Chapter 17
Edwina sat at the pretty, white writing desk and stared at the spare rolls of expensive pink parchment. She was embarrassed that she had resorted to writing him a letter. He deserved better than that. In fact, the moment Great-Aunt Edwina had found out that Edwina had not left word at St. Mungo's for her husband; she had pushed Edwina into the brocade-covered chair at the little desk and dictated a short, polite note of explanation. Edwina had been too confused to even word her own letter.
She had been at her great-aunt's house now for four days. It was long past time for a real letter of explanation, but as Edwina sat with a large ostrich feather quill in her hand and a open jar of Martin & Martin's Quick-drying Special Indigo Ink beside the blotter, she could not think of anything to say. When Healer Allonby had explained everything to her at St. Mungo's, she had known immediately that she could not go back to Hatishall Cottage. She was going to be a mother, like it or not, and to place her baby in danger would be inexcusable. At the moment when she had made her decision, she had been absolutely sure that it was right. Remus Lupin was a dangerous, dark wizard. He was a werewolf and could not be trusted. There was no telling what he would do when he was a father. She could never go back.
But although Great-Aunt Edwina had responded immediately to Edwina's request to come and collect her from St. Mungo's, despite it having been almost four years since Edwina had written to her, Great-Aunt had kindly, but firmly told her that Edwina had been wrong to leave her husband. Great-Aunt had been quick to disabuse Edwina's mind of Healer Allonby's accusations. Great-Aunt had brusquely reminded Edwina that there was a potion for the full moon and werewolves were not necessarily any more dangerous during the rest of the lunar cycle than any other wizard. She had asked Edwina seriously, had he abused her? Had he been unfaithful? Was he cruel to her in any way? Had he ever shown her any threat of violence?
Edwina had tearfully admitted that he had done none of this. She had been a little afraid of him, but it had not been because he had really threatened her in any way. Great-Aunt had explained that Edwina's marriage could easily be annulled, now that the Ministry had passed several laws about werewolves. But Edwina could tell from the derisive snort that Great-Aunt had made when mentioning ministry personnel that Great-Aunt did not agree with these laws. Additionally, Great-Aunt had told her that although she would support Edwina even if Edwina chose to allow the Ministry to annul the marriage, she did not think that Edwina should reject her husband simply for being a werewolf. She had told Edwina that regardless of Edwina's memory loss, Edwina herself had voluntarily chosen to enter the marriage. Therefore it was rank cowardice for her not to keep her word and do everything in her power to try to salvage a relationship with her husband. A decent witch always kept her word even when doing so was hard.
Edwina had asked her great-aunt if she thought that Remus Lupin was a good man and if she had approved of the marriage. Great-Aunt had immediately said that she had certainly not approved of the marriage. Edwina was a Leighton, even if Edwina's mother had been a mere Bledsoe, so to have married such a poor wizard had been beneath her no matter how old the Lupin family was. A Leighton daughter had every right to expect to be decently supported by her husband and a Breochaidie witch had special needs that this Lupin man could never hope to meet. The man seemed to be a decent enough wizard, in fact quite intelligent if reports that he had achieved a master from Universitet were true, but Edwina needed security, which Lupin could not provide. Great-Aunt had continued to explain that although Edwina had shown poor judgement in choosing her husband, she need not crown that by showing lack of character.
Edwina sat very still as she thought through everything that her Great-Aunt had said. She did not know what to say to Remus, but she knew that it was also long past time for making up her quarrel with Sophie and Elspeth. She would talk to Great-Aunt about what to write to Remus. In the meantime, it was time to write to Elspeth. Sophie would be harder, but Ella couldn't stay mad at anyone for long, so she would be easier. Edwina patted the top of Faol's head, which he had insistently placed in her lap. At least she thought that this one was Faol, but Great-Aunt had at least half a dozen huge, yellow mastiffs, so one could never be certain which was which. They were shockingly ugly dogs, but so exuberantly friendly that Edwina didn't mind them being almost constantly underfoot. Edwina shoved the dog's head out of her lap and dipped the quill in the inkpot with determination.
"Sophie wanted to come, really she did."
Elspeth saw the wry expression on Edwina's face and knew that Edwina didn't believe her. "It's alright, you know. I am sure I said some horrible things, or else she wouldn't still be so angry."
"Well it isn't like it matters anyway, darling. We ought to have supported you no matter what. It was just that Sophie was so sure that if we only held out you would see what a mistake you were making and not marry him."
Edwina laughed sharply, "That has never worked with me, Ella. I'm too likely to do just what you don't want me to do from spite."
Elspeth knew only too well. Although Sophie had always been the unchallenged leader of their group, on the rare occasions that Edwina's mischievous sense of humour led her to slightly bend the rules her friends had reluctantly followed her. Quiet, well-behaved Edwina Leighton's tiny streak of contrariness had unnerved shy, careful Elspeth MacDougall and infuriated the religiously rule-abiding Sophie Westerhall. "I know. I'm sorry we weren't there for you. It must have been too horrible to just wake up with no memory of anything."
"Yes, well, I actually thought he'd kidnapped me. It took two healers to convince me it was all true; that we were really married. Remus even summoned Headmaster Dumbledore, but I didn't believe it."
"Did you..."
Both girls turned around as the door to the room was opened by a tall, auburn haired young woman. Elspeth cried out happily, "Sophie!" However when Elspeth looked to see Edwina's reaction, Edwina was merely sitting in her chair looking at Sophie with an expression that was impossible to read.
Elspeth turned back to watch Sophie and noticed that her normally preternaturally self-possessed friend appeared extremely nervous as she began to ask, "Do you mind if I..."
Quite suddenly Edwina jumped up and ran forward to great her friend, exclaiming, "Oh, I'm so glad you came! I've missed you." Edwina and Sophie embraced and then grabbed each other's hands excitedly.
"I almost didn't, but I'm so glad I did. You don't know how many times I've wanted to unsay everything. You look so different, Winnie."
"How long has it been since you saw me?"
Sophie was still swinging Edwina's hand as she looked over at Elspeth, "Four months, hasn't it?" Elspeth nodded and the girls broke apart to walk to the long walnut table, which was heavily laden with tea things. Elspeth and Sophie briefly hugged each other before all three girls sat down in imposing, high-backed dining chairs.
"How do you feel?"
"Still very weak. It will take some time to heal due to the pregnancy and the syndrome."
"But the baby is alright?"
"Yes. They cast every imaginable spell, I think. As long as the protective charms are cast four times each day and I take three very nasty potions in addition to all my usual precautions for Breochaid, the baby should be perfectly healthy."
Elspeth patted her friend's hand and since Edwina was preoccupied, Elspeth pulled the teapot closer to her and took over as Mother. Sophie absently took the teacup proffered to her and looked back at Edwina. "They are sure the baby will be normal?"
Elspeth saw a momentary look of concern pass over Edwina's face and knew the true answer despite Edwina's response, "Oh yes, the baby should be fine. But I want to hear all about you. I don't know anything about what you have been doing since school. And what about you and Bram, Elspeth?"
Elspeth blushed deeply and said softly, "Bram is doing very well. He is working for his uncle now. He wants to get married this year, but my family wants us to wait until I am 21."
Eventually Sophie took over the conversation, which left Elspeth to her own thoughts. She had been terribly nervous about coming to visit Edwina for more reasons than just the quarrel. Edwina's great-aunt had been married to the last Nevin of Stair. Elspeth was Ayrshire born and bred, so she knew well that the wealthy, pureblood Nevin family was to be feared and respected. Mother had been afraid that Elspeth would forget her manners, put her elbow in the soup, and embarrass the MacDougall family in front of a Nevin. But Edwina's Great-Aunt had been an old dear. It was hard to believe that her husband had been one of the wizards who had developed the vicious Sgal Madadh dog, which had been supposed to hunt only muggles, but on several occasions had attacked half-bloods, as well. Once again Elspeth eyed the two large yellow dogs that were lying at Edwina's feet, but reminded herself firmly that the Sgal Madadh had been outlawed, so there was no reason to be afraid. In any case, neither dog had shown any sign of aggression towards Sophie, so they must be safe.