Chapter 34: Ministry Ball, Fudge, and Greengrass

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The Christmas break was here, and like most of the students, Quinn was back at home. He only had a day to rest before his grandfather give him some news.

He was having dinner with George when the older of the two spoke, "Tomorrow, there is a Yuletide ball at the Ministry, and you will be attending the ball with me."

Quinn didn't respond immediately and took a moment to think about this piece of information. He hadn't been to a formal public gathering like this, and if he attended this one, it would be his first one.

"Is my attendance necessary?" probed Quinn as he would prefer not to go to these kinds of events.

George glanced at his grandson and replied, "Yes, you are coming with me tomorrow. You are not allowed to skip this one."

Quinn nodded and asked, "Is it because I have not been to these kinds of events?"

"Yes, you have shown no interest in these types of gathering, so I have not forced you to come with me, but now is high time for people to know that I have another grandchild. Few know that I have another grandchild. It will be beneficial for you to familiarize yourself with people at that ball and at the same time for others to know that there is another person in the West family."

Quinn silently nodded and thought, 'Oh boy, here comes my public debut.'

Quinn thought that he would be busy at the ball, but he was mistaken; Ms. Rosey had him occupied from the moment he woke up. She took him to have a haircut in the morning, and then Quinn spent hours in a clothing store getting fitted for formal robes, and because they were needed later during the evening, and was forced to try on different colors, styles, and fits.

Ms. Rosey even had him dance practice before the ball just to check if he remembered everything; he wanted to argue who he was going to dance with but didn't after seeing the look on Ms. Rosey's face.

And, just when Quinn was about to sit down for a relaxing read, George pulled in him to quiz him about the significant people coming at the ball.

By the time Quinn was free, it was time to get ready for the ball. He put on his newly stitched bespoke robes and waited for his grandfather in the living hall.

When George entered the hall, Quinn asked while sitting on a sofa, "How are we going to the location? Floo, Apparation, or Portkey?"

George replied with a smile on his face, "We are taking a carriage. It is already ready at the front door." He gestured with his chin, "Come on."

Quinn got up from his seat and said, "Oh, is it a flying one; because I haven't gotten on one for a while." Quinn had been on Thestral pulled carriages at Hogwarts, but they didn't fly for safety reasons; students could be rather stupid and reckless.

"Yes, it is a flying carriage. I ordered it for a change," said George as Quinn fell into step with him as they walked to the front door, where Elliot waited to bid them farewell.

Elliot smiled towards Quinn and said, "Young master, don't be pressured. You just have to be your usual charming self, and everything would be alright." He then frowned and whispered, "Don't tell Ms. Rosey about any of this; she will not agree with me at all, and then I would have to sit as she reprimands me."

Quinn chuckled and nodded in reply.

Elliot opened the door, and the grandfather-grandson stepped out as Elliot followed them. In front of the manor stood a carriage with winged horses attached to it.

Quinn moved close to the winged horses and noted, "Judging by the chestnut color, they are of the Aethonan breed."

The winged horse was a magical species of horse, distinct for possessing wings that enabled them to fly. Winged horses were found worldwide, with many different breeds existing, including the Abraxan, Aethonan, Granian, and Thestral. Law required owners of winged horses to cast Disillusionment charms on them regularly.

Aethonan breed of winged horses was popular in Great Britain and Ireland as they were bred in the country and even had winged horse racing leagues similar to the equestrian sport of horse racing.

Quinn looked at the driver who opened the door for them and thought, 'This guy must be pretty good at Disillusionment charms; maybe I should ask for some tips.'

Inside of the carriage was much bigger and quite luxuriously furnished. Quinn sat opposite George, and the driver opened up a window from the front and pointed his wand towards the half glass globe, and a white fire appeared inside the glass globe.

Quinn looked at the white fire and thought about the candle chandelier in his A.I.D office and all other rooms he frequented, 'All the sources of light are flames... maybe I should design a light artifact that uses lighting charms. Now, what would go into creating something like that?'

Elliot peered inside the carriage and wished, "I wish you a safe journey, and I hope you will enjoy the ball."

Quinn smiled and said, "Thank you, Uncle Elliot."

Elliot stepped back and nodded towards the driver, and Quinn heard the crack of a whip. Quinn looked outside the window to see the carriage moving, and after a dozen seconds, the carriage took off the ground into the air. Little by little, the land became distant with other trees and fields around the West Manor.

After taking in the view for a few minutes, Quinn asked, "Is the ball at the ministry?"

In response, George shook his head, "No, they have booked another building for the ball. It is the same building as every year, and to think they would learn to switch things up once in a while."

Usually, Lia would accompany George on these kinds of events; but this year, she was busy with another country's Yuletide ball, maintaining the business relationship in different countries.

- (Scene Break) -

The carriage landed in front of a common-looking building. The driver drove the horse-pulled carriage into an underground floor of the building, functioning as a parking station.

When Quinn and George exited the carriage, a ministry employee was waiting there to receive them. The ministry employee was a young man who stepped forward and greeted George,

"Good evening, Mr. West. I am Malcolm MacDonald from the Department of International Magical Cooperation. I will be guiding you to the ball this evening."

George nodded and silently followed Malcolm MacDonald, the ministry employee. Quinn walked with his grandfather; he also noticed that Malcolm MacDonald was sneaking peeks towards him.

'Well, it is my first time here. I guess Malcolm MacDonald didn't know about me,' thought Quinn and also made eye contact with Malcolm once, and because of habit, Quinn extended his magic towards Malcolm's mind and felt no shields around his mind, but held back from reading his mind.

After walking for a couple of minutes, they reached the hall. Quinn took in the hall room with its silverish and golden decor, shining every corner of the large room, velvet curtains framing the sides of the hall, and tens of circular tables set up in the hall with a large empty area in the middle for dancing.

In the hall, multiple people dressed in robes and dresses mingling together, talking and laughing with each other.

Malcolm MacDonald turned to face George and said, "I hope you enjoy the evening, Mr. West." and gave Quinn a light nod before leaving the pair.

Quinn followed him with his eyes and saw that he was making a beeline towards a crowd of people, most probably alerting the Minister that George West had arrived.

Quinn looked up at George, asking with his eyes about what he should do. George smiled and replied, "You have to follow me for a while, and after introducing yourself to some significant people, you can relax and do whatever you want for the rest of the evening."

Quinn smiled and nodded, "Alright, let's go and meet some people." He chuckled and added, "How should I play this, maybe a shy kid or maybe a charmer, hmm... should I go the spoiled route?"

George hugged him by the shoulder and warned with a small smile, "Don't cause mischief, and just be yourself."

Quinn grinned and looked around, "Who should we talk to first?"

George shook his head and stated, "We don't need to approach. Just wait, and people will come to us. Let's just grab a spot and let the others come to us." Quinn nodded, impressed by his grandfather's demeanor. George truly believed that people would flock around him.

'He does have the qualifications to back up his confidence,' thought Quinn as he followed George and looked at the back of his grandfather with admiration. If it was social skills and values as a person, Quinn would be fine if he became half as good as George.

George had just picked up a drink for himself, and his previous statement came true as the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Oswald Fudge, walked towards them with a big smile on his face, behind a small group followed. Quinn noticed a woman who looked like a toad, but decided to ignore as long she didn't talk to him.

"Mr. West, you made it. I wasn't sure you would be showing up. I am immensely delighted to see that you are here," the minister said in his most flattering voice.

It made Quinn smile a little when he heard Fudge addressing his grandfather with mister. Quinn clearly recalled that Fudge didn't do that with Albus Dumbledore or even Lucius Malfoy. It just showed how much influence George West held in Britain.

"I had no plans this time of the year, so I decided to accept your invitation, Cornelius," said George with a stoic expression. He swept his eyes to the people behind Fudge, and that made them stand straighter. Even the toad woman didn't say a single word.

George put a hand on Quinn's shoulder and introduced, "Let me introduce you to my grandson Quinn."

All the people at once noticed that there was a kid beside George West. They didn't notice the kid before, and the common thought struck all, 'George West's grandson?!'

Quinn smiled and put out his hand for a handshake, "Happy Yuletide, Minister."

Cornelius Fudge grabbed Quinn's hand while feeling stunned. 'George West had a grandson? Why didn't I know about this?' He also had the urge to grill Malcolm McDonald about why didn't he feel the need to tell about George West's grandson.

"Oh ho, Quinn West, is it? How old are you, Quinn?" smile Fudge.

Quinn let go of Fudge's hand and replied, "I am twelve years old."

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'Twelve? Then...', Fudge thought as he asked, "Where are you going to school, Quinn?" He knew that Lia West had studied at Beauxbaton, so he wanted to know where this grandchild studied.

"I study at Hogwarts and am in my second year," Quinn offered politely.

'Oh! this one goes to Hogwarts, excellent!' thought Fudge as he thought about West family money staying in Britain. "I see; how are you liking it?"

"It has been learning about magic. The castle is also quite fascinating," replied Quinn.

George decided to brag about Quinn, "Quinn is at the top of his class. He scored above a hundred percent in Transfiguration, Charms, Herbology, Defense Against Dark Arts, and Astronomy."

Fudge clapped and smiled, "Excellent! Excellent! It is important to be a good student."

With that, Quinn spent some time standing by his grandfather while George chatted with the minister. After that, George allowed Quinn to leave his side and do whatever he wanted.

"Just come see me once in a while so that I know you are still in the hall," warned George before letting him go. Quinn had met the minister, so it wouldn't be long before he would be known throughout the ball and later to more people.

Quinn nodded and decided to see if there was something for him to drink here. He walked to the bar and got a glass of a pineapple orange punch to drink. Quinn walked across the hall and looked at people to see if he recognized someone, and as he was sipping from his glass, he heard a startled voice, "You!"

Quinn turned back with the glass still at his lips and saw a familiar blonde dressed in a lavender dress standing in front of him as she stared at him with a stunned look on her face.

Quinn removed the glass as he smiled towards the girl and said, "Looking good, Greengrass."

The stunned-looking blonde was his junior Daphne Greengrass. Quinn slowly walked towards her and took her gloved hand, bent over it and placed a kiss on her knuckles, and wished, "Happy Yuletide."

Daphne was still stunned seeing Quinn here at the ministry as she knew little about Quinn, so it came as a surprise to her to see him here at the ball. Then she felt a heat rush through her cheeks when he complimented her and kissed her hand.

It was when Quinn stepped back that she snapped out of her state and pulled her emotional occlumency skills to get control of her emotions and erase the blush off her cheeks.

"You were invited to the ball?" Daphne immediately asked.

Quinn nodded and answered, "Yes, well, my grandfather was invited, and I am here with him."

Daphne hummed as she wondered who Quinn's grandfather was.

"Would you like something to drink?" politely asked Quinn. When Daphne nodded, Quinn walked back to the bar to get her a drink and refill his own.

"So, who did you come with?" Quinn asked as he handed Daphne a glass of strawberry punch.

"With my parents."

Daphne's parents were Jacob and Sophie Greengrass. Jacob Greengrass was the head of the Grey political faction, and his wife Sophie Greengrass was no slouch either; she was the one who organized all the Grey faction gathering at her home to keep the Grey faction close with the help of these gatherings. The Grey faction members and families frequented Sophie's events to exchange information and strengthen their connections to remain strong and a tight bunch within Wizengamot. Her contributions to the faction made her one of the core members of the Grey faction.

"So, what does your grandfather do?" a nonchalant question came from Daphne as she sipped her punch.

Quinn glanced at her, 'Look at her, discreetly trying to fish for information, so sneaky,' it made Quinn smile inwardly. He gave the question thought for a split second and answered, "My grandfather owns the Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop in Hogsmeade. Proudly supplying quills and parchment to Hogwarts since I don't know when."

It was technically a legitimate answer, and Quinn wasn't lying; he was just omitting most of the things his grandfather did for a living.

"Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop...?" Daphne asked, not sure what to make of what Quinn had told her, 'Is a Quill and Parchment Shop enough to be invited to a ministry ball?'

"Yes, Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop, you must have ordered some stationary through mail order," said Quinn while enjoying the confusion that Daphne was feeling.

"Y-Yes, I have." said the girl. She wanted to ask how warranted an invitation to the ministry ball but held back as it would come out as rude.

'This is so much fun.' Quinn was going to have some more, but their conversation was interrupted when a lady appeared and spoke, "Daphne, dear."

A lady dressed in dark forest green walked to the pair and called for Daphne, and the girl turned to address the lady, "Yes, mum?"

Sophie Greengrass had the same blonde hair as her daughter, but unlike her daughter, who had blue eyes, she had hazel irises. She had her blonde locks styled in a single braid falling over her shoulder and had simple-yet-elegant jewelry adorning her neck and ears, and looked overall a graceful and stunning woman.

Quinn's mischievous thoughts all vanished as he single-mindedly stared at the lady in front of him. Quinn couldn't take his eyes off of her and simply looked at her without blinking.

'Beautiful,' was the only word he could think of to describe her. He could do better, but right now, Quinn wasn't thinking normally.

"Daphne, would you introduce your friend to me," Sophie Greengrass asked her daughter; she knew how her daughter was when it came to friends, so it came as a surprise when she saw her daughter talk to a person Sophie didn't recognize, much less a boy.

Daphne nodded and introduced, "This is Quinn West; he studies at Hogwarts, second-year, Ravenclaw."

Sophie's pupils widened a fraction as he heard the surname West. She carefully looked at the now introduced Quinn West and saw the black hair and stone-grey eyes.

'He is from the West family, alright; the features match. I didn't know that he had another child in his family,' thought Sophie as she watched Quinn.

Quinn, who was stunned because of Sophie Greengrass, came back to his senses and stepped closer to her and took her hand to kiss her knuckles. Quinn looked up and asked, "Ma'am, are you by chance a Veela?" Words of flattery flowed out Quinn's mouth as he held Sophie's hand.

Sophie was surprised for a second before a chuckle escaped her lips as he smiled at the little guy in front of her while the other Greengrass looked scandalized at her schoolmate's words.

"No, little child, I am not a Veela," said a smiling Sophie Greengrass.

Quinn shook his head and said, "Please, call me Quinn."

Daphne cleared her throat and frowned towards Quinn, "Would you let go of my mother's hand, already."

Quinn looked at his own hands and saw that he was still holding Sophie's hands and let go of her hand, "My apologies." He felt a heat of embarrassment rush to his cheeks but shook it off without any delay and asked, "May I know your name, my lady?"

"My name is Sophie Greengrass from the house of Greengrass," she replied with a beautiful smile on her face and offered a question of her own, "By any chance, are you related to George West."

Quinn straightened up at that question and nodded with a modest smile on his face, "Yes, Mrs. Greengrass, I am Quinn West, grandson of George West. It is a pleasure to meet you."

"Quinn, I must ask; I have never seen you before. Usually, it is your grandfather, or sometimes your sister, but it is the first time I have seen you."

"Indeed, it is my first time at one of these events. I must say just meeting you have made coming to this ball worth it," Quinn didn't know why, but he was laying it on thick.

Sophie once again chuckled at the flattering words before turning to Daphne, "I have interrupted enough; I will leave you two alone." She needed to tell her husband about George West's other grandchild and how apparently he was friends with their daughter.

She nodded towards Quinn, who waved her goodbye and sighed with a smile on his face. He turned to Daphne and said, "Now, where were we?"

Daphne just glared at Quinn and walked away, and Quinn followed after her while saying, "Hey, what did I do? Greengrass? Greengrass?!"

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Quinn West - MC - Dressed Up - Smitten at first sight.

George West - Grandfather - Manners Maketh Man.

Cornelius Fudge - Minister - Master boot licker.

Daphne Greengrass - Greengrass Family - Currently Cross with Quinn.

Sophie Greengrass - Greengrass Family - Perfect example of Beauty and Brains.

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