Chapter 7
Ulvik was fond of Arithmancy and assiduously made calculations based on the birth dates of the three new members and then declared that actually, it might be nicer, since there were no contrary indications to the date to make their blooding on Halloween at midnight.
It was a Friday anyway, and so they could sleep in even if it had not been a holiday. Normally the half term would have been just the Friday and no homework for the weekend; but as the Halloween equestrian meet that Jade intended taking the equestrians to was on the Thursday, the school was given Thursday off as well and the students cheered those of horsy endeavour for their convenient indulgence.
This year there were to be seven attending the competition; joining Magda, Berthold and little Rainer were Friedrich, Adelheid, Kristel and Kornelia and it delighted the two Kirsch sisters that the southern competition was this year to be held in their home town of Pfarrkirchen.
Biirta asked if she might go too to cheer on her friend; and Jade readily gave permission so long as she declared a deputy head for the day. Biirta unhesitatingly chose Ktell.
It may be said that Biirta's motives were not entirely pure.
She could not help hoping that Mr Lucius Malfoy might be there so she might see him in the flesh rather than just whispering good night to his photo in the English glossy magazine that she had purchased.
She had herself put in extra time riding; because it was something Mr Malfoy loved so she wanted to understand it more; and enjoyed it well enough, and had learned quickly though she did not feel well enough equipped to compete. She would at least however appreciate the competition more and genuinely understand the good and bad points of the competition on the part of the school team; which had to be good. And of course she told herself firmly that he was not likely to notice her anyway; if he WAS interested in a fifth wife it would be someone beautiful like Magda who also danced well and looked wonderful on horseback. She just wanted to see him because he was wonderful.
Wanda's grandfather had wanted her to compete and Wanda had said 'no' very firmly. Wanda thought horses very pretty from a distance; but had no desire to do scary sort of obstacle races on the back of a large flying beast without a ladder. She had agreed, however, if the staff permitted, that he should take her out of school for the weekend and agreed to let him take her to the meet to watch her schoolfellows compete if he wished; it bored her slightly but she was an equable girl.
Fortunately for the success of the weekend, Herr Steck realised that his granddaughter's heart was not at all in things horsy and confessed that he was not a great lover of things equestrian either but that he had felt he ought to suggest it. Which being so, and it being more to Wanda's tastes, he was to show her over the factory on Thursday, which was not a holiday for the workers, and go to a resort on the Baltic coast for the rest of the weekend which would be relatively free of tourists, muggle or wizarding, since it was after the end of the season most favoured, and too cold for many holiday makers.
Wanda had sat down to draw up a chart of questions to ask in the factory to see what its productivity and efficiency might be, which industry both astounded and delighted her grandfather who saw more of himself in her than had been in his son. Wanda was a very shrewd girl and had decided that if she was to inherit a factory it would be extremely ungrateful and profligate of her not to know every last detail about it; and she was, moreover, interested in such things having advanced ideas to improve the productivity of the orphans in the old Berlin Kinderhaus. Her ideas had been rejected, largely, she told her grandfather bitterly, because the Director did not think that pretty girls had any brains; though at least she had been too young for him to take to his bed because he liked best girls of thirteen to fourteen and being short and slow in developing had its advantages.
This had caused Herr Steck to explode into Jade and Wulf's office to demand to know if they knew about this and he was only mollified by being told by Jade that there was a new half goblin whore in Berlin who had once been the director because she, Jade, was the world's expert on embarrassing transfiguration and if he spoke of it out of this room she would deny it.
Walther Steck had actually kissed Jade on each cheek; his granddaughter might not have been used by the creep but it had been a close run thing and the fear of it had touched her.
It may also be said that because Wanda asked to work on the production line as a trainee for a couple of hours to get the feel so she knew the business from the bottom she used the kung fu she had learned in the ECC without hesitation on the overseer who told her that she would satisfy his needs or her productivity would be logged 'unsatisfactory'; and as he lay on the floor howling and crying that she would be sacked forthwith she kicked him further in a place she felt it would do most good.
"Yer a feisty one, girl, and don't fink we ain't enjoyin' the sight, but you ain't half goin' ter git it in the neck" said one of the line girls, a part goblin. "We ain't dared complain; see, he's the manager's nevvy."
"InDEED" said Wanda. "Well I SHALL complain; and if the manager has a problem with it I shall know what to do. Will you back me?"
"Luv, I'd like to; but me what's part goblin won't never get no job that ain't on me back no-where else; old Steck at least don't care what race we are, and he pays good money and the hours are pretty good. I wouldn't never get so good a job nowhere else….gawd, kid, awroight, but if he threatens me wiv the sack….."
"He wouldn't if ALL the girls told the same story, would he?" said Wanda "He'd have to explain to the owner why he laid a whole line off."
"Odin's whiskers, you are a clever little cow ain't yer?" said the girl – Wanda thought her name was Elise – and she hollered to the other girls to down tools as the manager approached.
The manager aimed a vicious blow towards Wanda, smiling ingratiatingly at a shadowy figure on a gantry above.
"He tried to make me give him sexual favours" said Wanda coldly, blocking the blow "The first physical move was made by him."
"That's right, Herr Becker" said Elise "Same as he's done to all of us; he's a creep. She give him what he deserved."
"You're fired, you half-breed freak" said the manager.
"Then we're all fired, right girls?" said Elise "And some explaining to do to the boss."
The other girls murmured half hearted assent.
The manager stared, growing angry.
"Listen you cows, I can arrange to have you all cut so you can't even work as whores!" he said "You get back to work – except you, freak, you're out! I've had enough of your lip!"
"On the contrary" Herr Steck levitated smoothly down from the gantry "YOU are fired, Becker; and so is that creature, and I shall have depositions from you girls to make him pay damages to you for violations. Now please get back to work; Elise I'm promoting you acting foreman. Whether you keep the job depends on a review after a month to see how you are doing. YOU men are leaving" and he got out his wand to bind and jerk along by the ear both foreman and manager.
"Odin!" said Elise "All right girls, back to work; no slacking. And one of you – Lenore – show the new girl the ropes. Piece of luck the old man was watching" she added.
Wanda smiled discreetly; she had no intention of mentioning that he was her grandfather; she was in a unique position to learn a very great deal.
As the girls spent the afternoon making depositions to the family Anwalt they did not miss the new girl who was seeing over the business side of the industry and finding out what big business clocks and clockwork really was. This was only one of several lines in the factory; and Wanda enjoyed seeing over the rest. She carefully attempted to suggest the impression to another, grizzled foreman, who Walther Steck had known almost all his life, that she was a girl in education looking to use it in under management. He had been given the brief to show her around so she was not seen with her grandfather, a decision Herr Steck had approved.
The old foreman had sniffed and said that nobody could know the business properly who had not worked the lines, which was half of what was wrong with the manager – it appeared to be an old argument – and Walther Steck had agreed and said that young Wanda would work each production line of the factory during her holidays and that he had just fired the manager anyway.
"Well if he's fired Herr Becker I hope you shape up missy" said the foreman – he answered to Fritz – "Because we do NEED a manager."
"If you know the business backwards why don't you apply?" asked Wanda.
"Because I can't handle accounts, little missy" said Fritz. "What was your full name by the way?"
"Does it matter?" asked Wanda.
"It doesn't I suppose but you have a way of looking sideways that puts me in mind of someone" said Fritz.
Wanda shrugged.
"I'm Wanda Steck; my father was Bernard Steck" said Wanda "Only how can I learn the business if people are wary of who I am? It's not like growing up with it and everyone being used to me."
"Hmm" said Fritz "Happen you'll do then, missy; and I shan't be mentioning it."
She made a hit amongst the goblin workers making springs by asking sensible questions; admitting that metalwork was something she had a chance to study at school and resolving to fit it in to her curriculum somehow. Wanda was taking only the basic five subjects for having had to work hard to catch up; but the school was flexible and now she WAS caught up it was worth taking such subjects as would turn out useful. And perhaps she would study enchanting too to go with it. Yes; she WOULD manage it!
xxx
Meanwhile the equestrian team had travelled to Pfarrkirchen.
Biirta's searching eyes soon picked out Mr Malfoy; and Rainer said,
"Oh good, Lucasta's still too young for school; Penny and Varjak must be up this year. And there's Falk talking to them too" he added spotting his friend and waving.
"Stay together" said Jade "At least until I have you all registered you pests."
"Shall I take Rainer over to see his friend as I'm sort of superfluous?" asked Biirta.
"Yes do; thanks" said Jade, looking relieved. "Take Berthold and Adelheid and Kornelia too; Berthold certainly knows Falk and the Malfoy contingent; and I believe Kornelia does too."
"They're a little bit out of our social league but I do know them" said Kornelia a little shyly.
xxx
It had been a performance transporting the horses; Gennic Schiff and Ritter had, with the aid of Leo taken them the night before via ley line, which had enthused both Ritter and Gennic with the skill since the horses had arrived fairly fresh and able to rest overnight under Gennic's care. Leo and Ritter returned to the castle and Ritter assisted Jade in side-along apparating the children since Berthold and Rainer, being blooded, could do their own apparating and it was less effort than mucking about with a portkey as Jade put it.
It may be said that Kristel was mightily impressed with the ability of the Junior Head and the Charms master that they could side-along so many without breaking into a sweat; naturally she did not know that the two blooded boys did their own apparating.
Jade would have managed adequately if they had not been able to; but it did help. And Magda, Biirta, Friedrich and Kristel would soon be learning to apparate even if they were not able to take their licences until they were over seventeen; but they could assist to some extent even so.
Biirta took an eager Rainer over to the group around Lucius Malfoy. He looked into her eyes and she gasped. He gave her a little smile then turned to the children.
"Ah, Rainer, my lad; you've lost Penny to school now, David Fraser does not permit his scholars out to frivol at competitions I fear! Lucasta will however attempt to hold court to her friends being bossy enough on her own account! Berthold, introduce me; Miss Kirsch, surely? And friend?"
"Miss Kornelia Kirsch, Miss Adelheid Meyer, sir; Mr Lucius Malfoy" said Berthold, bowing beautifully. Kornelia and Adelheid each dropped a curtsey.
"How kind of you to remember me sir!" Kornelia said "My sister is well now and at school so we're both here!"
"Well I must pop over and say hello" said Lucius kissing the girls' hands as if they were grown up. Kornelia beamed at him. Adelheid was rather tongue tied.
"Kristel'll be awfully pleased" Kornelia said "She says you have the best judgement of horse flesh she's ever seen and you chose the best horses for your stables."
"I do pride myself on good judgement" said Lucius. "Glad you two Kirsch girls picked Schloss Adler over Durmstrang; more convivial school. Though having marauders there does help" he added.
"Oh sir, I'm going to be a marauder!" said Kornelia "Are you one of the grown-up ones?"
"I suppose in a manner of speaking I am" said Lucius "Let's say I support marauders and have done the ritual. I expect they'll tell you more about it when you're older; though I wish you every luck marauding in the meantime."
"We're trying to find and destroy the bones of a nasty old man who cursed a couple of our ghosts" said Kornelia.
"Then best of luck; now I see your Junior head making frantic signals so you had ALL better scoot; Falk, you and Lucasta too might as well all start off together. Biirta, may I borrow you a moment?"
Biirta nodded and looked up at him. His smoke-grey eyes were soft.
"I am at your disposal" she said – or meant to say. It came out as a whisper.
"I see you realised that you were aware of me as I of you" said Lucius.
"Oh Lucius!" she gasped.
He took her hands.
"Biirta, you are very young my dear" he said "And I have sworn not to make it hard for you in your studies by being too much around; besides, you need your chance to grow up; and maybe too to grow away from first love. As well you might. And to be honest, if you do, I do not want to be hurt in the process either; which is selfish I know for all my girls will rally round. But you are rather a special girl."
"I – am I?" said Biirta.
"I think so" said Lucius "Will you come to Malfoy manor for Christmas?"
Biirta flushed.
"I can't" she said; it was almost a wail "How can I leave my little brother and sister for Christmas? It's supposed to be a family time and I will NOT let them down!"
His lips brushed her forehead quickly.
"You ARE special" he said "The invitation is of course extended to your brother and sister. I know about how brave you have been, caring for them, insulating them as much as you could in the orphanage; yes, I know that your brother is inclined to cling; and if he is weak, well, such is life if he cannot learn strength. Which for his sake I hope he does" he added. "And Biirta…. I should like, whatever you decide, to offer your little sister a home until she goes to school at least, to be out of the orphanage, away from those who may taunt her for expecting to be a scholar, so she stays with me after the Yule break. May I do that?"
"Oh Lucius! You are too good! And – and for her sake I will break my pride and agree; she DOES get some bullying, though the Krumms are very good and step on it. She's of an age with some of your children, isn't she? She's six."
"Any amount of them" said Lucius cheerfully "I'm knee deep in children of a variety of ages though the next one down who's horsy is Cosmo who's your sister Heloise's age so at least once Lucasta is up at Hogwarts I shall have a break from children's gymkhanas!"
"Poor old man, is it so tiring?" teased Biirta.
"Oy, less of the old!" laughed Lucius "It's the tantrums of some of the brats who attend actually that I find nauseating. If I'd acted as they act I'd have had my ears boxed by my father. My dear…. If you DO become my wife there is something you need to know. We are all members of the big bloodgroup that was started to help Harry; you can ask any of the second year marauders about it, or Jade. But…. I cannot feel your bloodsong and now I am used to that I couldn't ask any woman to live with me with a relationship that must be less than that I have with the others."
"I – bloodsong? That sounds rather wonderful"
"It is" he said softly. "But it is NOT a decision to take lightly; I half wondered if you would be invited in anyway though I suspect Jade wanted you to be settled down after so hectic an introduction to education."
"I LOVE learning" said Biirta fiercely "And I want to know more; oh please, will you give me some tutoring in the holidays? I'm tackling some ZP's and if I could only get ahead of myself to take them this coming summer, I could perhaps work hard on them as ZH's alongside my meagre two subjects."
He took her hand and kissed each finger in turn.
"I think you have done phenomenally well" he said "And I am proud to know you; and would be very proud to help you – however our own relationship goes" he gave a whimsical smile "And it should test the strength of feelings; because if I help you I will be thorough and NOT gentle."
"Good" said Biirta "I'd ask nothing else."
"Good girl" he smiled down at her.
"I – I love you" said Biirta "I – I thought you might – might want Magda, who's so pretty and good at your interests, riding and dancing and Transfigurations; I'm awful at transfigurations and I can ride well enough now I've worked at it but it doesn't come naturally. I guess I dance all right" she stared at her feet.
"Biirta, you must not do yourself down" a hard insistent finger lifted her chin. "Now don't you think I'd be a boring fellow if I only took an interest in people who were interested in my pet subjects? I have more to me than riding, dancing and transfigurations you know; in fact I shall be examining you at Chanting so I shall have to be harsh there and too have a second invigilator; and I hear you're also learning Ancient Runes; Jade wrote to me that she wished the German exam was less turgid because my style of exam writing might amuse you; I set things like satirical speeches in hieroglyphs."
"There are no easy books on hieroglyphs for the little ones you know" said Biirta "If I can learn enough I think I might write some illustrated books about a court magician who has to solve mysteries and there are clues in the hieroglyphs."
Lucius gave her an admiring look.
"What a wonderful idea!" he said "Would you mind if I collaborated with you? And perhaps made it a series, with a druid working in Oghams and so on?"
"I should like that above all things" said Biirta shyly.
"Then that too will improve your own knowledge" said Lucius "And now we must hurry to the parents blether and bitch area – as I like to call it – or I shall miss Lucasta; and I never skimp my duties to my children."
"Good" said Biirta.
It seemed natural that he should take her hand to hurry to the parents' enclosure to watch Lucasta, Falk and Rainer competing. Narcissa was there as well as the Schloss Adler contingent; and she kissed Biirta on the forehead and drew her into a good seat to watch, leaving Lucius with Jade and Ritter. Biirta smiled shyly.
"He's a little overwhelming until you get used to him, isn't he my dear?" said Narcissa.
"A little, Madam Malfoy" said Biirta.
"My DEAR child! It's Narcissa; first name terms for all of us; I've always known what Lucius was thinking once we were free of Voldemort's compulsions even before the bonding" said Narcissa. "The only question is how YOU feel – and how you continue to feel. And on that we want to be sure you feel no pressure and are friends with us all."
"Narcissa, I adore all of you" said Biirta sincerely.
"Well that's all right then" said Narcissa "LOOK at that girl strut; isn't she the IMAGE of her father, all arrogance and charm?" as Lucasta came on, smiling urbanely to the crowd as though she was a princess and they turned out just to see her.
"Adorable" agreed Biirta in all honesty. "And I think she looks awfully like you too; she's going to be such a beauty!"
Narcissa could not help preening just a little!
Falk won the dressage; Rainer on Toffee came fifth and Lucasta was second. A snotty looking boy on a black pony was third and Lucius groaned as he saw Lucasta's fingers make a few deliberate gestures.
"The fluorescent fart jinx…. Why is it always my kids?" he said.
"Because Rainer hasn't realised he has a Snape bloodline to live up to Lucius" said Jade, also watching. "Do avoid seducing my scholars before they have ZHs there's a good fellow; you have no idea of the charisma you carry before you like a shock wave."
"You make me sound like an ill-trimmed broom" said Lucius.
"Daft as a brush anyhow" retorted Jade. "If Biirta knew what was good for her she'd have nothing to do with you, oh wicked uncle of mine."
"Baggage" said Lucius amicably. "Oh I am a good boy and planning on keeping a distance. Will you blood her?"
"The kids were planning on bringing in some new members their own age at Halloween" said Jade "I considered asking her and actually explaining. You are NOT invited, Lucius; I'm not having that added emotion laid on the poor child. Ah, here come the next bunch with Kornelia and Berthold."
"Well if they're that competitive through school at each other I imagine you have a bridal on your hands with them some day" said Lucius. Berthold was on one of the new ponies because Toffee objected seriously enough to dressage to protest if made to go through it more than once; but the disciplined moves were good for a rider to learn and Jade liked her youngsters to do the dressage to help them master skills.
The voluble French girl was also competing and the one aim of Berthold and Kornelia – he had found out that Kornelia already knew her – was to keep her from placing if they could by being better than her. This was the first time Kornelia had competed; her parents disapproved, like Lucius, of permitting children to compete too young as trying too hard and not being competent could ruin a good pony as well as causing undesirable upset to the child. As Horse Breeders the effect on the ponies was the one they considered more germane. Adalheid was looking good but they wanted to make sure there was no chance the French girl came close.
Accordingly the two marauders had firmly told a gangling Italian child who was counting to himself as he rehearsed his moves that he looked good and he was bound to be placed if he would only relax a little and if it took casting the tickling curse on him they would make him relax because he looked jolly and they couldn't stand his next closest rival. The boy had stared, then laughed, and accepted the pure and unsullied motive of doing down an unpleasant rival; and managed to beat her by taking the third place. Berthold surpassed himself to come in fourth also ahead of her, because it was the obstacle course in which he excelled, with Kornelia and Adelheid in second and first place respectively.
Magda and Hermes romped their dressage; the girl with the showy Pegasan split Friedrich, who came second, and Kristel; Kristel did not care, she was just glad to be back on horseback.
The girl stared.
"What, more scrubby orphans?" she demanded sneering at Friedrich and Kristel, especially Kristel "Look at you, you skinny creature; no grace at all, you should be scrubbing floors not riding with decent people."
"Fraulein Schenk" said a cold voice behind her "I do NOT like your remarks with regard to my daughter; I suggest you apologise to her and her friends or I may just call your father out for such ill-bred remarks; and I shall certainly not sell him any more beasts."
It was Kristel's father. Fraulein Schenk paled.
"Herr Kirsch!" she squealed "How was I to know that it was a pure bred witch, your daughter? I thought she was associating with riff-raff like that orphan wench! I would not offend you for anything, I apologise!"
Herr Kirsch regarded her coldly.
"You are offensive" he said "Get out of my sight; and do not be so rude to my daughter and her friends again or you might be the one to end up as an orphan since I may not duel you who are a minor and must thus fight your father."
The girl got.
"Fraulein Schmitt – it IS Fraulein Schmitt of whom my daughter has written is it not?" he asked. Magda nodded and murmured affirmation. He went on "I fear there are those pieces of dung who are the same as some who go to Durmstrang; I am glad we picked a school for our daughter where gentlemen and ladies are nurtured. And I thank you and all of the sixth for the kindness you have shown in welcoming her and making her feel at home."
He bowed and clicked his heels.
"The resident sixth have been really good to all us incomers, sir" said Friedrich. "Humans and goblins and half goblins alike."
Herr Kirsch nodded.
"So Kristel had written" he said "It is a good school; I am glad my daughters are there. You will all dine with my wife and me perhaps?"
"If our teachers permit sir" said Magda.
"Naturally they too are invited" said Herr Kirsch.
"We might have lost the younger contingent to learning jinxes from Lucasta Malfoy of course" said Magda, who had few illusions. Herr Kirsch laughed.
"Perhaps Herr Malfoy and his wife and daughter will join us also" he said.
xxx
It was a jolly dinner party; and a closer association with the Malfoys would be of no harm to the Kirsch family either.
And Friedrich was quietly summed up by the parents of a girl who had written warmly of him; and was found to be suitable as a potential son in law to inherit the business with his wife. After all, the pressures of doing ZHs together ought to test any friendship fairly well.
Biirta was just glad to be near Lucius; she was busy telling him and Narcissa about her familiar whom she had named Lucius for his elegant black fur, caddish whiskers and air of superiority; and Lucius laughed in delight.
"Sounds made for the name!" he agreed. "Send me a photo of him; I pine to see so handsome a namesake!"
Narcissa laughed ruefully.
"And Draco will have a copy made and use some muggle device called 'photoshop' to give him a cane and a cloak in the picture; though of course it won't then move" she added. "You should not pander to Lucius' vanity; he has too much of it."
"Nonsense my dear" said Lucius airily "I can never have too much vanity; as Lilith insisted on enchanting my car's engine to say I am too sexy for my car."
"Well she was right about that" said Narcissa "At least in the irony stakes. You are incorrigible Lucius."
Lucius winked at her and Biirta both.
"Yes; I like to be er, encorriged" he punned. "Lucasta, table manners! Do you want Herr and Frau Kirsch to think you were raised in a barn?"
Lucasta had been teaching Kornelia, Rainer and Falk and Heloise Kesselring how to make their peas jump up and down for Herr Von Kesselring had also joined the dinner party with his oldest daughter, a year younger than Falk, who had come second in her section.
Lucasta beamed at her hosts.
"I am sorry" she said "Only there's so many spells and so little time to share them in. And the peas were the best thing I could think of to demonstrate with."
"I do assure you we do NOT have a habit of playing with our food" said Lucius.
"Only with house guests we don't like" said Lucasta with devastating honesty.
Herr Kirsch laughed.
"I had rather see a high spirited child with a few er, unnecessary habits than a sly one, or one who whines or has temper tantrums" he said "If your daughter is ever my house guest, Herr Malfoy she will be treated the same as my own children."
"So I should hope" said Narcissa "You are coming close to going home without the second competition young lady."
"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to be NAUGHTY" said Lucasta "I do apologise for being disruptive."
Narcissa raised an eyebrow at Herr Kirsch.
"Is she forgiven?" she asked.
"She is" said Herr Kirsch "But only if she entertains us between courses with a song to atone."
Lucasta willingly agreed and gave a full and gruesome rendition of 'there's a zombie in my attic' with the blithe lack of awareness that there might be anything in the content of it to cause any digestions to be troubled. Lucius groaned.
Fortunately the Kirsches missed some of the more subtle of the disgusting nuances. Lucius just sighed. Lucasta never MEANT to be a pert brat; she was just so very cheerfully well settled that it could come over that way. Well she'd have a few corners knocked off her at school; or else people would shrug and say of her 'it's only Lucasta' in the way they said 'it's only Lilith'. She was rather revelling in being the oldest one at home right now so it was not that surprising really!
xxx
The obstacle course was more fun to watch than the dressage, thought Biirta, still with Narcissa and Lucius. Lucasta beat Rainer fairly easily because Rainer was a more cautious rider where Lucasta rode like her father with a cheerful disregard of risk. Falk managed to pull in second. In their class, Berthold romped away with the blue ribbon while Kornelia and Adelheid struggled against each other. Kornelia beat Adelheid and the French girl and Italian boy were nowhere in sight. The bold approach won obstacle races, and it was only competing against Kornelia that had Adelheid taking risks she would otherwise balk at. Kornelia was determined that if she was to be a marauder she would also RIDE like a marauder, and as she was not cramming her pony but riding in joyous partnership with him her father was delighted! Next year she would be in a different class to Berthold and would have every chance of winning which was too a marvellous advertisement for the family horses and ponies.
Magda and Hermes pulled well ahead very quickly in the under seventeen point-to-point; Friedrich tried his hardest but Hermes was an old hand and whickered something that sounded suspiciously like a laugh as he pulled ahead. Kristel had no intention of trying to compete to such a level; she was glad to go clear round the course in a good time and not disgrace herself.
It was not Magda's idea that Hermes should break wind right in Fraulein Schenk's face as they lined up to parade at the finish; but she was not displeased.
Hermes was such a CLEVER horse.
And Magda was also congratulated by someone she had only seen once before, Herzog Eduard Von Frettchen, who claimed the privilege of a kiss on the cheek as governor of the school.
"Besides" he murmured in her ear "I'm not about to scotch some of the wild rumours that you're related to my wife; as you might well be for all I know. Permit me a partiality to ALL the school; and those on display in particular."
"Thank you My Lord" said Magda "Some people are awful snobs; it was rather hurtful."
"I imagine so" said Eduard "Enough unpleasantness in your life to be orphaned, let alone have that misfortune cast at you as a stigma; disgusting. Still, we have people now investigating other orphanages, including those for those children who have money, which are hardly any less dire from what I have heard, though supposedly run as large families. Save that in large families the biggest ones generally look out for younger siblings, not delight in hurting them in a variety of ways. I hope when you've left school you'll be on the committee investigating such; Jade says you will not be shocked or surprised by much."
"I think I've experienced a lot of it" said Magda dryly "I have been raped. That was what you mean, wasn't it?"
"One of them" said Eduard. "Still, time to discuss the things that can happen to children – boys or girls – when you leave school; but Ann wants to meet you and have someone who can help her to understand what CAN happen. She's fairly cynical but like me she's led a sheltered life. And I was only ever buggered once at Durmstrang, and then I did library work on partial human transfiguration to grow teeth in an inappropriate place. Which option most orphans do not have."
"No" said Magda "That's awfully clever sir! But at least you understand the humiliation to help others who have been used; because that's almost worse than the pain."
"Yes" he said "Yes I do; and you are right. And something I can bear in mind. My thanks for reminding me. Well, we'll be visiting before Yule no doubt, so I shall see you again; take care!"
He was kind; Magda wished he WAS her relative! He'd be a very nice uncle to have or something of that sort.
xxx
Biirta drank in every drop of Lucius' appearance as the school team took its leave; she did not know that Lucius and Narcissa had extended an invitation to her to stay with them for the rest of the weekend meet in which Lucius was competing and Jade had turned it down.
"I KNOW how susceptible you are, Lucius" she said "Let the girl settle to the idea first. Narcissa, just take him away quietly somewhere and go riding; he needs the distraction."
Narcissa chuckled throatily; she knew fine well that Jade was as good at the well-turned innuendo as any of her kin!
Lucius just stuck out his tongue at her; sometimes it felt good to be childish!