Coiled (Book 1 of 2)

The Elysian Ballroom

Author's notes:

An ambitious chapter, one that has felt very draining to write and edit. Thank you for your patience while I took the time I felt I needed to "get it right" (whatever that means to me). Please forgive typos!

Please note that this is the final "real" chapter of Part II (quotations because I *may* be returning to add several flash forward/flashback chapters. You know the kind I like by now; they tend to be short/read more like poems).

Wattpad: As previously mentioned, I now need to separate the story to tell the final part. Thus, for the third and final part of the story I've already gone ahead and created a separate book (Simply called "Coiled Book 2 of 2" because your girl's not so very creative and I want it to be easy to find).

Everyone: I will now be taking some time to pause and heavily edit Part II (can't say how long exactly; perhaps just a week? That's a rough estimate, there's lots of factors at play). At any rate, after that I'll begin uploading chapters for Part III.

Finally, a chappie TW: violence; terrorism and death. This is quite a dark chapter.

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"Happy birthday, Mary."

Giggling wildly, my friend throws her arms out and grabs for Dorcas and I, pulling us both in for a big hug, "The best - the best friends in the world -"

"- No, you!"

The three of us burst into laughter now, clinging to one another as we stand together on the street corner just before the yawning entrance to the long, winding alley.

Unbothered by the light rain falling all around us, Mary shakes her head in continued disbelief, black curls bouncing after as she goes, "But really ..."

"Really ...?"

"How -"

Pulling back, Dorcas just winks, "- Connections, that's how."

"What on earth sort of -"

"- A friend of a friend came into some extra tickets and offered them up to me. And the timing, given your birthday, is nothing short of spectacular."

Pretty brown eyes flashing between Dorcas and I, Mary's smile widens, "To say the least! I mean, really, Meadowes - Vesna's Vixens?!"

Vesna's Vixens, a famed musical trio and tonight's headlining performance. Three Bulgarian sisters, part Veela; identical triplets known not just for their mesmerising beauty but also their impressive singing talent.

And the venue hosting tonight's performance? A large three storied building called the Elysian Ballroom.

In and of itself a spectacular sight to behold;

A place like no other on this earth.

Located in a secret alley close to Diagon Alley, I'd never actually been here before myself though I'd heard plenty about it.

Enchanted, of course, as wizarding buildings so often are;

The facade designed so as to look like a completely unassuming, plain brick wall.

But discerning eyes know better -

If you know what to look for, you can easily feel the pulse of powerful magic emanating off and around it.

Stepping into the alleyway with our arms linked, we queue up for entry. And sure enough, when we finally granted access we're greeted with an absolutely breathtaking sight: black and white chequered marble tile floors and gold gilded mirrors lining the whole length of the lobby.