all is quiet on new year's day

Alec groaned as he flopped down one one of his grandparents' couch in the living room. He loved them, but he really wasn't in a mood for their fancy parties, no. Not on New Year's Eve.

He had talked to his mother the day before and she was fine, but he kind of missed her. He'd much rather have spent the holidays with his mother in his other grandparent's cozy, small house than here with his father in the Blanchard Manor in Greece. Usually, he loved it. But today, he wasn't really feeling it. Come on, spending new year's eve with a bunch of old purebloods, instead of going out with his friends?

"Alexander!" he heard his grandmother exclaim, coming in the room, "Get off that couch and go change! The guests will be here soon!"

Nodding and getting up, he didn't even bother correcting her- she thought Alexander was a much better name than Alec, and so insisted in calling him that.

"Have you seen your sister?- What's wrong?" she asked when she saw his face, "You've been so quiet today."

"You know I hate these parties," he told her, making his way up the stairs. "It's always father, you and grandpa and your. . . elderly friends."

"Are you calling me old, boy?" she yelled and Alec grinned, dodging a whack to the head and giving his grandmother a hug. "But today we'll also have two young ladies joining us, so be on your best behaviour!"

Smirking, he said, "Always am." before closing the door to his room and changing. "Oh and," he yelled from his room, "no idea where Amélie is."

Sparkling. That was a word you could described Charlotte as she walked into the manor. Her dress was a sparkling gold sequined number that she had bought. Rome had been a good place to shop and sadly, Greece hadn't proven so far.

Charlotte wasn't too happy to be here actually. She honestly would rather be at a club or somewhere else. But her parents hadn't shown up at Christmas like they had said which meant New Years might be another story. The West parents liked to keep their kids on their toes, sadly.

"You must be Charlotte!" An elderly woman greeted her with a smile, "Rodney and Belinda's child, right?"

Charlotte restrained the scowl. She was Charlotte and did not like to be recognized as someone's kid. She smiled though, agreeing to lady's questions.

"Well we are glad to have you in our humble adobe," she smiled. "Please, make yourself at home."

Charlotte nodding and walked around for a few moments, allowing other people to greet her. Rolling her eyes the moment their backs turned. They were all old people and she didn't want to be there. Charlotte wasn't sure if Faye was going to come though, which made her frown slightly. She couldn't blame her though. This was more of the Slytherin's commitment.

Finally having enough, she went to go stand by the kitchen, deciding she'd rather stay there for a while. Sitting on the counter, she crossed her legs as she looked for some of her lipstick on inside her clutch.

outfit.

Faye blinked around at the people wide-eyed. She wasn't entirely sure why she was here or how she was supposed to behave. It wasn't like her parents had ever bothered to give her party ettiquette. She bit her lip as she handed her coat at the door, and wandered around.

She tottered on her heals slightly. She wasn't even sure why she had put the things on, she had no idea how to walk in them. She felt vulnerable in the tan, almost gold but not quite, dress. She had bought it for this moment, not having many other party clothes, and not wanting to look foolish. But now she worried she would be anyways.

Faye huddled into her self as she weaved through the people looking for Charlotte. Her short blonde hair, which had grown out slightly over the past few monthts, so now it hid her ears if she let it down, was pulled back in oneside with a flower clip she had stolen from her mother before leaving. She didn't know what to do with herself, how to stand. She was sure she was making a spectical of herself.

After getting thourally lost, Faye found herself in what seemed to be the kitchen, and beamed with relief when she saw Charlotte sitting on the counter.

"You look nice," she smiled, and spoke in her usual soft, self-conscious sort of way. "I feel like Cinderella after the ball, though."




( OO Whats this? )

Amélie hurried to pull on her silver shoes, blowing her hair out of her eyes as she did so. Her garandmother wouldn't be happy with her for being late. She stopped to survey herself in the mirror on her way out.
Mel was dressed in a lilac gown made of floaty material. It had full, wide sleeves and a v-neck bodice, hugging her torso, then flaring out at her waist into a gauzy skirt that came to her mid shin. Her Grandmother had insisted on growing her hair out for the occasio, barking that 'she looked like a tomboy with hair that short!' Her golden locks were curled and piled on top of her head, with a few curls hanging out to frame her face. She was wearing a silver and diamond necklace with a matching bracelet.
Wow, she thought. Grand-mère sure knows how to pick her dresses.
Mel ran downstairs, and, after a hasty apology to her grandmother, ran back upstairs to her brother's room. Pounding on the door, she yelled, "Come on slow poke, I want to get this show on the road!"

Charlotte grinned when she saw her friend enter the kitchen, complimenting her dress, "Thanks Faye." She said sincerely flattered. It was a rare thing for the Slytherin to get a compliment form someone she actually liked and didn't feel forced. At least, it didn't seem like Faye was forcing her to say the words.

The fifteen year old smiled sincerely dressed up for the occasion, "Well, don't you look cute and adorable but why would you say that? I think you look exactly like Cinderella all you need is your prince to be here!" She smiled as she tapped Faye's nose with her finger.

Faye smiled, "Your welcome." She liked giving completements, perhaps cause she heard them so little growing up, she enjoyed making sure that other people heard them from her.

She blushed and ducked her head.

"No I don't... I look... or at least feel silly, all, pretending or something," she gave a little smile, "And I think I'm going to fall over in these shoes."

"I don't get why we can't just stay in the room," Alec groaned as he opened his door and passed his sister, "I mean, there's always just old people."

He fixed his tie and his hair as he walked downstairs, his grandfather finding him in a second. "Ah, good," he greeted Alec with a smile, "You're here." He whispered, "Don't worry, I'll just introduce you to some people and then you're free to go."

Alec smirked, his grandfather sure knew how to make these things a little better. After more and more introductions and talks on subjects he didn't even bother to know, he was free. But still, Alec knew he couldn't go back to his room or his grandmother would kill him.

Deciding to hide for a little bit, he went into the kitchen and was surprised to find two girls there.

Raising an eyebrow, he said, "You two don't look old. You sure you're at the right party?"

Iris loved parties. Hell, she was even planning to host one at school after the holidays. But a pureblood party? That just sounded ridiculous. If it wasn't for her foster parents, she wouldn't even be here. Yet, she did it for them since she actually had some affection for the couple.

She refused to wear a fancy dress, and instead wore a casual outfit of skirt and a fancy top. Her hair was curled and surprisingly enough, nails polished. Just this once, just this once, she kept chanting in her mind.

After having walked around a bit, she had to admit that the manor was quite amazing. She didn't think she'd ever be able to afford a place this extravagant, and figured some rich kid resided here as well.

Not wanting to mingle much with the old people, she made her way to what looked like the kitchen. "Hey pretty boy!" She greeted Alec and gave him a hug and kissed his cheek. "Forced to come here as well?" She asked her friend with a chuckle. She turned to find West and another girl she didn't recognize. "West, fancy seeing you here." She commented with a raised eyebrow. "Judging by that look on your face, you'd rather be somewhere else. Either that or you're just unhappy to see me."

outfit!

Mel trailed after her brother, not knowing what else to do, seeing as she'd never had to come to one of these parties before. She found herself in the kitchen with Alec and a bunch of older girls. She blushed, but waved at them. "Hi. I'm Mel, Alec's sister. Who are you?"

Alec turned when another girl came in and greeted him and was surprised to see Iris, the girl he'd met on the club.

"Flower, hey!" he smiled, "What are you doing here? Didn't think you were the 'fancy pureblood party' type." He shook his head, "No- I mean, yes. It's my grandparent's house."

He looked behind him and saw his sister, "Mel, this is my friend Grayson. And. . ." he trailed off, frowning a bit, "I'm sorry, I don't know your names? I'm Alec Blanchard."

"You thought right, cause I'm so not that type," Iris confirmed. "Apparently, my foster parents are acquainted with your family. But then again, I'm not really sure since I try real hard not to pay much attention to such unwanted things," she told with a smirk. "Your grandparents' house? Nice," she commented, the surprise evident in her voice.

She looked at the younger girl and grinned. "Hey Mel, I'm Grayson but you can call me Iris. How old are you?" She asked the younger girl.

Faye blinked at the people talking. THey were sooo.... out going.... and bubbly and....

She shrugged, "I'm just following things she told me." She pointed to Charlotte.

Digging her toe nervously into the ground she gave a shy wave.

"I'm Faye. Nice to meet you."

"If you ever feel like you're going to fall or if you just get tired, take them off. I know I will if I get tired," Charlotte grinned and rolled her eyes, "You look beautiful Faye and don't you forget that kiddo and you definitely seem like you belong here."

Soon, Faye and here weren't the only ones in the kitchen, when a boy entered.

"I would hope I don't look old," Charlotte scoffed, almost feeling offended. But her scoff turned into a smirk when she looked at the boy, "Well hello there."

"Fancy seeing you here too Grayson," The Slytherin sarcastically said as she crossed her arms and looked at her up and down. "Nice, uhm, outfit. Very appropriate for a pure-blood new years party."

"But I think it's a little bit of both," she admitted. "Probably unhappy to be here and disgusted to see you."

"Charlotte," she looked at the younger girl with a sincere smile, "Nice to meet you Mel." She glanced up at Iris, the smirk still ever present in her face, "Sort of rude for you to ask someone their age."

The fifteen year old threw a bright sincere grin to Faye, "Way to make me look like I'm you master or something."

Alec shrugged, "I try not to pay attention either, though sometimes it gets hard." He rolled his eyes, "And that's exactly the reaction they want. Maybe it's just a pureblood thing, they like showing off their houses."

Looking at the younger girl, he smiled, "Nice to meet you too, Faye."

Raising an eyebrow at the older girl, who seemed to know Grayson, Alec smirked. "Well, this one's got an atittude," he noted and shook his head, "You don't look old at all, dear."

"No, it's ok," Mel told Charlotte when she got a chance to enter the conversation. "I don't mind. I'm 11, I just started at Beauxbatons. Hi Iris, Faye, Charlotte. So, how do you like our wonderous kitchen?" she asked with a grin. "Isn't it much better than the party? I only got to glance in, and this is the first party I was allowed to attend, but it seems like there's way too many old people."

"Nice to meet you Faye. I'm pretty sure I've seen you around in Durmstrang," Iris grinned lightly. "And for once I agree with West, you do look pretty."

She rolled her eyes at the Slytherin's sarcasm. "Not everyone has the desire to dress all classy, West. It's a miracle that my foster parents are at least giving me the outfits I'd like to wear. For now that's enough," she shrugged.

"Disgusted to see me? Don't worry sweetheart, the feeling's most definitely mutual," she replied with a smirk. "Rude? I'd think not since it's just curiousity," she retorted, truly not realizing it was probably rude. It wasn't a rude thing where she had been living before, so why change now?

Nodding her head in agreement to Alec's observation, Iris replied. "Exactly. All the families who adopted me had the same craze for wanting to show off their wealth. It was kind of disturbing really," she recalled.

"Yeah Mel, it's definitely much better than the party," she confessed and laughed.

Faye let out a slight laugh at Charlotte's commnet.

"Well maybe you are," she teased before looking around at the other people. She as only half listening and having trouble consentrating on all the converstaions.

"Thank you," she ducked her head. She still didn't quite believe them, but she figured she would allow their compliments to stay.

"I may have seen you too... at some point."

"Well I would hope that I wouldn't look to old," she smirked back towards the only boy in their current group. "What did you say your name was again?"

Charlotte smiled at the girl and nodded, throwing a small glare towards Grayson. It was their competitive nature clashing, like most times. They both loved the spotlight but the moment they stole one another or they had to share.... it was World War three and perhaps even four.

The Slytherin rolled her eyes at Grayson, in her to be nice. But at least she isn't being rude to Faye, Charlotte thought. Because the moment she is, I swear I'm going to punch the living daylights out of her.

"Rude all over Grayson," Charlotte chuckled as she crossed her arms and shook her head in mock disappointment. "Would have thought a little better of you but I guess not."

"No I'm not," she said with a small frown, but smiled slightly right afterwards to show the girl that she was only joking.

"Good thing it's just one side of my family," Alec muttered, nodding in agreement to Grayson's statement.

He smiled at Faye and agreed with both girls, "You do look nice." And it was true. It was rare the times when he gave out compliments without meaning.

"Alec," the Prideux replied with smirk and watched the exchange between Charlotte and Iris. Raising an eyebrow, he motioned to both of them, "You two fight a lot?"

"Fight? Oh no, we're best of friends," Charlotte smirked sarcastically a she looked over to Grayson. "Aren't I right?"

"You don't want to say fight..." The Slytherin said. "More like Grayson makes assumptions out of her brain about me and then tries to prove them right and then fails miserably. Last time, she had the nerve to say that I would end up as a murderer. Really," she rolled her eyes. "The only thing I do is convince people into thinking other things. It's not my fault their small brains can't comprehend the difference between what's real and not."

"So," Charlotte elongated the word to make it sound like she was going to say something important. She placed an hand on his arm, squeezing it slightly. "Muscle man, huh?" She smirked, laughing a little, "Tell me about yourself. How is it that I've never seen you at any of my parents parties?"

Faye blushed and nodded her head in thanks to the complements, but did not speak. Instead she drifed quietly to the side and watched as the older kids talked.

She bit her lip as she watched them interact, flirting, teasing... fighting, whether Charlotte wanted to call it a fight or not, it had the tone that said one could start at any moment. She had to admit the tone made her a little uncomfortable.

She didn't like fighting normally... not to say she's never had one, she had been atagonizing her parents into almost fights all summer.

But not now... not when she was just, trying to have a little fun before...

She shook her head, and leaned against the wall, content on just watching them for now.

"Yup, we're inseparable really," Iris replied back sarcastically with a fake sweet smile towards West.

"It's not assumptions West. I've seen people like you attempt murder and things along those lines. Some succeed and even get away with it." She told in a neutral tone, as the various flashbacks went through her mind. "Just be careful when you make people do your dirty work, because I know you are the stubborn type," she said and looked at her intently. "But yes, I have to agree. Certain people just don't know when someone's messing with them."

Iris couldn't but smirk amusedly at the Slytherin's blatant flirting with her friend. "Way to make it obvious, West." She leaned to whisper in Alec's ear so only he could hear her words. "You two seem perfect for each other, even though I want you stay away from her and see you with your boyfriend." She winked at the Prideux and nudged his shoulder.

Turning her attention to the Durmy, she asked, "Faye, right? How're your holidays going? Besides having to attend this boring party, I mean."

Alec raised an eyebrow at Charlotte's explanation of her and Grayson's relationship. "I see," he muttered, nodding, and grinned, "So, you're not a murderer then?" Smirking as she put a hand on his arm, he shook his head slightly, "Not a pureblood, just half. I usually avoid these parties and only go when my grandparents force me." Winking, he ran a hand through his hair out of pure habit, "Although, if you're going to be there, I can go more often."

He watched as Iris started speaking more seriously about "people like Charlotte" and murders, and he put a hand on her shoulder. "Calm down," he told the girl, and raised an eyebrow, smirking at her when she said she would like to see him with his 'boyfriend', "Oh, I'm gay now?" He shook his head, "Haven't I told you, flower? I'm too good looking to be gay."

"I may be stubborn Grayson but you don't know my story," she glared yet her voice was even. Charlotte wasn't going to let the girl get to her head at all. Grayson doesn't know anything, Charlotte thought to herself as she gave the Gryffindor one last glare, proceeding to turn her gaze back to the French boy with the smirk back on her face. "But I promise I'm no murder," she responded. "I'm a.... fairly decent person."

"Half, pure, whatever," The Slytherin muttered as she coping Gryason's move so that her lips were right next to his right ear. "I'm always there," she said with smirk on her face as her hand traced useless designs on his right arm. "I'm just bored in my room most of the times."

"Oh, boyfriend I hear?" Charlotte asked and then decided to sit back on the counter, crossing her legs with a curious gaze. "Please do tell, for I don't believe a face such as his would be gay. Would be quite a tragedy."

Looking around her, food was placed on the counter and she felt quite pleased with herself since she didn't ruin the dress when sitting down. She then turned her gaze to Faye with a small apologetic smile, "You hungry Faye?"

"I never admitted to knowing your story," Iris retorted. "I just warned you and told you my opinion. And I know you don't really give a damn, but it may do you some good to listen others once in a while," she stated. "Fairly decent? That's like saying Voldemort was a nice man," she scoffed and shook her head. "You're just making a mockery of the word 'decent.'"

She felt Alec's arm on her shoulder and she muttered to her friend, "Sorry. Now you know why I'm antisocial," she commented and shrugged. "So basically she's asking you to sleep with her," she told bluntly and smirked at the Priduex. "And then, you can add her to the list."

"You wanna hear the story? I'd be happy to oblige....should I tell her Pretty Boy? Or will you?" She asked and laughed. "You can say and do whatever you want, but I'm not going to completely believe you. Besides, you don't have to be gay to enjoy a guy's kiss." She winked.