before it quieted down. "Clearly, this intermarriage between two of the most prestigious families of the wizarding world has been something that took years in planning. I introduce to you with pride my bride-to-be, Gertrude Wilhemina Prewett, of the Prewetts of Devonshire." He raised his glass to Gertrude, who was seated on his left and smiled, motioning for her silently to stand alongside him. He turned to Nikolas and smiled. "All this would not have been possible if it were not for my friend--a man whom I think of as my brother--Nikolas Vogel. If it were not for your insistence, I never would have been this happy." he said, his voice sounding quite sincere.

If truth were to be told, he was not quite as glad to be married to such a young girl, but he knew that it was only fitting. Gertrude spared him the hassle of finding a woman who was worthy of his attention. Looking at his fiancee, Lucius knew that he was marrying the right person. He did not know if he would be happy, but he sure as hell knew that everything about it was right. Gertrude came from the right family, had the right connections, the right money, lineage, and to top it off, he was quite certain that she had been taught how to be a wife.

He took her hand and brushed his lips against it for appearances' sake. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, miss Prewett." he whispered to her. He turned back to the crowd and smiled, "To Gertrude, may our life be filled with happiness." he said. And with those words, he down his drink, and once more, the people followed suit.

"Thank you, dear friends. And now, let us enjoy this night with music and dance." he said brightly. The room started to buzz with chatter, and Lucius sat down, giving Getrude a polite smile and glanced at Emelia. "How are you finding England so far, Emelia?" he asked. He turned to Nikolas, "I've told Emelia that life here is far more complex than life in Austria, though it is much grander." he looked back at Emelia, "Was I right, my darling?" he asked.

[Emelia Vogel]

Disdain.

People were still arriving when the guest of honour had arrived. As Emelia walked down the steps of the grand staircase, she frowned. Her eyebrows were arched as she sweeped across the side of the room filled with useless, pitiful muggleborns. Her face was screwed up as though she smelled something foul in her presence and she pursed her lips as she hurried across to the head table where Lucius and her father were standing.

"Father!" she gushed as she hastened toward the tall man who was standing beside Lucius. She decided to forgo the formalities and wrapped her delicate arms around her father and pecked him lightly on the cheek. "I've missed you terribly. I'm so glad to finally be here with you." She smiled at him then turned to Lucius, "But really Lucius, after all that you have been telling me about these muggleborn fools, I'm surprised that you even invited them over to this ball in my honour." she chided.

The hall was filled within seconds, and she soon heard the dinner bell ring. A seat was pulled out for her and she spent the evening merely eating, observing, and talking only to Lucius and her father. From time to time, she glanced at the girl beside Lucius. She seemed not much older than Emelia, and asked her father about Gertude. When she found that Gertrude was a pureblood betrothed to Lucius, her smiles toward the girl became slightly warmer, and her eyebrows slightly less arched.

Her governess had taught her to be prim and proper, but also to be aloof. She took a sip of her champagne and let her eyes go across the room once more. They landed on one specific guest. Zane Thorne. He was seated at their table, undoubtedly beside his sister and his father's young wife, Nadine. Emelia disliked Nadine the moment they met, and had not spoken since. Her father did not seem to be too keen on conversing with his young wife either, which suited Emelia just fine. However, her attention from her father and Lucius was now caught by Nadine's younger brother. She tried to catch his eye, and when she did, slyly raised her glass at him and took a sip from it in quite an alluring manner. The night was turning into a good one already.


Pleasantries.

She could feel eyes on her, and was quite glad when dinner ended. She watched primly as Lucius stood up and tapped his glass lightly. A little smirk was on her face as he announced her arrival, and she merely tilted her head sightly down and let her eyes sweep across the room as acknowledgement. "Thank you, Lucius." she said elegantly after he had toasted to her. She did not sip her champagne along with the people, but rather cast her eyes on her father who was smiling proudly at her. The look on her face reasonably softened and she lowered her eyes at her father, and looked back at her plate.

She looked back at Lucius as he made his second toast, and smiled at him and Gertrude. As she glanced at Lucius' fiancee, she sized up the girl in her head. Pretty, but with no appeal. Not competition. That was enough for Emelia. She raised her glass along with the crowed and sipped her champagne, afterwhich, she threw a smile at Lucius and Gertrude, her green eyes flashing brilliantly.

As the room started to get up to dance, Emelia remained in her seat, and turned to Lucius as he spoke to her. "Grander, Lucius?" she laughed lightly in a slightly mocking tone. "You really are the comedian. Perhaps you should join the theater, I'm quite sure that they would be quite glad to have you there." she turned to her father, "England is quite lovely. Though I have only been here less than a day, and so far, all Lucius has shown me is a few crowded streets with absolutely no culture, unlike Austria. However, it matters little to me, Father. For here, I am with you, and there is nowhere else I'd rather be." she said sincerely, however, half her attention was focused on Zane Thorne, and she looked at him from the corner of her eye, smirking slyly.

[Gertrude Prewett]

Gertrude entered the ballroom in company of her grandafather. He had gone to Hogwarts to retrieve her for the evening. She could feel the stares of envy from some younger girls, but in all honesty Gertrude didn't care the least. She'd given anything to stay in Hogwarts and not attend society balls. She loved them in her younger years, but as childish innocence began to fade Gertrude realised there were more than polite smiles and flattering words. Not everything said was meant, and people silently judged her. Her trail of thought was interrupted when her Grandfather got down from the carriage and a servant helped her down as well.

As she entered the ballroom she couldn't help but notice many people had been invited. Not only could she spot members of important family lineages like tha Blacks, but there were as well some wizards her grandfather disdainfully identified as muggleborn. It seemed everyone where here. There were other students, pureblood, halfblood and muggleborn alike. This didn't neccesarily meant they had to socialize, as muggleborns and purebloods were in different groups with halfblood socializing with both.

Soon after, her parents arrived. She could tell her father looked tired ad worn out. She knew what kept him from sleep, but she kept quiet as she was aware it was knowledge forbidden to her. "The man you'll be marrying, Lucius Gray, is a perfect pureblood gentleman. I know you'll make us proud, dear child." Her grandfather said in a prod tone. Gertrude glanced towarsd were Lucius Gray was, in company of the Hogwarts Headmaster and a girl younger than her that Gertrude assumed was Emelia Vogel. It wasn't the first time Gertrude saw Lucius, after all the pureblood world was limited and they had been to the same balld before, but they had never been acquainted.

As the dinner bell rang, Gertrude took her place by Lucius, and the rest of her family sat with the other guests. She couldn't help but feeling helpless, she was around people she barely knew and the protective wall that was her family was not by her side. She ate in silence, giving polite nods and warm smiles every now and then. She had to put her entire will in not voicing her opinions in some matters, but she finally succeeded. Everynow and then she felt the stares of Emelia Vogel upon her. Gertrude admitted they were intimidating, but she would have none of it. She was after all, a Prewett, one of the most influencial families in the wizarding world. As the night progressed, she noticed Emelia's attitude towards her was slightly warmer. Gertrude assumed it was because she'd learned that Gertrude was a pureblood, just like Emelia.

Gertrude smiled politely as Lucius toasted to Emelia. She raised her glass along with the guests and sipped her champagne. When he began making the second announcement, she stood up, next to Lucius. Her gaze travelled over the murmuring guests and finally landed on her father and grandfather. Both men had their encounters in the past, and even during the dinner Gertrude could see tension between them. But now both of them looked proudly at her and she felt more secure of herself. She returned the smiles people gave her, wondering what were they thinking. She remembered her mother, an accomplished socialité, had once advised her to return every smile, but not trust anyone.

She wasn't sure she liked to get married to a man who doubled her age and she had never met before. However, she decided to give Lucius the benefit of the doubt. After all, he may be a good man and she decided to wait. "It's also an honor to finally meet you, Mr. Gray. I hope we will get along well." she answered politely with a warm smile.

After the toast the guests began to dance or chat lightheartedly. Gertrude really wanted to dance, but she wasn't sure the idea would appeal to her fiancee. She decided to sit down along with him. After all, she might as well start to get to know him better.

"Will you be joining us at Hogwarts, Emelia?" Gertrude asked the girl, her mind thinking where she'd be placed. Everything pointed to Slytherin. Pureblood, cunning and high dislike for muggle and muggleborns.

[Anna Dawn]

Stepping into the large house of Lucis Grey was nothing to be especially excited about in the eyes of Anna Dawn. There were many students scittering around and it did nothing but wind her up. Although it had to be said that the students did keep out of the way of their Divination professor, escorted by the man she had met only earlier that morning, but felt some kind of connection to for some unkown reason. Robert de Leoncre.

The large room buzzed with the noise of chatter and music as Anna's violet eyes scanned the room picking up first Nikolas then a girl who was unmistakably his daughter. She didn't even bother to introduce herself, for surely there would be enough time for that later and she had much better things to do then talk to Nikolas at the moment. There was still that mornings doubt in her mind about what was right, and she doubted that it would be cleared up that evening anyway.

Anna's dress was of the deepest green, making her skin seem paler then ever, whilst her blonde hair was left to spill down over her shoulders. Look's had never really bothered her before now, but seemingly something had changed because it had taken her longer then she ever thought possible to get ready for the ball that evening.

As usual Anna paid no attention the usual rituals of the era she lived in. She had no intentions to afterall, seeing as she was just as clever as any man, and anyone who knew her wouldn't find it out of place. Seemingly however many of the other pureblood families in attendance did, as she saw many smirks on peoples faces as she pasted them.

"I've always loved balls." Anna said sarcasically, a small but not altogether cold smirk appearing on her face. "Every-one parading around acting as if thier above every-one else." Anna let her eyes follow a couple as they walked past her and Robert, the man clearly had every intention of showing off his, wife? Daughter? Who ever it was on his arm.

[Nikolas Vogel]

Nikolas entered the hall with a rose in his hand. He was in his white tie best, and had a regal smile upon his face. By his side walked his young wife, to whom he was not speaking to. They were together just for the sake of appearances, and once they reached the head table, Nikolas left his wife in the place set for her. He ignored her stony glare, and shook his head at her. "For Pete's sake, I ask you not to make a scene here, Nadine. Your misery with me will end soon enough."

He let his eyes scan the room, searching for Clemence, but did not see the woman anywhere. With a resigned sigh, Nikolas went over to Lucius who was greeting his guests. "I need to know if an invitation was sent to Clemence." he said needlessly. Lucius looked at him as though he were mad. Invitations were sent to everyone in the wizarding community. He shook his head and lowered his voice, "We must speak." he said. "Later." Lucius replied, and went back to greeting his guests.

He went back to the table and waited for Lucius to finish. Once the man came back to him, he opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off by the voice of a young lady who had come rushing to him. "Emelia." he greeted, holding his young daughter and kissing her forehead. "It seems like it was only yesterday when I held you in my arms as a child. Now you are grown. How wonderful it truly is." he said. He handed his daughter the rose and smiled.

But before they could speak anymore, the dinner bell rang, and he sat next to Emelia. He usually was at Lucius' right in events like such, but tonight was Emelia's night, not his. He kept a steady stream of conversation flowing, and discussed many things with the few people at his table. Throughout the dinner, Nadine remained silent, and he could see that she was glaring at him the whole time. He ignored her and continued conversing with the guests. The topics went from how the school was, to the quality of education, to the kind of professors they hired. Most of those in the table were the school governors anyway so it was only fitting. He could tell that Emelia was not quite listening, and saw her gaze drift to Zane Thorne.

Once dinner was over, he listened to Lucius' toasts, and drank along with the rest of the room. Indeed, he had pushed for such a marriage to take place. Gertrude Prewett was the safest choice for a wife. She was young, naive, and yet to be educated in the matters of politics. The Prewetts were known for raising their children in the way of tradition, and Nikolas knew that she was going to be a good wife to his friend.

After the toasting, he listened to Lucius and Emelia converse. He turned to Gertrude and answered the question she had asked Emelia, "Yes, she will be staying with us in the school. Perhaps you can show her around, Gertrude." he said with a smile. He smiled silently at his daughter when she spoke of how she felt. "I am quite glad that you are here now." He meant to say more but was cut off, as he saw a latecomer enter the hall.

The woman who had just entered was tall, willowy, had pale skin and dark hair. Clemence. he recognised instantly. He turned to his daughter distractedly and mutterd an excuse to leave the table. He walked over to Clemence and took her hand. "I almost believed you had opted not come." he whispered. "But for the first time in years, I am glad that I was wrong." he said quietly. He searched her deep blue eyes for an answer. She had not spoken to him since that night they had spent together three days ago. She had left before he had awoken and ignored him since. It nearly drove him mad, but he tried to understand the hesitation of Clemence. "Clemence, please talk to me." he pleaded quietly. "Tonight the papers shall be served to Nadine and there is nothing more that must be thought of. There will be nothing to hold us back. Please Clemence, do not toture me like this. You know the depth of my actions." he said.

[Zane Thorne]

Zane entered the ball after Nikolas and his sister. He fell at least six steps behind them. Tonight he wore one of his finest attires not because he wanted to look special for an important ball such as this. He wore it for no one. Zane only wore it for he felt like it.

As he followed his sister and Nikolas, he kept a close eye on Nadine. The cold look in her eyes told him that he would no longer have to worry about Nikolas for much longer. Zane never liked Nikolas. He only put up with their relationship only because his parents had begged him to. Zane had disapproved of their marriage in the first place so he thought that this may be for the best.

His hazel eyes swept the room with his glances, seeking for Ava. But it seemed that she was well hidden amongst the crowd. Zane wanted to see her very much. He couldn't sleep at all last night for he could not stop himself for thinking of those enchanting blue eyes of hers.

After the dinner bell rang he sat next to his sister but hardly spoke to her. He could tell that she was upset and he knew that he had to leave her alone for a while. He knew her well enough to know when to back off. He assumed that she needed time to blow off steam. She looked at Nikolas with a cold stare but Nikolas seemed to have ignored her. Zane gave her a mischievious little smile when she noticed that he saw that though it only seemed to annoy her more. But what were little brothers for?

Zane ate silently, his eyes scanning the room from time to time, looking for Ava. But he was still unsuccessful. For a moment, Emelia caught his eye and was confused to why she raised her glass at him, he felt somewhat uncomfortable. Zane was a brilliant young gentleman, always at the top of his class. But the female mind was far too complex for his comprehension. Even if he lived up to a thousand years, he still wouldn't understand women. He raised his glass to her as well and drank his wine, thinking that she was only doing this for pleasantries.

When dinner was finished, Zane listened to Lucius as he gave his toast. He raised his glass together with everyone else but did not care for his announcements. It meant nothing to him. He excused himself from his table and went off to find Ava. He found her mingling with the half-bloods, together with her bethrothed as expected. Zane looked at her for a while and felt a bit content. He was about to leave when Ava spotted him. She managed to excuse herself and walk up to him. Together they vanished from the crowd and found a quiet spot near a window where they could be alone.

"Did I disturb you?" He asked her in a soft tone, gazing at her face. She glowed with such elegant radiance tonight that Zane found himself captivated. It was surprising to see Zane speak in such a gentle manner and to someone he barely knew. It was because this time, he did not feel the need to be so defensive for he wanted to know her better. But in order to do that he knew he had to open up so that she would do the same. Although he no longer spoke in a rude manner, his face was still expressionless and he let no emotion shine through his eyes.

[Robert de Leoncre]

As Robert walked with Anna, he let his eyes wander over the people around the room. They were seemingly divided into two factions, and Robert knew that his work was cut out for him. He certainly hoped that one day, there would be no more divide between the pureblood wizards and those muggleborn or halfblood. He could see the moon through the large glass window panes and tore his eyes away from it to gaze at Anna.

She was clearly different from all the other women he had met. From her stance and walk, she seemed every bit cunning and strong willed as anyone he had ever met. She was far too advanced for the women of her age, and Robert could only be amazed at her. Throughout the dinner, while they were talking, he could not help but admire her even more.

She was unlike most of the women he had met, who merely talked about trivialities. He wished to speak to her about the divide but such was not a topic while eating. However, now that dinner was over, he wanted to bring up the topic.

He lead her outside toward the balcony, where no one could interrupt their talk or hear them. Perhaps it was this night that he would make one of the greatest allies he could. Women could influence easily--especially the children. If Anna was one who believed in equality and the right of everyone to live, then she would be very valuable to him. But if she believed otherwise, then Robert knew that he would have to do something to make her change her opinion on things.

He smiled at Anna's remark about balls and people showing off, "Well, it can't be helped. Such is the norm, I suppose, discrimination." he said. "A pity it is, in Asia, nothing of the sort happens--or if it does, it happens rarely. Blood or money there is nothing of a hindrance. But then again, the wizarding world there is quite small, and hidden well." he remarked, hoping to draw the topic into something more political. He wished to know Anna's views on them. He was quite certain that she had one, as throughout the night she seemed to be quite learned. "Still, I can't help but notice how European and American wizards tend to discriminate against each other. Call me a humanist, but I really cannot see why it is people seem to think that social class or blood purity should make any difference in a way one sees a person." he said, leaning on the stone cold stone railings.

[Clémence de Dreux]

With slow, hesitant steps, Clemence walked through the doors of the grand hall. She was quite late, and arrived soonafter Lucius had finished with his toasts. There was nothing more she wanted than to remain at her home, but she knew that it was still a part of her job. Three nights ago, she had done something that complicated her life immensely. However, it was the only time that she had felt truly happy and free, and she had spent the past few days thinking over what she planned to do about it. The night spent with Nikolas left her thoroughly confused. She wanted to be happy again, but at the same time, her duties to her government and to her mother hindered her. The past couple of days, she had been doing her share of thinking. And eventually, she had already written her letter of resignation for the French Intelligence. She had yet to mail it, as her fear for the life of her mother was still prevalent in her mind.

Her long dress flowed down as she walked. It was a rather beautiful dress, made of the darkest red silk, adorned with fine black lace from her native France. A mere professor who lived a simple life like Clemence normally would not have been able to afford such a luxury, but Clemence did not care about her cover anymore. Her hiding behind her luxury was perhaps a coping mechanism for her. She paused in her steps, her dark blue eyes scanning the room listlessly, and her eyes met Nikolas'. She could see him stop talking to a young girl that she presumed was the infamous Emelia.

Clemence had only seen Emelia once, in a memory, and as a young baby. The girl had clearly blossomed with age, and Clemence could see that Emelia took after her mother in every single way but for her eyes. They were Nikolas' eyes, she could tell. Her breath caught in her throat as she watched Nikolas leave Emelia and approach her. She trembled slightly, partly because she longed to be held by Nikolas again, and partly because she knew that it was wrong of her to ever fall in love with him.

She remained silent as he spoke to her. She almost had not come, she wanted to reply, but did not. When he pleaded that she talk to him, she finally opened her mouth to speak. "What do you want me to say, Nikolas?" she asked in a quiet voice. "That I too love you?" She kept her voice to a hush that only Nikolas could hear. "I do." she whispered, her voice almost breaking. "You've made me feel alive for the first time in years." she said quietly. She raised her eyes up to meet his, "But there are things that I have done in the past that..." her voice trailed away. She knew that she could not reveal her involvement with the French Ministry. "I don't deserve you." she said finally. "I dont deserve to feel the life I do when I'm with you. Nor the love you give to me. I want it, but I just don't deserve it." she said, her voice breaking painfully.

With that, she turned from Nikolas, and hastened back out of the hall. She did not bother pick up her coat from the butler and ran out of the door, stepping into a foyer of fresh air. She let fresh tears flow down her face as the night breeze blew on her face. But nothing soothed her emotions. Before she had went to the ball, she thought that she could already keep her calm and stay collected. But seeing Nikolas, having him look at her the way he did, touch her, speak to her--it was all so overwhelming, and she knew that she no longer had control over her emotions.

I'm sorry, Mama. she thought as she let her gaze drift past the horizon. She knew the choice that she would make. She knew its consequences, and yet she knew that she could not choose otherwise. Her mother would die soon, and it would be because she had chosen to love. Though inside, she knew that her mother would rather die than have Clemence to grow old unhappy. Her mother had always spoken to her about marriage, and Clemence knew that her mother wished for nothing more than her daughter to finally love someone and move on from the memory of her late husband. Clemence had loved her first husband and swore never to love again. But Nikolas had somehow broken through her, and she knew that things would never be the same as they were once again.

[Anna Dawn]

When guided out onto the balcony Anna slmost flinched at the cold air, although no disapproval showed on her face. She didn't mind being out here, she liked the cold, she liked the company as well. There hadn't been anyone who had talked to her as an equal since, well - since Nikolas came into the picture that was the young professor's life. In the short space of the evening Anna had come to like Robert alot, prehap even to mmuch if she would let herself believe that.

Anna tilted her head to one side as she listened intently to Robert as he spoke. When he had finished she did not speak, but leant with her back against the cold stone railing, as she let her mind work. She didn't know want to say what she thought because she still wasn't sure what she felt. There were some things that just didn't make sense to her anymore.

When she finally did speak Anna's eyes were cast down to the floor, her pale face even paler in the slight chill of the wind. "You're asking who's side i take?" She said first, her usual tone in place, if not more icy. She wasn't one to take things at face value, and could pretty much guess what Robert had intended to find out. Anna turned so she was leaning out over the railings, her eyes looking up at the large white moon.

"I don't know anymore." Anna said, the original icyness gone from her voice. She turned her face up so that she could see the man before her, the man who was directly opposed to Nikoloas, the man who believed in the same freedom that clemence did. The same freedom that every-one should have. And yet there was something holding Anna away from that freedom she so wanted every-onne to have. The fact that they had murdered her parents, and however strong wizards were they could defend themselved against muggles.

"I just don't know anymore." Anna repeated more faintly, dropping her head into her hands so that her blonde hair fanned out over her shoulders.

[Nikolas Vogel]

Nikolas did not waste a moment and took after Clemence. Upon stepping outside the large doors, the biting wind hit his face. He felt numb toward the cold, for everything in him at that moment was centered on Clemence and on Clemence alone. When he reached her, he took her by the wrist and drew him close to her.

He turned her face to his and touched his forehead against hers. "It does not matter. You deserve the world, Clemence de Dreux, and that is what I offer you." he said gently. "Marry me." he whispered. "I do not know what it is that holds you back, but there is nothing more I want that from you to be free from what it is that binds you." he said quietly.

If she accepted his proposal, his life would then fall into perfect order. He had the ideal wife, the ideal family--and soon, if his plans went flawlessly, he would be living with them in the ideal world. Everything was going quite perfectly for Nikolas Vogel. He was destined for something great. He knew it. He could feel it in the air. Soon, he would be revered as the man who saved the wizarding race.

He could hear the orchestra playing inside the ballroom. The woman in his arms was trembling, but soon it would all be over. He knew inside himself that she would accept his hand. The confusion in her eyes was fading fast, and he reached inside his pocket to draw out a small velvet box.

He flicked it open. The pristine silk lining was nothing compared to the flawless gem that lay inside it. By far, one of the largest and clearest white diamonds in the world, he took it out of the box and took Clemence's delicate hand. "What say you?" he asked quietly, gazing deep into her eyes.

It was indeed a season for marriages. Soon Lucius would wed his young bride, and perhaps even sooner than that, he would wed Clemence. But the most important marriage was that of his daughter to a young man he had taught. He had everything arranged, the only trouble was breaking the news to Emelia. His daughter had just arrived, and he did not want to send her off right away. Also, she had always been outspoken about marriage, and oft spoke of marrying not for money but for love. He knew that she would hate him for arranging such for her, but it could not be helped. Quentin Devereux was a man he had loved as his own son. He had sent the twenty-five year old boy to Provence for time being. Nikolas needn't the young boy involved in his scheme. If everything went accordingly, the young man would rise to power after him. If it didnt, he had taught the young man enough to know that he would be succeeded by someone great.

He pushed such thoughts from his mind as he looked upon Clemence. "Who you really are matters little to me." he felt compelled to say, though he did not know where it came from. He knew so little of her, and yet he loved her with a passion that was so grand. "You don't have to love me the way I love you Clemence, just love me." he said gently.

[Robert de Leoncre]

"I did not ask you anything Anna." Robert said gently. He wanted to take her hand to comfort her, but hesitated, as he thought that even if she seemed vulnerable at the moment, she was a woman stronger than those he had met. It was not in the least inappropriate to take her hand then, as they had spent the evening in each other's company--but he feared that he would offend her if he somehow treated her vulnerability as any man would.

His gaze drew down, and he could see two people standing in the drak of the uncovered steps of the entrance to the large house. Clemence. He recognised after a moment. It seemed as though she was having an intimate conversation with the man she was with. The bright lights around helped him see clearly who it was, and he stared in disbelief at Nikolas Vogel taking Clemence into his arms. He had no idea that his friend was affiliated with Vogel intimately.

Earlier that day, he had called upon his old friend from the French Intelligence and inquired about what work Clemence had in England. He was told in confidence that Clemence was sent to build up a case against Vogel, and eventually bring the man to his death. But seeing them, he knew that she had gone over the deep end, and would not be able accomplish her job. He had never thought Clemence would have been capable of doing such. He knew her to be the most devoted to her job.

He found himself uttering words pertaining to Clemence, but had actual relevance in the conversation he was having with Anna. "Misplaced loyalties can lead to the destruction." he said quietly. He tore his eyes from the scene below him and back toward Anna.

Realising what he had just said, he did not bother to explain it, as it was in a way related to their conversation. "I take it that this issue has some sort of personal hold over you." he said gently. "We needn't speak of it if it bothers you so. Though from experience, I can tell you that letting personal issues get in the way of one's thinking has never helped. A muggle raped and killed my sister, and yet I do not believe that all muggles are like that.. It is only human, and though a percentage of muggles can do that, there are also those of our kind who have it in them to kill innocent people. Man's actions cannot be blamed by their blood purity. Everything that happens has a reason--everything is interconnected. That is what I believe." he said quietly.

[Anna Dawn]

Anna lifted her head, letting her violet eyes look out over the grounds below, but then something caught her eyes, some-one moving in the dark below. More then one person, two people locked close together, but for the moment Anna paid no heed to them. She smimply listened to what Robert nad to say, watching him intently listening, the music from inside the hall only a blur in the background.

When he finished, she turned her head back so that she could see the people below. She let her mind think through the puzzle she was stuck in. Her blonde hair flew out in the wind, and she shivered slightly in the cold but she staid where she was none the less. She didn't know what to do anymore, who did she chose. What did she choise. Neither way was right after all, so which did she chose.

Finally she made her decision, she spoke in her usual eloquance, her moment of weakness finally passed. She acted as though nothing had even happened."NO, we must speak all this through." She let her eyes lock with Robert's, not knowing what it was inside that drew her to him. There was something there that she had never felt before.

As there was movement again in the grounds below, Anna could finally see who it was down there. And it broke all perseptionms of what she had been about to do. It took just moment for her to change her mind, for her to decide not to walk away. Leaning back against the cold stone railings she didn't cry like any other who had seen the man they thought they loved with thier closest friend. She was silent.

After a few moments she looked up, looking into Roberts eyes. "What have i done Robert?" She asked, her voice as even as ever, not showing any sadness. "I let him lead me on, I let myself believe that i could be some-one, that all this was right. I made the worst mistake i could ever make." And thought he could love me, she thought. Her voice held no emotion, but her eyes told that what she spoke of was true.

[Clémence de Dreux]

His touch upon her arm broke the coldness that was upon it. As she gazed into his eyes, Clemence knew that everything she had lived for was fading fast. She had lost control over what she knew was right, and what she felt was right. Tears welled up in her dark blue eyes and she bit her lip, shaking her head wordlessly.

She looked down when he drew out the ring. It was magnificent. The cut, the clarity, the carat--everything was perfect. She gazed up at Nikolas, her words caught up in her throat. When he made the remark about him not caring about who she really was, she lost it completely. She did not know what made her say what she said. But she knew that she did love Nikolas. She knew the danger that she faced, she knew that by marrying him, she would turning her back to her whole life. But she also knew that no one made her feel alive the way Nikolas did. Nobody said it was easy. a voice inside her head said.

As she gazed into Nikolas' loving eyes, she was drawn into a world that she knew only from a dream. Elysium. Paradise. The bitter cold of the night was gone. She was in a field of gold, wearing but a sheer white dress. The blue sky and bright sunlight shined down on her and Nikolas as they stood there in the centre of all beauty. Her fantasy was fast becoming a reality.

But the realities of the world was too strong to allow her to remain wrapped up in her dream world. Soon, her eyes clouded over with worry. She looked into Nikolas' eyes and knew that she needed to tell him everything. She needed to tell him the truth about her. "Nikolas," she started. "There are a few things about me that you must know." she said, lowering her gaze.

"I have done things for the Fr--" she paused. Could she reveal the involvement of the Intelligence? They did not have a full case against him anyway. Clemence had not yet finished building it up--simply because there was nothing to build. "For some people of my past." she said finally, biting her lower lip. "Things against you. Things that are not in your favour. They wanted me to find out what lay behind your intentions, and then to eventually destroy you." she said quietly. "They threatened me--saying that if I didnt work for them, they would kill my mother." She looked away, brushing the tears that fell from her eyes away. "I am not sorry for that. I kept my mother alive. But as soon as new breaks out about us, I am sure that her body will surface in a street somewhere in Provence. Her only wish was to see me happy--and if she does die, I am sure that she will be watching from above, happy that I have found the one person that gives me life. You."

"As I got to know you, I found that there was nothing I could do against you. If what they tell me about you is true, and that you really are not the man the world knows you as, I don't care." she whispered. "Heaven forgive me, but I will love you even if you kill all the people in the world in cold blood, just as long as I know that you love me--but I doubt that will happen, right?" she said, forcing a smile. "How you treat me and everyone around you contradicts everything that they have said about you." she said.

She looked up at him. "I love you, Nikolas Vogel. And my love for you has changed me so. I thought I knew everything. I thought I could resist you. But now that I am here in your arms, I find that I was wrong about a lot of things. Forgive me for my past." she whispered. "If what I have just said changes your sentiments about me, then there is nothing more I can do. I will remove myself from your presence and from your world immediately." She held her breath as she awaited his answer. Everything seemed to stop in time as the seconds passed. The music became muted, the lights seemed to fade, and the cold wind stop in its tracks--but still, Clemence, wrecked with her emotions, trembled in the cold.

[Nadine Vogel]

It was a dark, cold night. Nadine entered the ball with her husband, Nikolas. The first thing he said to her all night was not to make a scene. She glared at him and did not give him the pleasure of her reply. As the night progressed everything remained stoney. She refused to speak to anyone, and as a result, probably damaged her name. Not that it mattered. Like Nikolas had said, it would all draw to an end soon.

As soon as dinner ended, she watched as Nikolas promptly ignored her and turned to his friend and daughter. Emelia and her did not get along from the moment they met, so it was probably a good thing that they did not speak to each other.

When Nikolas stood from his place to meet someone who had just entered the hall, her eyes followed him, and landed on Clemence de Dreux. So it was not Anna Dawn that her husband was having an affair with. How could she have been so blind? Clemence just never seemed the type. The woman was quiet and usually kept to herself. She had never even seen Clemence in the company of Nikolas. Typical. She realised. Nikolas was far too careful to allow himself to be seen with the woman who was his lover.

She wanted to listen to what he was telling Clemence, and even tried to follow them out of the hall when she was approached by someone. He seemed familiar enough to her, and she realised that he was Nikolas' friend in the Wizengamot. He held a file in his hand.

"Good evening, Fräulein." The man said regally in a German accented voice. "I was asked to draw these up by your husband. Please sign here." he said, opening up the file, and brandishing a quill. He motioned to the line below the page.

Nadine, distracted, took the quill. She took another glance at Nikolas and Clemence who were now outside before looking down at the page. A word in the header caught her eyes. Divorce. She dropped the quill and looked at the man. "He's divorcing me?" she asked in a shrill voice. The first words she uttered that evening. "How dare he?"

The man hastened to speak. "Please Fräulein, it is all for the best. Herr Vogel is a very good man and he wishes for your happiness, as well as his of course. Just please sign. It will make my job much easier. It is what he wants." he said, his accent thick.

Nadine could barely understand the man, but understood the last sentence. It is what he wants. Her gaze hardened. She took the pen and signed her name angrily on the line. "Let him know that I will have nothing more to do with him after this has been ratified by the council." she said harshly. "And as for you, I hope you are pleased by your miserable existence." With those words, she turned from him and walked directly out of the ball while the man muttered clumsy 'thank you's'.

She walked toward Nikolas and Clemence. "I have signed your blasted papers, Nikolas Vogel. Do not expect me to be home when you arrive at the manor." she said darkly. She turned to Clemence. "Funny how I thought that you were the only one I could trust." she said severely. Her eyes travelled between them both, and after a moment, she turned away and stepped into the carriage waiting for her, not looking back at the ball.

"Take me to Prague." she said quietly. It was going to be quite a long journey home. She did not even realise that she had not bid farewell to her brother who seemed to be enjoying the night in the company of a young woman named Ava Wyatt. Perhaps she would write him. Perhaps she wouldn't. Either way, she did not want anything more to do with the world that she had just turned her back to.

[Ava Wyatt]

The night was spent in frivolity, but Ava did not mind--well, she did slightly, but there was nothing she could really do. Besides, there was one thing she was looking forward to that evening, and that was to see Zane Thorne. She longed to once more see his face, hear his voice. She did not know why, but something in her wanted such, and she was used to following her heart. After all, it was the only thing that she could trust fully.

She spent the evening with Wentworth Godfrey, her betrothed, and his friends. As the dinner closed, she found herself whisked away in front of the pianoforte and being asked to play and sing. She was reluctant, and was greatly relieved when she spotted Zane. Pretending to have been called by him, she whispered her apologies to her betrothed and his band of friends and rushed over to Zane.

She laughed, slightly out of breath when he asked her if he had disturbed her. "Not at all." she said, smiling. A lock of her wavy brown hair fell onto her face. She knew that she should have tied it back more tightly, but she didnt really like those small things restraining her. She refused to wear a girdle for the same reason. She felt like such things only held her back, and did not allow her the space or she freedom she longed for. "Why, I would go as far as to say that you saved me tonight. Wentworth and his friends were absolutely pushing me to play for them. I just can't possibly perform at this state, unprepared." she smiled.

She looked upon his face, pausing for a breath as she gazed upon his dark eyes. She looked down at his hand which she had healed the day before, "So how are you feeling now?" she asked quietly. "Not breaking any more glasses, I hope." she teased lightly. She found her eyes drawn to the dark blue sky raining down snowflakes. Her eyes grew misty, and she gazed back at Zane. "It's such a glorious night, is it not?" she asked. Her voice had grown soft, and her cheeks held a tinge of red in them. Her lips were set in a quiet, content smile and her dark hair framed her face in the lamplight. Her eyes returned to the sky. "Oh how winter must be cold for those without warm memories." she whispered.