The Yule Ball

Artorius laughed dryly. "Mr. Hubert, I guerrantee you, so long as my children are dating yours no harm will come to them. Purely by way of the fact that they are my offspring and the ministry is not going to do anything to me or my family or anyone associated with them."

Darius arched an eyebrow. "Like I said, NO ONE, including you, Mr. Celebrian or your family is all powerful. The ministry was not what I was referring to but it has been known to be severely corrupted."

Artorius just laughed again, this time with a slight touch of malice. "I do not presume myself to be all powerful Mr. Hubert and you should not imply as such. And since I work for the ministry I do not appreciate your insulting it."

Darius arched his eyebrow at Artorius. "Forgive me. I ramble on without comprehending my own words. There is just something that tells me this isn't right."

"Glad you noticed." Artorius replied dryly. "Perhaps you would also like to apolozige to my son for destroying his relationship."

"No, I feel it is right that they don't see each other." Darius says standing up. He was beyong an indignant rage.

Artorius rose to his feet, towering over Darius. "They are of age. You have no right to prevent them from doing anything!" He snarled.

"As long as Sonia lives underneath my roof, I have everyright to prevent her from seeing anyone. If your son so much as lokks at my daughter, I will make his life a living hell." Darius seethed glaring back. He was obviously not one to back down because of size.

In a blur of movement Artorius' fist shot out and connected with Darius's face, sending blood flying. He grabeed Darius by the neck and slammed him against the wall, Artorius' wand pointed at his forehead. "Don't. EVER. Threaten. My. Family."

Darius glared despite his bleeding nose. He grunted.

"Father, what's going on?" Descartes asked from the doorway of the study. "Mr. Celebrian, please, put my father down."
It was a polite question but something in the boy's eyes screamed danger. "Please."

"Why don't you explain to your son what has happen Darius?" Artorius growled without moving. "Tell him how you've been wrecking your daughter's happiness."

"She'll be happier on her own." Darius said turning his head and spitting the blood from his mouth.

"What are you talking about, Father?"

"I made Mr. Celebrian leave Sonia."

"What? Why?" Descartes asked.

"Because I am her father, d@mn it, and she will listen to me."

Descartes shuddered. He had never seen his father like this. there was such hatred in his voice.

"You can't control her forever." Artorius hissed. "Nor can you stop Elrohir from doing anything. And if you try..." Artorius snarled, giving Darius another punch to the face.

Descartes ran forwards as the impact happened. His father's head immediately hung; a groan escaping Darius's lips. "No." Descartes yelled trying to push Artorius away.

Artorius dropped Darius to the floor without looking at Descartes. "You really ought to reconsider defending that slime."

"That slime, sir, is my father." Descartes says calmly as he pulle a handkerchief from his pocket and pressing it to his father's now broken nose. He obviously had most of his mother in him. If it had been Sonia, she would have completely gone off. "Please, sir, I'm begging you to go. I will talk some sense into my father."

"I hope so, Descartes, for your sister's sake as well as his." Artorius said, turning away and making for the front door. "My apologies to you Descartes. Not to your father, just you."

Descartes watched as Artorius left. SIghing he got one of the maids to tend to his father before returning to Maik's cabin and relaying the chain of events he had seen.

Maik listened patiently to Descartes, her head in her hands. "What a mess." She sighed. "My father shouldn't have done that. Now heaven knows what insane things Elrohir will do."

"Your father? It was my father's fault. Of course, Sonia was his favorite. I guess that's why he wants to keep her close. He still didn't freak out about our courtship." then it hit Descartes. "What crazy things would your brother do?"