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A Sorta Double Date

It was a testament to how pathetic his social life was that Teddy found himself being all but pushed out of his office at four thirty so that he could go home and get ready for his date. Which wasn't really a date seeing as Wren would be there too, but Teddy would take what he could get. Particularly since things were already weird so how much worse could a chaperone make it? Scratch that. Teddy didn't want to think about how awkward and uncomfortable Wren could make this if the older man set his mind to being a real pain in his arse. Especially since Wren was smart enough to rope James into helping him if he thought help was needed. And Wren was James' ultimate weak spot so yeah, please Merlin let Wren not seduce James into helping him mess things up with him.

Still shuddering at the possibilities by the time he got home-and Teddy had multiple worst case scenarios running through his mind-Teddy let himself in and then immediately headed up the stairs to shower and change in to more casual clothes. He'd sweated far too much thinking about the what ifs and he wanted to look and smell his best.

Wincing at that thought-what was wrong with his brain-Teddy rushed through the shower, basic grooming, and then faced his wardrobe with all the trepidation of a tween before his first date. Ugh.

When it doubt-wear clothes that someone else who dressed well had picked out for him like before. Clothes were not his area of expertise.

So he went for the blueish grey cashmere jumper Dominique had bought him one year when she got him for Secret Santa and then paired it with his best pair of dark jeans. That done Teddy stood in front of his full length mirror and started playing with his hair and eye color until he said to hell with it and went with his normal appearance because there was no point in false advertising. Though he did add some highlights to his hair. He hadn't been getting enough sun recently.

Okay. Good as it was going to get.

That done Teddy headed out of his room to check two of the 'guest rooms' to make sure that all was as he'd left it the night before. Regulus had said that he'd want to stay over in the future to see if the painting had any effect on him, and that Wren would want to babysit him when he did. With that in mind he'd figured he better make sure the spaces were ready, just in case. One of the rooms had always been a spare bedroom while the other was Regulus Black's old room. Not that he intended to give that one to current Regulus unless he wanted to sleep there. He'd figured Wren for that one.

Anyway, he didn't figure that they'd want to stay overnight tonight, but better to be prepared. And everything looked in place after a thorough once over in both so Teddy jogged out of the room to his home office, opening his door so that he could take a peek at Regulus's portrait.

"Wish me luck!"

No response, naturally, but hey, no response was better than a bad one.

Fuck. Lilah was right. He really did need a vacation. Preferably with Regulus.

Lost in thoughts of beaches, ocean breezes, and Regulus in various stages of undress or in swimming trunks, Teddy completely lost track of time. The chiming of his clock on the mantel finally jarred him back to reality. Oops.

But at least he recovered his senses in time to not only head downstairs, but be on the stairs when someone arrived at the door. Early.

Wren's doing, Teddy was guessing.

Shaking his head Teddy hurried to answer it, opening the door to discover not a set of cousins-but his cousin. Hugo to be precise.

"Hi. You look really good. Of course I also have less fashion sense than you do so what do I know-but I think you look good."

"Thanks. Come in, then."

Doing precisely that Hugo explained why he'd dropped by as they headed towards the back to get Hugo a glass of water. It seems that they'd had no luck at the school library, which wasn't that unexpected since they'd been looking for a children's book, but they'd had a very enjoyable time regardless. Or at least Hugo had. Teddy was very much aware that as long as he was surrounded by books his cousin was a happy young man. Not even failing to find his target was going to change that. It would just challenge him. Typical Hugo Weasley in that regard.

"Anyway, I got the sense that Wren might intend to make dinner tough for you, like maybe interrogate you like my dad does every time a boy shows even the slightest interest in Rosie, So I figured I might be able to help. I mean three is an odd number and I can be very distracting without even trying. I whispered my idea to Regulus while Wren was in the next aisle over and he thought it was a good idea. He's going to order extra food, just in case. I told him I'd run it by you since I figured maybe you'd enlisted James to help you or something-obviously he'd leap at the chance, right? So yeah, I didn't want to just invite myself by tagging along with them so I figured if I came early I could ask, then either scram or stick around to guard your back."

And if he'd said scram that's precisely what Hugo would have done, no hurt feelings at all. Such were the mystical, adorable charms of Hugo Weasley.

"I thought about pulling James into this and then figured he was just as likely to take Wren's side to earn brownie points. Not to mention cowardly. You sticking around as a buffer works for me though. Especially since you're my favorite right now." Teddy ruffled Hugo's hair for added affection.

"We're all your favorites. Even Molly."

The two shared a knowing, ruefully affectionate look. Their cousin, much like her father, could be an acquired taste. Aka they both loved her-while also often wishing they could gag her. To say Molly was an opinionated know it all who loved to hear herself talk was a bit of an understatement.

Finishing off his water Hugo set the empty glass on the counter and then asked how Teddy was doing with the whole Regulus-but not Regulus-being alive. And very available.

"Very available?"

"Would Professor Owens be this riled up if he didn't think your chances were seriously good?"

"Thank you. I needed to hear that."

"Happy to help. Now answer the question."

"How am I doing? I'm not sure. It changes from minute to minute." Teddy moved around Hugo so that he could join Hugo in leaning back against the counter, staring towards the opposite wall. "I was just getting a handle on the rest of it, you know? The whole having dreams that are memories and falling for someone who's been dead for decades and was-bonus-related to me. I was working on convincing myself that they weren't my feelings, that I had to bury them and move on, and then I saw him walk into the room and it was like...probably as close to love at first sight as I'm ever getting. And I don't believe in love at first sight. You can't love someone without knowing them first. That's not how real love works so..."

"So you don't know how to know which Regulus you're feeling those things for. Especially since this Regulus is a lot more your type than your dead relative Regulus. Though both are equally sexy."

"Exactly. And no poaching, Kid." Hugo would never do that, but Teddy needed to insert some humor into this serious conversation.

"Tempting. But yeah, no. Also I have no real advice to give you cause yeah-this one's a toughie."

Chuckling, Teddy agreed that that was a good way to put it.

"Lucky for you he is into you. Big time. So odds are he'll stick around, or at least in contact, while you figure things out a little more."

"Here's hoping." Teddy crossed his fingers for emphasis.

)

For the sake of Teddy's sanity and nerves the two of them opted to drop the subject for the time being and instead discussed recent gossip about their mutual friends and relatives as they got out Teddy's good table cloth-they had to go hunting for it-and then set the dining room table for dinner. After some quick cleaning of the wine glasses because Teddy hadn't used them in forever and they'd gotten a tad dusty. Also he ate a lot of takeaway and drinking alone was just depressing.

But it all looked nice in the end, Teddy having been well trained by his grandmother as to how to set a table 'properly'. She'd approve.

"You're sure this isn't going too far? Cloth napkins and everything? He is bringing takeaway, not coming for a gourmet meal."

"He's French. Think of our French relatives and then ask yourself that question."

"Right." All his half French cousins did like the finer things in life. And for their special someone's to go the extra mile where they were concerned. Or a lot more than a mile if you were talking about Victoire, Teddy thought with a smirk. And Aunt Fleur had very strong opinions about eating takeaway straight from the containers. And on takeaway in general. Plus she was big on presentation and Regulus was an artist-visuals would matter to him. Probably.

"And you're sure he didn't say what kind of food he was bringing?"

"No idea. He just asked me about allergies and what you like to eat."

Teddy ate a lot of takeaway. That didn't really narrow it down any. Not to mention they were all wizards. That meant they could travel a lot further than most for food and still bring it back piping hot.

Hugo gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze, though he was looking more than a little amused as he stated that Teddy needed to relax. It was just dinner. It wasn't even the two's first date.

"And my future happiness might depend on it."

"Steady, Man. Steady. And you got to the second date-that's a good sign."

"Or I'm only getting the second date because I own the portrait and I'm his ticket in to seeing other works by his grandfather. The one I have is the only one he's ever seen."

"Oh. Well, uhm, he's definitely in to you. I know I'm not wrong about that so-you're going back to Alexei's grandmother's place with him? Could I come?"

Raising an eyebrow Teddy stated that he hadn't asked Mrs. Notts yet about coming by, much less with Regulus in tow. But if he did and got the okay yes, he didn't see why he couldn't ask if Hugo could come with them. Why?

"I liked her."

Pretty sure that it was more than that-and that he knew the real reason Hugo was asking-Teddy prayed that he was wrong in that regard. On a number of levels. Uncle Ron was barely hanging on to his sanity by his fingernail thanks to Rosie's on again, off again relationship with Sev. The man's hairline was also receding by the month, which Uncle Ron claimed to be a direct result of that stress. This would...well it wouldn't end well, that's for sure. On a number of levels.

For a moment Teddy debated asking if Hugo shared his apparent love for short, dark haired Slytherins who were obsessed with Quidditch-but he figured they were all safe not stressing about that just yet. Especially since he had more immediate things to worry about.

"Did you warn them about the portrait, by the way? Walburga's, I mean."

"Yeah, Regulus knows about it." And pulling out his watch Teddy checked the time. "They should be here in a few minutes. Regulus strikes me as the very prompt sort. Wren definitely is."

"I'll go outside to wait for them, bring them in. Pay for my supper, so to speak."

"Favorite." Teddy assured him with a grin. "Thanks."

"No problem."

)

As expected, the two cousins showed up two minutes before six. Both men were loaded down with bags and with Hugo's help they brought in the Italian food Wren and Regulus had bought for their meal. Italian from Italy, it turned out. And it smelled fricking amazing as the three of them unloaded the containers at the end of the table so that that part of the table could act as a mini buffet since there was a heck of a lot of food to pick from. Teddy, meanwhile, had been given the wine to open and pour into their glasses. Which also smelled really good.

"You set a lovely table." Regulus observed as he accepted the plate Teddy handed him so that he could fill it up.

"Thanks. I try. My grandmother's pretty strict about that sort of thing."

"So is Aunt Fleur and Aunt Audrey."

"Of course. She's French." Regulus grinned. "And your Aunt Audrey, she is the wife of?"

"Uncle Percy." Hugo and Teddy said in perfect unison.

"They have two daughters, Molly and Lucy. I enjoyed having Lucy as a student."

"Molly can be an acquired taste." Teddy explained as he joined the others in serving themselves. The spaghetti and meatballs looked amazing, as did the timballo and lasagna.

"She means well...just everyone in her family tends to think they know best about everything. And they like to make that clear to everyone in ear shot. Well except for Lucy. Which is ironic because she's the most observant and smartest one, so she actually knows a heck of a lot."

"Thank Merlin I was only stuck with you." Wren joked with a smirk in Regulus's direction.

"Ah, but all these cousins would become yours if you married Mr. Potter." Regulus pointed out with a very Slytherinish smirk. "I think I'd enjoy their help keeping you in line."

"Very funny."

"It is very funny to imagine, yes."

Hoping to earn some brownie points with Wren by saving him Teddy changed the subject to asking Wren and Regulus how the rest of their day had gone once they'd left the Hogwarts library. Hugo had already told him that they hadn't had luck finding the mystery book.

As it happened Regulus had made Wren take a nap once they'd gone back to Hogsmeade so no...no brownie points for him. Sigh.

But at least Regulus stuck to his side enough that Teddy got to sit beside him once they took their seats, Wren directly across from Teddy and scowling over that fact. Hugo was as amused as you'd expect a teenager to be, Teddy still very much grateful his cousin had invited himself along.

To save their appetites they kept their conversation light as the meal progressed, the men over halfway through their main course when a house elf suddenly appeared in the room, the creature immediately sweeping into a bow as she apologized profusely for interrupting their meal.

"That's okay, Penny. Don't worry about it." Hugo assured her, pushing back the chair so that he could get up to go over to the house elf his family employed as a housekeeper. "Did my dad send you to check in on me?"

The house elf, who wore a blue sarong, shook her head as she lifted up her lef arm to reveal that she was holding a cloth bag. "No, Master Hugo. Your mum asked me to bring this to you. Master Hugo's friend Miss. Laurel stopped by looking for you, said you needed this book."

"Brilliant!" Taking the offered bag Hugo reached in and pulled out a slim book, worn with age. "Yup, this is it. Thanks, Penny. I appreciate you dropping this off for me."

"Penny is happy to help. Penny will always be at Master Hugo's service."

"Just Hugo is fine, remember. Have you had your dinner yet? We have plenty. Here's your bag back."

The elf accepted the bag with a wide smile. "Oh no, Penny doesn't need anything. Is there anything else Penny can do for Master Hugo?"

"No. Thanks."

"Then have a good evening, Master Hugo. Master Teddy and his guests."

Another bow and then Penny disappeared from the room, leaving them behind to turn their attention to the book in Hugo's hands.

Flipping to the Table of Contents Hugo looked through the listed chapter titles, reading them outloud to the rest of them since none of them made it obvious which story was the one they were looking for.

After one false guess Hugo discovered the right one. "In 1847 world renown artist and owner of Parrish Art Supplies Caleb Parrish is-"

"Did you say Caleb Parrish?" Regulus interrupted, eyes narrowing when Hugo nodded. "He was not a world renown artist. He had some talent and skill, yes, but his work will never hang in museums or fetch a great deal of coin. His real skills lay in his paints themselves. It's what Parrish was most known for before they closed their doors in the late eighties."

"His paints?" Teddy repeated.

"Yes. Many of the greatest paintings created by witches and wizards in the late nineteenth and most of the twentieth century were painted with paints coming from that company. They were known all over the world for the beauty of their colors and the long-lasting nature of their products. I've been lucky enough to use their paints and can say, without hesitation, that they are by far superior to anything else out there. Sadly their secrets died with Caleb Parrish's grandson."

"Teddy Prince could have used those paints though, if it didn't close until the late eighties. Right?"

Regulus looked over at Hugo, nodding his head in agreement. "Yes. I'd have to look at the painting again-I wasn't paying attention to the paint itself-but it's possible. Though maybe not. My grandfather's family were facing great financial trouble at that time and Parrish was very expensive, especially in my grandfather's time."

"Regulus Black could have afforded it though, depending on how expensive it was."

"And we could ask Mrs. Notts what sort of paint her brother used. She might know." Hugo's face broke out into a wide grin. "Field trip!"