It seemed to Severus that she was not very long recovered from her illness when Narcissa came to her with a summons to attend a tea she was throwing that very afternoon. As she had been given a clean bill of health from the Malfoy Healer, and had even commented to her brother that morning that she felt entirely whole, Severus had found no means in which she might refuse the offer and was thus subsequently seated within the gardens with Ambrosia Nott, Petula Parkinson, and Alecto Carrow.
"I was quite surprised, I will admit, to find that Mr. Black was so well behaved." Ambrosia confessed.
"I will not pretend that I do not share your view." Severus admitted, still unwilling to believe the Gryffindor redeemed.
"Oh, but Severus, he was truly everything a gentleman ought to be." The short woman insisted. "Not only was he sensible and good-humored, he was lively as well. And oh! I have never before seen such happy manners in a man!"
"And he was so very handsome." Alecto crooned with a ravenous smile.
"Which a person ought to be- if they can help it." Petula contributed, casting a Severus a derisive look.
Ignoring the thinly-veiled insult, Severus turned her focus unto the rosebuds that were only just beginning to decorate the shrubbery which ensconced them.
"Severus," Distracted Ambrosia, "You must surely have been flattered by the way in which Mr. Black kept you to himself for so very many dances."
"It was a compliment I had not expected." Severus agreed, unwilling to aggravate Narcissa by arguing it was no real compliment.
"But you must have expected to receive such special attentions from someone." Alecto accused, too mild to be ignorant. "You did, after all, take such great care to look ravishing."
Had she not such strong control of her emotions, Severus might have blushed as thoughts of Forsythe Avery dashed across the forefront of her mind.
"You are very kind to say so." Severus replied, carefully neutral.
"Yes, I suppose that is the difference between us." Alecto sniffed. "Compliments seem to always take you by surprise, but never me. I am a woman who knows how to be flattered."
"I am modest only because I am certain that Mr. Black's compliment was not reserved only for me. Twice I saw him dance with Othello Selwyn, and thrice with her sister Juliet."
"Such nonsense!" Ambrosia refuted, her smile warm. "It was only natural that Mr. Black should chose you so often for his partner. Why, I wager he could not help but notice you were far prettier than any other woman in the room."
"You are much too quick with your flattery, Ambrosia." Severus scolded softly, entirely uncomfortable as to what direction the conversation was being steered.
"I never did like to see a fault in anybody, not if it could be helped."
"Then I must commend you on such a mastery of tact. For I would never be able to censure myself in such a fashion. I fear I must always say what I think."
"I know that of you, Severus. And it is precisely that which gives me cause for wonder. What with your good sense, to be so honestly blind to the virtues and attributes of others! I cannot begin to understand it. A certain degree of candor is well enough, after all, one must meet with it often enough in life. But, to be candid without discretion? That is no good."
It was a well-founded argument, without flaw, and Severus found no way in which she might defend herself from such a lecture. That did not mean, however, she would not make the attempt.
"I would not so hasty to determine Mr. Black a gentleman. One evening alone is hardly sufficient enough to paint his picture accurately."
As much as the masses might protest as to the man's innocence and virtue, Severus knew in her heart that Mr. Black's behavior at the ball had only been calculated to please the horde and render his return to society easier. With her quickness of observation and a harsher degree of judgement than the ladies surrounding her, she had found very little to approve of when I came to Mr. Black. For she knew he was no fine gentleman, and only humorous at the expense of others. While he was admittedly handsome, and in possession of a fortune only slightly less than her brothers, she knew enough to assume that the man would be in the habit of spending than he ought to, with little regards to keeping his accounts in the clear. Furthermore, she had it on good authority that Mr. Black could touch only his mother's holding, and would be resigned to such a fate until at last he was prevailed upon to marry.