Disclaimer: I own nothing.
"I am Adrian Pucey.
Adrian. Woolard. Pucey.
My family founded the town of Pesei in Berkshire County in 1086! My 110x great uncle Adam de Pesy, was recognized in the 'Feet of the Fines' of Berkshire in 1220, during the reign of King Henry 111."
Adrian continued to pace and talk to himself. He'd been at it for two days. The elves, each popping in arbitrarily to check on the normally composed and quiet wizard. They were clearly unnerved by his uncertain and seemingly unstable manner; none knew what to do. At one point the wizard had stopped convincing himself of his worthiness and familial value and looked around to see seven trays of various snack items and cooled pots of tea. The only recourse for the devoted elves was to feed him into stoicism. Adrian barked a laugh and reassured them of his sanity and that he would not be needing any more tea and snacks.
Adrian stopped pacing and plopped down on his favorite chair just as his mother entered the hall. She handed the items she held over to the waiting house elf and gracefully strolled into the library where her only son and heir to both the Pucey vaults and the Fawley (her family name) sat scowling.
With a flourish and grace only Elizabeth could pull off, she sat, settled and took tea in one fluid movement. "Child, do stop frowning. It is unbecoming. Now, how was your day?"
Adrian could tell his mother was up to something. She had an excited glow about her. He shook his head. "Uneventful."
Ladies did not pry or volunteer information to wizards, whether it was to her son or not, so she waited. She knew he would talk. While waiting, she sipped her tea, bit into a crumpet, looked out the window to the birds chirping and tried not to throw a cuppa at the grandfather clock ticking and tocking in its rather peculiar rhythm. It drove her batty on a good day. Her father-in-law gave it to her at her wedding. She was now certain it was chosen as the perfect gift so that he would not have to listen to it for one tick or tock more.
Elizabeth almost gave up and left her son to his machinations, but just as she took the last sip of tea, he spoke. "I've offended Hermione, mum."
Elizabeth's heart squeezed just a bit. Her son didn't call her 'mum' unless something was weighing heavily on his mind. And Hermione was a very intriguing prospect for a future daughter-in-law. It wouldn't do for her son to offend the illustrious witch. Adrian needed his mum's help; and help him she would. "How so?"
Adrian looked at his mum and sighed. "I have committed one folly after another with her. The last was at dinner the other evening. Mum, she urged, nay goaded, us into having desserts first. I just… I didn't mean to challenge her so ardently. But having dessert first was contrary to how we were taught. You know?" Adrian huffed and shook his head.
Elizabeth fought the urge to laugh. Her son was so proper. It was how they were all raised; with tradition and order of the things. She couldn't blame his rigidity, but she could see the humor in it.
"How did you react?" she asked almost fearful of the answer.
"I questioned her wanting dessert at all. Most witches are worried for their figure-"
"Please tell me that you did not actually say that."
Adrian's whole body deflated and he nodded his head. "I did."
Elizabeth gasped, appalled. Adrian quickly added, "I corrected immediately, but then tripped once more in my correction, stating that it must be a difference in Muggle vs Wizarding manners!"
At this point, Elizabeth had her hand over her heart and she was shaking her head back and forth. She could not believe that her son; her poised, debonair, normally articulate son committed such an awful, and entirely preventable, social blunder.
"You apologized, yes?" she asked, hopeful.
"I did not have an opportunity, because once we had desserts and drinks and laughed and talked and had the one of the finest evenings, I insulted her again. In my defense, I was tearing the mickey. However, it came out much more arrogant than intended." He seemed to retract back into remembering the evening and didn't elaborate, but that was not acceptable to Elizabeth.
"Well?" she barked, startling Adrian and causing him to sputter.
"She-she… She told us what a good time she was having and Zabini teased her about how she liked us. Hermione smirked and shrugged and said 'maybe' or some such and I said, in all of my infinite wisdom, 'Oh, I think you like us more than a little, ha ha ha.' And she stood, paid for everything then left."
"Oh Adrian."
He nodded. "I know. I'm a cad." He was at a complete and total loss.
Elizabeth knew that Adrian must apologize. Her emotion leaned towards a gift of some kind, but Adrian read her mind and shook his head. "This witch is different, mother. She cannot be plied with shiny baubles and cheap sentiment."
Elizabeth took in a deep breath. The witch was different. She needed some insight as to the depth of her son's feelings for Hermione Granger and his intentions towards her. Again reading his mother's mind, he answered before she asked. "I like her. A lot. It is not a big leap for me to envision a life with her; a family."
"And Marcus?" she inquired.
Adrian nodded. "Him too."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes quite loudly. "No, what are his intentions towards Hermione?" She stopped for a moment, understanding dawning. "You would consider a Triad?"
Adrian smirked. "I would consider more than that. But back to the matter at hand. This family that I so easily speak of and in which you fantasize your grandchildren cannot come true if she hates me!"
"You must act. Which dessert did she have at the restaurant?"
He thought back. "Cheesecake, with fresh strawberries."
"Go to Sweet Spells Cakery and pick up cheesecake and strawberries. Then you knock on Hermione's door and offer her cheesy tidings and your most heartfelt apologies."
Elizabeth was about to go on, but Marcus, Draco and Blaise entered in a raucous. They all greeted her with a kiss on the cheek and turned to Adrian. "You need to apologize for your completely entertaining, but horrid gaffe," Blaise told him. Draco nodded in agreement.
Marcus huffed then said, "Let's go."
"What? Now? It's dark out!" Adrian cried.
Draco nodded. "Well spotted. It's dark out every night, Lord Obvious. But there is no time like the present to apologize."
Blaise concurred. "Right, mate. We have let you wallow in self-pity for long enough."
"I have to get a cheese cake," Adrian told them as he was being man-handled to the foyer.
"You have to give an apology. Sorry first, cheesecake later." Marcus said, with conviction. He wanted Hermione; he knew that. He wanted a wife in her, a family, a lover; everything with her. But he knew he couldn't force it and he would have a better chance at keeping her in his life if Adrian stopped putting his foot in his mouth.
Marcus, Blaise, and Draco Apparated to Hermione's door before Adrian arrived.
OoO
They all walked in the door to Pucey's estate and plopped down into cushy chairs. A house elf popped in, turned on a few lamps and lit the fireplace.
"I can't believe that shit just happened," Blaise said, laughing.
Draco's eyes were drawn to the crackling flames in the fireplace as he remembered Hermione's facial metamorphosis; shock at Pucey's order, confusion as to his seriousness of said order, slow irritation then full on anger at his audacity. Her reaction was priceless and predictable. The regal blond looked up from the fire to watch his mate limp to the bar for a tumbler of whiskey. Adrian poured two fingers and downed the liquid in one gulp.
"Oi! You've got guests!" Blaise scolded, wanting some of what Adrian was having.
"Steady on! I'm getting to you, mate," Pucey told the room as he lifted three more tumblers from their resting places.
Marcus hadn't said a word since Hermione had hexed Pucey and threatened the rest of them then slammed the door. He closed his eyes and brought up the vision of her as she had opened the door in the first place. The clean scent of her had wafted out as the door opened and caressed his skin. The memory made his nostrils flare.
Her cheeks had been slightly flushed. Marcus concluded that she had taken a rather warm bath. However, she also seemed a bit out of breath… He let his mind conjure all sorts of images to that effect; pale legs spread and waiting for him, the earthy smell of aroused witch, dusky nipples… He shifted in the seat. He wanted her, but if Pucey continued down this path, Marcus would maim the wizard permanently! He was jarred out of his reverie with an offer of liquor by Adrian.
"Sorry mate," Adrian said to Marcus.
Marcus took a long swallow and nodded. "I don't know how we'll fix this."
Blaise and Draco nodded in agreement. They didn't know either.
oOo
Hermione snorted into her tea cup as she, once more, envisioned the shock on Adrian's face when she had hexed him right on his bum, and the frightened look and quick steps in retreat the others had taken in response. "Serves them right," she murmured to herself.
She had been completely taken aback both by their arrival and Adrian's rather possessive words. It was strange that it had made her feel warm inside. The other gentlemen present had all looked at her as if she were their answer to all that was holy. That also made her feel a fluttering of her heart. However, she felt like if she let them, no matter how much she wanted or liked it, they would dominate her and that was not something her feminist mind would allow. Right now, she needed some advice. It was a little later than comfortable to call upon someone, but it was urgent. Besides, Hermione consulted with her on all things male.
"Minnie?" she called from her Floo. After a moment, the ashy representation of Minerva McGonagall appeared. "Good evening, Miss Granger. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Hermione raised an eyebrow. "So formal, Minnie? You sound like Professor Snape."
Minnie turned her head to look behind her and then back to Hermione. "Yes… well…"
"He's there with you? Are you- Are you- on a date?"
"A date, Miss Granger, sounds pubescent. We are mature adults. We are shagging," Severus corrected.
"Severus!" Minerva gasped.
Hermione snickered then leaned in and whispered. "Is he pissed?"
"I can hear you, Miss Granger. You do understand the basic magical science behind Floo calls, yes?"
His words were a bit slurred, but not so much to lose their authoritative tone.
Hermione heard a slight commotion and then Minerva was back in front. "What did you need, dear?"
Knowing her friend was on a – shagging Professor Snape, Hermione summarized the situation and recent actions as briefly as she could manage.
"I see," Minnie responded. Severus said something in the background and Minerva nodded.
"Hermione, you must set some ground rules. If they intend on courting you, they must follow the guidelines set by tradition. Severus has a book you can reference. He will Owl it to you later tonight."
Hermione nodded. "Thank you, Minnie. I'll leave you to it then. Good night, Professor Snape," she called and heard some mumbled response before Minnie closed her floo.
As Hermione sat and processed the advice offered, she wondered to herself, "When do I set these rules?" She took a deep breath and came to a conclusion. No time like the present.
She got dressed, fixed her hair and made her way to the foyer. She just knew they were either all at Pucey's or she would end up visiting each home.