House of Caliban

Chapter 3

The castle of Caliban was beautiful in a gothic 'If You Don't Bow Down To Me, I Will Destroy Your Entire Family' kind of way.

Hidden away under enough wards to make the goblins envious, the castle of Caliban lay somewhere unplottable in the Carpathian Mountains in Romania. This castle had been the main seat of the House of Caliban for centuries, although gossip says that the castle is only used for major events and the House has a house elsewhere under even heavier wards.

Blaise Zabini stood outside of the castle of Caliban in his best-tailored robes staring up at the monster size castle that made Hogwarts seem like a shack in comparison. Blaise and his Mother's portkey had deposited them outside the gates with a slowly growing crowd of very influential European families as they waited to be allowed inside for the new heir of Caliban's Beautillion Ball. Even in the pureblood families putting on Beautillion or Debutante Balls had become rare as more and more families subscribed to just betrothing their children when they were born and creating their children's future political alliances throughout their school years.

This would also be the new heir's first introduction to the public and every witch and wizard were frothing at the mouth to marry into the House of Caliban and influence the new young heir. Speculation on where the heir had been until now and just how the reemergence of the Imperial House would affect current politics in Europe and the rising war in Britain were on the tips of everyone's tongue.

Blaise didn't have any strong feelings either way coming from such a staunchly neutral background, politics mattered little to him. Blaise was honestly surprised that the Zabini name had even been enough to get an invite to the ball. Yes his mother was Contessa Viviana Zabini of Italy and Blaise would take his father's British Lordship later that month but compared to some of the other people invited to this event, they were pretty low on the totem pole so to speak.

Finally, the ornate gate swung open and allowed the guests to walk up the short stone pathway and into the castle. Well-dressed house elves directed all the guests to the grand ballroom that was truly cavernous. Musicians played in shadowed corners of the ballroom and more house elves catered food and drink for everyone. At one end of the ballroom was a raised platform decorated in silver and bronze that Blaise couldn't help but think a throne would look quite natural on.

His mother quickly left him to his own devices as he wandered through the ballroom, trying to mingle as little as possible. He ran into Draco and Pansy fairly quickly and both of them were already gossiping. He had expected them to be talking about whoever the new heir was, but instead, he overheard Draco hissing to Pansy.

"How the hell did the blood traitors get in?! Weasley and the mudblood Granger are here along with most of Dumbledore's people!"

"Well, this is the new Heir of Caliban's castle and not the Dark Lord's hideout." Blaise couldn't help say from behind them, causing both Pansy and Draco to jump.

"Caliban was a dark family!" Pansy said backing up Draco as she glared at Zabini.

"They were a family that didn't give two shits about if anyone was light or dark as long as they were obeyed." Blaise corrected, causing Pansy to scowl. "Plus we know nothing of the new heir and how he might have been hidden or raised. Best to not make any assumptions until we know if we will be killed for saying anything untoward."

"Blaise. Always the peacemaker and still a coward I see." Draco drawled.

"Oh yes, my refusal to bow down to the Dark Lord is definitely the defining trait of my traitorous personality," Blaise said with an easy grin.

"You are still an ass." Pansy had to add, causing Blaise to roll his eyes.

"I love you too. Why are you two my best friends?" Blaise questioned.