Sanguine - (adj.) eagerly optimistic, especially under terrible circumstances.
Evangeline was a pureblood witch, her parents' perfect porcelain doll. Evangeline lived a sheltered, predictable life, and she didn't mind it. She didn't know there was a...
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The Black family Christmas parties were renowned by the upper echelons of pureblood society. Old money, traditional, pureblood families from all across Europe—and beyond—gathered together at Grimmauld Place to celebrate. If you were invited, you were practically royalty.
At the top of the illustrious guest list was the famiglia de Santis of Italy. Because they were heralded as one of the most prestigious pureblood families in mainland Europe, any event that managed to capture the attention of Signore and Signora de Santis would promptly become the talk of the season. To make the list was a great honor, to top it even more so. By inviting only the most prominent upper-crust families to their gatherings, the Blacks gained even more repute, which made the parties even more revered in turn.
It was for this reason that Alessio and Gianna de Santis hadn't missed a single one since they were children themselves. In fact, the couple had met at Arcturus and Melania Black's Christmas soiree as young teenagers. There was no holiday they loved more than Christmas, and no family they would rather impress.
Ever concerned with appearances, Gianna and Alessio de Santos insisted on apparating right to the front stoop to avoid the mid-December sleet, caring little about risking potential exposure to the muggles on the block. Gianna found it rather uncouth to live in such close quarters to those sorts to begin with. Their manor was isolated and guarded by all manner of charms and protective spells. The couple managed to apparate directly to the residence with little difficulty. Unfortunately for their daughter, 12-year-old Evangeline, there happened to be a large slush puddle on the pavement where she landed. The low-hanging tulle of her canary yellow evening dress skimmed the surface of the muddy water. She tried to shake it dry before her mother could take notice and tell her off. It wasn't really her fault, though. Her father had been the one to apparate directly into the puddle in the first place, but she knew she'd take the fall for it regardless
The pair had dressed their two children up like porcelain dolls and instructed them to act like the well-managed children of prestigious pedigree they were.
"English only."
"Speak only when spoken to."
"Don't speak at all, passerotta."
Evangeline's wide eyes darted back and forth between her parents as she tried to make sense of their ever-changing demands. It was rare to see either of them in such an anxious state. It put her on edge. She set her jaw, determined to be on her best behavior.
"You too, ometto." Papà warned, even though he was still looking straight at Evangeline.
"Stay with your sorella." There it was, confirmation. Mamma said it to little Angelo, but Evangeline knew it was meant for her. At age twelve, she was not only responsible for being a polite young lady, but also for keeping her younger brother in line. She took his hand in hers, much to his dismay, which seemed to satisfy their parents.
Gianna turned her attention to her husband's tie, straightening it with perfectly manicured hands. Alessio cleared his throat in protest, but it didn't seem to dissuade his wife. She licked her thumb and used it to affectionately coax his stray hairs into formation. When she was please, she sighed with contentment. "Perfect, cuore mio."
