Vaight Manor - Entry by invitation only...(lol)

The ancestral home of the Vaight family, big, old and gothic. Surrounded by fields and countryside, far enough away from any muggles to avoid attention.
Currently experiencing Floo network difficulties.
Inside reside Reginald and Isabella Vaight...and a house-elf. (Bob)
Beware, all of the above bite...
Just kidding...Bob doesn't.


Ana felt the warm summer air whip past and sat up straight, feet skimming the fields with long unkempt grass. A small dark shape appeared in the distance and she angled her broom towards it. Time to go home.
As she dismounted, in front of the large metal gates, she had a sense of foreboding.
Darien looked equally uneasy, although his unease came from his hatred of tradition. Back to table manners and pure-blooded heritage talks. Yipee.
"Master Darien, Mistress Ana." A young, strangely bouncy house elf came into view. He was always grinning, and making bad jokes.
"Hi Bob." Darien grinned.
Ana rolled her eyes. "How many times Bob, cut the mistress off the front, it makes me feel old."
"Apologies."
Ana turned to the twins. "Amy, Aiden, this is Bob. Bob, these are our friends."

((w00p more timeline confusion! ))

((I will on again again later, it is 3 am here I need sleep))

Both Amy and Aiden smiled at the house elf.

"It is nice to meet you Bob" they both said as once.

"This way please!" Bob squeaked, leading them through the lage gates, between rows of twisting hedges. Ana noticed they seemed larger than usual... Probably Reginald's attempt to wow his guests.
The slanting gothic mansion loomed up, the dark stone contrasting with the sun-basked greenery of the gardens. Bob led the way through a black door, with a single green paned window in the centre, then into the main hallway. Light streamed in from the open door, and the torches at intervals along the hall sent flickering shadows along the walls. The carpet was thick and black, only covering the centre third of the floor.
Darien sighed. This could only mean one thing.
Their parents were expecting the traditional greetings...He groaned inwardly.
Bob had vanished from sight, doubtless gone to get their parents.
Ana stopped, Darien by her side, feeling uneasy.
Traditional greeting...Great. Darien thought.
Ana sighed. Did you expect anything else? They are Vaights you know...
"I would like to apologise in advance for my parents." Darien told the twins. "They can be a bit...overexcited."
"Ah, my children. Been expelled already have you?"
Ana closed her eyes in pain and embarrasment.
"Sorry." Darien whispered, turning to face the loud voice. "Not yet Father, not yet.."
"Darling, don't tease them. Welcome back darlings...Are these your friends?"
Isabella Vaight was tall, thin woman, dressed in green and black robes, holding onto the arm of Reginald Vaight. She had light blond hair, pulled back into a bun on the top of her head, and dark brown eyes, the same shade as Darien's.
Her husband Reginald, was also tall, with very dark brown hair that looked almost black, also dressed in black robes, with a green hankerchief in his top pocket. His eyes were hazel and seemed to twinkle, showing he was in a good mood. They both walked towards the children and hugged Ana and Darien. It was clear to see that Ana looked just like her father, while Darien looked like both of his parents.
"Well, if they are not your friends get them out of my house!" He laughed and walked forwards, hand outstretched towards Aiden. "Reginald Vaight. This is my wife, Isabella."
Isabella stepped forwards and extened her hand to Amy. "It's so nice to meet you two... We are so glad Ana and Darien have finally made some decent friends." Her eyes flickered to her son, who was glaring at the floor.
"So, what are your names?" Reginald asked the twins, still smiling.

Amy and Aiden looked at each other for a split second and smiled.

"Showtime"

Smileing sweetly Amy started them of.

"Amy.."

"...and Aiden"

"Avalon" they said as one. Both of then looking into the Vaights eyes dareing them say anything.

Isabella breathed in slowly. Now she thought about it, she recognised her disowned brother in the twins. She assumed a fake smile, disguising her shock with a well-practised ease.
Reginald's surprise did not even reach his face for a second.
"Charmed." He smiled, but the sparkle in his eyes had become slightly clouded, only noticable to those who knew him well. Ana noticed, and it added to her confusion.
Why hadn't she heard of the twins' family? Why were her parents suddenly acting strange?
"Well, we mustn't stand here forever, let's go and eat."
Isabella smiled, took her husband's arm and led the children into the dining room. Reginald sat at one end of the table, Isabella at the other. Ana sat to her father's right and Darien to his mother's right. The twins had choices of where to sit; between Ana and her mother or between Darien and his father.

((brb, food.))

"Good giref... I am thinking it is a good thing Mum and Dad were disowned or we would just like them" Thought Amy to Aiden as she sat beside Darien and Aiden sat beside Ana.

"You have a lovely manor Mr. and Mrs. Vaight" said Amy politely.

Ana felt extremely awkward.
She rested her elbow on the table and was rewarded by a glare from her mother. She rolled her eyes and glanced at the twins, then at Darien. The two siblings exchanged heavy looks, knowing that their parents had driven away their friends before, and now they were doing it again.
Reginald smiled. "Thank you Amy." He glanced to his left and Bob appeared, with plates of food hovering in his vicinity. On his master's signal, the plates landed in front of everyone.
"Thank you Bob." A clap of Reginald's hands and the houseelf was gone. "So, where are you two from?" He asked the twins, picking up his fork deftly, and seeming completely at ease.
Ana cringed inwardly. Darien quickly began eating, to avoid being involved in the conversation or questioned by his father.
Sorry about this... They've always done this. She thought, hoping Aiden and Amy could hear her.

Amy smiled, "From london sir, with our parents Logan and Merissa, our mother was formerly a Malfoy"

As Amy talked with Mr. Vaight Aiden sent a message back ((Sorry early in the morning here))

"No worries guys, this is where our parents are the same. They act wierd around our firends to"

Ana smiled slightly, then began to eat, hoping her parents would behave themselves.
Darien had wolfed ((lol)) his food down quickly and now was fiddling with his cutlery.
"Darien, please!" his mother scolded. Darien flushed and dropped the cutlery.
Reginald's expression was one of mild interest.
"Really? Do you see your malfoy relatives often?" He smiled. "I used to see Lucius every now and again, and Draco is sometimes in the ministry... A talented family, the malfoys."

((Merissa is Draco's older sister by 3 years))

Aiden's eye narrowed for a moment, but only a moment.

"Yeah talented at being heartless, Dad says Mum was beaten to a inch of her life when she was dumped at the orphange"

Amy stared at her brother for a second. "Easy... brother, they want us to slip up"

"We have only met them a few times, in ministry parties that type of thing" Amy replied.

It was ture they had met them and been completely ignored.

Ana frowned slightly. Her father was trying to trick the twins into something...but what?
This whole conversation just kept getting weirder.
"Of course, they are very busy..." Reginald hadn't missed the narrowing of Aiden's eyes, or the frown on Ana; but she'd probably work it out eventually.
Darien was still talking with his mother about school and classes, and Ana decided to change topics.
"So, um... Do you two play quidditch?" She asked the twins, hoping her father would let the subject change to less awkward topics.

The twins nodded at once and smiled at Ana.

"Usually Beaters..

"... but you beat us to it Ana."

"So we decided Chaser,

"would be our second choice."

Amy took a sip of her drink and though over to Aiden.

"Ana is getting suspious with her father's odd questions"

"I know, it is like he wants them to figure it out first just so he can say it, we come from Squibs" Thought Aiden back.

"Will their mother let them figure it out?, Dad is her brother afterall"

"I can't wait til the season starts." Ana continued, ignoring her father's attempts to catch her eye.
Isabella had finished her talk with Darien and could no longer ignore the conversation at the other end of the table.
"Come now Ana, we can't talk about Quidditch all evening!" She smiled sweetly. "So dears, where do your parents work?"
Ana swore inwardly. Reginald's eyes glittered as he met his wife's eyes. Darien propped his head up with his hands.
What was wrong with his parents?

((sorry, g2g may be back later))

The twins eyes flashed for a moment and they glared at Mr and Mrs. Vaight. Their parents had muggle careers, quite sucessfull muggle careers. Their father was a polition, running for prime minister. Their mother was a famus Violinest, and tought music a the universty. Not really a way to get around that.

"I think I know what they are doing... They want Ana and Darien to think we are muggleborns or something and we lied to them to gain their trust" Thought Aiden

"Hmm perhaps it is time to put the spot light on them?"

Aiden nodded slightly "Agreed, should we warn Ana and Darien first?"

"Yeah they are probably wondering what the heck is going on anyway"

Aiden then sent a message over to Ana and Darien.

"Sorry guys but we are about to do something drastic, we can't let your parents get the upper hand in this. So just to warn you something even weirder is about to happen.... Oh and by the way did you know your mothers maiden name was Avalon?"

Then turning to Amy he nodded "Go"

Smiling sweetly Amy looked over at Mrs. Vaight. "Mrs. Vaight don't you know what your own brother does for a living?"

Darien heard the mental message, and his eyes widened. He dropped his fork...and his arm, into the soup. Ana froze, mind working overtime.
Regianald's face was still impassive, but the friendly smile became more fixed, as he turned to his wife.
To Ana's disbelief, her mother was smiling more widely now.
"I see your father didn't bother to tell you the whole truth...or maybe he didn't know." She glanced at Darien. "Take your arm out of your food boy."
"Mother, what?" Darien dried his arm on a napkin.
"My half-cousin."His mother spat. "That's why he's a squib."
Ana glanced across at the twins, then at her father. "And you kept this a secret from us?"
Reginald rolled his eyes. "Ana, you know the rules. We cannot speak of them."
"But Father...Why? Why couldn't you tell us we have half-second-cousins?" Ana persisted.
Reginald leant backwards. "Ana, don't act so naive. And I don't know why you are asking me..."
Her mother leant forwards, eyes glaring at Ana. "Hold...your tongue. Why do you stick up for these squib-spawn? You barely know them."
Darien glared back at his mother, intercepting the glowering at Ana. "Don't talk to her like that, Mother."
You're our ...half-second-cousins...? What the- I can't believe it...
I can.
Shut up Darien.
"Silence Darien." His mother turned to the twins. "I haven't seen or heard from my half-cousin since...he was born. How is he? And how did you two become magical...doubtless he married some muggle."

Amy's voice went ice cold, out of the two of them she had inherited the most Malfoy blood. When she was angry it showed through.

"We weren't lieing when we said our mother was a Malfoy. Our mother is Draco Malfoys older sister who is also a Squib."

Aiden sent a message to Ana and Darien.

"We were going to tell you, we didn't think your parents would try to force it out of us though. Sorry..."

Ana smiled slightly at Aiden.
It's fine... I can't believe them! Well, I can. She sighed.
"Mother, stop it. He is your cousin, squib or not." Ana met her mother's glare. Her father sat up straighter in his seat.
Darien slid his hand into his pocket, grasping his wand.
"Show some respect to your mother!" Reginald snapped at his favourite child. He couldn't understand why she was siding against him. She'd barely known these children a few days. His eyes narrowed as she smiled at the boy, for no apparant reason. He resolved to keep an eye on her.
Darien opened his mouth to speak.
Don't rise! Ana's voice hissed in his head. He reluctantly closed it again. This family was so confusing. Mostly it was him and Ana against their parents, sometimes Ana and Reginald against Darien and Isabella, but now it was a war.
Please don't show your annoyance, it makes them worse...Father might challenge your father to a duel if you do... Ana thought to the twins, hoping they would listen to her.

"We will try"
Aiden and Amy nodded slightly and pasted their best blank faces and voices.

"Why did you force us to say it Mr. and Mrs. Vaight? you knew who we were the moment we told you our names." said Amy as emotionalessly as she could.

"To remind my children to find out who they befriend before they bring them home and expect us to behave..." Isabella hissed, eyes flashing with anger.
Reginald leant forwards, staring at Ana intently.
Darien's eyes blazed. "No." His voice was cold and full of a strange authority. "Not again."
"Bob!" Isabella clapped her hands, the house elf appearing and sticking all the children to their seats, unable to move, from the neck down.
"Look at me Ana..." Darien glared unreservadly at his father and was rewarded by a slap from his mother.
A stab of mental power forced itself through Ana's defenses. Legilimency...
How crude of you father...
I only want to talk to you Ana, I am not here to ravage your mind...You might want to tell your brother...then close down your telepathy, it's annoying me.
Darien...He just wants to talk. Bye.
Darien swore in his mind. Did you two hear that? He asked the twins.

Aiden thought out

"I did... Amy if you would do the honors"

Amy nodded and closed her eyes in concentration, blocking out their telepathy.

((I have to go, school now))

((Okay, lol timezones again! ))

Ana's mind kept memories locked behind doors. The mental Ana appeared, overing in a expanse of sky. "Talk about what, father?"
Reginald sat down on air, surveying his daughter critically.
"I won't offend your intelligence...I want to know why you are siding against the family, against your mother and me. Who are these twins to you?...And why did you smile at Arron for no reason?"
"Aiden, dad. Get the name right." She ran a hand through her hair. "Because I have finally made friends...something you have been telling me to do for about ten years, and now they aren't pure-blooded enough for you! It's ridiculous. They're Slytherins for Merlin's sake! It's not like they're Gryffindors or something."
"True." Reginald stood up. "But they are still the spawn of squibs...your mother's half-cousin and-"
"A Malfoy." Ana crossed her arms. "The least you could do is be cordial."
Reginald walked over to his daughter. "Don't be like that Ana...you've always made me so proud. You've known when to be flattering, who to talk to, who's influential, got good grades..."
"So surely you can trust me to choose my own friends." Ana looked up at her father. "I'm not a kid anymore, I can make my own choices."
"You've always been independant...It's just when you go against your family...That is different." Ana looked away.
"I'm not. You're going against me." Her eyes blazed. "Why don't you learn from mother's mistakes?-"
"Enough." Reginald's face grew stern. "You know why I side with you against your mother."
"Because you don't love her."
Reginald smiled. "But she and your brother don't need to know that. We are the intelligent ones, remember...But I will not tolerate you going against me."
Ana smirked, looking strikingly like her father. "We will see."
Reginald's eyes narrowed. "As you wish."
Ana opened her eyes and forced her father back into his own mind. She'd had enough. Once he had completely gone, she reopened her telepathy.
I challenged him.
You WHAT!? Are you- What- You... Darien sighed. I will never understand you Ana.
Ana smirked across the table at her brother. And you never will.
Reginald stood up and walked to Isabella, muttering to her quickly. Both rose and left the room.
"Miss Ana...You need to prepare..." Bob released his magic and vanished with a pop. Ana rose, expression solemn.
My turn.

The twins looked at each other and Amy opened their link again.

"Guys what is going on? What are they doing?" Aiden thought over to the siblings.

My sister just lost her sanity.
Shut up Darien, you're making it sound much worse.
Darien rolled his eyes and stood up. "Ana just challenged our father to a duel."
"Not to the death, obviously." Ana added, examining her wand for any scratches.
"It's still stupid."
"Darien, you are such a drama queen. I'm just proving that I can make my own decisions."
"By duelling your father...with more experience than anyone else in the family!" Darien's eyes were wide with disbelief. "He used to be a duelling champion Ana...I can't believe you're doing this!"
Ana rolled her eyes. "I wouldn't expect you to. It's a matter of honour. I'm not a little girl anymore...I can choose what I do, and who I befriend. I don't expect to win...just hope to come close, prove to Dad that I'm not a pathetic child."
She walked to the door. "Dad'll be setting up the area...Let's go."
She led the way out of the room, Darien close behind her.
"This is crazy Ana!"
"Thanks for the vote of confidence."

The twins looked at each other.

"It is silly, all this because our parents don't have magic and we do" thought Amy.

"Perhaps it isn't just Ana who needs to prove her self, we need to to" thought Aiden.

"Agreed"

Aiden pushed his thoughts to Ana.

"Ana if you win or lose, it is our turn. It is us he is insulting"

Ana continued walking.
Just make sure he doesn't realise we can communicate without speaking... She warned. It's up to you if you fight him, although I wouldn't be surprised if he tries some kind of trickery.
Darien remained silent.
Ana walked out onto the lawns and the new duelling arena, rectangular and dug into the ground, with a raised dais in the middle where they would fight.
Isabella gestured Darien and the twins to the sidelines. Reginald was already in the pit.
Ana took a deep breath, dropped her cloak over a bench and held her wand firmly.
Darien caught her arm. "Good luck Ana."

((Sorry g2g now, be back tomorrow...bye))