Alex stared.
There was indeed pudding next to the presents. It was pink, in a large bowl, and had whipped cream on top. Some kind of animated marzipan two-legged lizard with massive teeth stomped around the edge of the bowl. A little sign next to it declared it 'Luna's Pudding'. Runes adorned the side of the bowl. It was a monument to the human sweet tooth, and as such taunted her with its mere existence.
Her father hovered nervously nearby. "Lord Lovegood made it clear that this pudding qualified as a politically sensitive issue, and that the Gray would hate to see anything untoward happen to it."
Luna landed in the chair in front of the bowl, and picked up a large spoon.
John watched Luna from the other side of the table, his face hard and calculating.
Susan, Madam Bones, and Lord and Lady Potter looked bemused.
"What are the runes for?" She asked.
Her father glanced at her. "Blood wards." He coughed. "Only a Lovegood as recognised by the Albion Family Magics can reach the pudding."
Luna spooned up a spoonful of pudding, and spooned it into her mouth. She glowed.
John looked up. "But this house is warded, isn't it? You can have exclusionary wards inside another ward scheme?"
Lily Potter looked shocked but delighted by the question.
James Potter beamed. "Now that's an intelligent question, Son. Yes, you can. It's an inherent weakness of many ward schemes that curse breakers exploit. Doesn't cancel out the outside wards of course, thank Merlin."
They continued to watch Luna demolish the blood ward protected pudding until Lily Potter drew their attention. "Well, why don't we start on the gift giving? Then Alex and her friends can play together until it's time to cut the cake."
That sounded like a good idea. Not that she was all that excited. Her best birthday present was already hiding upstairs in the library. She glanced at the pile beside her. It was a large pile though.
"Okay," she said, and picked up a random present. The tag read 'To Alexandra Black, from: Eloise Midgen'. "Umm… not sure who this person is."
The majority of the pile seemed to be from people she didn't know. Those she did know came from every shade of the magical world — Light, Gray, Dark, they were all there.
"Oh," said Lady Potter, "Why don't you just put those aside, and we'll do them all at once at the end. Let's do just the ones from the people here first."
"That sounds like a good idea."
The first present was from Susan. The red haired girl stood shyly beside her while she ripped off the wrapping paper. Inside was a collection of hair accessories.
"I know you like black, so I tried to get them in darker colours." Susan looked down. "Do… you like them?"
Her eyes gleamed. She plucked a bejewelled black butterfly from the box, and pinned her hair back. The butterfly fluttered its wings.
"Of course I do."
Susan beamed.
The next present came from John. It felt heavy, and she was sure it was a book. She wasn't disappointed. She tore the paper off and stared. She stared some more. Then stared at Potter. Then back at the book.
John Potter looked smug.
"Well, Alex? Show us all."
Confusion welling up in her, she turned the book around to show the gathering.
The title read, 'The Light Side of the Dark Arts'.
Silence descended on the group.
Lord Potter spoke. "That's an interesting choice of present, John."
John inclined his head.
Interesting was the correct word. She couldn't think of a more appropriate present. She knew of this series even if she hadn't read it yet. It was as close to giving her a book on the dark arts as he could get away with without seeming to do so. But at the same time, its political stance was firmly of the Light. He may have matured a bit, but this was something else. The John Potter she knew would never be capable of this level of subtlety. It was a very good present.
She fixed him with her gaze, but he gave away nothing.
Eventually she broke the silence. "Thank you, Heir Potter."
"You're welcome." He still looked mildly smug, but maybe this time it was warranted…
"My present next!" Luna jumped up and ran around the table. She picked up a large box from the side of the table, and carefully placed it in front of her. "Keep it that way up."
The box blocked her view of Potter. She glanced at the blonde standing beside her. "Why do I have to keep it that way up?"
"You just do."
Amelia Bones leaned forward. "Are those air holes?"
"Maybe."
Behind her she heard a sharp intake of breath from her father. She started to rip the paper off the box.
*Meow*
She halted.
"Did the box just Meow?"
"Maybe."
She never cared for her father's stories from school, but right now, she grinned a marauders grin. The rest of the paper fell away to reveal a carrying case. Her breath hitched. Bright violet eyes stared at her from behind the wire mesh of the door. The same bright violet she saw every time she looked in a mirror, and attached to those eyes was the cutest pure black kitten she'd ever seen.
On her other side, Susan squealed. "Kitteh! Oh Merlin, Alex, her eyes look just like yours!"
She glanced behind her to see all the adults speechless. She giggled, opened the door, and allowed the kitten to climb onto her. Her eyes gleamed pure evil. Her father had never allowed her to get a cat, but she knew he couldn't refuse her this one. To do so would be a massive insult. For a moment, she forgot her mask. "Thank you, Luna, thank you."
Luna smiled. "You're most welcome, Heiress Black.
She smiled back at her.
Present opening halted for ten minutes while everyone held, petted, and fussed over the little fur-ball, which she'd decided to name Amethyst. Her father had been a bit put out, but eventually gave in and even gave the kitten a good sniff as padfoot, before declaring her 'acceptable'.
"Shall we move on?" Madam Bones asked.
Lily Potter looked up from where she was holding Amethyst. "Yes, let's. Alex?"
"Actually, Lady Potter. I do have one more gift to give," said Luna.
"Oh? Two gifts?"
"Well, this one isn't really from me. She held up a more traditionally sized gift. It's from my lord."
Every adult in the room stiffened.
Her head shot up, and stared at the wrapped gift.
"Luna," her father said, slowly, "do you know what it is?"
"Oh yes, it's a book."
Her heart was beating faster. Another book? What was Lord Slytherin playing at? Why give it in front of everyone?
"Luna, we don't want to imply any mistrust or disrespect towards your future lord, but would you mind if we checked it quickly for magic?"
"Of course not, Chief Auror Black."
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