Hierarchy|Kaliopi|

[Araneae Opiliones Black]

Her lips curled into a deep frown. She loathed relatives. The only relations she respected were her grandmother(her father's mother) and to a lesser extent, her grandfather. The majority of the Blacks considered her a failure and disgrace to the family. In fact, the only one who had not abandoned her was the very matriarch of the family. Alya glared at the formidable woman herself from her bed. Grandmother was by now ancient, but still stood stronger than many half her age. Even her own husband was now merely a bumbling fool; Alya had her suspicion that he had never been terribly competent. Grandmother Lyra was a very domineering woman. Alya could not see Leo matching her in wit or wrath; though it has been said that he had.

The elderly witch's disappointment with Alya's reaction was etched in her face. She turned and let the doorknob go. "We've been through this, young lady. I'll not bend before your petty protests, you know that. Out of bed and into your best."

Alya let her elbow slide underneath her and lay back down onto her bed. She made a loud groan in defiance. Despite her actions, she kept her gaze on her adoptive mother. Lyra stepped forward and placed a hand into the deep pocket of her flowing robe. Alya sighed again, this time in defeat and sat up in her bed instantly. She returned her grandmother's dark glare for a moment. Then threw her legs over the bed while pushing her sheets off of herself. Her loose gown fell to the cold polished wood flooring. Alya ignored the cold against her feet as best she could. But a sharp retreat from the touch of the floor gave away her sensitivity. Alya forced her feet to the ground then looked back up at Lyra.

"I'm up!" Alya screeched indignantly; her voice still affected by tire and a quick awakening. When Lyra remained where she stood, Alya groaned and stood up. She trudged toward her wardrobe and threw open the doors angrily. It was soon apparent that her protest of her visiting relatives had gone beyond staying awake late last night. Her wardrobe was in disarray, most of her best clothes remained unclean and untended too. Alya rummaged through the mess. She looked back at her grandmother now suppressing a grin. The old woman was still glaring at her so she turned her gaze back to the contents of the wardrobe.

Alya heard a movement behind her. She turned, meaning to attempt to reconcile with her dear mother knowing she had gone too far once again. She was late however, Alya saw Lyra' wand trained upon the small of her back as a wave of immense pain swept over her. Alya lost her balance and fell against the arm of her expensive chair. Despite the chair blocking her fall, Alya's body slipped off of it and onto the floor. The pain of the fall was barely perceptible compared to the pain of mother's curse. Alya heard her own scream. Then the pain stopped.

While Alya recovered, Lyra went rummaging through the wardrobe herself. Her lips were pursed together tightly and she was employing a heavy use of scourgify on the contents of the wardrobe. Alya sat up, her lip stiff. She curled her legs to her body as she sat on the cold floor at Lyra' feet. "They've already arrived. It is already noon hour!" Lyra' tone was threatening. "Get up!"

Alya disobeyed the command. She felt immensely alone when her mother struck her with that curse. Her biological mother used the curse on her as well. It was true that Lyra had her limits, but Alya did as well. The younger witch knew her mother did not have any worse punishment than the one she had just used.

"Get dressed and cleaned up and down to Lunch before the hour is up." A thin, black silk dress fell into Alya's lap. It was followed closely by white underwear and socks. Lyra lifted a black wide-brimmed hat onto Alya's head and pushed it down onto her head with unnecessary force.

Lyra closed the doors of the wardrobe after hanging everything within neatly. She made her way to the door again and slammed it shut behind her. The lock sounded, seemingly magnified by the silence the older witch left behind her. Alya heard the relatives begin to chatter quickly again as Lyra returned to them. They had likely been trying to eavesdrop. Alya threw her newly cleaned clothes across the room. Her mother had been smart to lock her in. Last time she had simply left the house for the duration of the relatives' stay.

A knock at the door was heard, Alya could tell it was not her grandmother. Lyra did not knock in her own household and the locks didn't work like that. The locking mechanisms weren't normally needed. Before her previous flight, they hadn't even been there. They were only designed to keep her in. Anyone else could enter at their own leisure. Alya attempted to lie, "It's locked. Go away." She called through the door, likely only barely audible from the other side of the door. She was annoyed when the door opened anyway. Grandmother had likely told someone to come make certain she was adhering. Alya only hoped it wasn't one of the male cousins again.

(Should we both be fifth year? ^^)

[Kaliopi Yesobelle Black]

Cassiopeia Black walked into the girls' room, looking displeased. She halted before the twins and regarded them in silence. Elladora started to glare instantly while Kaliopi's orbs bore into those of their mother. Cassiopeia shifted her gaze from one red head to the other and sighed loud.

"Why aren't you wearing the gowns I laid out for you?" she questioned.

"The colour tone displeased us."

Ella scoffed loudly and interjected, "We are not 5 years old any more, mother. You cannot expect us to go in public wearing matching dresses."

"My house. My rules," Cassiopeia snapped at the impertinent girls.

"Please mother. Just this once," both girls said in unison.

Their father, Orion, appeared behind Cassiopeia. Not having witnessed the argument between the females, he nodded his appreciation and complimented his wife on the choice of attire of the girls. Gowns fit for Blacks, he had said with a broad smile. The twins smirked at their mother.

Knowing that after Orion's comment she could not make them change their clothes, Cassiopeia turned on her heel and stormed out of the bedroom. Elladora and Kaliopi chuckled softly to themselves and turned to face one another. The girls were perfectly identical with both their hair pulled in an upstyle.

The only thing setting them apart was the colour and style of their dresses. As soon as they had been told about Grandmother's function, the twins had begged their father to allow them to go shopping for dresses. Something their mother did not know nor needed to.

Both girls cared deeply for Cassiopeia, however, they also knew of her vain nature. They knew she would chose their dresses carefully - she would want them to look decent but never more attractive than she did. As such they decided to take matters in their own hands.

Half an hour later the Senior Blacks lead their four children outside. Normally they would have either apparated or used Floo Network to visit Grandmother, however, on such special occasions they travelled by carriage. Kaliopi loved the luxury of it - people always gaped and gawked when they passed.

By the time they arrived most of their family were already present. Glancing around the room, Kallie noticed that neither grandmother nor Alya were there. Before she had the time to ponder about their whereabouts, Lyra herself approached to greet them. Smiling, Kallie waited for her turn to kiss the older woman's cheeks.

Taking the girl's hands into her own Lyra said, "Let me take a look at you dear. Gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous."

Lowering her voice the woman added, "Alsciaukat is in her room. Make sure she is ready and presentable."

Kaliopi nodded her understanding. Stepping around Lyra and in between her other relatives, she made it to Alya's room. Opi knocked, deciding to show slight respect to the other girl. Alya's response made her roll her eyes and she pushed the door wide open.

Cassiopeia's GOWN
Elladora's GOWN
Kaliopi's GOWN
Orion, Regulus and Phineas's DRESS ROBES

OOC: Up to you. I don't mind either.

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[Araneae Opiliones Black]

Alya released her knees. Her legs straightened and slid along the floor in front of her as the door opened. She heard Grandpa Sirius' booming voice complaining about blood traitors and other manner of filth as he usually did. Alya pushed her white nightgown down across her legs. As she did, she wondered if she could tempt one of her cousins. With a mischievious grin on her face, she looked across the room to see who had come. She frowned at the sight of Kaliopi Yesobelle Black.

"Well, come in and shut the door then. I don't want anyone seeing me like this." Alya groaned and put her hand up to her head to push her hair back. Her fingers clung to the dishevelled and greasy hair.

Growing even more frustrated she finally stood up. She glanced toward Kaliopi quickly but avoided the other Black's gaze. She bent low and retrieved the outfit and undergarments she had thrown across the room earlier. "You wouldn't mind waiting on the bed, would you? I shouldn't be too long."

Alya pulled the clothes close to her chest and turned and went into her bathroom's bathroom. She left the door ajar slightly and called out to Kaliopi from the room, "Draco reckons they're planning something big at Hogwarts He wouldn't tell me what made him think that though. What do you think is happening?"

Without waiting for Kallie's answer, Alya placed her newly cleaned dress onto a counter top. She sighed realizing she'd forgotten her wand. Alya re-emerged from the bathroom and looked across the room at Kaliopi. She walked over to her desk where her wand was kept and collected it. Turning to Kallie she shrugged. "It couldn't be too important if Grandmother wasn't told about it." Alya was certain her grandmother would tell her of anything that was going on. "He's probably just being a prat. Oh, could you hand me a chocolate?" Alya gestured toward a box laying on her bedside cabinet that Kaliopi was closer to. She grinned devilishly.

[Kaliopi Yesobelle Black]

While leaning against the door Kallie regarded her cousin carefully - clearly disgusted by what she saw. Alya brought disgrace to the name Black. She could not understand how their grandmother had the patience to deal with her. A proper Black always looks their best, which wasn't the case with the girl before her.

Scoffing Kaliopi said, "Of course you wouldn't. You look terrible."

The Slytherin student took pride in her brutal honesty. She made no exceptions and always expected those around her to be equally truthful. Not that she would ever need anyone to comment on her attire or hygiene. Alsciaukat's suggestion of taking a seat on her bed did not go down well with Kallie.

"I would rather stand," she informed the girl while closing the door behind her.

Alya disappeared in the bathroom, simultaneously, Kaliopi scanned the room. Her upper lip curled in distaste, obviously unimpressed by the decor or contents. She knew better than comment, in case the room had been furnished by Grandmother. For once Alya's question got her thinking.

"I don't know. Draco has been telling us the same nonsense."

Although she did not vocalise it, Kallie agreed with Alsciaukat. If Grandmother did not know then it wasn't important. But what if she knew and could not tell them? The younger Black was about to respond with that when Alya asked for a chocolate. Turning her head, Kallie folded her arms over her chest.

"You expect me to touch that?"

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[Araneae Opiliones Black]

Kaliopi's attitude reminded Alya of all the other Blacks. She hated them so much. All of them carried on like she wasn't worthy of the name. Yet Alya grinned with pleasure each time they made the slightest indication of that notion, for she was grandmother's favorite. Though that was more because of who her father was than because of any ability or merit of her own.

Without thinking, Alya replied in kind. "Yes. Well, I don't care much for tonight's company to rise for chores too early. The Crouchs, Lestranges even the Carrows make much more enticing companions. Don't you think so?" She drifted over to the bedside table on her own and retrieved a piece of chocolate from the box. Without an excuse, Alya began munching the chocolate in front of Kallie shamelessly.

Alya initially ignored Kallie's option to stand. What the girl did with herself made no difference to Alya. But after she made her way back to the door to her bathroom, she turned and shrugged. "Well grandmother wont let you sit until dinner, you know. I would get rest now."

Alya leaned against the door frame to the bathroom and aimed her wand at Kaliopi with mock threat. "Wait right there. I'll be right back." Alya chuckled and disappeared through the doorway before Kallie would be able to react. This time the door slammed shut behind her.

She filled the tub promptly then cast a curse that heated the water instantly. Alya threw her hair into the water first and rubbed the cursed mess out with both hands. After a few moments a it, Alya lifted her head out and sighed. She wished Kallie wasn't a Black, then grandmother wouldn't have gotten mad if she hexed her.

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[Kaliopi Yesobelle Black]

"You owe it to Grandmother to at least pretend to like us," Kaliopi snapped.

It was evident in her tone of voice and choice of words that she did not consider Alya as one of them. She may share their surname but she was nothing like them, and never would be. Noticing her cousin make a bee line for the chocolate box, Kallie took a single step to the side without losing her stance nor pose.

Raising an eye brow she replied, "Yes. Thank you Alsciaukat for gracing me with your infinite wisdom."

She paused long enough to shake her head and then resumed talking.

"I am well aware of what Grandmother expects," Kallie said while gesturing to herself.

"I, for one, am sure she will not be disappointed in me."

Alya pointing her wand at Kallie, caught her off guard. The younger girl stiffened and her eyes widened, for a moment worried that Alya would curse her. When she didn't and instead locked herself in the bathroom, Kaliopi echoed her cousin's chuckle... but for a different reason.

She doesn't have the nerve to lay even one finger on me, the redhead thought to herself.

Kaliopi told Alya with a snap, "Don't be too long. You know Grandmother hates to be kept waiting."

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[Elladora Black]

Elladora enjoyed seeing Grandmother again, especially since the twins were wearing dresses that they had picked out rather than the ones their mother had tried to dress them in. She loved her mother, but she could be so annoying sometimes! Not that she would ever say that out loud of course, it wouldn't do if someone heard her.

She exchanged pleasantries with Grandmother and a few other guests at Grimwauld Place for a while, somewhat satisfied to see her mother glancing unhappily in her direction every now and then. No doubt she was still rather upset with the twins for choosing their own dresses for the occasion. A glance at her father told her that while he was aware his wife was upset with his children, he didn't have the slightest idea why. She would have chuckled if she weren't currently surrounded by people who would give her odd looks if she did. After a while she sought out Grandmother before inquiring softly of the elder woman, "Pardon me Madame, but would you happen to know where my sister has gone? It seems I have not seen her since we arrived,". And indeed, she hadn't. After greeting their grandmother Kaliope had disappeared somewhere, and she had no clue where. She nodded as she heard Grandmother's reply. Of course, that made perfect sense. After being told that her twin was in Alsciaukat's room she polietely excused herself and went to find the two.

As she approached Alsciaukat's room she paused and knocked lightly on the door. Briefly, she wondered if Kaliope had done the same, or if she had just entered without so much as a by-your-leave. She figured the second one was more likely. She smiled softly as she heard her sister's voice inside. "I am well aware of what Grandmother expects. I, for one, am sure she will not be disappointed in me." She heard though the door. That was Kaliope alright. Her dear sister, who was the bane of her enemies' lives.

[Araneae Opiliones Black]

Of the numerous Blacks, Alya hated the twins the most. Their red hair was atrocious. She never could tell them apart. Which is why she had yet to call Kaliopi by name; Alya still had no clue which redhead she was dealing with. Maybe she'd still get to snicker at the matching dress they wore.

Alya waited until the noon hour had passed before she got out of the tub. She loved grandmother, but she couldn't stand when the woman sent the very relatives she loathed to her room. These were the same people that drove her mother to cut off her father's head. All because I was born a girl. Alya narrowed her eyes and pushed the thought from her mind. Rising from the now lukewarm water, she stepped out of the tub and picked up her wand again. With a tap, the water vanished instantly.

Alya put the wand back down onto a chair after drying herself magically. She picked up her clothes piece by piece and robed herself. She sighed, realizing that she had forgotten the hat grandmother had set on her head outside. She collected her wand again. Alya pushed open the door to her bedroom slowly at first. She peered through a small crack at Kaliopi.

The door was pushed open fully and Alya emerged carrying her wand in one hand. She smiled with an open mouth at Kallie. "Grandmother never hates me." Alya declared with certainty. She opened her mouth to speak again but a knock came at the door. Alya glared at the door indignantly. She knew it wasn't grandmother so she called out, "This washroom is for witches, dear. You may go outside with the dogs. Just like at home!"

Alya finished her trek to her vanity and placed her hat back onto her head firmly. She turned to Kallie and the now open door with the other twin in it. "Well, shall we?" Alya walked toward Kallie briskly and held out her hand in mocking welcome. She held out her other hand for Elladora. Quickly, she placed her wand in her waist band and re-offered her hand to Elladora. Alya would not usually strike someone first, she much preferred provoking them into hitting her. The two redhead's older brother had been foolish enough to succumb to her taunting many times before. Alya wondered if the burns grandmother gave the stupid boy were still there as she looked from one twin to the other with feigned joy.

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[Kaliopi Yesobelle Black]

Kaliopi herself spent hours to get ready for this evening, however, she had no intention of gracing Alya with the same benefit. The young Black woman was rapidly becoming impatient; so much so that she called for her cousin to hurry up several times. Finally the bathroom door swung open.

Cocking an eye brow Kaliopi replied, "Your gift of bending others' words is astounding."

Alya's next words displeased Kallie immensely, especially after learning that the newcomer was her twin sister. The redhead brought herself to her full height and looked at their cousin threateningly. Kaliopi would not tolerate disrespect from such a worthless being.

"Apologise immediately," she ordered frostily.

When offered the hand, Kallie looked at it with visible disgust. She lifted her chin high up in the air, hmphed loudly and gracefully stepped out of Alya's room - ahead of the other two Black girls. Kaliopi expected Elladora to follow her example and not take their cousin's hand.

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[Elladora Black]

It was obvious that Ayla had spent quite some time getting ready, because she could hear Kaliopi telling her to hurry up, or perhaps that was simply because of her sister's impatience. She raised an eyebrow when she heard Ayla's voice again, calling to her through the door.

This washroom is for witches, dear. You may go outside with the dogs. Just like at home!"

She heard her cousin say. What wonderful manners she was exhibiting. How proud Grandmother must be of this girl she shared her home with. Sometimes she really could not fathom why their dear Grandmother let Ayla live with her. Perhaps it was simply because none of the other Blacks wanted her living with them? She repressed a snicker at the thought, sure that her twin sometimes thought the same thing, if not all the time. It was no secret that Kaliopi and Ayla did not like each other after all, and Kaliopi considered her a disgrace to the Black family. If Elladora was being honest, her twin's thoughts about Ayla were not far from her own.

She donned a fake smile as Ayla opened the door. "Outside with the dogs hmm? Is that what you tell everyone who knocks on your door? No wonder they find you so...charming" She said with a small smile, happy to see her sister standing up for her as well. She nodded when Ayla suggested they go. "Indeed we shall." She replied with a decisive nod. She glanced at Ayla's offered hand, and raised an eyebrow at her. She knew that it would look good if the three of them entered hand in hand, the younger generation of Blacks united, but though she sought to bring honor to her family name, entering the ball hand-in-hand with Ayla after a greeting like that was not something she saw happening in the near future. "We should hurry, no doubt people are missing your company." She told Ayla in a reproving tone, making it clear she did not approve of how long she had taken to get ready, before striding forward to catch up with her sister and giving her a small smirk.

[Araneae Opiliones Black]

Simultaneously pleased and frustrated with the Twin's reactions, Alya was emboldened to continue disparaging her grandmother's guests. Alya pretended that she could not hear Kallie's order. She turned to the younger Black and raised her brow questioningly. She quickly turned and greeted the other twin. "I must apologise, Dori. I expected, by your heavy knock, that you were Reggie." Despite Kallie's demand for the apology, Alya's tone and wording made it clear that she was hardly sorry about making the insult. "Does Phineas still eat like a starved sow? Such a dreadful boy! I hope my seat is far from his. I suppose it cannot be helped; having such a boar of a father.

When Kallie went off with her chin held high and without the other two girls, Alya almost squealed with joy. Instead she feigned distaste, "Well, that is rather anti-social. I do not envy your residence with such a loathly lady." The departure of the other twin made Alya grin. The audacity of the two insignificant girls threatened to break Alya's patience as she entertained the idea of cursing the girl's backs.

Finally, Alya followed the other two Blacks. As she moved closer toward the other guests, Alya's grin was wearing quickly away. The twins alone, Alya could handle. But soon she would be overwhelmed by a tide of the unworthy Blacks. It was Alya's time to turn up her chin as she proceeded to a most unpleasant evening. That the chance to disgrace someone in grandmother's eyes would arise was the only thing that kept Alya from fleeing the premises.

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