Chapter One, Naming Ceremony

Euphemia looked around at the gorgeous ballroom that had been decorated with the help of her dedicated house-elves for the occasion of her beloved twins' Naming Ceremony. It had all been decorated and coordinated with the colours that went with the holiday Litha; therefore, the colour scheme was Pearl and lilac. The tablecloths draped over the numerous tables were a sheen Pearl colour with lilac seat cushions for the chairs and lilac napkins. Lilac drapes were behind the stage where the band would play, the decor for the tables were numerous small candles and a large crystal vase full of white and soft pink roses.

The invitations were decorated with an elegant lilac and silver floral pattern. It had been sent out to all of the Pureblood and Halfblood families (the Muggleborns had all been taken under the wing of either their Pureblood or Halfblood families), and the new bloodline that had been revived by Muggleborns and Muggle-raised visiting Gringotts and taking an Inheritance Test as required by the new Law that had been passed. The invitation was addressed as thus;

You are cordially invited to the
Naming Ceremony
In honour of
Heir Potter and Heiress Potter-LeFay
Saturday, June 21st
At Eight O'Clock in the Evening
POTTER MANOR
RSVP BY JUNE 10th TO LORD POTTER AND LADY POTTER-LE FAY
HOSTED BY LORD FLEAMONT POTTER AND LADY EUPHEMIA POTTER-LE FAY

Mia had to say she was rather impressed with them. The new Lady Bramworth had done an excellent job with them, and Mia would be sure to promote her business by word-of-mouth at the Ball. If she was a betting woman, Mia would bet that by next week she would be inundated with new requests at her shop: Bramworth Formal Prints in Trigon Alley, just off the side of Diagon Alley. To go with the theme of the Ball or rather Ceremony, Euphemia had a gown created at Twilfit and Tattings for both herself and Iolanthe and suits for Monty and James and a robe for Monty instead of a jacket. An elegant lilac, glittery chiffon dress with a ruffled skirt, a v-neckline and spaghetti straps for herself; and a matching lilac glitter chiffon dress with bows on the straps for Iolanthe.

Mia had paired her own dress with a Pearl necklace, earrings and bracelet set that Monty had gifted to her for their last anniversary, black heels with diamantés on the front. Her blonde hair was in a twisted chignon with curls framing her heart shaped face, lilac shimmery eyeshadow framed her crystal blue eyes with black liquid eyeliner and black mascara; finally, her Cupid bow lips were painted a taupe-rose colour. As for her beautiful daughter Iolanthe who was a spitting image of her mother, she had soft black shoes that were decorated with a bow and sequins, and adorning her curly blonde wisps was a black floral headband.

To coordinate with his wife, Monty wore a three piece black suit with black trousers, a crisp white shirt, a black waistcoat, a black bow tie, and finally a black robe. Seeing her husband Mia fell in love with him all over again as he looked very handsome and very dapper with his black wavy hair that often stuck all over the place (which unfortunately their son seemed to have inherited) was slicked back with his Sleakeazy Hair Potion and his glasses were cleaned to perfection that they gleamed in the candlelight. Matching his father who he held an uncanny resemblance to, James wore a baby version of a suit with a shirt, bow tie and black trousers style bodysuit with a black suit jacket over the top and soft black shoes.

"Everything is perfect, my love. How could it not be with my amazing, beautiful wife overseeing the proceedings." Fleamont stated, entering the ballroom with the twins in each of his arms who, adorably, were holding hands as they babbled away to each other. Mia couldn't help but smile at her adorable babies, pressing a kiss to their foreheads. James and Iolanthe smiled widely at their mother each letting out an excited squeal causing Monty and Mia to chuckle at their babies.
"Flatterer." Mia teased, kissing Monty's lips tenderly.
"But is it flattery, if it's the truth?" Monty countered chuckling.

"Mistress Mia, Master Monty, Missy is sorry to interrupt but everything is ready and the guest should be arriving any minute via the Portkey invitations." Missy informed them, as the band entered and proceeded to start setting up, after bowing and greeting their hosts.
"Thank you Missy, we'll head to the Entrance Hall now." Mia thanked her Head House-elf, Missy curtsied to them before popping away.
"Come on flatterer." Mia giggled, leading the way to the Entrance Hall while Monty just chuckled and shook his head at her fondly.

The family of four had only stood in the Entrance Hall for a matter of moments when suddenly a bright light filled the Hall causing the two parents to shield their babies' eyes and their own, once the Hall was clear of the bright white-blue light, they noticed the Black Family had arrived, minus Walburga Black. In the forefront were Euphemia's brother-in-law Charlus Potter (who was a year younger than Monty), and his wife Dorea Potter née Black. Dorea looked beautiful in her off-the-shoulder, sea-foam green tule dress that went well with her chignon hairstyle and her husband's charcoal grey suit and sea-foam green tie.

Like his older brother, Charlus', glasses were cleaned to perfection showing off the mischievous gleam in his hazel eyes that always seemed to be present in the Potter brothers' eyes, and his dark locks were tamed with his brother's potion. Unfortunately they hadn't been blessed with children but they doted on all the children from both sides of their family which filled the hole in their hearts.

Besides them stood Lord Arcturus Black, who looked very dapper in his Smokey grey suit and over robe and a royal blue tie, and Lady Melania Macmillan Black, who was wearing an elegant royal blue ball gown with Diamantés on the shoulder straps, were standing with their son, who was now the Lord of the Black family; Lord Orion Black with his son, Heir Sirius Black in his arms, as he was only three months older than their twins. The son and father duo had similar robes to their father/grandfather but Orion's was the darkest at an almost black shade, while young Sirius' suit was an almost silver colour.

Next, were Cygnus Black with his wife Druella and their three small daughters: nine year old Bellatrix, six year old Andromeda and four year old Narcissa who took after mother with her blonde hair, while her older sisters took after their father with their dark ringlets. Then there was Alphard Black, Pollux and Irma Black, and finally there was Orion's older sister Lucretia, who was due her first child in two months, and her husband Ignatius Prewett (they had wanted to travel for a bit first before settling down, so had travelled the first year and a half of their marriage). Irma was in a dark green almost black dress with a black shawl around her frail but strong shoulders while her husband wore a black suit with a matching tie.

Lady Druella wore a satin dusty blue halter neck dress with her husband, Cygnus, wearing a light grey suit with matching tie. His older brother Alphard, wore a darker grey suit with a black shirt but no tie. The three girls looked beautiful in their similar dresses but each in a different colour that suited them perfectly. Boisterous but sweet, nine year old Bellatrix wore a navy blue lace dress with matching Mary Jane's, and the sides of her dark ringlets were twisted backwards to stay out of her face.

Outspoken six year old, Andromeda wore a sky-blue lace dress and matching shoes and her hair that was only slightly lighter in colour than her elder sister's was in a similar style keeping her hair out of her grey-blue eyes. And quiet four year old Narcissa wore the same dress in an ivory colour which went well with her blonde locks that were half-up and half-down showing off her blue eyes.

"Well Met, Lords Arcturus, Pollux, Orion, Cygnus and Alphard Black. Well Met, Lord Ignatius Prewett, and Lady Irma Crabbe Black, Lady Melania MacMillian Black, and Lady Lucretia Black Prewett." Euphemia and Fleamont greeted the family. "Well Met my dear Goodsister and Goodbrother."
"Ladies, you all look lovely this evening, and this cutie must be Heir Sirius Black. And these gorgeous girls must be Heiresses Bellatrix, Andromeda and Narcissa." Euphemia complimented.

A grin stole across her face at the curly black haired, six month old baby boy whose grey eyes were fixed on her daughter in almost awe as he reached out of his father's hold towards her daughter; causing Fleamont and Charlus to scowl.
"Well Met my dear brother and sweet sister." Charlus returned, as the rest of the Blacks gave their own greetings.
"Thank you dear good-sister, you look so beautiful, as does Heiress Potter-Le Fay." Dorea complemented, cooing to her niece. "And dear brother, I see you clean up as well as my dear husband. But out of the two of you I'd say my sweet nephew looks more handsome then the pair of you." She jested causing the two brothers to gasp dramatically in outrage while Mia and Dorea shared a look and rolled their eyes at their husbands.

"We agree with auntie!" Bellatrix, Andromeda and Narcissa declared loudly, causing everyone to laugh. Since everything was revealed at the Wizengamot, a year ago now, they had become closer more like a proper family now, and Walburga was given the help she needs when they sent her to the hospital in Ireland to give her the best chance against the Black Madness brought in by their inbreeding, which they are now ashamed of. "And we'll show our cousin Lanthe what dresses to wear and cousin James what to do against boys like cousin Sirius who already likes Lanthe." They added together, little Narcissa copying her older sisters.
"Girls, we haven't been given leave yet." Druella admonished.
"It's fine Lady Druella, as they said we are family through Dorea and Charlus. You may call us by our given names." Monty waved off.

"Then you may do the same." Orion told them, already knowing his parents had leave to do so as they are dear friends of their hosts.
"Thank you." Mia smiled sweetly. "Now, if you would please follow Missy into the Ballroom she'll lead you to your seats. The next Portkey is about to arrive." Mia ordered politely, sparing a glance to the Grandfather Clock besides them.
"Of course." Melania agreed, promising with a look she'll catch up with her dear friend shortly, smiling when she received two nods of agreement she led her family over to the Head House-elf. She couldn't wait to be properly introduced to those gorgeous babes and celebrate Litha and their Name Ceremony with her dear friends and family.

***

Once everyone had arrived, shown to their seats and served and eaten their meal, Mia took to the stage before the band would play.
"Before the band plays and dancing ensues, my husband and I want to thank you for joining us on our special day of our twins' Naming Ceremony, but also for our holiday Litha where we praise and give thanks to Mother Magic. Having our friends, family and acquaintances join us is a special occasion. So, if you would all join us in giving a sacrifice and prayer to Mother Magic for not only the health of our son Heir James Henry Potter and his twin sister Heiress Iolanthe Morgan Potter-Le Fay but also for your family and those around you." Mia asked, raising her glass with Monty as they took a swig of Tristie's Magical Champagne, as they said a silent prayer.

As the hall watched, they completed their prayer and sacrifice by heading towards the large fireplace with strands of their hair and some of their food. They dropped them into the roaring fire which turned turquoise signalling Mother Magic had heard their prayer and accepted their sacrifices.
"To Heir James Henry Potter and his twin sister Heiress Iolanthe Morgan Potter-Le Fay! May Mother Magic bestow nothing but happiness, love and health upon you!" Charlus, Dorea, Arcturus and Melania crowed in delight, which echoed around the hall as everyone raised their glasses in celebration as they took a swig as they said a silent prayer and completed their own sacrifices over the fire.

Mia and Monty could only smile as Monty wrapped his arms around his wife, grateful for the life of his twins and the prayers of those close to the House of Potter and Le Fay. Their twins were being watched over by Missy and Tarek in the private family room as they played with Sirius, Bellatrix, Andromeda and Narcissa. The three girls were already doting on the twins while Sirius seemed to be besotted over his precious baby girl which he and his brother, and to his delight, his son James were not pleased with. It seems he'll have to keep a very close eye on the young Black Heir in regards to his daughter. A very close eye indeed.

Extra cast:

Lady Caroline Faber as Dorea Black Potter

John Lynch as Charlus Potter