The Houses Competition (or THC)
House: Slytherin
Class: Charms
Category (Drabble/Standard): Standard
Prompt(s) chosen: [Event] A Formal Breakfast, [Time of Day] Sunrise
Word Count: 3000
Disclaimers/triggers: None
Tasseomancy
Romilda was not unfamiliar with rising before the sun rose, but this dark morning filled her with more nerves than any other she could recall. This morning, she was going to do something that no other reporter for Witch Weekly had ever achieved: a formal sunrise breakfast and an exclusive interview with Narcissa Malfoy. Romilda wasn't even sure how Mrs Malfoy had even heard about her. She'd only been at the magazine for two years and had just secured her own column. To the writing world, she was a nobody, an upstart. So how did one of the most influential and beautiful women in the Wizarding World know about her? Her chest tightened with nerves as she went over her checklist for her interview.
Quick-Quotes Quill? Check.
Extra Parchment? Check.
Camera? Check.
With her equipment secured in her bag, she moved on to the most important part: the process of getting ready. One did not go to a formal breakfast at Malfoy Manor looking as if one had just woken up. Her hair had to be tamed, the lively thick curls needed the proper, time-intensive potions to achieve the updo she desired. Something respectable, that would put her in a position to be taken seriously as a journalist.
Romilda imagined her hostess would scrutinize her appearance, so she took extra care to appear perfect. Her lips were painted a specific shade of nude that complimented her copper skin. Nothing ostentatious, she did not want to come off as brash. Everything had to be perfect, she had to be an ode to professionalism and fashion.
A final glance into the vanity, and she was as ready as she was going to be. She'd chosen a red traveling cloak with white brocade along the edges to go over her fitted black robes with matte black shoes to match. The spot of color in her robes were the red buttons down the front, which stood out without being over the top.
Stopping in front of the mirror, she took a deep breath, giving herself an internal pep talk.
You can do this Romilda. You are unstoppable, you are brilliant. This will go perfectly.
Fingers curled around her wand, her destination in mind. The next moment, she stood in the front gardens of Malfoy Manor. The light purple sky had begun to give way to the oranges and reds of the rising sun. The crispness of the fresh morning air made her smile as she crossed under the marble gate. A sharp cry to her left startled her, her hand going over her heart for a moment before she realised it was only a peacock.
Shaking her head, Romilda continued to walk until she found herself in front of the heavy wooden door.
Remember your manners. Romilda coached herself, reaching for the knocker and tapping it against its metal base. It swung open, a house elf regarding her curiously on the other side.
"I am Romilda Vane, I have a meeting with the lady of the house this morning," she informed the elf.
"Miss Vane, the Mistress will see you." The creature beckoned her into the house. Crossing the threshold, she was relieved of her traveling cloak, the elf sending it to the coat closet with a snap of his fingers.
"Follow," he requested.
Romilda did as she was directed, following through the mansion. Understated opulence was the only way to describe the decor of Malfoy Manor. Landscape portraits hung on marble walls, silver scones illuminating each room she passed. The scent of antique wood greeted her nose, along with the faintest hint of something floral. Thick runners in rich greens and browns covered the marble in the hallways, muting her footfalls that would have otherwise echoed. It was not what she expected.
Her guide stopped in front of a door, bowing to her, they opened it. Giving only the faintest incline of her head to the creature, she stepped out of the hall and into a solarium right out of a fairytale. Tall panes of glass framed in dark iron supported a curved glass ceiling. Dark green foliage interspersed with flowers draped from planters suspended in air. The sun had crested the marble walls, making the room appear bright and inviting.
A table sat in the center of the room, and at that table, was her hostess. Narcissa Malfoy did not look like a woman who had survived a war. Her long blonde hair draped over her shoulders, framing her impeccably done face. Pale blue eyes regarded Romilda for a moment before Mrs Malfoy rose, holding her hand out in greeting. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Miss Vane. Welcome to my home."
Drawing on all her mother's lessons on how to behave in high society, took the woman's hand in hers, giving a gentle shake. It would be far too familiar to do an air kiss greeting, and Romilda had no intention of offending her hostess. "Thank you for having me, Mrs Malfoy."
Mrs Malfoy moved with an airy grace that Romilda envied. There was something regal and poised about the woman, Romilda noted as she took her seat. "Of course, please have a seat."
There were only two place settings at the table.
"Will Mister Malfoy be joining us?" Romilda asked politely as she took the offered seat.
"Lucius is away at present, it will be just you and I." The woman inclined her head toward the teacup on Romilda's right. "Do you take tea or coffee with your morning meal?"
"Tea, please." Coffee was far too bitter for her tastes, and no matter how much sugar and milk she poured into it, she was not fond of the aftertaste either.
"Of course. Hoppet?" Mrs Malfoy snapped her fingers.
A different house elf appeared, bowing lowly at the side of the table. "Yes Mistress."
"Bring my guest fresh tea and serve the meal." There was an edge to the woman's voice, her tone changing from conversational to authoritative.
Romilda was impressed, noting the subtle changes in her host, as Mrs Malfoy returned her attention to her. Unfolding her napkin, she carefully draped it over her lap in preparation of the meal.
Moments later, her plate was filled with a decadent array of fruit—sliced mangoes, pears, peaches, and rosy grapes.
Romilda smiled at her hostess appreciatively. "This looks lovely."
"Thank you, I had the mango fetched fresh this morning from India." Mrs Malfoy answered before lifting a piece of the said fruit to her lips. The way she casually mentioned the sourcing of the exotic fruit reminded Romilda of a queen commenting on the weather.
"Brilliant, I love mangoes," Romilda admitted as she picked up the fork from her left. Fortunately, formal breakfasts only had two forks, so it was far easier for her to remember which one was correct for the fruit course.
"How fortuitous." Mrs Malfoy smiled knowingly.
Romilda ate quietly and politely from the fruit course, drinking of her tea intermittently.
Mrs Malfoy seemed content with this arrangement, as she did not break the silence either.
When the breakfast course arrived, Romilda cleared her throat softly. "Do you wish for me to ask my questions after we have finished eating, Mrs Malfoy?"
"No, you may begin now if you wish," she answered as she lifted her fork and knife to cut into a poached egg.
Romilda opened her bag, pulling out her quill and her parchment. Having a Quick-Quotes Quill meant she could still enjoy the meal while they spoke. Holding the quill between her fingers, she glanced at Mrs Malfoy. "First, is there anything you do not wish me to ask about or write about in the column?"
"The Malfoy family has nothing to hide," Mrs Malfoy responded matter-of-factly, "so you may ask whatever you wish."
"Splendid," she agreed, letting the quill go so that it rose into the air and perched over the parchment, waiting to transcribe their every word. Unlike the notorious green quill of Rita Skeeter, which crafted lies as people spoke, this was a genuine Quick-Quotes Quill, untampered with.
Romilda took another sip of her tea before she began. "This is your first interview with Witch Weekly, why after several inquiries and requests have you agreed to one now?"
She watched as the lady of the house delicately sliced a hot muffin before smoothing butter over it inside.
"My mother, Druella Black, had a saying. 'Be mindful of the fangs of gossip. Anyone who will gossip to you about someone else will surely gossip about you to them.' For years, I have regarded with Witch Weekly as nothing more than a nest of gossips," Mrs Malfoy articulated each word with firmness.
"But your opinion of the publication has shifted recently? Why?" Romilda inquired, cutting her own poached egg.
Mrs Malfoy inclined her head to the side with a gentle shake. "It is more that my esteem of certain writers within the publication had warranted a second glance at the publication's validity as a reliable source of information."
Romilda arched her eyebrow quickly before she could catch the expression. "Your esteem?"
Perfectly red painted lips curved at the corners. "Yes, my son, Draco, speaks highly of you and your column, more so after the interview you did with his fiance."
It took Romilda longer than she would have liked to make the connection to whom her hostess was referring. "Astoria? She is lovely, we talked for hours."
"I am aware." The smile receded, the expression of a poise returning as she spoke. "I am also aware that even though you were a Gryffindor, there was not a speck of hostility or grudges lodged against my future daughter in law for being a Slytherin."
"Slytherin has gotten a bad rap for decades," Romilda shook her head, holding her tea cup in her hands. This was a conversation she'd had many times before with her editor, fellow correspondents, and members of the public. Everyone wanted to know why, as a Gryffindor, she didn't naturally hate everything silver and green. "Statistically, if you look at the number of students who graduate from the house, you will find that there are far more Slytherins who have done wonderful things for our society than those who have done otherwise." Taking a sip of her tea, she sighed as she put it down. "Institutionalized prejudice makes it so that we only see the bad."
"I find it interesting that you don't have such prejudice." The tone was of a statement, but Romilda could see the question in her hostess' blue eyes. It was her job to pay attention to body cues, but she felt Mrs Malfoys's were being overacted for her benefit.
"It is my job to not be prejudiced," she explained. "As a journalist, it is my job to be impartial and write the truth. Not what other people want to hear."
A sparkle of light laughter escaped the woman across for him. "What a refreshing change you are from the likes of Rita Skeeter."
"I'll take that as a compliment." Romilda beamed. Any comparison between her and Rita Skeeter that put her in the admirable light was a treasured compliment.
"It was meant as one," Mrs Malfoy canted. "Go on with your questions."
Romilda dipped her toast into the yolk of her egg, taking a careful bite. Setting it down, she wiped her mouth before asking her next question. "What do you enjoy doing with your time?"
"I keep myself busy," Mrs Malfoy replied, taking a drink from her juice glass. She dabbed the corners of her mouth with her napkin before replying. "Idle hands make fretful minds. I am the matron of the Orphans and Widows Society, which I believe your mother was once part of."
Romilda closed her eyes for a brief moment, the unexpected mention of her mother catching her off guard. Exhaling, she smiled softly at her interviewee. "She was on the board, when she was alive."
"I remember her being a shrewd woman with a quick wit," Mrs Malfoy remarked sincerely. "It is pleasant to know that some of those traits were passed on to you."
"Yes, she was." She was not prepared to talk about her mother, not knowing that the woman before her had any association with her. "Thank you for saying so."
Thin blonde eyebrows lifted, as if Mrs Malfoy sensed her discomfort. She took another bite of her muffin. It was a quiet moment before Mrs Malfoy continued. "I also entertain myself with needlepoint, as any lady does, and I have returned to studying divination."
The revelation and quick subject change sparked Romilda's curiosity. "Divination?"
"It was my best subject in school. I am skilled at Tasseomancy," the woman replied proudly
"Tea readings? I have to say, I did not expect that to be your best subject?"Romilda would have expected something more hands-on, something considered to have more substance.
"And what, may I ask, did you assume it was?" Blue eyes narrowed ever so slightly, almost imperceptibly so.
"Charms, if I am being honest," Romilda explained.
"I can see where many would make that mistake." The tension that had drifted over Mrs Malfoy faded as quickly as it had come, leaving behind the poised and collected matriarch of the Malfoy Family.
She must have believed I assumed it was the Dark Arts… Romilda realized as she played the interaction back through her mind.
"Would you indulge me in letting me read your leaves?" Mrs Malfoy requested, holding her hand toward Romilda's nearly empty cup.
It was a strange request, not one she'd ever received in an interview before. She had never put much stock into divination, even though her best friends Padma, Parvati and Lavender were crazy about it. However, this was not a friend wanting to read her tea leaves, this was Narcissa Malfoy. She looked to the cup, and then Mrs Malfoy, nodding. "It would be rude of me to deny your request, and furthermore, I am fascinated in what you might discover." Picking up the cup, she drank the last bit of it down, leaving enough so it could be properly swished, as they'd learned from Trelawney all those years ago. Romilda swirled it a few times before handing it over to the lady of the house. It was quickly turned upside down on to it's saucer.
"Give it a moment," Mrs Malfoy recommended.
Romilda waited as the third course of the formal breakfast arrived—cooked meats and summer vegetables.
Gently, Mrs Malfoy turned the tea cup over, cradled it in her hands as she examined it's contents. After a moment, she turned the cup so that Romilda could view the collection of loose tea leaves in the white cup.
A long manicured finger pointed into the cup. "A butterfly in the bottom. Success in your future if you continue to follow your current path."
Romilda had to agree, that was a shape that closely resembled a butterfly with curved wings at the top.
Before she could remark, Mrs Malfoy continued, moving her finger toward the other side of the cup. "Here, along the side is an ivy leaf. Faithful friends who will be there during your time of need."
Tilting her head to the side, she could potentially identify how someone would spot an ivy leaf.
"And finally, on the rim, in your near future, the hawk. Hidden enemies, friends who seek to betray you." The way Mrs Malfoy pronounced it made it sound as if she knew this on some authority.
Romilda could see the shape of a bird, the winds out to the side.
Mrs Malfoy handed her teacup back, and Romilda gave it another glance before sitting it down. "Thank you, that is enlightening." Wanting to change the subject instinctively from herself, she poised another question. "Do you work with other types of divination?"
"It is only a hobby, but I do when I have the time," Mrs Malfoy said nonchalantly.
The rest of the interview continued as any other. They discussed Mrs Malfoy's charity work, along with the upcoming ball to benefit it. From there, Romilda pried about her fashion preferences, both for the sake of the paper and a touch selfishly. The conversation even drifted into her joy of her son's upcoming nuptials, and how her family has fared since the end of the war and their subsequent acquittals.
By the time the sun was fully risen in the sky and the last course was finished, Romilda had enough material to write what could likely be the article that would skyrocket her career. She was allowed to take two photos of Mrs Malfoy, one at the table and one standing among her plants. She was eager to get home to her desk and start working on the feature, imagining she could leverage the interview to spread a few pages rather than her column. Though she did her best to not let that eagerness show as they both rose from the table. Romilda shook her hand graciously, pleased with how everything had panned out. "Thank you for your time today, it was a lovely experience."
"You were gladly received. I anticipate good things from you in the future," Mrs Malfoy declared, letting her hand go.
Romilda smiled, the confidence of the encouragement bolstering her. "Farewell, Mrs Malfoy."
"Goodbye, Miss Vane." Mrs Malfoy replied, turning to leave out a different door. She paused, looking back with stern eyes. "Do watch out for the hawks in your midst. Hoppet will show you out."
Reminded of the reading, Romilda nodded in acknowledgement before following the house- elf back through the house to the door. With her traveling cloak returned, she stepped out into the morning daylight with a sense of accomplishment.
Returning to her flat, she immediately set to work writing the article. She only stopped when she got a letter from a fellow correspondent. It wasn't the letter that made her nervous, however, it was what delivered it.
A red tailed hawk.