Anticipation and a new acquaintance ((Ariane))

[Xanthe Rothwell S4]

Xanthe closed her paper and left it on the desk as the teacher finished going over it. They had got most of their exams back now, save for those from the more negligent departments. Xanthe had done very well in all of them, exceptionally well in most of them. But that was only natural. She always did well for herself. It was natural for Rothwells to do well for themselves. The teacher had collected their papers in now, and was dismissing them. Xanthe took what she needed out of her desk, locking it after she had done so. There were always some that were jealous of the successful. And the Rothwells were very successful. But jealousy was not productive. Self-help was.

Xanthe made a quick trip to the cloakroom and then went to the foyer, where Jeremy was waiting for her. She handed a part of her burden to him before taking some of the Floo powder he held out in a pot emblazoned with the Rothwell family crest to her. She stepped into the school fireplace, clearly articulating the words 'Rothwell Mansion, 134 Kensington Street, London', and strode out of the fireplace in the Rothwell townhouse, instinctively remembering to pick her long skirt up sufficiently as she stepped over the hearth. Maids bustled around her as Jeremy stepped through after her, relieving her of her load, although she kept hold of her book. While the maids hurried ahead to take her things to the study in her private chambers, she walked on into a cool reception room where her mother sat, reading a magazine. She looked up as soon as Xanthe entered.

"Mother," Xanthe greeted her, sitting down on a sofa at the same time. Adèle Rothwell glanced at her watch before looking back up at her eldest daughter. "I presume you are aware of the dinner party tonight?" she enquired. Xanthe assented. It went without saying. She always knew a month in advance, even though they were held a good deal more often than that. "You'll be there, of course," her mother continued. "Some people will want to speak to you for a little while." Xanthe nodded and met her mother's eyes. No smile passed between them, but they understood each other. Xanthe didn't mind these things too much. They got a bit tedious, but it was her duty. There was mutual respect between parent and daughter. Adèle returned to her magazine as Xanthe stood up and left the room.

Ascending the stairs to her chambers, Xanthe met her little sister Delena on the way. She took the hand of the five year old and took her with her. Delena walked quietly, far too dignified even at her age to bounce around, although she showed her happiness at being given attention by her sister in her face. Xanthe closed the door to her chamber and sat Delena on a chair. Her sister waggled her legs because they would not reach the ground. Xanthe changed into some casual clothes for the time being, and gave her hair a quick brush, putting her book on her bedside table, before taking going with Delena to her sister's room. Delena's nurse never did a good enough job for Xanthe's taste, and so Xanthe would do it herself. Once they were inside Delena's room, Xanthe talked to the five year old as she dressed her up and put a headband encrusted with a few jewels over the small girl's brushed hair. Delena's nurse knocked on the door and Xanthe let her in, leaving her sister with her as she made her way back to her chambers. She left them again about an hour and a half later, having had a small bite to eat, and fully dressed for the evening. The first guests had already arrived, and Xanthe made her way into the reception rooms they were in. She put on her daughter smile and was soon engaged in conversation with a distant relative of the Rothwells. The evening seemed set to be much the same as usual.

[ariana]

Ariane skimmed through a book about Defence Against Dark Arts while on of the maids was working on her hair. Naturally Ariane had had private lessons in Dark Arts and Defence Against them, Transfiguration, Charms, Potions and History of Magic – that was something every pureblood had to know. Ariane was sure that these subjects would be handy once she entered Hogwarts next year.
Glancing to the mirror once the maid was finished Ariane eyed her hair, that were half pulled up and attached with small silvery hair-clips and nodded to the maid: “You can go now.”
Opening the large closet Ariane pondered what to wear at the social occasion at the Rothwell family. They were a known and respected family. Picking out a Slytherin green blouse with small silvery edgings as decorations and a fitting skirt Ariane dressed and then looked at the bug mirror once again before nodding with satisfaction. Not too fancy, not to casual but nice and appropriate.

Slipping her newly acquired wand – even though she couldn’t use it yet – into the special wand-pocket at the belt, made sure she had a couple of galleons with her – just in case – Ariane exited her room and descended the stairs, where her cousin was reading something.
“When are we going to head out to the dinner?” Ariane asked calmly – social occasions such as this were usual. And necessary.
“In an hour or so,” Kris muttered for an answer after a quick glance at Ariane before continuing with her book. Following his example Ariane picked up a book and about an hour later looked up from it as Kris stood and stretched.

Taking hold of the portkey Ariane felt the familiar pull and a moment later landed in the middle of the reception room of the Rothwell mansion. They were both greeted by mr. Rothwell and after a couple of moments of polite conversation were asked to step further into the mansion. Seeing some people he knew Kris left and Ariane made her way towards the refreshments ordering a glass of iced mineral-water from the servant at the refreshment stand. A moment later the cool drink was handed to her and Ariane turned around scanning the big room to see if any relatives she would have to meet were here as well.

[Xanthe Rothwell S4]

Xanthe detached herself from conversation with a rather disinteresting person who she did not recognise and was certainly not worth much, and managed to disengage herself from the conversation entirely only a short while later, leaving her free to look about the room for a while before anyone else came up to her for a short polite talk or she saw someone who might offer some slightly more worthwhile conversation. Some people were worthy of conversation. Other people had to be talked to because of their families. Others could be admired for what they had done for themselves and their families even if they couldn't hold a decent conversation. It was just a fact of life. A lot of things were a fact of life. Like the fact that Xanthe was not someone to be ignored.

Xanthe's train of thought was interrupted as another person came up for a brief chat. She was charming as always, reserving her real impressions of the people for her own amusement as always, the thoughts not even showing as a twitch on the side of her mouth. They moved on after a while, and this time Xanthe made her way towards the refreshments stand, where she had seen someone her own age who might well be interesting to talk to. Although some of them were disappointing nitwits. Xanthe had found the evening somewhat tedious thus far, so she did hope that this person, whoever she was, would not prove a disappointing nitwit. Catriona was at the drinks stand doing the drinks, and seeing Xanthe handing in that direction, anticipated her and handed Xanthe the chilled homemade lemonade she found refreshing on such occasions. Xanthe made her way over to the other girl, who was not currently engaged in conversation, which had to be a good thing. She glanced over to Delena who had just entered the room and made a mental note to go and rescue the five year old from the person who was currently patronising her with attention at some point. For now she gave the girl she had approached a smile and introduced herself.
"I trust you are finding this tolerable? I'm Xanthe Adèle Rothwell. A pleasure to meet you." Xanthe paused to give the girl just enough time to have taken in this information before offering a question. "Would I be correct in assuming you will be attending Hogwarts in the fall?"

[ariana]

Ariane greeted some people she knew and smiled politely at others who stopped for a brief greeting but didn’t venture very far from the refreshments stands. There were only purebloods here as it seemed – a satisfied smile appeared on Ariane’s lips. So many purebloods had started associating with mudbloods and half-bloods. It was a disgrace to pureblooded communities in Ariane’s view.

Hearing someone speak to her Ariane looked at the girl who had approached her. She seemed about her age. Didn’t the Rothwells have a daughter going to Hogwarts next year? As the girl introduced herself, Ariane’s thoughts were confirmed and she smiled brightly.
“It’s a pleasure. And I’m glad to see such worthy company here,” Ariane answered pleasantly, “Ariane Phyllis Dianne. And yes, I am entering Hogwarts coming fall.”
Ariane picked up a grape from the refreshment table and ate it calmly: “I’m assuming I go into Slytherin. Seems like the only house worth the time. And you? As I recall you should be entering Hogwarts as well? May I inquire about which house you’d like?”