A Legacy of Pain: Rising from the Ashes

Chapter 3: A Foot in Two Worlds

Last Time: Elizabeth fussed with the decorations and seating arrangements for the tea party before speaking with her mother about the event while the older woman tried to calm her down. Realizing the time Elizabeth went to greet their magical guests and found Poppy and her Gran already waiting in the drawing room for her. Immediately upon seeing each other for the first time in weeks the two greeted each other with a passionate kiss before Poppy's Gran interrupted them. Thoroughly embarrassed Lizzy met the guardian of her lover before Constance and her mother Madeline Arrived. While the others went out tot he garden; Poppy and Lizzy went upstairs to redo Lizzy's makeup yet ended up spending some intimate time together first. Once they're joined the tea party Elizabeth left again with Evelyn and Abigail to get her Auntie up to speed on magic and ensure she was safe after the potions. While showing off magic to convince the woman Vivian entered before Lizzy collapsed with a severe headache. When she reawakened Poppy was with her and explained she had showed Vivian more magic and explained everything before they all rejoined the tea party before the rest of their muggle guests arrived.

**Trigger Warnings** Mild Blood

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Nearly an hour and a half after the start of the tea party; Elizabeth sat at one of the two large tables that had been set up with all of the young ladies who had been invited while the adults sat around the other. Since it was her first outing as a hostess she had decided to keep the list rather small so that everything would be more easily manageable. As such there had only been five young ladies, between the ages of fifteen and eighteen, and their mothers invited aside from the early arrivals. While there had been more socializing between the two groups near the beginning of the gathering, they had largely separated to hold conversations that were more relevant to their specific social circles given their ages. Elizabeth knew them all of course, but wasn't very close with any save Vivian, Constance, and Poppy.

"Oh, have you all heard about Clara?" A dark haired young woman with vibrant eyes named Lucille asked in a hushed tone after sipping her tea. "I would say it was tragic if she hadn't brought it upon herself." The teen added with a shake of her head.

At the mention of Clara Elizabeth noticed Poppy stiffen beside her and frown, clearly not having forgotten what the other girl had attempted to do to the couple. Seeing her girlfriend even slightly distressed made the ravenclaw want to reach over and comfort her. Yet even though it was so difficult not to do so, she managed to keep her hands to herself by tightly clutching the small handbag in her lap. "I have yet to hear any of those rumors. I have never been a fan of Clara but I do hope it isn't anything too terrible." Elizabeth offered as guilt bubbled up inside of her. Clara had threatened her and Poppy, so she didn't regret what she had done at the time. Yet if her little punishment for the young woman had caused permanent harm... She shuddered at the thought of ruining another life in her carelessness.

Lucille took a sip of her tea as she reached out to take a colorful macaron in the French style before answering Elizabeth with a chuckle. "Oh it isn't anything too bad. Apparently her parents searched her room after what happened at the ball in December and found some rather unsavory photos. Supposedly the reason Clara hasn't been at any events this season is that her parents insisted on sending her to join a convent until she turns eighteen this fall to learn some modesty and decency." The dark haired woman explained with a shrug before taking a bite of her cookie with widening eyes and a grin. "These are fantastic by the way, Elizabeth. You just have to give me the recipe so our chef back home can make them." Lucille giggled.

"How dreadful." The youngest at the table, a short haired brunette named Maribelle, offered as she fanned herself with her hand fan. "We visited a convent last year for a charity event and everything seemed so strict and bland. I do hope Clara is alright. She could be a bit cruel sometimes, but nothing so awful as to be sent away like that." The young lady stated with a shake of her head before taking a bite of her tomato and cream cheese finger sandwich. Meanwhile Elizabeth could see Poppy shaking so hard with barely contained fury that she felt the need to risk reaching out under the table to gently rub her girlfriend's leg to soothe her, glad it seemed to work somewhat.