Verninac Chateau Ⅱ

The hostess Louise continued to introduce the rest of the children. "Raphael is in his second year at Beauxbatons. While my Gabriel has Lucas, who is a first-year at Beauxbatons, and Simon, who is only five years old." She steps back and bows allowing for the rest of the family members to introduce themselves.

The first one to eagerly introduce herself is a salt-peppered-haired witch with clear eyes and pale skin, Nobella Dubois (nee Verninac). She and Sirsa had been very close in their youths. Her clear eyes sparkle with pleasure as she sees the traces of her precious cousin in her grandchildren. "I am Noella Dubois," she happily declared, before gesturing at her side. "This is my husband, Victor Dubois," a French wizard with an impeccable taste in robes.

"My son, Joseph, and his two children, Violette, a 5th year, and Alexander, a 7th year." Joseph was a widower roughly their mother, Eileen's age, while his two children were both very good-looking with lighter colored hair likely inherited from their deceased mother. The two siblings shared the bright-colored eyes of their father and grandmother.

The Verninac's continue to introduce themselves for a time until everyone in the family is introduced. The air grows chilly again as Philippe and Reginald Prince glared at each other causing sparks to be produced in the air. Before anyone can speak, the door swings open behind them to reveal the tall, slender woman with dark hair with tinges of silver swept up like raven's wings.

A smug smile appears on Georgine's face as she arches her brow at her older brother and Philippe Verninac. "Oh, it would seem that I arrived just in time," she loudly declared, while a house elf hurried after her carrying her multiple bags.

"I am simply famished, please show me to the parlor," Georgine said as if she was in her own home.

"This way please," Louise, the hostess said with relief. "The house elves will take up the cloaks and bags to the guest room," she instructed the house elves, who obediently appeared with a loud pop to do so. "Would you like to freshen up?" She asked.

Rowan and Severus shake their heads as Reginald gestures that he would. It wasn't so much that he wanted to freshen up, but he wanted to see Philippe Verniac's face as little as possible. It was impossible to do so, but he would valiantly attempt to do so! The heavy leaden house elf toddled away with his various bags and led the guest, Reginald Prince to freshen upstairs in the assigned guest quarters.

The atmosphere in the Verninac front hall is that much more relaxed with the departure of Reginald Prince. The Verninac's follow Georgine Prince, who is led by Louise to the nearby parlor including Rowan and Severus except for Philippe, who retreated to the privacy of his personal study. Philippe disliked the fact that Reginald Prince was in his home, but he could not exactly throw him out. He would do his best to avoid him lest he duels the arrogant old wizard! (That and he didn't have a death wish.)

The adults gather at the adult table, while the youths and children sit at different tables. Aunt Georgine may hate people at times, but she was infinitely far more sociable than their grandfather. While Rowan carefully studies the faces of their third and fourth cousins. Severus is surrounded by the girls as he was prime meat, er, a prime candidate to wed. Not that Severus seemed to mind the various attentions of their cousins.

Rowan took a sip of the verveine (vervena) tea and made a bit of a face. It wasn't bad, but it was certainly different from what she was used to. She carefully set down her cup of tea to find that the very attractive Alexander Dubois was staring at her with his enchanting colored eyes.

"And how are you, cousin?" Alexander asked with a debonair smile that easily outshone even that of Sirius's heartthrob smile. It was a shame that Alexander had not been old enough to participate in the tournament or else, he would have been just as popular as Apolline among the female population.

"I am well, thank you," Rowan replied in a slightly accented French. It was one of the few things that their mother had taught them as children. She had not been very patient, but she had still taught them. Severus and Rowan were fluent, but they could read and write far better than speak considering the manuscripts that they regularly read and studied.

"Mm, you seem rather bored," Alexander observed, before gently suggesting, "Would you like to go for a stroll, cousin?"

"I am content where I am at now, cousin," Rowan carefully answered. She wanted to keep an eye on Severus lest he foolish get himself into trouble. And she didn't want to go wandering about a place that she was a stranger to. She didn't trust an unknown cousin to be so kind and altruistic.

Alexander blinks his brightly colored eyes in surprise before a self-deprecating chortle escapes him. "Forgive me, cousin, "he said. "I meant no rudeness except to seek an opportunity to escape this mind-numbing parlor. I feel that my brain turns sluggish as we speak."

"In that case would you prefer to discuss academics?" Rowan politely asked.

"I hear and learn more than sufficient at Beauxbatons," Alexander dismissively gestured with his hand. "I would prefer to find more noveau topics of interest."

From her third cousins' reply, Rowan had a distinct feeling that her cousin was a very successful rogue. He was a charmer alright and knew what exactly to say as to not cause apprehension in a girl. And that was exactly what made him so dangerous for some of the best serial killers in the world were such charmers such as Ted Bundy.

Leaning back in her seat, Rowan resists folding her arms and instead intertwines her fingers. "I can't help but wonder just how many girls have so foolishly fallen for your web of lies, COUSIN," she said with an icy smile. "I wonder if there was truly no accident along the way, Aunt Georgine did mention that you are presently courting a lovely heiress, who is quite a jealous witch."

Alexander stiffly leans back in his seat and says, "I spoke wrongly cousin, I beg your forgiveness."

A false cheerful smile appears on Rowan's face that holds no warmth. "There is no need to apologize, cousin, it was I who must have misunderstood your intentions."

Alexander bows his head rigidly, before murmuring an excuse and hurrying away. One of the female cousins turns to Rowan and says, "Is something wrong? Where did cousin go in such a hurry?"

"The tea must have not been to his liking," Rowan simply replied, before taking a sip of her cooling tea.

Without much interest, the female cousin returns to her conversation as Rowan enjoys her peaceful solitude. Truthfully, Alexander did not have much to fear from her beyond Rowan becoming physically verbal. And well, she didn't have much peace left as the next two days, they would be very busy. Tomorrow, Rowan and Severus would awaken early to wash and cleanse themselves to prepare for the godparent ceremony and then the following evening the official presentation ball. It would be two very long days, but in theory, it would be worth it….