Oh praise Merlin, here came momma.

Sophia’s mother, no matter how much their world turned around Tarron, was very much the one that held them all together. In Sophia’s mind she was the perfect wife, and ran their household like one would imagine a ship as it sailed stormy seas. And even in her elaborate ball gown Sophia wanted very much to curl up at her side.  However, she refrained and instead turned a bright smile up to her mother.

“Mother. Your dress is very beautiful.” With an outstretched hand she took her mother’s into her own to help guide her into the conversation,

“Mother, this is Lucas Trumble, he was just showing father a few of his tricks,” She turned to look at her mom, and nearly bounced on the edge of her toes to speak with her.

“Did you see us dance? I was dancing, Mother, just like you taught me.” Between her parents she passed a glance, but stole a more secretive one to the woman who bore her, “Like you and father actually. Lucas is very good.” Looking back at the boy it was hard to tell, with his voice a bit higher, cherry juice probably somewhere on his lips, and looking paler than normal.

“Um,” Sophia lifted her brows as she studied Lucas, and shook her head, “...at least, at dancing.” Pulling on her hand she tugged her mother to come a bit closer,

“Lucas this is my mother.”

Lucas cleared his throat, trying to get rid of the effects of the potion he drank. He knew it wouldn't work, but he had to try. He wouldn't have minded if someone had pulled the prank on him. He wouldn't have even minded if he had drank it in front of his friends! This was Sophia's father though. He had to make a good impression to prove he was worthy of being friends with his daughter.

"Not alone. One of my friend's helped, but we created it ourselves."

He winced hearing his voice still so high. Then Sophia's mother showed up. He didn't think things could get any worse! He felt like he was under so much pressure at the moment and was being picked apart by these two very prestigious people. This was it. He would never be able to speak to her again. He knew it. There was no way he could plead a case to these people to let them know he was 'worthy' of befriending their daughter. He sighed under his breath. Why did people have to be like this? Why couldn't he just be accepted as is? He would never understand ranks in the wizarding world. They were much worse than the muggles. At least her mom didn't seem quite as judgmental as her father.

"Good evening, Mrs. Knight. I'm Lucas Trumble. It's a pleasure to meet you," he said with another bow. Curse his voice right now! He hoped the effects would wear off soon.

Aisling arrived, which rather took the fun out of things, for that dark and rather nasty part of Tarron. There was a part of him, buried deep and still wrapped in the green and silver of Slytherin, that enjoyed watching people like Lucas Trumble squirm. With the arrival of his wife, however, that voice vanished entirely, and he had to privately admit the boy was a talent.

A pity he used it in such a manner. “I see. Well done, indeed,” he said, raising his eyebrows ever-so-slightly. Sophia was talking to Aisling, and he turned and watched her do so with an expression that warred between worry and quiet pride. Sophia was generally the favorite, which was why her spending her evening with boys was a worrying sign. He knew that age was not far off, of course, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t something he found distressing.

That said, he had to quietly worry that the two children had apparently danced like he and Aisling. He should hope not!

“Should he have half the talent for dancing as he apparently has for potions,” he remarked, dourly as ever, “I should think you will hardly find a better partner within your year.”

Aisling let Sophia lead her a little closer to this young man-boy, really, he seemed no older than her daughter. And his voice was oddly high, as if he'd ingested something that he rather shouldn't have. "Glad to meet you as well, Mr. Trumble." She bowed her head slightly in response.

Tarron had not glared the boy into a puddle, and seemed to even be somewhat complimentary, which made the situation seem slightly less worrisome. Even if it did make her feel so old. Still good to be there next to her husband for a moment.

"I saw some of the dance, yes, Sophia. You both looked wonderful." There was that reassuring smile, and she ran her fingers over  the eagle ring she wore as she focused more on Lucas. "Are you in Ravenclaw as well, then?"

Lucas bowed at Mr. Knight again. He got a compliment? That was a bit surprising. From the way this man presented himself, Lucas didn't think he had it in him to give out a compliment. Probably had to force himself to. Probably hated doing it. Probably hated it more that he gave the compliment to someone like Lucas. Oh well. It gave him hope that he would keep his friendship with Sophia.

"Thank you, sir. I hope to be able to dance with her again next year. Miss Sophia is a lovely partner."

He turned his attention to Mrs. Knight again. Some of the tension definitely dissipated when she came by. He was happy for that. She seemed a bit more understanding than Sophia's father was. He was also happy his voice was beginning to return to normal.

"Yes, ma'am. I am in Ravenclaw. First year, just like Miss Sophia. She's a great friend."

Without thinking Sophia reached up to touch her father's sleeve, and would take his hand if it were available to her. She looked at him, though smiled at her mother.

"I'm saving the last dance for Father," She said curtly, as it should have been, and rather felt sorry for Lucas. Tarron commented about Lucas being a good partner in her year, and though Sophia could agree that Luke was rather talented--there were others she would have picked first. It was cruel to think so, but ever the logic minded Sophia knew that boys like Lucas were different. Really. They didn't know how he got in their house.

"Oh no," She said in a quieter more thoughtful voice, "I suppose you would approve a little more of a few others. Though I do agree in my year, I guess. But I have little interest in partners, Sir. Just dancing." With that she smiled up at him and gave a little curtsy by tucking one ankle behind her heel and fluffing out her skirt.

Sophia left her father's side to meet Lucas again, and stopped at a respectable distance to curtsy to him as well, "Thank you again for the dance Mister Trumble. If I do not see you tomorrow, I hope you have a good break."

Lucas stood there feeling more awkward. He felt like he was in one of those police movies. Like he was sitting at a cold table in a metal room with only one light shining on him while he was being interrogated. His skin almost crawled at the judgmental gazes he was getting from the Knights.

Sophia was joining in too? Really? He already knew he wouldn't be the first choice for her parents, but did she really have to say it? And in front of him? He rubbed the back of his neck and looked down, feeling completely defeated. Maybe asking Sophia to dance wasn't the best idea he ever had. He was simply trying to cheer her up a bit and let her have some fun. If this was what he was going to get for it, he almost wished he hadn't asked her at all. 

"Thank you again for the dance Mister Trumble. If I do not see you tomorrow, I hope you have a good break."

"Huh? Oh. Yeah. I hope you have a good break too, Miss Sophia. It was a pleasure to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Knight," he said with a bow. A flash of hurt flashed through his eyes as he looked at Sophia a moment before turning to go to the table and get some punch.

Of course Sophia was a lovely partner. Tarron smiled again, that slight twitch to the mouth and wrinkle to the eye that indicated some level of approval. Sophia had been, of their daughters, the one who excelled at her etiquette lessons; she’d taken well to dancing and her figure, although small, was graceful and lithe. She was every inch a proper young lady – which was why he did indeed worry about her friendship which such a boy.

Perhaps she could turn him into a gentleman, he thought. There were men out there who would civilize themselves for a goodly young woman, after all.

He took her hand as she approached, rather reassured by her words – though he was aware she was getting old enough to have such words be deliberately placating. Even so, he did feel a bit better, and Aisling’s presence certainly helped in that regard.

Trumble retreated after Sophia’s rather more proper farewell, and Tarron didn’t miss the look on the boy’s face. He looked at Aisling a moment, silently, before he finally spoke.

“Have you found Hogwarts and your classmates engaging, Sophia?” he asked, and there was an edge to it – a soft one, in this case. The sudden cooling had more to do with the presence of her parents than anything, he assumed.

It hurt to see Sophia growing up so quickly, dancing, and being rather sharp to young men. A good sort of hurt, perhaps, but certainly not an easy one.

At least this prospect hadn't yet damaged Sophia's affection for her parents. It was good to think of her dancing with Tarron, though Aisling's feet were beginning to feel rather tired and she expected that her husband was growing similarly exhausted.

"Mr. Trumble seemed quite a pleasant sort. Certainly more composed than I was at that age." There was a touch of disappointment to her voice. Her daughter knew better than to make such critiques of him to his face. Both the girls had been trained in manners, after all, unlike many at their age.

At times, she was glad they had the luxury of forgetting that. But on this night, she was not so certain.

And even more tired, as well.

“Have you found Hogwarts and your classmates engaging, Sophia?”

"I have Father, from what I have been able to tell. I spend a good deal of time studying or stinging a few of the stragglers on. It has been a lot harder than I ever thought it would." This was the truth, even though she didn't wish it was. 

"Mr. Trumble seemed quite a pleasant sort. Certainly more composed than I was at that age."



"Lucas is a dear friend, his family has more children than they do money or so that is what they say. He is a twin, I believe there is another set and a few older siblings." She pointed out the few of them there, "And a younger sister around two?" She shrugged again, "He's pretty good with his pranks, never means anything by them. And he does well enough in other classes. But enough about that, I suppose I should get back to the party." With that she gave her parents both a kiss to their cheeks and turned to slip back into the crowd.