The week Lizzy spent at Longbourn was productive, if not pleasant. She and Mrs. Bennet had come to an uneasy truce; Mrs. Bennet largely left Lizzy to her own devices and did not openly scorn her daughter while Lizzy made it a practice to direct Kitty and Lydia to their mother for all things inconsequential. Such eased Mrs. Bennet's unpleasantness a great deal and if Kitty and Lydia later ignored her advice for that of Jane or Lizzy sought more privately, she remained none the wiser.

Mr. Bennet became even more engrossed in his estate responsibilities and was often gone from the house for hours at a time. He did make it a point to be home for dinner every evening, however, and was sure to ask after each of his daughters through the course of the meal and follow up on things they had told him previously. He and Lizzy were perfectly civil to each other, though there was little warmth between them.

Longbourn was most certainly no longer home for Lizzy Bennet.

"Ah, there is my favorite group of ladies!" Bingley joyously exclaimed as the Bennet sisters approached the clearing where Piper awaited them.

Lizzy greeted Bingley pleasantly, if with confusion, before turning to face Darcy with her arms crossed over her chest, her weight settled largely on one leg, and an arched eyebrow. He was leaned against one of his thestrals, smiling gently at her.

"You were to go directly to Hogwarts, I thought," Lizzy said as Darcy approached her.

"That was the plan, originally, but your sisters conspired against you," said Darcy as his grin became devilish.

"And you have no blame, I am sure," said Lizzy drily.

Darcy chose waving to a highly excited Lydia, who was wearing the new robes Lizzy had gifted her, over responding.

"What is it you have planned?" Lizzy asked resignedly.

"We are not expected to Hogwarts until curfew tomorrow," said Darcy. "I mean to take you to Diagon Alley."

"I have no need to go to Diagon Alley," Lizzy objected.

"I did not say you had a need to do so, merely that I mean to take you," said Darcy patiently. "I was not offered the chance to stow you away at Pemberley. Surely you can give me this, instead?"

Lizzy tried to fight her smile, but was entirely unsuccessful. "I am flattered by your offer, sir, but I mean to go with my sisters in Piper's carriage to Hogwarts."

Darcy sighed dramatically. "Have it your way, then," he said.

As Darcy opened the door to his carriage and dutifully helped Caroline out of it, though she looked decidedly displeased with being made to leave it, Lizzy sensed a charge in the atmosphere and began to feel uneasy. She slowly turned on her heel to see all her sisters, plus Bingley, looking at her with poorly concealed anticipation.

"What have you done?" Lizzy asked slowly.

"We shall see you tomorrow, Lizzy," said Jane pleasantly with a wave.

"You will be in the carriage with me for hours, J – oh!" Lizzy involuntarily squealed as her feet were relieved of her weight. "Fitzwilliam Darcy! Put me down this instant!"

Darcy did not comply. Instead, he carried a protesting Lizzy to his carriage and awkwardly shoved her inside, taking care to quickly settle his weight on part of her skirts to prevent her making a hasty escape.

"Darcy!" Lizzy laughingly objected, beginning to try to tug her skirts free. "My luggage!" she tried.

"I have a change of clothes for us both, Lizzy," said Mary nonchalantly, boarding the carriage and shutting the door.

"Are you the mastermind of this dastardly plot, Mary?" Lizzy asked as the carriage took to the sky.

"Well, I certainly had a part, but it was rather a collective effort," Mary answered coolly.

Lizzy looked expectantly at Darcy, making him laugh.

"All I did was express during one of Jane's calls to Netherfield that I missed spending time with you," said Darcy. "She and Bingley orchestrated the rest."

"Even to the point of picking me up and throwing me into your carriage like a sack of flour?" Lizzy asked.

"I think a sack of flour might have weighed more," Darcy quipped.

Lizzy scoffed good naturedly and turned back to Mary. "Out with it, Mary. I must know how this came to be."

Mary gave a gentle smile of amusement. "Bingley was very sympathetic to Darcy's plight," she offered. "He suggested a diversion on the way back to Hogwarts. Kitty and Lydia had the idea of Diagon Alley. Jane agreed and thought I might enjoy some time around unfamiliar minds, about which she was quite correct, so here I am.

"As for how you came to find yourself in your current predicament," Mary continued, looking pointedly at Darcy squishing Lizzy into the side of the carriage to limit her mobility, "we anticipated your resistance, but left the exact method of securing you to Darcy."

At Mary's look, Darcy scooted away from Lizzy, offering her the chance to rearrange herself comfortably, now that the danger of escape had passed. That Jane had suggested Mary would enjoy some time in isolation was not a falsehood, but it was Mary, herself, that insisted she go with Darcy and Lizzy. She had admitted to Darcy that she was pleased with the progress he had made toward mastering his thoughts, but still believed a chaperone was a mighty fine idea. Darcy had found himself agreeing against his will.

"How very boorish of you, sir," Lizzy cried in mock offense.

"Would any other method of getting you to the carriage have been successful?" Darcy asked archly.

Lizzy laughingly admitted that, no, it was unlikely. "And how are we to pass the time?" she asked. "I don't think you would find much interest in the topics of conversation my sisters and I would engage in, so I am quite at a loss."

"I plan to pass most of the time sleeping," Mary said enthusiastically. "Would you mind terribly if we drew the curtains on the window? Truly, I slept very ill most of the time at Longbourn."

Darcy readily complied to Mary's request. Expressing her gratitude, Mary laid herself out on the bench and balled up her outer layer to use as a pillow.

Lizzy was quick to shrug out of her own pelisse and spread it over Mary for use as a blanket.

Darcy eagerly grabbed Lizzy's hand and scooted a little closer to her. "I am so very glad the week is over," he said as he kissed her hand.

"So am I," Lizzy said with a great deal of relief.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Darcy asked.

Lizzy shook her head. "I think I told you all the important things when we met for walks."

"You're sure?" Darcy pressed.

Lizzy gave an easy smile and squeezed Darcy's hand. "I am well, Darcy."

"Then I will permit myself to begin complaining freely of just how very much I disliked being removed from you," Darcy said determinedly. "Being in the same room as you, and not being able to speak with you or touch you, was absolutely miserable. Please, Elizabeth, tell me you won't make me go through that again."

Lizzy met Darcy's pleading eyes with a blush. "Can we revisit such a topic when it comes closer to the end of the school term?"

"I would like an answer now," Darcy insisted.

"I did not enjoy the separation either," said Lizzy.

"Then we can acknowledge our relationship when next we go to Hertfordshire?" Darcy asked eagerly.

"Are you so sure you are willing to deal with Mrs. Bennet's effusions?"

Darcy's face darkened. "I will deal with whatever Mrs. Bennet might have to offer if it meant I had a place to censure her for her comments towards you and the right to comfort you in her presence."

Lizzy sighed contentedly and rested her head on Darcy's shoulder. "I will consider it," she said. "You may profess to be ready, but I don't know that I am."

"How did you leave things with Mr. and Mrs. Bennet?" Darcy asked cautiously.

"Better than last time," Lizzy said with a derisive chuckle. "We parted civilly. That is enough for now."

Darcy kissed thee top of Lizzy's head. They talked of inconsequential things until the carriage began to descend.

Lizzy gently woke Mary so she could make herself presentable again before getting out of the carriage.

Upon landing at their destination, Darcy stepped out and chatted with his coachman for a few minutes while the Bennet sisters changed, then offered an arm to each of them and proudly led them through the streets.

Lizzy's spirits were greatly lifted from the easy day of company. She saw numerous friends, both current and former students of Hogwarts, and met several of Darcy's. They went wherever they felt the impulse to go. When Lizzy suggested they go to the Thomas's to see if they might be welcome for dinner, Darcy and Mary readily agreed.

Zebulon had greeted Lizzy enthusiastically, and his parents were only too willing to host the company.

Lizzy was gratified to see Darcy act very much like himself, not an aloof shadow, during the meal and settled herself as close as possible to him when they again boarded his carriage after a pleasant evening spent with the Thomas family.

"Thank you again for the cloak, Darcy," Mary said as she began resettling into her improvised bed. Darcy had insisted on getting Lizzy and Mary both something, and Mary had chosen a new cloak, as she was in need of one anyway.

"You are most welcome, Mary," said Darcy. "I hope you will sleep well."

"My rest will certainly be better than at Longbourn," Mary mused. While Elizabeth was occupied with unlacing her boots, Mary gave Darcy a significant look. He nodded solemnly in response. Satisfied, Mary rolled onto her side, facing away from the couple.

"And are you pleased with your trinket, Elizabeth?" Darcy asked.

"You really did not have to get me anything, Darcy," Elizabeth said with a slight blush.

"I wanted to," Darcy said. "Have I truly made you uncomfortable?"

"No," Elizabeth answered. "I like my new Quidditch gloves very much. Thank you."

Darcy was greatly pleased by the answer and set his arm around Elizabeth's shoulders. "What should you like for your birthday?" he asked.

"My birthday passed months ago," Elizabeth yawned. With Longbourn behind her and having spent a day wandering Diagon Alley, she was quite low on energy.

"Yes, but I was not yet in a position to treat you to anything, then," Darcy pointed out. "I should like to get you a belated present."

"I don't need anything," Elizabeth half-mumbled. Already she was so relaxed and tired her speech was becoming lazy.

"That is not what I asked," Darcy insisted.

"A dragon of my own, then, so it can aide me when I try to slip past the one you intend on setting to guard the cellar you have set aside for me," Elizabeth said with a yawn.

Darcy chuckled. "No, I don't think I can let escape be that easy for you. Make another request."

Elizabeth's answer was a slight snore.

Darcy carefully went about resettling Elizabeth so she was laid out on the bench with her head in his lap. He gazed fondly at her sleeping face and, again, conceded Mary's wisdom. He enjoyed the moment far more for being exactly what it was than by wishing it was something else. He set his hand gently on Elizabeth's arm and drifted off to sleep, himself.


"What do you mean, that's not right?" Lydia burst.

Lizzy stifled a laugh as she felt Darcy tense beside her. The couple had spent more time studying in the library than their tower since returning from Easter holidays. As a result, Darcy, who excelled at Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts, had ended up becoming Lydia's tutor in the subjects. Lizzy knew Darcy was willing to help Lydia, but was often frustrated by the girl's impatience. She rarely interfered, preferring to see how Darcy worked the situation out, himself.

"I mean just that, Lydia," Darcy said in a very controlled voice. "The date you've written would not be an appropriate time to start brewing that potion."

"It's five weeks out from when Slughorn's problem says it would be needed, and five weeks is how long it takes to brew!" Lydia argued, jabbing her finger at her book.

"Read the instructions again," Darcy coached.

"Can't you just tell me?" Lydia whined.

"No," Darcy answered. "You'll learn it better if you come to the solution on your own. I have already given you a few hints."

Lydia huffed and pushed the book away from herself. "I give up," she grumbled.

Darcy looked toward the ceiling and was, to Lizzy, very obviously praying for patience.

Before Darcy was able to try a new tactic with Lydia, Professor Flitwick popped up into the unoccupied chair at the table. "Misses Bennet, Mr. Darcy," said the professor pleasantly.

"You want to talk to Lizzy and Darcy, don't you, Professor?" Lydia asked eagerly.

"Amusing as you always are, Miss Lydia, it is your sister and Mr. Darcy I have come to see," Flitwick acknowledged.

"Merlin be praised!" Lydia exclaimed. She slammed her Potions book shut, snatched up her bag, and scurried away.

"Lydia, no!" Darcy objected. "That assignment is due tomorrow!"

Lydia took no notice of Darcy's calling to her. In all likelihood, she was so focused on making it to the door she did not hear him at all.

Darcy glared at Lizzy, who was not bothering to conceal her smile. "Your help would have been welcome," he said, clearly annoyed.

Lizzy chose addressing her professor over responding to her irritated companion. "What is it you wish to discuss, Professor?"

"I have new information about the second round of qualifying tournaments," said Flitwick. "Yours, Miss Bennet, will be next week. Darcy, yours is the week after."

"We are not competing in the same tournament?" Lizzy asked.

"It will help your odds of making it to the last qualifying round," Flitwick answered. "I had little doubt the pair of you would make it through the first level. This second round is made of a much more narrow and refined pool of candidates, and I would rather not risk you two being made to go up against each other yet. So long as you are not pitted against each other, I believe you both have a good chance of making it into the international competition."

When Flitwick told Lizzy her tournament was to be held in Kent, she leapt at the opportunity she saw.

"I could visit Charlotte!" Lizzy exclaimed. "The tournament is on a Friday, is it not? I can compete, spend Saturday with Charlotte, travel on Sunday, and be back in time for my first class on Monday!"

"I do not think that would be a good idea," said Darcy.

"I did not ask you," Lizzy pointed out rather sharply. She turned back to Flitwick with a smile. "Please say you will allow it, Professor! You will already have to arrange for me to get off grounds. What is one more day before I travel back?"

"I have no objection to the scheme, but I will have to discuss it with Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall, as well as the Auror department," Flitwick assured.

Lizzy struggled not to roll her eyes. She was still quite displeased with the fact the Auror department was keeping close tabs on her.

"Getting you to your tournament should be no major issue, Mr. Darcy, as it is in Derbyshire," said Flitwick. "We can simply use the agreement already in existence that allows you to Pemberley when necessary."

Darcy nodded, but made no verbal reply. He wore his mask.

Lizzy frowned at Darcy's manners, but carried on with Flitwick pleasantly enough, working out the rest of the details required, until the educator left to finish arrangements.

"What do you have against me seeing Charlotte?" Lizzy hissed once Flitwick was gone.

"I have no objection to you seeing your friend," Darcy answered, allowing his façade to slip so Lizzy could see his great concern. "I worry about you traveling at all, but I am excessively worried about you being subjected to Lady Catherine. And I'm not fond of the idea of you being around Mr. Collins again, either!"

Lizzy laughed at Darcy's last comment. "Mr. Collins is such a simpleton, there's a good chance he's forgotten all about our last encounter!"

"You are a very memorable person, Elizabeth," Darcy pointed out. "I can assure you he has forgotten not a single detail of your refusal."

Lizzy blushed slightly, well aware that Darcy was speaking from his own experience. "Well, Collins is a married man now, at any rate, and so poses no threat to you, sir."

Darcy closed his eyes tightly and grit his teeth. Lizzy simply watched him and waited. When he had calmed down, he would speak again.

"If you are to stay with the Collinses, I would be shocked if Lady Catherine did not demand to meet their guest," Darcy said, apparently choosing to swallow further objections and abandon his adversity to Mr. Collins.

"So I will meet Lady Catherine," said Lizzy with a shrug. "It had to happen eventually."

"I would prefer to go about it in a more methodical manner. If she has heard about our courtship, Elizabeth, I fear how she may behave toward you," Darcy confessed.

Lizzy's eyes widened. "You think she will become violent?"

"Not physically so," said Darcy, "but she has a very fierce tongue and a calculating mind."

"Have I not the same?" Lizzy asked with some amusement.

"You exercise such talents to build others up," Darcy said. The expression on his face caused Lizzy's smile to faulter. "Lady Catherine uses them for destruction. Elizabeth, I am very worried she will try to ruin you."

Lizzy softened and set her hand on top of Darcy's. "I appreciate your concern, Darcy. It pleases me that you are so thoughtful. But I have not seen Charlotte for months now, and if I do not take advantage of this opportunity, I cannot think when the next one might present itself. If things were settled with my parents, it would be one thing, but we are both aware that is a very unstable connection at present."

"I could take you," said Darcy.

Lizzy chuckled. "I thought you wanted to avoid your aunt's ire. Would us arriving together into Kent not send her into a rage?"

Darcy mumbled unintelligibly.

"I mean to go if I can, Darcy," Lizzy said gently.

Darcy flipped his hand over, so his palm faced Elizabeth's, then gripped her hand firmly. "Please let me advise you on how to deal with her, then."

"Certainly," Elizabeth acquiesced.

"And let me send Fitzwilliam."

Elizabeth frowned at this. "Considering how you reacted the last time you saw your cousin, I am not sure that would be agreeable to you."

"Fitzwilliam may seek to annoy me often, and he does a fine job of it, but he is an honorable man and quite capable of handling Lady Catherine, as well as any other threat that may find out about this opportunity to get at you outside of Hogwarts," said Darcy.

Elizabeth tried to extract her hand, but Darcy would not let her. "If Lady Catherine does know about us, and if she has objections, I should rather deal with them, directly. Fitzwilliam is not involved in this."

Darcy had to consciously work not to crush the hand he held. "Elizabeth, you know your mother better than I do, do you not?"

"What does – "

"Please answer."

"Of course I know Mrs. Bennet better than you do," Elizabeth said confusedly.

"When we planned for Easter, I said I would prefer to acknowledge our relationship. You asked that we not do so because of how Mrs. Bennet would behave. I did not like it, still do not, but did as you said because you know your family and the best way to handle them. Lady Catherine is my family, Elizabeth, and I know the best way to handle her."

"Sometimes I wish you were not half so reasonable as you are," Elizabeth said sullenly.

"Then I can write Fitzwilliam?" Darcy asked hopefully.

"Yes, write him," Elizabeth grudgingly agreed. "I imagine he would find some business in Kent next week one way or another."

Darcy grinned. "Well, you know Fitzwilliam. He's not the most predictable of persons and likes to show up in the oddest places."

"Just know that, as this is your plan, I will not tolerate any foul mood from you because Fitzwilliam and I will be in company while you are still here at Hogwarts," Elizabeth pointed out with a satisfied smirk.

Darcy's face clouded again, but he bit back his retort. No, he did not want Fitzwilliam to be around Elizabeth without him there, but he was willing to suffer through it to keep Malfoy and Wickham at bay, as well as to guard Elizabeth from Lady Catherine, since he could not risk doing so in this particular instance.


The evening that Elizabeth was to return to Hogwarts from her tournament, Darcy paced the entrance hall, impatient for her arrival. He did not like being left in the dark. Flitwick had stubbornly refused to tell Darcy how Elizabeth had done in her duels, and Darcy had no idea as to what may have resulted from Elizabeth meeting Lady Catherine.

"Are you expecting someone, sir?"

Darcy turned so quickly toward Elizabeth's voice his neck popped. "Elizabeth! Were you not to take one of the Hogwarts carriages? I've been watching for it."

"And I am glad to see you, as well," said Elizabeth cheekily as she approached.

Darcy could not settle on a question to ask first, and so simply stared at Elizabeth when she stopped before him.

"Lady Catherine does not know of our attachment," Elizabeth offered after a few moments. "She seems quite taken with me, in fact. When Fitzwilliam mentioned that I studied under Headmaster Dumbledore, she almost immediately offered me use of her fireplace connected to the floo network for my return. I was able to stay with Charlotte for nearly two days complete!"

Darcy released a breath he had not realized he was holding. He was so very relieved Elizabeth had not been made to face Lady Catherine's rage. He asked after Charlotte. Elizabeth's face lit with joy as she recounted her time with her friend, and Darcy found himself very glad she had insisted on going. Seeing Charlotte had done her a great deal of good.

"Are you not going to ask me about the tournament, sir?" Elizabeth asked archly after finishing telling him how Charlotte fared.

"I would be more than happy to hear about it, but I knew the moment I saw you that you had made it through," Darcy said with a proud smile.

"Perhaps I am pleased enough with having seen my friend that my disappointed hopes have been temporarily forgotten."

Darcy gave Elizabeth a flatly disbelieving look that made her laugh.

"Oh, very well," Elizabeth said with a grin. "I will compete in the final qualifying tournament for England that is to be held at the beginning of May."

Darcy's face split into a wide, genuine smile and would have asked for details of her duel if not for the clock announcing the impending curfew. She promised to tell him all at breakfast.

"Oh, do I get to sit with you in the morning?" Darcy asked lightly.

"Well, if you would prefer to keep company with your letters of business, I will seek other amusement," Elizabeth said haughtily, and began stepping away.

Darcy quickly reached out to stop Elizabeth's progress. Both laughed at being teased by the other, settled on a time to meet in the morning, and went to their common rooms happy.


Lizzy was disappointed to receive an owl from Darcy instead of the man himself. His letter promised he would tell her all about his tournament upon his return, though that would not be for a day or two yet. He had, unsurprisingly, visited Pemberley while in Derbyshire, and believed his attention was needed at the estate.

Five days passed, in total, before Darcy came back to Hogwarts.

"Darcy!" Lizzy exclaimed upon seeing him. "What's happened? You look exhausted!" She set her hands on either side of his face to turn it this way and that to make better observations.

Darcy reached up and gently wrapped his hands around Elizabeth's. He closed his eyes and gave a contented sigh.

"Darcy, what has happened?" Lizzy asked lowly. She could feel stubble on Darcy's face. He was usually so fastidiously clean shaven.

Rather than answer, Darcy began leading Lizzy through the halls until opening the door to their tower, which had seen little use outside tending Menace. As soon as the door closed, he wrapped his arms tightly around Lizzy.

When Lizzy felt Darcy shudder, she immediately began whispering soothing endearments to him, encouraging him to speak when he was ready. Still in his embrace, she gently rubbed his back. A loud meow from Menace led her to look around slightly, and she noticed that, though Darcy had tightly closed his eyes, tears were beginning to leak out. She managed to bring him to the floor, where she settled his head onto her shoulder, which was soon damp.

"William, what can I do to help?" Lizzy asked earnestly once Darcy was spent.

Menace seemed to be in the same frame of mind as Lizzy, for he climbed into Darcy's lap and curled himself up. After clearing his face, Darcy occupied his hands with stroking the comforting weight settled on his person.

"I didn't do enough," Darcy said hoarsely. "I didn't do enough, and people are dead because of it."

Lizzy rearranged herself so she was facing Darcy and took one of his hands in both of her own. She chose not to say anything. When he was ready, Darcy would reveal all.

"While I was competing – I'll be going with you in May, by the way – a fire was started on Pemberley grounds," said Darcy.

Lizzy bit back a gasp, certain Darcy would appreciate minimal interruptions.

"The Millers and Robertsons, we talked about them in Transfiguration once, are dead. Every last one of them. They were sealed inside their homes. Neighbors tried to put out the fires, but water had no effect."

"Fiendfyre?" Lizzy suggested when Darcy stopped to swallow heavily. At his nod, she asked, "Is there any chance they might have upset a local witch or wizard so terribly?"

"They almost certainly did not, but I have greatly upset two wizards who have no morals," said Darcy miserably, "and I did almost nothing to protect my tenants against them."

Lizzy felt white-hot anger lick her insides instantly. "If it was Malfoy or Wickham – "

"Who else?" Darcy weakly scoffed.

"If it was Malfoy or Wickham, their actions are theirs, and theirs alone, William," Lizzy insisted. She grabbed Darcy's face and made him look at her. "You are not to blame for the deaths of the Millers and Robertsons."

"They were my responsibility, Elizabeth, and the same goes for those that perished trying to fight the fire!" Darcy suddenly shouted. He shoved himself roughly off the floor, sending Menace running for cover, and began pacing. "I am responsible for everything that happens at Pemberley! I should have protected them better! Hired extra wands, set enchantments on the boundaries, something!"

Lizzy felt no fear of Darcy's rage, only an increase in sorrow. She knew he was not truly angry with her, but with himself, and she so desperately wanted to help him. She had to wait for an opportunity, however. Presently, Darcy was too highly wound for her to have any chance.

"He waited for me to be close to home, Elizabeth!" Darcy continued to fume. "If I had just stayed here, at Hogwarts, my tenants – "

When Darcy suddenly stopped and choked on his words, Lizzy seized her opportunity. She leapt to her feet and wrapped her arms around Darcy's middle. After only a moment, he returned her embrace and buried his face in her neck. Lizzy moved one of her hands to the back of Darcy's head, holding him in place.

"I understand this is hard for you, William, and you have every reason to be upset," Lizzy said gently. "Please, do not let Malfoy or Wickham win further victory by continuing to torture yourself with blame." She felt his muscles tense as if to pull away from her, but increased her grip in response to prevent it. "If this effort had failed, he would have found another way. There is only so much you can control."

"But I – "

"No," Lizzy interrupted firmly. "If I am not allowed to take blame for decisions Malfoy made, neither are you."

"Matthew Robertson wasn't even three years of age," Darcy barely whispered.

"If you could have, William, you would have saved them."

"Saving and preventing are two dif – "

Lizzy moved to hold Darcy's face exactly before her own and locked eyes with him. "Your steward is a wizard, is he not?"

Darcy seemed confused by the line of questioning, but answered when Lizzy furrowed her brows just that much more. "Stewards. I have three at Pemberley, currently. I knew I would be much occupied at Hogwarts and wanted to assure everything would be well taken care of."

Lizzy felt appreciation for Darcy swell within her, but kept her focus on the task at hand. "And they are attentive men, are they not? They do their duty well?"

"I would not have hired them, otherwise," Darcy said with a bit of fight.

"Then perhaps blame should lay with them," Lizzy said fiercely. "They failed to notice enemies on your property, which you entrusted to their care."

Darcy's face fell to rage and he quickly pulled himself free of Lizzy. She, just as quickly, re-ensnared him.

"You are a good and careful landlord, William, that does everything in his power to make sure those under his care are well provided for and protected. You, quite rightly, will not allow your stewards to take blame, and I will not allow you to do so," Lizzy said firmly. With sudden softness, she continued, "The path you are traveling down leads to madness, William. Mourn the loss of your tenants, by all means, but do not torture yourself for the actions of another."

Fight fled Darcy instantly and he collapsed against Lizzy. "I will try," he promised after several minutes. "I will need your help, Elizabeth."

"I offer it gladly," Elizabeth said, and she kissed Darcy's temple. She felt Darcy's fingers dig into her back as a response.

Abruptly, Darcy pulled away. He cleared his throat a few times before finally addressing Lizzy, who was watching him warily.

"Thank you, Elizabeth, for being here for me. In the last few days, I found myself wishing you were there often," Darcy said with unabashed honesty. "Curfew is almost upon us, but please say you will stay by my side as much as possible in the coming days."

"Of course," Lizzy readily acquiesced.

Darcy fervently kissed Lizzy's hands, quickly bid her goodnight, and exited with haste.

Lizzy pondered Darcy's rapid departure on her way back to Gryffindor Tower, but soon abandoned that train of thought for another. She had never truly considered just how much responsibility Darcy shouldered: a great estate, the rearing of his sister, the last man of his name, to name a few. Anyone would struggle, and he was only nineteen. As she settled in for a fitful sleep full of flaming creatures, Lizzy came to the implacable decision she would learn all she could about estate management and do whatever she could to ease Darcy's great burden.


Author's Note

You didn't REALLY think Malfoy and/or Wickham would just disappear, did you? What fun would that be? Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the various fun bits before the crushing completion of this chapter.

Look, fam, I'm still going to update twice a week (hopefully), but I doubt I'll be able to stick to much of a schedule. With all this Corona Virus stuff, I'm not able to do my usual work, and so my routine is all kinds of jacked up. I hope all of you and your families are doing well.

Let me know what you think of this chapter!