Chapter Four
Garden Inspection
When Eben knocked on the door, he was in for an uncomfortable moment of standing on the front step. Corey Willowby opened the door and gazed at Eben with such scrutiny that Eben really did wish he could read the wizard's mind in that moment.
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't just turn you away at the door," Corey said evenly.
"Perhaps because Hope told me that you weren't the sort of wizard who would judge another wizard based on the family he was born into," Eben replied solemnly.
Corey squinted at him and then sighed, reluctantly opening the door wider before turning into the house.
"Hope! That boyfriend of yours is here to pick you up!" Corey called up the stairs, ignoring Rose's protests from the next room when he had successfully emphasized the word 'boy'.
"At least he is only my boyfriend! It's not like someone I know who was engaged to my mother before she even graduated!" Hope's voice bellowed from somewhere out of view.
"She's got you there, Corey," Rose said as she stepped out into the hallway. "Good morning, Eben! Perfect day for a garden party."
"I have a feeling that my Aunt Blair would contrive a way to make the weather ideal regardless, but thank you," Eben replied, while Corey looked less than impressed with that admission.
"Come sit down for a moment and tell us how your Auror training is going," Rose insisted, leading him into the living room while Corey stood in the archway with his arms folded.
"Well, I did enjoy training with the Canadian Flyers," Eben prefaced. "But it's been rough since I've been back. Doug and Aurelius have been pushing me pretty hard."
"Probably because they have to," Corey commented. "Doug told us the other day that you spend most of his training sessions flat on your arse..."
"Corey!" Rose scolded, frowning at him sternly.
"Aurelius told me that it was to be expected," Eben immediately interjected. "You see, I hadn't originally planned to be an Auror; I was a Magical Industries major," he explained to Rose. "I have a lot of catching up to do, but Aurelius is sure that I can get there."
"And just why did you decide to change majors at the last moment?" Corey inquired.
"That's the same as asking me why I became an Auror," Eben replied. "Aurelius told me that there's always a 'why', but I wouldn't often get other Aurors to talk about it because of how personal it is. Aurelius said that sometimes the reasons are simple to understand, while other times they are hard to hear. But regardless of what the reason is, most Aurors aren't willing to talk about their reason except to people that they trust and respect. And then, after Aurelius said that to me, he told me his reason," he added with a smile. Corey's expression softened somewhat. "I owe him a lot, actually, along with several other people that I can't really name," Eben admitted. "And right now the only way I can pay them back is to train as hard as I can and do what Aurelius advises, even when I hate having to do it."
"I'm sure Aurelius is only doing what he thinks is necessary to keep you safe," Rose assured him.
"Yes, I know," Eben said with a sigh. "But he's not making it easy."
"Good, it's not supposed to be easy," Corey said sternly.
Eben nodded to him with a thin smile, noticing that the tone in Corey's voice didn't seem quite as biting as it had been a moment before.
There was the sound of heeled shoes bounding down the wooden steps, and Eben looked over as Hope appeared next to her father in a beautiful white laced dress and a very fashionable witch's hat, her dark hair pinned up with tendrils around her face.
"Oh wow, you can actually pull off a dress after all. I was expecting a hot mess," Eben said in shock. Corey whirled to face him again.
"Is that how you address a lady? What the hell is the matter with you?" Corey immediately shouted out him.
But Hope burst out laughing and Rose soon followed, drowning out all of the criticism that Corey was giving about all of the different ways Eben could have addressed her better.
"It's okay, Dad. He's right. Eben wears his skirt way better than I do," Hope teased, rubbing her eyes clear.
"It's a kilt, and you know it," Eben said defensively.
"Besides, he has better legs." Hope added, enjoying the fact that Eben's face had begun to turn red.
"I'd beg to differ, but that dress is too long to comment on yours," Eben countered.
"It's not my fault! The sleeves and bodice are too tight, and I needed somewhere to put my wand," Hope protested. "Come on, let's go before my father starts criticizing our banter again," Hope suggested.
"Be careful. You know what you're walking into," Corey said evenly.
"Into the maul of a dragon!" Hope declared, holding up her finger like a sword.
"I'd prefer it if you didn't use that particular metaphor, thanks," Corey snapped, causing Rose to laugh again as Eben and Hope made their way out the door.
Hope hadn't been to the old Coventry Mansion since it had been fully renovated. Although the gardens themselves were dramatically different and the whitewash had been taken off to display the beautiful brickwork underneath it, she couldn't help but think about those last few days and what had caused it to be abandoned and sold in the first place.
"Alright?' Eben asked when she paused just after they keyed in.
"Just taking it all in," Hope explained. "It's so different than what it looked like when it was for sale."
"If my aunt and uncle have one thing in common, it is their drive to keep up appearances," Eben said. "That includes being personable and polite to everyone, no matter how they might really feel about them," he added with amusement. "My father, of course, is a lot more blunt. While he tries his best to be polite, he can't really maintain it. It never lasts," he warned.
"I bet the Truth Seeker thing has something to do with it," Hope conjectured. "And your Grandfather?"
"He's genuinely friendly, especially when he's in control of his surroundings," Eben replied. "But he's very dangerous when he's crossed... not even my father would dare to do that."
"I see," Hope said.
"Why are you telling her all of that?" said someone next to him.
They looked over to see Cadha standing next to the tree by the front gate, wearing a very serious expression indeed.
"Because my girlfriend deserves to know what she's about to walk into," Eben explained.
"Fair enough," Cadha decided, gazing at Hope fixedly. "Be polite to everyone, that would be my advice... especially our sister Zelda."
"Don't worry, I'll be on my best behavior," Hope said with a smile. "I want to make a good impression."
"Of course you do," Cadha replied. "But my family is terribly hard to impress, especially when we have trouble reading you," she added for good measure.
"I know. Thanks for the heads up," Hope said.
"Did you want to walk with us, Cadha?" Eben said.
"No, thank you," Cadha replied, and Eben nodded.
"See you this evening, then," Eben said, and led Hope over to the house.
"She was acting a bit odd, wasn't she?" Hope asked. Eben paused, gazing at Hope speculatively.
"Even though no one can read your mind, spoken words are likely to be picked up no matter where we are," Eben warned. "Assume that any words spoken on the property can be heard by everyone, and if you have any questions, wait until I take you home first before you ask them."
"Home is a bad idea. The walls have ears at my parents' house too," Hope said. "Shall we go out for drinks or something after?"
"Yes, alright," Eben agreed. "Because knowing you, you'll have a million and one comments and questions after this."
"More than likely! You really do know me, don't you?" Hope teased flirtatiously.
"Getting there," Eben replied, earning another smile as he escorted Hope over to his aunt and uncle.
"Ah! There is Eben!" Blair said, looking quite pleased. "And you've brought your friend!"
"Aunt Blair, Uncle Caliban, this is Auror Hope Willowby." Eben said.
"Yes, of course it is! How good it is to see you, how good to have you come," Blair said warmly. "Eben has been telling me so much about you, and what a lovely dress."
"You're very kind, Mrs. Villin," Hope replied, and Blair tsked.
"You must call be Blair, I insist, especially since you're so close to my nephew," Blair replied.
"Have you met my father?" she asked, and gestured to an older gentleman with muscular arms and full Scottish dress. He stepped away from his conversation and walked over to them. "Hope, my father, Lord Frijof Maxen. Father, this is Auror Hope Willowby, the Alchemist's daughter," she introduced. "Danyelle has mentioned that she's also one of her godchildren."
"Yes, I am. I have a lot of godparents," Hope admitted with a smile.
"So you're the lass who convinced our boy to become an Auror, then? And what a pretty thing you are too, not at all what I was expecting," Fritjof teased.
"Father, really," Blair chided him.
"The old stereotype of Aurors is being covered with scars and tattoos has faded with the times," Hope said with a smile. "It's mostly because Harry Potter drills us in defense all the time and is always honing our safety procedures to keep everyone in the department safe."
"That is a relief. Eben is so handsome, I would hate to see that lovely face marred," Blair said.
"I certainly agree," Hope replied, leaning on his arm with a smile while Eben blushed slightly. "Thank you for inviting me today. The gardens look absolutely amazing now... they were so stark when the Coventries owned it. Now it looks as if an entirely new property!"
"It is so kind of you to say. We worked so hard to vitalize it," Blair said, pleased.
"It is nice for a town house, but give me a wide expanse of open land any day," Fritjof protested. Blair rolled her eyes but with a tolerant smile. "You must come to dinner at the main house sometime, Auror Hope. We have moors to wander and fine horses to ride... you do know how to ride, I trust?"
"Yes, I was in the school's Bridal Club, although I haven't done any riding since school, I'm afraid," Hope admitted. "Being an Auror, it's hard to find the time."
"Then you must make the time," Fritjof insisted. "Please, be our guest for dinner next week at the main house so I might give you a tour. Saturday perhaps?"
"I'm afraid that Saturday I've been asked to Eric Dalance's Garden Party, Lord Fritjof," Hope explained. "It'll be a good month before I'll be able to ask off again, but I would be delighted to come in July."
"I promise I will bring her for dinner when we can, Grandfather," Eben assured him.
"I understand. We'll be happy to have you as soon as possible," Lord Fritjof said, nodding his head cordially before walking to greet another guest.
"Auror Hope, I hope you don't mind if I ask, but are you a member of the Order of Merlin?" Blair inquired.
"Who, me?" Hope asked in complete surprise.
"It is simply that I know his grace's garden party is a very exclusive event, so I admit to being a bit curious. Did I overstep?" Blair asked.
"Well, no, but I can only answer in confidence," Hope said, lowering her voice. Eben blinked at her.
"Oh, yes, of course. I am the soul of discretion," Blair assured her.
"His wife, Tonks, needs to step down from her position on the governor's board of Hogwarts before the end of August because of some rule changes on the board," Hope explained. "Tonks has nominated me to take her place. Eric has backed her up, but some of the board members are wondering if I have a conflict of interest since my grandparents run the school and my mother is a senior faculty member. But I haven't had anything to do with the school directly since I graduated, other than helping out with the Auror Club now and then. I don't even substitute. Eric invited me to his party to help drum up support for getting me on the board."
"I see," Blair said thoughtfully. "If only we knew what happened to Mari," she murmured. "I'm certain she would have supported you, especially since you have become so closer to our Eben."
"I had forgotten she was on the school board. She wasn't on it for very long," Eben said. "Who took her place?"
"Well, no one yet," Hope replied. "When she went missing, Eric listed her as being on leave of absence, which can last up to two years. Horus Crumb is proxy voting for her."
"Two years? That's quite generous," Blair commented.
"Yes, Minerva petitioned for it to be extended when she got on the board in case one of her trips home got delayed, although she's usually back within a year. Eric is her proxy voter," Hope added. "You see, she's a Royal Seamstress in the Otherworld. On her holidays home, she often brings tailoring orders and makes them over here where she has a lot more time to work on them. Technically, she's only gone for two to four weeks at a time from their perspective, but the time stream difference causes a super long lag on this end when she does take a vacation, so the delay is necessary," Hope explained. "You know, though, you could probably make a case to have Mari replaced before the two year period is up, especially since it was so unexpected."
"Perhaps Eben can take over," Blair suggested thoughtfully, glancing at Eben. He was gazing at Hope with a strange expression, wondering what she was thinking by giving his aunt that much information.
"I guess that would depend on if I get on the board or not," Hope said with a shrug and a smile. "Assuming, of course, that this party and the family dinner I was invited to has something to do with earning family approval."
"Sorry, Aunt Blair," Eben blurted out, causing both Hope and Blair to gaze over at him quizzically. "What I mean is... well, I know she's very bold sometimes. It's the Auror thing."
"Auror, nothing. I was born this way," Hope replied proudly.
"Really, Eben! I have nothing against bold witches, especially since I am one myself," Blair tsked at him.
"Yes," Caliban said with a smile, putting a gentle hand on his wife's shoulder. "It would seem we both have the same taste in women, Eben."
"Wizards with few words need a proper counterbalance," Blair ventured. "Just be sure that your voice your needs in private, even if you're not comfortable doing it in public, Eben. Of course, I can't speak for your father or grandfather, but I myself very much like the girl, and I think it's a good choice for you. You may bring her to any of my social events any time you like." Eben smiled, and no one missed the relief that went with it. "Now, Eben, why don't you show her around and have some fun? I have other guests that I should be greeting."
"Thank you, Aunt Blair," Eben said, leading Hope towards the refreshment tables.
"That's one down," Hope murmured mischievously.
"Two, really," Eben said, Hope gazing at him thoughtfully. "My grandfather wouldn't have invited you to the manor if he didn't already think you had promise, but it will be very important for you to agree with him incessantly during that dinner to insure it."
"No problem," Hope replied. "Do you think your aunt's opinion will help when it comes to impressing your father?"
"Yes and no," Eben said, handing her one of the wine glasses. "My aunt will definitely talk to him about it and give her his impression in great detail, but that doesn't mean he'll be persuaded by it. They're complete opposites in many ways, and my father, after hearing all opinions, will still make up his own mind about things."
"I understand," Hope replied. "Perhaps we should go see him then?"
"Well, he isn't here yet. He tends to come late to these sorts of gatherings, and then only to talk politics. Regular hobnobbing really doesn't interest him," Eben explained. "But there is one other person in my family that you might want to try getting on your side."
"Oh? Who is that?" Hope asked.
"Me, of course," said a little blonde girl with hazel eyes, who was helping herself to some cakes. Hope looked at her curiously, wondering about the aura around her. In some ways, she reminded her of Maurice at that age, confident to the point of almost being domineering.
"Hope, this is my sister Griselda, who'll be attending Hogwarts this year," Eben introduced. "Zelda, this is Hope Willowby, fellow Auror, and Corey Willowby's daughter."
"So you're a member of the Snape family? That explains why I can't read you then," Zelda said. "Then again, you're merely the daughter of an adopted child, so why would they go to an effort to protect you?" she asked bluntly.
"I'm an Auror for one thing, so I'm privy to all sorts of information," Hope explained.
"No, that's not it," Zelda decided solemnly. "I think it's because you know all of the Snape family secrets. Tell me one."
"Zelda..." Eben asked.
"If she doesn't, I'll tell Father that she only wants to marry you so she can spy on us," Zelda threatened.
"You mean like how my Father who's convinced that Eben only wants to marry me so that your family can spy on the Snapes?" Hope challenged her. Zelda glanced at Eben.
"He definitely treated me like that was the case," Eben admitted.
"Let's pretend for a moment that they're both right, and we both have ulterior motives," Hope suggested. "Even if it's right, I'd say it's an even exchange, wouldn't you? Your family will learn more about how mine works, and we'll learn more about yours. You'd be gaining as much as we would from the exchange."
"I knew that would say that. And that's why I want proof. Tell me something that no one outside of your family knows to show how it might benefit us," Zelda ordered. Eben frowned, watching helplessly.
"Let me think a moment then," Hope said, pondering it carefully. "I know one. Even though my father was adopted, we found out a few years ago that we were actually related to Lady Viviane through my grandmother Winifred... my father's mother. That's why my Aunt Essie is such a strong Diviner," she explained. "My grandmother thought she was a squib, but it's more complicated than that, really, because in Lady Viviane's bloodline, magic can lay dormant for a generation only to come out very strong in the next."
"That isn't a Snape family secret," Zelda said with exasperation. "That is a Willowby family secret. You only told me that to justify your own bloodline."
"I just told you something hardly anyone knows and that risks me getting fried if my Aunt Viviane disapproves of me telling you," Hope said flatly. "Surely that counts for something." Zelda pondered the point.
"My birthday is on the twenty-first. I would like a present," Zelda decided. "A special present. You'll need to impress me."
"Alright, I'll see what I can come up with," Hope replied.
"Good luck," Zelda said, taking her plate and wandering away.
"Did that go okay?" Hope wondered, completely uncertain of the reception.
"It could have gone a lot worse," Eben replied quietly.
"Alright. So we'll count it as a work in progress," Hope decided.
"My father will be difficult to impress as well. He's even more suspicious of people he can't read than my sister is," Eben warned.
"I see. I'll keep that in mind," Hope replied, then watched as Zelda wandered past again.
"He's on his way," Zelda said as she walked by.
"Thanks," Eben said, setting his drink down on one of the tables. "Ready?"
"I was born ready!" Hope declared.
"It seems to me you were born for a lot of things," Eben observed. Hope nodded in agreement.
When they walked over, Worley Maxen had been speaking to his father, but he stepped away as they came forward. Worley's eyes were fixed on them, once again attempting but failing to get a reading on the girl that Eben had brought.
"Good morning, Father," Eben said. Worley seemingly ignored the greeting, looking over at Hope instead.
"I hear you have managed to impress my sister, and my father and favorite daughter willing to give you a trial," Worley said. "If you are bold enough or foolish enough to accept my father's invitation, we shall see how it ends. But if you are simply leading my son along in some vain attempt at spying on my family, it won't end well."
"I understand your concerns, but I can honestly say that I am not dating your son to spy on your family," Hope said truthfully. "I just happen to think that we'd make a great team, and that I'll be good for him."
"And what do you get out of this, exactly?" Worley asked her, squinting.
"Are you kidding? He's gorgeous," Hope pointed out as if it went without saying. Eben began to blush again. "Not to mention the fact that I just love how shocked he looks any time I say... well, anything, really. By the way, how do you feel about hyphenated names?" she asked, and Eben simply tried to maintain his even expression.
"Let's just take this one step at a time, shall we?" Worley suggested, giving her a cool smile.
Worley gave them a nod and walked away, but it was obvious to Hope that he wasn't done talking, since Eben had that glazed-over look again. Hope hooked his arm to guide him back to their table.
She is a handful, that is certain, Worley thought. Can you truly get a handle on that creature?
Actually, I kinda like that she's strong. It's a bit of a turn on.
Curb your instincts and think this over rationally, please. Comely witches aren't hard to come by, but it is better to find one you can easily control, Worley projected sternly.
While that may be true in general, I don't think it will work in this case, Father, Eben thought back. If you want us to get a better position in society, one of us will need to marry someone in the Snape or Craw family. There aren't any weak-willed witches in the entire family, they've been raised to be strong, he pointed out. Not only that, most of them are already married, since their beauty and vivacious attitude makes them very sought after. So if you want a chance for our family to become better connected, I really think this is our best option. If the relationship works out, I'll be considered family to them, which will earn me their protection no matter what I do... other than divorce, that is...
Then make it work! Worley ordered firmly.
Yes, Father. I plan to, Eben thought back.
Hope watched him carefully until she saw Eben focus on her. He glanced around, finding himself back at their table with a fresh drink and a plate between them.
"Everything alright?" Hope asked.
"Yes, everything is great," Eben replied. Hope smiled back.
"To us, then," Hope said, raising her glass.
"To us," Eben agreed, taking a sip.
