The meal, of course, was eventful.

"So Simon," Titania began the meal by asking, "Have you ever been to this part of the country before?"

"No," Simon replied, slightly embarrassed, "We never really got out much, at the orphanage, I mean." He explained.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Titania said, dismayed.

"How is everything going back here?" Baz asked, steering the conversation onto new topics.

Both Titania and Simon looked grateful for the interruption.

"Things are busy, as always, looking after the house and all of our various businesses that Mum and Dad left behind. As always, I am underestimated, but we are continuing to make record profits. So, I think most of them have gotten the message that I am competent at running an empire by now." Titania answered, smiling fondly at Baz.

"How are Mum and Dad?" Tallulah asked somberly.

"Quite well, I think, although such a lengthy goal term for no reason is enough to get anybody down," Titania replied, suddenly downcast, "They do enjoy the visits that they get though."

There was a silence for a minute, everyone unsure what to say after that.

"So," Ryan broke the silence, wagging his eyebrows at Titania, "What's happening on the love front with you, Miss Titania Pitch? Is there a special guy hooked around your little finger at the moment?"

She sighed, "As I've told 'Ty and 'Lu many times, I don't need a man."

"Oh, I'm sure a competent woman like yourself doesn't need a man, but I didn't ask if you needed a man, I asked if you had one." Ryan lilted cordially.

"This is beyond ridiculous," Titania glared around, the effect slightly lessened by the fact that a smile also slide across her face, "Just because most of you are paired up, doesn't mean I also need to be."

"Actually," Baz interjected, "Only Simon and I are actually-"

"Wait!" Ryan stood as if enlightened, "We should play matchmaker and set up the others!"

"What a stupid idea." Tallulah muttered.

"It could be fun." Grace said doubtfully.

"Of course it'll be fun!" Ryan enthused, his accent becoming thicker in his excitement, "Who doesn't like a good game of matchmaker?"

"Me." Baz raised his hand lazily.

"Apart from Baz, who doesn't count. No one? Good!" Ryan clapped his hands, "Who could Titania get with?"

"Ryan," Titania was laughing, "I don't think this is-"

"Our first bachelor today, is the Mage himself," Ryan put on a presenter voice, using a chicken drumstick as a microphone, "With luxurious white hair and magic skills matched by none other, he really is a diamond in the rough."

"No thank you." Titania looked disgusted.

"We still have two other bachelors today! So do not be dis-"

A knock on the door wrecked Ryan's flow.

"Darn it, I was just getting started, I had big plans for the other competitors." Ryan pouted.

"Oh stop it," Tallulah said to Ryan, "How do you ever expect anyone to take you seriously if you're always acting like this?"

"Well maybe I don't need anyone to take me seriously," Ryan shot back, "But I'm totally serious about Titania and the Mage, don't you think they'd make a great couple?"

Titania sighed, rolling her eyes, "I suppose I'll get the door," She said, "We've left whoever it is waiting long enough. I can't think who would be coming over at this time of night." Her brow furrowed as she got up, heading toward the door.

Once at the entryway into the room, she proceeded to throw open the doors, revealing a young man about her age who was standing nervously outside the door.

"Um, hi," the guy said, running his fingers through his already messy hair sheepishly, "I know that you said this weekend you were busy, but I left one of my library books here accidentally and I really need to return it before I get a fine. I'm sorry for just barging in, your butler let me in the front, I honestly didn't know you'd be at home." He rambled on, looking apologetically down at Titania, who was much shorter than him.

Titania was just standing shocked, caught by surprise by the unexpected visitor.

"Oh hello Henry," She managed in the end, "That's fine, you can grab your book." She tried for a smile, but ended up looking a bit stunned.

Grace grinned cheekily, "The Mage's chances may have just been diminished."

Titania gave a warning look and moved aside to allow Henry to enter.

"Competitor number two!" Ryan burst out, holding his drumstick out to Henry, "What's your full name, kind sir?"

"Henry David Carswell." Henry looked bemused.

"Henry David Carswell!" Ryan exclaimed, "Where do you work?"

"I am director of paediatrics at the Magickal Hospital of London."

"Is that really what it's called?" Simon asked.

"Houdini's Hospital for Magickal Maladies."

"No wonder you shortened it." Baz gave him a sceptical look.

"Competitor number two, apart from being quite a looker-"

"Ryan!" Titania cried out.

"Calm down. Is also partway to a genius, in his young age becoming head of paediatrics showing a heart as good as gold."

"Um, you don't even know me." Henry glanced at Titania for help.

"Ryan," She rolled her eyes, folding her arms, "He thinks he's part of the family."

"I am part of the family!" Ryan looked gobsmacked at her harsh words.

"I have a question for competitor two." Baz glared.

"Um, go ahead." Ryan smiled.

"Are you dating my sister Titania?"

Henry laughed awkwardly, brushing his already wild hair skyward, "Depends on who's asking."

"Well, obviously I just asked." Baz stated, looking intimidating.

Titania sighed, "This is why I told you that I was busy this weekend, I wanted all of this," With this she gestured between Henry and those seated at the table, "To be put off for a bit longer. But I guess I wouldn't be that lucky."

"That's alright, I can just grab my book and leave." Henry tried for a smile.

"No, you're here now, I might as well introduce everyone," Titania said, sighing once more, "Everyone, I would like you to meet my boyfriend, Henry. Henry this is Tyrannus and Tallulah, my brother and sister, and their friends Simon, Ryan, Darcy and Grace."

"I do not answer to Tyrannus," Baz said through gritted teeth, "You will call me Baz."

"Um, okay…" Henry was a bit taken aback.

"Don't mind him," Titania whispered, "He's never really had a chance to play the protective big brother yet."

"Hey Titania," Ryan hollered, "Whatever happened to you not needing a man?"

"Well Ryan, it's simple, nothing happened to that, I still don't need a man." Titania stated sweetly, "I just happen to enjoy the company of Henry at this point in time."

Ryan nodded, "Good answer." He remarked, "Oi, Henry, pull up a chair, we're going to play board games, and you'll make it an even number."

"Are we going to play board games?" Tallulah asked.

"Yup, we are now." Simon grinned.

Henry didn't have a chance of resisting as he was pushed into a chair with Titania on one side and Baz on the other.

"Really Baz?" Simon slid into the vacant seat beside him, "Is all this glowering necessary?"

"Yes." Baz said, glowering.

"And you're not just angry because Titania hadn't told you sooner?"

"Of course not." Baz scoffed.

Simon tried to raise an eyebrow.

"Simon, why are your facial muscles spasming?"

"Oh-I-uh-" Simon stammered.

"Alright," Ryan interceded, "Since we are all still eating, except for me, because my chicken drumstick is missing, and Henry, because he's just arrived, I've decided we'll play a card game instead!"

"Ryan, do you even know where the board games are in this house?" Tallulah sighed.

"That was my other reason." Ryan beamed as he sat at the table and pulled out a pack of cards with a flourish.

There was a pause.

"Uh, so what'll we play?" Ryan asked.

"Aren't you the one in charge?" Henry asked gently.

"I don't know any card games." Ryan confessed.

"We could play spoons." Grace spoke calmly.

The three Pitch siblings all immediately began shaking their heads.

"Not a good idea," Tallulah commented, "All of us get far too competitive, and someone always ends up getting hurt when we play spoons together."

Baz and Titania nodded in agreement.

"Oh, but that sounds like good fun." Ryan whined, a glint in his eyes.

"No." Titania said calmly, overruling Ryan, "We could play the non-violent version, but we aren't playing spoons, and that is final." Her voice left no room for argument.

"But what fun would it be without violence?" Ryan pouted.

"Trust me, it's much better than breaking a finger." Tallulah said, looking pointedly at Baz.

"That was an accident. And besides, you always seen to end up pulling my hair." Baz replied calmly.

"I really wish that I had been here to experience this." Ryan announced, "I miss out on all the fun."

"I could always just go and get a board game." Titania sighed, moving as if to get up.

"I'll come with you to get my book." Henry said quickly.

"Does anyone have any preferences for a board game that we can play with 8 people?" Titania asked.

Ryan got an evil look on his face, "Do you by any chance have Monopoly?" He asked.

"I think we do," Titania mused, "I'll grab that one then, shall I?"

"Do we even want to know why Ryan is looking so evil?" Simon asked Baz.

"Probably not." Baz nodded.

"Well, he seems nice." Ryan said seriously.

"Who?" Tallulah asked innocently.

"Henry." Ryan looked ashamed as she giggled.

"I knew what you meant." Tallulah grinned.

"I dunno." Baz looked thoughtful.

"Oh come one guys," Grace sweetly cut in, "You wouldn't be happy no matter who it was because it means you have to share Titania."

"How does she come out with these things?" Ryan turned to Baz.

"I'm good with emotions." Grace shrugged.

"Rhetorical question." Ryan and Baz said synchronised.

"Ouch." Simon muttered.

"Oh no," Ryan rushed to assure him, "Grace's used to it, she's never really understood the nuances of rhetorical questioning, so Baz and I have always given her a helping hand."

"It's true," Grace ducked her head, "I'm not very good with know when to answer a question."

"Almost as fun to stir up as you," Baz's mouth twitched, "What do you think, Simon?"

"I think that Henry's nice, Titania was obviously worried about telling you." Here Simon paused, uncertain.

"Spit it out, Snow." Baz nudged him.

"I think she really likes him. Don't be too mean, she wasn't mean to me!" Simon urged.

"That's true," Ryan said, "But she's been hearing about you since our very first year at Watford, whereas we had never heard about Henry before now."

Baz blushed.

"Well," Titania said loudly as she came in through the door carrying Monopoly, with Henry trailing behind her, "Maybe if my siblings actually bothered to write to keep in touch with me, I would keep them updated on what was happening in my life."

"You could have written to us first." Tallulah pointed out.

Titania looked pointedly at Baz, who shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

"I meant to show it to you, 'Lu, but I've been a tiny bit busy so far this year." Baz said sheepishly.

"I can't believe you, Basilton, how could you not share a letter that Titania sent with me?" Tallulah asked, upset.

"I'm sorry."

"That's okay, I've now learnt that if I am going to send a letter to either of my siblings it's going to have to be you 'Lu." Titania remarked, taking her seat once more, Henry reluctantly sitting beside her.

"Should we really play Monopoly?" Grace asked doubtfully, "It can get a bit competitive."

"But its fun, and also the only real suggestion we've had so far." Ryan protested.

"Fine," Grace sighed, "Are you going to explain it or shall I?"