Plotting and Planning (Lyra)

[Samantha Montgomery]

Lyra Newbury

It occurred to Samantha that in the entirety of her friendship with Lyra, the girl had never been to Sam's home. Either home. While the Montgomeries owned several properties there was really only two places Sam considered "home", Montgomery Manor and the DeRossiers Chateau.

It was understandable as Sam spent most of her time either at school or Enchanted, sometimes in hotels or suites. She only went "home" for events or to visit her family. But today she wanted Lyra to look at the ballroom, and give her preference for the location of her "come out" party.

Sam was notified by one of the staff that the carriage she had sent for Lyra was approaching. Sam instructed the girl to bring tea to the drawing room on the east wing and see how the cleaning was going for the ballroom.

She waited in the grand foyer for her friend to arrive.

[Lyra Newbury]

Lyra had been looking forward to today with childish delight. They were planning her coming out party, and she was going to finally see Montgomery Manor. Samantha spoke of her home as if it were a castle and when the carriage pulled up the drive Lyra's eyes widened and she cussed under her breath. The coachman opened the door for her once they arrived and Lyra stepped out, instantly dwarfed by the palatial property. If Lyra had been awed by Julian's home, she was nearly on the verge of cardiac arrest now.

Another attendant opened the massive door into the grand foyer for her. Lyra felt completely insignificant in the decadent room. "Sam!" she exclaimed, unable to help herself once she caught sight of her friend. "This place is..." Lyra couldn't find the proper adjective and just let her words trail off.

[Samantha Montgomery]

Sam smiled. She was prepared for Lyra's reaction, but she teased her friend anyway, "Old? Drafty? Too big to be any kind of practical?" she asked with a smile. She looked fondly around her, she loved the Montgomery ancestral home, all her memories of the place had been warm and loving. The estate wasn't just large, but it was also in perfect condition, magic and money helped with the latter.

While most properties as large as Sam's were difficult to turn a profit, the Montgomery estate flourished, even the village that sat on the land was a fat and happy lot. It was said that a Montgomery ancestor traded his soul for his family's uncanny ability with money and luck.

Sam shook off her wistfulness, "Come on, I've had tea set up, then we can see the ballroom and the gardens."

[Lyra Newbury]

"That's it!" Lyra teased back as Samantha mentioned the size of the place. As she followed her friend, Lyra silently thought on how easy it would be to become so lost here that you'd die of hunger before you'd find your way out. She focused on paying attention to where she was going as she walked with Samantha down the marvelously decorated corridors.

When they entered the drawing room Lyra stopped in the doorway. "Please tell me you have at least one room that is horribly decorated."

[Samantha Montgomery]

She laughed, "I wouldn't a very good magazine editor if that were the case." she replied.

"Actually, much of the furniture, tapestries, and paintings are antiques. We do have a storage room that isn't as organized as it should be." she said honestly, and the treasure trove of antiques in that room were priceless.

"And while my mother had many faults, fashion and decorating were not among them. My maman has very little faults and excellent taste." she said lavishing praise on her step mother whom Samantha had come to love and call maman (french for mama). "So you see I've had very little to do with it."

[Lyra Newbury]

Lyra smiled and stepped further into the room. She assumed that when Sam said the storage room wasn't very organized it meant that you really had to look to find anything out of place, but there was likely a single item slightly askew. 

"Are they here? Your parents." Lyra had met Samantha's father once briefly after the Hogsmeade attack. It wasn't the best time.

[Samantha Montgomery]

"Papa is, I think." she said, though truthfully she didn't really know. At any given time usually someone was in residence. While the entire Montgomery clan still technically resided at the Manor, it was really only Edward, Sheryl, James and Lillian that spent the most time there. Her other uncles Christopher and Anthony were more travel oriented. They also owned several properties abroad. Business also took her father as well as her uncles away and often, and usually their wives would accompany them.

"Honestly it's anyone's guess who's home at any given time. Caleb's home, but he's working on lesson plans."

[Lyra Newbury]

"I don't understand how anyone can go through their entire childhood forced to go to school and when they finally get out, they voluntarily go right back in. Has your brother seen a doctor?" Lyra teased, tapping her head to indicate Caleb might be touched.

A servant came in then and brought a tea tray, setting it in front of the girls.

[Caleb Renneau]

"Actually," Caleb said standing at the entrance of the room wearing an impeccable suit and reading glasses, "I was never forced to attend school Miss Newbury. I quite enjoyed it."

"Caleb!" Sam said excitedly, "You are home!" she was gleeful.

"I am. And I heard that you were here too, and you have company."

"Yes I'm planning a come out for Lyra."

Caleb pinched the bridge of his nose, "Bothersome tradition if you ask me." he smiled then, "But if you are going to have one, then you could do a lot worse than Samantha as a coordinator."

[Lyra Newbury]

Lyra went pink as she realized Caleb had heard her remark. She had been joking, and was certain he knew that, but when your former professor hears your concerns for his mental well-being that only possible response is to blush and try to hide.

The topic turned to the party and Lyra looked up, smiling once more. "So I hear. I'm honestly a little hurt I haven't attended one yet." She smirked at Samantha.

[Samantha Montgomery]

"Well," Samantha began pursing her lips to the side, "they are remarkably old fashioned. A lot of girls these days fit into two categories, those who wish to finish school and carve their own path, and those that are already betrothed. And of those who still do have coming out parties, they are more or less just parties since the girls have been in attendance at other balls and events. So really my dear, you are unique. An Original."

[Lyra Newbury]

Lyra fixed herself a cup of tea as Samantha explained the two types of girls. Lyra left Hogwarts without belonging to either category. She was pleased at the prospect of soon being part of both.

"And Mason, he'll be there?" She wanted to ask if Julian would be invited, but wasn't sure which answer she wanted to hear.

[Samantha Montgomery]

It would have been insulting not to invite Julian, though Sam didn't want to. She wanted her friend to suffer until he came to his senses, but when Lyra mentioned Mason, Sam smiled.

Before she could answer Caleb spoke, "Marlowe's in town? When did he get back?"

There was really only one Mason worth talking about apparently.

"He was at the Southerland's ball, he took quite an interest in Lyra."

Caleb resisted rolling his eyes. He didn't believe much in matchmaking, but where his sister was concerned, anything was possible. He was sure in part that she had some kind of blackmail over the fates to control the outcome of so many things.

[Lyra Newbury]

Lyra blushed again and shook her head. "He just needed an excuse to get away from that clingy French girl," she said embarrassed.

[Samantha Montgomery]

Samantha raised a brow at her friend, "False modesty doesn't suit you Lyra." she teased.

"Alright. I'm going." Caleb said good-naturedly. He loved his sister and had wanted to see her, but discussing whatever it was Sam and Lyra were going to discuss was not within his particular area of expertise.

[Lyra Newbury]

Lyra grinned at her friend.

"It was nice seeing you again, Professor." Lyra blanched at her own stupidity. She was neither a student nor a stranger. She addressed him formally out of habit. "Mr Renneau," she corrected.

[Samantha Montgomery]

Sam pouted as her brother left, but understood the reason for it. He said a polite goodbye, insisted that Lyra call her Caleb, and wished her luck.

Sam chatted amiably until their tea was finished, "Well, would you like to see the ballroom?"

[Lyra Newbury]

Lyra admired the tea set - an antique, Samantha explained, as if Lyra hadn't expected it. The girls chatted about everything other than boys. It was a welcome change, especially considering the real matter at hand.

When Samantha mentioned the ballroom, Lyra got excited. "Absolutely!" The bit of tour that Sam gave Lyra as they made their way to the ballroom was enough to make Lyra understand why Mason's face lit up so when Samantha mentioned possibly having her party at the Manor. It was utterly amazing, she couldn't even imagine what the ballroom would be like.

[Samantha Montgomery]

Samantha took her time showing Lyra to the ballroom. There was such rich history that adorned the walls and hallways, some funny anecdotes as well. As they got closer to the main ballroom the area became larger until they reached a beautiful staircase.

"Carriages would be directed to the formal entrance, there's a circular path which makes for easier arrivals. This would be the primary foyer, and guests would make their way up here."

[Lyra Newbury]

Lyra didn't actually hear anything Samantha said once they entered into the main room. Her mouth fell open and her eyes widened. It was impossible to comprehend how large the room around them was. "Holy f*ck," Lyra let slip before covering her mouth as if the room itself insisted she watch her language. "Sam, this is amazing!"