The Black Queen~Female Harry Potter love story

Chapter 5~The Tea Party

Helaena

By Friday, I had already decided I loathed Dumbledore fully for simply calling me out for being dark and evil. Friday morning, I was down at the Slytherin table with Dorea and Druella when Mia came over and plopped down next to the girls. 

"Well, it is settled. Cassandra Fawley will be joining us for Saturday's tea as well as Lenora Rowle of Ravenclaw too. Shame Augusta Longbottom graduated last year, but she can still be part of it." Mia said as she helped herself to some breakfast while I thought back on those names. 

'Cassandra was Draco's paternal grandmother and Lenora was Daphne and Astoria's paternal grandmother....I feel bad for how I acted towards Daphne when all she wanted was to help me get used to the ways of the Wizarding World when Ron and Hermione did not, saying that a circle of witches or a Witches court was considered dark.' I thought with a frown before looking back at my schedule and sighing. 

'Let's get today over with it and tomorrow I can focus on gaining a court and proper footing in the school.' I thought as I went about my school day, stopping by the kitchens to ask the elves if they could make afternoon tea finger foods-scones with jam and clotted cream, mini-Victoria sponge cakes, cucumber, salmon and chicken sandwiches, as well as a few other treats and bring them, along with different teas to unused room near the Great Hall that was not in use. 

Flashback~

"Potter, where is your court?"  I turned to see Daphne Greengrass walking towards me as Ron and Hermione rolled their eyes. 

"My what?" 

"Court. Circle of friends. Granger can't be the only female friend you have. A witch, regardless of their blood statues needs a circle of other witches to help her with." Daphne explained and I shook my head. 

"No one ever told me of those things before." 

"Because they are outdated and old, Helaena. You don't need that sort of stuff anymore...You're the Girl Who Lived!" Ron exclaimed, making Daphne scoff and roll her eyes. 

"No wonder your family is on the bottom most wrung of society now. It is not outdated and old. A circle of female friends, whether witches or not, is something any lady should have." 

"She doesn't need that, Greengrass...now go away." Hermione snapped as she and Ron started to drag me away and I cast a sad glance at Daphne who shook her head. 

Back to present~

'I should have been nicer to Daphne. After all, she was trying to help me and that court or circle would have actually been useful...even my mum had one in her time, according to Mooney.' Just thinking of my past life, I grew sad but shook my head and got ready for the day. I would wear my usual school uniform but forgo the tie and robes and just a cream-colored blouse and black skirt for this occasion. 

"When we are out of school, we can dress more properly for a teatime." Mia promised and I nodded, and we left for the room where the tea party would be taking place, seeing flower in vases that changed colors were in the center while the windows were open to let in more light. I sat down at the head of the table as this was my party while Dorea and Mia sat on either side of me, as was dictated by precedence. 

Mia was to be my sister-in-law, and Dorea was marrying a cousin of my family, therefore, they had higher status at this party and were I to have a sister-in-law already or future one, they would sit next to Dorea. Druella took the seat next to Mia as Cassandra and Lenora walked in with smiles on their faces and brought with them, a shy and shaking sixth year girl who I swore I had before. 

"I hope you don't mind. This is Eileen Prince, we found her being bullied and figured she would be better off here with us." Cassandra explained and my eyes widened. 

Eileen Prince, the mother of Severus Snape. 

"Of course, she is more than welcome here. The more the merrier." I said with a smile as the three girls sat down and tea was poured into glasses and food was put on plates. 

"As you ladies are aware. This past July-August, I made my official debut into our society when I returned to the Wizarding World after being missing for years. Kidnapped at birth according to my family and I have no friends...until now. As a proper witch, regardless of status, we should have a small circle of friends to depend on in the future. The marriages we have will solidify in the future and the alliances made will help bolster causes we see fit, to expand more. I already have made enemy in Albus Dumbledore simply because I am a Slytherin and not Gryffindor and I know the power he has...too much of it if you ask me. His defeat of Grindlewald is one thing but tell me that his overreaching of power is getting too much." I said and the girls all nodded. 

"He wants to do away with our pureblood histories, a requirement for all those born and raised not within our society, so they understand how things work! Claims it is dark magic and evil!" Dorea huffed, knowing full well she had also been on the receiving end of the 'Dark magic spiel' time and time again.

"That is why I need friends, here and outside of Hogwarts. I plan on making changes to our world and to the school to benefit all. Muggles are not our enemies, ignorant people are, and I would know...I was raised by people who hated and were ignorant of magic, thinking it was evil. Wasn't one of Salazar Slytherin's desires to see magic students, pureblood, half-blood and muggle born all safely under the Wizarding Worlds protection because of the rising Christianity?" I asked and the girls murmured in agreement. 

"If you run for Minister, you have my vote!" Lenora said and I waved her hand away. 

"Tell your friends, one that did not come to this, the days of 'Dark' and 'Light' are over, there is none without the other, and within it, you find the neutral greys...the ones who wish to keep traditions but also pave the way for the future." Dorea said proudly like a Lady of House Black would and the other girls nodded, even Eileen seemed happy, and I would make sure that if she did have Severus, the two were taken safely away before anything bad could happen. 

"At least that Parkinson bitch isn't here to ruin everything....she is truly dark. Like great-uncle Sirius dark. She has threatened on numerous occasions that once she is married to Orion and Lady of House Black, she will remove me for being engaged to Charlus." Dorea complained and I thought back to the dance I shared with Orion Black....there was something about him that I found very, very captivating....even when I saw his painting from time to time, he was always....cordial with me, unlike Walburga. 

'But I only want to stop Dumbles and Riddle.' I thought to myself as I took a sip of tea. 

'It does not hurt to fall in love along the way.' Death cooed in my ear and my shoulders dropped and the image of Orion Black came to my mind.