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Post by Admin on Aug 10, 2015 0:57:38 GMT
Because the Roost no longer has these archived, I'm copying the ones I have into this thread. Each post is a seperate scene. I may add titles for clarity - Hayley
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Post by Admin on Aug 10, 2015 0:58:53 GMT
Christopher & Margaret
Christopher walked down yet another hallway, hands in pockets, humming quietly to himself. Albeit, he was a tad lost, but it was a good way to explore Fowler Manor, and to get a moments peace, away from the formalities of the rest of the household.
Margaret was hiding from her grandmother, from everyone in the Fowler Manor, in a broom cupboard on the second floor. She was sick of everyone constantly judging her and expecting the best of her. Sick of being around her brother and her cousins. Sick of the stupid Hogwarts kids who thought she was horrible and had no dreams. The house elves knew where she was, of course, but Margaret had made it very clear to them that if they told anyone where she was she’d make them regret it. She was sitting on the floor of the cupboard, violently stabbing the floor with her pocket knife, over and over and over, when she heard footsteps coming closer to the door. She waited for a moment, then cracked the door open. The French One, Christopher, had just walked past her hiding place. She opened the door further, grabbed him, and pulled him inside the cupboard, slamming the door shut. She backed him against the wall, grasping his shirt in two fists. “I have unfinished business with you. You embarrassed me in front of everyone you... you... you stupid git!”
This action took Christopher completely by surprise, and he made a small sort of shrieking noise as the screaming object dragged him into the cupboard. Once inside the cupboard, he realised it was Margaret, the girl who was rude to Ela at dinner. “Well you asked for it, how dare you talk to my friend that way, when she was stating the obvious, I mean, you say I embarrassed you, you hissed at someone across the dinner table!” He said heatedly, he didn’t take kindly to being dragged into a broom closet by his shirt.
“It wasn’t the bloody obvious! It’s what you and your friend assumed after two minutes of knowing me!” she said sharply, her voice having a steel edge to it. “Both of you just came out and told me I was pathetic! How would you feel if someone you just met told you that you were pathetic!?” She paused for a moment, letting her words sink in. “I bet you wouldn’t take it to kindly.” She let go of his shirt, backed up, and crossed her arms over her chest, staring him down.
“Well maybe pathetic was a little strong, but you were being horribly rude to someone who had done nothing to deserve it! It’s not her fault that your ambition in life is to be stuck in a house at some rich, pureblood man’s beck and call!” He glared back, not willing to give her the satisfaction by breaking eye contact first.
“I was only being rude because you guys were being rude!” she retorted. “And that life isn’t my bloody ambition! It’s what my Great Grandmother wants! Do you know what would have happened if I had said anything other than wanting to be some proper pureblood woman with a proper pureblood life? Do you?” Her screams were subsiding into hysteric sobs. She hadn’t meant to show this much emotion in front of Christopher. She had only meant to yell at him, shake him up a little, then let him go on his merry way, but this had turned into something bigger than she had planned.
Christopher was taken aback, “I’m sorry, I had no idea,” He said quietly. As she started crying, Christopher felt terrible. He put his hands on her shoulders and gently shook her, “Hey, come on, don’t cry.” He said softly, looking down at her. “Don’t listen to the stupid french boy, he doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”
Margaret shook her head, tears still running down her cheeks as the sobs subsided. “You’re not stupid.” she muttered. “At least you don’t seem stupid. You’re only stupid because you judge too quickly.” She sat down against a storage unit stocked with toiletries, and patted the floor beside her. “Want to know what I really want to do with my life, Christopher... that’s your name... right?”
He sat down beside her, “Yes, it’s Christopher, which I have to say is a nice improvement from French boy.” He said teasingly. “So what do you really want to do with your life? And why do you hide it, why not admit it, and go for it?”
Margaret smiled at Christopher, a sad, but thankful smile. “I want to work in the Department of Mysteries. Or be an Auror.” she said meekly, wiping her nose with a handkerchief she pulled out of her pocket. “Haven’t really decided yet, but definitely one of those. And have you seen my Great Grandmother? Have you heard her speak? She’s the most frightening person in the world.” She paused again to wipe her nose. “By the time I was five or six I wasn’t allowed to run outside or get dirty or make loud noises. I had to learn how to sew and stand up straight and such. I was in dresses every day and was given dolls instead of brooms or balls. They’ve been training me my entire life to be a wife, and if I told them that I want to do something with my life besides getting married and having children I’d be punished.”
Christopher raised an eyebrow, “So you’re saying that you’re going to sit back and let people who make you miserable run your life for you? I know this probably isn’t what you want to hear, but you need too.” He took a deep breath, hoping she wouldn’t yell. “It is sad, I’m sorry but it is. And I know this sounds cheesy, but you only live once, so do it right.” “You’re willing to live a life with people you hate, people that have forced you to live a life you despise, and not go after the things you want? Because you’re scared?” He shook his head, “I’m sorry, I just don’t understand why someone would live their life in misery, when they could fight for what they want.”
(OOC: YOLO!) “Well then what would you suggest I do?” Margaret huffed. “Other than that incredibly cheesy advice? Go to my Great Grandmother and tell her I don’t want to be married yet? Tell her I want to go off and work at the ministry? Do you know what she’d do? She’d probably yell at me and tell me that I’m being too headstrong and tell me that I haven’t a choice in the matter.” cw your dreams and become an Auror or work in the Department of Mysteries, you fall in love with someone of your own choice, regardless of their blood status, and you live life how you want to live it.” “What do you think?”
Margaret smiled. “I think I prefer option number two. I guess I just have to figure out a way to talk to my Great Grandmother. Maybe I’ll bring it up with my parents first... explain that we live in the 21st century and that as a girl I should be able to whatever I want with my life, as long as it isn’t too extreme. I don’t think my parents would be super enthusiastic if I want to go live in the Muggle World, but if I talk to them maybe they’ll be willing to talk to my Great Grandmother on my behalf.” She grinned. “Do you think that’s a good idea?”
“Hmm, I’m glad you’re going with option number two." He smiled, "I think it is a good idea, but just keep in mind, that even if they aren't supportive of you, don't let that stop you or put you down in any way, you can't let them control you and push you around." "I'm glad we had this talk." He grinned, "Does this mean we're friends now, or am I going to be dragged by my shirt into another broom closet by a screaming girl at some point during my stay here?"
Margaret chuckled. “Unless there’s some other screaming girl living in the manor who will do this, I doubt it will happen. Or unless you would prefer for me to do this again sometime.” She smiled at Christopher.
Christopher smiled, "Hmm, that could be fun, just maybe less screaming and shouting." He teased. He stood up and offered his hand to help her up, "But I would like to talk again, this was fun. Once she'd stood up, Christopher wrapped his arms around her, giving her a hug. "Now you have to promise me that you won't get too worked up over your problems with your Great Grandmother,” He gently kissed the top of her hair, it was what he'd do to comfort Scarlet when she was upset, “I don't want you getting all upset again, okay?" He smiled down at her.
Margaret nodded, the slightest blush rising to her cheeks. “Okay. And I’ll talk to my parents next time I see them. I’ll hopefully work something out with them.” She looked up at Christopher. “And maybe you won’t mind if I send you an owl once in awhile? Talk to someone who lives outside the bubble that I’m surrounded by.”
"That sounds great." He smiled warmly, "That way you can also keep me up to speed on how your bid for freedom is going." He grinned at her. "I better be going now though, I need to find my cousin, but I'm sure I'll see you again during the time I'm here. You're going to the Christmas Eve Party, aren't you?” He asked, opening the door and stepping out into the corridor.
Margaret rolled her eyes and said sarcastically, “No, I’m going to be incredibly disrespectful to our hosts and not show up to the Christmas party that they’re hosting.” She gave him a gentle punch on the arm as she made her way into the corridor. “Of course I’m going. Go find your cousin. I should probably make an appearance with my relatives to be polite. I’ll see you around Christopher.”
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Post by Admin on Aug 10, 2015 0:59:53 GMT
Christopher & Sophie
Christopher sighed. He was supposed to be out here relaxing, not winding himself up even further. It was two days after the dinner, two days since Sophie had brought up the issue of an arranged marriage. He hadn’t been able to talk to her since, or even be comfortable around her. They’d only been dating for a little more than a month, and she expected him to agree to an arranged marriage at the age of 15? He shook his head to clear it. Relaxing. That was what he was supposed to be doing. His sketchbook lay untouched beside him, and as he picked it up he smiled, it had been too long since he’d last used drawing as a form of escapism. Picking up his pencil, he stare straight ahead, losing himself in the landscape, creating a replica of the forest on the paper.
Sophie was wandering around in the gardens of the Fowler manor. She had found the gardens a nice escape from the outside world, considering how outside the borders of the Fowler’s land it was a cold snowy mess, as well as an escape from the world around her. When she walked by herself in the gardens she momentarily forgot about having to act like a perfect pureblood girl or her problem with Christopher. Except for the fact the Christopher was sitting in front of her. She sighed. He hadn’t talked to her for two days and she felt dejected and confused. She had no clue why he was ignoring her. The only thing she knew was that since they had arrived at the Fowlers he had been acting weird. Well, it was time to find out. Sophie walked up behind Christopher, standing about five paces from where he was seated. “Um... Chris... could we possibly talk?” she asked, her voice quavering a bit.
Christopher was concentrating on the drawing so much, that he didn’t even hear Sophie until she spoke, only a few metres away. He jumped and dropped his sketchbook in surprise, cursing quietly under his breath. He picked it up off the ground, brushing the dirt of the cover. Straightening up he replied, “Sure.” He had no doubts about what she wanted to talk about, he knew he hadn’t been relaxed recently, and had appeared jumpy and on edge. He tried to appear relaxed now, but he didn’t look at her; instead he chose to keep his eyes focused on the tree line, picking up his pencil from the ground and carrying on with the drawing.
Sophie nervously sat down on the grass beside him. “So... um... how have you been?” she started softly, unsure of how to ask him directly if he was intentionally ignoring her.
“Fine thanks, and yourself?” He replied, appearing nonchalant and calm, but inside he was anything but, what if she wanted to talk about marriage again?
“I’ve been better.” Sophie murmured. “Haven’t talked to you much lately... is everything okay?” She folded her hands and started twiddling her thumbs, staring at her fingers.
“Spectacular.” He replied, the sarcasm evident in his voice.
Sophie heard the sarcasm in Christopher’s voice, and became agitated. “Are you forgetting the fact that you’re ignoring me? Or are you spectacular because you’re doing that. If you didn’t want to date me all you had to do was tell me. You didn’t have to drop off the face of the Earth and avoid me.”
“Excuse me?” He raised an eyebrow, “Sophie, who said anything about me not wanting to date you?” Where did she get that idea? Christopher was getting slightly wound up and more than a little frustrated, “I’m happy that I’m dating you, this last month has been great, but just incase you get the wrong idea, I said I was happy dating you, that does not mean I want to marry you.” He said the last part slowly, as if he was talking to a small child.
“I don’t want to marry you!” Sophie exclaimed, her voice rising an octave. “I just was warning you about my Grandmother! I’m 14! I don’t want to marry anyone right now! The most important thing for the future that I care about is passing DADA!” She brought her knees up and put her arms on top of them. “Did you really think I wanted to marry you?”
“Then why did you start talking to me about maybe writing to my father, and how he wasn’t the type to force me into a marriage, but maybe we could trick your grandmother into something?” His asked frustratedly, standing up, and pacing along the grass, “I think arranged marriages are horrible ideas! Why would you want to be pinned down at such a young age, no time to make your own mistakes, successes and decisions in life?”
“I don’t know! I just figured that if I got my Grandmother out of the way now with some arrangement I’d be able to call off the arrangement when I was older! It was going to be fake!” she groaned. “You’re treating me like a child. You of all people should know I don’t want to be pinned down and all that rubbish. I’m not like that girl you were talking to at dinner two days ago!”
“Maybe I don’t want to take that chance? What if we broke up, what would happen then? I don’t see why we need to do something that would cause so many problems!” He paused, “I’m treating you like a child? How about I stop treating you like a child when you stop acting like one? You complain about Grandmother this and Grandmother that, why don't you take charge of your own life? Make people see reason!” Christopher gaped at her before snapping back, “Don’t bring Margaret into this, you don't know anything about her! She's got twice as many problems as you, at least your only problem is marriage, she has no choices in life whatsoever!”
“Since when were you friends with Margaret!?” Sophie snapped, her eyes glaring at Chris. “How do you know anything about her!? The one time I saw you converse with her was that fight at the dinner table, and that certainly didn’t make it feel like you liked her or that you were on her side for anything!” She pushed herself away from Christopher, sitting on her knees a good two feet away. “And if you haven’t realized, my Grandmother controls my life as much as Margaret’s life is controlled! I don’t get how you can pity her and be like ‘oh, poor troubled Margaret’ and then with me tell me that I should grow up. News flash! Margaret is just a year younger than we are! If you want me to stop acting like a ‘child’ you should want her to cut the act too!”
“Well even though it’s none of your business, we ran into each other the other day and we spent a while talking, and that’s how I know things about her, and that’s how I’m friends with her, and just because you saw us arguing one time doesn’t mean you know everything!” He folded his arms, looking down on her. “I don’t have to tell her to cut the act, because she’s the one who grabbed me and told me that I couldn’t treat her the way I did and set me straight and that behaviour is anything but childish, it is mature, I did something wrong and she called me out on it! Anyway, you’ve only got your Grandmother who is pushing you around, she has her whole family pressurising her, which has got to be ten times as difficult.” He realised he was shouting and tried to lower the volume of his voice, though the anger and steel edge still remained, “What’s your problem with her anyway? Why did you feel the need to bring her up? So what if I’m friends with her, no need to go snapping at me about it!”
“I only told you I’m not like her because from what I heard of your conversation at dinner she wants to be some random mans wife. You’re the one who told me not to compare myself to her. So we both brought her up.” Sophie said heatedly, lowering her voice from the previous shrieks. She paused, looking for the words to say. “And I wasn’t snapping at you for being friends with her! I was snapping at you because you’ve been ignoring me and because you think my problems are childish!”
“I’ve been keeping my distance because you implied that you were thinking of having an arranged marriage with me, and any sane teenage boy would get freaked out by that idea! And I never said your problems were childish, I said you were acting like a child, there's a difference!" He snapped back, "You may not have snapped at me about being friends with Margaret but you certainly didn't seem happy about it, demanding to know since when had I been friends with her, and how I knew things about her!"
“You told me that my problems were childish Christopher Renard!” Sophie retorted. “And I’m allowed to be concerned about you being friends with Margaret! For all I know you two were becoming more than friends! After all, you have been avoiding me!”
Christopher stopped, shocked, then shouted back, “Do you really trust me so little that you think I'd go off with another girl!? Is that really what you think of me?" He asked, appalled. "You think, just because we haven't been getting on that I'd cheat on you?" He said the last part quietly, actually quite hurt. "I didn't know this relationship had so little trust in it. If you could call it a relationship." He spat, his eyes stinging slightly. "Just leave me alone." He said quietly, grabbing his book and pencil from the bench and storming back towards the house.
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Post by Admin on Aug 10, 2015 1:00:49 GMT
Love Actually - Movie Night with the Girls
Elavial put away the last of her things inside her wardrobe, and took a glance around her room, making sure that she had left out enough pillows and blankets for the girls. It had only been a couple of days since they all have been at the Fowler Manor, but she still felt a bit detached from her friends, having to put on a persona around Robert’s family, plus winter always made her more moody than usual. So she took it upon herself to invite the girls to stay in her room, to bond and act like themselves, and hopefully distract her from her own thoughts.
She took the snacks one of the elves had brought up to the middle of the room and placed them on the floor, for easier access. Elavial wasn’t particularly good at planning things out, so she really had no idea what they were to do when they finally got there. ‘Maybe we could watch a film?’ she thought to herself, walking across the room to look into her floral rucksack. She pulled out her small laptop, that once had tape holding it together, but with the help of the repairing spell, that was easily fixed. But for some reason, never took off the tape.
She sat down on her bed, turning on the device when a thought occurred to her. ‘Does this place even have electrical outlets?’
** Hayley knocked on the door, “May I come in?” *
“Yeah, come right in. The door’s unlocked.” Elavial called out, looking at the walls, trying to locate an outlet. *
Hayley slipped into the room, shutting the door behind her. When she noticed what Ela was doing, she couldn’t help but giggle. “I don’t think you’re going to find an outlet in here. I don’t think they use electricity.”*
With an embarrassed smile, Elavial gave up the hunt for an outlet. “You’d think that in the year 2018, wizards would’ve made the change by now.” She took out her wand and tried to remember if there was a spell for electricity. “I mean, good for them, it’s saving the environment and all.”
“Elec--no, that can’t be right. Oh!” She pointed her wand at her small laptop and hoped it the spell wouldn’t backfire at her face. “Lucendi.” A short electrical charge, shot out of her wand, powering the laptop. “There we go.” She smiled at Hayley. *
Hayley grinned, “probably cuts back on bills too.” She sat down on the edge of the bed. “So...what do you think so far?” She made a sweeping gesture to indicate the manor.*
“It’s...” Elavial hesitated for a moment, “Not what I’m used to...” She noticed that wasn’t a great way to answer. “Don’t get me wrong! It’s beautiful and everyone is so polite and helpful. I mean, have you seen their library? I’d stay there all day, if they’d allow me.” She gave small laugh. “But, I don’t know. Makes me miss home a bit. Like my dad singing Christmas carols at the top of his lungs or smelling mum’s spice cookies in the kitchen. To be honest, I never really liked my dad’s singing or my mum’s cookies, but I miss even those annoying things, you know? It’s strange.” *
“Not really.” Hayley shrugged, “You gotta love your family, even if you they’re being silly. Missing them is normal. Especially around the holidays, I think.” She hadn’t spent a Christmas at home since coming to Hogwarts, but she remembered them fondly. *
Elavial gave a small nod and a smile, before hearing her door open once again.
Scarlet poked her head around the door, dressed in a white vest top and red pyjama shorts, “Hey guys.” She smiled, sitting down on the floor and crawling towards the snacks, then proceeding to pop a crisp dipped in salsa in her mouth. “What are we talking about?”*
“Hey Scar, well apart from picking a film to watch, we were just talking about how we’re liking it here.” Elavial answered, lifting the computer onto her lap. “What do you think about our stay so far?” *
“I think it’s been great, I've really enjoyed it, it's so beautiful here, and most people are so nice! I'm really looking forward to the Christmas Eve party though, I think that and Christmas itself are definitely going to be the best parts of the stay." She grinned, "What about you?”*
“I like it. The library is incredible, and they don’t ask me too many questions...” Hayley grabbed a crisp. “Movie?”*
“I’m looking forward to the party too.” Elavial smiled, looking back at her laptop. “Yes, have any preferences? I don’t have a vast collection of films here, but most of them are good.” She clicked away on her laptop, opening the folders that contained the movie files. *
"We're watching a flim?" She said happily, "I remember I saw one of those last year, those are the things inside the screen where the muggles move, telling a story, aren't they?”*
Sophie knocked on the door of Ela’s room, hearing chattering coming from inside. She poked her head in. “Do you guys care for more company?” she asked. “I’ve been working on my holiday assignments the past three hours. I need to have some social time.”*
“Take a seat, Soph.” Elavial said, glad that all of them were together at last. “I haven’t even taken a peek at those assignments. Should probably do that soon...but not tonight.” She giggled. “We’re about to pick a ‘thing that goes in screens where muggles move and tell a story.’” She scrunched her face in a smile towards Scarlet, indicating she was joking.*
Sophie came in and sat down on the ground. “Is that the new dictionary term for movie?” she joked. “I really must get the updated Websters and Merriam copy then.” She smiled. “What movies do you have Ela?”*
Scarlet’s cheeks coloured slightly, "Well it is muggles moving inside a screen! It's like a new variety of magic!" She said excitedly.
Elavial laughed and brought her attention back to her laptop, going through her small file, reading out-loud movie titles,. “Here Lies Brigdet, the film adaptation of the Hobbit...I have a Ninja Turtles movie! Uhm...the Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind, The Neverending Story...” “Sorry, I don’t have much new ones.” She apologized, and kept scrolling down the list of movie titles. “A couple of Disney movies...oooor we could watch ‘Love, Actually’? We always watch this film during the holidays back home. Avi--” she cut herself off.
She cleared her throat, reminding herself that the reason she had invited them all was to not think about him. “Anyways, any one of them caught your attention?”*
"What's the ‘Love, Actually’ film about?" Scarlet asked interestedly, crossing her legs and helping herself to another crisp.*
“It’s a romantic comedy...” Elavial started off, clicking the movie to open up on a movie player. “It’s like ten separate stories of different people...and as the story progresses, you find out that they’re all somehow interlinked. And it’s all played out in a weekly countdown ‘til Christmas.” She explained, pausing the movie before it started playing. “I’m trying to explain without spoiling anything.”*
"That sounds great, I'm really in the mood for something Christmassy." Scarlet smiled, grabbing a pillow off the floor and curling up closer to the laptop, "And romantic comedy always sounds fun."*
“I love ‘Love, Actually’!” Sophie exclaimed. “It’s as if the world took all my favorite actors, put them in the same place, and tied a nice little bow around it!” She leaned backwards against the wall, smiling. “I haven’t watched it since my life got turned upside down. I’d love to watch it now!”*
“It’s one of my favorites. If you’ve got it, I’d love to see it.” Hayley had a copy at home, well, it was at home, she expected it was wrapped up and at Hogwarts now, along with her other favorites as part of Robert’s christmas gift. *
“Great, ‘Love, Actually’ it is then!” Elavial placed her laptop on the bed, positioning it so that everyone would be able to see it from the floor. She clicked play on the screen and the movie started. She walked over to turn off the light in the bedroom and returned, placing a pillow under her for comfort.
There was more chatter about the actors and how some of the outfits from 2003 were just plain odd, than the actual watching of the film. By the end though, they were able to get into the plot of the movie, singing along to the music and gasping at all the right moments. About two hours later, the movie credits started rolling up, and Elavial was in a completely different position, lying on her stomach with her elbows on the pillow, holding up her head. And her mood had changed drastically as well. She had started crying by the end of it, because it reminded her of home, including and not limited to, her brother.*
Scarlet was crying by the end of it, "That was such a good film! I need to watch these more often." She smiled, then looked across at Ela, who seemed to have been more affected by the film, "You alright, Ela? A bit homesick?" Scarlet asked sympathetically, remembering what the girl had said about watching the movie at Christmas with her family.*
Elavial made no effort to stop crying. If anything, Scarlet asking her if she was alright just made her cry more. *
"Oh, Ela, don't cry, it's only a flim, the muggles are telling a story, it isn't real." Scarlet said, crawling over and putting an arm around her friend.*
Hayley opened her eyes sleepily. “huh? Ela?” She shifted and put her hand on Ela’s shoulder.*
“It’s-it’s not the mo-vi-vie....” Elavial mumbled, hiding her face behind her hands. “I’m so-sorry.”*
"What's wrong then?" Scarlet asked worriedly.*
“I miss my brother.” She blurted out, lifting her head from her hands, her cheeks damp from her tears. She wanted to continue, but she thought about how Scarlet had lost a sibling of her own recently. She couldn’t bring it up. But then again, perhaps Scarlet could give her advice on how to deal with the loss. “I miss him so much.”*
Hayley, who’d heard this story once before, put her arm around Ela, hugging her gently. “Oh, Ela. I’m sorry.” *
“Brother?” Scarlet asked, puzzled, “I didn’t know you had a brother, Ela. What’s wrong? It’ll be okay though, because you’ll see him when you go home, won’t you?” She said gently.*
Elavial bit the insides of her cheeks, clenching her jaw from releasing any more sobs. She shook her head, answering Scarlet’s question. “I-...I had a brother.” She knew that the girls were smart enough to know what she meant, but she continued. “He died when I was six.” Mentioning that brought on a new wave of tears.*
Scarlet gasped. "Oh, Ela, I'm so sorry... I didn't know, I would never have said anything..." Scarlet fretted, tears welling up in her eyes slightly also. Scarlet hugged her friend tightly, as if the tighter she held Ela the more likely the tears would go away.*
(OOC: sorry for not responding for a bit, life’s been hectic) Sophie sat there, silent for a moment, before scooching over and gently rubbing Ela’s back. “I’m so sorry Ela.” She murmured while moving her hand in slow circles, working around Scarlets hug. “So so sorry.”*
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Post by Admin on Aug 10, 2015 1:01:12 GMT
Robert, Elisa & Hayley
The sun was low on the horizon, bathing Fowler Manor in the dull last light of the day. It had been a clear and cold afternoon and a thin sheet of frosty lay on the grass. Everyone was inside. Or well …
“Elisa!” Robert hurried down the slope. His shoes slipped a bit and he skidded clumsily to the foot of the hill.
No answer.
He ran over the grass down the gradual slope that led to the forest edge and, eventually, their house. Maybe she had come back. Hopefully. The shouting had been obscene. “Elisa!” he called again.
Again only the slight whisper of the trees for an answer.
He’d gone up to her room after the shouting had stopped. Knowing he had enough to worry about as it was, knowing it wasn’t his place to interfere, or maybe it was. Maybe it should be. He’d gone. But she wasn’t there.
“Elis...whoa.” Mid-run, he hit an unexpected slippery patch. Rubbing his hip, he climbed to his feet and started off again.
He’d asked mother, who had said in annoyance, “She ran out of the room, the brat. I expect she’ll be in her room now.” It had been on the tip of his tongue to correct her, but then Elisa’s hysterical screaming came back to him and he found that the first priority would be to find her before she ran too far. Hopefully, she would run into one of his friends who had the sense to stop her.
He stopped after having run up and down the path and a little ways into the forest. He was winded, his hip was developing a bruise, and he had no clue where she’d gone. He looked into the darkness of the trees. Surely she wouldn’t have …
Then it dawned on him.
The frosted ground crunched under his shoes as he set off up the hill out of the forest for the other side of the grounds. He went quite a bit slower. “Elisa, where are you?” he called.
Finally … “Robert?” Surprise, but also … “Robert!” … terror.
His hip stung angrily as he ran, faster than he had before. Images flew to his head, impossible ones. He reached the apple tree and came to a skidding stop.
“Here, Robert.” Relief. But not for him, because the voice came from above him. He put his head in his neck and immediately stumbled backwards from shock.
Up there, in the higher branches of the massive apple tree, sat his nine year old sister, clutching at the branches next to her as hard as she could. She was still in just her blouse and skirt and from what he could see down here her hands were quite red from holding the freezing wood for so long.
“How did you get up there?” he said loudly, still too baffled and shocked to think straight.
“I don’t know,” she squeaked. “I was running and then I was here. Get me out, Robert. I’m cold. I’m scared. I’ll fall.” She shivered, from fright or cold Robert didn’t know. It didn’t matter. How she had gotten herself all the way up there still eluded him, but he was smart enough to realise that was not the point right now.
“Elisa, listen. You’re not going to fall. You’re fine. Just sit there and ...” He swallowed, composing himself. “Just hold on to that branch and you’ll be okay. You’ll be fine, okay?” Lying to his little sister was too easy. “I am going to get help.”
“No!” She let go with one hand to wave him to stop. She wobbled. With a small shriek, she put it back on the wood. “Mummy will be cross. My skirt ripped and I can’t climb in trees because I am a lady and I don’t even know how I did it and …”
“Elisa!” He interrupted her. “It’s okay. Mummy won’t be cross, I promise. No one will be cross. Trust me. It’ll be okay.” More lies. But her sobbing and hysterics terrified him. She was moving too much. How thick was that branch? How heavy had she become since this summer? He shut off the mathematics in his head. It was telling him that she would lose feeling in her hands any moment, along with power to hold on. “It will all be fine, princess. Can you trust me?”
She bit away the sobs. “Yes,” she said in a high voice hardly audible over the distance.
“I will get help now, okay?”
“Okay.”
He gave her one more look to check that she was still sitting tight and then ran for the big house as quick as the slippery ground, his sore hip and the laws of nature would allow him.
***
“Hayley!” He burst into her room without knocking, still in his winter coat. His hair was a mess, his lungs were wheezing for air and urgency was clear on his face.
“Robert?” Hayley looked up from her book, surprised. “What’s wrong?,” she asked, already sliding off the bed and reaching for her shoes. She gave her wand a twirl and her coat floated towards her.
“Elisa,” he gasped. “She’s …” He wafted himself air. “You … have to come.”
Hayley nodded, sliding her arms into the waiting coat. She grabbed his hand and pulled him along the corridor, then, when she realized she didn’t know where to go, let him lead.
He wasted no time and led them out into the grounds and down the hill towards the apple tree. “Careful, it’s slippery,” he warned, wasting valuable breath. This time, he made a controlled slide down the slope. It was faster anyway.
Hayley followed quickly, nearly slipping on another patch of ice. She righted herself at the last minute and ran after him.
A blue-robed woman made as if to follow as well, but decided instead to keep her post. Nothing had come in the barrier. It was not an emergency.
“Elisa?” Hayley called, slipping again. There were trees again, but for once she wasn’t worrying about being outdoors.
“Elisa?!”
“Hayley!” She was the person she knew could help and wouldn’t be cross. “Hayley, help me.”
Robert gestured to the tree in a wordless attempt to explain the situation.
Hayley reached the base of a tree and used it to steady herself. Oh dear...she took note of the branch Elisa was sitting on. So fragile looking. “It’s alright, Elisa. We’re going to...we’re going to get you down.”
There were quite a few spells that could probably help with this, but there were so many branches in the way it would be hard to get the little girl down without hurting her. Hayley eyed the branches and, after coming to a decision, began unbuttoning her coat.
“Robert, hold this for a minute.”
“What are you going to do?” Robert said. He didn’t want to have to rescue Hayley from that tree too.
“I can’t feel my hands,” Elisa complained.
“I’m lighter than you, and I need a better angle.” She grabbed a branch above her and found a foothold in the tree. “Don’t worry, Elisa, it’ll be okay.”
He looked at Hayley, considering that this was probably not the best idea. But then he heard Elisa and all he could say to her was. “Just hurry.” To Elisa, he called. “Just hold on, princess. Hayley is going to be right there.”
“But she’ll fall too.” That idea seemed equally horrifying to her.
“Nobody’s going to fall.” It helped repeating it. “It looks higher than it really is if you see it from down here, really.”
“I used to climb trees all the time when I was younger,” much younger. It had been at least 5 years.... Hayley pulled herself up onto the first branch and began working her way up into the next one.
“You doing okay up there?” She asked when she was about half-way.
Elisa shook her head, face scrunched up so she wouldn’t cry. “I didn’t climb it. I was just here and I don’t know how. It’s so cold.”
“It’s okay, little princess. It’s okay.” He tried to sound soothing, tried really hard. “Tell me about your drawings. Did you draw something lately?”
She shook her head, eyes pinched shut. The lack of horizon made her wobble again.
He thought fast. “Do you remember the drawing with the house in the trees? With us three. Tell Hayley about it.”
Elisa fixed her eyes front and started describing the drawing in a shivery voice. “There was a house. And it was in a forest. And there are trees everywhere, because we were in a forest where daddy and mummy couldn’t find us.” “And who lived in the house?” Robert encouraged. “Me, and you, and Hayley. It was a big house with flowers ...” And so they went on.
Hayley only half listened, trying to concentrate on getting up without falling. She couldn’t help but blush at the the image Elisa had conjured up. It was probably a good thing too. Her hands were getting numb. She stopped on a branch just below Elisa.
“That sounds lovely, Elisa. Now.” Hayley sat on the branch, one leg on either side of it, though it made her skirt ride up. “Now this might be a little scary, but you have to trust me, okay?” Hayley wiggled her wand out of her sleeve.
“I’m going to cast a spell, and you’re going to float to me, alright. It’s a little complicated” (and by that she meant incredibly complicated. Moving humans was no joke) “so I’d like you to stay as still as possible alright?”
“Alright.” She was trembling fiercely.
Robert readied his wand to … well, he wasn’t sure. Cushion the impact a little bit if Hayley lost it? “Need help from me?” he asked. Maybe she had an idea.
“If you could cast suteus maximus on the grass perhaps?” Hayley was more concerned with getting Elisa off that branch than out of the tree in general for the moment. It was beginning to creak.
“O...okay.” He cast it, failing not to think about why he was casting a cushioning spell on the ground.
Hayley took a deep breath and whispered the incantation, aiming at the little girl above her. “Don’t panic.” She said as Elisa gasped when she was lifted off the branch and began to float down to the one where Hayley was seated.
Elisa had closed her eyes and was babbling about all the rooms in the forest house to herself. Robert watched in breathless anxiety.
Hayley caught her on the branch and settled her as easily as she could. “See, that wasn’t so bad. Now we just have to get the rest of the way down.” Hayley looked down and gave Robert a little wave, trying to act calm. “Elisa, have you ever had a piggy-back ride?”
“Wh...what-t’s a pigg-gy-back ride?” she asked. Her eyes kept drifting to the depth below her.
“Hayley, waht are you doing?” Robert muttered to himself. He was unfortunate enough to know what it was and didn’t like it.
“Put your arms around my neck and your legs around my waist.” Hayley looked down again. She could levitate Elisa down, but moving her around all the branches. It was...not good, and if Elisa moved around too much, Hayley wouldn’t be able to hold her with just a spell.
“We’re just going to get a little further down, then I’ll levitate you again, alright?”
She just nodded and did as she was told.
“You’re doing great, Elisa,” Robert supplied from the ground. “You’re the bravest princess.”
“The best princess,” Hayley managed to add, her shoes finding purchase as she lowered them onto another branch.
Hayley readjusted Elisa’s legs and moved down again. They weren’t far now.
“Okay. Ready for some more magic?”
She shook her head, then corrected herself and nodded.
“Robert?” Hayley called down. “I’ve got it.” He hoped. His wand was trained on Elisa. “Levitate her over that part.” He pointed out the patch he had cushioned up.
“Got it.” Hayley gave the little girl a quick hug, then cast the spell again. Elisa was lifted off the branch and towards where her brother was standing.
Hayley’s hands had lost all sensation by the time Elisa’s feet hit the ground. Hayley waited till she was steady before releasing the incantation. Robert rushed to her the moment she was in reach and pulled her into a tight protective embrace.
Now to climb the rest of the way. Hayley moved as quickly as her cold extremities would allow. A couple of branches from the bottom she went ahead and jumped, landing with and astonishing lack of grace on the cushioned grass.
“You alright?” Robert asked, shaking almost as much as his sister, who was still wrapped tightly against him.
Hayley nodded and picked herself up. “Right as rain.” She smiled at them and wrapped her arms around her body for warmth.
He handed her her coat back. “Let’s go inside.” He led them towards his own house, not the big one. Once they got there, he led them in through a, for Hayley probably familiar, back door and up the stairs without bothering to take off his coat or say hello to his mother in the living room. He opened a door on the first floor, leading to his own bedroom. First thing, he put Elisa down on the bed. Hayley followed, coat wrapped tight around her. It was indeed familiar to her, though she tried not to show it.
Dorothea stared at the trio as they passed and made to stand, then thought better of it. There was a guest present, after all.
Hayley hesitated at the door of his room, then came in. “Still cold, Elisa?” Her hand moved towards her wand automatically.
She was still shivering and rubbing her hands to get the pain out. Robert had put the blanket around her shoulders, but it took some time to work.
Hayley muttered another incantation and warm air began streaming from the tip of her wand. She settled down on the bed next to Elisa, aiming the air at the younger girl’s hands.
“Ow,” she whimpered as the heat streamed over her cold hands. As the shock passed, the tears started flowing again. “The pain will go away,” Robert said, sitting down on her other side and putting an arm around her.
“Everything else okay though?” Hayley looked Elisa over carefully. “No cuts or scrapes that need attending to?”
“My skirt.” The tears were coming easily. “Mummy will be so angry.” Robert looked at the allegedly damaged skirt. In any other house they might not even have noticed the rip and gone ‘oh well look at that’ a week later. He couldn’t find any other damage to her clothes and other than her hands, which were an angry red, she seemed to be unscathed.
“Oh, that’s easy though, Elisa.” Hayley smiled and ran a hand through the girl’s hair. “I can fix that right up. I could change the color too, and the pattern, or anything else you’d like to do with it. I do it with my own clothes when I’m bored.”
“Shall I?”
Elisa looked horrified. Robert pre-empted. “Best that my mother doesn’t notice anything, so let’s leave the fashion choices for another time. Can you really fix it? That would be great.” He looked at her, impressed and with a look on his face that was a little improper for just a friend.
Hayley shrugged and placed the tip of her wand at the top of the rip. “Want to know a secret, Elisa?,” she asked, running the wand down and letting the cloth reseal behind it, kind of like an invisible zipper.
She nodded.
“I only brought two sets of dressrobes. I’ve just been changing the colors around and cleaning them up as they need it.” She winked, “no one’s noticed yet.”
“Really? Do you think mummy does that too?”
“Perhaps. Probably not.” Hayley doubted Dorothea needed to. “I just like the challenge. It’s brilliant fun. Would you like to see? I’m going to change them around again later.”
“Do you think mummy will say I can?” Elisa asked her big brother.
I don’t think mummy needs to know. “I don’t see why she wouldn’t. Feeling better?”
She nodded, though her head was still spinning a bit.
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Post by Admin on Aug 10, 2015 1:02:20 GMT
Robert, Marianne, & Hayley
In Fowler Manor, on the second floor of the main house, there is a room dedicated to the vista. The windows are the focal point, and the furniture arranged in such a way as to offer a lovely view of the grounds from almost every seat. The room was variably known to the inhabitants as the North or Glass lounge. Robert had chosen it because it was away from the big downstairs and provided some quiet, and hopefully a more relaxed atmosphere.
Hayley loved the room. So far it was her favorite in the manor, other than her bedroom. She liked the way she could feel a bit of the outside without actually having to be there. It was more relaxing that way.
“Robert, this is beautiful.” Hayley had lifted a hand to press against the glass, but stopped herself. She could see over the hill and was taking in the size of the grounds.
“I’m glad you like it.” He looked out the window for a moment. His hand would be on her shoulder if Marianne weren’t there. “Oh,” he turned away, “Before I forget, Grandfather had a new trick installed which he asked me to show you. ‘Boast about’ would of course be more accurate.” He chuckled and walked over to one of the panes and tapped the glass with his wand. “Deflouvit,” he said hesitantly. He only knew how to do it from what the family head had told him.
Spreading from where his wand touched it, the glass seemed to disappear until the room looked as if it opened directly into the air. The temperature in the room stayed the same.
The two girls looked amazed (Hayley more so than Marianne, but that was because magic still surprised her. Marianne didn’t have that luxury).
“That’s incredible.” Marianne tapped the ‘glass’ gently.
“Do you know how it’s done?” “How does it work?”
The girls looked at each other and smiled.
He smiled with them. “I was hoping you could tell me, Hayley. Since Transfiguration is your forte.”
“Yeah...but this is almost more of a charm....you know, it strikes me that there isn’t a lot of difference. Between charms and transfiguration I mean. Because here you’re not getting the glass to be something else...at least.” She leaned towards it and ran her finger over the invisible object. There was a slight ripple effect. “Deflouvit? That’s the incantation?” Hayley didn’t wait for an answer.
“If I’m right,” she began to blush a bit, “If I’m right then it simply enhances the original properties of the glass, you know, that’s it’s see through, and makes them...more. Probably using Moroe’s Fourth Law of Transmutational Essences.”
Marianne looked between the curly headed girl and Robert, hoping her confusion would be mirrored on his face as well.
“Right. Moroe’s fourth law says that any inherent property already present in a physical body may be changed in nature by an incidental …” He stopped. “Basically, if something is already see-through, you can make it see-through...er without too much trouble.”
“More see-through, Robert. That’s essentially it, really.” Hayley smiled at him.
“I see.” Marianne shrugged. “So...”
He was about to add that, theoretically, the windows would slowly come back into sight over time, though he quickly estimated that would be in the range of months in this case. But poor Marianne. Honestly.
“Yes. Marianne and I were talking about the house division at Hogwarts and she was wondering about professor Esquire’s study group, since it’s inter-house. Is that about right?” he asked her. It was not strange to introduce the topic that way, but he still felt a bit awkward speaking for her.
Hayley nodded, her smile growing. “Yeah, it is. Interhouse, I mean. Anyone with talent can join. It’s one of the only groups that allows all four houses to participate together. Most of the others still divide.”
“So then, there’s no animosity in the group? I’d heard rumors that houses were not so...friendly...towards each other.”
“There are some rivalries in the school, that is true.” Hayley’s smile twitched. “But for the most part people are friendly. Or at least indifferent. I’ve made a few good friends in that group that I probably would not have gotten to know otherwise.”
Some rivalries indeed. Robert grimaced. “As a general rule, Gryffindors tend not to like Slytherins a whole lot. Other than that I can’t think of any big rivalries. Unless you count the quidditch craze. Lots of rivalry there, but that’s sports for you. Teams for the Duelsports event are set up randomly across houses though,” he added, realising that as he spoke. “Maybe the faculty hopes to get rid of the house divide that way.”
“It’s worth a shot, anyway.” Hayley shrugged.
“Ah, I believe the rumors make it out to be much worse.” Marianne smiled graciously and took a seat on one of the small couches. She had lost interest in the telescope and window and didn’t feel the need to remain by them.
Hayley, on the other hand, bent her eye to the telescope and turned it a little so she could trace out the constellations. “This view is excellent, Robert.”
“It is, isn’t it?” Robert said. Even this house with its dark stone and overbearing gates had nice sides. He turned away from the windows towards Marianne. He had not meant to bore her. “What do the rumours say?”
There was a measured knocking on the door.
Iris, head bowed politely, opened the door and came into the room followed by two of the servants bearing the tea things.
“If it pleases you master, the table will the set?” She did not wait for a response, instead letting the two servants pass her and begin what was normally her task. She had a different one this evening though.
“And, Miss...Miss Harrison, if you would not mind....the master wishes to speak to you in his study. If you could follow me?” The little elf reached out a hand to tug on Hayley’s dressrobes then thought better of it.
Hayley stood up straight again and shot Robert a frightened look. “Umm, alright...” She began to follow the elf out, rather wishing she didn’t have to.
“I’ll go with you,” Robert said, readying himself to follow too. “Marianne, do you mind?”
There were others in the room, and a selection of books as well. Marianne decided she could make do. “Not at all,” she picked up a volume from the table to her right and settled in to enjoy the tea being served.
Once out in the hall Hayley risked a quiet, “thanks” and a quick squeeze of his hand.
“This way then,” Iris looked a little disturbed. She had only been told to bring Miss Harrison, not the young master as well.
***
The study was a room with wooden panelling, most of it lined with bookcases, one wall holding a portrait of what, judging by the blond hair and golden eyes, had to be a Fowler, though Hayley did not recognise him. In the middle stood a dark-wooden desk with a small hooded lamp to one side. The whole was lit by chandeliers fixed to the wall and a window behind the desk.
“Ah, Miss Harrison.” Bartimeus rose from his chair to greet her. “And … oh. I wondered where you had gone, Robert. Thank you, Iris,” he added to the house-elf, who bowed and left.
Robert ignored that jab at his absence from the majority of the guests. “What is this about, father?”
Bartimeus smiled inwardly. “If you must know, I just want to discuss the security measures in more detail with Miss Harrison. You can wait outside if you want. It won’t take long.” He also said this to reassure the girl.
Hayley looked between the two of them and gave Robert a small nod.
He stepped out, waiting in the hallway.
“Now,” said Bartimeus. The door closed behind Hayley. “Take a seat, please.” He gestured to a chair on the other side of his desk.
Hayley sat, carefully smoothing her robes as she did so. “I’m sorry you all had to go through so much trouble,” she started.
“Oh not at all, not at all. To be frank, it’s the least we can do.” He did well in hiding his true thoughts, which were that the enchantments and protection offered by Fowler Manor itself should have been enough assurance for Mayhew. Bloody aurors, of all things. Of course, a good citizen he could not protest too loudly now could he. “I just liked to go over it briefly. Did Professor Mayhew brief you already?”
Hayley shook her head, “he said there would be protection, but he didn’t like to go into details with me, sir.” A small smile crossed her lips and she looked down at her lap. “I think he didn’t want to scare me.” Which was pointless, as she already spent most of her time afraid of her own shadow.
“Well then.” Typical. “As I already mentioned at the table, animals won’t be able to get in and out of the grounds, except through the gate, which is of course closely monitored for that reason. A team of aurors is stationed on the grounds. You’ll have them keeping an eye out whenever you are outside, but I have been promised they won’t be any bother. Feel free to direct any complaints to me if they are.” His smile had a bitter edge. “It has been requested that you not leave the grounds during your stay here. For your own safety of course,” he added, still with that bitter undertone. “Will that be a problem?”
At school Hayley didn’t even go outside unless she had to....leaving the grounds had not even crossed her mind. “No, of course not.” Her fingers twisted in her lap. “I am quite content to stay within the barriers. Your grounds are lovely.”
“Thank you.” A genuine smile broke through, making his face look much like Robert’s for a moment. “Beyond what the Ministry provides, this house has always protected its residents and will continue to do so. I think …” He put word to act or a moment, “that is all. The aurors and the manor have their own spells and enchantments but you needn’t concern yourself with the details.”
Hayley, startled by how much his expression resembled Robert’s almost missed the end of his speech. When she realized he had finished she made to stand, “thank you, sir. I really appreciate all of this.” She looked towards the door, “may I?”
“Of course. Enjoy the rest of your evening.” The door opened. “Oh and do remind Robert that he has more guests than two,” he said pleasantly, well aware that Robert was right around the corner.
She nodded, colouring slightly, and rejoined Robert in the hall.
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Post by Admin on Aug 10, 2015 1:03:36 GMT
Violet & Dorothea
“A letter for you, Miss Harrison.” Iris held a small roll of parchment on a silver tray. Hayley turned away from Elisa and took the letter with a smile.
“Thanks, Iris. Do you mind?” She glanced down at the little girl, who shook her head.
Hayley opened it and scanned its contents, a smile blooming on her face as she sought a bench on which to peruse it properly. A man in dark blue robes watched from the distance, occasionally studying the sky. Hayley ignored him they way she had ignored the eyes of the portraits following her.
“What’s it say, what’s it say?” Elisa leaned into Hayley, trying to see the letter.
“Don’t be nosy,” Hayley laughed, her chiding gentle, “It’s about a christmas present, and I can’t tell anyone.”
Elisa nodded, understanding immediately. Presents were serious business.
Hayley finished the letter, which informed her that the item in question would now work at Hogwarts and even self-charge using the magical energy of the school. It would be waiting for her there when she returned, already gift-wrapped. She tucked the parchment away and took Elisa’s hand again and together they hurried to rejoin the others on the path.
---
Dorothea watched the exchange from the window of the gallery. Her daughter seemed quite taken with Miss Harrison, and Dorothea was fine with that. The girl had shown herself to be polite and well-mannered, which Dorothea appreciated.
“Elisa is fond of Miss Harrison.” Violet approached the window and looked down on the little group people. “I think perhaps,” the older woman was quiet a moment.
Dorothea stayed quiet, considering. “The girl has a streak of willfulness that could prove...difficult in the future.” She remembered their conversation in the hospital wing two years ago all too well. “But he likes her, and if a match can be made that brings him joy, then...” Robert’s mother trailed off, thinking.
“Indeed.”
Robert’s mother hesitated, then turned away from the window to face violet. “Should we tell him?”
Violet didn’t take her eyes off the people on the grounds. “Is it necessary?”
“He’s being careful. I can see it. They are...hesitant...to act too friendly. He isn’t like that with the others.”
“Tell him then, I’ll talk to my husband.”
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Post by Admin on Aug 10, 2015 1:04:40 GMT
Fowler Family Politics
Robert Sr walked through the door from the hallway to the lounge, having just done his round of the garden. His wife was already seated in one of the sofas. He had promised to be back at this time in the late evening, after the teenage guests had retired to their rooms. They had something to talk about. “Bartimeus and Dorothea are not here yet?” he asked, sitting down next to her and giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.
Violet smiled, “they’ll be here in a moment, I’m sure.” She rang a little bell, and Iris appeared. “tea things, Iris.” The elf nodded and vanished again.
“All well with the plants, dear? How are the Christmas roses doing?”
“They’re good. All ready to be added to the decorations. How are they coming along?” They had both been very busy with their own part of the preparations for the party, even if a lot of it was left to Bartimeus and the servants.
“I’m glad, last years were stunning, I’m not sure how’ll you be able to top it.” Violet smiled.
“Mistress Dorothea and Master Bartimeus, sir and ma’am” Iris said, opening the door for them as she carried in a tea tray.
“Good evening,” Violet said, gesturing for them to take any seat. Dorothea chose her favorite armchair.
Bartimeus sat down in the corner of the couch near her. “What’s this about, father? Mother?”
“We have observed our guest of honour for the past week, and … Maybe it’s better you explain, dear,” he told Violet. “You brought it up.”
Violet nodded, “As you like,” she patted his hand gently. “Bartimeus. You know that since the deal with the De Rochelle’s did not work out we have been considering many options for Robert.”
She glanced at Dorothea, then continued. “It’s important, as the only male heir. That his future be secured. We all know this.
As such, we have been observing Miss MacMillan and Miss Harrison closely, and have come to a decision on the matter.
Miss MacMillan would make a fine choice, of course, and there is no way that her family would reject the offer, but he does not seem to care for her as much as he does for Miss Harrison.
Miss Harrison has proven herself to be brave, resourceful and respectful, and anyone with eyes can see the regard they hold for each other. She seems to be a charming girl. Within days, even Elisa was quite fond of her, and you know how shy your daughter can be with strangers.
You cannot mistake our meaning, Bartimeus.”
“No, I cannot,” he said, voice sharp and face fierce. “But I can certainly disagree with them. When was this decision made?”
“What grounds do you have for disagreeing, Bartimeus?” Violet’s smile was gone, Dorothea’s as well. Neither had expected resistance.
“I thought we had settled for Miss MacMillan. Robert was seeing her only recently, so surely he can’t dislike her that much.”
“They broke it off themselves.” Dorothea said. “And it’s fairly clear he doesn’t see her in that way. Miss Harrison, however. It’s is obvious there is something there. Even two years ago, from what I heard it seemed...likely.”
Violet spoke up again, “If a match can be made that pleases him, then we should strive to make that match. I am convinced upon observation that this is what would make him happy. If we can achieve that goal along with our others, then what objection could you have?”
He thought with a frown. “We hardly know the family lineage. We assume that she is a descendant of the Harrisons from Norway. We haven’t met her parents yet, nor any of her family for that matter. An act of bravery does not itself constitute a good match.” His voice had risen in volume.
“Bartimeus, calm,” Robert Sr said. His voice had risen too while still being controlled. “Yes, an act of bravery itself does itself not guarantee a good match. But there are other factors. Arrangements like this are not made in one evening, you know that.” He looked sternly at his son. What was wrong with the man? “And if Miss Harrison and Robert already have feelings for each other, that is a good reason itself to consider it. Do you not care for your son’s happiness?”
“Of course I do, father,” Bartimeus said, troubled by the suggestion. He did nothing but. His son’s happiness was all he had in mind here.
Dorothea spoke up. “We’ll meet her parents, and the Norwegian line was strong once. Unless we are grievously mistaken in her heritage, why not her?”
“My line was not as strong as it could have been.” She fixed her husband with a stern look. “My family not as well known as they are now, but you did not object then.”
“No, of course not. But we made sure …” He gave up. “Very well. Assuming for the moment I go along with this, what are our next steps?”
“We inform our son that he may do as he chooses with regard to Miss Harrison, for the moment. We make it clear that her family will have to be met with, arrangements made, but that she has been approved of.
After Christmas, when the holidays have finished and the children are back at school, we begin contacting her family. No need to rush just yet. “ Dorothea looked at her in-laws for their approval.
“That would bring the least disturbance,” Robert Sr agreed.
“The guests will notice at the ball,” Bartimeus protested feebly, knowing already what the answer would be.
“We have weathered fiercer storms than that.” The family patriarch studied his son. “No definite decision has been made. We’ll see what we think next month.”
“I think she’d make a capital choice, Bartimeus. And your son cares for her greatly. If her family is sound, then I should consider the matter finished. “ Violet’s tone was more authoritative than usual.
“I remember a very similar discussion taking place when it came to your betrothal. You should keep that in mind.”
He nodded. He could not argue that and with her tone of voice didn’t feel the need to. So he stood up. “Very well. Next month it is. If you’ll excuse me now, I have some reports that still need reading.” He walked out the door, leaving his wife and parents behind in the room.
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