sam_storyteller (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
sam_storyteller) wrote2005-07-15 03:22 pm
sam_storyteller) wrote2005-07-15 03:22 pm
Entry tags:
The Regency HP Fic; G
Title: The Regency HP Fic
Summary: Jane Austen meets Harry Potter. Unfinished, and liable to stay that way.
Rating: G
Notes: This was posted on Copperbadge ages ago and then forgotten about; for a while it was lost, then I reposted it, then it was lost again in the hack, but fortunately LJSeek cached a copy of the second post. And now it is here, hopefully to stay.
Warnings: None.
First posted 9.06.04
***
It was not, as some have conjectured, Mr. Harry Potter of P-----, Surrey, who first revealed Lord Lockhart as a fraud. It is true that the public announcement of Lord -- or shall we call him Mister -- Lockhart came from Mr. Potter's remarks in the hearing of those estimable gentlemen of the press. Privately, however, Mr. Potter had known for some time of his companion's fraudulent nature.
Mr. Harry Potter, being a courageous young gentleman of five thousand pounds a year, not intolerable to look at, and having a particular talent for riding, was therefore much in the public eye during his school years. He was an orphan, though of good birth, and while his majority was not yet reached he was in the care of his uncle Mr. D------ of P-----. Mr. D------, determined that his ward should grow up thinking himself no better than his cousin Master Dudley D------, often preached to the boy on the goodness and honesty to be found in poverty and hardship and administered both to Mr. Harry Potter with such diligence that at times he threatened to be overwhelmed by the experience.
Therefore, he had declared an intention to quit his uncle's home for the summer, the better to improve relations betwixt himself and his uncle through some distance of location. On hearing this Lord Black, who had been a friend of young Mr. Potter's father, immediately extended an invitation to stay with him in London where he kept a town-house. Lord Black was an amiable gentleman in every possible way, and very popular amongst all those he dined with. He kept a good house and spent much money on the improvement of it through the acquisition of rare books for the library.
There was no mistress of the house, however, and having only a slight acquaintance previously with Lord Black, it was on this point that Mr. Potter inquired once he had settled his belongings and been introduced to the other guests of the house: Colonel Lupin, the misses Winifred and Georgina Weasley, and their chaperone the Dowager Duchess McGonagall, a very merry party indeed.
"Have you never been told of Lord Black's history?" inquired Colonel Lupin, who could reliably be found in the library on days he did not go out, for he harboured a great passion for reading and was of a weak disposition due to injuries sustained during his military service.
"It is on that point I came to ask you particularly, Colonel," Mr. Potter replied, "knowing as I do that you and Lord Black served together in the Indies. I admit that I do not know his Lordship so well as I might wish to, nor yourself, seeing that you were both such intimate acquaintances of my father."
"Indeed, Mr. D------ has been most remiss if he has not informed you of Lord Black's circumstances with regards to yourself," said the Colonel gravely. "Those I am not permitted to relate, but Lord Black's history is common knowledge even these eighteen years later. I am surprised," he continued, "that the young women of your acquaintance, especially Miss Pansy Parkinson, have not recounted it to you already -- for surely they would use less merciful expression than I customarily employ."
"Miss Parkinson is always very lively and full of news," Mr. Potter agreed.
"Yes; and I do not think she will profit from it in the end. But to the story -- shall we go walking? It is a pleasant day and the exercise will do me good, I am certain of it. And you are more likely to meet Miss Rowena Weasley outside than you are in Lord Black's library, I think."
"I have heard much of Miss Rowena Weasley from her sisters," Mr. Potter observed. "She is the youngest of the family but one, is she not?"
"Aye, and will no doubt have a very hard time of it, with five older sisters," Colonel Lupin agreed, gathering his walking-stick from the doorway. "The eldest, Miss Wilhelmina Weasley, is lately engaged to a French gentleman of some note which no doubt will help her sisters to form good connexions, but I fear for the family reputation were the Duchess not to keep such a close eye on Miss Winifred and Miss Georgina. Such a determined pair of flirts I have never seen."
"Is that the reason Miss Rowena Weasley is not to stay with us for the summer?"
"I believe she was previously invited down to London by the sister of Lord Lockhart," the Colonel informed him, "and so has been residing at the Lockhart town-house. Her younger brother -- that would be Mr. Granville Weasley -- attended her as chaperone, and Miss Winifred and Miss Georgiana could not have tolerated being left behind. Lord Black's house was too empty for his liking at any rate, and he was more than pleased to invite them to stay, with the Duchess to keep them from too much mischief. The Weasley family, you see, is not wealthy...but then Lord Black takes particular delight in aiding those of good breeding who are not so fortunate as himself."
"He seems to me all that is good in a man," Mr. Potter agreed. "I must admit that even on such short acquaintance I esteem him immensely, and am sure my father must have done so as well."
"Yes, and that is a kind reminder I have strayed from my appointed task," the Colonel said, stopping to bow to a lady of his acquaintance. "Which is to relate to you the whole history of your father's association with Lord Black and the tragic events which followed your father's death.
"Lord Black, your father, and myself were all at school together with a young man by the name of Pettigrew, whose parents were not of our class. Through diligence and application he proved himself to be a smart young man, however, and was admitted on scholarship to our school, where we took him in hand and attempted to educate him in all the courtesies of good society. It was at this time that your father and Lord Black, being of similar...unreserved temperments, became the closest of friends, and treated each other quite as brothers. It was my privilege to be their friend and to indulge with them in the occasional boyish mischief."
"Surely not," replied Mr. Potter. "For I know you both to be of an upstanding disposition which would never allow..."
"We were young," said Colonel Lupin, who seemed excessively amused by Mr. Potter's compliment. "Although we were often taken to task by the headmaster of that school, an excellent man by the name of Dumbledore, it was harmless enough. Most of the time," he added, with a sudden frown before continuing.
"When we had graduated we determined that, there being some danger to the country from a traitorous man I shall not deign to name, we should join the military as officers and provide what assistance we were able -- despite your father already having married and your mother being in her confinement. Lord Black purchased his commission and assisted me in the purchase of mine; your father purchased his and Mr. Pettigrew's. Lord Black's family was furious. They had intended him to go into politics as soon as his education was completed, and for a long time there was no good feeling on either side. For all of that, Lord Black comported himself most honourably -- and, having proved himself on the field of battle, he might well enter politics with an advantage once he returned home."
"But Lord Black dislikes politics -- I have often heard him say so," Mr. Potter protested.
"Indeed he does; he finds most politicians dishonest or distasteful," the Colonel agreed. "So in a way it is just as well he was unable to engage in politics, due to the scandal."
"Scandal?"
"Patience, Mr. Potter, and I shall relate it," Colonel Lupin said, but his voice was gentle rather than scolding. "Knowing your father's affection for mysterious deeds done by night, our commanding officer ordered that your father and Lord Black should..." he lowered his voice, "...attempt to assassinate, by any available means, this unnamed outlaw general who was laying waste to the countryside."
"Assassinate!" Mr. Potter exclaimed.
"Just so. I was unaware of events, having been recently promoted to Colonel and desiring to prove myself with a new command some ways distant. Mr. Pettigrew accompanied them, unbeknownst to themselves, and in the process of the assassination both your father and Mr. Pettigrew were slain. Of course then it all came out and Lord Black was accused of murder; there was some uncertainty as to how your father and Mr. Pettigrew had died. Lord Black to this day maintains that they were slain by the enemy, but it cannot be denied that their blood was found on his clothing. He was court-martialed, although they could not try him for murder for lack of evidence. Of course the court-marshal meant he could not have succeeded in any public life. It killed his mother outright; the news gave her such trouble in her heart that she died before he could see her again."
"Is that why he keeps her portrait in the main hall covered at all times?" Mr. Potter inquired, for he had often been curious as to why the late Lady Black should remain out of sight.
"I suspect so. They were still on bad terms when she died, as I understand it. So Lieutenant Black became Lord Black, and after a year or so the talk quieted down as all talk will do, and he was able to recover most of the reputation of the ancient and quite honourable family name. His amiable disposition, his goodness of heart and I do believe his champion dogs have ensured that he has a place in good society despite the scandal. You cannot find a better pointer or retriever than those he keeps and trains at his country estate, and many young men are willing to overlook an old scandal for the sake of a good hunting dog."
"It is a peculiar story indeed," said Mr. Potter as they began their return journey to the house. "Has he never been able to prove their deaths were not owing to him?"
"You have done that, I think," the Colonel said. "Your trust and good esteem of him, in the public eye, have done much to convince those who still distrust him that he could not have killed your father -- for what son would lodge with his father's murderer? I did not know you were unaware of the circumstances of your father's death."
"Beyond what Mr. D------ told me, which is that my father died as a common soldier and my mother in childbed, I knew nothing," Mr. Potter confessed. "Yet I cannot believe Lord Black would have injured my father in any way."
"He would not, of that I am sure," Colonel Lupin informed him. "There was no reason to do so, and every reason not to. Ah, and here is the young Mister Weasley and his sister -- good afternoon, Granville, Miss Rowena."
"Good afternoon, Colonel," said the red-haired man who stood in front of them. His sister, a handsome young woman who was nearly taller than her brother, stood next to him with a parasol on her arm. "We had hoped to meet you returning to the house -- we were informed you had taken an afternoon constitutional."
"Mr. Potter, may I present to you Mr. Granville Weasley, lately of O----- St. C--------, and his sister Miss Rowena Weasley," the Colonel said as they bowed and Miss Rowena curtseyed. "We had likewise hoped to meet you, for Mr. Potter has become an excellent friend of your sisters."
Mr. Potter, who was still in a whirl of confusion over Colonel Lupin's revelations, barely managed a stammered pleasantry and proper conversation, coming away from the meeting with the vague impression that Mr. Granville Weasley was quite fond of London fashions that season and Miss Rowena Weasley not nearly as vivacious as her sisters, though rather pleasanter to look at.
"I declare, I think you are besotted by Miss Rowena," said the Colonel, as they ascended the steps to Lord Black's townhouse.
"Indeed not," replied Mr. Potter. "I fear I was not such good company as I could wish, but your story of this afternoon has perplexed me immensely."
"Surely now that you know Lord Black you cannot suspect him."
"No, but it is very tragic, is it not?"
"Immensely so. He does not appear to mind it, but I believe it shall hang over his head all his life," the Colonel said, looking somewhat sorrowful.
"Is that why he has never married?"
"I think perhaps it is merely that he has never needed to marry. Lord Black is a wealthy man who could have his pick of any of the young women this season, or any other for that matter; I believe the Dowager Duchess would make a match with him if she did not believe he has too little dignity. He has no need of a wife and will not marry except for love."
"Yes, but who shall inherit his estates?"
"There is a distant cousin -- one Malfoy by name, an unpleasant sort of boy -- "
"Mister Draco Malfoy?"
"Do you know him?" asked the Colonel.
"We were at school together," said Mr. Potter.
"I am sorry I spoke ill of him, then, for your sake."
"Nay -- I cannot speak more well of him than you did," replied Mr. Potter, with a laugh. "And is Mr. Malfoy to inherit all of it?"
"The entailment has been broken, I believe, so Lord Black may bequeath where he wishes. Anyone to whom he does bequeath, however, will likely suffer the great enmity of the Malfoys."
"Many do already."
The Colonel laughed and let himself down into a chair with rather more care than normally used. Mr. Potter had not inquired, but was given to understand that his wounds were of such severity that much of his body, under his clothes, bore scars.
"Here y'are, Harry, Colonel," said Lord Black, coming into the room with the two Weasley sisters following after him. "We expected you back before now -- does your leg bother you, Lupin?"
"No more so than usual, thank you," answered the Colonel. "We met Mister Granville Weasley and Miss Rowena on our way."
"Ah! We had hoped you would, they came here seeking your acquaintance and were sorely disappointed to discover the both of you had gone out. Kreacher, fetch the tea if you would, please. You look rather pale, Harry, does the London weather not agree with you?"
"Indeed no," said Mr. Potter, composing himself. "I find it quite agreeable. It was...concern for Colonel Lupin, that is all."
"It will take more than a walk on a London Sunday to do the Colonel in, I think," said Miss Winifred, smiling at the Colonel.
"Yes, I shall fight on," Colonel Lupin agreed. "But we must not talk of me; you must ask Mr. Potter what he thought of your sister, Miss Rowena."
"It would be a very good match," said Miss Winifred, promptly.
"Particularly on our sister's side," added Miss Georgiana.
"For she is a handsome match to young Mr. Potter, and he will be a wealthy man upon his majority," finished Miss Winifred.
"Scandalous, the pair of you!" cried Lord Black. "There shall be no matchmaking in this house, and if the Dowager Duchess heard you say such things to a young man of good class she would box your ears, I am certain. And he has several years yet until his majority -- how should he spend them while he waits to marry your sister?"
"Entertaining you, I should imagine," said Miss Georgiana, with a flirtatious look at Lord Black.
"Indeed he does, indeed he does, for I find Mr. Potter excessively diverting. Were it not for the claims of his family I would keep him always in London. He is so very popular here, you know, that we shall all be sad to see him go."
"You flatter me," murmured Mr. Potter.
"Nonsense, Mr. Potter, you must own that you are much beloved of London society," said Lord Black.
"I own that I can dance passingly well, that my smile is not wholly unpleasant and that I am not unaccomplished at riding; the rest you must not ask."
"A proper gentleman's answer," approved the Colonel. The tea arrived then, and talk turned to the general quality of the teas in London, where Lord Black bought his tea-cakes, what fine linen he used, &c.
***
If I ever work on it again, no doubt we shall shortly meet the dour Sir Severus Snape, the dashing Mr. Henry Granger, and the fashionable young Countess de Tonks. We might even be honoured with the company of that most earnest of young men, the Reverend Thomas Riddle...
Summary: Jane Austen meets Harry Potter. Unfinished, and liable to stay that way.
Rating: G
Notes: This was posted on Copperbadge ages ago and then forgotten about; for a while it was lost, then I reposted it, then it was lost again in the hack, but fortunately LJSeek cached a copy of the second post. And now it is here, hopefully to stay.
Warnings: None.
First posted 9.06.04
***
It was not, as some have conjectured, Mr. Harry Potter of P-----, Surrey, who first revealed Lord Lockhart as a fraud. It is true that the public announcement of Lord -- or shall we call him Mister -- Lockhart came from Mr. Potter's remarks in the hearing of those estimable gentlemen of the press. Privately, however, Mr. Potter had known for some time of his companion's fraudulent nature.
Mr. Harry Potter, being a courageous young gentleman of five thousand pounds a year, not intolerable to look at, and having a particular talent for riding, was therefore much in the public eye during his school years. He was an orphan, though of good birth, and while his majority was not yet reached he was in the care of his uncle Mr. D------ of P-----. Mr. D------, determined that his ward should grow up thinking himself no better than his cousin Master Dudley D------, often preached to the boy on the goodness and honesty to be found in poverty and hardship and administered both to Mr. Harry Potter with such diligence that at times he threatened to be overwhelmed by the experience.
Therefore, he had declared an intention to quit his uncle's home for the summer, the better to improve relations betwixt himself and his uncle through some distance of location. On hearing this Lord Black, who had been a friend of young Mr. Potter's father, immediately extended an invitation to stay with him in London where he kept a town-house. Lord Black was an amiable gentleman in every possible way, and very popular amongst all those he dined with. He kept a good house and spent much money on the improvement of it through the acquisition of rare books for the library.
There was no mistress of the house, however, and having only a slight acquaintance previously with Lord Black, it was on this point that Mr. Potter inquired once he had settled his belongings and been introduced to the other guests of the house: Colonel Lupin, the misses Winifred and Georgina Weasley, and their chaperone the Dowager Duchess McGonagall, a very merry party indeed.
"Have you never been told of Lord Black's history?" inquired Colonel Lupin, who could reliably be found in the library on days he did not go out, for he harboured a great passion for reading and was of a weak disposition due to injuries sustained during his military service.
"It is on that point I came to ask you particularly, Colonel," Mr. Potter replied, "knowing as I do that you and Lord Black served together in the Indies. I admit that I do not know his Lordship so well as I might wish to, nor yourself, seeing that you were both such intimate acquaintances of my father."
"Indeed, Mr. D------ has been most remiss if he has not informed you of Lord Black's circumstances with regards to yourself," said the Colonel gravely. "Those I am not permitted to relate, but Lord Black's history is common knowledge even these eighteen years later. I am surprised," he continued, "that the young women of your acquaintance, especially Miss Pansy Parkinson, have not recounted it to you already -- for surely they would use less merciful expression than I customarily employ."
"Miss Parkinson is always very lively and full of news," Mr. Potter agreed.
"Yes; and I do not think she will profit from it in the end. But to the story -- shall we go walking? It is a pleasant day and the exercise will do me good, I am certain of it. And you are more likely to meet Miss Rowena Weasley outside than you are in Lord Black's library, I think."
"I have heard much of Miss Rowena Weasley from her sisters," Mr. Potter observed. "She is the youngest of the family but one, is she not?"
"Aye, and will no doubt have a very hard time of it, with five older sisters," Colonel Lupin agreed, gathering his walking-stick from the doorway. "The eldest, Miss Wilhelmina Weasley, is lately engaged to a French gentleman of some note which no doubt will help her sisters to form good connexions, but I fear for the family reputation were the Duchess not to keep such a close eye on Miss Winifred and Miss Georgina. Such a determined pair of flirts I have never seen."
"Is that the reason Miss Rowena Weasley is not to stay with us for the summer?"
"I believe she was previously invited down to London by the sister of Lord Lockhart," the Colonel informed him, "and so has been residing at the Lockhart town-house. Her younger brother -- that would be Mr. Granville Weasley -- attended her as chaperone, and Miss Winifred and Miss Georgiana could not have tolerated being left behind. Lord Black's house was too empty for his liking at any rate, and he was more than pleased to invite them to stay, with the Duchess to keep them from too much mischief. The Weasley family, you see, is not wealthy...but then Lord Black takes particular delight in aiding those of good breeding who are not so fortunate as himself."
"He seems to me all that is good in a man," Mr. Potter agreed. "I must admit that even on such short acquaintance I esteem him immensely, and am sure my father must have done so as well."
"Yes, and that is a kind reminder I have strayed from my appointed task," the Colonel said, stopping to bow to a lady of his acquaintance. "Which is to relate to you the whole history of your father's association with Lord Black and the tragic events which followed your father's death.
"Lord Black, your father, and myself were all at school together with a young man by the name of Pettigrew, whose parents were not of our class. Through diligence and application he proved himself to be a smart young man, however, and was admitted on scholarship to our school, where we took him in hand and attempted to educate him in all the courtesies of good society. It was at this time that your father and Lord Black, being of similar...unreserved temperments, became the closest of friends, and treated each other quite as brothers. It was my privilege to be their friend and to indulge with them in the occasional boyish mischief."
"Surely not," replied Mr. Potter. "For I know you both to be of an upstanding disposition which would never allow..."
"We were young," said Colonel Lupin, who seemed excessively amused by Mr. Potter's compliment. "Although we were often taken to task by the headmaster of that school, an excellent man by the name of Dumbledore, it was harmless enough. Most of the time," he added, with a sudden frown before continuing.
"When we had graduated we determined that, there being some danger to the country from a traitorous man I shall not deign to name, we should join the military as officers and provide what assistance we were able -- despite your father already having married and your mother being in her confinement. Lord Black purchased his commission and assisted me in the purchase of mine; your father purchased his and Mr. Pettigrew's. Lord Black's family was furious. They had intended him to go into politics as soon as his education was completed, and for a long time there was no good feeling on either side. For all of that, Lord Black comported himself most honourably -- and, having proved himself on the field of battle, he might well enter politics with an advantage once he returned home."
"But Lord Black dislikes politics -- I have often heard him say so," Mr. Potter protested.
"Indeed he does; he finds most politicians dishonest or distasteful," the Colonel agreed. "So in a way it is just as well he was unable to engage in politics, due to the scandal."
"Scandal?"
"Patience, Mr. Potter, and I shall relate it," Colonel Lupin said, but his voice was gentle rather than scolding. "Knowing your father's affection for mysterious deeds done by night, our commanding officer ordered that your father and Lord Black should..." he lowered his voice, "...attempt to assassinate, by any available means, this unnamed outlaw general who was laying waste to the countryside."
"Assassinate!" Mr. Potter exclaimed.
"Just so. I was unaware of events, having been recently promoted to Colonel and desiring to prove myself with a new command some ways distant. Mr. Pettigrew accompanied them, unbeknownst to themselves, and in the process of the assassination both your father and Mr. Pettigrew were slain. Of course then it all came out and Lord Black was accused of murder; there was some uncertainty as to how your father and Mr. Pettigrew had died. Lord Black to this day maintains that they were slain by the enemy, but it cannot be denied that their blood was found on his clothing. He was court-martialed, although they could not try him for murder for lack of evidence. Of course the court-marshal meant he could not have succeeded in any public life. It killed his mother outright; the news gave her such trouble in her heart that she died before he could see her again."
"Is that why he keeps her portrait in the main hall covered at all times?" Mr. Potter inquired, for he had often been curious as to why the late Lady Black should remain out of sight.
"I suspect so. They were still on bad terms when she died, as I understand it. So Lieutenant Black became Lord Black, and after a year or so the talk quieted down as all talk will do, and he was able to recover most of the reputation of the ancient and quite honourable family name. His amiable disposition, his goodness of heart and I do believe his champion dogs have ensured that he has a place in good society despite the scandal. You cannot find a better pointer or retriever than those he keeps and trains at his country estate, and many young men are willing to overlook an old scandal for the sake of a good hunting dog."
"It is a peculiar story indeed," said Mr. Potter as they began their return journey to the house. "Has he never been able to prove their deaths were not owing to him?"
"You have done that, I think," the Colonel said. "Your trust and good esteem of him, in the public eye, have done much to convince those who still distrust him that he could not have killed your father -- for what son would lodge with his father's murderer? I did not know you were unaware of the circumstances of your father's death."
"Beyond what Mr. D------ told me, which is that my father died as a common soldier and my mother in childbed, I knew nothing," Mr. Potter confessed. "Yet I cannot believe Lord Black would have injured my father in any way."
"He would not, of that I am sure," Colonel Lupin informed him. "There was no reason to do so, and every reason not to. Ah, and here is the young Mister Weasley and his sister -- good afternoon, Granville, Miss Rowena."
"Good afternoon, Colonel," said the red-haired man who stood in front of them. His sister, a handsome young woman who was nearly taller than her brother, stood next to him with a parasol on her arm. "We had hoped to meet you returning to the house -- we were informed you had taken an afternoon constitutional."
"Mr. Potter, may I present to you Mr. Granville Weasley, lately of O----- St. C--------, and his sister Miss Rowena Weasley," the Colonel said as they bowed and Miss Rowena curtseyed. "We had likewise hoped to meet you, for Mr. Potter has become an excellent friend of your sisters."
Mr. Potter, who was still in a whirl of confusion over Colonel Lupin's revelations, barely managed a stammered pleasantry and proper conversation, coming away from the meeting with the vague impression that Mr. Granville Weasley was quite fond of London fashions that season and Miss Rowena Weasley not nearly as vivacious as her sisters, though rather pleasanter to look at.
"I declare, I think you are besotted by Miss Rowena," said the Colonel, as they ascended the steps to Lord Black's townhouse.
"Indeed not," replied Mr. Potter. "I fear I was not such good company as I could wish, but your story of this afternoon has perplexed me immensely."
"Surely now that you know Lord Black you cannot suspect him."
"No, but it is very tragic, is it not?"
"Immensely so. He does not appear to mind it, but I believe it shall hang over his head all his life," the Colonel said, looking somewhat sorrowful.
"Is that why he has never married?"
"I think perhaps it is merely that he has never needed to marry. Lord Black is a wealthy man who could have his pick of any of the young women this season, or any other for that matter; I believe the Dowager Duchess would make a match with him if she did not believe he has too little dignity. He has no need of a wife and will not marry except for love."
"Yes, but who shall inherit his estates?"
"There is a distant cousin -- one Malfoy by name, an unpleasant sort of boy -- "
"Mister Draco Malfoy?"
"Do you know him?" asked the Colonel.
"We were at school together," said Mr. Potter.
"I am sorry I spoke ill of him, then, for your sake."
"Nay -- I cannot speak more well of him than you did," replied Mr. Potter, with a laugh. "And is Mr. Malfoy to inherit all of it?"
"The entailment has been broken, I believe, so Lord Black may bequeath where he wishes. Anyone to whom he does bequeath, however, will likely suffer the great enmity of the Malfoys."
"Many do already."
The Colonel laughed and let himself down into a chair with rather more care than normally used. Mr. Potter had not inquired, but was given to understand that his wounds were of such severity that much of his body, under his clothes, bore scars.
"Here y'are, Harry, Colonel," said Lord Black, coming into the room with the two Weasley sisters following after him. "We expected you back before now -- does your leg bother you, Lupin?"
"No more so than usual, thank you," answered the Colonel. "We met Mister Granville Weasley and Miss Rowena on our way."
"Ah! We had hoped you would, they came here seeking your acquaintance and were sorely disappointed to discover the both of you had gone out. Kreacher, fetch the tea if you would, please. You look rather pale, Harry, does the London weather not agree with you?"
"Indeed no," said Mr. Potter, composing himself. "I find it quite agreeable. It was...concern for Colonel Lupin, that is all."
"It will take more than a walk on a London Sunday to do the Colonel in, I think," said Miss Winifred, smiling at the Colonel.
"Yes, I shall fight on," Colonel Lupin agreed. "But we must not talk of me; you must ask Mr. Potter what he thought of your sister, Miss Rowena."
"It would be a very good match," said Miss Winifred, promptly.
"Particularly on our sister's side," added Miss Georgiana.
"For she is a handsome match to young Mr. Potter, and he will be a wealthy man upon his majority," finished Miss Winifred.
"Scandalous, the pair of you!" cried Lord Black. "There shall be no matchmaking in this house, and if the Dowager Duchess heard you say such things to a young man of good class she would box your ears, I am certain. And he has several years yet until his majority -- how should he spend them while he waits to marry your sister?"
"Entertaining you, I should imagine," said Miss Georgiana, with a flirtatious look at Lord Black.
"Indeed he does, indeed he does, for I find Mr. Potter excessively diverting. Were it not for the claims of his family I would keep him always in London. He is so very popular here, you know, that we shall all be sad to see him go."
"You flatter me," murmured Mr. Potter.
"Nonsense, Mr. Potter, you must own that you are much beloved of London society," said Lord Black.
"I own that I can dance passingly well, that my smile is not wholly unpleasant and that I am not unaccomplished at riding; the rest you must not ask."
"A proper gentleman's answer," approved the Colonel. The tea arrived then, and talk turned to the general quality of the teas in London, where Lord Black bought his tea-cakes, what fine linen he used, &c.
***
If I ever work on it again, no doubt we shall shortly meet the dour Sir Severus Snape, the dashing Mr. Henry Granger, and the fashionable young Countess de Tonks. We might even be honoured with the company of that most earnest of young men, the Reverend Thomas Riddle...
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
Page 1 of 2