DOROTHEA {fred weasley}

thirty nine

When she read that the smear trial against Harry Potter had been unsuccessful, Dorothea knew to expect her mother in an awful mood. She didn't see her for a a few days afterwards, but read countless articles about her mother, or written by her mother. Clementine Rosier, suddenly extremely close to the minister, had decided, alongside other officials such as Dolores Umbridge, that Albus Dumbledore was no longer fit for his position of power.

She hadn't seen Ezra, either, and assumed that he had been told by Barnaby that they were not to see each other, but did however receive a very excited letter from Lilith Bulstrode, detailing an ornate outfit and expressing utter excitement.

Dorothea's confusion at her friend's random letter was only relieved when Clementine returned from a 'ministry trip.'

"There's a ball tomorrow," she said, throwing a bag onto the dining table where Dorothea sat with a cup of tea. Her mother smiled and the girl hated how beautiful she was, "I got you a dress."

The blonde witch pulled out a black, sparkling long dress.

"There's a pocket for your wand too, see," Clementine said, pulling the material inside out, revealing a white R crest on the inside. The Rosier crest. "I had it custom made for you," she said proudly.

Dorothea tried to muster up a smile, "thank you. Why haven't you told me about this ball sooner?"

Clementine grinned, "because there's a secret! It's for Ezra, in his favour. Cornelius has chosen him to take over as Head of Muggle-born registration next year!"

"Muggle-born what?"

"Registration," Clementine said calmly. "It's a new position, you see. Just to make sure we know exactly who is and isn't muggle-born."

"Right." Dorothea said, thinking of Elvira.

"So I didn't tell you so as not to ruin the surprise! Barnaby and I also thought it would be a good time to make your engagement public!"

"Shouldn't that be up to Ezra and I?"

Clementine smiled and ignored her daughter's tone, "Rita Skeeter is writing a piece for the prophet as well, about the next generation of the wizarding world. Ezra and you are main features, along with Draco and Theo. The Bulstrodes are just desperate to get their girls in as well, but we're not sure there's room. The Pucey boy is allowed in, for his quidditch."

"Excellent," Dorothea said drearily.

The Minister's Ball was held in a remote part of Derbyshire, in a house larger than Dorothea had ever been in before - and that said a lot. Yet still, there had to only be around one hundred people in attendance, all laughing and shaking hands or kissing each other on the cheek. Dorothea hadn't seen Ezra, she was told that she wouldn't until the announcement was made, instead, the witch arrived beside Clementine.

Lucius Malfoy was the first to greet the pair, kissing both witches on the cheek and leading them towards the gated front door. Dorothea observed Narcissa Malfoy. She had said hello politely to both witches, engaging in slight small talk with her mother, before conversation began with Lucius, then walking a few steps behind her husband, Draco and Clementine, beside Dorothea. The witch wondered if that was the life she was destined to. This was her fiancé's ball after all, to honour him. Her only involvement was to be announced as his wife. She supposed it had probably been similar with Narcissa and Lucius, he too had gotten into the ministry early.

"I've heard about your fiancé's success," the older woman said from beside her, making Dorothea jump. "He sounds like a bit of a prodigy."

"Well, we're all only what our parents make us, aren't we?"