bon appetit ((burke family + invite))

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After months of discussion and arrangement, Millicent and the family elves had gotten the manor in order and prepared to host a rather formal feast. Other than having her mother-in-law joining them, their future in-laws from Hector's arrangement were also slated to attend. She wasn't sure of the exact time yet, but she made sure there was plenty of time allotted time before and afterwards for chatting and leisure.

Millicent was sitting in the drawing room sipping a relaxing cup of Earl Grey. Surrounding her on the walls and throughout the room were various artifacts the Burkes had possessed for generations ranging from taxidermy dioramas, ancient vases with dried flowers, a magnificent harp that was playing a light tune, some family portraits, and one of the many libraries scattered throughout the property that tied the room together.

@Hector Burke @Melanthius Burke @Cecelia Burke @Minnie Bulstrode @Bellona Lestrange

Standing up after kneeling for a few minutes, he brushed some sirt off of his trousers and stashed his crystal away. He'd be quite bothered if it went off again soon... "He said that she has been dismissed to her room for the evening," he responded, offering his hand to her so she could get back up.

"And that she was making a mockery of our family, not quite sure what he meant by that..."

Well, he sort of did, but this was the same Hector who considered normal admiration of womanly curves to be vulgar. His brother could've easily been hyperbolic about it. "And he demands that we return to the drawing room as I have to tread carefully..."

Hm, he could simply tell his mother and grandmother that he didn't want Bellona to hear the discord. There, that could work as an excuse for not remaining inside if they find out.

@Bellona Lestrange

Hearing a pair of voices - young women's voices - Hector wondered who on earth it could be. Clearly it wasn't the guest party they were waiting for, it would be too early yet. As he tried to listen in, Minnie's voice sounded down the hallway: visitors for Cecelia? At least they hadn't arrived before everything kicked off, he thought. He supposed they were school friends of hers or something.

Standing up and abandoning his finished glass, he strode through the hall until he brushed past Minnie and arrived at the door.

The frown of his expression faded slightly as he looked over the two of them. One of them he knew, one of them he did not.

"You say you're here for Cecelia?" he questioned wearily, "I apologise, but she isn't here. It was her intention to be here tonight for dinner, but her summer tutor changed her schedule at the last moment."

@Idina Herrera @Andrea Herrera @Minnie Bulstrode

Andrea was surprised when. She saw Hector burke in the doorway. She tilted her head to the side and a small smile formed, "Hector? Is this your home?" She looked at Idina with a raised eyebrow. She could have done with some warning that Hector Burke was her friends brother, "Yes. She invited my little sister and myself for dinner. She said it would be nice as we don't have Any family here in London. But if she is unavailable we would hate to impose on your family." Her eyes traveled his frame again before she straightened her posture and smiled, "It was lovely to see you hector." 

@Hector Burke

Idina frowned and looked at hector, "She didnt say anything of a tutor over the summer. She would have texted me if plans had to change." When her sister said they would leave, idina groaned, "Drea. I'm starving. I didn't eat all dy because Cece said they always prepare large meals." She knew it wasn't proper to complain, but hunger made her cranky. 

@Hector Burke

Millicent and mother-in-law looked at each other once Cecelia was sent to her room and after Hector had dismissed himself.

"Keep an eye on preparations, Millicent, I have to collect myself."

She pursed her lips, heading towards the dining room worried sick that the events that just transpired would have a ripple effect on the guests.

This was going to be a long night.

"It is, yes."

He was glad that Andrea was already being courteous and retreating, then he didn't have to go through the awkward scenario of getting them to leave. Before he had the chance to say farewell to them though, the younger sister spoke up. Hector's eyes moved to meet hers then narrowed slightly.

They weren't some bloody witch hostel or charity, he thought. But he couldn't be rude to them. Cecelia had invited the girl, he supposed.

"Don't think on it, Miss Herrera," he said graciously, suddenly switching to gentleman mode, "Please come on in and I can get you both something to eat." Stepping away from the door, he motioned his hand politely for them to enter. "When I say the change in plan was very last minute, it was very last minute. And as she is with the company of her tutor, she certainly wouldn't be able to use a crystal. Perhaps she hadn't mentioned it to you before as she presumed you would have one as well."

Damn Cecelia. Cursing him even more from her cage.

@Andrea Herrera @Idina Herrera

"Oh... well. Just being sent to your room isn't bad at all, really."

She was expecting some greater punishment than that. Had Cecelia really been let off lightly?

Taking his hand, she hoisted herself up with thanks, turning pink from the brief proximity.

"Does that mean he said we have to, or your Mother just relayed a message? If it was just him, let's ignore him. The tension in there is probably quite horrible so soon afterwards."

@Melanthius Burke

"I'd be quite surprised if it was just that, but perhaps they were merciful tonight due to the guests coming?"

Yeah, that was nicer to believe right now. He and Bellona could find out the full extent of her punishment later, assuming it was given out.

Thius shrugged responding, "It was just Hector, so let's not take it seriously. I doubt anyone else has realized we're out here."

And he'd rather keep it that way. Smiling at her, he mused, "We can think of our little excursion as a challenge. We can walk around the grounds some more together, while we're still unlikely to be noticed."

Then he remembered one particular location of the house.

"Depending on how deep we get into the gardens, there is a hidden entrance to our own personal duelling chambers that are detached from the manor itself."

@Bellona Lestrange

"Yes, Merlin forbid we take him seriously..."

Looking at the skirt of her dress, she spun around in a complete circle, lifting her arms and trying to check if there was any dirt of foliage stuck to it from her fall. She patted it down somewhat, but overlooked a large patch on her bottom. Realising that it probably was there though, she glanced at Thius.

"Do you have your wand? Before we go in, eventually, you'll have to do a quick cleaning spell for me."

The perks of having an older boyfriend!

"You have your own duelling chambers?" How exciting! "Oh I would love to see that!"

@Melanthius Burke

Idina smiled and stepped inside, cutting in front of her sister, "Thank you." She stepped inside, removing her coat and handing it to a waiting house elf, "Wow. Are all the houses in london like this?" She asked, looking around. Ot sort of reminded her  of their palace back home. 

@Hector Burke

"Hector thinks he's in charge just because our father is almost always away on business trips," Thius groaned, biting the edge of his thumb as he watched his girlfriend spin around.

"He forgets that like him, I'm an adult, so he can't just bloody boss me around like that!"

And unlike Hector, he earned the coveted title of Head Boy. He was entitled to staying outside with Bellona as long as he desired!

Hector was just going to have to cope-

Oh, she was absolutely ravishing... His eyes wandered until it slowly scanned the curvatures the black dress and the night sky faintly concealed.

Be careful... Look at what's going on with Cece...

"Yes, I do!" He opened up his jacket and pulled his wand from a holster he had tailored inside. "I always have it with me. Just let me know when and where you need it done, and I shall do so."

Grinning at her, he nodded, offering his arm to her. "My grandmother had it built so duelling practices weren't done in the manor. It's bloody magnificent! So much nicer than the chamber at Hogwarts."

@Bellona Lestrange

The younger sister was very self-assured, he thought, as she strode inside and left her sister on the doorstep.

Her comment had him chuckling derisively.

"Good golly, no. You will find no finer place than the Burke estate this side of London. It is beyond compare," he said proudly, stepping back into the drawing room to lead them there. Once Wully had hung up the girl's coat, he returned again to take Hector's request for food and drink platters, then left to take care of it. "Take a seat wherever you like."

He took back his position on the couch.

"So, you are Cecelia's friend, are you?" he asked her, "Well, I must commend her on the choice of such an agreeable companion. You are in Hufflepuff house as well?"

@Idina Herrera

Taking his arm again, they walked down the pathway with various junvenile plants attempting to nip at their ankles. Bellona wasn't really paying attention to them, but they were never quite long enough to catch them anyway. She was gazing at Thius in side-profile, and admiring the smoothness of his skin. There wasn't a hint of a whisker on there, but she supposed he had facial hair to trim back.

"I wish we had something like that," she reflected, so far very impressed with the Burke mansion. But if she and Thius were to marry, this wouldn't be theirs: it would be Hector's. Wait - why was she thinking of marriage anyway? They had only just started a relationship! They'd barely even kissed!

Her cheeks turned a little red.

"Would it be something you would have in your own home? I mean as an adult, after you marry."

@Melanthius Burke

"I'm surprised your family doesn't, isn't the manor alone more expansive than most estates in our community?"

Well, he was going to have to find some sort of space in her household that could work sufficiently for an improvised duelling chamber. Thius was sure there had to be at least a room there that could be useful. Anything for his lady...

Too bad they couldn't just live together right now, especially not after what his sister had done... If they could, then she could have access to it whenever she desired! Well, they did only just start to date, his family wouldn't approve of going straight to that...

"Certainly so, but I'd be more concerned with dedicating an entire wing to be a home library. Duelling chambers are quite straightforward to construct," he explained, briefly stopping to pluck a lavender moonshine that had recently bloomed. Smiling, he stuck it in her hair and continued, "All you need are sturdy materials that can handle constant blasts, dummies of any material that can be repaired, and enough space for at least two people to practice or partake in a duel. Ours is different in that it also has an area to relax afterwards, such as seating that is far more comfortable than Hogwarts' chamber along with a selection of treats."

@Bellona Lestrange

Idina followed Hector througthrough the house and took a Seat on a chaise lounge, "This is a beautiful piece you have here." She said, stroking the soft material of the chair, "Oh god no. I'm in Slytherin house." She said, holding her head up, very proud of the fact. "It's a shame of ceces sorting. She would have done very well in slytherin." 

@Hector Burke

Following her cousin's friends back to the drawing room, Minnie shook her carrot wand at them playfully. "Hiya, I'm Minnie! I'm Cece's cousin AND aunt!" Like with Bellona, she was giving her friends the same kind of spiel about how they're related.

"Whoooo are youuuuuuu, Cece's buddies?!"

Giggling, she poked the carrot wand at one of the portraits on the wall, just to see if it'd shock her. Instead, she received a response for one of the Burke ancestors' portrait.

"Minnie, please stop bothering me, I'm trying to sleep."

She gasped and looked at the other three. "I didn't know portraits could sleep!"

@Hector Burke @Idina Herrera @Andrea Herrera

Watching her bask in the finery of their household, Hector made no reply. It went without saying that the furniture in their household was nothing but exquisite, after all. As Wully returned with a platter of assorted crudites and sweet pasteries, as well as a replenished pot of tea and a decanter of brandy, Hector briefly acknowledged the elf before he retreated.

"I see," he said, "So that would mean you were participating in the celebration in Slytherin's victory over Ravenclaw before the end of term? I was absent for it myself, but my sister tells me it was a glorious affair."

His eyes narrowed ever so slightly as he took the decanter and poured himself a drink.

He glanced at Minnie before taking a sip. On this occasion, he was grateful for his eccentric Aunt putting their guests at a state of unease.

@Idina Herrera

Andrea followed behind her sister, removing her coat at the same time and choosing to sit on the opposite end of the couch as Hector, as it was the closest spot to Idina, "Well, Idina goes to school with Cece. I believe they are in the same year. I'm just here for my sister. But me and Mr.Burke have met before on occasion." She looked over at Hector and smiled softly. When the platters arrived, she picked up a mini cupcake and licked at the frosting. She ate the two parts of cupcake seperately. 

@Hector Burke @Minnie Bulstrode

Idina nodded, "Yes. I was there. But I didn't stay late. I hahad N exam coming up and I wanted to go to the library before breakfast the next morning. She picked up a scone and bit into it, "Cece didn't mention much of the party after I left. Just said that she had fun. She apparently didn't remember much." 

@Hector Burke

Briefly glancing at Andrea and acknowledging her mention of him with a swift, genial smile, he returned his attention upon the youngest again. So - an extra layer had coated. If she had an examination, perhaps Cecelia had examinations running at the same time.

She seemed to be as clueless to Cecelia's indiscretion as he was, but he was still slightly suspicious.

"I can only apologise for my sister's absence. A wasted journey for you both, I'm afraid. We have other guests arriving: the family that will be joining ours in my marriage to their daughter. I'm afraid that I will be primarily engaged with their arrival, as I hope to give a good impression, you can imagine."

It was somewhat a burden for him to have Andrea present for that, as he had previously taken interest in her looks. To have her and his betrothed around the same dinner table wasn't something he preferred to endure...

@Andrea Herrera @Idina Herrera

"It is not your fault. It is nice to see her taking her studies seriously. And I would not call this trip a waste." She blushed a bit before turning to pour herself a cup of tea. She wavered a bit when he mentioned who would be joining them for dinner and caused a bit of tea to splash onto the table, "Oh my. I'm so sorry. I'm a bit clumsy sometimes." She said, trying to cover up the reason for her mishap as she reached for a napkin to wipe up the spill. "I imagine you are excited to meet her. And I can't imagine a world where you could leave a bad impression." She said, trying to keep her voice the same as it was before. 

@Hector Burke

Idina watched aas her sister interacted with cecelias brother. She noticed the waver and raised an eyebrow. She wondered what that was about, "Has Cece any thought of what she wants to do after school? I'm interested in the healing arts of magic myself. Perhaps study medicinal spells at the university."

@Hector Burke

At first she thought he had dropped something and dipped down to reclaim it, but when he stood straight with a sprig of lavender between his fingers, she watched in astonishment as he placed it in her hair. What a sweet little gesture, she thought, her cheeks colouring as they walked together.

"I can't wait until I'm seventeen so we can practice together in the holidays," she remarked, "The Lestrange estate is large, yes, but the place where duel is more like a glorified hall: it doesn't have all the decoration and splendour of a real chamber."

@Melanthius Burke

"I miss being able to practice with you! I've been spending a fair amount of my holiday reading as practicing by myself or with Hector, when he wasn't preoccupied with the store, just wasn't the same!" And Ptolemy had been too busy with wedding planning and satiating Alayna for Thius to even consider practicing with him.

Now that they were dating, there were more ways to spend quality time together, but it sucked not having the ability to duel for two entire months!

"That sounds quite drab," he responded, still thinking of ways he could get such a location to Bellona's satisfaction. "Perhaps I could make it a proper duelling chamber when I come over, I'm certain at least a few charms alone will improve it. I'll just have to take a look at it for myself and find out."

He'd get it done as soon as possible as his lady deserved the best, the most. And as a reward for taking care of her just right? He'd love-

"Mister Melanthius!" cried a squeaky, little house elf as it ran out from the direction of the chamber.

@Bellona Lestrange

As much as he appreciated a beautiful girl like Andrea fawning over him, it didn't feel wholly deserved. This was the sort of thing that Ptolemy would drink up until his ego was too large to fit through the door, but Hector still felt lousy for treating her the way he did. Going by her coy smile and flushing cheeks, she was still taken with him.

His eyes shifted uncomfortably.

"Well... we shall see."

Where had his Mother and Grandmother got to? And Melanthius still hadn't returned either!

"I'm not sure what she wishes to do after Hogwarts, perhaps something you could ask her yourself. My brother, however, is intending to go into a similar field."

@Idina Herrera @Andrea Herrera