RP: Evangeline's House

I: Yes, quite. Drinks and canapes are on the tables to the sides, do enjoy yourself.

With that, she proceeded to walk away to greet someone else - but turned, and gave a faint smile.

I: Oh, and if you need anything at all, don't hesitate to ask the staff.

Remus nodded and smiled until she was gone, then looked at the others with a look of faint disbelief.

Amy almost fell onto Remus.

A: Merlin that was like talking to a solid block of glass with lipstick on!

She scouted the room, spotting some recognisable faces, maybe from books or posters.

A: Oh wow! It's Katya Winters, she's a columnist in Witch Weekly!

R: Forget her, Amy! She's talking to the Crown Princess of Andorra! There've always been rumours about them.

James suddenly grabbed his arm tightly and stared across the room.

J: Who gives a shit, that's Benny Umble, the best beater in Europe!

~*~*~*~

Elsewhere in the mansion, Mr Loveridge was walking in amiable silence with Sirius. Well, amiable on his side.

Amy craned her neck to get a look at the heavy set man, in deep conversation with...

A: Remus.

She grabbed his arm fervently.

A: It's... it's Francine Bottle.

P: Isn't she that author you love?

Amy looked like she may pass out.

Remus would have loved to have appeared the strong man, but he, too, was swooning at the very thought of meeting her.

R: Do we introduce ourselves?

J: Maybe after a glass of... this... fizzy wine thing?

R: Prosecco.

J: Bless you.

~*~*~*~

He waited for Sirius to do something.

Amy gulped down a glass and swiped a small pastry thing from a tray nearby.

A: Evangeline had better turn up soon.

======

(lol soz)

Sirius coughed quietly.

S: You have a beautiful house, sir.

J: She'll be making some kind of grand entrance I bet, probably her mum's idea.

Remus nodded, keeping an eye on Amy's drinking.

~*~*~*~

MrL: And a beautiful daughter! Which you've clearly noticed.

A: I can't wait, I bet her outfit matches the decor.

She took a few steps further into the crowd and peered at the faces around her.

:3:3:3:3:3

S: Heh, yeah she is beautiful.

He wondered absently where she was.

J: Maybe she's gonna float in on one of the strings of lights.

James sniggered and tried some prosecco.

~*~*~*~

MrL: My wife's quite insistent on Evangeline making an entrance, down the staircase and all those shenanigans. Obviously she can't arrive alone - well, she could, but I thought she might prefer to arrive with her, ahem, date. Took a bit of convincing but... you need need to offer her your arm for her to arm, walk down the staircase, and look at her like she's beautiful. Shouldn't be difficult for you, should it young man?

He winked (not in a pervy way).

MrL: Here she is.

She was waiting, looking out of the window and leaning against the sill. Silky emerald material embossed with flowers and leaves hugged her waist and flared at the skirt; the weight of the fabric meant that it hung from her hips and swung whenever she moved, so elegant, her natural grace was accentuated with every sway. The bodice fit snugly to her ribs and bosom, with gentle pleating around her breasts. Thin straps held it upon her shoulders, contrasting with the paleness of her alabaster skin, elongating her neck. Her silver-gold hair was twisted up on top of her head in small rosettes, the front of her hair twirled and pinned back, framing her face beautifully. A single clear diamond of a gold chain rested in the sensitive gap in the centre of her clavicle, a gold signet ring graced her finger, and a slim chain of gold slinked over the bones of her wrist with a star-shaped charm on it, in the centre a tiny diamond: a gift from Sirius. Her long legs seemed even longer in her strappy gold heels. In short, she was stunning. Turning, she saw Sirius, and beamed. Her father nudged Sirius with a knowing smile.

MrL: I'll pop and tell mummy you're on your way in my lovely. Give it a moment then go to the top of the staircase.

With that he left.

Sirius approached her quickly, but halted a few steps in front of her- he wasn't sure if he was allowed to touch. She looked like a goddess, or at the very least a queen- even the shimmer on her cheekbones and the pearlescent glow of her skin hinted at something ethereal, something divine. Suddenly his dress robes and combed hair seemed dull and unworthy.

S: Evening.

E: Evening.

She smiled a little smugly and appraised him from a distance, before she allowed herself to step closer to him, appreciating the scent of his aftershave and the effort he'd taken with his hair.

E: I'd kiss you if it wouldn't smudge my lipstick. Oh, who cares.

Putting her hands on his shoulders, she pressed her lips to his gently.

Sirius drew back and rested his forehead on hers, smiling.

S: You look beautiful.

E: Well I hope so, it's my party!

She smiled, giggled slightly, pecked him once more on the lips, then refreshed it with a wave of her wand. With another quiet giggle, she smoothed his hair back.

E: I like this look - what did you use, Goblin Grease?

Suddenly the band started up the entrance music her mother had chosen for her. Gasping, she got into position, dragging Sirius with her and moulding him until he looked the perfect gentleman.

E: Off we go...

Her hand over his, she took a step towards the top of the stairway, in perfect time with the music. Just before they came into view, she whispered close into his ear:

E: Oh, and I hope you know how to waltz, Black.

Applause started up as everyone in the ballroom turned to look at her - and Sirius - in rapture, whether real or affected. Always the lady, Evangeline began to descend the stairs with the easy grace that came so naturally to her.

Sirius gulped, this was the largest crowd of influencers, celebrities and leaders he had ever seen in one room. Part of him was glad he had one hand on the banister- another part worried he looked childish, with his girlfriend effortlessly gliding beside him.

S: Waltzing is fine. This is the hard part.

He murmured.

E: Just smile and pretend you're the most famous person here - it works for you in every other room.

She gave him a knowing look. Ilse sniffed when she saw them chatting as they descended. Not proper behaviour.
James caught Amy's eye and quirked his eyebrows at her, as if asking what she thought of this - funny, sad, pretty?

Amy pulled a face which said 'Sirius looks like he's about to shit himself' and gripped Remus' hand.

A: She looks like a princess. Do you think her hair is enchanted to float like that?

J: Wouldn't surprise me.

Reaching the bottom of the staircase, Evangeline turned to smile at Sirius.

E: Time to be greeted by my mother in my own home.

She rolled her eyes slightly and led him over to Ilse. James kept making faces behind her, to distract Sirius from the dreaded meeting.

Sirius swallowed hard- the woman she was approaching looked like the sort who would happily tear his head from his shoulders and then hang it up as a warning.

A: Merlin's beard, is Sirius actually scared?

Ilse's lips curved into what might have been a smile, had it looked warmer.

I: And this must be Sirius.

Her fastidious pronunciation gave away her non-English heritage.

I: A pleasure.

She held her hand out to him, but her skin seemed the wriggle on her bones as she touched him. Evangeline watched the encounter, resisting the urge to pick her nails or bite her lip, or worse, twizzle her hair around her finger. Mr. Loveridge beamed at Sirius over his wife's shoulder, trying to make the situation a fraction less cold if he could.

MrL: Well-walked, young man!

S: Pleasure to meet you, Mrs Loveridge.

He shook her hand politely, choosing not to place his lips on them in case she slapped him, then smiled at her husband.

S: Thank you.

He tried subtly to reach for some part of Evangeline to grasp.

Fortunately her boobs were too high up to grab. Evangeline gently rejected his hand, knowing her mother would never approve of such vulgar contact in public when it wasn't required for something important, like dancing. However, she sensed that perhaps her boyfriend needed some kind of physical contact from her, and maybe propping up. Her mother seemed to be sucking the cockiness out of him with every icy breath she took.

I: Mm, charmed.

E: No one's dancing, mother. I think I ought to start things off. Sirius? Will you escort me?

MrL: Yeees, dancing, a wonderful idea!

Dancing? That sounded like heaven to Sirius, who would give anything to be out of this woman's glare as soon as possible.

A: Oh no, the dancing is starting soon.

She looked apologetically at Remus.

A: Permission to have another glass?

I: Excellent.

Evangeline led Sirius to the centre of the floor as her mother flicked her wand and changed the band's song.
Remus nodded in sage silence and got a glass himself. It would most definitely be needed.

Amy clinked her glass to his and downed it, placing it on a nearby surface.

Sirius took a large breath and gently positioned his hands on her shoulder and lower back, being careful not to disrupt any of the carefully arranged pleats or folds on the beautiful dress. In his mind he envisioned the steps, and as the song began to pick up a swaying rhythm, the dance commenced.

S: If you step on my toes in those things I will trip you.

He muttered.

Remus held his hand out to her as the strains of a slow Elvis song drifted across the ballroom. James looked at Lily through his messy curls as if asking mutely.

E: If you tread on mine I'll hex you.