⚜ EVENING, 25TH JULY, 1990, THE GOJO ESTATE ⚜
AT THE ENTRANCE of the grand hall, the Sayre, Black, Malfoy, and Longbottom processions made their entrance, their arrival commanding immediate attention.
At the forefront was Lady Margaret Sayre, Ashley's formidable great-grandmother. Elegance and authority seemed woven into every measured step she took, her very presence radiating command and effortlessly silencing the hum of conversation.
She was grace, tradition, and power personified, and with a single glance, she seemed to remind the room exactly who she was — and why her name carried such weight. Behind her, the rest of the Sayre family followed.
Lord Cedric Sayre, tall and broad-shouldered, the eldest son of Lady Margaret, walked with a dignified air that spoke of quiet strength and leadership reminiscent of his mother, his dark hair streaked with silver.
His wife, Lady Vivienne Sayre, elegant and statuesque, moved beside him with the kind of effortless grace that could silence a room with just a glance. Her pale blond hair was pinned back in an intricate braid, and her deep green robes swished lightly with each step.
Their daughter, Ploy Sayre, Ashley's mother, walked beside them, her head held high with quiet dignity. Though she had lived much of her life away from the formalities of noble society, there was no mistaking the nobility in her bearing.
Behind them came Lord Adrian Sayre, younger brother to Cedric, and his wife, Lady Selene. Lord Adrian, a skilled diplomat, had a calm, measured look, his sharp eyes scanning the room with quiet intelligence.
Selene, with her pale complexion and cool, collected demeanor, walked with an air of subtle power, her robes trimmed in silver runes that glimmered faintly, reflecting her background in advanced magical research.
Their son, Carter Sayre, brought a hint of liveliness to the otherwise composed procession. His keen eyes darted around the room, his expression carrying a spark of mischief as though he were already plotting his next bit of adventure.
And then there was Ashley.
Walking just behind Lady Margaret and just in front of her mother, Ashley looked radiant — poised, confident, and completely at ease in her element. Her dark emerald robes, embroidered with intricate silver runes, shimmered as she moved.
Her eyes found Jasmine's across the hall, and her lips curled into a small, secret smile. Jasmine felt a flicker of warmth at the familiar gesture, her earlier irritation at Molly Weasley melting away in an instant.
But it wasn't just the Sayres who commanded attention.
The Black, Malfoy, and Longbottom families, flanking the Sayres in a combined show of ancient power and prestige, entered the hall like a tidal wave of nobility. Heads turned, conversations hushed, and all eyes tracked the procession as they swept into the room.
Lord Arcturus Black, his imposing presence undeniable, his stoic demeanour undiscernible, led the Black procession with the kind of regal gravitas that turned even the most self-assured nobles into silent observers.
Beside him strode two of the infamous Marauders — Sirius Black, looking dashing and self-assured as ever, with his signature roguish grin firmly in place, and Remus Lupin, understated yet dignified in formal black robes.
Andromeda Tonks, as poised and regal as the day she left the Black family behind, carried herself with effortless grace. Her husband, Edward Tonks, followed at her side, exuding quiet confidence despite being one of the few non-purebloods in the room.
Their daughter, Nymphadora — though Jasmine knew better than to use that name — rounded out the group, her bubblegum-pink hair standing out defiantly amidst the sea of more traditional styles.
On the opposite side of the Sayres, the Malfoys made their entrance with equal flair.
Lucius Malfoy — the Fourth of the Marauders — led them, his chin held high, exuding cool, aristocratic confidence. His platinum hair gleamed in the soft light of the enchanted chandeliers, and he moved with a sleek, predatory grace.
Narcissa Malfoy, Lily Potter's best friend and confidante, glided beside him, her icy beauty softened by the warmth in her gaze as she exchanged a brief, knowing smile with Lily — one that Lily returned with equal familiarity.
Draco Malfoy walked just behind his parents, looking polished and sharp in his tailored formal robes. As expected of the current wielder of the Malfoy innate technique — Serpent's Truth — he was carrying himself with all the grace and arrogance of a peacock.
He caught Jasmine's eye almost immediately, offering her a small, familiar smirk — half teasing, half friendly, which Jasmine returned with equal acquaintance.
And then came the Longbottoms, another powerful family whose presence, though quieter than some, carried a profound weight.
Frank and Alice Longbottom moved with quiet strength and understated grace, their bearing calm but resolute. They didn't need the dramatic flair of the Blacks or the polished grandeur of the Malfoys.
Their reputation as heroes of the last war — two of the most courageous and selfless fighters in the Order of the Phoenix — spoke for itself. People naturally parted for them, not out of fear but out of deep respect.
Neville followed slightly behind them, and Jasmine couldn't help but smile as her eyes landed on her friend. His expression was composed, more confident than it had been in years past, and he moved with a steadiness that reflected his growth.
There had been a time when Neville's steps would have faltered in a gathering like this, his head bowed or his shoulders slumped, but that boy was long gone. He had grown into himself, his quiet bravery and resilience now etched into every line of his posture.
Jasmine felt a swell of pride as she watched him walk with his shoulders straight and his head held high, every inch the heir to the Longbottom line. Neville had always been one of her closest friends — loyal, kind, and fiercely dependable.
Besides, he was the current wielder of the Longbottom technique — Mimicry. It was by studying his technique that Jasmine was able to create a functional copy of it as an extension of her own innate technique.
She, therefore, had seen his immense potential, and helped him understand how far he could go. Seeing him standing tall among the wizarding world's elite, then, filled her with quiet satisfaction.
Collectively, the four processions created a particularly stunning image.
Rose murmured beside her, sounding suitably impressed. "Now that's how you make an entrance."
"They do know how to command a room," Ivy agreed.
As the procession continued its slow advance, Jasmine could feel the shift in atmosphere. There was a crackling tension in the air — a mix of respect, awe, and the faint undercurrent of wariness that always accompanied the most powerful families.
Lady Margaret Sayre greeted Lily and James with warmth and dignity, exchanging a few quiet words before moving on to greet other key figures. Lord Arcturus nodded to James with respectful acknowledgment and gave Lily a courteous bow.
Sirius, naturally, made a bit more of a splash. He strode right up to James with his signature swagger and clasped his hand in a firm shake. "Still throwing the best parties, eh, Prongs?" he teased, clapping James on the back.
James chuckled, his earlier tension visibly easing. "Someone's got to keep things interesting, Padfoot."
"Mission accomplished," Sirius quipped, his gray eyes sparkling mischievously.
Lucius was more reserved but no less impactful, his cool, commanding presence impossible to miss. "Very nice event you've got going on, Prongs," he remarked, his tone smooth yet carrying just enough dry amusement to hint at their old camaraderie.
James chuckled lightly. "Glad you approve, Whiskers. Wouldn't want to disappoint one of our most discerning guests."
Lucius's lips curved faintly, and there was a flicker of amusement in his silver eyes as he inclined his head. "Hardly disappointing, I assure you."
"Cissy," Lily said warmly as she embraced Narcissa. "You look stunning."
"As do you," Narcissa replied with a graceful smile. "I was just telling Lucius that I'll need to find out who designed that gown."
"I'll send you the name tomorrow," Lily promised with a wink.
Meanwhile, as the older people exchanged pleasantries, Jasmine and her sisters approached Ashley, Draco, and Neville.
"Fancy seeing you here," Ashley said softly, her voice teasing but warm.
"Funny how that works," Jasmine replied with a grin. "Welcome to the chaos."
Ivy stepped up beside Ashley, her expression caught somewhere between amusement and mild exasperation. "You two have missed quite the show so far," she drawled. "Molly Weasley cornered us while we were greeting guests."
Neville arched a brow. "And you survived?"
"Barely," Jasmine said with a laugh. "You people actually saved our hides, coming in when you did."
Draco snorted. "Typical."
Rose grinned. "Well, now that you're here, maybe things will finally calm down."
"Or get a lot more interesting," Ivy added with a mischievous glint.
Ashley laughed softly, her eyes sparkling as she glanced between Jasmine and her friends. "Let's find out, shall we?"
"Indeed, let's," Draco added with a smirk, adjusting the cuffs of his tailored robes. "Though, knowing our luck, I'm betting on 'more interesting.'"
Jasmine chuckled as they began weaving their way through the crowd, keeping close together to avoid getting separated in the sea of mingling guests. The air was thick with the hum of conversation, punctuated by the occasional peal of laughter or the clinking of glasses.
As they reached a quieter corner near a small decorative enchanted fountain, Ashley leaned slightly toward Jasmine. "So, what's the plan? Besides avoiding any more ambushes from Molly?"
Jasmine sighed playfully. "Honestly, that's about as far as I've gotten. We've been in survival mode since the doors opened."
Ivy snickered. "We could always hide out by the dessert table. No one's cranky when they're eating treacle tart."
Draco gave her a dry look. "You clearly haven't seen my father when the house-elves forget to serve the chocolate ganache on time."
Ashley grinned. "True. But he looked in a fairly decent mood tonight, didn't he? Considering everything."
"Better than decent," Draco said, a touch of pride in his voice. "He's been talking about this event for weeks. 'A celebration of legacy,' he called it." He shot a sideways glance at Jasmine. "And from what I can tell, the Potters delivered."
Jasmine smiled, a flicker of warmth blooming in her chest. "Thanks. Mum and Dad put a lot into it. They wanted it to be special."
"Well, they succeeded," Ashley said sincerely, her gaze softening. "It's beautiful, Jasmine. Everything feels… magical. And not just because of, you know, actual magic."
"Yeah," Ivy agreed, gesturing around at the twinkling enchanted lanterns floating overhead and the elegant decor that shimmered subtly with charms. "It's got that perfect mix of classy and fun. Very Potter."
Rose added, "And considering the guest list includes practically every important wizarding family in Britain, plus a few from abroad, it's impressive how relaxed it still feels."
"Relaxed might be a stretch," Neville murmured, eyeing a group of dignified witches in deep conversation by the grand staircase. "But at least it's not boring."
"Thanks to us, of course," Ashley quipped with a grin.
"Obviously," Jasmine replied, her grin widening.
"I still find it strange that your parents held this party so long before your actual birthday," Draco remarked.
Ivy shrugged. "They wanted us to have a private day, that day, I guess."
"It's even weirder that they asked for gifts to only be delivered on the 31st," Ashley commented.
"Well, Mom did say that the party was for the people, but the gifts are for us, so, meh." Jasmine replied.
Neville raised an eyebrow. "A party for the people, but the gifts for you? That sounds awfully… Imperial."
Ivy chuckled softly. "Well, it is, kind of, isn't it? Mom's big on that whole celebrate with the masses, but keep the personal stuff personal philosophy."
"Classic Lily Potter," Ashley mused, leaning against a nearby column with casual grace. "Throw a grand event to keep up appearances, but keep the real meaning close to the chest."
Jasmine gave a small shrug. "It's how she's always been. Besides, it's not like we're complaining. This way, we don't have to haul a mountain of presents home or listen to people whisper about who gave what."
"True," Draco agreed with a smirk. "Though I imagine some people are dying to know what kind of gifts you'll get. Especially from certain noble families."
Ashley rolled her eyes, her tone dry. "Because nothing says refined and dignified like a cutthroat game of Who Can Impress the Potters Most."
"Tell me about it," Jasmine muttered. "I'm betting at least half the gifts will come with hidden agendas. Diplomatic alliances, subtle political overtures, the usual."
Neville tilted his head thoughtfully. "And yet, that's probably why your parents made such a big deal about separating the party from the actual gift-giving. No chance for people to publicly flaunt their so-called generosity."
"Exactly," Ivy said, her eyes glinting with amusement. "It keeps things simple — at least as simple as they can be among nobility."
Ashley snorted. "Simple, huh? I guess that depends on your definition. Still, I kind of admire it. Your parents aren't just nobles — they know how to play the game without letting the game play them."
Jasmine grinned. "That's the Potter way."
"And the Malfoy way, too," Draco quipped, flashing a quick, self-satisfied smile. "We just prefer to play it with a little more flair."
"More flair?" Neville teased. "You mean more theatrics, right?"
"Call it what you want," Draco said with an elegant shrug. "But we both know who'll end up making the biggest impression when the real gift-giving happens — even though we won't be there to see it."
"Careful, Draco," Ashley warned playfully. "Confidence is one thing. Hubris is another."
Draco laughed. "Noted. I'll try to keep my hubris in check. For now."
As they continued their playful banter, Jasmine felt the lingering tension melt away, replaced by the warm ease of shared camaraderie. For now, there were no politics, no hidden agendas — just friends, laughter, and light-hearted jabs.
◇◇◇◇◇◇
Author here. 🥸
So, the Sayres are OCs I had to craft while my poor decaffeinated brain ran on empty. The crazy amount of research I had to do nearly killed me. 😭
By the way, let me mention this here — I drew a crazy amount of inspiration from Harry Potter and the Supremacy of Cursed Blood, and so I'll be giving the Sayres an innate technique from there: Imperfect Destruction of Truth. However, it currently doesn't have a wielder. 👍
By the way, the Malfoy technique is rooted in their mastery of subtle influence, manipulation, and social cunning. This technique allows the user to manipulate the perceptions, emotions, and memories of others without direct confrontation. 👍
You may have noticed the brokenness of the abilities I dished out. Well, I'm looking at a situation similar to Gojo's birth — Jasmine's birth literally caused a new golden generation of magic users, and of course, more powerful magical entities all around. 👍
Also, for the Longbottoms, its only Frank, Alice, and Neville left — the same way the Potters are only left with James, Lily, and the girls. Sorry about that. 🤧