All the Brightest Stars | Regulus Black

Chapter 1

Ardor sat with her chin in her hands, absentmindedly tapping the glass in front of her. Her doe brown eyes shone with boredom and disdain for the people and discussions filling the room around her. She tried her best to drain it out, to focus on the ringing of the glass, the numb feeling her finger was getting as she repeatedly tapped at the expensive crystal.

She was draped in an emerald green gown (she had to be a Slytherin tonight, of course) with glittering diamonds hanging down from her ears. Although she looked beautiful, she didn't feel it. Attending these events made her feel like all the blood was being drained from her. Whenever she was forced to talk with another wealthy aristocrat, it felt like she was out of her body, like she was watching herself from across a room. None of it was real, even for them. The sham of it all made her head ache. Although they all wore the same plastered grin, she knew that, beneath it, they all had their true purpose for being here. Every word was calculated and designed. Although the Ball was fun for some, its purpose was more than entertainment. It was a business meeting, a time to make deals and arrangements. That was part of the reason Ardor felt so unwanted. No one had much interest in her anymore. What use did she serve anyone?

Eventually, she let out a puff of breath as she lifted her eyes and gazed around the room. Women were adorned in long, silky gowns, expensive jewels and lavish furs. Men wore their finest black suits, proudly bearing the emblem of their heritage on the right side. They were mostly engaged in quiet discussion, some laughing and sipping their drinks. Some of the more adventurous ones had started dancing, but nothing outrageous. She noticed her brother Ignavus in the corner. He himself was wearing the signature symbol of the Avery house. A phoenix, surrounded by thorns and fire. Ardor always thought that it was a bit dramatic, but her mother reprimanded her every time she said that. Ignavus was making conversation with a pretty looking blonde. Probably the Greengrass girl, she decided. He had been pining after her for ages. Ardor was surprised her mother hadn't arranged them to be married already. Although it was ultimately her mothers decision, Callie was a respectable choice for Ignvaus. She was a pureblood Slytherin, after all. Better than Ardor was.

Ignavus ignored Ardor during most of the parties. Although he would usually offer a shy apology to her afterward, he didn't want to be seen with her in public. She told herself that it didn't bother her, but it did. The fact that her own brother didn't want to be seen with her in public was disappointing. However, she wasn't surprised. Not since everything that happened with Sirius.

Sirius had been her sole source of relief during these parties. At least, before he ran away. They would sit in the corner and make fun of the guests, critiquing their outfits and their mannerisms, guessing what they were discussing. The filth of mudbloods? The rise of the Dark Lord? The newest perfect, pure blood couple? They would laugh until they lost their breath. They would dance obnoxiously around the floor, earning glares and venomous whispers from other guests. However, they were usually too drunk on champagne to care. The alcohol was the one other thing that made the Balls bearable.

Unfortunately, her mother had prevented her from acquiring the liquid tonight. She had instructed the house elves to not give Ardor any, even if she begged. So all she had to do was sit, and listen to the insistent ringing of the expensive wine glasses her mother had ordered.

She sat there for a few minutes longer before she heard footsteps coming her way. She looked up and rolled her eyes, seeing her mother storming toward her.

"Ardor!" She hissed, leaning into the table. "What are you doing? I told you, you have to make a good impression tonight!" Her mother's tone was laced with venom, her eyes a blue fire.

Ardor had to hold her tongue before hurling out an insult, as she didn't really want to be yelled at in public at the moment. "My apologies, mother. But luckily, I don't think any of the guests want to talk to me, either."