Southerland's Ball

[Lyra Newbury]

Samantha Montgomery

Lyra had been concerned with the short notice that Julian had given her for the upcoming social soiree. Two days, she thought, would hardly be enough time. But Samantha was more than accustomed to working within such time constraints and she showed Lyra the benefits of being more rich and powerful than her parents had raised her to be. They had both had dresses designed for them, Lyra choosing to flaunt her newly acquired position at Enchanted to rein in a new designer that she'd discovered.

On the day of the ball, Lyra accompanied Samantha to the spa where they were pampered. Lyra allowed the hairdresser to convince her to try a beauty charm to lighten her hair. She agreed, only for the night, as it would be a nice change of pace. Samantha said it might attract a few new gentlemen. Lyra bit her tongue and said nothing in return.

The girls sat in the carriage as it carried them to the Southerland Estate. She wore a green, single-shoulder gown with silver accents. Lyra checked her makeup in a mirror, startled again by her golden locks. "I'm not crazy for this, am I?" she asked Sam, referencing her new color.

[Samantha Montgomery]

Samantha gave Nicolas the night off. She needed some space and knew he had plenty to do. Besides tonight she had one goal in mind and that was to see Lyra properly elevated in society.

Lyra truly looked gorgeous, her hair, the dress, the power and confidence that had blossomed in the girl even more. "You look perfect." Men were going to flip when they saw her, which worked perfectly toward Sam's plans though she had refrained from talking about it since Lyra was still hung up on Julian.

Sam's dress was a bit more understated than her usual look-at-me red. It was an ivory lace strapless gown with a rose print pattern on the lace. She was still a bombshell with her exotic black hair, blue eyes, and pale perfect skin contrasting each other.

[Lyra Newbury]

Sam's reassurance settled it and Lyra put her mirror away with a smile. She knew the sight would surprise her every time she passed her reflection, but it was fun playing as something else for a while. "I hope blondes do have more fun," she laughed.

"I'm so happy you went with this color," she commented as she fingered the lace at the skirt of Samantha's dress. "It goes so well with your complexion."

The carriage slowed and came to a stop. When Lyra looked out the window past Samantha she was greeted with a massive mansion. It made Julian's look feeble in comparison. A small "wow" escaped her lips.

[Samantha Montgomery]

Sam fingered the dress she wore and smiled. It was a beautiful gown, but it purposefully allowed Lyra to have the spotlight in her vibrant green one. It was a token to how much Lyra meant to Sam that she was willing to be overshadowed. One did not overshadow Samantha Montgomery.

The Southerland estate was ancient, almost as ancient as the Montgomery estates, but not quite, and while Julian's estate wasn't as large or ancient, Julian was more than capable of keeping up with the Jones so to speak. It really was a different world. Hogwarts indeed housed several powerful and influential names, but there was a world beyond the Castle. A world Lyra's parents were on the outskirts of, one Sam was happy to bring Lyra into.

"Don't let it all get to you, underneath the glitter and the gold, they're just people." Sam said trying to prepare her friend.

[Lyra Newbury]

"My kind of people," she said softly to herself as she followed Samantha out of the carriage. She was in awe, but retained enough self-awareness to shut her mouth after it had fallen open at the sight before her.

[Samantha Montgomery]

Samantha carried a naturally regal posture. Well, less natural than disciplined. Her mother used any number of devices from a neck brace to a pronged blade to keep Samantha's chin up at all times, and other methods of keeping her spine straight. Whenever Sam walked into a room, she owned the room, not out of any desire to dominate, but to survive.

She appeared now on Lyra's side like a tigress introducing her cub.

[Lyra Newbury]

Lyra knew some of the horrors that Samantha's mother had put her through. After the attack on Hogsmeade last year, Samantha shared some of the terrible stories. But Lyra had a feeling Sam was still keeping mum about many more terrible things. Lyra didn't understand how someone could be beaten so and still stand tall as Samantha did now.

Lyra looked to the dark haired beauty beside her, smirking at her friend. She looked proud and strong, and Lyra laughed inside. She was certain Samantha frequently forgot that she was two years younger than Lyra, although age clearly did not define experience. Sam had that in spades.

There were so many people that Lyra had heard of, but never met. Samantha introduced her to only the best witches and wizards. Other than Samantha and the odd celebrity (which Lyra struggled to remain composed in front of) there was no one here that Lyra recognized. It was a whole new world, Lyra was eager to jump at the chance to move forward.

[Samantha Montgomery]

It was a world of privilege and of pleasure, but also deceit and turmoil. Samantha could count on both hands the number of people in the ballroom who were "happy". Some of the richest and most powerful families were in that room, and yet it wasn't enough, it was never enough. If they sensed weakness they would pounce, and while Samantha was younger than Lyra, she knew all the rules of the game, her mother had at least given her that advantage.

Once Lyra had been introduced it was alright for others to approach her. Sam let it be known that Lyra was an affiliate of hers and that granted Lyra a sort of protection. Soon both male suitors and female acquaintances were coming to them.

[Lyra Newbury]

Lyra was happy and without any concern lingering in the back of her mind for the first time in Merlin knew how long. She smiled broadly and talked with people about her work. She found she not only enjoyed doing the work, but enjoyed speaking about it as well. Soon she was sharing stories as she often had with friends and reveling in the interested looks she was getting in return. She even found flirting with the men came back to her naturally, and she batted her eyes and let her touch linger for just slightly longer than appropriate on their arms. Men complimented her and looked her up and down in a way that made her feel wanted. It was a peaceful feeling that was not accompanied by the longing regret and awkwardness that she had so recently begun to feel was normal when she had been with Julian. She was grateful for the escape.

[Samantha Montgomery]

Sam carried a content smile on her lips as she surveyed the scene and Lyra's success. She scanned the ballroom for any appropriate suitors or individuals of importance that she wanted to introduce to Lyra when her eyes landed on a familiar face and she froze.

Damn him to hell. She thought as Julian came in the large ballroom. Maybe Lyra wouldn't see him, maybe she could get Lyra out of there before she did.

[Lyra Newbury]

Lyra laughed at something the tall man she was talking to said. She didn't understand his joke, but picked up on the social cues that he was, in fact, telling a joke of some sort so she laughed and touched his arm lightly as if to balance herself. "You're so funny," she said to the man whose name she had already forgotten. "Isn't he funny, Sam? Sam?" Lyra looked to her friend whose gaze was fixed across the ballroom. Lyra looked to see who had caught Sam's eye and made a small choking noise. "Julian," she said softly, still touching the tall man's shoulder as she looked around him.

[Julian Faust]

Julian had argued with himself over attending the affair, but in the end there were many reasons why he showed up, some noble, more were selfish. He missed her face. It was impossible to consider how addicted he had become to her in such a short time, well he had known her for a long time, but it seemed that their brief affair brought all his feelings to the surface.

He stepped into the ballroom, seeing many familiar faces and briefly thought how Lyra simultaneously belonged there and didn't. She belonged among the pretty people, the wealthy and privileged, but her innocence and true beauty didn't belong among the snobbery or harshness wealth often exuded.

He continued to scan the room when his eyes found hers.

[Lyra Newbury]

Lyra locked eyes with Julian across the room and heard her heart pounding in her ears. She smiled boldly, then realized her hand was still resting on the man's shoulder. She quickly ducked behind the tall man she had been flirting with, trying to seem casual in front of the important people all around her. She didn't know why she was trying to hide from Julian, it was an impulsive reaction. Perhaps he didn't recognize me because of my new hair, she thought. I'm sure he didn't recognize me.

The tall man was still talking to her, apparently unaware of her bizarre behavior. She looked up at him, trying to follow along with his story without much success. When she looked past him again Julian was closer. He'd seen her. She couldn't tell if she was anxious or excited at the prospect of him being so near. She looked to Samantha for guidance.

[Julian Faust]

Julian made a beeline for the girls all the while ignoring Sam's malevolent looks. She didn't so much alter her expression as her eyes simply told him what she thought of him. He didn't care.

"Miss Montgomery." he addressed first with a slight bow. In this instance since Sam was virtually spoken for and by one of Julian's best mates, she was more or less "chaparone" for Lyra, Julian knew the game well. Finally he turned to the object of his admiration, "Miss Newbury."

[Lyra Newbury]

Heaven help her, he was wearing a tuxedo and looked so handsome she nearly melted on the spot. Lyra inhaled deeply and held the air in her lungs as he turned and addressed her. She exhaled. "Mr Faust," she managed, though her voice cracked. She wanted to hug him, but instead she offered him her hand.

[Samantha Montgomery]

Sam clenched her teeth as Julian took Lyra's hand and brought it to his lips. Damn him. She was doing so well with Atherton and of course Julian appears. She'd have to talk to him later about inappropriate interference.

"Julian! How lovely to see you this evening. I was hoping to have a few minutes of your time." she said interjecting herself into their all too intimate interest in one another.

[Lyra Newbury]

Lyra blushed as Julian kissed her hand but too soon was his attention pulled away by Sam. Lyra wanted to yell at her friend. Instead, she tried turning her attention back to the tall man who didn't understand the proper way to tell a joke. She forced a laugh again, though she didn't see what was so funny.

[Julian Faust]

Julian reluctantly turned his attention to Sam.

"Of course." he said moving to stand by her, she took his arm and moved away a few feet.

All hushed whispers and phony smiles aside as she scolded him for interfering. She was right of course, but he was reluctant to admit it. Finally he told her that he was here for Lyra's benefit as well and would be the utmost proper gentleman.

They rejoined Lyra and Atherton. Atherton who was indeed rich but no where near good enough for his Lyra.

[Lyra Newbury]

"Julian, have you met..." She looked to the tall man apologetically who filled in "Atherton" without skipping a beat. "Atherton, yes. I'm so sorry about that. Blonde," she said pointing to her new hair as though it was an excuse to forget. She gave a sideways glance at Julian, who had yet to comment on her new look or her dress.

She pressed on. "Atheron was just telling me the funniest story." She flashed her teeth at Atherton and lightly touched his arm again, thinking how nice it was that Atherton had manners enough to compliment her looks.

[Julian Faust]

Yes Julian knew him. And suddenly Julian had never liked him. He was too tall, too boorish, and entirely too insipid for someone like Lyra.

"In passing." he said shaking the man's hand. "Oh?" he asked after the story.

Yes he had noticed her hair. He noticed her hair, her dress, her curves, her smile, her damn twinkling eyes smiling up at someone that wasn't him. But damn if he'd show it.