Don’t worry about tomorrow at least for today.(open)

[Deleted]

Phil didn’t exactly think he had any right to go to the Windsor ball. The invitation was for his father and extending to the rest of the family. His father was still ill so he couldn’t even go even if he was aware of what was going on. So Phil continued to question if he should be going by himself without the person it was intended for. Granted everyone knew his father was still ill, the invite was more out of respect than anyone thinking Neville would be able to show. Still here Phil found himself in a nice suit. This would have been the event to reveal magic to his girlfriend, Marigold, if she hadn’t been spending Christmas with her family over seas. He kept wanting to tell her but also kept finding excuses. Phil wasn’t exactly sure what he was going to do about this. He really liked her, she was nice, cute, fun to be around and cared a lot about plants. She seemed interesting in talking about them as much as he was. Yet he couldn’t share the magical plants he spent most of his time with as she was a muggle. Then there was Andy, they had been broken up for sometime and she moved on just fine it would seem. He on the other hand still could feel the pull she had over him, or more so the pull his feelings had still for her.

All of it was a mess. He could see him saying he loved Andy so easily and yet the person he was with he couldn’t even tell her about the world he was apart of. He also cared for her too. There were just too many directions he felt he was being pulled in. Either way he didn’t exactly want to think about any of that. That’s why he came to this event. In the hopes he could just have a good time and not think about the mess of a love life he had. He tried to keep those thoughts at bay while he walked the ball room. Some type of holiday drink in hand. It wasn’t half bad, even if he wasn’t one for alcohol. Phil hoped he might see some familiar faces from school in his wandering.

(open)

[Deleted]

Ariadne had gotten the invitation to the ball, and after the numerous attempts to get James to go with her failed, she decided to go on her own. She wanted an excuse to get dressed up in a beautiful gown and have an excuse to see inside Windsor Castle, where non-royals barely got to get a glimpse of. She doubted either of her siblings would attend - balls weren’t really Andy’s thing, and Ares? Well, she was sure he was up to no good, wherever he may be, so she didn’t have to worry about them showing up.

Wearing a white gown and her long blonde hair down and wavy, Ariadne entered the ballroom and began scanning for people she knew.  Well, maybe not people she knew - more like people she knew who didn't judge her because of her last name.  She spotted Cas off in a corner with a small group of people, and for a moment considered going over to him.  She decided against it however, as she didn't know if she could come up with an excuse as to why they knew each other, other than the Ouroborus connection.  She doubted they would really buy the last name connection after all.  Looking around some more, Ariadne smiled as she spotted none other than Phil Longbottom, her adoptive brother.  Phil was a kind soul who never treated her different because of who her parents were, and she trusted him more than her own brother.  She made her way over to him and tapped him on the shoulder.  "Fancy seeing you here," she said, giving him a hug.  "Is Marigold here?" she asked, looking around for Phil's girlfriend but failing to find her anywhere.

@phil

[Deleted]

Eventually in his idle walking around the ballroom Phil felt a tap on his shoulder. He didn’t know who to expect but he looked over almost relieved to see Ariadne. Out of everyone he could have ran into his adopted sister, Ariadne, was a very welcomed sight. She said it was fancy seeing him here before giving him a hug, which he returned. “Like wise, you look amazing too.” Phil replied, she did look nice her her white gown. She then asked about his girlfriend, Marigold, if she was here or not. “No, she’s spending Christmas with visiting some family in America.” He explained, she also didn’t know about magic even if this would have been one amazing event to show it existed for sure. “How have you been? Did Andy come with you?” He hadn’t noticed Andy being here but he hadn’t seen Ariadne till now either. He could have just missed her.

@ariadne

[Deleted]

Ariadne nodded, saddened a little not to be able to see Marigold tonight. She had met her on several occasions and had seemed like quite a lovely girl. Of course, her main downfall was that she was not Andromeda Lestrange, and nothing could be done to fix that. As if on cue, Phil asked about Andy, even glancing around to see if she was there. Ariadne hated to break a little piece of Phil’s heart, but she highly doubted her little sister would make any sort of appearance that night. This simply put, wasn’t her thing.

“Just me here,” she told him, trying to sound bright. “Hope you’re not too disappointed,” she added teasingly. “James decided to stay home as well tonight, so my dear brother, I am hoping you’ll ask your older sister to dance sometime in the near future, as in right now?” she asked him, holding out her hand and nodding towards the dance floor. Dance was something the Lestrange parents had taught Ariadne that she actually enjoyed doing. She wasn’t entirely sure of Phils’ own dance skills, but she could lead him in a waltz if it came down to it; she could even make it look like he was leading.

@phil

[Deleted]

Ariadne explained that it was just her here this evening, before teasing him on if he was disappointed by that. Phil just laughed for a moment. Disappointed wasn’t exactly the word. Things were awkward between Andy and him at the moment and have been since they started dating other people. So part him was okay with avoiding that awkwardness and yet, he would always be happy to see Andy. “Of course not,” he replied with a smile. “It’s just a shame she’s not here so she can tell us how boring this ball is. As we both know how much she loves these kind of events.” Phil joked knowing she wasn’t one to enjoy fancy balls like this. He wasn’t much of it either but he could make do better than he assumed Andy would.

It would seem James wasn’t here also as Ariadne explained he had decided to spend the night at home. Which there was a good chance Phil would have been at home too if he hadn't taken the chance on the ball. She asked if he was going to ask her to dance at some point tonight before implying it should be right now. Phil laughed once more. “Well I think it’s already been decided then, hasn’t it?” Phil replied while taking her hand and walking out with her to the dance floor. He wasn’t the best at dancing but there was something about being around family that made him less nervous to do things. “I’ll try my best to avoid your feet.”

@ariadne

[Deleted]

Ariadne spread her arms out and looked around the ballroom. “I’d hardly call this boring, have you tried the food? It’s heavenly,” she suggested with a smile. Of course, Ariadne had been brought up a proper Pureblood lady, though she highly doubted her parents had a Muggle ball in mind when they were educating her. She knew how to dance the waltz and other ballroom dance steps, she knew how to behave at a formal dinner, and she knew how to play the piano. The last one wouldn’t make a difference here of course, but whenever she saw the grand piano in the corner she itched to lay her fingers on those ivories.

She let Phil lead her out to the dance floor. “If you want me to lead, I can make it look like you’re leading,” she told him teasingly. So she did just that, gently guiding Phil so that he did not, in fact, step on her feet. “See? It’s not so bad,” she said as they glided around the dance floor. “So...Marigold still doesn’t know you’re a wizard, does she? Any plans on letting her into the biggest part of your life?” Ariadne asked him casually. She was also curious if he had ever brought up Andromeda to Marigold, whether as his ex-girlfriend or as his adopted sister; she wasn’t sure if the two women had ever met. Andy hadn’t mentioned her to Ariadne ever, so if they had met, it was either very brief, or incredibly awkward.

@phil

[Deleted]

Phil just laughed as Ariadne argued that the party couldn’t be called boring, using the food options as an example. “Well obviously, I was just saying that I doubt Andy would feel the same as us.” He didn’t have strong feelings about the ball one way or the other. Phil did think the party did start to pick up now that he had his sister to talk too.

Ariadne suggested she could lead if he wanted her too. Even make it look like he was the one taking the lead. Was it really that obvious that he wasn’t a natural at dancing. Granted, he did just make a comment about attempting to avoid stepping on her feet. Phil kind of had that joke coming he supposed. Before he could say anything she took the lead anyway. Which he was fine with. Commenting that it wasn’t so bad. “As long as I’m not breaking any of your toes I’ll take that as a win.” Phil replied with a laugh. “I’ve been trying to find the right time, I just can’t think of a good time to say. Oh hey, I’m actually a wizard and magic is real.” Phil explained while dancing, he wasn’t expecting the questions about Marigold but with this being his sister he really should have. “It’s not exactly an easy thing to bring up.”

@ariadne

[Deleted]

Ariadne laughed. “You’re very right there. Andy would probably stuff a bag full of the food and duck out before anyone even notices she’s here,” she commented, still smiling at the thought. Merlin, but their parents would be horrified that Andy hated balls. And yet, perhaps they would be even more mortified of the idea of wizards mingling with muggles at a ball hosted by Muggle royalty. Honestly, if they were still alive their minds might have exploded at the thought.

The pair twirled around the dance floor, and with Ariadne’s direction Phil did not, in fact, step on any of her toes. “You’re doing fine,” she reassured him, even though she was technically leading. “Don’t worry, I would make us dance the entire night,” she added teasingly. She listened as he spoke about the idea of bringing up his wizarding heritage to Marigold. “I know it sounds difficult, but if you think this could be a serious relationship, she deserves the truth. If you don’t, and things progress, that’s a really big part of your life you’re hiding from her,” she told him. She had liked Marigold the one time she had met her, albeit very briefly, but she was sure if Phil liked her, she could handle the news. Phil wasn’t that bad of a judge of character after all.

The song ended, and Ariadne applauded the orchestra. Perhaps that part Andy would enjoy with her love of the violin. “Come, let’s get some of that food Andy would be pilfering if she were here,” she suggested, taking her brothers’ arm and pointing towards the banquet tables laden with a variety of delectable choices of food.

@phil

[Deleted]

Phil just laughed at the idea of Andy stealing away food and ditching the party early. That did sound like her in a way. Come for the possibly best part of the ball and leave before she got bored. She truly never was one for such balls and Gala events. He wasn’t either to a point, he could enjoy it more than Andy and would stick around longer for sure but that was only if he had someone he knew to keep him company. Thankfully he had his sister here for that. Happy she had shown up as well to such an event, even if James Potter hadn’t. That was his lose.

Ariadne complimented his dancing but really he was just following her lead. It was the best way to ensure the safety of her feet. She teased that she wouldn’t make them dance all night and he laughed along with it. “It’s not so bad but I don’t think I could keep this up all night. Who knows how long this ball is going to last?” Phil joked as well. “I know and I wanted to tell her over Christmas sometime, or near it but she’s with her family. I don’t know when but I know I need to tell her. She deserves to know before this gets any more serious.” Phil agreed with his sister and had wanted to tell Marigold at some point. He could just never find the right time to spring such a huge surprise on her.

The song ended and Ariadne applauded the orchestra. Just looking over to them brought up thoughts of Andy, how she would play her violin. How Phil used to love listening to her play. His sister took his arm and told him they should go get some food. Making a comment about Andy, Phil just laughed a little. “Maybe we should liberate some food ourselves before we leave? Make it seem like Andy had come after all.”

@ariadne

[Deleted]

Ariadne nodded and smiled softly. “I agree, something that big shouldn’t be kept before things get more serious. If you really care about her Phil, you should tell her. If she’s a keeper, she’ll have questions but understand. And if not...well, better you know now rather than a year or two down the line,” she reasoned. She of course had not followed this advice when it came to telling her parents she had been dating James Potter, but that was a wildly different circumstance. James was also a wizard after all, he just happened to be the son of the man who defeated Voldemort and her Aunt Bellatrix. Old prejudices died hard, and when it came to the Lestrange family, well they could certainly hold onto a grudge.

Ariadne nodded enthusiastically as Phil suggested they get some food; her stomach grumbled in agreement. Making their way over to the lavish food spread, she didn’t know where to look first. There were the usual crudites, more cheeses than she could count, and if one had a sweet tooth, the sweets table was a sight to behold. Cookies, brownies, little cakes, candy, chocolates; Ariadne didn’t know where to start. Servers in pristine white uniforms whisked around the edge of the ballroom, platters of finger foods delicately balanced on their shoulders. Ariadne grabbed two portions of a mini grilled cheese in a tomato soup shooter. Handing one over to Phil, she smiled. “Figured we’d start with a classic,” she told him, dunking her mini sandwich in the tiny shooter of soup. “Cheers” she added with a giggle.

@phil