Chapter 2. Malfoy Manor
After her interaction with Septimus Malfoy in Gringotts, Willa had trouble thinking of anything else. Her intrigue fully piqued, she continued to strategically pepper Elnath and Rigel with questions about the man the remainder of the week to glean as much information as possible without being overt. They obliged and she learned several key points, including that he was widowed after his wife came down with a rapid moving and rare case of Dragon Pox around the time Quintus was ten. Her death affected him so greatly that all portraits of her were removed from the house and destroyed. Willa discovered from Rigel that he had a habit a drinking a glass of mead at tea time and a preference for Ogden's Old Firewhisky. He had graduated Hogwarts two years after Uncle Castor and Aunt Nerodia and his birthday was on July 14, which once in private Willa calculated made him thirty-six years of age. Since she turned seventeen in October, this only made him nineteen years her senior.
By the time Friday arrived, Willa felt considerably more prepared to face her host that evening, even if she remained uncertain of what outcome she wished to elicit from the meeting. She determined herself not to dwell on it any longer and threw herself into final preparations for the school year. Once confident in her preparedness for Hogwarts, her sole focus became helping Elnath determine how to approach seeing Quintus that evening. Should he be innocent of any wrongdoing and all the alarm be sheer machinations of his younger sister—a prospect Willa could not be dissuaded from without further evidence—the cousins were yet to decide upon the course of action to follow in regards to Octavia. It was chiefly this topic that occupied them while poised at Elnath's vanity fussing over their hair in preparation for the evening.
"If Catherine Avery is there, I will not treat her with any ill will. For if they are pledged, it will be Quintus who deserves my reproach, as she may well be ignorant to any attachments we shared." Elnath confirmed as she brushed out her cousin's deep auburn hair.
"I agree with this sentiment." Willa said. "And if she is there, but they do not appear to be pledged, then Quintus should be forthcoming with his excitement to see you. At which point you can inquire as to why he has not called on you all summer."
"Yes. But what if they are secretly pledged? How should I discover this?" Elnath asked, the new thought began to fester into a slight panic.
Willa weighed this. Octavia could not be trusted in her estimation, which left only Quintus and possibly Septimus to be privy to this type of information.
"Perhaps Mr. Malfoy would divulge something, if asked in just the right manner?" Willa offered.
"Are you mad?" Elnath replied, aghast. "No, you must do no such thing. From what I overheard of my father telling my mother, you made enough of an impression on Mr. Malfoy as it stands."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Willa asked, both horrified and thrilled that her interaction with the man had not gone unnoticed.
"It means that Mr. Malfoy is a very powerful man whose favor we cannot risk falling out of. Embarrassing him in any location, let alone in the middle of Gringotts—of all places!—is absolutely unacceptable." Elnath released. She had been holding onto these sentiments for days and they exploded out at once.
"That is not my perception of how events unfolded." Willa protested. Annoyed that her cousin had waited so long to mention such a thing, she made a mental note of Elnath's character flaw for future reference before continuing, "In fact, it was not until after this presumed embarrassment that Mr. Malfoy even extended an invitation to the ball. How could he both hold me in contempt and extend such a gesture of generosity?"
Elnath said nothing, contemplating this new information and regretting that she had not brought it up sooner to her cousin for a recount of the story on her end.
"It is only reasonable to assume then that Mr. Malfoy holds me in no special regard, bad or good, and—after having learned of my presence at Black Manor and furthermore of my general existence—felt we would all enjoy his end of summer ball." Willa finally concluded. She was almost convinced that she did not mind the idea that the man in question would hold her in no special regard at all.
"You must be right." Elnath agreed. "I apologize for my assumptions otherwise."
"Do not think on it. You have enough to think on as it is!" Willa stated.
"Yes, but still I do not wish you to inquire to Mr. Malfoy about any pledge Quintus may or may not have to Miss Avery."
"I will not." Willa promised. She then gave a smile and look of mischief, "Does Quintus have any friend he might tell such pertinent information to who could be reasonably pliable after sufficient amounts of firewhisky? I can be very persuasive when I want to be, exceptionally so when aided by another's courage."
Elnath laughed and pretended to think of a companion who might fall in the category. Truth be told, Quintus was not a trusting person and she sincerely believed—until Octavia's letter—that he only bestowed such intimacy of faith in her.
"If I think of someone, I shall inform you immediately." She said. "Meantime, what do you think of your hair?"
Willa straightened and scrutinized her cousin's work, which she quickly surmised was beyond her satisfaction.
"I love it!" she exclaimed to Elnath's delight.
"As I love mine." Elnath replied. Willa had already done her hair before she started on hers.
There was a rap on the door and Elnath permitted entry.
Adorned in his new dress robes, Rigel poked in his head to ask how much longer they might need. He was sufficiently ill prepared for the beauty inside the room, and while he held no affections beyond familial for either his sister or cousin, he could confidently state to them that they both looked a vision. They replied their gratitude at his compliment and Elnath confirmed they were indeed ready to leave.
The receiving line set up in the front parlor of the Malfoy Manor included only Mr. Malfoy and his two children. Uncle Castor and Aunt Nerodia led the Black family's entry into the ball, and, as last in presentation, Willa prepared to watch with scrutiny at how Quintus reacted to Elnath.
Octavia was saccharine to her cousin, the flatteries rolling off her tongue like a Babbling curse had been cast on the girl. Willa fought back an eye roll as she observed the fifteen-year-old girl whom she had grown to loathe from Elnath's letters. Octavia had an oily complexion and was yet to grow into any form of beauty, her features still plump like a child.
After Willa's obligatory introduction from Elnath, as she was new to British Society, Willa kept her niceties brief in hopes of overhearing her cousin's conversation with Quintus who was next in the receiving line.
"It is so nice to see you, Elnath." Quintus was saying.
Despite being the same year as Elnath and Willa, his features were boyish. His hair and eyes only hinted at the natural splendor of his father's, and his frame remained too slender for its height making him appear gangly. Willa noted that should Octavia's claims prove true, it would not be such a loss for her cousin.
"It is nice to see you as well, Quintus." Elnath replied. "How was your summer?"
"Quite well, and yours?" he said.
Willa frowned at his response, but quickly adjusted her expression when Elnath, in an effort to hide her distraught, took the opportunity to transition into her introduction.
"My summer was most exciting. My dear cousin, Miss Wilhelmina Gamp, has moved from America to live with us. She starts at Hogwarts with us tomorrow." Elnath said.
Willa noticed Septimus turn his attention towards them at mention of her name. She caught his eye for a moment before looking to his son. His mere presence overwhelmed her senses in the manner she both feared and looked forward to all week.
"Yes, my father mentioned having the privilege to make your cousin's acquaintance earlier this week." Quintus said to Elnath. He finally looked to Willa and gave a slight nod, "It is a pleasure, Miss Gamp."
"Likewise, Quintus." She said with a half curtsy, fighting her inclination to further reveal how much knowledge she had of him due to his attachment to her cousin in hopes of shaming him into a confession of his promise to Miss Avery. There would be other methods to verify the information.
Elnath moved forward to greet Mr. Malfoy, which left Willa to Quintus' full attention.
"How did you spend your summer? I spent mine moving." She said to him with a smile.
"Oh, it was a fast-moving holiday, really." He said in a reserved tone. "I made some new acquaintances and we took a family holiday abroad to Greece."
"Oh, any new acquaintances I should look to meet tonight?" Willa pressed, determined to discover if Catherine Avery was in attendance.
"Yes, in fact the Greengrass family might find your recent return to England of interest as they too have just returned. Mr. Greengrass was an attaché to the Russian Ministry in Saint Petersburg for the past five years." Quintus reported.
Willa smiled and nodded at this information, which was far from what she hoped to obtain. She thanked Quintus for his hospitality then moved to the next receiver in line and her true prospect for the evening, Septimus Malfoy. His greeting did not disappoint.
"Miss Gamp, what a pleasure it is to have you in attendance." He said. His pale blue eyes were bright as he extended his right hand to her. She placed her hand in his and he bowed himself to kiss it. His lips were soft on her skin and she inhaled deeply at their moist touch.
When Septimus stood upright again, Willa responded, "The pleasure is mine, sir."
"I do hope you enjoy yourself this evening." Septimus said, yet to release her hand despite that being proper protocol. Willa did not mind his lingered touch and even ventured a subtle stroke of his palm with her middle finger. He pressed his lips together at her actions and then stroked her palm in return.
Willa smiled and replied with assurance, "Thank you, it is my intention."
"I am glad to hear it." He said. "Please help yourself to whatever you desire while in my home."
Quintus eyed his father at this final comment and Willa took it as a cue to curtsy and move on to the festivities themselves. She thanked Septimus briefly and went in search of her cousins.
When she found them in the drawing room, Aunt Nerodia spoke in a hushed voice to her husband, clearly very cross. Rigel made attempts to distract Elnath from the angry conversation, but Elnath wanted to hear what her parents said. Seeing this, Willa approached Rigel and asked him to join her in discovering the refreshments. He obliged and Elnath gave her a grateful smile as she walked away with Rigel.
"What was that all about?" Willa asked once they were out of earshot.
"Uncle Corvinus is here. It appears Mr. Malfoy invited him, despite knowing he is estranged from the family." Rigel explained.
Corvinus Gaunt was the younger brother of both their mothers. According to Willa's mother, he was not right of mind and had performed two of the three Unforgivable Curses on Muggles as part of what he called experiments. This was strictly family knowledge, however, as use of any of the curses on any human would result in being sent to Azkaban. There was no proof of his actions, only his boastful claims, so instead of reporting him, their parents determined to estrange him to protect the family's reputation. Shortly thereafter Mr. and Mrs. Gaunt died, leaving the estrangement to be upheld by the Gaunt sisters, both of whom had already married into distinguished families. Willa always had been told that the Gamp name could not be tainted by accusations of foul play, like that of her uncle. She had never even seen the man, let alone met him.
"Why would Mr. Malfoy do such a thing?" Willa wondered.
Rigel hesitated.
"You can trust me, Rigel. You know this, right?" Willa assured him. She already knew the existence of Uncle Corvinus, so clearly she could be trusted with whatever secret her cousin kept now.
"Yes, I know. It is only…" he glanced around them and then said, "I cannot speak to it here."
Willa poured two glasses of wine at the refreshment station and walked towards the music room where a grand piano occupied the majority of the space and a few uncomfortable chairs were arranged near the wall. The room was unoccupied and the piano covered in a thin layer of dust, as if untouched for some time. Rigel followed.
They sat and Willa handed him a glass, her eyebrow raised to inquire for the information. Rigel drank before he divulged anything.
"Before we came to Dublin, I had a meeting with Mr. Malfoy about the opportunity at the Ministry next year." He began. "I arrived early, to confirm a good impression, and was told to wait until Mr. Malfoy finished his meeting."
He drank more and Willa began to grow impatient, but said nothing.
"While I waited, I could overhear the conversation inside his office. I did not recognize the voice until Uncle Corvinus emerged from the office later. They were discussing something about Hogwarts. A longstanding rumor about the monster that lives within its depths. Mr. Malfoy seemed concerned, but our uncle insisted that he be permitted to speak with Elnath."
"With Elnath?" Willa asked, surprised.
"I too was surprised to hear my sister's name come up. Mr. Malfoy told him it was impossible for him to arrange such a meeting, but that he would be happy to impart whatever information Corvinus hoped to upon Elnath himself, citing her attachment to Quintus as proof of familiarity." Rigel continued.
"What did my uncle say?" Willa asked.
"He refused the offer, stating he would have to do it himself." Rigel said.
"Did Mr. Malfoy then invite him to the ball?" Willa pressed.
"No, that was the end of the discussion. Uncle Corvinus left Mr. Malfoy's office, saw me but did not acknowledge me, and then continued to the exit." Rigel said.
"How curious," Willa frowned and finally drank some of the wine. It was full bodied and easy to drink, the perfect party wine. She found her thoughts praising Mr. Malfoy for his discernment in wine rather than admonishing him for permitting entry to their odd uncle.
The musicians began to warm up in the manor's main hall.
"We should probably return for the first dance." Willa said.
"Indeed, are we still in agreement to be partners for it?" Rigel asked. They had agreed on the carriage ride there to share the first dance if no other partner asked them.
"Of course," Willa nodded. "On condition you discreetly point out Uncle Corvinus to me. I do not know what he looks like."
When Willa and Rigel joined the sets, she noted that Elnath was across from Quintus. Octavia was paired with some unfortunate looking boy she later learned was Marcus Crabbe. Catherine Avery did not appear to be there. Willa could not be sure, however, as she did not know what she looked like. She decided to ask Rigel during the dance if he saw her there. She noticed Septimus at the head of the set, his gaze fixed on her until she looked his way. He gave her a polite nod and continued his duties as host.
The first dance was very social and Willa was able to easily ask Rigel about Miss Avery as well as make a few teasing remarks to Elnath about her dance partner. Rigel confirmed that none of the Avery family was present from the company he had seen thus far. Elnath later imparted that the Avery family had stayed on for an extra week at Brighton, and thus were unable to attend. Octavia was the source of this update, though, and Willa was not keen to trust it. Regardless, Quintus was dancing with Elnath, and she seemed pleased with her situation.
After the first dance, Quintus made good on his offer to introduce Willa to the Greengrass family. She and Elnath were presented to Mr. and Mrs. Greengrass and their two children, Thomas and Abigail. Thomas was Rigel's age and had sorted Slytherin at Hogwarts before his father was sent to Saint Petersburg; however Abigail had been ten when they moved and would also need to be sorted at tomorrow's ceremony.
The two had similar features with pale skin, chestnut hair, and soft brown eyes. Objectively they equaled in attractiveness to the Blacks and Willa, and one could easily notice the matchmaking mentalities of the two relevant mother figures.
While Willa and Abigail discussed their commonality of being sorted so late into matriculation, Rigel was brought for introduction. He subtly noted to Willa that Uncle Corvinus hovered by the grand staircase. She saw he was as attractive as his sisters, her mother and aunt, but that he moved with a strange gait, as though he had an injury. While she looked away, Rigel asked Abigail to dance. Then Thomas asked Willa for the next dance and she agreed.
Elnath excused herself and Willa watched her walk in the direction of Uncle Corvinus. Before she could follow, the next dance was announced and she was obligated to take her place across from Thomas Greengrass.
When Elnath failed to reappear after Willa's second dance with the Greengrass boy, she took it upon herself to go in search of her. After a sweep of the formal front rooms and informal back rooms, all inquiries pointing her to another location, she gave another fruitless glance into the main dance hall and determined only the annex with the kitchens remained unsearched.
Several house elves gave Willa surprised looks when she barged into the kitchens. She made her apologies after they all declined having seen any ladies except for her and Miss Octavia Malfoy. They politely explained the full lower level was open to guests, to which she explained she had searched it in its entirety. Then the eldest looking house elf was kind enough to show her to the kitchen's back entrance, which led directly to the manor's back stairwell.
With an unease of intrusion, she ascended the spiral staircase. It was a winding thing made of stones worn smooth. Landscape paintings littered the stone walls around her until she rounded the first full curve and found herself face-to-face with a full-length portrait of a man of striking likeness to Septimus. Upon scrutiny she found him to have slight differences. His cheekbones were higher and his forehead wider. An ancestor, she surmised, probably his father.
"Child, are you lost?" the man in the painting asked her when her nose nearly pressed against the canvas.
She jumped upright and almost lost her balance, her hand pressed hard against the column behind her to steady herself.
"I do apologize for the fright." He continued once she appeared to compose herself.
"I am searching for my cousin." Willa explained.
"Is she blonde?"
"Yes."
"You are on the correct path." The man said.
Willa smiled her thanks and continued upwards. Once she was around the next curve, the man in the portrait, who was indeed Septimus' late father Basilides Malfoy, left his painting to perform his single duty. Not a second later, Willa cast the Disillusionment charm on herself and became a chameleon to her surroundings.
She continued to the landing and found herself at the dark wing of a long hallway. Warm light bathed the other end, which appeared farther away than it could logically be. The floor was covered in a hard-knotted carpet with an ornate geometric design of black, green, pink, and gold, a luxurious Muggle invention that the Black Manor notably lacked. Willa stepped out into the center of the long carpet and closed her eyes to listen.
It took a full minute to adjust her senses, but soon she could hear the light whispers from behind one of the innumerable closed doors. With her eyes still shut, she began to walk towards the noise, which was in the direction of the light. Before she took three full steps, an ice cold sensation cut through her entire body. A ghost. She opened her eyes instinctively and spun around. Nothing was there.
"Lumos!" she whispered as she flicked her new wand.
A soft light emerged from the tip of it, all anyone could see of her under the Disillusionment charm, had anyone been there. But no one was, not even a ghost. Instead she found three worn tapestries. Each depicted one brother's portion of what appeared to be "The Tale of Three Brothers" from the children's book The Tales of Beedle the Bard. The left tapestry showed the Elder Wand, the right tapestry showed the Invisibility Cloak, and the tapestry directly in front of Willa—at the very end of the hallway—showed the Resurrection Stone. She moved towards it and reached out her free hand to touch the fabric. A cold sensation creeped slowly into the fingers of her hand and the exhale of a chilled breath could be heard from behind the tapestry.
Willa slowly traced her fingertips to the edge of the tapestry, about to pull to it aside when the hinge of a door opening creaked behind her.
"Nox." She whispered to darken her wand and turned to see who was in the hallway.
Her back was now against the wall the tapestry covered, only it was not a wall. It was a door. The sharp door handle pressed hard into her spine and she held her breath, more than aware there was a ghost on the other side of said door.
Two figures walked away from her in the warm light of the far end of the hallway. Soon she confirmed it was Elnath and Uncle Corvinus. Their voices filled the air in Parseltongue.
"You promise to protect her?" Uncle Corvinus hissed.
"Yes, in all my capacities." Elnath confirmed.
"Do not ever leave these inheritances unattended." Uncle Corvinus hissed.
"I could never do such a thing." Elnath hissed in earnest. Her tone was solemn, quite the opposite of how she spoke to Patrick in the gardens.
"I trust you, my child." He hissed.
"As you should." Elnath hissed.
The two nodded to one another and then turned to their left and descended the far staircase. After they had disappeared from Willa's sight, a cold hand gripped her neck and pulled her tight against the tapestry.
"Open the door, child." A female voice said in broken speech.
Willa felt overcome with the desire to turn the door handle. Her hand moved towards it when Septimus arrived at a running pace from the same spiral staircase she had climbed earlier. He looked past her and raised his wand with haste.
"Stupefy!" he cast with an angry confidence.
The red light of the curse flew narrowly past Willa's head. The next moment the cold sensation around her neck was gone.
"Miss Gamp, come away from there." Septimus said and reached out his free hand towards her.
She stared at him.
"Yes, I can see you." He said, a small smile forming.
Willa strode quickly to him and he pulled her securely behind his body. She peered around his shoulder back at the tapestry, which appeared unaltered from the curse. Septimus was whispering an incantation and moving his wand in long sweeping motions. His other hand remained firmly around Willa's midsection.
Finally he finished his magic and turned to face her.
"What are you doing up here, Miss Gamp?" he asked. His voice was measured, not harsh, and hinted at amusement.
"I was looking for my cousin. I found her a moment before… well, before you arrived." Willa explained.
"Where is she?" he asked, looking around.
"She already went downstairs. I was… unable to follow." Willa said and glanced at the place she had stood moments before.
Septimus nodded and threw a dark look at the tapestry-clad door.
"What is in there?" Willa asked.
"The past." Septimus said with some distance, still looking at the door.
Willa said nothing and unwittingly moved a step closer to him. He looked down at her with this movement, but did not shy away from her new proximity.
"I should return you to the festivities." He stated, locking his eyes with hers.
Willa felt no attempts of legilimency from him, so she returned his intense gaze without occlumency.
"Yes, I believe that would be most prudent." she replied after a drawn out pause.
Neither moved. Nerves flooded throughout Willa as she realized he too wanted to stay there with her, alone in the darkness.
A moaning screech came from behind the tapestry and the entire wing shook. Septimus' arm moved around Willa's waist again, pulling her towards the warm light at the other end of the hallway. She walked in pace beside his quick strides and a heaviness she did not realize she had been experiencing lifted from her once they emerged into the light.
Septimus dropped his arm from her body, though he did not spread the distance between them. When they reached the grand stairwell, Septimus stopped. She turned to him with an inquisitive brow.
"May I have the next dance, Miss Gamp?" he asked.
Willa blushed and a giggle escaped her lips.
"Do you find my proposition amusing?"
"No, I only…" Willa said in a mixture of amusement and concern that she had offended him. Finally she composed herself and continued, "Yes, you may have the next dance."
"Good." He uttered, his lips forming an inviting smile. "Though I do request you remove your Disillusionment charm so I do not appear to be dancing with myself."
Willa laughed at this and undid the charm. He turned to the stairs and held out his hand to her. She rested her hand on his for balance and they began to descend the staircase together.
Willa turned to look at the dark tapestries once more, but that wing of the hall was concealed. A stone wall stood there now, capped with a portrait of the same ancestor from the spiral staircase. Willa's eyes widened at the portrait and he winked at her.
Every eye was on Willa and Septimus as they descended from the assumed-to-be off limits second floor. Septimus, not wishing to embarrass Willa or call either of their reputations into question, determined to place fault in Elnath, who happened to be quite close to the base of the stairs. He stated in an assured and projecting voice, "Ah, but there is your cousin now." After depositing Willa in front of Elnath, he added, "Miss Gamp was in search of you, Miss Black."
"Here I am." Elnath said, unperturbed. Her lack of embarrassment surprised Willa.
"What an interesting locket." Septimus said to her.
Elnath's demeanor changed. She stiffened and uttered her gratitude with defensiveness. Willa did not recognize the locket. Elnath had not been wearing it when they arrived at Malfoy Manor.
Septimus nodded to both girls and then returned to the party.
"What were you doing with him?" Elnath snapped in a low voice.
"I might ask you the same about Uncle Corvinus." Willa snapped back. She looked at the locket and added, "When did you get that?"
Elnath's hand gripped the locket and Willa noticed she wore a ring now, too.
"And that ring?" Willa hissed, unintentionally switching to Parseltongue.
Elnath's eyes darkened. "Speak English. You do not need to call more attention to yourself than you already have."
"What is wrong with you?" Willa asked with genuine concern.
"With me?" Elnath gaped. "Nothing."
Willa eyed her and then softened, "I am earnest, Elnath. You seem different."
Elnath shifted at these words, finally smiling at her cousin and apologizing.
"I do not know what came over me. Uncle Corvinus wanted to speak to me and you know how my mother feels about him." Elnath said.
"It is fine. I saw you with him upstairs, truth be told. You do not need to lie to me." Willa said.
"Nor you to me." Elnath nodded. She leaned in quickly to say, "Mr. Malfoy returns our way."
"Oh, I promised him a dance." Willa said, pretending to be surprised, and was impressed with the ease of her tone. She felt a jumble of nerves.
"How did that happen?" Elnath giggled.
"I felt obliged after he found me upstairs searching for you." Willa explained. It was not a lie, but not a full truth. Elnath's composure became more formal and Willa knew Septimus had arrived.
"Miss Gamp," he began. She turned and he continued, "I have come to collect on my dance."
He extended his hand to her and she took it. He led her from Elnath the short distance to the dance floor and Willa noted as she took her place in the set that the room's eyes again were on her. She learned later that Elnath had danced the number with Thomas Greengrass and Rigel with Josephina Flint, but in the moment itself Willa took notice of nothing but Septimus.
He silently cast the Praeligo charm to dampen their conversation to sound like mere murmurs to any who attempted to listen. After letting Willa know he had done so, he began to speak to her during the dance.
"I trust you do not plan to mention what you experienced upstairs to anyone?" he said.
"Why would I tell anyone about that?" Willa asked. It had not even crossed her mind to share it.
"I admit to finding myself surprised at how alike we are, Miss Gamp."
"How do you mean?" Willa asked, though she did not dissent from the concept.
"You are a very powerful witch, and not just for your age." He began. "And I dare say your confidence excites me."
Willa blushed at this and then said, "We are both powerful and confident. Are these the only ways we are alike?"
"No, no I can see we are driven by the same powerful desire." He said. His eyes were on her, gauging her reaction.
"Oh, and what desire do we share?" she teased.
"Do you really wish me to spell it out?"
"I fear you must. For otherwise, I may not believe it." Willa said.
Septimus continued to dance for a minute before stating, "We share the desire to absolve ourselves of the darkness within us."
Willa looked at him sharply.
"Your brother was not killed by No-Majs, was he?" Septimus asked, lowering his voice even though no one could hear them.
Willa said nothing until she worked out the meaning behind his words.
"Your wife was not killed by Dragon Pox." She said.
"No." Septimus said plainly. "She was not."
They stared at one another, both coming to decide if in fact they had finally discovered someone with whom they could be truly honest.
Finally Septimus spoke, his voice soft and earnest, "Wilhelmina, would you find it too forward of me to write you while you are at Hogwarts?"
His use of her personal name did not go unnoticed by Willa, who responded, "I dare say my cousins and your children would find it shocking, so we will have to be discreet."
"I imagine that will not be of much difficulty to either of us." Septimus said and offered her a sly smile.
"You are more intriguing than I first surmised, Septimus." Willa said, returning his smile.
He laughed easily at her use of his personal name. It proved the only time he was addressed by it that evening, and he reflected later that night how he had not laughed so genuinely in years.
