SHARING THE SUNLIGHT WITH THE FREE - THE DAWN
Chapter Ten
Faint rays of morning sunlight were straying through the curtained windows. Aurelia opened a bleary eye and stretched, pulling aside the bed-curtains as she did so.
The first thing that came to mind was the start of the Christmas holidays. Sitting up, Aurelia quickly ran through a possible itinerary for the day. First, she would start off by going down for breakfast, then perhaps she could get a start on all that homework that the professors had assigned.maybe stop by Professor Ravenclaw's office first, or -
Realization hit, just then. She was not in Hogwarts anymore, she was not waking up in the school dormitory. She was here, in Kière's family residence, having arrived in the middle of last night. She vaguely remembered having been met by a butler and shown into the parlour.and then what had happened? Oh yes - they had been given some food, by a sweet middle-aged lady - Kière's mother, she believed - and then bundled off to bed.
As she had not got the chance to the previous night, Aurelia now took a look around the room. Like much of Kière's family residence, it was a stately, ornate room. Framed portraits hung on the walls around her, all of stern old lords and ladies. Unlike most wizard portraits, they remained inactive, simply blinking down at her.
She was sitting on an enormous bed, with dark green bed-curtains pulled to one side. The sheets she was lying on was a pale green, and accompanied by a soft, silky green coverlet, the colour of which reminded her of grass after rain. The pillow her head had been on was encased in a matching pillowcase, complete with gold frills at the sides. Behind her, the bed head was marvelously polished, especially the golden Banning family crest on it.
Across the room, light streaked in through the gaps in the thick curtains. Like the rest of the room, they were green, with gold trimmings. She drew them, allowing more sunlight to flood in, and gasped at the sight.
Her room overlooked the Banning residence's garden, and although at this time of the year, it was not in bloom, she couldn't help but marvel at the size. Acres and acres of land, with the leafless trees swaying slightly in the sudden gusts of wind. A winding path led through it all, and was the only part that was not covered by neatly trimmed grass. Aurelia stared for a minute, before turning her attention back inside the room.
Not much furniture stood in it, just the bed, and an accompanying bedside table. She wondered where her clothes had gone to, and exactly where she was to get dressed, until her eyes fell upon a two side doors behind her. Upon investigation, she affirmed that one led to a bathroom and the other to a slightly larger room with a dressing table as well as a wardrobe. The other room also had yet another door, clearly the one connected to the rest of the mansion. It was large, and intricately carved with designs of flowers and vines.
That very door opened just then, startling Aurelia, who was still admiring the carvings.
'Oh!' The alarmed face of a plump young lady appeared. 'Beg pardon, Miss, I should have knocked, I had no idea ye were awake.' She dropped an awkward curtsey.
''Tis - 'tis all right,' stammered Aurelia, not sure how to react. Never in her life had she encountered real life servants like this lady. Other than house-elves, that is, and this young lady was no elf. Why, she seemed no more than a girl, hardly older than Aurelia herself.
'Mistress Banning sent me - to help ye get up,' said the maid, still looking bewildered. Clearly she had not expected to find Aurelia already up and examining the room.
'Well, I am up, so 'tis fine,' said Aurelia, wondering what she was to do now. Ought she to get dressed? She realized she was standing barefoot in the middle of the carpeted room, and in her dressing gown, at that. The maid seemed to notice too, and she let out a small gasp of shock.
'Why, Miss, in yer dressin' gown an' without yer slippers, why, Miss, have ye no fear of catching yer death in that! Not meaning ter be 'pert'nent, but ye should get back in bed, Miss.'
Feeling quite out of her element, Aurelia did as she was told, further shocking the maid, who apparently had been expecting some resistance, or at the very least, a scolding for being ''pert'nent'. However, she turned to the wardrobe, and busied herself laying out a set of robes for Aurelia. Aurelia noticed that someone had transferred all her clothing from her trunk to the wardrobe.
Now the maid bid her rise and change into her robes. It was quite unsettling to put on her robes with another person watching, let alone trying to hold them up for her.
'I - er - not meaning to be rude, but I can dress myself.' she tried to point out.
The maid's eyes widened. Whether in fear or surprise (or even both) Aurelia was not sure. But she apologized all the same.
'Sorry - I really am not sure what I should do. Never have I had anyone to help me dress like this before.'
The maid was gawking at her now, clearly thinking that Aurelia was completely out of her mind.
'Er.what is your name?' Aurelia tried another tack. Perhaps if she could put this girl at her ease.
The maid's eyes were already so wide that Aurelia would have thought it impossible for them to grow even wider, but they did.
'Eth-Ethel, Miss,' she stuttered.
'Well, Ethel - 'tis pleasant to meet you,' smiled Aurelia, extending a hand. 'I am Aurelia Bland.'
Ethel stared at Aurelia's hand, looking quite desperate, then bobbed another small curtsey and muttered, 'Pleased ter meet ye too, Miss.'
Aurelia's smile faded. Why was this girl so afraid? She opened her mouth to ask, but the door chose to open at that very moment.
'Young Master Banning!' gasped Ethel, for Kière had just rushed in, still clad in his dressing gown.
'Hush,' ordered Kière, and Ethel backed away, silently gazing at him. Kière rolled his eyes and turned to Aurelia.
'Good morning, Kière, is it really necessary to scare this poor girl so early in the morning?' said Aurelia steadily.
Kière laughed. 'Good morning to you too, Aurelia, and first, I would like to point out that 'tis not exactly early in the morning now. 'Tis nearly noon.'
'What -' gasped Aurelia. She had no idea that she had slept so late.
Kière held up a hand to stop her.
'I am sorry - both of you,' he said, glancing at Ethel, who still had her eyes on him. 'I am not supposed to be in here, but I needed to talk to you, Aurelia.'
'Well - go ahead, then.'
'Privately, if you please -' his eyes shifted to Ethel again. Taking the hint, she scurried out of the room, closing the door as she went.
'Right. Aurelia - this is important. My parents wish that we have luncheon together today. I came to warn you - they are quite fussy.'tis important that you make a good impression.'
'And I was under the impression that they had already owled the school to find out about me.? And last night, your Mother.?'
'Last night? What are you talking about? And to owling the school, yes, besides that - they know you are a wonderful person, I am sure, but they are likely to be asking questions about you. I know you do not like to talk about your past.'
This sounded quite worrying. 'Kière.could you.help me on that? I really do not feel like.'
'No - Aurelia, listen, you cannot tell them about that!' Kière's voice was frantic. 'You must not say that you were M-'
'Young Master Banning!' A knock at the door interrupted Kière's speech. He groaned and wrenched open the door. In came Kière's mother, looking rather annoyed.
'Master Kière, shame, to be disturbing your lady guest! And not even properly dressed, too!' She clucked her tongue at Kière's dressing gown. 'And your parents wishing to see you at luncheon scarcely half an hour from now!'
Kière immediately looked sheepish. 'Sorry,' he said. 'See you later, then. The other maid will show you the way down.' And he left the room, as the woman - who could not be his mother after all (for what mother would call her son 'young master'?) - sighed.
'You - you are not Lady Banning are you.'
'Me?' The woman chuckled. 'No, dear, not I.'
'But - you met us last night.'
'Naturally, dear. Surely you did not expect Lady Banning to stay up to such late hours? No, I am just Master Kière's nurse. Reggie is my name, dear. Nurse Reggie, if you wish.'
'Oh.' Aurelia was quite at a loss for words.
'I should be going after him now, shall I send for your maid again, dear?'
'Er - I suppose so, thank you.'
'No problem at all, dear,' said Nurse Reggie warmly, and bustled off.
Ethel soon reappeared in the room, now to help Aurelia with her 'toilette', or so she said.
Fifteen minutes later, her hair was brushed and done up, her face powdered and some glossy film applied to her lips. She was quite amazed at how different she looked when it was done. Never had she experimented with make- up before. Ethel led her out of the room and through the mansion's hallways, to the Banning's dining room. Kière was already there, fully dressed and looking quite handsome.
Handsome? Aurelia wondered at herself. He smiled at her, and offered his arm as the butler ushered them into the room.
'Are all your meals as elaborate as this?' whispered Aurelia, as they took their seats, opposite each other, at the table.
'For my parents, yes. For me - only when they request my company. Usually when there are visitors.'
Aurelia had no more time to ponder over this, as the butler announced 'the arrival of Lord and Lady Banning'.
They stood as Kière's parents entered, both immaculately and elegantly dressed in matching dress robes. Aurelia had the impression of being introduced to royalty at a formal dinner. She could not help but drop at shy curtsey in front of them.
'Father, Mother,' greeted Kière.
'Good afternoon, son,' returned Lord Banning, nodding to them both.
'Kièran,' smiled Lady Banning graciously. 'And your dear friend - Miss Bland, I presume?'
Aurelia could not help but curtsey again. 'Yes, Lady.' Kière's mother seemed pleased at this display.
'Sit, then,' said Lord Banning. Awkwardly, Aurelia did so.
'Miss Bland, it is a delight to see you here. Kièran has told us much about you.' Lady Banning sent another dazzling smile in Aurelia's direction.
'It is a pleasure, Lady, thank you for the invitation.'
'I trust that you find our guest room adequate?' questioned Lord Banning. It was more of a statement than a question, but Aurelia answered with a 'yes, Lord,' all the same.
The rest of the luncheon passed without incident. Lord and Lady Banning spent most of the time between courses questioning their son about his school term. Kière answered each question politely, but without warmth. Aurelia noticed too that his parents seemed to be following a ritual in their questions. And while Lord Banning continued to address Kière as 'son', Lady Banning reverted solely to the formal 'Kièran'. Not once was the nickname 'Kière' that Aurelia was so used to spoken.
Finally, the meal ended, and the last dishes were cleared away by the servants. The questioning that Kière had warned Aurelia about earlier still had not taken place, and she was beginning to think that he had been worrying excessively.
'Well, now that luncheon is over - what are your plans for the afternoon, son?'
Kière glanced at Aurelia.
'I was thinking of showing Aurelia around the residence, Father. If that is fine with you?'
'Certainly.'
'Aurelia - may I address you as such, Miss Bland?' Lady Banning turned to Aurelia with yet another smile.
'You may, Lady.'
'I must admit - I do not know much about you at all. You would not mind if I ask a few questions.just to get to know you, of course, do you?'
Here was the dreaded inquisition. Kière suddenly looked quite worried. Aurelia tried to recall what it was that he did not want her to do, but could think of nothing definite.
'I - I do not mind, Lady.' There was nothing else she could say, without sounding rude.
'Well, firstly, I would like to express my gratitude for your consent to visit our family, especially over the Christmas break, when you would likely rather spend it with your own family.'
'It is no problem at all, Lady,' said Aurelia. Then, feeling that further explanation might be needed, she added, 'I usually spend the holidays in school, at any rate.'
Lady Banning looked quite suspicious at this, but fortunately, she did not pursue the subject. Instead, she started to speak of Hogwarts instead.
'Ah yes, at Hogwarts. I am well acquainted with your school Professors. I have spoken - or rather written - to Lady Rowena and Lady Helga particularly.' Aurelia decided to refrain from mentioning that to her knowledge, Professors Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff had never tacked on such a title. 'I must say, their accounts of you are indeed wonderful. I trust you enjoy school, then?'
'Oh yes, Lady, it is wonderful. The professors are ever so helpful, and I love learning from them.'
Lady Banning smiled at her, encouraging her to go on.
Kière was wrong, she thought. His mother is nice. And she certainly has not been asking any strange questions about my past.
'I am sure Kière has told you too - we learn Potions from Professor Slytherin. He is the strictest, but he means well, and we do learn a lot. Then we have lessons in Magical Herbs and Plants from Professor Hufflepuff; she had taught us so many special properties of magic plants, and even had us attempt cross-breeding of new plants. We are in the middle of such a project now - crossing Furnundus Ferns and Reyon Weed. It should make an antidote for certain poisons.'
Lord Banning was laughing.
'Such a detailed account she gives, more amusing than your own, son,' he said. Aurelia was a little taken-aback, but continued, for the sake of Lady Banning, who was still listening to her.
'Professor Gryffindor is teaching us Magic Application; it goes hand in hand with Magical Theory, which Professor Ravenclaw teaches. Professor Ravenclaw is very knowledgeable about Magical Theory. She has even invented several charms of her own.'
'And Professor Ravenclaw has been especially appraising of your work in her class. It is your favourite lesson?'
Aurelia wondered just what the Professors had said.
'Yes - I love talking with Professor Ravenclaw about magic. There is just so much I do not know, even though I have been in the magic world for so many years. Professor Ravenclaw has been teaching me right from the start, even before Hogwarts was finished, and I hope I will still learn much from her after I finish my formal education.'
'Before Hogwarts was finished.my, you mean when it was just built?' Before Aurelia could answer, Lady Banning went on, 'Oh yes, silly me, of course. You must mean that. You and Kièran are the pioneer batch of students, is that not right, dear?'
'Yes, Mother,' interrupted Kière suddenly. 'Mother, I hope you do not mind.Aurelia and I were planning to take a tour of the residence.'
'Kièran!' boomed Lord Banning. 'Surely you know better than to interrupt your mother that way!'
It was the first time she had heard Lord Banning use his son's name. Aurelia gaped.
'Kièran,' sighed Lady Banning. 'I am just trying to get to know your lady better.' Kière blushed at this.
'Mother - she is not -'
'And Aurelia does not mind, do you, Aurelia?' continued Lady Banning, ignoring her son's protests at her choice of words.
'N-no, Lady.' Aurelia was not too sure that her own face was its normal colour either.
'Now, where was I? Oh yes.your school. How ever did you convince your parents to allow you to attend Hogwarts? Kièran, now, why, he practically threw a tantrum over it.such disgraceful behaviour.' She shook her head at her son. 'We have, you see, a tradition of passing on our magic within our family. Kièran, however, seems determined to break it. He has always been somewhat rebellious. I hope, though, he will still do us proud and marry well. But enough of him now - what about you, dear? How did your parents take the news?'
'I - they -' Aurelia was quite at a loss now. She was sure Lady Banning had not meant to be over-inquisitive, merely conversational, however she had no idea how she should answer this question.
Luckily, Kière was present.
'Aurelia is an orphan, Mother. Her family died when she was quite young.'
'Oh! I am sorry, dear. Why, you should have told us earlier.'
'I must say, though, Aurelia, I cannot remember hearing of this tragedy before. Bland.Bland.no, I cannot say that I have ever heard of your family before.are you foreign?' Lord Banning knitted his eyebrows together as he tried to recall her background. Unfortunately, Aurelia was quite certain that he was unlikely to know.
'No, I am quite English, I believe, Lord.' She noticed Kière, opposite her, trying to mouth something to her, but failing terribly to get his message across because he was quite paradoxically obviously trying too hard to be discrete. Deciding she would be better off asking him what it was he wanted later, she went on. 'I am not from a Wizarding family, Lord, perhaps that is why you know not my family.'
Kière kicked her then, under the table. Angrily, she looked at him, then realized what he had wanted to warn her about earlier when he had rushed to her room. But the words spilled out of her mouth before she could take them back.
'I am Muggle-born.'
Chapter Ten
Faint rays of morning sunlight were straying through the curtained windows. Aurelia opened a bleary eye and stretched, pulling aside the bed-curtains as she did so.
The first thing that came to mind was the start of the Christmas holidays. Sitting up, Aurelia quickly ran through a possible itinerary for the day. First, she would start off by going down for breakfast, then perhaps she could get a start on all that homework that the professors had assigned.maybe stop by Professor Ravenclaw's office first, or -
Realization hit, just then. She was not in Hogwarts anymore, she was not waking up in the school dormitory. She was here, in Kière's family residence, having arrived in the middle of last night. She vaguely remembered having been met by a butler and shown into the parlour.and then what had happened? Oh yes - they had been given some food, by a sweet middle-aged lady - Kière's mother, she believed - and then bundled off to bed.
As she had not got the chance to the previous night, Aurelia now took a look around the room. Like much of Kière's family residence, it was a stately, ornate room. Framed portraits hung on the walls around her, all of stern old lords and ladies. Unlike most wizard portraits, they remained inactive, simply blinking down at her.
She was sitting on an enormous bed, with dark green bed-curtains pulled to one side. The sheets she was lying on was a pale green, and accompanied by a soft, silky green coverlet, the colour of which reminded her of grass after rain. The pillow her head had been on was encased in a matching pillowcase, complete with gold frills at the sides. Behind her, the bed head was marvelously polished, especially the golden Banning family crest on it.
Across the room, light streaked in through the gaps in the thick curtains. Like the rest of the room, they were green, with gold trimmings. She drew them, allowing more sunlight to flood in, and gasped at the sight.
Her room overlooked the Banning residence's garden, and although at this time of the year, it was not in bloom, she couldn't help but marvel at the size. Acres and acres of land, with the leafless trees swaying slightly in the sudden gusts of wind. A winding path led through it all, and was the only part that was not covered by neatly trimmed grass. Aurelia stared for a minute, before turning her attention back inside the room.
Not much furniture stood in it, just the bed, and an accompanying bedside table. She wondered where her clothes had gone to, and exactly where she was to get dressed, until her eyes fell upon a two side doors behind her. Upon investigation, she affirmed that one led to a bathroom and the other to a slightly larger room with a dressing table as well as a wardrobe. The other room also had yet another door, clearly the one connected to the rest of the mansion. It was large, and intricately carved with designs of flowers and vines.
That very door opened just then, startling Aurelia, who was still admiring the carvings.
'Oh!' The alarmed face of a plump young lady appeared. 'Beg pardon, Miss, I should have knocked, I had no idea ye were awake.' She dropped an awkward curtsey.
''Tis - 'tis all right,' stammered Aurelia, not sure how to react. Never in her life had she encountered real life servants like this lady. Other than house-elves, that is, and this young lady was no elf. Why, she seemed no more than a girl, hardly older than Aurelia herself.
'Mistress Banning sent me - to help ye get up,' said the maid, still looking bewildered. Clearly she had not expected to find Aurelia already up and examining the room.
'Well, I am up, so 'tis fine,' said Aurelia, wondering what she was to do now. Ought she to get dressed? She realized she was standing barefoot in the middle of the carpeted room, and in her dressing gown, at that. The maid seemed to notice too, and she let out a small gasp of shock.
'Why, Miss, in yer dressin' gown an' without yer slippers, why, Miss, have ye no fear of catching yer death in that! Not meaning ter be 'pert'nent, but ye should get back in bed, Miss.'
Feeling quite out of her element, Aurelia did as she was told, further shocking the maid, who apparently had been expecting some resistance, or at the very least, a scolding for being ''pert'nent'. However, she turned to the wardrobe, and busied herself laying out a set of robes for Aurelia. Aurelia noticed that someone had transferred all her clothing from her trunk to the wardrobe.
Now the maid bid her rise and change into her robes. It was quite unsettling to put on her robes with another person watching, let alone trying to hold them up for her.
'I - er - not meaning to be rude, but I can dress myself.' she tried to point out.
The maid's eyes widened. Whether in fear or surprise (or even both) Aurelia was not sure. But she apologized all the same.
'Sorry - I really am not sure what I should do. Never have I had anyone to help me dress like this before.'
The maid was gawking at her now, clearly thinking that Aurelia was completely out of her mind.
'Er.what is your name?' Aurelia tried another tack. Perhaps if she could put this girl at her ease.
The maid's eyes were already so wide that Aurelia would have thought it impossible for them to grow even wider, but they did.
'Eth-Ethel, Miss,' she stuttered.
'Well, Ethel - 'tis pleasant to meet you,' smiled Aurelia, extending a hand. 'I am Aurelia Bland.'
Ethel stared at Aurelia's hand, looking quite desperate, then bobbed another small curtsey and muttered, 'Pleased ter meet ye too, Miss.'
Aurelia's smile faded. Why was this girl so afraid? She opened her mouth to ask, but the door chose to open at that very moment.
'Young Master Banning!' gasped Ethel, for Kière had just rushed in, still clad in his dressing gown.
'Hush,' ordered Kière, and Ethel backed away, silently gazing at him. Kière rolled his eyes and turned to Aurelia.
'Good morning, Kière, is it really necessary to scare this poor girl so early in the morning?' said Aurelia steadily.
Kière laughed. 'Good morning to you too, Aurelia, and first, I would like to point out that 'tis not exactly early in the morning now. 'Tis nearly noon.'
'What -' gasped Aurelia. She had no idea that she had slept so late.
Kière held up a hand to stop her.
'I am sorry - both of you,' he said, glancing at Ethel, who still had her eyes on him. 'I am not supposed to be in here, but I needed to talk to you, Aurelia.'
'Well - go ahead, then.'
'Privately, if you please -' his eyes shifted to Ethel again. Taking the hint, she scurried out of the room, closing the door as she went.
'Right. Aurelia - this is important. My parents wish that we have luncheon together today. I came to warn you - they are quite fussy.'tis important that you make a good impression.'
'And I was under the impression that they had already owled the school to find out about me.? And last night, your Mother.?'
'Last night? What are you talking about? And to owling the school, yes, besides that - they know you are a wonderful person, I am sure, but they are likely to be asking questions about you. I know you do not like to talk about your past.'
This sounded quite worrying. 'Kière.could you.help me on that? I really do not feel like.'
'No - Aurelia, listen, you cannot tell them about that!' Kière's voice was frantic. 'You must not say that you were M-'
'Young Master Banning!' A knock at the door interrupted Kière's speech. He groaned and wrenched open the door. In came Kière's mother, looking rather annoyed.
'Master Kière, shame, to be disturbing your lady guest! And not even properly dressed, too!' She clucked her tongue at Kière's dressing gown. 'And your parents wishing to see you at luncheon scarcely half an hour from now!'
Kière immediately looked sheepish. 'Sorry,' he said. 'See you later, then. The other maid will show you the way down.' And he left the room, as the woman - who could not be his mother after all (for what mother would call her son 'young master'?) - sighed.
'You - you are not Lady Banning are you.'
'Me?' The woman chuckled. 'No, dear, not I.'
'But - you met us last night.'
'Naturally, dear. Surely you did not expect Lady Banning to stay up to such late hours? No, I am just Master Kière's nurse. Reggie is my name, dear. Nurse Reggie, if you wish.'
'Oh.' Aurelia was quite at a loss for words.
'I should be going after him now, shall I send for your maid again, dear?'
'Er - I suppose so, thank you.'
'No problem at all, dear,' said Nurse Reggie warmly, and bustled off.
Ethel soon reappeared in the room, now to help Aurelia with her 'toilette', or so she said.
Fifteen minutes later, her hair was brushed and done up, her face powdered and some glossy film applied to her lips. She was quite amazed at how different she looked when it was done. Never had she experimented with make- up before. Ethel led her out of the room and through the mansion's hallways, to the Banning's dining room. Kière was already there, fully dressed and looking quite handsome.
Handsome? Aurelia wondered at herself. He smiled at her, and offered his arm as the butler ushered them into the room.
'Are all your meals as elaborate as this?' whispered Aurelia, as they took their seats, opposite each other, at the table.
'For my parents, yes. For me - only when they request my company. Usually when there are visitors.'
Aurelia had no more time to ponder over this, as the butler announced 'the arrival of Lord and Lady Banning'.
They stood as Kière's parents entered, both immaculately and elegantly dressed in matching dress robes. Aurelia had the impression of being introduced to royalty at a formal dinner. She could not help but drop at shy curtsey in front of them.
'Father, Mother,' greeted Kière.
'Good afternoon, son,' returned Lord Banning, nodding to them both.
'Kièran,' smiled Lady Banning graciously. 'And your dear friend - Miss Bland, I presume?'
Aurelia could not help but curtsey again. 'Yes, Lady.' Kière's mother seemed pleased at this display.
'Sit, then,' said Lord Banning. Awkwardly, Aurelia did so.
'Miss Bland, it is a delight to see you here. Kièran has told us much about you.' Lady Banning sent another dazzling smile in Aurelia's direction.
'It is a pleasure, Lady, thank you for the invitation.'
'I trust that you find our guest room adequate?' questioned Lord Banning. It was more of a statement than a question, but Aurelia answered with a 'yes, Lord,' all the same.
The rest of the luncheon passed without incident. Lord and Lady Banning spent most of the time between courses questioning their son about his school term. Kière answered each question politely, but without warmth. Aurelia noticed too that his parents seemed to be following a ritual in their questions. And while Lord Banning continued to address Kière as 'son', Lady Banning reverted solely to the formal 'Kièran'. Not once was the nickname 'Kière' that Aurelia was so used to spoken.
Finally, the meal ended, and the last dishes were cleared away by the servants. The questioning that Kière had warned Aurelia about earlier still had not taken place, and she was beginning to think that he had been worrying excessively.
'Well, now that luncheon is over - what are your plans for the afternoon, son?'
Kière glanced at Aurelia.
'I was thinking of showing Aurelia around the residence, Father. If that is fine with you?'
'Certainly.'
'Aurelia - may I address you as such, Miss Bland?' Lady Banning turned to Aurelia with yet another smile.
'You may, Lady.'
'I must admit - I do not know much about you at all. You would not mind if I ask a few questions.just to get to know you, of course, do you?'
Here was the dreaded inquisition. Kière suddenly looked quite worried. Aurelia tried to recall what it was that he did not want her to do, but could think of nothing definite.
'I - I do not mind, Lady.' There was nothing else she could say, without sounding rude.
'Well, firstly, I would like to express my gratitude for your consent to visit our family, especially over the Christmas break, when you would likely rather spend it with your own family.'
'It is no problem at all, Lady,' said Aurelia. Then, feeling that further explanation might be needed, she added, 'I usually spend the holidays in school, at any rate.'
Lady Banning looked quite suspicious at this, but fortunately, she did not pursue the subject. Instead, she started to speak of Hogwarts instead.
'Ah yes, at Hogwarts. I am well acquainted with your school Professors. I have spoken - or rather written - to Lady Rowena and Lady Helga particularly.' Aurelia decided to refrain from mentioning that to her knowledge, Professors Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff had never tacked on such a title. 'I must say, their accounts of you are indeed wonderful. I trust you enjoy school, then?'
'Oh yes, Lady, it is wonderful. The professors are ever so helpful, and I love learning from them.'
Lady Banning smiled at her, encouraging her to go on.
Kière was wrong, she thought. His mother is nice. And she certainly has not been asking any strange questions about my past.
'I am sure Kière has told you too - we learn Potions from Professor Slytherin. He is the strictest, but he means well, and we do learn a lot. Then we have lessons in Magical Herbs and Plants from Professor Hufflepuff; she had taught us so many special properties of magic plants, and even had us attempt cross-breeding of new plants. We are in the middle of such a project now - crossing Furnundus Ferns and Reyon Weed. It should make an antidote for certain poisons.'
Lord Banning was laughing.
'Such a detailed account she gives, more amusing than your own, son,' he said. Aurelia was a little taken-aback, but continued, for the sake of Lady Banning, who was still listening to her.
'Professor Gryffindor is teaching us Magic Application; it goes hand in hand with Magical Theory, which Professor Ravenclaw teaches. Professor Ravenclaw is very knowledgeable about Magical Theory. She has even invented several charms of her own.'
'And Professor Ravenclaw has been especially appraising of your work in her class. It is your favourite lesson?'
Aurelia wondered just what the Professors had said.
'Yes - I love talking with Professor Ravenclaw about magic. There is just so much I do not know, even though I have been in the magic world for so many years. Professor Ravenclaw has been teaching me right from the start, even before Hogwarts was finished, and I hope I will still learn much from her after I finish my formal education.'
'Before Hogwarts was finished.my, you mean when it was just built?' Before Aurelia could answer, Lady Banning went on, 'Oh yes, silly me, of course. You must mean that. You and Kièran are the pioneer batch of students, is that not right, dear?'
'Yes, Mother,' interrupted Kière suddenly. 'Mother, I hope you do not mind.Aurelia and I were planning to take a tour of the residence.'
'Kièran!' boomed Lord Banning. 'Surely you know better than to interrupt your mother that way!'
It was the first time she had heard Lord Banning use his son's name. Aurelia gaped.
'Kièran,' sighed Lady Banning. 'I am just trying to get to know your lady better.' Kière blushed at this.
'Mother - she is not -'
'And Aurelia does not mind, do you, Aurelia?' continued Lady Banning, ignoring her son's protests at her choice of words.
'N-no, Lady.' Aurelia was not too sure that her own face was its normal colour either.
'Now, where was I? Oh yes.your school. How ever did you convince your parents to allow you to attend Hogwarts? Kièran, now, why, he practically threw a tantrum over it.such disgraceful behaviour.' She shook her head at her son. 'We have, you see, a tradition of passing on our magic within our family. Kièran, however, seems determined to break it. He has always been somewhat rebellious. I hope, though, he will still do us proud and marry well. But enough of him now - what about you, dear? How did your parents take the news?'
'I - they -' Aurelia was quite at a loss now. She was sure Lady Banning had not meant to be over-inquisitive, merely conversational, however she had no idea how she should answer this question.
Luckily, Kière was present.
'Aurelia is an orphan, Mother. Her family died when she was quite young.'
'Oh! I am sorry, dear. Why, you should have told us earlier.'
'I must say, though, Aurelia, I cannot remember hearing of this tragedy before. Bland.Bland.no, I cannot say that I have ever heard of your family before.are you foreign?' Lord Banning knitted his eyebrows together as he tried to recall her background. Unfortunately, Aurelia was quite certain that he was unlikely to know.
'No, I am quite English, I believe, Lord.' She noticed Kière, opposite her, trying to mouth something to her, but failing terribly to get his message across because he was quite paradoxically obviously trying too hard to be discrete. Deciding she would be better off asking him what it was he wanted later, she went on. 'I am not from a Wizarding family, Lord, perhaps that is why you know not my family.'
Kière kicked her then, under the table. Angrily, she looked at him, then realized what he had wanted to warn her about earlier when he had rushed to her room. But the words spilled out of her mouth before she could take them back.
'I am Muggle-born.'