XXXXX𝓣ypically, the Xiang household rarely celebrated Easter. Instead, the end of term had meant surrounding themselves with the Knight family, Meiyu's maternal side, who scheduled most nights to frequent dinners and attend a handful of spring balls — very rarely did Meiyu's evenings amidst Easter break consist of residing alone. It had quickly become intolerable. The persistent lack of sleep combined with frequenting such gatherings had enabled Meiyu's condition to worsen, for it had been merely a few months since the incident. The voice oddly sparing her of it's lullaby whilst she kept herself pre-occupied.

A few days prior, Meiyu's mother had received an invitation from an old school friend, a fellow Raven alumni to attend a dinner, extending the invite to her mother also, Agatha. Despite Meiyu's initial protests, Elizabeth firmly believed the social interaction would do her only daughter some good, noticing the visible dark circles which once more began to worsen as each day passed by.

On the afternoon of, Meiyu begrudgingly stood opposing the wooden mirror which stood neatly at one of the corner's of her room. Her mother had hand picked a cream dress, embodied with floral patterns, hand-sewn gems to highlight the floral patterns with diamonds woven into each centre of the flower pieces. On cue, her mother strode in, adding the finishing touches to her own attire, a black elegant gown, sapphire's woven into the hemline for accenting. "You look wonderful." Elizabeth spoke in adoration, pausing to admire her daughter mid-movement as she pierced through her earrings which only accentuated the dress she wore, showcasing utter elegance Meiyu desired so little to be a part of.

"I clearly look like a child bride. Do I have to go to this gathering?" She protested, her hands tracing over the floral outlines against her body, half admiring the detailing, whilst the latter despised her mother's intervention in the entire ordeal. Despite her detest, it was no use. Once her mother set her mind on something, she was beyond adamant to see it through, including this dinner.

"It is a less-formal gathering, though, I do expect your attendance. Naturally your brothers will not be there — your father has accompanied them to a Quidditch match this evening. So, just us girls." Elizabeth beamed with a twinge of excitement, earning an immediate eye-roll from Meiyu. Hastily moving towards her daughter, who stood before the wooden mirror, Elizabeth inched closer to her daughter, standing right behind her and extending her hand to slowly play with the burgundy hues of Meiyu's hair. "I must admit, the dress would look more eloquent had you kept your natural hair. I should trust that with time you'll undo whatever that heinous stylist did." Her mother added, pressing her lips into a firm smile as Meiyu swatted her hand away.

Time slowed whilst in proximity to her mother, it came to no surprise that in what had felt like mere minutes apart, that Meiyu's mother had returned once more, her grandmother, Agatha had promptly arrived, dressed in a mellow green hued dress and eyed the young girl up and down, scoffing at her only granddaughter in evident disapproval. "Was this the best you could do on such short notice?" Agatha brutally commented, turning on her heel to depart out of Meiyu's bedroom. The burgundy haired girl sighed and hurriedly grabbed her small handbag, consisting of more than adequate necessities, her wand, her beloved dagger and moved briskly to meet the two women at the bottom of the staircase. Initially, Meiyu had hoped she could accompany her mother through apparation to the home, but her mother had profusely refused, suggesting they use the Floo Network to get them to London given it was near Oxfordshire. Furrowing her brows in frustration, she had moved into their fireplace with her Mother and they had soon arrived into London, a few turns and an ache at the bottom of her heel, Agatha, Elizabeth and Meiyu now stood before the home, the unfamiliarity of the region almost painfully reminding her of what was at stake.

Regardless, she would play her role well; for it was one she was far too familiar with.

Meiyu followed behind her mother as they manoeuvred through the building, quickly finding themselves on the fourth floor, internally noting that the family were clearly well off. Clutching her hand bag between her two fists, Meiyu curved her lips to portray the delightful daughter — a role she frequently dipped into whenever forced to attend such social gatherings. The front door swung wide, causing the young girl to crane her neck to see into the home, the furniture and expanding halls had solidified their financial status to Meiyu, though, it was no manor after all. Simply incomparable to her own dwellings, Meiyu greeted the woman at the door and slid into the apartment behind her mother, paying no mind to her snide grandmother who had already abandoned them to embrace an elderly woman.

Stood with the utmost grace, Meiyu exchanged pleasantries with two women, akin in age to her own mother, until she noticed a girl, perhaps a year or two younger than she had been, wearing a gorgeous shade of pink on a dress with a matching headband. Intrigued by the girl and also mentally drained from spending too much time with the demonic women she unfortunately had familial ties to, Meiyu swiftly moved away from the conversation occurring before her. Faintly smiling once more, she graciously bowed her head in a mix of recognition and slight respect at the girl.

"Pleasure to meet your acquaintance. I'm Meiyu."