Darcy thought the week after Malfoy's Quidditch foul on Elizabeth went exceedingly well. He was able to find several excuses to carry Elizabeth's books, walk near her, or check on her wellbeing. Since he was so close to Bingley, and Bingley so close to Jane, and Jane so close to Elizabeth, no one thought his actions were out of place. It was thought he was only being polite on account of his friend. The only person who knew differently was Mary.

Mary had taken up giving Darcy very pointed and knowing looks any time she saw him attending to Elizabeth in any form. He thought she might be judging him for not acting on his wishes, but he had made it very clear to her in his thoughts why he hesitated regarding Elizabeth. Mary did not seem impressed by his reasons, and Darcy decided he would not bother with her any longer, as she clearly did not understand his situation.

Malfoy did not place himself in Elizabeth's way at all through the entire week, which pleased Darcy immensely. Elizabeth did seek Malfoy out once, to tell him she thought they must both be satisfied by the results of the Quidditch match: Malfoy got to see what her blood was made of, and she kept her seat on her broom. Darcy had been glad he had spoken to Malfoy before. The hatred in Malfoy's eyes after the encounter was such that Darcy was sure Malfoy would have cursed Elizabeth, otherwise.

Darcy was also quite happy with the fact that Malfoy had chosen to pretend that he, Darcy, did not exist. Usually, Malfoy wheedled himself into whatever table Darcy was seated, keen to been seen rubbing elbows with someone of such an illustrious name. Darcy had found himself cursing the two years he had taken off school that allowed him and Malfoy to be in the same class on many, many occasions.

Malfoy's avoidance of Darcy also bode well for Darcy's slow-growing relationship with Elizabeth. Since he was no longer concerned about bringing Elizabeth into contact with Malfoy by his own presence, Darcy allowed himself closer proximity to the woman. He found many excuses to sit at the same table as her in class, if not directly next to her. He was exceedingly pleased with his progress.

Lizzy, completely contrary to Mr. Darcy, was absolutely enraged by the week. She was constantly being looked at as though she might break. She was not allowed to carry any of her own things. She was not able to fly at Quidditch practice. She was asked to talk about her injury – what led to it, the event itself, and the aftermath – nearly every hour.

Jane had taken to sitting with Lizzy at meals to make sure she ate enough and ate well. Kitty joined Jane and asked what she could do for Lizzy every other minute. Lydia had attached herself to her sister's side, shouting at anyone that bothered her to go away so she could heal. Lizzy could own she was pleased by the sentiment in Lydia, but found the practice to be highly irritating and distracting. Out of all her sisters, Mary was the only one who gave her space, and Lizzy was incredibly grateful for it.

Phoebe, Josephine, and Zebulon had teased Lizzy at the beginning of the week, making a show of carrying her things for her and the like, but had quickly dropped the theatrics when they saw how very angry they were making their friend. As the week progressed, they began to walk on eggshells around her, which only annoyed Lizzy all the more. She knew she was irritable and lashing out, but she found it incredibly difficult to control herself, and so became even more upset with life in general and guilty every time she saw what change in behavior she had wrought on her friends.

One of the most annoying things about the week for Lizzy, however, was Mr. Darcy's constant appearances. She had thought he was inescapable before. Now he seemed to never be out of her sight, however much she might wish him to be. Lizzy seethed quietly. Mr. Darcy had warned her toward the beginning of the year that Malfoy did not play by the rules when it suited him, and the Quidditch match had proved Mr. Darcy correct. She was sure he was constantly reminding her of her injury by offering to do different things as a way of rubbing in the fact that he was correct and she had ignored him. Hell would freeze over, however, before she admitted to Mr. Darcy that she would have done well to listen to him. She would just have to deal with his annoyances until he got tired of them and gave up.

When Lizzy was again able to do everything on her own, whenever she wished, without having to balance her desires against the fear people had for her safety, life greatly improved. The practice schedule changed, as she had planned, and so she had a night a week entirely to herself. Rather than spend that night in the library, where people frequently stopped to exchange greetings or ask her questions, Lizzy had secreted herself away in a seldom-used tower and gotten a great deal of work done. Every other week, on the night when she did not have her dueling lesson with Flitwick, she would spend the evening in the library being social as she worked.

On the third Monday Lizzy hid herself away, she simply sat and enjoyed the quiet for a few moments, allowing herself to consciously relax and take some time to organize her thoughts.

"Is the library so unsatisfactory?"

Elizabeth's eyes flew open and, in an instant, all the relaxation she had worked for vanished. "I found I wished to spend some time in quiet," she said shortly to Mr. Darcy. How had he stumbled across her? At least she had given him an easy opportunity to leave.

"I can imagine Miss Lydia has been taking up much of your time," said Mr. Darcy.

Elizabeth felt anger burning her eyes. How dare he berate Lydia! The girl had come so far in the past month. Lydia hated to do her written homework, certainly, but she practiced her spells enthusiastically and had begun to perform them well, and so was able to exchange assistance with fellow first years. She would help them with wand work, and they would help her with paperwork. And while Lydia still often said rude or thoughtless things, many times it was in defense of one of her sisters or a friend, and she had even begun to say some sensible things to balance it all out.

"Lydia is not so demanding as you might think, Mr. Darcy," said Elizabeth coldly. She did not want to engage any further on the subject of Lydia. She would end up saying something she would come to regret, she was sure. "You must have your own assignments to attend to, Mr. Darcy. Please do not let me keep you," she said, turning her attention to her Defense book and regretting not setting an Intruder Charm.

Mr. Darcy, apparently, took Elizabeth's words for an invitation. He sat himself opposite her and began pulling things out of his bag.

Elizabeth's grip increased to such a degree her knuckles turned white against her book. If it were not for the fact that she was determined to be civil to Mr. Darcy because of his connection to Bingley, and Jane's attachment to the same, she would have lashed out and demanded Mr. Darcy leave her in peace. Instead, she clenched her jaw shut and stubbornly set back to work. This was her workspace, and she would not be made to move, nor would she do Mr. Darcy the courtesy of attempting conversation with him.

Darcy's thoughts were running an entirely different direction than Elizabeth's. His mouth felt dry and his mind was very nearly blank. He was not usually an eloquent man, but he was an intelligent one. When alone with Elizabeth, however, he found himself lacking any sort of conversational skill and feeling a complete dunce.

The past weeks, when Darcy had not seen Elizabeth in the library on Mondays, he had assumed she was working in Gryffindor Tower. It was not until he overheard Lydia asking Elizabeth where she kept disappearing to that he became concerned. When he found out that this week Malfoy would be in detention with Slughorn, his concern had turned to full-blown alarm. Slughorn, while a brilliant man, was not a great disciplinarian. It would be easy work for Malfoy to slip out and find Elizabeth to get some sort of retribution. With such fears in mind, Darcy had set out immediately after dinner, which Elizabeth had left early, to find her. Now that he had located her, he was determined not to leave her unattended. He did not trust Malfoy in the slightest.

When Darcy had first set his eyes on Elizabeth, sitting peacefully with her eyes closed, he had been unable to look away and unwilling to disturb the vision before him. Eventually, however, fear of being discovered in such a state won out, and he had made himself known. When she had slyly invited him to stay, he had been elated and thought he had a wonderful opportunity to get to know her better without the added pressure of their peers milling about. If only his brain would start to function again!

Finally, after nearly three-quarters of an hour had passed, Darcy came up with a topic of conversation. "Are you and our sisters to attend the assembly at Hogsmeade on Saturday?"

"Jane will go with Bingley, I imagine," Elizabeth answered without looking up from her book. She made a note in the margin before speaking again. "Mary's said she plans to go get a few new quills, but I doubt she will go to the assembly."

Darcy waited a few moments for Elizabeth to state her own plans, but she did not. Was she trying to be coy? Such a thought made Darcy smirk slightly. He could match her in playing such a game, he was sure. "Yes, Bingley mentioned he was looking forward to the time with your sister," Darcy said. "He's made me promise to go with him." He observed Elizabeth closely to determine her reaction to the news of his attendance.

"What would an assembly be without a stone-faced gentleman stalking the perimeter of the dance floor?" Elizabeth quipped, still without lifting her gaze.

Darcy allowed himself to smile briefly. He had plans to disappoint her in being that gentleman this time. "Hopefully someone can be found to fill such a role," he hinted. He could imagine Elizabeth's blush, and thought that must be why she did not look at him. Satisfied, he returned his attention to his studies.


"I was this close to hexing him!" Lizzy fumed to Phoebe and Josephine. Immediately upon her return to her dormitory, she had related the entire incident to her friends. "What?" she asked after her friends exchanged a look.

"Lizzy," said Josephine delicately, "we think you may be misinterpreting Darcy."

"I can't see how his actions can be thought of differently," Lizzy huffed.

"He likes you and he's being awkward about it," said Phoebe bluntly. "What?" she asked defensively after Josephine lightly smacked her arm. "She's being stubborn. Delicacy won't work."

Josephine rolled her eyes while Lizzy narrowed hers at her friends. "We just think you might want to consider giving him another chance, is all."

"He's had plenty of chances to show me how little he thinks of me," Lizzy snarled.

"By no means are we excusing his behavior," said Josephine. "He can certainly be rather rude and is incredibly aloof."

"That's putting it lightly," Lizzy scoffed.

"Truly, Lizzy, I think he does like you a great deal and just doesn't know how to go about it," said Josephine. "He's used to fighting off harpies, not chasing an intelligent woman."

"The two of you are being absurd," Lizzy said with an eye roll.

"It's not just us, dearie," Phoebe half-sang.

Lizzy's eyebrows nearly disappeared into her hairline. "With whom have you been spreading these lies and discussing me behind my back?" she asked furiously.

"Calm down, Lizzy," Josephine coached. "We're not starting any conversations. People have been asking."

Lizzy crossed her arms. "Well you can tell those people they're absolute loons that should be committed to St. Mungo's mental ward."

"Think of it, Lizzy," said Phoebe pragmatically. "You went far out of your way to a spot where you wouldn't be found unless someone was actively looking for you. Do you really think Darcy just happened to come across you while wandering around?"

Lizzy shook her head and sighed. Her friends did not get it, and she was tired of explaining. She threw her hands up in aggravation before beginning to dig through her trunk.

"When this all comes to a head, it's going to be absolutely hilarious or completely terrifying," said Phoebe. "There is no middle ground. Care to place a bet on it, Jo?"

"I know better than that, Phoebe," Josephine scoffed.

Lizzy found herself almost regretting leaving her chosen study spot so soon.


"Are Jo and Phoebe not coming today?" Mary asked as she and Lizzy set out for Hogsmeade.

"They are," said Lizzy shortly.

"You ought to give them more credit than that, Lizzy," Mary chastised after a moment.

Lizzy ground her teeth briefly in irritation. Sometimes Mary being able to read her mind was remarkably convenient, and at others it was remarkably annoying. "Kindly get out of my head, Mary."

"Perhaps once you've stopped being so ridiculous in regards to your closest friends, Lizzy, I will try," Mary replied. "They only want to see you happy."

"And they think that would make me happy?" Lizzy said with an acidic laugh.

Mary sighed. "You are so very stubborn, you know."

"Let us discuss something else," Lizzy suggested grumpily. "I'm entirely exhausted on this subject."

Mary obliged, and was kind enough to only give her sister snide sideways glances twice the rest of the way to Hogsmeade.

"Lizzy!"

Lizzy had been just about to go into the quill shop with Mary when she heard Siobhan calling her. "Do you mind, Mary?"

"Not at all," Mary answered. She turned around with Lizzy and headed toward Gryffindor's Keeper.

It wasn't until Lizzy was almost in front of Siobhan that she realized the girl was not alone.

"This is them," Siobhan said to a man beside her. He was dressed in sleek robes Lizzy recognized as being the magical adaptation of the Muggle militia's uniform. "The Bennets!"

"Should we know who you are?" Lizzy asked the stranger. If she were to say he was not handsome, she would have been lying.

"I think not, Miss," said the stranger. "George Wickham's the name."

"Wickham's part of the Ministry's initiative to meld with the Muggle military to protect them against any magical attacks. His regiment is stationed in Meryton!" Siobhan supplied. "He mentioned your parents, and so I thought you just had to meet him."

"Your parents were in excellent health just two days ago when I left them," said Wickham. "Might I be so bold as to ask which of the Bennet sisters I am speaking to?"

"Elizabeth and Mary," Lizzy answered. "Our sister Jane will be here shortly, I'm sure. We would be very interested to learn how everyone is doing back home."

"Are there not five Bennet sisters?" Wickham asked.

"Kitty and Lydia, our younger sisters, are not yet old enough to come to Hogsmeade," Lizzy answered.

"What a shame," said Wickham. "Once Siobhan told me the Bennets would be here, I had hopes of dancing with all five of you!"

Lizzy laughed easily. "I'm sure Kitty and Lydia will be pleased with your sincere design. I'll pass the compliment along to them."

"What brings you to Hogsmeade, Mr. Wickham?" Mary asked, her voice heavy with intention.

Lizzy finally turned to look at her sister and was concerned to note Mary's furrowed brow and suspicious eyes.

"I've been sent on a recruiting mission," said Wickham. "The Ministry wants more wizards hidden amongst the Muggle ranks."

"Then perhaps you ought to be speaking with wizards instead of witches," said Mary flatly.

"Mary," Lizzy hissed.

"Oh, there is Jane!" Mary said, looking past Siobhan and Wickham.

Lizzy followed Mary's finger to see Jane approaching, linked with Bingley, and Mr. Darcy just slightly behind the pair.

"Jane!" Siobhan called. "Come, let me introduce you as I have done your sisters."

Jane and Bingley smiled pleasantly when Wickham turned slightly to lay eyes on them. Mr. Darcy, however, stopped in his tracks, his eyes fixed firmly on Wickham. Wickham, himself, had become rather pale. After a moment, he doffed his hat to Mr. Darcy. Mr. Darcy did not return the gesture, instead turning and walking away without a word.

Lizzy was abruptly pulled from her wonderings over the strange greeting by Mary suddenly clutching her arm. "Mary! What is it?" she asked as her usually steady sister nearly swooned.

"A random dizzy spell," Mary said breathlessly. "I'll be fine shortly, I'm sure."

"Let us find somewhere to sit," Jane immediately suggested. "Let me look you over, Mary."

"No, no, I am well, I assure you," said Mary. "Lizzy, may we go to the quill shop now?"

"Allow me to escort you," Wickham volunteered. "I should hate for you to fall in the street."

"Thank you, Mr. Wickham, my sister will support me admirably," Mary said almost rudely.

Lizzy looked apologetically to the gathered party before hurrying to catch up with Mary, who had started away.

"What has gotten into you, Mary?" Lizzy hissed, taking her sister's arm.

"I can't say," Mary answered tightly.

"Can't, or won't?" Lizzy asked shrewdly.

"I suppose either would suffice," said Mary. "I think I'll go back to Hogwarts after our stop at the store."

"If you think you must," said Lizzy. She knew she should offer to walk Mary back, but she was feeling less than charitable at the moment.

"Be careful with Wickham, Lizzy," Mary cautioned.

"What?" Lizzy asked louder than she intended. She quickly lowered her voice before continuing. "Why should you warn me against Wickham?"

"I can't read him," said Mary, "at all."

"Is that so unusual?" Lizzy asked. "You only just met him."

"Even strangers give me something," said Mary frustratedly. "He was silent. That means occlumency, Lizzy."

"I'm afraid I still don't understand," Lizzy said, holding the door to the shop open for her sister.

"I can't think of any good reason someone would employ occlumency at all times," was all Mary said before changing her persona completely to pleasantly greet the shop's proprietor.

Lizzy chewed her cheek for a moment in thought. She could not imagine Wickham to be anything but pleasant. Mary, however, was known to think the worst of people, though she had admittedly been less judgmental since starting legilimancy. Perhaps old habits were resurfacing.

The sisters said nothing of their encounter as they looked around, chatted with the owner, and finally made their purchases. As soon as they were back out on the street, however, Mary chose her parting words purposefully.

"I am not falling back on old habits, Lizzy," Mary said lowly. "Since I have started legilimancy, have I ever warned you against anyone? Have I ever reacted in such a fashion as I did? Please give me some credit, Lizzy, and be careful." Mary sped up and was soon out of sight.

Lizzy was left in the middle of the street speechless. Mary was right, and Lizzy fully intended to apologize to her sister that evening. Until then, however, she was determined to enjoy herself as much as possible while heeding her sister's warning.

Lizzy found Jane, Bingley, Siobhan, and Wickham in The Three Broomsticks.

"Has Mary gone back already?" Jane asked as Lizzy sat down.

"She was eager to try out her purchases," Lizzy answered smilingly. The look Jane gave her let her know that her sister was not deceived and wanted the full truth when the opportunity presented itself.

"I suppose I shall have to satisfy myself by dancing with only two Bennet sisters," said Wickham.

"There are plenty of others that would not turn down a chance to dance, I'm sure," said Siobhan boldly.

"Wickham has been updating us on all the goings-on in Hertfordshire," said Bingley. "Things are not the same without the Bennet sisters, it seems."

"How long is your leave from the militia for this recruiting mission, Wickham?" Lizzy asked. Between Mary's warning and calling out of her own ridiculous behavior, Lizzy was much more cautious toward her new acquaintance. She did not feel particularly inclined to discuss her friends and family with him.

"That all depends on how successful I am today," said Wickham with a disarming smile.

"Well, we are certainly not doing you any favors by hiding you away here," said Bingley, rising from his seat. "Everyone is to be at Madam Puddifoot's. You'll have more success finding those that might be willing to enlist there."

As soon as Bingley started moving to offer to escort her as well as Jane, Lizzy latched onto his arm. With Mary's words still ringing in her ears, Lizzy found herself made uneasy by something in Wickham's smile. Jane noticed the uncharacteristic behavior and raised an eyebrow in question.

Once in Madam Puddifoot's, Wickham could not avoid dancing his first set with Siobhan, as he had walked her into the assembly room. Bingley left to fetch drinks for Lizzy and Jane, leaving the sisters alone on the edge of the dance floor.

Lizzy quickly related Mary's warning to Jane.

"I had wondered," Jane quietly mused. "I was disturbed by Mary's behavior, and Charles by Darcy's. There must be something more to all this."

Lizzy did not particularly care what the history between Mr. Darcy and Wickham was. Her concern, at the moment, was Wickham's proximity to her parents and all the people she had grown up with.

When the next dance was about to start, Bingley set his and Jane's glasses aside before leading her onto the dance floor. Lizzy smiled at the pair, wondering if she might occasionally be making her way to Hogsmeade for family meals next year. She would not be surprised if the pair became married before starting their seventh year.

"Has every other man been fool enough not to ask you to dance, Lizzy?" asked Wickham after dropping Siobhan off with some other friends. "Please allow me the honor!"

Lizzy gave a tense smile, partially because of her growing unease with Wickham, but also because of her annoyance with herself. Had Mary not warned her, she might have been completely flattered and even eager to dance with Wickham.

"I was surprised to see Darcy had left Beauxbatons," said Wickham after their dance had started.

"Many did," Lizzy answered evasively.

"I understand he was staying with Bingley for part of the summer at Netherfield," Wickham tried again.

"You understand correctly."

Undeterred by Lizzy's reluctance, Wickham flashed his charming smile again. "Bingley is thought of well. His elder sister, Mrs. Hurst, and her husband have become somewhat integrated into Hertfordshire society. Darcy, however, is another story. I'm given to understand his reputation has to do with some interaction with you?"

Lizzy was so surprised by Wickham's statement she nearly stumbled. "Whatever reputation Mr. Darcy has in Hertfordshire, he earned himself, I assure you."

"I'm hardly surprised he isn't thought of well," said Wickham. "I commend your judgement."

Lizzy thought it rather bold of Wickham to speak so freely amongst strangers.

"Mr. Darcy and I grew up together, you see," said Wickham. "My father was his father's steward."

"I hear Pemberley is a beautiful place." Lizzy felt herself scrambling to change the subject. "It must have been nice to explore such an estate as a child. Did you attend Beauxbatons?"

Had Lizzy not already been on her guard, she might have missed Wickham's hesitation.

"I did attend for a year or two," Wickham answered. He showed his teeth in a grin again. In that moment, Lizzy recognized it as an attempt to distract her. "I had hoped to finish my training, either there or at Hogwarts, as the older Mr. Darcy had intended for me, but such was not to be."

Lizzy could tell that Wickham wanted to enquire further on the subject of the older Mr. Darcy, but she found herself in no mood to humor him. She was, however, curious how much more rope Wickham would gather with which to hang himself. "That is unfortunate," was all she said in reply.

Wickham, encouraged by an expression of sympathy, continued on, "Old Mr. Darcy cared very much for me. He was my godfather, in fact. When my father became ill, Old Mr. Darcy arranged for me to transfer from Beauxbatons to Hogwarts so I could be closer to my father. After his death, I decided to take some time off from school to become adjusted to my new situation. Just when I felt ready to get back to class, Old Mr. Darcy died, also. It was a great tragedy."

"I can imagine," Lizzy said noncommittally. Why was Wickham, a complete stranger to her, telling her his life story?

"I had hoped to return to Beauxbatons and finish my education after Old Darcy died, but the latest Mr. Darcy refused me the funds," Wickham said with a mixed air of misery and expectation.

"You might have returned to Hogwarts," Lizzy suggested.

Wickham coughed. "I found the idea exceedingly trying. I would have been painfully reminded of my dear father constantly."

"How did you go about finishing training?" Lizzy asked. "Surely the Ministry would not hire an unqualified wizard to keep the Muggle military from being attacked by other wizards?"

Unfortunately for Lizzy, but fortunately for Wickham, the dance ended just at that moment. Wickham bowed, made a hasty excuse, and disappeared into the crowd.

"You seem perturbed," Jane observed when the sisters reunited.

"Perhaps because I am," said Lizzy. She quickly and quietly related her conversation.

Jane furrowed her brows. "That was highly inappropriate of him, by Muggle or magical standards," she said. "Let us be grateful Lydia is not here to be charmed by him."

"Who are you and what have you done with my sweet sister that always thinks the best of others, especially her sisters?" Lizzy asked mockingly.

"Stop it, Lizzy," Jane chided with a smile. "You know perfectly well what I mean. You've been doing wonderfully with Lydia, and she's come a long way, but she is still young and foolish."

"I don't believe I've ever heard you speak so plainly about the faults of another," Lizzy observed.

"Perhaps being Head Girl and dealing with various disciplinary issues has opened me to seeing more faults," Jane said. "I still wish to think well of people, but I have learned that, sometimes, it is more of a cruelty than a kindness to bury a person's failings."

Lizzy looked at her elder sister with true concern.

Jane sighed. "This is no place for this conversation," she said somewhat irritably. "I find myself tired today. Would you be willing to return to Hogwarts early with me?"

Lizzy eagerly agreed, and she and Jane found Bingley. Jane assured him she was well and encouraged him to enjoy his day out on his own. The two sisters were able to walk back without another soul in hearing range.

"Please elaborate on y our earlier statement, Jane," Lizzy encouraged.

Jane sighed and stared at her feet for a few moments before answering. "My revelation traces to Malfoy, I suppose."

"Malfoy?" Lizzy blurted. "What does he have to do with all this?"

"Oh, Lizzy," Jane said, tears suddenly in her eyes. "I knew he was saying horrible things to you, and to some others, but I brushed it off. I told myself he was just adjusting to a new school and trying to find his place. That he wasn't serious and he would adjust with time. But after the Quidditch match, while I was taking care of you, I found I couldn't make excuses anymore."

Lizzy stopped walking to pull her sister into a hug.

"I was so angry at myself, Lizzy," Jane said into Lizzy's shoulder. "What if I had done that in the Muggle world? Excused someone's poor behavior until they lashed out? What if we really were Muggles, and someone attacked you like that? I would have lost you, Lizzy!"

"But you didn't lose me, Jane," Lizzy soothed. "What could you have done against Malfoy, anyway? He is determined to humiliate and cause me harm."

"There is a great deal I can and will do against him," said Jane with a ferocity Lizzy had never heard before from her sweet sister. "I choose not to make excuses anymore, Lizzy. If I see something inappropriate, I will address it head on."


Richard,

He's here. Come immediately.

-Darcy


Author's Note

Dun -dun- DUUUUNNN!

I hope you're continuing to enjoy the story!