Chapter 3
“Elizabeth, go and change into your best uniform. The guests will soon be arriving, and it won’t do to have my staff running round in rags!” said Helena, checking for the hundredth time that everything was absolutely perfect. Tonight would mark the return of her close friend, and she wanted everything to be flawless for him. There was a knock at the door, and Helena opened it, revealing little Jane Potter, stood in front of her parents with a wide grin on her face. “Why Jane! How much you’ve grown!” cried Helena, fussing over the child. “Why, you’re almost as pretty as your mother!” Eleanor Potter smiled as Jane giggled. Marcus extended his hand. Helena took it, shaking it as she greeted them properly. “Good evening Potters. I trust your journey here was pleasant?”
“It was lovely, thank you,” replied Eleanor. “Please, come right this way.” Helena lead them through to the ballroom. “Don’t you have a maid to do this?” asked Marcus. “Oh, yes, but she’s changing her uniform. I expect she’ll be down in just a second.”
Elizabeth burst through the door, curtsying as she caught sight of the Potter family. “Excuse my interruption,” she said, before quickly running to the door as another group of people knocked.
Soon, the room was full of people dressed up to the nines. The men wore their sharpest suits and freshly pressed cravats, and the women looked radiant in all colours of silks. Helena herself wore a gown of midnight blue, decorated with silver embroidery, which was charmed to move as if blown by the wind. The last guests to arrive were the three Peverell brothers.
Helena answered the door to find Ignotus stood grinning. “Oh, Ignotus, I have missed you!” she exclaimed, throwing her arms around him. She turned to his two older brothers and curtsied. “My name is Helena Ravenclaw, and it is a pleasure to have you in my home.”
The taller of the brothers, extended his hand. “Antioch Peverell. It is a great pleasure to meet you at last, my lady.” He brought her hand up to his mouth and placed a gentle kiss on the tips of her fingers. Helena could see the family resemblance between Antioch and Ignotus; they both had the same slight build, the same green eyes; the same dirty blonde hair.
It was Cadmus who stuck out amongst his brothers. He shared their slight build, but he had a thick mop of black hair which he had clearly tried to gel back for the occasion. His pale skin made a good contrast, and as for his eyes… they were a stormy grey. Helena wondered where he got his features as he introduced himself. “My name is Cadmus Peverell. We’ve hear so much about you.” He mimicked his brother as he placed her hand to his mouth, and she lead them through to the main event.
Helena picked up a wine glass and tapped a desert fork gently on the side. The orchestra stopped playing, and suddenly she was the centre of attention. “It is my greatest pleasure to announce the safe return of the Peverell brothers, home from their journey to lands unknown. It is for them that this ball is hosted, and now I shall let you return to your happy waltzing.” The orchestra started up again, and the glittering assemblage started to grind into action once more.
The brothers were swamped all evening by people who wanted to know what had transpired during their journey overseas, and Helena could hardly find a minute all night where Ignotus wasn’t swamped by people clamouring for his attention. In the end, she settled down on a chair to wait for him to join her. It was then she spotted the unwelcome guest at her party, making his way towards her through the crowds of people. Helena cursed in her head. It was too late to hide; he had already seen her. There was nothing left to do but to stick through this one.
“Helena, my dear,” called the Baron once he was within earshot. “I did not know you were having a ball tonight!”
“And yet, here you are,” said Helena. “There you go with that tongue of yours again! Why, no man should want you if you have such loose lips!” cried the Baron. “Ah, well. I suppose I shall have to be a spinster,” replied Helena dryly.
“In any case, I was somewhat put out at not receiving an invitation,” said the Baron. “I thought you told me you found balls to be, and I quote; ‘ a simply tragic affair’.”
“Yes, but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t be invited! The whole village is here. It would cause quite the scandal if I were to be absent, now that everyone knows about us.”
“What about us?” asked Helena, manners and etiquette going out the window. “Why, everyone is aware of our little rendez-vous, my dear. They think us to be made for each other. It would be improper for you to be seen dancing with another man, and improper for me to allow you!”
“And how so? I am not your wife, nor are we courting!” retorted Helena hotly. The Baron slipped off his chair, and down onto one knee. He pulled out a velvet box from his jacket and opened it up, revealing a diamond ring. “Would you like to change that? Would you, Helena Ravenclaw, do me the honour of marrying me?”
By this point, everyone had noticed them in the corner, and they were waiting in suspended animation for her answer. “No!” she cried. “No, I would not like to become your wife!”
“Helena, dear, you’re making a scene!” hissed the Baron. “You simply can’t say no!”
“I simply can say no! I shall say no as many times as I like!” the Baron stood up, embarrassment flushing his cheeks. “I have to say I'm beginning to think you do not enjoy my company! You have your servants stay in the room whenever I come to call, you don’t invite me to your parties… what else, Helena? Is there another man?”
“No, there is no other man! I am simply not interested in cruel, vile men who mistreat their servants and value me below their horses! Now, I would like to request that you please leave.”
“No!” shouted the Baron. “It’s Peverell, isn’t it? That’s the real reason you hosted this ball, isn’t it? You two have been plotting against me since our days together at Hogwarts!”
“No!” shouted Helena, not caring if she was being ladylike. All she wanted was this man out of her house, and now. The Baron pulled his wand. “I challenge Ignotus Peverell to a duel!” he announced to the room. “The winner shall have the hand of fair Helena!”
Ignotus stepped forwards. “Can you not hear what the lady is saying? Helena and I are not romantically involved with one another! We do not need to duel!”
“Coward!” shouted the Baron with glee. “See, Helena, this man will not even fight for you. I would die for you!”
“Oh, really?” put in Antioch. “I can make that happen.” He reached for his wand, and Helena had just enough time to step between them before they shouted any incantations. “ENOUGH! There will be no killing in my house!” she glared between the two men. “Forgive me, my lady,” said Antioch, bowing. “I meant no offense.”
“And none has been taken; the gesture was from the heart. As for you,” she said, turning to face the Baron. “I would like you out of my house now, or so help me I will call for Aurors.”
The Baron straightened up, scared by the threat of Aurors. “Fine, I will leave my lady in peace. But mark my words; I will be back.” He was escorted out of the room by Antioch, and Helena sank down into her chair, overwhelmed by what had just happened. Ignotus was the first one to come over to her. “Helena, I'm so sorry,” he started. “It’s fine,” she said, holding out her hand before he continued. “This is no one’s fault but his own.” Ignotus nodded. “Are you alright?”
“I’ll survive.”
“Good, because there is a lovely lady over there to whom I promised a dance.” Helena laughed. “Go, have fun! That is why I organised this ball!”
Throughout the rest of the evening, she knew that people were talking about her; either saying how crazy she was for turning down the Baron because after all, he was the most influential bachelor there was, or they were saying good for her, turning down that spoiled little brat. Everyone knew what he was like; abusive, manipulative, controlling. Helena would rather die than be his wife.
She remained in her chair for the rest of the evening, talking to people as they came by, not moving until Cadmus came by. “My lady, I can’t help but notice that the fiasco earlier this evening has dampened your mood.”
“It’s quite alright, my lord. I expect I am simply tired.” Cadmus shook his head. “I refuse to believe you are tired. Little Jane Potter is still running around. Are you telling me that you have less stamina than a five year old child?” Helena laughed. “You are perceptive, my lord. You are quite right; the evening’s events have rather shaded my mood.”
“Then may I offer you a dance?” said Cadmus holding out his arm. “It would be my pleasure, my lord.”
“Please; it’s Cadmus.” They smiled at each other and Cadmus lead the way to the centre of the dancefloor. The orchestra struck up a slow waltz, and Cadmus placed his free hand on Helena’s hip.
It was like a fairy tale from one of the books Helena had read so often as a child. They waltzed through the night, attracting glances from all the guests as they spun gracefully by. At the end of the night, he kissed her hand again before departing, promising to write soon.
Helena sank down onto a sofa in the parlour, head in the clouds. Elizabeth chuckled. “If it’s not too bold, my lady, I would say you’re in love with Cadmus Peverell.” Helena was too happy to care about Elizabeth’s loose tongue. “Hmm… the way he waltzed with me! I felt like I was dancing on air!” Elizabeth giggled as Helena swept her up in a messy waltz. James poked his head round the door, wondering what on earth could be causing all this racket, only to withdraw it shaking at the sight of the two girls tripping over the rug.