Darcy returned from changing and panicked when he saw no movement from Elizabeth's bed. He ripped back the curtains, desperately hoping she had not escaped the wing, and breathed an impressive sigh of relief when he saw she had fallen asleep. He left the hangings partially open and fell back into his chair, then ran a hand he had not realized was shaking over his face.
Again, Elizabeth did not look at peace. Her fists were balled in the sheets and her brows were tightly drawn together. All the same, Darcy supposed she was better off sleeping fitfully than not sleeping at all. When she quickly turned her head, he carefully pulled her hair out of her face so she could breathe without obstruction. Satisfied she was as comfortable as possible, Darcy conjured a small table for himself, pulled his books that Higgins had thrown into his trunk out, and set to work on his assignments.
Several hours passed before Bingley escorted Kitty into the wing.
Kitty rushed over immediately and flung back the curtains surrounding Elizabeth's bed. "Why do you just lay there, Lizzy?" she asked. "Come now, sit up. I shall stay here through lunch to keep you entertained."
As Kitty clambered into bed with Elizabeth, Darcy felt himself frown. How long had Elizabeth been awake? Had she just been staring blankly ahead, that horribly despondent face he had seen just a few times firmly in place?
Bingley cleared his throat, then gestured off to the side when Darcy looked over.
"How bad is it?" Darcy asked lowly as he and Bingley walked to the opposite end of the wing.
"Malfoy's been suspended. Pending a hearing, he will be expelled. Dumbledore could do it without the hearing, but I suspect he wants to follow social niceties to avoid unnecessary scandal. Malfoy's wand's been taken in for inspection," Bingley whispered.
"Good," Darcy growled. "But what about everyone else? What do they know?"
"Jane was able to confer with Jo, Phoebe, and Zebulon at breakfast. As far as everyone is concerned, Lizzy fell ill again from trying to do too much at once," said Bingley.
Darcy gave a single nod and began pacing a tight circle.
"Dumbledore's been at the Ministry most of the day," Bingley continued. "I'm not quite sure where McGonagall's gone, but she cancelled all her morning classes."
Darcy waved off the additional information. "What's the reaction to Malfoy's suspension?"
"It was done quietly," Bingley answered promptly. "Slughorn handled it. You know how good he is at soothing people's nerves. No one is talking much of it."
"So it may seem," Darcy said darkly. "When was Malfoy pulled? At breakfast?"
"Slughorn fetched him from the dormitories."
"When?" Darcy insisted.
"Just before breakfast, I believe."
Darcy raked his hand through his hair. "Things are not as calm as they seem, then. Malfoy had time to tell others what happened. His friends will know what is going on. They'll be reporting to him. Might even continue his work for him, depending on what he offered."
Bingley's eyes hardened. "I hadn't thought of that."
"You're privileged to have not dealt with Malfoy quite as much as I have," Darcy said bitterly.
"What do you suggest doing?" Bingley asked.
Darcy paused pacing, looked skyward, and sighed heavily. He provided Bingley a short list of names he thought most likely to carry on in Malfoy's stead. "I think you must share this information with Jane, Josephine, Phoebe, and Zebulon. Between the lot of us, we can keep a close eye on these threats. Mary, Kitty, and Lydia should be looked after very carefully. With Elizabeth up here, a secondary target might do just as well."
"Silas and Albert will help too," said Bingley with a nod. "Jo might have another trustworthy name to add. I'll check with her."
"And Bingley?" Darcy said as Bingley made to turn away. "Have you given up Netherfield yet?"
Bingley shook his head. "I've decided to keep it at least until Jane and I marry. If the Bennet girls return to Longbourn, I want to be nearby."
"Excellent," sad Darcy. "Perhaps you might prevail upon the Hursts to return there. I am glad Malfoy is not here at Hogwarts, but that does make him more dangerous, to a degree. He might seek his retribution on Mr. and Mrs. Bennet."
Bingley's eyes widened. "You think him that – "
"I do," said Darcy with conviction.
Bingley's face became hard as stone. "I'll write to Louisa and Reggie immediately. They'll be on their way at first light tomorrow, so long as Louisa can stomach the journey."
"Thank you, Charles," Darcy said, breathing a sigh of relief.
"No need to thank me, Darcy," said Bingley. "I'm just as invested in the future of the Bennets as you are.
"Now, have you had an opportunity to sleep?" Bingley asked.
Darcy started at the sudden change in topic. "I have not."
"Silas is on break after lunch. I'll return now and fill him in on everything. He will come to relieve you in half an hour," said Bingley. "While he is here, you will lay claim to one of these beds and rest."
"I – "
"You'll not do anyone any good, Lizzy especially, if you collapse from exhaustion," said Bingley. "Silas will be here shortly." He turned on his heel and walked back to Elizabeth and Kitty without another word.
Darcy made his way over a few moments later, somewhat in a daze. He had not realized how tired he was until Bingley mentioned it.
"…and Professor Sprout said she would like to keep my drawing to use in future classes," Kitty was saying with enthusiasm.
"I'm very impressed, Kitty," Elizabeth said with a weak smile. "Professor Sprout has very exacting standards."
"Everyone's been asking me to check their diagrams for them, now," said Kitty pridefully, drawing herself up taller.
Elizabeth's smile widened just a bit more. "You always have done pretty sketches."
Kitty preened for a moment, basking in her sister's compliment. "Well, I think I've talked long enough," she said. "How have you been passing your time, Lizzy? Are you truly feeling well? I know I should be quite shaken if – "
"I am fine, Kitty, thank you," said Elizabeth with finality. "I would be pleased to hear more about your past week."
"That will have to wait," said Bingley. "I'm afraid, Kitty, I've forgotten some very pressing matters to discuss with someone. It needs to be done now, while everyone's still at lunch and I have the opportunity."
"I know my way down to the Great Hall well enough, Charles," said Kitty with a laugh. "I do not need your escort."
"I promised Jane I would make sure you did not hide away here during your afternoon classes," Bingley said teasingly. "Come. We can return at dinner."
"Jane worries too much," said Kitty with a laugh. She turned back to Lizzy, gave her a hug, and hopped off the bed. "Perhaps Hattie and I will be able to make it out to the greenhouses to grab you some flowers before I return, Lizzy. This wing is so dreadfully dull looking!"
Bingley offered his arm to Kitty, who waved at Lizzy, and was then gone.
Elizabeth seemed to drain of energy the moment the door closed behind her sister. Her eyes dulled, her weak smile slackened to nothing, and bags seemed to develop under her eyes instantaneously.
Darcy hated the empty look on Elizabeth's face. "Is there something I can get for you, Miss Bennet?" he asked gently.
"No," Elizabeth said quietly. She picked up her Transfiguration book and bent her head over it so her still-loose hair obstructed her face from Darcy's view.
A house elf appeared with a tray for both Elizabeth and Darcy. Darcy thought it might do Elizabeth good to be out of her bed for a while, so cleared the table he had conjured for himself and set his tray down on one end. "Would you join me?" he asked, gesturing to the empty end of the table.
Elizabeth shrugged and set her feet over the edge of her bed to get down.
Darcy hurried out of his chair. He grabbed Elizabeth's tray before she could and set it down, then drew her a chair and held it for her. She accepted his chivalry with quiet thanks.
"I trust your sister's visit was pleasant?" Darcy ventured after a few quiet minutes.
"It does please me that Kitty has become so confident in her own abilities," Elizabeth answered. She did not look up from her plate as she did so.
"She seems much changed since the summer."
"Yes," Elizabeth said quietly.
"Improved, I suppose I should have said," Darcy flustered. He was truly concerned by Elizabeth's reticence. "She and your youngest sister."
"Jane and I strategized long ago how we might get them to become sensible young witches," Elizabeth said with a hint of bitterness.
"I congratulate you on your efforts," said Darcy. He knew the cause of Elizabeth's tart tone was that she would rather proper decorum had been enforced by another pair of persons. "Perhaps you and Miss Bennet should convince the Ministry to take you on as military consultants. After managing three fiercely independent younger sisters so well, I should think a few soldiers should prove no challenge at all."
He had hoped to make Elizabeth laugh, but she remained completely somber.
"Jane has planned to work at St. Mungo's in the past," she said. "I am not sure what she hopes to do any longer. If Bingley were to actually purchase an estate, I would think being its mistress would be occupation enough."
"And you?" Darcy dared to ask. He could sense an increased melancholy from Elizabeth at her admission that Jane had not confided future plans to her.
"I am not sure," Elizabeth answered honestly. "I haven't wanted to tie myself down to one thing or another."
Darcy wished Elizabeth would look up from her food. She was not eating it, anyway, merely pushing it around with her fork. "May I ask what some of the options are you're considering?"
Elizabeth shrugged. "Auror. Shopkeeper. Quidditch player. Reporter. Those are a few."
Darcy detected no significant enthusiasm for one answer over another. He thought a moment before saying, "What about being a professor? You're well praised for your tutoring, and you certainly possess the ability to manage others."
At this, Darcy thought he might have seen Elizabeth's lips twitch slightly toward a smile. "Perhaps," she said quietly. "Kitty and Lydia would have to finish their schooling, first."
"Ah, yes, I can well imagine Miss Lydia threatening her classmates constantly with the fact that she held considerable sway with the influential Professor Bennet," Darcy said teasingly. He was well rewarded for his effort, as Elizabeth finally looked up with a spark in her eye.
"She would be sorely disappointed on that score," Elizabeth said with a hint of her usual wit.
Before Darcy could continue to press his advantage, Silas Diggory swept into the hospital wing and descended on the table.
"Merlin's beard, Lizzy!" Silas burst, drawing himself a seat and collapsing into it. "Bingley just told me the news! I'd curse Malfoy into the next century if I could, though I would feel exceptionally sorry for the poor sods saddled with him." He turned to Darcy just long enough to say, "I envy you for being able to cross wands with him!"
Elizabeth's lips narrowed at Silas, and Darcy hurried to intervene before Silas could say something that would truly upset her.
"Malfoy was well in hand by the time I came upon the scene," said Darcy, glancing at Elizabeth to see her cross her arms over her chest and lean back in her seat. "What's done is done, and we're all furious with Malfoy. I don't see the need to continue with this conversation. Why not speak of other things?"
"A fair point," said Silas, "though I doubt you will like my next topic. I'm under strict orders from Bingley to see to it that you go lie down for a few minutes, Darcy."
Darcy considered arguing, but he saw a flicker of concern in Elizabeth's eyes for him, and that convinced him well enough. He thanked Silas for coming, then retreated to another hospital bed, drew the curtains, and almost immediately fell asleep.
"Well, Lizzy, how shall we pass the time?" Silas asked pleasantly. "I hope you won't be offended if I suggest something outside the realm of academia. I just took a test in Ancient Runes and am desperate for something mindless."
Lizzy stirred herself to behave normally. She knew well enough the true reason for Silas's presence; he was there to keep watch on whoever might walk through the hospital wing doors. He would serve his office well, but still, Lizzy did not feel she could operate without pretention like she had with Darcy. With Silas, she needed to pretend all was well.
"Have you any cards, then?" Lizzy asked. She recognized her tone sounded bright and was thankful for it, for her mood certainly did not match.
Silas dug through his bag until retrieving a well-worn deck. "A game of war?" he asked. "That is just about the right level of mental effort I wish to use at the moment."
Lizzy heard herself laugh. "You must be spent, indeed!"
Silas confirmed he was and began recounting his exam as he shuffled, then dealt.
"I thought you wanted mindless chatter, Silas, not to relive your harrowing morning," Lizzy said smartly as she and he began flipping cards.
"You are completely correct, Lizzy," said Silas. "What shall we talk of, then? I find I'm unable to come up with other topics."
"Tell me of your new nephew," Lizzy suggested.
Silas was only too happy to do so, and Lizzy was pleased to hear tales of the infant's antics and the devotion of his family.
"My sister is determined she doesn't want to go back to her full-time job," said Silas as he restacked his cards. He had nearly two thirds of the deck in hand, leaving Lizzy at a decided disadvantage. "She says she might take on a few students that are receiving their education from private tutors. She's got quite an affinity for charms, you know."
"That would be marvelously convenient for her," said Lizzy. "She would be able to determine when she worked, and so continue to spend a great deal of time with her son."
"She would also be able to choose who she worked with," said Silas with a snort. "I'll have to warn her not to take on Malfoy."
"Take on Malfoy?" Lizzy asked sharply. She felt cards crumple in her hand. Why would Malfoy need tutors to complete his education?
"He's suspended," said Silas conversationally, flipping another card. "Your turn, Lizzy."
Lizzy hurriedly set a card down as her heart began to pound. "Suspended?" she choked out.
"Of course," said Silas, pushing the two cards on the table toward Lizzy and putting another down. "Dumbledore couldn't very well keep him here after he attacked you. No, Malfoy's been suspended. Expelled, too, if there's any sense in whoever sits on the panel for his hearing."
Lizzy slammed her cards on the table and put her head between her hands. This could not be happening! She had thought to keep the matter between herself and Malfoy; they would settle things somehow, likely though another duel, and everything would fall back into some sort of normal. Now that he was being publicly called out things were much, much messier. Malfoy believed himself above the law, and to be subjected to it would infuriate him. Lizzy thought she could predict how he might react very well.
She had been a fool to submit to being made to stay in the hospital wing, and even more of one to allow herself to think she could relax and let things simmer for a bit before addressing them again.
Lizzy felt herself pulling at her hair as her chest tightened. Malfoy was not stupid enough to think he would be able to get at her again with any ease. There were plenty of other people he could go after, however. How was she going to keep her sisters from harm? Her parents? How would he make them suffer because she had the audacity to survive her encounter with him unscathed?
"Lizzy?" Silas asked carefully, and gently touched her shoulder.
Lizzy leapt out of her seat and heard it fall back against the ground. "I want to see Dumbledore," she snapped. "This cannot happen! Malfoy must be brought back, and we'll all pretend nothing's happened. This has to stay between me and him!" Her fingers curled into fists as she began pacing.
"Lizzy, come on, now, be reasonable!" Silas chided. "Malfoy behaved as a criminal, and so he shall be treated as one! This will free you of him!"
"It most certainly will not!" Lizzy shouted. She felt as if someone had put her in a corset and was tightening the strings mercilessly. She could barely breathe.
"Diggory, isn't it time for you to return to class?"
How could all this be undone? How could Elizabeth fix the situation to protect her sisters from harm?
"I still have –" Silas stopped abruptly and his tone changed from nonchalance to contrite obedience. "Yes, you're right, Darcy, I should go."
Elizabeth began wringing her hands as she stomped. She barely heard the door close behind Silas.
"Elizabeth."
Perhaps she could speak with Magical Law Enforcement and convince them she did not want the matter to go through the courts. Surely, as the innocent party in all this, they would accede to her wishes.
"Elizabeth," said Darcy again, slightly louder.
What if they wouldn't listen? What if they put Malfoy through a trial, anyway? She supposed she could try to arrange for Mary, Kitty, and Lydia to stay at Hogwarts over breaks, that way Malfoy would not have any sort of access to them until they were able to use their wands freely. She would train them in dueling, in the meantime.
"Elizabeth!"
Elizabeth stopped her furious pacing abruptly, her shoulders being held gently, yet firmly, by Mr. Darcy.
"You are going to hurt yourself if you do not calm down," Darcy advised.
Elizabeth ripped herself free of Darcy's grasp. "Calm down?" she asked frantically. "I most certainly will not calm down! Can't you see how Malfoy will take all this? He will blame me for his misfortunes! He knows it'll be difficult to get at me again, so he'll go for my family! I may not like him, but I recognize he has a great many friends and a good deal of influence. How am I supposed to keep him from harming my family in retaliation for being so publicly denounced?"
Elizabeth found herself quite overwhelmed by the magnitude of the situation. She collapsed on the floor, setting her elbows on her knees and her face in her hands.
"This should not be happening!" Elizabeth moaned. "I should be dealing with this privately."
"Elizabeth."
Elizabeth could not resist the soft beckon, and she exposed her face to find Darcy had set himself on his knees in front of her.
"Your friends are looking out for your sisters," Darcy said gently. "Josephine, Phoebe, and Zebulon are going to keep a very close eye on Lydia. You know them well enough. They'll see her to every one of her classes, sit with her at meals, go wherever she goes with her friends. Jane and Bingley will do the same for Kitty and will enlist Albert's help. Mary is in possession of a very fine advanced warning system and will be watched over by Silas. I intend to ask Higgins and Leah to tend her also."
"My parents," Elizabeth heard herself croak.
"Bingley is sending the Hursts back to Netherfield," Darcy answered. "I intend to ask a few of my own servants in possession of wands to go with them to be of assistance. You are not alone in seeing to the safety of your family."
Elizabeth shuddered powerfully. When she continued to tremble, she was shocked to discover she had started to cry. The realization made the crying escalate to full on sobs.
Strong arms wrapped around Elizabeth and she leaned into the embrace. She found absolutely no desire to object when she was pulled into Darcy's lap. He began to rock her slightly, one arm holding her in place and the other hand occupied with stroking her hair. He alternated between gently shushing her and assuring her she and her family would be looked after.
Elizabeth was not sure how long she sat in Darcy's arms, but by the time she had spent her tears, she was limp with exhaustion. She raised her head and pushed against Darcy's chest to indicate he could release her, but he did not.
"I am feeling much better now, Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth said hoarsely. "You can let me go."
"I can," said Darcy. He tucked her head back against his shoulder and set his chin on top of it. "That does not mean I have to."
Elizabeth found she did not want to be let go, either, but felt she had taken enough of Darcy's time. She pulled back enough to be able to look at his face. "Thank you for your kindness," she said as steadily as she was able. "You do not need to feel obligated to continue."
"I am not obligated," said Darcy, his eyes intense as they locked onto hers. "I would very much like to be of assistance to you in whatever way I can."
"Why?" Elizabeth breathed.
Darcy's eyes softened and a very slight smile came to his face. "As I said before, Elizabeth. I genuinely care about you. I want you to be well. I want you to be happy. I want you to be safe."
Elizabeth did not realize until that moment just how much she wanted to hear such words from someone, and how welcome they were from Darcy. She knew he meant them. She had seen him care for his sister, seen the way his eyes lit up when he talked about her and how much he shared her pain and discomfort. He did not seek to control Georgiana or bend her to his will. He only wanted her to be content and to provide her every comfort possible. And he wanted to do the same for Elizabeth. Finally, she had clarity regarding Darcy.
Lizzy threw her arms around Darcy's neck and pressed her head against his shoulder. "Thank you," she whispered. She felt herself smile as Darcy's arms wound around her, returning the hug.
Darcy closed his eyes in contentment and turned his head to bury his face in Elizabeth's curls. He began drawing circles on her back with his thumbs as he reveled in her affection. Had it truly been so simple? Had that truly been all she needed, all she wanted? Had she truly felt so alone that such easy, heartfelt assurances and a caring embrace had broken through?
Far too soon, Elizabeth pulled back and sat on her heels. Darcy felt his face split into a smile unbidden as she settled her hair over one shoulder, gave a great sniff, and then looked at him. He saw more tranquility in her countenance now than he had in months.
"I'm making a habit of dirtying your robes, it seems," Elizabeth said thickly after a moment. She gestured to where her face had pressed while she was crying and laughed lightly. Darcy did not think he had ever heard such a pleasing sound. Somehow, it now had a different quality than all the times he had heard it before.
"I find I can tolerate the need to change well enough," Darcy answered easily. "Truly, do you feel as well as you look?"
"As well as I look?" Elizabeth asked with a chuckle. She wiped at her eyes. "Yes, I'm sure every lady looks absolutely radiant after such a session of hysterics as I just experienced. Red eyes and a swollen nose are very becoming."
"You look relaxed, Elizabeth," Darcy said, and he meant it. "And you were very entitled to that 'session of hysterics,' as you called it." He stood, then offered his hand to Elizabeth. Once she was on her feet, he did not release her immediately, waiting to see how she would react. She squeezed his hand quickly before letting it go and went to the bag Lydia had brought her earlier.
"Have you any other news to give?" Elizabeth asked as she pulled out a handkerchief and went about trying to set her face to rights.
"You told Silas you wanted to see Dumbledore," said Darcy. "Is that still true?"
"Yes," Elizabeth readily answered. "I want to know exactly what is going to be happening in the coming weeks."
"Then you'll be happy to know Dumbledore intends on coming by after he is through with all his meetings at the Ministry, if I understood him correctly very early this morning."
"You didn't sleep?" Elizabeth asked.
Darcy shook his head.
"You must be exhausted!" Elizabeth exclaimed through a blush.
"I am well enough," Darcy answered. His weariness was worth Elizabeth's safety and current ease.
"When Charles comes back with whatever of my sisters, you are to go lay down," Elizabeth ordered.
"Very well," Darcy replied. He felt his face relax into contentment. Elizabeth was concerned for him.
Darcy settled back at his table, intending to return to his assignments. Surely Elizabeth was now tired and wanted to rest. He could entertain himself well enough and was happy to leave Elizabeth with the opportunity to recover.
"Mr. Darcy."
"Hm?" Darcy said, looking up from his work to meet Elizabeth's eyes. His features began to tighten as he noticed the discomfort on Elizabeth's face. She had her hands behind her back, and he felt confident she was fidgeting with them a great deal.
Elizabeth started trying to speak, but had to clear her throat before she succeeded in making any sound. "Where does this leave us?"
"Pardon?" Darcy asked quickly. He felt hope swell in his chest and tried to tamp it down, fearful of such hope being disappointed.
Elizabeth looked very uncomfortable, indeed. After a moment longer, however, she seemed to strengthen her resolve. She met Darcy's gaze and her hands came to her sides. "We have shared quite an eventful twenty-four hours and have had some other interactions of note before that. I find I am curious to know more about you and explore some new understandings I have developed. So, I ask again: where does this leave us?"
Darcy had no recollection of rising from his seat and moving to stand exactly before Elizabeth, and rather closer than would be considered acceptable. He looked down into her face and desperately wished they could be off to get married that instant. He controlled the impulse to ask for her hand with herculean difficulty. There were yet obstacles to be overcome before he could be certain of a favorable answer.
"Elizabeth, would you allow me to court you?" Darcy asked with a dry mouth.
Elizabeth's face instantly brightened and her eyes lit with delightful mischief. "Yes, Mr. Darcy, I think I will," she said pertly. She had opened her mouth to make some other witty remark, but Darcy never heard it.
She had said yes! Darcy burst out laughing, then gleefully picked Elizabeth up and spun her in circles, eliciting giggles, before setting her back down and engulfing her in a hug.
"Be careful how you behave, sir, or it will become common knowledge that you are not as formidable as your constant expression would have people believe!" Elizabeth said laughingly, pushing against Darcy to be released.
"People may think whatever the wish, I find I don't care in the slightest," Darcy said with a smile. He tightened his grip as Elizabeth pushed against him again.
"Even if they should try to engage you in tedious talk about the latest fashions?" Elizabeth teased. "Surely, if a man smiles like such a fool at a woman, he must be willing to talk of such frivolous topics! What else could he be interested in, but the most vapid of things?"
Darcy released his grip enough that he could look down at Elizabeth's radiant face. "I hardly think that the man lucky enough to be in possession of your favor could be thought foolish."
Elizabeth blushed prettily, then ducked out of his arms to grab her bag of books. She sat at the table Darcy had drawn and began settling her texts about her. "Who would have thought you to be so skilled at flattery?" she said lightly.
"There are a great many things at which I possess talent that the world does not often get to see," said Darcy smoothly, taking his seat across Elizabeth. "I should be happy to share them with you."
"You will spoil me, Darcy, and make my head grow quite large," Elizabeth laughed.
"I confess I do hope to spoil you thoroughly," Darcy said with a grin. "As for the size of your head, I am confident in the ability of your friends to keep you in check. No, I am determined I shall give you whatever you wish, and hang the consequences in the eyes of society."
Elizabeth smirked and blushed anew at the same time, then suggested working on Defense Against the Dark Arts. Darcy readily agreed and, throughout the next few hours, took advantage of every opportunity he could find to hold Elizabeth's hand, touch knees under the table, and say her name.
Author's Note
They're so flippity-dippin PRECIOUS. Several people have commented on the fact that Lizzy seems a little too bitter in this story. I hope the last couple chapters have shed light on why that is.
Questions? Concerns? Random thoughts? I'd love to know about them. Leave a review!
