May 15th, 1892 — Upper Circle, Hogsmeade Derby

Vera loved the derby, she was in her element, the queen bee of the occasion, her mother, although the technical hostess was more than happy with allowing her socially engaged daughter to lead the vangard, especially in all matters relating to horses.  An animal she detested, she attended the event under sufferance, not really understanding her daughter and husbands obsession with the creatures.  Vera on the other hand adored the creatures, and would be the first to take on a steeple chase, it was her greatest disappointment that she could not partake in the races herself. 

Vera's iridescent green silk garment looked spectacular for the occasion, it complimented not only her skin but her abundant red tresses, the merging of the preraphealite and the gibson girl aesthetics in a blend that was uniquely her own. 

Her cousin Olixander, that Rake with a captial R, had been speaking with a young lady she didn't recognise and never one to let Oli away with anything as soon as she had seen the lady standing alone Vera sidled up to the lady in question, her fan snapped open, appriasing the younger lady very clearly. 
'Miss Edevane I presume?' she greeted with a smile, that might have put the lady on notice that she was being appriased, she could not have done a better job of it if she had been the young man's mother. 

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Juniper Edevane

  

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After Atticus had promised to take Poppy to the derby as part of her birthday present, the brunette had practically begged him to allow Juniper to attend with her; he hadn’t been thrilled by the idea - Atticus wasn’t fond of the Edevane family as a whole - but had agreed when both girls promised they’d be on their best behavior. It had been Poppy who disappeared without as much of a word without a chaperone in tow, sending Atticus into a tizzy once he’d realized. She had been on her best behavior the entire night, although when Mr. Olixander Blackwood had finally approached her, she couldn’t help engage him in conversation.

He teased her about taking a swim at the flower show the day before, while she was able to counter with the floral arrangement she had sent him after the show, with orange blossoms and ivy to showcase their friendship. They had become unlikely friends, and found conversation with each other at most events they both attended, even if they were far and few in-between given that June hadn’t debuted yet. It had been short as he’d rushed off to place a few more bets, leaving Juniper alone.

A woman sidled up next to not too long after Mr. Blackwood disappeared into the crowds, and June found herself straightening her back as she turned to face her, a slight smile against her own lips. “Juniper Edevane, yes.” She felt the need to say her first name because people consistently her up with her identical twin, and it was frustrating to have meetings people thought she should remember. That was one of the benefits of being the eldest daughter - she was Ms. Edevane while her was Ms. Ophelia. She knew it drove her sister up the wall but there wasn’t a single thing she could do about it.

“I’m not sure we’ve met before?” She posed it as a question, just in case she’d met Ophelia. Although she highly doubted it; the poor girl led a terribly boring life.

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Ginevra Blackwood

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Vera took the girl in appraisingly, she was aware that this young lady had obtained an invitation through the Foxwood contingent, but she had of course noted that her cousin had been over speaking to her like a whippet from the traps. Of course she was a pretty little thing, barely out of leading strings if Ginevra wasn't mistaken, but pretty none the less, and she was more than a little curious about the young lady who had caused her cousin to break away from the pack of dashing young men and seek out a particular young lady, and not one of those that Vera might have guessed at.

'I don't believe so' Vera said, 'I think I might have remembered you.' she said with an expression that somehow managed to be a smile and a pout in the same instance. Vera's bright green eyes very clearly took in every inch of the girls appearance from her dainty booted feet to the top of her pretty blonde head, as the 'experienced' debutant, the elder statements as it were she felt rather superior to the new batch of debs.

'I hope my dear cousin wasn't embarrassing himself in some attempt at being dashing?' she teased, less so the girl and very much aimed at her dear cousin, and he was indeed her dear cousin. As the queen bee of her little hive, the attentions of all the men within it she guarded rather jealously.

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As she felt the woman’s eyes on her, appraising her, June straightened her back; while not important to June for any of Olixander Blackwood’s friends to like her, there was something almost discerning about not making a good impression - Juniper wanted to be his friend, too. The woman didn’t look old enough to be his mother thankfully, as she hadn’t dealt with any mothers yet. She was prepared to once she’d debuted - her stepmother had taught her the ins and outs of being a proper debutante, although more often than not the lessons went straight out the window. It was difficult to remember anything when she wanted nothing more than to put someone in their place.

Smiling at her, June raised her chin as she spoke. “Is there a time Mr. Blackwood isn’t embarrassing himself around women? Because that is something I’d truly love to see.” Her smile softened a bit as she took a very brief glance at where he’d wandered off to before green eyes flicked back over to his cousin. She was much more important than a friend, although she didn’t think anyone could dictate who Mister Blackwood wanted to hang out with.

“Although when we met, he was an utmost gentleman.” Minus the fact that he’d pinched her. And invited her to a heinous party. (All of her doing, of course, promising a favor with no strings attached.)

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Ginevra Blackwood

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Ginevra had not expected to laugh at the girls statement, but she did and heartily at that. It was refreshing to meet someone who did not immediately simper and mince for the good opinion of Olixander Blackwood. As the eligibly gent he was, he like her brother Bertram were very popular with young ladies, their rank, station, finances, blood and good looks gauranteed the interest of nearly all eligible misses and their hungry mama's. She could probably count on one hand the number of young ladies who had ever said anything other than simpering flattery to her about either. The fact that this young lady seemed to have the measure of her cousin marked her as a singular creature.

'I'm pleased that he has not taken liberties' she sniffed with a laugh. 'although I'm not sure if Im more surprised at your patience with him, or that he was entirely a gent' she chuckled back. 'How did you have the misfortune of becoming introduced to him?'

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June felt herself relax a bit, as if she wasn’t under scrutiny from Mr. Blackwood’s family. It helped too that Ms. Blackwood laughed rather than taking it as a jab at her cousin. She laughed too then, before she shook her head. “Well, I did have to put him in his place but after that he was a perfect gentleman.” A small smile quipped at the edges of her lips; she didn’t want to get into how they met given she was in the wrong and had been forced to ask Mr. Blackwood for his help. (Or well, a chaperone failed to be at a store in Hogsmeade, so it wasn’t really her fault, but still.)

“We met during a Hogsmeade weekend. He helped me after deciding I could be useful to him, but said favor would ruin my reputation.” June laughed again as she turned her eyes toward Ms. Blackwood. “It took some persuading, but we finally came to an agreement on what could be done. I thought he might combust when I argued with him, but I’m certainly never letting a man dictate my future.”

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Ginevra Blackwood

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Vera's mouth opened in mock shock. 'I shall never let him hear the end of that, how could he possibly shame us all by being unmannerly' she made a mental note to abuse Oli viciously when she next got him alone. 'But I'm pleased that you were at least to manage the situation' Vera smirked, 'if the Blackwood men need athing it is management.' that was probably a socially accepted truth, Vera managed her fathers social calendar and obligations as a quidditch sponsor, she also all but ran her brothers social calendar as well, he went to the social events that Vera accepted for him and forewent the events she told him to. While she was not as close to Oli's calender, she was sure he needed someone to organise him the way in which the men in her own family required management.

'Miss Edevane I think I should learn to like you a great deal.' Vera noted clinking her champagne glass to Miss Edevanes, 'and if you require a conspirator for any plan against my darling cousin you might prevail upon me as an ally.' Vera affirmed. She had decided, more than a year ago now, that a husband, although a necessity for ones social position would, as Miss Edevane rightly noted, never to let a man dictate her life - and Lady Cyrene was the manifestation of that decision.

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^  Look what Lady did  ^

June couldn’t help the laugh that escaped her, but the very thought of Mr. Blackwood being shamed for their first encounter brought her much joy. He didn’t deserve it per say, but maybe he’d think twice before he turned anyone else into a brunette prostitute for fun. He could have picked anyone else for her to parade around as for the night. “If the world didn’t have women like us, it would burn. Someone has to keep the men in line.” She smiled at Ms. Blackwood then, as she needed.

All the men in her life needed management; Grace was constantly reminding her father of the social engagements and her brother would probably have the handling whenever he was old enough to enter the scene.
She clinked her own glass against Ms. Blackwood’s as she inclined her head. “I appreciate it. I have plans for him in the future, although I’m not quite sure what they are yet. When I debut I’m sure I will owl you to devise a plan on how to torment him. Why, he owes me for a stunt he pulled on Valentine’s Day.” He turned her into a bloody prostitute. A brunette prostitute of all things! “So whatever I plan must be a good one.”

Her dear friend Poppy thought she was beginning to form a crush on Mr. Blackwood. Juniper thought otherwise.

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Ginevra Blackwood

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'Well said' she quipped back, unaware of course that she had met the girl before - the buxom woman on her cousins arm at one the hedonistic parties she had held earlier in the year, had been pretty but had made almost no impact on her as a person - there were plenty of buxom, pretty girls at that party. Her own anonymity at the event had been secured with charms and flair designed to obscure her physical appearance, potions to changed her distinctive hair colour and a charm to ensure her features were obscured, indeterminable by those who looked at her.

'Valentines day? How portentous?' she asked, her eye brow quirked. Was her darling cousin considering asking for the young lady's hand? How interesting - the timing of their 'high jinks' was incredibly interesting. She remembered seeing her cousin that day at her party, but she wondered why her silly cousin would have spent time with a common whore when he had had Miss Edevane on his arm. 'What liberties did he take exactly?' she pressed, her eyes narrowed in suspicion of her cousins behavior. 'Am I to be outraged? Do I, as his close relation need to take any corrective action?' she asked archly. Her interest not only in her cousins reputation with debutantes, but also just straight up nosiness encouraging her to press the young miss for more of the salacious details.

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Juniper tilted her head back and laughed quietly. “Well, I think he was just lonely and wanted some company.” She left out that she’d offered to buy him a prostitute after insulting him. Overall, it had been a lovely evening, even if the party had been shocking and embarrassing for her to see - she wasn’t a virgin but she most certainly hadn’t been expecting to see any of the things she had.

In fact she’d spent most of the night on his arm; of course Miss Blackwood wasn’t aware she’d been transformed into a bloody brunette prostitute and June had no intentions of ever telling her… so instead she fabricated some version of the truth. “Well, he told me he wouldn’t touch me, a true gentleman indeed, but then told me if I wanted anything that I could find some other gentleman to do the honors.” She snorted. “As if I would willingly allow a stranger to touch me in such a manner.” She had been infuriated then and she was ireful now that he would even suggest such a thing!

“I should have slapped him.” The blonde grumbled as she crossed her arms over her chest.

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Ginevra Blackwood

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Vera tried to control her face when the young lady said her cousin was lonely - what a strange thought. She had never considered her cousin either maudlin or introspective enough to be afflicted with lonliness. She wasn't sure she entirely bought the excuse - perhaps it was the sort of insipid chat up line that he had realised would work on Miss Edevane - it seemed unlikely but then so did the idea of his lonliness so crippling he spent special time with a debutante. Most interesting. She made a mental note to corner her lovely cousin and grill him on what exactly his intentions with Miss Edevane where.

'the day is young Miss Edevane - there is still time and I shall swear before aurors that you were provoked if you wish to find him this afternoon and extract your slap?' she took another pair of champagne glasses from a passing server and handed one to the other woman.

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^  Look what Lady did  ^

She liked Miss Blackwood; she was sharp and probably a person Juniper could seek out when she wanted someone willing to get into a little trouble with her. Poppy and Beryl were fun, but sometimes they were a little too focused on being picture-perfect debutantes while she wasn’t ready to settle down and find a husband. Both of them seemed okay to marry for things other than love; June wanted a solid friendship before she even considering courting someone. (Plus she enjoyed the idea of having someone who could talk Mr. Blackwood into coming with them because he deserved to have a little fun in his life too.) If he didn’t want to be her friend – which was ridiculous because they were a (friendship) match made in heaven – at least she’d made a new friend in Miss Blackwood.

She laughed quietly and shook her head as she accepted the champagne. Then her eyes were drawn towards Mr. Blackwood, standing just a ways off. Her expression softened as she glanced at him and she couldn’t help the twitch of a smile against her lips. “No, I think I’ll wait. Hell has no fury like a woman scorned, and I need to really feel anger so he feels the slap down to the very core of his soul.” She glanced back at Miss Blackwood. “However, I would love to show some strange men what they get to look forward to when I debut this season. Can’t let them think all of us are cute and quiet, right?”

(This would mark the very first day of trying to make Olixander Blackwood jealous, although Juniper wouldn’t realize it until much later.)

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Ginevra Blackwood

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Vera chuckled, 'Well said Miss Edevane, well said' she tipped her glass to the other lady's. She hadn't entirely realized that the other was not yet debuted. 'You can count on me as an ally in any of your nefarious schemes Juniper, you don't mind if I call you Juniper do you, she waved breezily, 'Oli deserves everything coming to him, and I intend to facilitate it.'.

The first race began, but very unlike herself, Vera had little interest in the horses, or the outcome.

'What are the plans for your debut? Are they settled?' Her mother hadn't mentioned an invite from the Edevanes and she would have been shocked if they had left out, if for no other reason than she had an unmarried brother who was their heir. Until he was married Vera was fairly sure there would be no shortage of invitations for the younger Blackwood- even if Vera thought herself enough fun to warrant just about any invitation.

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June couldn’t help but laugh; she liked Miss Blackwood and while she loved Poppy, Ida and Beryl dearly, it would be nice to form friendships outside of them. Her friends would be worrying about their own debuts and prospects while June was worried about… what? Mister Blackwood and her need to be friends with him? Yes. Because she wasn’t worried about finding a husband her first season – becoming a wife and a mother by nineteen was downright terrifying to her. “Juniper is fine, as long as I can return the favor.” Maybe one day she’d tell her to call her June, although that was reserved for people she knew well.

She nodded at the comment about Mister Blackwood but didn’t comment, as she was entirely sure that he deserved whatever was coming to him.

“Oh, well, mostly. My sister and I will be debuting at the same time, and well, we don’t exactly see eye to eye on some matters. She won’t back down on the types of flowers and I would rather chew my foot off than allow her Gryffindor colors to be the center of the ball.” June scoffed. “It will be sometime in early July because I’m afraid June is upon us and things still aren’t settled.” It was a well known fact (at least for those at Hogwarts who knew the Edevanes), that Ophelia and June did not see eye to eye on anything; June would go out of her way to argue that the grass was blue and the sky was green before she’d agreed with her sister on basic facts.

The fact that they’d be in the same house again was disheartening, and to have to share their special night together? At least she was the eldest and would get to do everything at their debut first, leaving Ophelia to walk in shadow for the night.

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'Vera Please!' she clarified, a few people called her Ginny and the name was so sickly sweet as to give her tooth ache. She had rather come to hate being called Ginny - only Bertram dared use it these days and it was mostly done to annoy her. Vera couldn't help the little catch of her lip as June indicated that she would be debuting with a sister. Ew. Sharing a spot light. Bad enough that twins had to share a birthday, a but sharing a debut seemed like a crime. Might as well let them share a husband too and have done with it.

One of Vera's brows arched, she was a Gryffindor - a fact which surprised most people, who took her for a Slytherin. She was however, not especially invested in anything even approaching 'house pride.' 'How unoriginal.' Vera said, her tone scathing and with barely concealed disdain. 'The point of ones debut is to reveal yourself to society as a woman, not remind the entire room that your personality began and ended with the sorting hat in 1st year.' Vera took a sip of champagne, 'The first part of it might help you to get your own way - or at least scare your mother into forbidding it.
Besides green and red look terrible and if her house colour gets to be represented, then so should yours.' she added with a roll of her eyes.

She really did hope that Miss Edevane dodged that rather atrocious colour pallete. Red and gold in the summer? what a horrid clashing palette - that would look just terrible against the spring colours. Vera had been about to open her mouth, to confirm this conviction, when she caught Bertram out of the corner of her eye, the elder Blackwood sibling giving her a portentous look. She nodded and turned back to her companion with a bright smile. 'You must excuse me Miss Edevane, but I am sure we will have many other opportunities for you to fill me on on all of the details of your debut before the big day - and if none come up naturally we shall have to arrange them' she said genuinely.

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   Juniper Edevane

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^  Look what Lady did  ^