The next morning, the ladies had the house to themselves as all of the gentlemen had decided to go either shooting or hunting. This gave everyone the chance to get to know everyone. Feeling as though she should act as hostess, having the closest connection, Harriet stood. "Good morning, ladies. I am afraid that I do not know several of you. Would any of you mind introducing yourselves? Or, at the very least, is there someone here that knows everyone?"

Miss Harvey raised her hand. "I do." Everyone nodded in agreement. Miss Harvey was a welcome addition to any party. She stood and walked around the room. As each girl was introduced, they stood and told something about themselves. One name sounded vaguely familiar to Harriet. "This is Miss Kitty Bennet."

Kitty Bennet stood and gave a small wave. "Hello, everyone. I have four sisters. Three of them are married, including the one just younger than me. I am here because my friend asked if she could bring someone."

The next lady made Harriet remember why Kitty Bennet's name sounded familiar. "This is Miss Georgiana Darcy." A collective gasp sounded around the room. It would appear that Harriet was not the only one to not know that they were in such prestigious company. The Darcy name was famous through the kingdom. Mr. Darcy's wife, Elizabeth, was a well-know generous lady. They did a great many things to help those in need.

Georgiana Darcy stood up, and shyly said, "I love art and music. I am here because my sister-in-law persuaded me to come."

The lady sitting next to her laughed. She stood without an introduction. "I am Elizabeth Darcy." Stun silence met her declaration. "I am here because Mr. Potter's mother wanted young couples to chaperone. My husband is out shooting at the moment."

After everyone else was introduced, the servants brought in the morning refreshments. The ladies crowded the table and chatted. Harriet was quite happy with herself. When she had entered, the room was quiet. Her suggestion had made everyone more comfortable with each other. Many of the young women crowded around Mrs. Darcy and asked her questions about everything they could think of.

The gentlemen returned about an hour later. Several of the young ladies' chatter rose in volume at the excitement of having another day to spend with the men. Harriet, on the other hand, wished desperately to know what it was her brother wanted to know. Feeling her appetite for the gentlemen's company spoil, she excused herself and disappeared to the library. She combed the shelves and picked out a dictionary for French. That was her current language of choice to learn. She slipped up to her room and shut the door.

Helga gave a start of surprise. "Miss, wha're you doin' up here?" she asked from the corner where she sat arranging some of Harriet's things. Harriet knew that Helga like to play with the nice trinkets, but said nothing, thinking that Helga deserved time for herself.

"I am afraid that my brother has spoiled my appetite for the gentlemen's company. He wished to warn me of something but has yet to do so. So I have brought up a book to look through… Unless you would like to continue your schooling in becoming a young lady?" She smiled at the look on Helga's face at the suggestion.

"You know I would love to, Miss. Are you sure you should be up here, though?"

Harriet sighed. "I spent an enjoyable while downstairs with the ladies. Until my brother, or Miss Harvey, tell me what it is they want to tell me, I do not care to leave this room. Send word to my brother and Miss Harvey, would you? Then hurry back. I want to teach you curtsies."

Helga giggled then dashed out the door. She arrived ten minutes earlier with both my brother and Miss Harvey in tow.

Daniel sounded rather put out when he spoke. "What is this I hear about you refusing to come down?"

Harriet sighed. "Your rather cryptic and foreboding message seemed to ruin my appetite for the gentlemen's company. I know better than to ignore a warning, no matter how naive I am."

Sophia smiled. "I know that you have not yet had a season, but ignoring guests, even if you are one, is rather rude. This time, however, I agree with you. So sit tight, and Daniel will explain."

He seemed rather lost until Sophia quickly explained. "Oh, that. Yes. Well, certain gentlemen here are not the...best to keep company with. The gentleman that escorted you into dinner, Mr. Bentwir, is one of them. I personally know the details of why you should stay away from him. I would not wish to tarnish a lady's reputation by naming her, so please do not force me to reveal the particulars to you."

Harriet nodded, a little sad, but understanding. "He seemed like such a fine gentleman. Then again, the worst tend to. Is there anyone else I should be aware of?"

They spent the next fifteen minutes discussing both gentlemen and a couple ladies. Rather, the ladies' mothers. Soon they were gone and Harriet was again able to turn her attention back to Helga.

They practiced many lady-like things, especially speech, until it was time to prepare for dinner. Harriet decided that Helga was ready to try a party. Knowing that they had left too little time to help the both of them prepare, Harriet decided it was time to take drastic measures. "Close the curtains, Helga."

Helga, they found out after Harriet got her letter, was a squib. She knew about magic, something Harriet was infinitely grateful for.

With the curtains closed, Harriet pulled opened her trunk. The bottom of the trunk contained a false bottom. Reaching inside, Harriet pulled out the long, thin box that contained her wand. Oh how good it was to see it again! She had missed using it. She felt so alive whenever she did use it.

One thing that Harriet did while she was at school was invent some spells. She hated doing her hair, but wanted it to look nice, so she had invented a spell to do just that. She had perfected it by the time she graduated. She turned Helga around and pointed at the back of her head. "Tonstrinus!" Helga watched, fascinated as she always was, as her hair detangled and fell perfectly into place. Pins from Harriet's dresser flew to Helga's head. She cried out in alarm and covered her face. When she removed her hands, she realized that her hair was done and that she had not felt a thing.

She glanced in the mirror. "I look so beautiful," she whispered. Then, finding something more astonishing, she gasped. "I look exactly like you!" Harriet joined her. It was true! They could have been identical twins. Harriet fixed her hair exactly like she had done Helga's. The resemblance was uncanny.

A thought fixed in Harriets head as the two finished helping each other get ready. "Helga, would you mind helping me play a little game?"

She shook her head. "Of course not. What kind of game did you have in mind?"

"Well, you know how I am supposed to avoid Mr. Bentwir?" She nodded. "Well, if I am not mistaken, he is after something. He sees me as easy prey. Would you like to help me confuse him? Pretend to be me then say that you have no idea what he is talking about when he refers to things the two of us talked of last night. Then we can switch and keep confusing him. He will think that there is something seriously wrong with me and leave me alone."

Helga clapped her hands with joy. "Oh what fun this will be!"

Harriet smiled. "Your speech is much improved. Now, shall we head down?"