A different day ((Cass, Krissy-bear))

[ariana]

Ariane smoothed her white trousers and Slytherin green blouse, while tapping her feet impatiently. She would be getting her wand today and would spend the day with Kris, who was like an older brother, but the hustle in the Ministry of Magic in England was grating her nerves.
Ariane smoothed her blouse once again and smiled at the green colour – she had already made up her mind that she wants to be in Slytherin house. That was where Kris was and it seemed like the only worthy house. Well, Ravenclaw, where Dana was, wouldn’t be too bad either, but Ariane would prefer Slytherin.

Finally the line in front of her disappeared and taking a handful of floo-powder Ariane stepped into the flames and shouted: “Diagon Alley!”
A moment later she was already climbing out of the fire in Diagon Alley. Ignoring the helping hand reached towards her, Ariane brushed some soot off of her, before walking towards the door and stepping outside.
In just a moment Ariane noticed Kris lounging at the other end of the street and smile brightly upon seeing him. Besides Kris was dressed alike her – if Arine was wearing white pants, and a Slytherin green blouse also having blonde hair, then Kris had a Slytherin green blouse, black pants and black hair. Both had the same brilliant-green eyes though.

Rushing down the street Ariane smiled at her cousin as she hugged him in greeting: “Hey! It has been so long since I last saw you. Are we going to get my wand right now?” Ariane chirped happily – Kris was her complete role-model and the cousins were close.

[kris]

Kris leaned against a pillar in front of Gringotts and calmly watched the emerald ring on his finger catch light ad flash in the sunlight. He didn’t look up nor did anyone approach him, but many curious glances were sent to him. A lot of people recognized the ring for what it really was – the family-heir-loom ring, worn by the head of a family-tree. In England almost none were quite as old as this one though.
Crossing his arms over his chest Kris let his eyes drop back as he eyed the practically cloudless sky as he waited for her young cousin. It would be her birthday in a week, so Kris had agreed to take her shopping for her wand. He would give Ariane one of her birthday presents as well.

Shifting himself Kris glanced at his watched at the exact moment the post-office doors over the street opened and the little soon-to-be 11 year old girl stepped out.
Kris smiled at his little blond cousin and opened his mouth to call her, when Ariane noticed Kris herself.
Even across the street Kris could see the smile appearing on her face as she picked up her speed and rushed towards him.
Walking to meet Ariane half way Kris picked her up easily, throwing her into the air and after catching her again twirled her around. The 11 year old wasn’t too heavy, so it wasn’t to ohard to do, even though they did catch some curious glances.

“Yes, it has been long and yes, we can go and get your wand right now,” Kris answered to her cousin with a true smile adding surprisingly much charm to his face. It almost seemed to be coming from a different person, “Lovely choice of clothes. Thinking about Slytherin already?”
Kris smile once again – Ariane looked like a little angel, but having known her for 5 years, Kris new how stubborn girl was hidden inside it. Ariane would most certainly make an awesome Slytherin.
Kris opened her mouth to say something else when a familiar voice – a bit amused, a bit surprised – voice spoke behind him, causing Kris to turn around with Ariane still in her arms.
“Cassandra,” Kris greeted calmly.

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

Cassandra had looked up at the wall apprehensively as she tried to remember the correct order the bricks were supposed to be tapped in. Her mother, finally becoming frustrated, " Oh, Cassandra! I, who haven't used the the stupid door in twenty years even remembers." Cynthia Logton grabbed her daughter's wand from her hand and tapped the bricks in order. The door began to widen in front of them. " If you want to become a respectable witch, you need to remember these things." Her mother handed back her wand and swished past her through the door. Turning to look at her rather sternly, " Now, I am heading to Olivander's. Misplaced my blasted wand after all these years. Now, don't get into any trouble and don't draw any attention. I would hate to think somebody would know I was here."

Cynthia walked away from her daughter and headed towards Olivander's. Cass grabbed the ring, that seemed to burn underneath her shirt now, and headed towards Gringotts. Being somewhat wealthy was really different for her. Cassandra had always wondered why her mother and father seemed to have plenty of money when it came to her going to school when they struggled in the Muggle world. This was because her mother and father were actually wizards that had run when Voldemort began to gain his strength, but had been smart enough, or foolish enough in her mother's opinion, to keep most of their assets in the wizarding world. This money was why Cassandra was dressed in the manner she now was. Most of her friends had seen her mostly in hand me downs and thrift store items, but she was now wearing a very obviously designer khaki skirt, blue tunic shirt, and silver cloak. She felt very awkward in these clothes, but she tried to hide it.

Heading toward Gringott's, Cassandra decided she needed to get some more shopping done, and needed money to do that with. Her mother had started going through her closet a few days ago and made the remark that no child of hers was going to dress like a beggar anymore. Also, she wanted to see about getting the ring she had been blessed with from her father sized to fit her. It was obviously too big, but carting it around on chain under her blouse seemed unfitting of its status.

Trying to hold her head up, she headed towards Gringotts. She hated to admit, but she did walk and hold herself differently now she knew she was really a pureblood. Jogging up the stairs, very un-ladylike in her mother's opinion, she nearly jumped when she heard a very familiar drawl. Turning around, she was surprised Kris recognized. With her newly trimmed hair, and obviously different clothes, she looked like an entirely different person. Smiling secretly to herself, she was actually glad she had run into Kris. Honestly, she hoped she could covertly ask him some questions without the secret of her new status being leaked.

Turning around, she noticed that a small girl, probably about 10, was standing near. Staring at her, she was almost taken aback with her already regal bearing. " Hello Kris. How are you? Fancy seeing you here." Smiling down at the girl, she began to crouch down in a very unladylike pose, but stood back up remembering she was in a skirt. Blushing prominently, she turned to look at the girl, "Hi, you must be another of Kris' cousins. I'm Cassandra, but you can call me Cass. Everyone else does." Looking at the girl's shirt, she automatically knew who footsteps she was going to follow when they got into Hogwarts. Looking at the green shirt, she still couldn't help but wonder if that was the house she was really supposed to be in.

Addressing both of them, she said, " So, what are you two up to today? Mom had to get some shopping done today, and so I decided to join her." She gave Kris a meaning look, knowing he already knew the secret that she held deep within her heart. Of course, Dana would of told him.

[ariana]

Ariane laughed out of pure joy, when Kris twirled her around in the air. She didn’t even mind if her clothes would get wrinkled because of it.
Tilting her head Ariane smiled to her brilliantly right before Kris turned around and greeted some girl.
Ariane scowled towards the girl. She was younger than Kris, but still a bit older than her. But she might post a threat for Ariane’s time with Kris. Eyeing her Ariane took in her clothes critically: “These aren’t tailored clothes for you. Designer, but not tailor-made.” One thing Ariane knew were fashion and styles – those were the things she had always grown up around. She didn’t wear a dress today, only because Kris had promised to take her to an amusement part later.

The girl stared at the girl thoughtfully. She seemed awkward, but Kris had greeted her, so Ariane decided that she should be polite. Sending a questioning glance towards Kris, Ariane took one of her hands away from Kris’s neck and offered it to the girl: “Ariane Phyllis Dianne.”
Deciding that she had fulfilled her duty with that Ariane turned back to Kris, with a sweet smile reappearing on her face: “Can we go and get my wand now? And I want ice-cream. Can I have some, please, Krissy? Is Dana coming too? I want to know what she thinks of my new ear-rings.”

[kris]

Kris suppressed a smirk at Ariane’s words. “The clothes look nice,” Kris said with a smirk twitching at his lip-corners as he eyed Cassandra. He heard how she actually was a pure-blood and it looked like that she at least seemed to try and act accordingly.
“No, Dana isn’t coming today, what new ear-rings and yes, you can have ice-cream. We’ll get to your wand in a moment. Which reminds me – once we’re at Ollivanders at least blow something up for general amusement,” Kris told the young girl in his arms before turning back to Cassandra. He didn’t bother to apologize for Ariane’s words – Cass had to handle them herself.

“Yes, we’re cousins. Closer-related than me and Dana actually,” Kris answered – it was true. Most people could say the two were related after one look, “I’m spending the day with this little squirt.” Kris tickled Ariane for a moment, making a burst of laughter escape her before he continued, “She’s entering Hogwarts next year, so I’ll take her to Ollivanders. She has the books already and after that it looks as if the ice-cream parlor and then amusement park is waiting for us. And I don’t really see your mother around.”

Kris glanced around – Dana had given him a complete over-view of all things that had taken place before he eyed calmly the family-ring around Cass’ neck. Old and meaningful, but a copy of the original one, unlike Kris’s. A lot younger as well.
“Take care of that ring. There’s a charm you place on the chain, so no one besides you could take the ring off it. Useful precaution and it would be difficult if one of such rings is lost,” Kris added a bit more quieter, before finally bowing and placing Ariane back onto her feet, with his own emerald ring catching a bright flash of light once again as Kris straightened up again, “Are you heading to Gringotts or coming from there?”

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

Cassandra took the girls hand while trying to bite the scathing comment that was about to escape her lips. Hoping Kris would not take offense, she said, " Tailoring is overrated." Kris honestly couldn't expect her to take a comment like that lying down from a ten year old. Truth is, Cassandra designed and tailored alot of her own clothing, but really didn't have the time to do alterations at the moment what with all her lessons with McGonogall.

Turning back to Kris, she answered his question smoothly. " Heading towards Gringotts actually, but I'm not really in the need of anything from the vault now that I think about it. I have plenty at the moment. Mother is at Olivander's at the moment looking at new wands. I think she wants to hurry so she won't attract attention, but it will probably look weird to most passersby to see an forty year old woman trying out new wands."

Smiling shyly at the mention of the ring, Cass remarked, " I actually need to get if fitted since it is way too large. It has been hidden in the back of a drawer for years, but it appeared in my pocket after Dad died. Mom doesn't know I have it yet. She's been looking for it for days to give to Craig since he is the one who is supposed to have it apparently. She wants to make some spectacular show of coming back to the wizarding world with Craig leading the family." Heaving a sigh, " It almost seems like she has already forgotten about Dad. She keeps pushing me to give up his old wand and get one of my own, but I just can't bring myself to do that."

Putting on a fake smile before she began to cry, she changed the subject. " You know, ice cream sounds great. Do you mind if I join you guys while I'm waiting on Mom? Besides, I would love to see you blow up something at Olivander's." Turning towards the girl with a twinkle of mischievousness in her eyes.

[kris]

Kris raised a calm eyebrow as Cassandra said that tailoring was over-rated.
“All my clothes are tailored and I prefer it that way,” the tone of voice was dry but calm. Money was really useful while living in this world and Kris used it to make sure that his life went the way he wanted it.
Listening to Cassandra’s words Kris raised an eye-brow as he thought about it. Coming back to the wizarding world, after having fled from Voldemort. Blackfires were Death Eaters or at least closely involved with that bunch, which made Kris think about it: “And the family is going to welcome you back just that easily?”

Eyeing the ring, Kris shook his head: “These rings aren’t fitted. Supposedly, if the ring is old enough to have absorbed enough magic – even though a few in England are old enough – it will morph itself to fit around the owners ring – mine did.”
Kris raised his right hand and showed the silver ring that fitted perfectly around his finger to Cass as the four-cornered emerald glinted in the sun as Kris’s thumb touched the crest engraved into the emerald for a moment. He liked it – almost felt a connection to the wolf standing over a blade, with the blade’s hilt resting on an open book. “Not many goldsmiths would want to work with such family-rings. They are too magical and too valuable,” Kris added looking at his own ring before lowering his hand and shrugged, “Feel free to do what you want. But right now Ollivander’s is waiting for us. Let’s go.”

Kris turned and let Ariane set the pace as they walked towards the old store at the end of the street, pulling her away from the entrance of Knockturn Alley calmly: “I will take you there myself when you are old enough.” Ariane didn’t argue as they finally reached Ollivanders and pulling open the door, Kris let both girl step in before entering the store himself as well. Sneering towards the woman there- Cassandra’s mother most probably, stepped to the counter and standing a step behind Ariane let her do the talking herself, calmly ignoring the woman. She had dared to insult Dana and that was reason enough for Kris not to like her. Besides Ariane would be served before – kids coming to get their first wands always had the right to pick first, no matter who the other persons in the store were. It was like this all over the world. Kris smirked recalling how a vice-minister had had to wait until Kris found a wand for himself, before being able to continue to buy his own. Most pure-bloods and influential pure-bloods were furious of the rule, but the rule stayed.

[ariana]

“If you don’t tailor your clothes, then how do you get them to fit?” Ariane asked with the raise of her eye-brows. She had always had tailor-made clothes and couldn’t imagine life in another way.
The girl started talking to Kris and knowing that his cousin wouldn’t appreciate it, if she cut in between Ariane stayed silent. Slipping her hand into Kris’s she just stared around with boredom, giving a gentle pull on Kris’s hand sometimes, to remind him, that it was time to get moving.

Ariane eyed Cass suspiciously as asked if she could come along to ice-cream. Kris didn’t seem to have a problem with it and even though Ariane tried to copy his warning sneer that was sent towards Cassandra – just in case she would try to occupy too much of Kris’s time, while he was spending the day with her, didn’t argue either.
Finally they started moving and as Ariane tried to turn into the next alley, Kris pulled her back. Listening to Kris’s words carefully, Ariane nodded and smiled as Kris opened a door and let them step in.

There was some other woman there but being used to immediate service Ariane walked to the counter and gave her best glare to the old man there, even though it didn’t seem to faze him much.
“I want your best wand and now!” Ariane demanded clearly and tapped a finger on the counter as she waited for the man to get a move on it.
A moment later a wand was handed to Ariane and after giving it a careless wave fire started in the shop, being smothered almost immediately. 8 wands later the shop had gone on fire 3 more times, Ollivanders head once, two vases were broken and so was a window. And once some kind of swirly black things had escaped the wand that attacked everyone besides Kris.
“Obviously phoenix feather. How about rowan for the young lady? 9 inches,” Ollivander handed Ariane the next wand and this time silver and green confetti and ribbons burst from the top.

“I’ll take this one!” Ariane exclaimed to Kris happily, who answered with a smile, that softened his face a little and handed Ollivander the rather big amount of galleons without any problems before Ariane turned and started walking towards the door calmly, “Are we going to ice-cream now? And are you coming as well?” Ariane asked, directing the last question to Cassandra as she pushed open the door and stepping into the sunlight once again.

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

Cass let Kris open the door for her as she went into Ollivander's. Thanking him quietly, she watched as Ariane ran over the counter and demanded the best wand. Eying her mother as she backed away politely, she introduced her to Kris. " Mother, this is Kris Grass, and his cousin Ariane. They are cousins of Dana's."

Cass guess that this was the wrong thing to say to her mother. She watched as her mother's cold, calculating, Slytherin face was put on. Cass cringed to see her mother like that. " Nice to meet you, Kris." Cynthia didn't even extend her hand to him. " Wand shopping, I see? First one I suppose." Kris was rather cold and didn't answer her mother, but Cynthia returned the silence after that. After watching Ariane set a few fires, she finally decided on one. As the three of them left, Cynthia barked after her daughter. " Cassandra don't be too long. I really don't want you hanging with the wrong sort or attracting any attention."

Allowing Kris to shut the door behind the girls, ((Sorry, I know you would never let a girl open a door for herself. You know, whole gentleman thing and all.)) Cass let out a breath. " Wow, that was tense. Sorry my mother was awful and all to you. I'm pretty sure she has forgotten to people she doesn't know. That and the whole Dana thing." Cass bit her lip. " I really hope this won't effect me coming and seeing her this summer. I've always wanted to go to Italy." She said this rather absent mindedly.

[kris]

Kris heard Cass’s mom greet him, but didn’t bother to turn around nor to accept the greeting. Even though he did keep a wary eye on the woman via her reflection.
Watching as Ariane tried the different wands, Kris smirked with amusement. Fires were almost as good as explosions. Perhaps even better. Even though Kris’s element was supposedly water.

Opening the door Kris let both girls walk out before letting the door bang shut behind him.
“Yes, it’s ice-cream time. Florence Fortesque’s Ice-Cream Parlor,” Kris answered pointing to the open-air café that was visible already, “You can get there in faster. Get me my usual, will you? Vanilla and peppermint.”

Sending a sharp glance towards Cass at her next words, Kris raised an eye-brow: “Dana lives in France. My home-mansion and land is in Italy.” Kris would always let everyone Dana bought over to sleep under his roof, but the important part about this agreement was – if you weren’t a Slytherin or a liked relative, then Dana had to bring you over.
“And your mother was awful? I’ve heard Dana swear well enough to make me blush if I was a sailor… and not a Slytherin,” Kris smiled recalling the last COMC class Dana had went to. Stories about the dragons and Dana punching one of the older Ravenclaws had spread like wild-fire over the school, “I have seen Dana and Meredith when they are angry enough to breath living fire and I’ve survived so far, haven’t I? You’re mother really has nothing against the best of Slytherin.”

Reaching the ice-cream parlor Kris took a seat next to Ariane, who smiled cheerily over her triple-portion of ice-cream.
“Is your mother giving you a crash-course on pure-bloods?” Kris asked Cass, picking up his spoon and taking a bite of his frosty ice-cream, slapping Ariane’s fingers lightly as she tried to steal a bite from him.

[ariana]

Ariane grinned: “Want something as well?” without staying around to wait for an answer Ariane sped forward towards the parlor for a moment, before recalling that she was a lady an in public. Scowling at every passer-by on the street, Ariane slowed her steps to a quick walk and sat at one of the out-side tables.
“One vanilla and peppermint and then on an extra plate strawberry, cherry, pineapple, chocolate, orange, caramel and cranberry ice-creams. Triple,” Ariane ordered as majestically as she could and a couple of moments alter the ice-creams were brought onto the table and Ariane was happily starting to eat hers when Kris and Cassandra reached her.

Kris took a seat next to her and grinning mischievously Ariane tried to steal a bite of his peppermint ice-cream. Kris wasn’t even looking towards her, but he still managed to slap Ariane’s fingers lightly. Ariane beamed proudly at it – in her opinion no one at all could fool Kris.
Hearing Kris’ question Ariane glance up in alarm: “Crash-course in being a pure-blood? How can there be such a thing? We are better than others, aren’t we, so how could anyone teach us how to be? “You can’t teach someone to be a king. One has to be a king by nature”.” Ariane quoted Kris’ words with a smile towards Kris. She herself had most certainly those qualities of purebloods that Slytherin appreciated in her.

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

((Agh, I always get Dana and Kris' countries mixed up. Sorry!))

Cassandra smiled and laughed at the thought of Dana punching out another Ravenclaw and cussing a storm. " That is so funny. I could actually see her doing that." After ordering her ice cream sundae and joining the two of them at the table, she blushed as Kris asked if her mother was giving her a lesson on being a pureblood. She continued to blush even more as Ariane asked how you could learn to be a pureblood. Answering Ariane, " Well, it's sort of complicated, Ariane. I wasn't exactly raised a pureblood, but I apparently am. If you understand, or maybe you don't? It's really hard to explain." For some reason, she felt very nervous under the girl's gaze. Biting her lip, she turned back toward Kris.

Scratching the back of her neck, she turned back to Kris. She felt more comfortable talking to him for some reason. She always got this calming reassurance from him, like you could trust him with anything. Scary thing with a Slytherin. " Well, I think she is, but I think it's not going to plan. It's more like her screaming, 'Stand up straight, Cassandra. Act like your something.' Seems like ' Stick your nose up in the air, Cassandra' more like it." Cassandra sat back in her chair and blew a piece of hair out of her face.

Sitting back up to take a bite out of her already melting sundae, she really felt that she couldn't win a losing battle. " I mean, the whole being better than everyone thing is a given. Even when I thought I was a muggle born, I thought that." Pointing to Kris and continuing, " And you are sworn to secrecy on that. If another Gryffindor heard me say that, I would never hear the end of it. But, anyways, that's beside the point. It's just something I'm going to have to get used to. I wonder..." She looked over Kris' shoulder to see a couple of younger Hufflepuffs at the next table. They were obviously listening in on the conversation.

Excusing herself, she stood up and let her stature tower over the younger students. Before she knew what she was doing, she turned on them with a scowl crossing her face. " Do you mind? My friend and I were having a private conversation that was not to be privy to despicable, moronic imbeciles such as yourself. Now, if you could please scurry off like little badgers I might let this little infraction of my privacy slip my mind before we all get back to the castle. Remember, there are places that are away from public view there." Giving them a scrutinizing eye as they ran off, Cassandra finally felt herself relax. She really didn't want everyone to know about her current drama with Pyro.

Sitting gracefully back in her chair, she straightened her skirt. " Sorry about that. I really didn't want anymore rumors about Pyro and I. And as I said before we were so rudely interrupted, I do wonder if it is possible to learn to be King as Ariane so put it. I don't really think I have a choice but too." She tossed her hair over her shoulder. The incident with the Hufflepuffs totally forgotten.

[ariana]

Ariane looked at Kris to see what he was thinking of the problem, but his face was schooled to perfect stillness, meaning Ariane was supposed to figure this one out herself. Cassandra was a pureblood, but not raised as one. Did it mean she was a muggle-lover or had something to be ashamed about her blood-line? Besides a true pure-blood was never sorry, never wrong, a pure-blood was higher than any muggle king or queen. They also received appropriate education in history, mythology, different pure-blooded lines that required respect and there were a thousand little criteria’s how you acted towards other pure-bloods depending on your and the others status.

“But how do you know then who deserves respect and who doesn’t?” Ariane asked with a thoughtful frown, “How can you be a pureblood and having been raised as one? Does your family have something to hide or shame?”
Just then Cassandra’s next words reached Ariane, and she almost dropped her spoon, as she stared at Cassandra: “You are a muggle-born and a pure-blood?”
Turning her head towards Kris Ariane rapidly started voicing her opinions in Italian to Kris about mudbloods, being completely confused and letting her rather volatile temper flare.
Ariane watched as Cassandra scared two girls and looked at Kris looking for an explanation. What was going on?

[kris]

Kris listened to the word exchange between Ariane and Cassandra calmly, letting an amused smirk slip onto his lips as he listened to Ariane’s monologue in Italian. Her little cousin had a quick temper and a very sharp tongue to add to it. Most certainly not someone you would want to be furious at you. Eyeing the young girl Kris most certainly saw Slytherin in her. And not the annoying goody-two-hoe most younger years were right now. Watching Cassandra scaring away a couple of Hufflepuffs before coming back to the table, Kris slipped into Italian as well and calmly explained the situation – at the least the basics of it – to Ariane calmly.

Turning back to Cassandra Kris eyed her: “Scaring Hufflepuffs? Don’t forget who you are, girlie. Do you think being a pure-blood will automatically gain you a fan-club like them who want to know every detail about you? Was a free country last time I checked anyway – you didn’t really have a right to do that.”
Kris had known that the Hufflepuffs were there – their mirror reflection was visible on the café window and it was Slytherin nature that demanded a bit of attention being kept on them.

“Let me give you a crash-course in being a pure-blood then,” Kris said taking a bite of his ice-cream and giving Cassandra a cold look, “There are limits how far you may go with other people, even for a pure-blood. Secondly – you aren’t a Slytherin, so don’t try to play one, as you just don’t have what it takes to be one. As a pure-blood you never should slouch, always look your best, and know how to act. These qualities are as much bred into pure-bloods as they are slammed into our heads since we are barely toddlers.”

Kris took one more bite of the peppermint ice-cream savoring the taste, before adding carelessly: “Blackfire family will never properly accept your mother nor you back. Firstly you two ran – you abandoned the family – my own family tree would erase one for that if the lost person isn’t back within a month and apologizing VERY humbly. And even then that run-away wouldn’t be counted as an equal anymore. Secondly – you are strangers now, and you are a Gryffindor and no offence, but a muggle-lover. That won’t sit well with the Blackfire family. Also – you don’t know other blood-lines – guess how Dana recognized the names? – and you don’t know the proper etiquette towards other pure-bloods. You don’t know their statues compared to you at first glance and you don’t know the exact rules on who must greet first, with how much familiarity, when etc. Those are things you can’t learn in a couple of weeks or not even in months. And I have given no word nor oath about this conversation, so you have no say about to who I talk about this or not.” Kris’s eye flashed dangerously – Cassandra’s words about him being ‘sworn to keep it a secret’ were pushy. Something Kris would never allow.

Leaning back in his chair Kris nodded absent-mindedly at a fellow Slytherin who passed by and started eating his ice-cream once again: “Do you want to get your present first or do you want to head out to the amusement park, Ariane?”

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

Cass watched as the two conversed in hurried Italian. Goodness, couldn't they speak where she could understand them? Cass looked at Kris in surprise as he reamed her about telling the Hufflepuffs off. Frowning, she explained why she had done what she had done. " Kris, I would of done that whether or not I was a pureblood. I don't like people intruding on my conversations with anyone. I'm not doing it because I'm trying to be a Slytherin, I'm doing because it is rude. My patience with people has been very lax as of late."

Rolling her eyes and shaking her head a bit, she sighed. " And Kris, I'm not saying it's something I can learn over night. God, I wish it was that easy. If it was that easy, do you think I would even dress in these clothes, or wear these awful shoes? You know I'm much more comfortable in worn jeans and a tshirt. So, I'm sorry if I seem a little tense, but you would probably be too if you were in the same situation."

Finishing her sundae, she sighed in a beaten sort of way. Didn't any of these people understand? No, they couldn't. They wouldn't. For all those times she had wished she was a pureblood, she sure as hell wished she was back to her old mudblood status. Following the two out of the shop, she was realizing how much she had changed. " None of this is my decision, Kris. I was fine being myself. My mother is the one behind the monstrosity I feel I'm becoming."

[kris]

Kris listened to Cassandra’s explanation about why she scared away the Hufflepuffs with an amused smile. “And of course you have your very own fan-club, who always follows you around and tries to find out every little detail about you?” Kris asked with a lazy arch of his eye-brow as he finished his ice-cream, “Besides they weren’t saying a word to either of us, so they weren’t literally intruding.”

Kris waited until Ariane finished her ice-cream – it really was a wonder where all that food went, considering the girls small build – and raised leaving the necessary amount of galleons plus a generous tip on the table.
“I think I’ll avoid that insult,” Kris said calmly holding Ariane’s hand that slipped into his as he spoke to Cassandra over his shoulder: “If you are a pure-blood and think you are turning into a monster, then who am I supposed to be? Or just about anyone in Slytherin? Or even Dana, who is a pure-blood as well. Beyond any hope for humanity inside us already? You don’t have to think you’re good. You have to know with all your mind and soul that you are nobility.”

Raising a finger towards Cassandra Kris took a step to the left as Ariane greeted a rather plump woman with a deep nod of her head while raising her hand towards her cheek for a moment, before Kris stepped forward and kissed the woman’s cheeks. Exchanging a couple of polite phrases with the woman, Kris and Ariane finally started moving again.
“Aunt. Was an auror, but quit after starting to believe she had seer powers and developed a sweet-tooth,” Kris said thoughtfully glancing after the woman, before shrugging and nodding towards the pet-shop, “Your gift is right in there, Ariane.”
Entering the shop, Kris nodded to the owner, who hurried to the back-room only to come back a moment later and handing a basket to Ariane, with a bow and a smile.

[ariana]

Ariane listened carefully to Kris’ explanations about Cass and threw a thoughtful frown towards Cassandra. The girl seemed… funny. “Worn jeans and a T-shirt?” Ariane asked with alarm, “How could anyone feel good wearing muggle things? Especially when they are worn rags? Where are dresses, skirts, shirts?” Ariane pointed to her own clothing which was made completely out of silk – she couldn’t imagine any other dressing-style or habit. “T-shirts are most certainly not lady-like!” Ariane declared loudly while swinging her spoon while stating one of the rules that had been taught to her during years.

Slipping her hand into Kris’s as they left the café Ariane scanned the street wondering where Kris would take her now. Instead of some interesting sight Ariane saw one of her relatives – she was important though so Ariane changed her moving direction and went to the woman. Nodding deeply Ariane took one of the relatives stout hands into her own and raised it to her cheek, before taking a step back and letting Kris greet her as well. Answering the questions about herself with a polite smile Ariane was still relieved when it was time to move on and looked up at Kris as he lead them to a pet-shop.

He owner came back a moment later with a big basket and Ariane peeked into the basket and yelped upon seeing a furry Siamese kitten there. The kitten was light-gray with almost silvery stripes criss-crossing on her sides and back. The kitten looked at Ariane, meowed quietly and sitting neatly raised one of her front paws and lowered her head. Certainly a trick that must have been ages to teach the small animal.
“Thank you, Kris!” Ariane beamed as she jumped up and hugged Kris briefly before picking the small kitten up, noticing with approval that the green ribbon around it’s neck matched her own blouse perfectly, “She is brilliant!” Ariane knew that she would get a lot more presents – from Kris as well – but she had been wishing for a cat for ages! And now here she had one. Completely hers. With the happy smile on her face Ariane nuzzled the neck of the kitten who purred contently.

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

Cassandra smiled at how Ariane mentioned how un-ladylike jeans and a tshirt would be. " Well, I guess it is all in how you were raised. I mean, I have this Def Lepard tshirt I absolutely love. We went to the house this morning, I had to secretly put it on under this blouse so it would escape the purge of my closet. I've always been a tomgirl at heart." She smiled at some fond memories of her father. " My Dad used to take me camping every summer. He said he never wanted a sissy girl. Goodness, he would probably wrinkle his nose if he saw me now; all dolled up like this."

Wallking into the shop that Kris had directed them too, she stepped into the door gingerly. She wasn't used to the fancy shoes. She had a pair of tennis shoes she wore all the time, and a pair of black mary janes with a small heel she normally wore to class. She was horribly afraid that she was going to take a tumble. Diverting her attention to Ariane, she smiled as the girl took a kitten out of a basket. The siamese kitten jumped up to greet her new master, and she listened as Ariane giggled. Cassandra sighed. Even though she thought this girl was a bit of a spoiled brat, she tried to keep things in perspective. After all, she was still just a ten year old. " Adorable kitten! Reminds of me Ringo when he was a kitten. However, Ringo is about ten now, but I've had him forever. Wouldn't trade him for the world."