Lizzy was very surprised later in the week when she went to dinner at Bingley's with her aunt and uncle in celebration of the new year to be greeted by Darcy.
"I thought you did not intend to be social, Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth said lightly. Once everyone had settled in the parlor, Darcy had seated himself near her, and so she took advantage.
"I had not planned on doing so," Darcy admitted. "However, I have since learnt that my choices to keep to myself can be misinterpreted."
Elizabeth drew herself up in her chair and raised her nose slightly into the air. "What sage advice, sir. Whoever imparted such knowledge to you must be wise, indeed," she said with teasing pomposity.
Though the smile Darcy gave was slight, his eyes lit with pleasure at being teased so by Elizabeth. When the time came to eat, he was very happy to be allowed to escort her into dinner. As everyone became occupied with either conversation or food, he quickly and eagerly told her that he had spent all of New Year's Eve with Georgiana and there had not been even a hint of one of her fits.
Elizabeth shared in Darcy's genuine joy over Georgiana's progress and encouraged him to give her details of the day.
The easy conversation shared by Darcy and Elizabeth did not go unnoticed. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner shared many a knowing look. Jane's expression as she carefully observed her sister might have been described as shrewish. Bingley's eyes shone with boyish mischief as he watched his friend interact in a way he had never seen with a woman. Mary remained thoroughly engrossed by her plate, though the corners of her lips twitched upward every so often.
"What the devil?" Bingley said in utter confusion when the unmistakable sound of someone at the front door floated through the air. "Who would call at such a time?" In a huff, he roughly set down his silverware and threw his napkin onto the table before going to see what the fuss was about.
"How strange," Mrs. Gardiner commented, "to be disturbed during dinner. I hope it is nothing serious!"
Elizabeth's brows furrowed as she spoke lowly to Darcy. "Could this have something to do with the search for Wickham?"
"I did not tell anyone I would be here, so I rather doubt it," Darcy answered at a whisper. "Unfortunately, the blackguard remains at large."
"Well, it seems we are to have two more join us unexpectedly!" said Bingley cheerfully upon reentering the dining room. Stood behind him were Professors McGonagall and Flitwick.
"Oh, no," Elizabeth breathed as McGonagall's eyes locked onto her. "I forgot."
"Forgot what?" Darcy asked. Understanding dawned suddenly upon his face. "You were supposed to meet with McGonagall, weren't you?"
"I was," Elizabeth confirmed as Flitwick drew chairs for himself and McGonagall. She was provided a reprieve by the fact that her professors seemed content to, for the moment, catch up with the Gardiners.
Darcy chuckled lowly, earning a glare from his dinner companion. "Forgive me," he said with barely contained mirth. "I find the idea of you being chastised by a woman as formidable as yourself to be highly amusing."
Elizabeth huffed and turned to Mrs. Hurst, seated on her other side, as punishment.
"Mr. Bingley, would it be possible for me to have use of your library for a few moments?" McGonagall asked as the last dishes were being cleared away. "I have something I should like to discuss with Miss Elizabeth."
Elizabeth hid from her unease over the situation for a few moments longer by allowing herself the pleasure of stepping on Darcy's foot under the table while he made a great show of wiping his mouth off with his napkin.
"Certainly, Professor," Bingley acceded easily. "Lizzy, you remember where it is, I am sure? Would you be offended if I did not show you both there?"
"Of course not, Charles," said Elizabeth, rising from her seat to face her fate. "Please, devote your attention to your other guests without another thought for me!"
"Imagine my surprise," McGonagall began the moment the library door shut, "when I arrived at Longbourn to be told that you were not in residence. That you had not been for nearly two weeks, as a matter of fact. More shocking, still, was the fact that no one seemed to know where you, or any of your sisters, were."
"We did leave rather abruptly," Lizzy confessed. She began toying with her sleeve behind her back. The fact that she had caused McGonagall excessive concern made her feel uneasy. The only woman Elizabeth respected more than her professor was her Aunt Gardiner.
McGonagall's lips thinned another degree. "When no one at Longbourn was able to tell me of your whereabouts, I set out to see if the neighbors might have an idea. I was not aware I was in mourning of a colleague," she said drily.
"It was a quickly made excuse to explain the fact that all of us had gone," Lizzy offered.
McGonagall seated herself in a chair and indicated Lizzy should do the same.
Lizzy sighed as she lowered herself. "I am very sorry, Professor, for failing to keep our appointment. I should have informed you I was not at Longbourn."
"Yes, you most certainly should have," said McGonagall unhappily, "especially since I have received news that a wanted criminal is currently very interested in your whereabouts."
Lizzy felt the blood drain from her face. "You know of that?"
"Bennet, why don't you just tell me what all has happened to land you in this predicament?" McGonagall asked tiredly.
Lizzy did so. She only left out details of her conversations with Darcy, as she did not believe them to be relevant, though she did own to running into him at the park near her uncle's house. Such could hardly be avoided if she were to answer McGonagall with regards to Wickham.
McGonagall removed her glasses to pinch the bridge of her nose once Lizzy had finished telling her tale. "This might just be your finest mess yet, Bennet."
"I don't go searching for trouble," Lizzy muttered.
"But it certainly does find you," McGonagall sighed. "I am sorry for the situation with your parents," she said with sympathy.
"I regret nothing," Lizzy answered quickly. "I have resigned myself on that score, Professor, and have no further wish to discuss it." She thought briefly of the letter she had started to her mother, but thrown into the fire before completing it. Instead, she had composed a letter to Charlotte wishing her joy in her marriage, though Lizzy thought there would be little enough of that, and expressed her great sorrow at being unable to attend the ceremony.
"I will leave you to the care of your sisters on that subject, then, unless you should say otherwise," said McGonagall. "As for Wickham…"
"I only saw him the one time, Professor," Lizzy said exasperatedly. She was rather tired of everyone making his grudge out to be such a big deal. If she, as the one on the receiving end of the man's ire, was not concerned, then why should everyone else be? He had kidnapped Georgiana, true enough, but the girl had been only just shy of five at the time and hardly able to defend herself. "Truly, I do not think he represents much of a threat to me."
"Think again, Bennet," McGonagall said sharply.
Lizzy straightened at her professor's tone.
"Further investigation into George Wickham as revealed his involvement in multiple kidnappings going back three years that the aurors have been very interested in," said McGonagall. "He has also become a person of interest in a murder or two."
Lizzy allowed herself a few moments to absorb the shock before making a response. "How has his involvement only just come to light? How did he manage to gain a position in the government?"
"Come now, Bennet," McGonagall chided. "You're intelligent enough to be able to come up with an answer to that."
Lizzy pursed her lips in agitation, but did not make a thoughtless reply. "Wickham excels at subterfuge and manipulation," she said eventually, "and he is able to identify and, often successfully, charm those whose protection he might need."
"All arts he mastered long ago," McGonagall said with a nod.
"Why have I not been approached by someone from the Ministry?" Lizzy asked after a moment. "It must have been from them that you heard of my being a target."
"The Ministry only just became aware of your role in all this earlier today," McGonagall answered. "The aurors realized that an acquaintance of yours, Richard Fitzwilliam, was doing his own investigation and gained his cooperation from his superior officer."
Lizzy shot up out of her chair. "Excuse me, Professor," she said shortly, and left before McGonagall could object.
"You there," Lizzy said demandingly to the footman outside the parlor where the rest of the party had assembled after dinner, "please inform Mr. Darcy that he is wanted in the library."
The footman nodded and turned to fulfill his orders.
Chest heaving, Elizabeth waited in a doorway Darcy would have to pass on his way to the library. At exactly the right moment, she rushed from her spot and shoved her object with all her might. "If I was able to, I would curse you where you stand until you could do so no longer!"
Darcy righted himself, more surprised than anything by Elizabeth's attack. He was such an impressive figure, and she such a slight one, that even all her effort had done little more than knock him slightly off course. "What is it I've done now?" he asked peevishly. He had thought they had been getting along so well the past several days.
"I am now, thanks to you," Elizabeth paused long enough to jab Darcy in the chest with her finger, "an object of interest to the Ministry as needing protection!" she bit out.
As Elizabeth drew breath to say more and pulled back her arm to make another attack on his chest, Darcy reached out and grabbed the offending hand, holding it off to the side of her face. "What on earth are you talking about?" he asked as reasonably as he felt he was able.
Elizabeth used her other arm to shove the heel of her hand into his sternum, and so Darcy captured that limb, also.
"Let me go!" Elizabeth hissed dangerously.
"Not until you tell me what it is I've done that has put you in such a state," Darcy said evenly. The more rage Elizabeth displayed, the more he focused on presenting a calm demeanor. It would not do for both of them to be acting upon impulse.
"You told Fitzwilliam your theory about Wickham being after me, and he's gone and told the aurors about it!" Elizabeth snarled. She made an attempt to wrench herself free, but was entirely unsuccessful. "Did it never occur to you," she added as she continued to struggle in vain, "that Wickham may very well have followed you to the park that morning?"
"I had considered it," Darcy answered calmly while maintaining his ironclad grip. "Seeing as he only appeared after you did, however, I believe I came to the correct conclusion. If he had wanted to accost me or Georgiana, he would have shown himself earlier.
"As for telling Richard my theory," Darcy continued, "I could hardly do otherwise. He alone knows all the same details I shared with you last week and is my most trusted ally in this and all other matters. If the aurors are after Wickham, I can only thank Richard for making them aware of your predicament! For them to rouse themselves on Wickham's behalf, he must be up to a great deal more than I had originally thought."
"I do not need to be watched over like some ailing child!" Elizabeth said venomously.
Darcy looked toward the ceiling and said a quick prayer for patience. "That is not what is being done here," he said. "Why does it bother you so much that others want to assure your safety?"
"I am bothered," Elizabeth said through her teeth and again trying to free her wrists, "because it is all being done without my consent, and without my being consulted!"
Understanding finally beginning to dawn, Darcy lowered himself until he was able to see Elizabeth's slightly downturned face. She was trying, and failing, to suppress frustrated tears. "You do not like having control taken from you."
Elizabeth ceased her fighting, but turned her face further from Darcy.
"Having the power to make your own decisions is not something you take for granted, and you know you only have that power because you're a witch," Darcy thought out loud. "Decisions being made for you in the magical world is making you fear you'll lose any control over your own future."
"Let me go," Elizabeth said quietly.
Darcy finally obliged, and Elizabeth made a hasty exit. For a moment, he considered following her, but realized that would likely be his stupidest decision regarding her yet.
Darcy returned to the parlor, where he was not at all surprised to find McGonagall had found and situated herself in. He located Jane, seated near the fire, and made his way over. He grabbed a poker and began rearranging the logs.
"I believe your sister could use your assistance," Darcy said out of the corner of his mouth.
Jane, in quite an impressive display of control, brought her cup to her face which had become unreadable. "Where is she?" she asked before taking a sip.
"I wish I could give you an exact location," Darcy answered.
Jane made her way to Mary without another word said to Darcy. After a brief exchange with the legilimens, she slipped out of the room.
"You're staying here for the night."
Lizzy felt a hysteric chuckle escape her body. "I refuse to be more of an imposition on Charles than I have been already by drawing extra guests to his house."
Lizzy heard Jane approaching and covered her face with her hands. She did not want anyone's pity at the moment, not even her most beloved sister's.
"Up."
Jane's harsh demand was so far from what Lizzy expected that she uncovered her eyes without thinking. Jane was standing before her with hands on hips and lips set in a hard line.
"I will be fine in a moment, Jane," Lizzy tried to say easily. "Just let me collect myself."
Jane disappeared for a moment, and Lizzy heard the door click shut and the lock latch. "You have been hiding things from me, Lizzy," said Jane as she made her return, "and I have let you. But no more. Tell me all."
And Lizzy did. She told Jane every single detail that had occurred since Bingley's ball, save Georgiana's experience with Wickham. On that subject, all she said was that Wickham had betrayed Darcy in one of the most horrid ways imaginable and firmly told Jane she would not give any more detail. She told her sister all the turmoil she felt regarding how her parents had treated her, which had been more difficult than she expected. When she finally finished off with the events of the evening, Lizzy felt absolutely exhausted.
"I wish you would have told me sooner, Lizzy," said Jane. Now that her aim had been achieved, she was back to her usual sweet, empathetic self. Halfway through Lizzy's explanation, she had curled herself up beside her sister and begun stroking her hair.
"I didn't want to ruin the beginning of your engagement any more than I already had," Lizzy said after sniffing heartily. She was not usually one for crying, but the past weeks had proven exceptionally stressful.
"I told you already, dearest, that you did not ruin anything," said Jane soothingly. "I am much happier here, in London with Charles and my sisters, than I would be at Longbourn. In a selfish way, I suppose I am grateful Mama said you weren't welcome anymore. It has spared me her effusions and being shown off as a prized object."
Lizzy laughed thickly, then unceremoniously wiped her nose on her sleeve. "What have you done with my dear, sweet Jane that is incapable of saying a word against anyone?" she asked in an attempt at levity.
"We've had this discussion, Lizzy," Jane answered. "That Jane died the moment you nearly did."
"What a delightful pair we make, then," Lizzy said. "Both of us seem determined to think the worst of everything in the world."
Jane allowed herself to smile at Lizzy's continued efforts of humor. She then carefully unfolded herself and held her hand out to her sister. "I think it is time we went to bed. You will stay with me."
Lizzy was all out of fight, so she allowed herself to be led to Jane's chamber and collapsed, fully clothed, on top of all the bed coverings.
"Good morning, Lizzy," said Jane's amused voice.
Lizzy rubbed her eyes and looked around until finding Jane seated on a settee across the room. She next looked confusedly at the sunlight streaming through the window. "What time is it?"
"You slept through breakfast," Jane said as an answer, and turned a page in the book she was reading. "Aunt Gardiner sent a fresh gown for you. Uncle Gardiner says he will send a carriage for you late this evening, unless he receives word that other plans have been made."
Lizzy swung her feet out of bed and lumbered over to Jane before unceremoniously throwing herself into her sister's lap.
"Lizzy!" Jane objected while laughing. "I do not wish to join you in wearing wrinkled clothing!"
"You should have thought of that before locking me up and pulling all my secrets from me," said Lizzy unrepentantly, wiggling just that much more to add to the creases developing in Jane's skirts.
The sisters continued to tease each other for several minutes longer before Jane finally succeeded in shoving Lizzy onto the floor and rising to straighten her clothes. "If you are through behaving as a wild animal, Lizzy, I shall be happy to help you make yourself presentable."
Lizzy let Jane help her up and proceeded to begin preparing to face the day.
"Have your feelings toward Darcy changed very much, Lizzy?" Jane asked as she brushed her sister's hair.
Lizzy sighed heavily. She had been relieved when Jane did not press her to examine her feelings last night, but knew the reprieve would not last long. "I cannot think of him as I did before the ball," she admitted. "I now know him to be respectable, shy, and fiercely protective – overbearing might be the better word."
"Perhaps he was Sorted incorrectly," Jane mused. "It sounds as though he might be better suited to Hufflepuff."
Lizzy laughed. "I did not mean for calling him 'overbearing' to be taken as a compliment of his character."
"You only think him overbearing in his dealings with you," said Jane, grabbing a lock of Lizzy's hair to begin twisting. "In his dealings with his sister, I imagine you would stick with 'fiercely protective.'"
"Something simple, Jane," said Lizzy as Jane grabbed a pin. "I think I would like to leave my hair mostly down today. I won't be in the company of any Muggles whose sensitivities I might offend."
Jane nodded and began anew. "I think, Lizzy, that you have come to admire Mr. Darcy a great deal and are simply struggling to find a way to admit it without having to reconsider all your actions toward him and finding them lacking."
"I have reconsidered my actions toward him and found them lacking," said Lizzy waspishly.
"Then what is the problem?" Jane asked, the bulk of her attention still seemingly focused on Lizzy's hair.
"I don't know," Lizzy groaned in frustration.
"Do you like him?"
"Maybe?" Lizzy answered honestly.
"I will take that as an affirmative," said Jane.
"It is most certainly not an affirmative," said Lizzy firmly. "I am not sure I possess any feelings toward Mr. Darcy in the way that he would hope."
"Do you think it possible for such feelings to develop?" Jane asked. She had begun placing pins in her sister's hair.
Lizzy took a moment to think before answering that yes, it was possible.
"Then let the opportunity exist," Jane suggested. "You fight, Lizzy, because we were raised largely in world where, once married, everything that we possess and everything that we are would belong to our husbands. That is not the case now, dearest. If you were to come to an agreement with Mr. Darcy, or any other wizard, you would be entering a partnership, not a servitude."
Lizzy sighed and turned in her chair to look upon her ever-sensible sister. "What could I have ever done to deserve someone so good as you in my life?"
"Whatever it is, it must have been done when I was not around, for I have no recollection of it," Jane teased. She finished styling Lizzy's hair with a dramatic flourish, ignoring her sister's mock outrage. "Now, come along, Lizzy, for there is much to be done today!"
"Oh?" Lizzy asked lightly. "Is that why you sat, reading a book, waiting for me to awaken?"
"I didn't say there was much for me to do today," Jane clarified. "Professor McGonagall is planning on arriving in an hour. She's determined to have your lesson. And Professor Flitwick wants to speak with you and Darcy about something."
"Darcy is coming again?" Lizzy half whined. She did not particularly want to face him after her meltdown last night.
Jane rolled her eyes in response. "There's a tray for you in the adjoining sitting room. McGonagall plans to work with you in the library. I'm going to a Madam Malkin's with Louisa; she needs new robes."
"And so do you," Lizzy said with a suggestive twitch of her eyebrows. "You need to start assembling your trousseau!"
Jane blushed. "I will get some new robes and gowns, eventually. Now go eat!"
Lizzy enjoyed her lesson with McGonagall very much and was grateful her mentor did not mention their previous conversation or the abrupt way it ended.
"That's a job well done, Bennet," McGonagall praised as she gathered her cloak. "We'll discuss the next two chapters in your book when term begins."
"Is there a possibility of me coming back early?" Lizzy asked eagerly. Having time apart from her parents and Darcy would go a long way in settling her mind.
McGonagall quirked a knowing eyebrow. "I will not aid you in running away from your problems, Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Gryffindor House."
"I thought it might be the best avenue to keep myself and others from having to worry about Wickham getting to me," Lizzy said, thinking quickly.
McGonagall pursed her lips and simply stared Lizzy down for a moment before saying in a tone of clear dismissal, "Professor Flitwick plans to come by around seven this evening. I will see you at the start of term."
Lizzy sighed in frustration after McGonagall disapparated.
"So, your lesson went that well, did it?" Bingley asked, appearing from around the corner.
Lizzy looked at Bingley unamusedly, which only made him laugh. "My lesson went perfectly well, thank you," she said sternly as his laughter began to fade. "Do you have something you could be doing besides annoying your future sister-in-law?"
"Yes, I do," said Bingley. "Asking said future sister-in-law for help."
"That's rich," Lizzy quipped.
Bingley smiled widely, making any of Lizzy's ire dissipate. "I anticipate that all my future sisters-in-law will spend a great deal of time in my house," said Bingley. "I was hoping you would be willing to help me choose the most suitable rooms for each and provide some suggestions for decorations. I'd like to make it an engagement gift of sorts for Jane."
Lizzy readily agreed to the scheme and delighted in being shown the various options. For Mary, she chose a room that was fairly isolated and quiet. Kitty's room overlooked a nearby park, so she would be able to see the various creatures and people flitting about. Lydia's room provided a view of the street so the excitable girl would be able to keep watch for visitors.
"Charles, this so very generous of you," Lizzy said after making some suggestions for Lydia's room.
"It is something I am very happy to do, and hope you will take advantage of often," said Bingley. He made pointed eye contact before continuing. "In fact, I would not object to any, or all, of Jane's sisters taking up permanent residence here, instead of Longbourn."
Lizzy felt her heart swell with appreciation for the man in front of her, and she grinned. "I thank you for the offer, Charles, and will keep you updated on who might accept. I must caution you, however, to be careful what you wish for!"
Bingley's smile brightened at the combination of Lizzy's understanding of his offer and her wit. "I wish for whatever will make my bride happy," he chirped. "Now, we must find you a room!"
Lizzy considered her options carefully. Her first instinct was to take the room directly across the mistress's chambers, but she knew Jane's priorities would change, as would hers. She and Jane would always be close, but she would no longer be Jane's primary confidante – that privilege would be transferred to Bingley. Lizzy settled on a room with a pleasing view that was nearly equidistant from those of Mary, Kitty, and Lydia.
"Well, Lizzy, I think those changes you suggested can be made in time for Easter," said Bingley after settling with Lizzy in a parlor. "I doubt you would object to Jane sharing your room for the holiday."
Lizzy laughed lightly. "Jane shall have my room all to herself, for I have agreed to go visit Charlotte."
Bingley grimaced. "Yes, what an unfortunate situation."
"I cannot like it," Lizzy admitted, "but I suppose I can understand it. I only wish Charlotte had a respectable way to live on her own."
Bingley picked uncomfortably at his nails. "Has Jane, perchance, talked to you about Caroline?"
Lizzy chose arching an eyebrow over answering.
"I've asked her several times what she would like done about Caroline. I'm not sure whether to reconcile with her or to cut her completely. Jane has evaded answering me as to her preference," Bingley said sourly.
Lizzy sighed as she thought. "I think," she said finally, "that Jane wants you to be at peace with whatever decision you make. When you do make up your mind, Charles, Jane will support you. Have no fear on that."
Bingley frowned for a moment, but then cleared his expression and asked if Lizzy wanted to play a card game to pass some time.
Darcy came at three in the afternoon. He greeted Bingley and engaged in a small amount of conversation before asking Elizabeth if she wished to go for a walk. She kept him in suspense for several moments before finally answering in the affirmative. She would be in his company the rest of the day one way or another, so she might as well get the uncomfortable topics out of the way quickly.
"I've spoken with Richard," Darcy said after a few minutes of walking in silence. "He assures me the aurors will consult you before setting any sort of guard. Should you choose to refuse their protection, they will abide by your decision."
Elizabeth kept her eyes on her shoes as she formulated a response. "I am glad to hear it."
"May I ask how you intend to answer them, if and when they send someone to speak to you?" Darcy asked. His voice sounded almost exactly the same as always, but Elizabeth thought she could detect a hint of anxiety.
"You want me to accept their protection," she stated, "have a guard."
"Much like your uncle, I wish for your safety," Darcy answered diplomatically.
"You're hiding behind that face again," Elizabeth said shrewdly.
"I am," Darcy shamelessly confirmed.
"I wish you wouldn't."
"Very well. I will speak plainly, but I do ask that you allow me to maintain my current facial expression," said Darcy. "I do not wish to alarm any passersby."
"I agree to this compromise," Elizabeth answered. She could easily remember the last time he had let his façade drop and how very powerful his emotion had been.
"I do very much hope you will accept the protection of the aurors," Darcy immediately said. "I have seen what Wickham's machinations have done to one important woman in my life, and I would not wish that any similar tragedy befall another."
Elizabeth blushed, but decided against saying anything in reply.
"I know you desire control over your own self," Darcy continued after a slight pause. "I respect that, truly. I will say only one thing more on the subject and then be silent about it. Would you rather give up some of your control to aurors, who have your best interest in mind, or risk having all of your control stolen away from you by one of the worst villains imaginable?"
"Be careful not to speak too loudly, Mr. Darcy, or authors of novels will consider your description of Wickham as a challenge to be outdone in their next book," Elizabeth said smartly.
Darcy stared straight ahead and made no reply.
The smile Elizabeth had been sporting slipped from her face when Darcy did not react. She found herself confused by her own disappointment. "I will hear what the aurors propose, when they come," she said quietly after a moment.
Darcy looked down at Elizabeth. The corners of his mouth only slightly turned upward, but the light in his eyes spoke volumes. "Thank you."
Conversation turned to more benign matters, such as taste in literature and predictions for the upcoming term. Both participants of the walk thought the excursion had gone exceedingly well and were in good spirits upon returning to Bingley's.
Jane and Mrs. Hurst had returned from shopping, and so the entire house gathered to entertain each other. Mr. Hurst even made his way from the billiards room to participate, and Mary and Calliope came out of hiding.
Flitwick tumbled out of the fireplace just after seven and greeted everyone pleasantly, being sure to thank Bingley for allowing him to come through the floo network. After basic niceties had been observed, Flitwick guided his dueling students to a corner of the room.
"Well, Miss Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy," said Flitwick cheerily, rubbing his hands together in anticipation, "I have a proposition which I think you will find particularly appealing."
Elizabeth could feel Jane's concerned gaze from across the room, but made a point of not looking over. Bingley was seated with her and would surely keep her calm and as occupied as possible.
"What have you come to propose, Professor?" Darcy asked.
"There is an international competition for young duelers happening this year, in India," Flitwick answered. His eyes were alight with excitement. "I thought the pair of you might be interested in pursuing entering."
Elizabeth felt her lips spread into a grin of such caliber her face might tear in two. "An international competition?" she asked eagerly. "We would get to see styles of magic from various peoples across the world demonstrated?"
"By the best young practitioners, yes," Flitwick answered.
"And you think Miss Elizabeth and I could qualify for this competition?" Darcy asked, doubt infused into his voice.
Elizabeth felt a flare of anger and turned to glare at Darcy.
"I am speaking in terms of practicality and odds, not in doubt of your ability or mine," Darcy said flatly to Elizabeth, clearly determined not to be intimidated.
"I think each of you stands a good chance, yes," Flitwick answered. His eyes flicked between his dueling students with some amount of suspicion as he continued. "Each participating nation can bring four duelers. There is to be the first of several qualifying tournaments in two days. Assuming you agree, I will enroll you in London's. Dozens will come to participate, and many more so will come to observe."
"I am not able to use my wand off Hogwarts grounds yet, Professor," Elizabeth said dismally.
"I applied for a dispensation on your behalf several weeks ago," said Flitwick. "You were cleared for the tournament yesterday morning."
Elizabeth positively beamed. "I should very much like the chance to see other styles of magic practiced. I will be at the qualifying tournament."
"Excellent!" Flitwick exclaimed. "Mr. Darcy?"
"I will also attend," Darcy said, seeming to only be half present.
Flitwick expressed his pleasure several more times before taking his leave of the room at large, stepping into the fire, and disappearing.
"What has you so distracted, Mr. Darcy?" Elizabeth asked after watching him stare at the carpet in concentration for a full thirty seconds.
Darcy cleared his expression and allowed himself to smile at Elizabeth. "It is nothing," he said with all appearance of ease. "Let us join the rest of the party."
Author's Note
I hope you enjoyed the variety of character interactions in this chapter. I'm particularly curious what you thought of Lizzy and Bingley's conversation. Please consider sharing in a review.
Next chapter features some dueling! Woohoo!
