A/N: Yup, Enjolras had Dumbledore's wisdom when he was talking about how it didn't matter what a person was born… I changed the quote a little but the point still serves Woo Harry Potter fans! Also, Albaric means blond ruler… I'm not even sorry.
"Albaric!" said a petite woman as she burst through the dark wooden front door with gold handles and intricate carvings. She had graying hair that was pulled back in a taut bun, and her age was apparent from the wrinkles that were etched into her face. As she neared, however, Eponine noticed that the woman, whom she assumed was Aunt Agnes, possessed smile lines around her eyes that gave her a disarming presence.
"Who's Albaric?" Eponine whispered out of the corner of her mouth into Enjolras' ear.
"Me. I forgot to tell you my real name; try to refer to me as Albaric for the remainder of the week, it's considered proper," Enjolras reply in an undertone.
The woman pulled up her plum gown and advanced towards Eponine and Enjolras. Enjolras squeezed Eponine's hand tightly.
"Aunt Agnes," he said through gritted teeth, yet his tone was as polite as ever.
"My nephew!" she said kissing Enjolras' cheeks, and he mirrored her actions. "And who is this?" she asked as she turned to Eponine.
Enjolras began to introduce her, but Eponine cut him off. She was perfectly capable of introducing herself! She wasn't a mute!
"My name is Eponine Therrian," Eponine said with a practiced curtsy. Aunt Agnes leaned forward to kiss Eponine's cheeks, and the simple action threw Eponine off guard. Eponine assumed it would be proper to kiss her cheeks in return…
"My, I never could imagine a day when our Albaric would bring home a lady. Last time I saw you, years ago, you had sworn off women forever! I suppose that's changed now," Aunt Agnes chuckled.
Eponine couldn't help the small smile that spread on her face. She could imagine a young Enjolras who thought of women as 'disgusting.'
"Aunt Agnes," Enjolras said in a pained voice, but Eponine could tell he thought it amusing.
Just at that moment, Clara and Grantaire walked out of their carriage, looking slightly disheveled, and approached the trio.
"Hello Aunt Agnes! I brought Albaric! I'm so glad he came," Clara gushed brightly, smiling at her brother.
"I am glad he's here; I know Jacques wanted to see him," Aunt Agnes said.
Eponine regarded Agnes and decided that she was a kind, old woman. She didn't believe that Aunt Agnes was capable of blackmailing Enjolras like she did. Maybe she didn't; maybe it had been the uncle who was so devious and cruel.
At the mention of Uncle Jacques, both Clara and Enjolras paled instantaneously.
"Must I speak to him?" Enjolras whined, not unlike a small child.
Aunt Agnes nodded gravely. "He doesn't seem to be too happy," she said.
"Well, if it must be done…" Enjolras said reluctantly. "It can be done later."
Aunt Agnes' eyes trailed off into the sky for a moment before returning her kind, brown eyes back unto Eponine and Enjolras.
"Albaric, why don't you show Eponine to her room? She shall reside in the room the sits immediately to the right of your old room. Clara, you shall stay in your room, and I can find another room for this young man. Grantaire, am I correct?" Aunt Agnes asked.
"That is my name, madam," Grantaire said before kissing Aunt Agnes' gloved hand.
Enjolras went to fetch Eponine's clothing chest, but she refused.
"I am capable of carrying my own things!" Eponine insisted firmly. She did not want to be pampered or treated differently because she was a woman. She was just as capable of taking care of herself as any other man!
"I know you are, love, but it would hardly look good in front of my aunt. She appreciates good chivalry," Enjolras winked as they walked inside the grand house, but Eponine was slightly resentful.
Eponine lost some of her anger as she observed the home. As the entered, the pair past by another stone fountain made out of marble with silky water pouring through the babe's mouth who sat at the top. A marble house for a marble man. How fitting.
As Enjolras lead Eponine through the corridors, she managed to get a peek into some of the lavish rooms. The first room she saw was a dining room with high ceilings, an organ, and a table large enough to seat at least 30 people. The walls were furnished with various animal heads and the family crest hung proudly on the far wall.
The next room Eponine saw that piqued her interest was the library. The walls were covered in a red, patterned silk, and the ceiling had a mural painted stunningly on it that made the room appear to be open to the heavens. The best part of the room however was not the cozy chairs that circled the fireplace, nor the black marble fireplace, nor the spiral staircase that led to a second row of books. The books were the most memorable part of the room. There had to be thousands of books lining every wall in the room; one would have to spend years in that room if they wished to read every single one. Eponine had never been a keen reader, yet this room beckoned her near.
"That was my favorite room too," Enjolras commented, even though Eponine hadn't said anything.
"Have you read any of the books in there?" Eponine asked in wonderment, and Enjolras chuckled bitterly.
"I spent most of my childhood in that room, reading. The only happy part of my past life," Enjolras said as they continued walking on.
They passed many more spectacular rooms, but none were as amazing as the library. Eponine enjoyed walking through a hall that was lined with tapestries, and she spent a minute studying each one. She also enjoyed peering into the entertainment room that was complete with a piano and several lounge chairs.
"Do you play the piano, Enjolras?" Eponine asked curiously.
"I used to, but I suppose I still remember how…" Enjolras shrugged as he glanced at the grand piano.
"Could you teach me how to play?" Eponine asked hopefully. Enjolras wanted to say no for he associated the piano with bad memories, but the excited look on her face made him say 'of course.' He could make new memories.
Finally, after a couple minutes of walking, Enjolras stopped in front of two simple doors. He pushed open the first one, introducing it to Eponine as his own room.
"This was where I slept as a child," Enjolras said as Eponine observed the room. There was a dark canopy bed with red bed sheets (of course) and creamy pillows that stood in the center of the room. A mahogany desk was placed in the corner with several papers cluttering the top. The room smelled faintly of Enjolras.
"This looks nearly identical to your room back at the flat," Eponine observed. The room looked simple, but she was sure that everything in it was of the finest quality.
"I know that, but technically you are not supposed to have the knowledge of what my room looks like at home. Do not let my aunt or uncle know that you sleep in my room with me at night; they would think it highly improper. Perhaps it is improper, but I hardly care," Enjolras shrugged before carefully shutting the door.
"This is your room," he said opening the door on the right. Eponine wanted to gag at the highly feminine décor. The walls were a soft yellow, with purple accents. The ceiling was in the shape of an oval, and it was predominantly white with purple dots that outline the oval. The bed was a canopy bed similar to Enjolras,' but it had rich, violet sheets with white and yellows pillows. There was a wooden wardrobe in the corner that was detailed with etchings of flower petals, and a purple lounge chair in the center of the room atop a luxurious rug.
"I prefer your room," Eponine pouted as Enjolras placed her clothing chest next to the wardrobe. She was not afraid of speaking her mind.
"I prefer my room as well," Enjolras laughed as though to say 'what are you going to do about it.' Eponine scowled.
"I suppose I can live with this for a week or two… There is a strong perfume scent in here, however, and it is nauseating," Eponine whined. Enjolras agreed.
"You will live," Enjolras teased as he walked over to Eponine. "I suppose I should go speak with my uncle now; I want to get talking to him over with. He was never fond of me," he spat.
"I shall go with you," Eponine said bravely, but Enjolras refused.
"I need to speak with my uncle in privacy first, but then I will acquaint the two of you over dinner. Please wait here until I return," Enjolras urged before leaving the room.
Eponine smirked after him. She was Eponine Thenardier, and she did not follow orders.
A/N: Enjolras will be rallying the people after the next chapter! Get excited! The next chapter is just dinner. Also, I loosely based the house after the Biltmore House if anyone has ever been to that! It's smaller than the Biltmore is, but the rooms inspired some of the rooms in this house.