Lizzy cursed the French more than she had ever done in her entire life in the first two days of classes. Mr. Darcy's schedule was nearly identical to her own. The only reprieve she had from him was History of Magic, at which time he had Arithmancy.

"I shall almost certainly lose my mind within the month," Lizzy wearily declared to Phoebe, Josephine, and Zebulon at lunch.

Josephine and Zebulon exchanged a look, apparently deciding to ignore Lizzy. They tucked into their food enthusiastically and asked after each other's Defense Against the Dark Arts essays.

"Methinks the lady doth protest too much," said Phoebe, a mischievous grin on her face.

"I beg your pardon?" Lizzy asked.

"Oh, come on, Lizzy!" Phoebe said exasperatedly. "You can't be that thick!"

"Apparently, I am that thick," Lizzy said caustically, "because I have no idea what you are referring to!"

"I think you rather like Darcy and you just don't want to admit it," said Phoebe, somehow sounding sensible.

"I think you're off your rocker," Lizzy retorted.

"I'm sure you could easily find a plethora of people to agree with you," Phoebe said unconcernedly. "That does not necessarily mean that I am wrong."

"My statement that I most certainly do not like Mr. Darcy does, however."

"If you say so."

Lizzy rolled her eyes at Phoebe and changed the subject.

Over at the Ravenclaw table, Darcy sat engrossed in a book on Care of Magical Creatures. He was so wrapped up in his own mind he did not notice a girl with nearly white hair float into the seat beside him.

"Did you know hippogriffs are excessively fond of strawberries?"

Darcy flinched horribly and nearly spilled his drink. "I beg your pardon!"

"I asked if you knew hippogriffs are fond of strawberries," the girl repeated, unphased by Darcy's reaction.

Darcy contemplated the girl beside him warily. He could think of no reply besides, "I was not aware."

"It's true," said the girl. "It's not often discussed, however, as it embarrasses the hippogriffs to have it known they like a plant so much."

"Who are you?" Darcy asked, too stunned by the girl's boldness to remember correct manners.

"Calliope Lovegood," said the girl. "You studied in France for several years, did you not? Was it nice there?"

Darcy was saved the trouble of stuttering out a response by the arrival of none other than Mary Bennet.

"Please excuse Calliope, Darcy," said Mary diplomatically as she sat opposite him. "She means well."

"Oh, I hope I haven't offended you!" Calliope exclaimed, her distress obvious.

Darcy looked around himself curiously. He had purposely sat near the edge of Ravenclaw table so he would not be disturbed in his reading. Or rather, disturbed at his attempt in reading. His mind was much occupied by a creature, certainly, but not one he could find in his book. How did it come to pass that this girl, Calliope, had chosen him to sit by of all people?

"Calli, have you started on that Herbology assignment yet?" Mary asked, drawing Calliope's attention away.

Mary and Calliope conversed for a few more moments before Calliope excused herself, having eaten nothing.

"I am sorry Calliope caused you such discomfort, Darcy," Mary apologized again.

Darcy suddenly recalled that Mary was studying Legilimancy and bristled, attempting to set walls around his thoughts.

"I'm sorry that I'm causing you discomfort now. Though I doubt it will make you feel any better, you have the right to know that I do not divulge the thoughts of others I might stumble upon. It was a most serious promise I made to Professor Flitwick, and he would not have begun to instruct me in Legilimancy if he did not believe me to be sincere."

Darcy now blushed, quickly reviewing all his thoughts since Mary had sat down.

Mary chose not to speak any further, instead focusing on loading up her plate.

"Why are you still sitting here?" Darcy asked eventually.

Mary looked up from her food, then down the table. "People are more comfortable when I give them some physical space. This is my usual seat. Calliope often joins me, but she is the only one."

Darcy fought a blush.

"You need not feel embarrassed, Darcy," said Mary. "You are new and could not have known this was my typical spot at the table. You would not be blamed for moving away, least of all by me."

Darcy chose to do the exact opposite, closing his book and devoting more of his attention to Mary. "You are truly not bothered with being so ostracized?"

Mary shrugged. "I was not particularly adept at navigating social circles even before I started on Legilimancy. At least now I know the reason I am currently shunned, and aware of the reasons I was before."

Darcy found Mary's honesty and openness refreshing. He had been approached by a great many people since classes started, all seeking to connect themselves to his family name. It was as if Caroline Bingley multiplied overnight.

"Perish the thought, Darcy," said Mary mischievously, fighting a smile.

"You and your sisters are rather singular," said Darcy, choosing to ignore Mary's commentary on his thoughts. "None of you seem to seek the approval of society."

"Perhaps we do not seek the approval of society, but we are impacted by the opinions of certain members of it more than we might care to admit," said Mary cryptically.

Darcy had been about to enquire further, but Mary rose from her seat.

"I've bothered you long enough," Mary declared. "You should get back to your studies, and I to mine."

Darcy watched Mary exit, confusion evident on his face. He looked over to Gryffindor table in time to see Elizabeth burst into laughter over something Zebulon Thomas had said. He shoved his book into his bag with unwarranted aggression. How much simpler his life would have been if she actually was the Muggle he had thought!


Lizzy nearly skipped on her way to Flitwick's office after dinner. She had missed her dueling lessons a great deal over the summer, and was grateful to have the opportunity to continue to learn from such a master as Flitwick. She had decided earlier in the day she would be her cheery self, even if it turned out her lessons would be joint ones with Mr. Darcy.

"Enter!" called Fltiwick's voice in reply to Lizzy's knock.

Lizzy opened the office door to find Mr. Darcy bent over Flitwick's collection of wands, examining them carefully. He snapped to attention at her entrance.

"Miss Bennet, good evening!" Flitwick greeted. "I'm sure it comes as no surprise to you that Mr. Darcy will be joining you for lessons, considering how well matched you were in that duel several weeks ago. He and I have spent the last hour discussing wandlore."

"Hence your collection being brought out of hiding," said Elizabeth with a smile. She strode over to the carefully arranged display. "Which shall you use tonight, Professor?"

"That," said Flitwick, "is a task I have assigned Mr. Darcy."

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. "Choose wisely, Mr. Darcy, or Madam Pomfrey will yell at us all when we come to her with extensive bruising, or perhaps a few cuts. Some of these wands are particularly volatile."

"Do you speak from experience?" Mr. Darcy asked.

"I could hardly answer that without encouraging you to dig for further details," said Elizabeth. She firmly turned her back, then seated herself comfortably in a chair across Flitwick's desk.

Mr. Darcy returned to his perusal of the wands before him. Flitwick's collection certainly was extensive. Elizabeth could well remember numerous sessions in the year previous in which Flitwick had directed her to choose his wand for their lesson. It had engrained wandlore very firmly in her mind, and she found herself grateful for being behind Mr. Darcy. If she had been in front of him, he surely would have seen her cringe or lean forward in anticipation, depending on which wand his hand rested.

Finally, Mr. Darcy pulled a wand from its pocket and handed it to Flitwick. "Maple, I believe," he said, "with a core of dragon heartstring."

"You are correct," said Flitwick, very clearly pleased. He circled his students before settling himself at his desk. "Seeing as it is the first week of class, I shall do you the credit of believing you to be exhausted and not insist upon any demonstrations tonight."

Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief. She was rather tired. Her body had yet to settle into the rhythm of the demanding schedule of the school year.

Mr. Darcy settled into the seat beside Elizabeth.

"Instead, we shall discuss the finer points of the standard rules of engagement and the reasons for their existence," said Flitwick.

Elizabeth could not decide whether she was eager for such a discussion, or whether she wanted to avoid it entirely. She normally enjoyed a debate with Flitwick, but had enough experience debating with Mr. Darcy to know that she was unlikely to return to her dormitory in a relaxed state.

An hour and a half later, Elizabeth found herself nearly running out of Flitwick's office.

"So your lesson went that well, did it?" Josephine asked drily when Lizzy collapsed unceremoniously onto her bed.

Lizzy pulled her head from her pillow only long enough to say, "I enjoy a good debate. That was not one."

Phoebe jumped onto Lizzy's bed and rolled her friend onto her side. "Come now, Lizzy. I'll not be satisfied with such shoddy details."

"There is not much to say," said Lizzy grumpily. "What should have been an interesting discussion instead devolved into a marvelous fight over differences between English dueling tradition and the emerging American tradition."

"That sounds so incredibly dull," said Josephine. "I think I nearly fell asleep during your explanation."

"It does sound dull," said Phoebe, "and certainly not worth arguing over. So what prompted you to such heights, Lizzy? Hmmm?"

Lizzy hit Phoebe full in the face with her pillow. "Be gone with you, you annoying buzzard!"

"Was Darcy as heated in the argument as you?" Phoebe asked after wrestling the pillow from Lizzy to prevent another attack.

"Why should I answer you?" Lizzy asked frustratedly. "Whatever answer I give, you'll twist to your own satisfaction."

"Well, you're not wrong," Phoebe admitted.

"Lydia nearly got into a fight with Penny Greenburg while you were gone," said Josephine.

"What?!" Lizzy asked sharply, all discussion with Phoebe quickly forgotten.

"Penny had been working on an essay and stepped away, leaving her new quill out. Lydia rather liked the quill and – "

"And thought she could have it," Lizzy huffed. "Penny did not agree, I assume?"

"She did not," Josephine confirmed. "When Lydia declared the quill was much better suited to herself than to Penny, Penny stated it did not matter, as the quill belonged to her. Lydia threw quite the fit when I intervened on Penny's behalf."

Lizzy fell back into her bed and covered her eyes with her arm. "Such tactics have, unfortunately, worked quite well for Lydia in the past."

"I assumed as much," said Josephine. "She didn't seem to know what to do with herself when we didn't cave to her wishes."

"I think she'll have to get worse before she gets better," said Phoebe.

"Why would you wish such a curse on me?" Lizzy asked, raising her arm just enough to glare at her friend.

"It seems a reasonable guess to me," said Phoebe. "If whining and throwing fits worked in the past, she must think her behavior needs to escalate in order to get her way with this new group of people. Only once that fails will she explore alternatives."

Lizzy groaned and rolled over until her face was buried in her mattress.

"No one will hold it against you, Lizzy," said Phoebe, setting Lizzy's pillow on top of its owner's head. "We all know there's an adjustment period for a first year. Everyone will just laugh at it before long, and Lydia will come to find her place."

Lizzy's response was to grab the edges of her pillow, wrap them more firmly around her head, and scream into the mattress.

Phoebe patted Lizzy's back in consolation before making her way to her own bed. "Just remember that I thought Julian would always be a homesick little thing. Now he dreads going home. He's found he no longer desires all of our mother's fawning."

"I wish I could believe Lydia would come to enjoy a life without our mother's attentions," Lizzy grumbled.

"Have a little faith, Lizzy," Josephine coached. "Kitty's adjusting well. With time, Lydia will too."

Lizzy's pride in Kitty overcame her shame in Lydia, and she came out from underneath her pillow resolved to tend to topics of import to her friends. "How was your Muggle Studies class today?" she asked.

Josephine and Phoebe were eager to tell Lizzy of what they had learned that day and what they believed they had to look forward to.

"Muggles are just so fascinating," Phoebe said in awe after summarizing her first Muggle Studies class of the term. "Tell me, do Muggle women really spend time learning 'the art of the fan?'"

"Perhaps one day you'll find yourself at a Muggle ball and see some women demonstrating their skills at fan flirting," Lizzy answered.

"If only I had a friend that could get me into such an event," said Phoebe dramatically.

"Be careful what you wish for," said Lizzy mischievously.

"I think I should like to attend one Muggle ball, if only for the novelty of it," said Josephine. "That should satisfy me a lifetime, I'm sure."

"You, your children, and your grandchildren," said Lizzy drily. "I assure you, you're missing nothing at a Muggle ball besides dancing, which can just as easily be done in the magical world."

"The social dynamics would be interesting," said Josephine.

"Exhausting, more like," Lizzy countered. "Let me know when you're writing your first essays. I'll be happy to look them over for factual accuracy."

"It's so convenient having you around, Lizzy," said Phoebe with an annoying grin. "I knew befriending you would pay off."


The following evening, Lizzy attended what would now only be weekly lesson with Professor McGonagall. Friday night, she was pleased to have the opportunity to disappear to the library to get some work done. Lizzy often found the common room to be a place she could manage to do her work, but was desirous to spend time away from Lydia as the girl continued to press her luck.

Lizzy had returned from her extra Transfiguration lesson to find Lydia attempting to browbeat another first year into finding the kitchens with her. When Lizzy declared Lydia certainly would not be out and about the halls after curfew, Lydia had brazenly stated she should do as she wished and that Lizzy could not stop her. Lizzy had stuck Lydia's shoes to the carpet so quickly the girl nearly faceplanted.

"Let me go, Lizzy! This is a horribly dirty trick!" Lydia had cried as she tried to pry her feet free.

"I will release you, Lydia, when I have your promise that you will stay in Gryffindor Tower and either tend to your homework or go to bed," Lizzy had calmly come back with.

Lydia had spat a number of threats at Lizzy, none of which Lizzy was at all intimidated by, before sullenly stating she wished to retire. Certain the girl had tired herself out, Lizzy released her sister and watched Lydia closely as she ascended the stairs to her room.

The quiet of the library was a blessed relief. Lizzy lit a candle with the flick of her wand and settled at a table, pulling her books from her bag and organizing them about her.

"What is it this evening, Bennet?" Madam Pince asked, stopping at Lizzy's table and setting down a large stack of books she had been returning to their proper place.

"A little of everything, Madam Pince," Lizzy answered. "I've been so flustered this week I haven't even prioritized my work yet."

"Well, be careful with the wax from that candle," Pince advised, waving her wand at her stack of books to levitate them before her again.

"I always am, Madam Pince," said Lizzy pleasantly.

Lizzy used her time wisely. She figured out what needed to be done first, calculated approximately how long each of her assignments would take, and checked out several additional books that would be necessary. She was nearly halfway through an essay on Ancient Runes when Madam Pince kicked her out of the library. Lizzy was so focused on packing in an orderly fashion that she did not notice Mr. Darcy quickly sneaking past her, having spent the last several hours at the table just on the other side of a bookshelf from her.


"Just where do you think you are going, Lydia?" Lizzy asked on Saturday morning.

"With you to Hogsmeade, of course," said Lydia, winding a ribbon around her hair.

"First years are not allowed off grounds at any time," Lizzy said matter-of-factly before returning her attention to tying her boot.

"I shall be with my sisters," said Lydia. "I'm sure I shall be allowed to go under such circumstances."

"Try your luck if you so wish," said Lizzy with a shrug. Professor Sprout would be checking students out this morning. Sprout was generally well liked and known to find ways around rules on rare occasions, but she was incredibly fair and excessively protective of younger students. She would not bend on allowing Lydia out.

Once a month, third through fifth years were allowed to visit Hogsmeade. Those that had taken their O.W.L.S. were allowed out every weekend, so long as they checked out and back in. Lizzy and Jane had taken their O.W.L.S. just a few months previously, and had excitedly planned for their regular excursions to Hogsmeade. Lizzy was to meet Jane in the entrance hall in just ten minutes.

"Do try not to throw too much of a fit when Professor Sprout says you cannot go," Lizzy advised as she began to wind through the halls, Lydia trotting beside her.

"Oh, Sprout won't stop me going," said Lydia confidently.

Lizzy sighed, but chose to save her energy by not arguing the point.

"Good morning, Lizzy!" Jane greeted pleasantly. She had been speaking with Bingley, but moved away to greet her sister. "Lydia, what has you up so early? I thought you would still be abed."

"I plan to see Hogsmeade for myself," said Lydia.

Jane and Lizzy exchanged looks.

"Where is Kitty?" Lydia asked. "Did you not bring her along?"

"Kitty knows she is not allowed to Hogsmeade yet," said Jane patiently. "She said she plans on practicing Transfiguration this morning."

Lydia rolled her eyes and sighed heavily.

"Good morning, students!" Sprout greeted cheerily, coming down the main staircase. She looked over the crowd and started writing down names. "You're expected back for dinner, as per usual. Normal rules and expectations for Hogsmeade trips apply. Need I go into further detail?"

"No, Professor Sprout," chorused the gathered sixth and seventh years.

"Nice of you to see your sisters off, Miss Lydia," said Sprout, having begun to mingle about the group to get the names of transfers with whom she was not yet familiar.

"Oh, I'm not here to see them off," said Lydia confidently. "I'm here to go with them."

Sprout looked at Jane with her brows creased. "Miss Bennet, you are aware that first years are not allowed off the grounds?"

"Perfectly aware, Professor," Jane answered.

"Lydia chose not to believe me when I said she should not be allowed to go," Lizzy said, refusing to allow Jane to receive any blame in the situation.

"Well, Miss Lydia, you would have done well to listen to your sisters," said Sprout with only a twinge of sympathy. "Into the Great Hall with you. Get some breakfast."

"But that's not fair!" Lydia objected. "Why should I not be allowed to go out with my sisters? They shall look after me."

Lizzy looked toward the ceiling and exhaled.

"I'm sure they would," said Sprout, "but I won't ask it of them, nor will I ignore the rules that have long been in place, and with good reason. You may disagree all you wish, Miss Lydia, so long as you stay on the grounds.

"Off you go!" Sprout said to the group at large.

Mr. Bingley approached and offered either arm to Jane and Lizzy, which they accepted. They left a seething Lydia to Sprout's direction and headed off to Hogsmeade.


Author's Note

Next chapter will be in the crossover section, so be sure to either follow the story now, or remember to check there!

I've been enjoying reading your thoughts on the story. Please keep them coming!