Obliviate

CHAPTER EIGHT

"Good morning!" Chimed Maeve cheerfully as Abraxas joined her on the Hogwarts Express the following day.

Abraxas grimaced. He grabbed his head and motioned for her to be quiet.

"I can't imagine why you aren't feeling well," said Maeve with no attempt to lower her voice.

The defeating train whistle signaling their departure sent Abraxas reeling. He laid down in the seat and dramatically threw his robes over his face.

Maeve was nestled in the corner, attempting to reading with her legs propped up on the seat. She was undoubtedly excited to see her father over the holiday, and she had never contemplated staying at Hogwarts for Christmas before now. Still, as the train pulled out of Hogsmead Station, she felt conflicted for the first time.

She had other purposes for going home, though, besides just the holidays. She had promised Tom she would bring him as much information as possible regarding his possible heritage. This gave her enough purpose to put aside her strange and newfound desire to remain at school over the break and focus on the task at hand.

Everything was as expected back home. Her father, Ambrose, threw his arms around her the moment he saw her on Platform Nine and Three Quarters.

"Is that a new coat?" He had asked.

"Yes." Maeve grinned ear to ear, showing it off. "Velvetina's."

"It looks lovely on you," beamed Ambrose.

Her mother, Clarissa, had given her a polite smile and nod as she and Ambrose entered the foyer of Sinclair Estates. She then immediately began ordering Maeve's house-elf Zimsy to put away all her things, and Maeve didn't see her mother again until dinner.

Her father, of course, wanted to know all about school and how her past few months had been. Ambrose had already arranged for tea in his study so they could properly catch up. Maeve obliged with great joy.

Christmas came and went rather quickly. Maeve received quite a few lovely gifts, but her favorite was the dress her Grandmother Agatha sent her. It was a custom-made gown from Persia, silver and gold in color, and it was absolutely stunning.

"Mother intended for you to wear it to The Malfoy's for the Sacred Party," said Ambrose.

The Sacred Twenty Nine Party, a time-honored tradition for Maeve's family, was not only thrown by The Committee of the Sacred Twenty Nine families but it was held on the twenty-ninth of December, between Christmas and New Year's day. It was exclusively for the families of the only Pureblood witches and wizards left and sometimes their honored guests.

The past two years, however, had proved December 29th to be a difficult day for the Sinclair family.

"Of course," said Maeve, holding the dress against her body and admiring it. "I love it."

This year's party was at the Malfoy's Mansion, which greatly excited Abraxas. He loved a good party. Maeve received many compliments on her dress, which Grandmother Agatha took full credit for every time.

After a brief, but lovely, dance with her father, Maeve was seated outside on the balcony. The Malfoy's had enchanted their grounds to give off a warm fuzzy feeling, which was preferable to the icy climate they were currently in.

Up the balcony, steps came a familiar face. Alphard Black stumbled towards Maeve, laughing with a younger gentleman Maeve didn't recognize.

Alphard smiled upon seeing her.

"Hello, Alphard," said Maeve.

"Maeve," smiled Alphard. "How's Hogwarts?"

Maeve laughed. 'Same as ever."