The young people liked each other right away. Each side had much to ffer to attract the other, and their acquaintance soon promised as many early signs of a good and lasting friendship as good manners and good sense would allow. Melania Malfoy's beauty not turn Daphne or Astoria against her. They were too attractive themselves to dislike any woman for being so too, and were almost as charmed as any man would have been with her lively dark eyes, clear tanned skin (unlike her brother), and general prettiness. Had she been a little taller, a little more womanly in her form, it might have been more of a trial: but as it was, there could be no comparison; and she was most allowably a sweet, pretty woman, while they were the finest young women in the country.
Her brother was not handsome: no, when they first saw him he was absolutely plain, blonde and pale; but still he was the gentleman, with a pleasing address. The second meeting proved him not so very unspectacular: he was nothing to be looked at, to be sure, but then he had so much energy, and everything he said was almost as if it were ready to be printed, and he was so well dressed, that one soon forgot he was not what anyone could call handsome; and after a third interview, after dining in company with him at Mr. Grant's house, he was no longer allowed to be called so by anybody. He was, in fact, the most eligible young man the sisters had ever known, and they were equally delighted with him. They hung on his every word whenever he talked about the way he wanted to reform the magical world by changing it's economic foundation. Daphne was quick to agree and had ideas of her own.
Astorias's ideas on the subject were more confused. She did not want to see or understand. „There can be no harm in discussing economic theory— everybody knew that she was now a partner in a very traditional business—Nobody, not even Mr. Malfoy could possibly think she would put any of the theory into practice soon!" Mr. Malfoy did not mean to stirr anything. The Miss Greengrasses were good company, and wanted such in return; and he began with no objective in mind but to make them like him, to make them feel impressed by him and his knowledge of the economic world. He did not want them to change their course of action; but he wanted them to see his sense and good character which both ought to have made him judge the situation better, because he spoke with such conviction on these points as to impress his audience deeply and make them feel more convinced on all of these points than he felt himself.
„I like these Miss Greengrasses exceedingly, sister,' said he, as he returned to the sitting-room from attending them to the fireplace to floo home after the said dinner visit; „they are as elegant as they are sensible women."
„So they are indeed, and I am very happy you like them. But be honest: you like Daphne best. She is so much more attracted to your fancy talk of political change. Astoria is much more pragmatic."
„Oh yes! I like Daphne best."
„But do you really? She is also the smarter one and much more likely to see through you. But we will see."
„So I should suppose. She has the advantage in every way, and would really like to try my luck with Astoria; but I like Daphne best; Astoria seems easier to steer and I foud her more succeptible, but I shall always like Daphne best, because you order me."
Melania hit her brother on the arm playfully: „You are insufferable! I would never order you to do anything, you know I never could and in the end you will know best. You always do."
„Did I not tell you that you are right?"
„And besides, Astoria has a partner in her business. He might look out for her and prevent you from tempting her. Remember that, my dear brother."
„Yes, and I like her the better for it. Someone who already has a good and secure position is always more to my liking than someone who is watchful and keen. She is satisfied with herself. Her cares are over, and she feels that she may exert all her powers in other ways, to please her social circle. No harm can be done."
„Why, as to that, Mr. Bloomfield is a very good sort of person, and he will surely introduce her into the business world in a sensible sort of way."
„But Astoria does not care three straws for his opinion; that is your perspectice on your new friend. I do not subscribe to it. I am sure Astoria feels a great deal of loyalty towards Mr. Bloomfield after he gave her such a great opportunity. I could see it in her eyes, when he was mentioned. I think too well of Astoria perhaps to suspect that she might have other reasons or to suppose that she would be persuaded to go behind his back. Melania, how shall we manage him?"
„We must leave him to himself, I believe. Talking does no good. He will be taken in at last."
„But I would not have him taken in; I would not have him duped; I want it all to be fair and honourable."
„Oh dear! let him stand his chance and be taken in. It will be just as well. Everybody is taken in at some time or other. I am sure his ego will stand it."
„Not always in business, dear Melania."
„In business especially. With all due respect to such of the present company, my dear cousin Mr. Grant, there is not one in a hundred who is not charmed and taken in when they make a deal. Wherever I look, I see that it is so; you do it like that, even when you claim the opposite, and I feel that it must be so, when I consider that it is, of all transactions, the one in which people expect most from others, and are least honest themselves."
„Ah! You have been in a bad school of business, who has taught you?"
„Well you did as you very well know; but, however, speaking from my own observation, it is a manoeuvring business. I know so many contracts that were signed in the full expectation and confidence of some particular advantage in one way or the other, trusting in the accomplishments, or the good qualities in the person they were dealing with, who have found themselves entirely deceived, and been obliged to put up with exactly the reverse. What is this but a take in?"
„My dear sister, there must be a little imagination at work here. I do beg your pardon, but I cannot quite believe you. Trust me, you only see half the picture. You see the evil, but you do not see how people find ways to deal with their situation afterwards. There will be little rubs and disappointments everywhere, and we are all apt to expect too much; but then, if one scheme fails, one contract turns out to be not as good as expected, human nature turns to another; if the first calculation is wrong, we make a second better: we find comfort somewhere, dearest Melania"
Following this discussion it does not seem too big a surprise, that the Malfoy sibblings followed their cousins invitation to stay in the area longer. Melania was happy with Mr. Grants house as a present home, and Draco equally ready to extend his visit. They had come, intending to spend only a few days with Mr. Grant; but the company of Greengrass Manor promised to be diverting, and there was nothing to call them elsewhere. Their business could easily be managed from afar. Mr. Grant was exceedingly happy to have it so: a sociable pretty young woman like Miss Malfoy was always pleasant society to stay-at-home man; and Mr. Malfoy's being his guest was an excuse for drinking expensive wines and having extravagant dinners every day.
The Miss Greengrasses admiration of Mr. Draco Malfoy was more dramatic than anything which Miss Melania Malfoy was likely to feel. She acknowledged, however, that both of them were very fine young ladies, that two such young women were not often seen together even in London, and that both of them, particularly the younger one, were very good company and a joy to be around. She had been much more social, and had more energy and was more outgoing than Daphne, and must, therefore, be more interresting.
Astoria must have been thought pleasant by everybody; she was the sort of young woman to be generally liked, likability was the kind to be found likable more often than some others for she was easy to talk to, very lively, knew everybody, and a great deal to say. Looking around Greengrass Manor and all the family owned Melania found peace in the thought that, Astoria had wonderful things surrounding her: a park, a real park, five miles round, a spacious modern-built house, so well placed and well secluded, wanting only to be completely new furnished; a pleasant sister, a quiet mother, and an agreeable father, from all that people said about him. Yes, Astoria might do very well; even if her brother was still settled on Daphne.
And Harry, what was he doing and thinking all this while? and what was his opinion of the newcomers? Few young men of eighteen could be less called upon to voice their opinion than Harry. In a quiet way, very little attended to, he acknowledged Miss Malfoy's beauty; but as he still continued to think Mr. Malfoy very plain, in spite of her two cousins clearly being intreagued by him as and argument to the contrary, he never mentioned him. What the Malfoys thought of him was to this effect: „I understand you all except for Mr. Potter" said Melania, as she was walking with Daphne and Astoria. „is he interrested in society, or is he not? I am confused. He dined at Mr. Grant's, with the rest of you, seemed even happy to be invited and to come along, which seemed like being social and extroverted; and yet he says so little, that I can hardly suppose he is."
Daphe, to whom this was chiefly addressed, replied, „I believe I know what you mean, but I will not even try to answer the question. My cousin is grown up. He has the age and sense of a man, but his motives are beyond me."
„And yet, in general, nothing can be more easily found out. It makes such a difference if someone is extroverted and interrested in other people. Introverts and extroverts appear so differently. Till now, I could not have thought it possible to be mistaken as to someone being a social person or not. An introverted person does not look at you as much. They don't want to be involved in conversation, the find excuses not to be around other people. You may smile, but you know that I speak the truth; and except that it is sometimes carried a little too far, it is all perfectly allright. Not everybody is the same. But here is your Harry Potter. He does not fit into that box at all. He wants to be around other people, he is very attentive to everything that goes on around him He looked directly at me whenever I was speaking. This seemed like an outgoing and confident character to me. When I adressed him and asked his oppinion however, he blushed and said only a few words. Harry is confusing me greatly."
„I believe I have an idea what you are trying, but this is hardly fair; I see where you are coming from. And you are trying to gain information from us."
„No, indeed. Miss Greengrass! I do not know what you are talking about. I am quite in the dark."
„Ah! you carry it off very well, but I will not be tricked into giving anything away. If you want to know about Harry. You will have to ask him yourself. His story, apart from the things that everybody knows, is not mine to tell. You must forgive me."
„And a very good story it must be, I dare say, or you would tell me quickly and not make such a scene about it. Be at ease! I will not inquire more from you. But let me ask you some more general information about Harry that will not put you ont the spot. Does he go to events or parties? Does he dine out often or was that a unique event?"
„No," replied Daphne; „I do not think he has ever been to a party. My mother hardly ever goes to social events herself, and dines nowhere but with Mr. Grant, and Harry mostly stays at home with her."
„Oh! then the point is clear. Mr. Potter is by no means an extrovert."