Holiday Bash [EVERYONE!]

[erik]

Every year around the end of the year, after Christmas but before New Years, there was to be a holiday extravaganza for one night only at the house of Caedyn Monroe, Arianna Monroe and their parents. It had been their parent's job since their eldest child, Arianna, had started at Hogwarts her very first year. Their home was already prepared for the many, many guests that would show up. Every student and every professor was given an invitation to the party. It read as follows..

You are cordially invited to attend a wonderful evening of festivities, music and fun at the mansion of Monroe. All students, teachers and family of students are welcome to attend. Simply hold onto this letter (which is actually a port key!) and shout the words "Knowledge is a privilege" and you shall be whisked away to the front of the estate! Please be sure to remember that conflict of any sort is unwelcome in our home and we hope you will respect this. The party begins at a quarter past five. Be there early! The party will start as a formal event, but as the night wains on we invite everyone to retire to more casual clothing. Remember! This invite will only work for twenty-four hours, after that it is simply another pretty piece of mail. We hope to see you there!

Yours Sincerely,
The Monroe Family.

[/color][/i][/b]

..and every envelope with every invitation seemed to mysteriously float down from the ceiling of Hogwarts every year. It was the only public act of Geomancy his family would permit, but it was used as such that a simple trick could duplicate it easily and it could be explained away. This always left quite an impact on the students, however, as no owl ever touched one of these invitations.[/blockquote]

Caedyn was waiting in the main hall where a small platform had been constructed for the hired band. He was going to sing for them and even play guitar, though definitely less the latter than the former. They would pick up for him where he could not play the guitar, but his strongest point was definitely his voice. For a man that had more knowledge than anything else, it was a surprise to most that he had such a beautiful singing voice. It was the one of the more unique traits in the Monroe family.

Servants waited outside of the main hall to take coats, hats and the like. Two men were at the door with smiles on their faces, ready to validate invitations. The entire house was alive and ready. All sorts of cuisine rested in the dining hall along with beverages and desserts. If one did not know better, they would say that the Monroes had been planning this little party all year. Little did they know that they usually were!

Everyone was going to be here this year. Most of the students of Hogwarts and nearly all of the professors had already responded to the invitation by owl. It was set out to be one of the biggest parties that Hogwarts had ever seen. There was to be no student or teach turned away and their family were allowed in as well! Even some employees of the Ministry of Magic were in attendance, simply because the party was that huge. It was one of the very few nights a year that everyone could kick back and relax without having to worry about dark forces or anything like that.

Caedyn's father was one of the most well-known and formidable duelists in the world, even having specifically trained in dueling dark-arts users. He had never lost a single duel and had even guest-lectured at Hogwarts several times in both Dueling and Defense Against the Dark Arts classes. All without the use of his geomancy. It was something his family had kept for generations. Now he himself was holding the Ninety-third annual Holiday Party. He picked his son to host the opening ceremonies, and Caedyn was eager to hold up his part of the bargain.

[alecto mileena carrow]

don't you wanna be the life of the party
don't you wanna be the cream of the crop.

The evening had already fallen, it was a little for five o'clock and Alecto Carrow stood once more in front of the mirror that she had stared in when anxiety had risen. Now on the other hand she was totally relaxed. This night would be filled with really partying instead of keeping your appearance on a social event, for today she would go to a festivity at the Monroe Mansion. Strange, these folks had held their party for ages, and yes, every year, Alecto Carrow had gotten the invitation - that was sent to the entire Castle of Hogwarts by the way - but never had she attended it. Her brother had, in one of the previous years though. Apparently it was the bash of the year. All witches and wizards came together, and for once no formal clothes were required..

So now she stood in front of her mirror, her short white dress hugging her perfect slim waist when a knock resounded on her door. "Come in" her soft voice called out. Within a few seconds, Amycus entered. She smiled at her brother, while pulling a few curls out of her updo. A silver bracelet was on her hand that she held out as soon as Amy entered with the letter that she'd gotten earlier. "Ready to go, sis?", he asked her while putting his arm protectively around her shoulder. She nodded, a soft smile gracing her lips as they both held on to the letter. Her room started to twirl, a nauseous feeling erupted in her stomach but she kept her mouth shut, closed her eyes and waited until she felt the ground under her feet again.

With a quick look in her pocket-mirror, she adjusted her hair before glancing at her brother, her hand resting upon his arm as he escorted her in. The room was already filled with a lot of people, all in festive clothes but nothing too obnoxious. She breathed in, her head held high as she walked next to her brother. If you didn't know them, you'd say that they were the perfect match, both good-looking with their aristocratic looks... But of course, the entire world of wizardry knew that the two were related.

They came to a halt, a few familiar faces turned their way and both Alecto and Amycus bowed their heads in respect. Her brother leaned closer to his sister, his lips almost brushing against her ear. "So who will be your victim tonight, sis?", he grinned before quirking his eyebrow up. Alecto's lip turned into a sneer, as she looked out over the crowd. "Oh he will be here somewhere.", she answered, the night was still young...





words: too lazy to count
lyrics: the wild party - life of the party
tags: everyone
outfit: don't click me!
notes:I want a brother - pout -!

[misstake]

Dress

She wanted to go, yet she didn't want to go. She wanted to see Caedyn, yet she didn't want to see every other Tom, Dick and Harry that was going to show up tonight. That was the problem with large gatherings like this. On one hand, it could be a great deal of fun and she could go completely unnoticed. On another hand, people would take notice of her being there and go out of their way to make sure that she realized what an outcast she really was.

Standing in front of her mirror, she tightened her corset a touch with magic. Putting her wand down on her night table, she smoothed her hands over her curves. Swallowing a large lump in her throat, she pressed her lips together. This night was going to be a disaster. She could feel it in her bones. Especially considering who Caedyn was. Looking up at her ceiling, she jiggled her hands out and bounced slightly on the balls of her feet. She exhaled slowly and closed her eyes. She knew that she looked beautiful... her mother had made absolute certain that she would. But she was still nervous beyond all belief.

Shaking her head, she pulled a few loose strands out of her face, and sat down in a chair beside her bed. Realistically, what was the worst that could happen? She'd feel more like an outcast? She'd get made fun of? She had already placed a spell on her dress to make sure that it was completely stain resistant. She had even made sure that she had a spell on her hair, just to make sure that no one would mess with that either. She was also well versed in shielding... So, it wasn't like anything bad was going to happen to her person.

Running a hand up the side of her neck, she forced herself out of her room to greet her parents. Her mother started to cry, her father had a supremely proud smile on his lips. Yet, she was standing there with no confidence, almost like the ugly duckling. She had long ago, physically turned into a swan, but she never had the ability to flourish. But her parents, for a few seconds didn't see that. They saw their only daughter growing into a woman.

And that made everything worth it.

Even if she was tortured, she at least got to make her parents happy and proud of her. They were proud of her, no matter what for her academic accomplishments, but they knew that she was socially retarded. Now, for the first time since she started attending classes at Hogwarts she had a friend, and she was going to his party. It was easy to pretend that she wasn't as self conscious as she was, especially with her mother staring right up at her. Slowly, she moved down the stairs, giving them the best smile that she could muster.

As soon as she reached the landing, her parents wrapped her in a tight hug. Her mother gave her the run through, and told her that she was part Medina, and that Medina women were flat out nasty when they needed to be. Smiling, she then hugged her father who told her about a few nasty hexes that she could put on the girls if they messed with her. And it was with that, that she knew that she would be able to stand up for herself; hopefully... Oh God, really hopefully.

-------

It wasn't too long until she arrived at the party. Nervously, she wrapped an arm around herself when she stepped onto the property. Realizing that she looked as nervous as she felt, she forced a smile at everyone that she saw. Until she saw Caedyn. Her fake smile errupted into a real one as she waved at him. She wouldn't bother him tonight. If he wanted to talk, he'd come up to her. After all, he was hosting, and that was a lot of responsibility. Grabbing the nearest glass of wine, she sipped on it, attempting to keep herself from wrinkling her nose. She hated wine. Well, anything other than the sweet wine that her mother gave her on holidays...

But she knew better than anyone that wine could settle her shaking hand.

[arianna]

+ Outfit: Poke Me! +

Arianna had been waiting for this party for what seemed like forever. Since the next day after her final party as a Hogwarts student. She sighed softly, reminicing. Her family had thrown an extra big party for her. There were so many people there last year. And now this year? Seems to be even more promising. The way her brother spoke of it, everyone and their mother's mother would be at the party this evening. Hopefully her own personal invitations to her friends who had also graduated would get to them in time to be there. She didn't have a doubt, but most of her friends from school were busy with their own lives. She shook off the impending sad thoughts and concentrated on the party.

Arianna ran through her mental checklist as she began getting ready. There was enough food to serve, if not, then Arianna knew of a few places that could service what she needed. She ran her fingers through her hair, looking at herself in the mirror. "We have enough food. Need to quit worrying.." She scolded herself softly as she sat down in front of her vanity mirror and began the long process of straightening her hair. A little heat, pressed hands and she was looking fine. She ran her hands through her hair once more, checking it out before turning and heading for her closet.

"We have enough drinks. I made sure of that myself. Pop, juices, booze..." She smirked and shook her head, remembering the last year when some of the employees of the Ministry had gotten a little too sloshed and made absolute fools of themselves. She laughed softly and shook her head. "We have a drink maximum this year so past mistakes aren't repeated." She grabbed the black dress she had been savin for this year. She slipped it on and looked at herself in her mirror, making sure she looked good. When she was satisfied that it was the right dress, she sat back down to the mirror.

"We have security, if needed. Dad's here as well as Mom. So no worries over such things." She ran her fingers through her hair once more before beginning to apply her makeup. "It'll go well.. it'll go well.." She looked at herself one more time in the mirror before putting on her jewelry and shoes. She stood and smoothed her dress out once more before looking in the mirror. She turned and nodded her approval at her own dress. It looked good and that's all that was needed. She stepped out of her room and walked downstairs to help start the party off.

Arianna stepped into the already going party. She smiled brightly as she moved through the crowd to stand at her brother's side. She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and winked at him. "It's good to see you're in good spirits, Brother." She chuckled and looked around. "You did a marvelous job." She cut her eyes to him and smiled. "You should be proud of yourself.." She kissed his cheek once more before winking. She leaned against her brother, happy that she was here with him. Since she had left Hogwarts, she hadn't gotten to spend as much time as she would of liked with him. She put her head on his shoulder and watched the crowd. "How are you? Nervous? Excited?" She smiled at him and pushed some hair from her face.

"Now.. before I spend all of tonight draped on your shoulder, scaring off any potential ladies, I should go mingle for a bit." Arianna winked at her brother once more before heading off to find a direction. There had to be something or someone that could be of interest to her. She settled to stand next to the bar, sipping on a drink. She murmured and settled against the bar. She'd seek out the people she knew first, then move on to the people that she didn't. She tapped her fingers on the glass, scouting the perimeter before formulating a gameplan.

[erik]

People were finally beginning to arrive at the mansion and the floor was starting to get packed. Everyone had already started doing their meet and greets and his parents were out on the floor with them. Ministry representatives were spread throughout the crowd with the rest of the guests. A few of the people he had met and become friends with at school were here and waiting for the party to start. That, of course, meant that he would be speaking up soon. While he was not fond of all of the people that were going to be staring at him, it was his turn to host the party and in his family, it was important.

When Arianna made her was to the stage and slid up next to him, he visibly gulped. "Nervous, definitely. I'm not the type to sit here and go for broke in front of all these people. I was really surprised Dad asked me to do this. I wouldn't have done it, but he said that it was important to him and the family that I do it for my last year at Hogwarts. So here I am. I'll do what I can." Caedyn answered the girl and took a deep breath. He was used to Arianna being clingy. She always was. They had been tight as a brother and sister. When she left Hogwarts, it strained their relationship because he rarely got to see her. He was certain that it got her just as much as it bothered him.

Arianna left him on the little platform that had been constructed and went off to mingle. Caedyn's eyes immediately went to Tiana in the crowd. He had nearly lost her with his attention focused on Arianna, but he caught her out of the corner of his eye and he smiled. It had been a focus for worry since he told her about the party. He was not sure she was going to show, but she did. Even Alecto had shown up, but then he remembered that her brother had in previous years. It was certainly a sight, though, to see all of these students, teachers and friends all gathered at once. He took a deep breath.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to Monroe Mansion. We are proud to have you with us tonight and we hope that the memories you make here tonight will last a life time. Please, enjoy yourselves and relax tonight. It is a party, after all." Caedyn smiled as he spoke over the microphone. It was the right person to pick for the job, his father reasoned, because Caedyn definitely had the voice for it.

The band picked up and Caedyn stepped off stage. He could sing later that night and everything would be fine. There was just something eating at him that told him to get off the stage and start talking to people. He was slightly anti-social, but he would do his best to follow in his father's footsteps. He started talking to several of the students he knew from school, then teachers and even a Ministry agent or two. They were all rather pleased to be there, it seemed, and he got several generic compliments from many of them.