“I still don’t understand why they must be here, mum.”
“Alaric! They are your brothers. Now, not another word of this.”
As soon as Kalina pulled on her stern tone of voice, Alaric knew better than to push it again. Yet, he could not help but feel the gleams of mischief on the faces of his brothers. Sure, they had no ill intentions. Yet, they were certainly around to tease him, even if mother had insisted that they were needed as the male figures over him in a social setting like that. After all, no Pureblood families are led by a woman. Clearly, though, she had forgotten about the Delacours. He couldn’t blame her if she did. He, too, was having trouble trying to forget about them too. There was nothing wrong with that family. What bothered him was how it was so clear that Gisele hated the fact that the elders had decided that a union between the two would make the best for both families. From the look on the girl’s face during their visit to the French Chateau, Alaric knew it was a mistake. But, of course, Kalina was dismissive of it. No teenager jumps for joy when they meet their betroths initially, she had insisted. And then that stern tone of voice was used, which meant that he was never to push for that subject again.
With a sigh of resignation, Alaric stepped into the ballroom, prodded by Giorgio. It was no use trying to maintain a distance from them and trying to stick close to Kalina instead; Giorgio and Gustav wasted no spaces, and followed the two, even as their eyes scanned the crowd hastily. Kalina did so, too; but it was clear that unlike her sons, she was not checking out for the female population at the ball. Instead, she eyed the men warily to ensure where Elijah Krum was located at. As soon as that was done, a mental note was made, as usual, to keep him away from the family, especially her older sons, who had ensured that an entrance was made after the Deputy Minister’s speech.
Similarly, Alaric attempted to avoid the gaze of the others in the ballroom, unsuccessfully attempting to hide behind his mother. And then, suddenly, there was chaos. Briefly, he looked up just in time to see Elijah Krum sprinting towards where there seemed to be a commotion at. Alaric frowned and glanced at his brothers, but the two showed no indication of having noticed their cousin. Yet, even if they did, nothing was supposed to happen. It had been awhile since Krums turned up in numbers. There was no occasion for any reason to do so for a rather long time. Still, conflict was best avoided, if ever. Deciding against speaking to his brothers about the matter, Alaric turned away and continued to stick close to Kalina.
“Have you seen Gisele?”
Alaric groaned internally, then looked at his mother and shook his head. It wasn't that he minded the girl; not at all. In fact, if she had seemed more interested, he would have felt more relieved about the fact that she was to be the girl he will marry. Instead, he could only doubt himself and - there, he spotted her - watch her float about with admirers hot on her heels.
by Avis Summers Tue Mar 19, 2013 5:34 pm
