Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Tea Time
Over the span of the last couple of days, Adrian acted like the instructions on the back of shampoo bottles; rinse and repeat. Ever since we got Flint Sr.'s howler, Adrian's been in this repetitive routine of lathering it on thick by telling me how shortsighted I am, and then washing it off as he tried to assure himself Flint Sr. could be trusted. Only to go through the whole process again about an hour or two later. Rinse and repeat.
As we made another attempt at locating the diadem, Adrian was currently in the lather part of this cycle. "The worst of it is that you agreed to owe him a favor". Adrian said with his head bent over a trunk as he dug through its contents.
The trunk I was looking in was probably the closest we've gotten to finding the diadem because every item inside was some sort of hat. "It's not in here", I called as I closed the trunk.
Adrian kept going as if I hadn't said anything. That's fine. I've been doing the same since his fourth rinse and repeat cycle. "Why do you think I didn't want you to send the letter in the first place?"
I moved over to a different stack of junk. "How long do you think it'll be until we actually find Ravenclaw's lost diadem?
"What is it with you and letters, anyway?" Adrian asked as he went through the motions of searching through a hutch filled with miscellaneous objects one might find in an apothecary. Though I doubt if he was even processing what he was looking at. "The false letters for our third year, the letters you sent me last year when you weren't in school, and now this one to Lord Flint".
He said all of that as if it was an impressive list. Clearly, he hadn't heard about chain mail. Now that was an impressive number of letters. "Would you calm down?". I expressed as I gave up on my current pile of junk; turning to face my boyfriend fully. "It's not like I agreed to an unbreakable vow". Adrian's forehead wrinkled as he took in my words. But before he could launch into a lecture about how I better make the choice to never be involved with unbreakable vows, I kept going. No need to add another step to his rinse and repeat cycle. "I made it clear I wouldn't marry his son. What else could he want that I could give him?" I meant that question to be comforting, because what would a fully grown man with a successful career want from a fifteen-year-old girl? "What is Flint Sr. going to do? Ask for my first-born child like he's Rumpelstiltskin?" The question was rhetorical and meant to suggest to Adrian that he was being ridiculous.
But it ended up having the opposite effect. Adrian's eyes narrowed as he stepped away from the hutch and closer to me. "You better not promise him our firstborn". His voice was low; his tone ringing strongly in a warning.
His tone was reminiscent of that time on the train when he had given me a different warning and I had told him about Vegas. Except, I chose to focus on his words over his intonation. "Our firstborn", I mimicked back to him. "And just when did you decide we were going to reproduce?"
Color stained Adrian's cheeks as he took a hasty step back. As if realizing we were dangerously close to the topic of sex and were currently alone. Two things that when put together were probably taboo in his social circles.
"You know what I mean", he said as he glanced to the side, suddenly finding it difficult to look at me.
I, on the other hand, was very amused. "I'm not sure I do. So, when are we having this child? Soon? A couple of years from now? Will we be married before we conceive? Or are you aiming for my dad and brothers to force you to marry me when I'm already pregnant?"
It was probably after the married comment, that Adrian realized I was teasing him. "Holly", he tried to complain. Tried being the keyword.
"Because I hate to break it to you, but if that were to happen, I think my brothers would be more likely to commit homicide than let me marry you".
"Holly", Adrian made a second attempt in a low grumble.
Raising a hand to show I wasn't done, I went on to elaborate. "Keep in mind, Bill is a curse breaker and Charlie works with dragons. Between the two of them, they'd probably have the means to hide or dispose of a body without something getting traced back to them. You sure that's how you want to end your second life?"
Adrian's third attempt started off nonverbal as he stared me down. "Are you finished?" He asked flatly.
I shrugged as I studied some of the remaining color on his cheeks. He recovered fast. "For the moment, yes".
Adrian sighed and let his shoulders sag ever so slightly. "Just don't agree to anything without talking to me first", Adrian offered in compromise.
Aw, look at us being a functioning couple. "I can do you one better", I said; moving into the space Adrian vacated in a rush. With my hands clasped behind my back, I leaned forward into Adrian's personal space. "Lord Flint's coming to tea this weekend to discuss the case with Hagrid. Ron and his friends are going. I was asked to go which means Fred and George will too. And now I'm inviting you so you can make sure I don't give away our firstborn".
Filling the space that was in between us, Adrian placed a warm hand on each of my shoulders. "Thank you", he said before briefly brushing his lips against mine. I think this might be the first kiss Adrian initiated. I couldn't remember.
Smiling, I unclasped my hands from behind my back and placed my hands on top of his. "Let's get out of here. We're rubbish at finding things anyway". Rearranging ourselves so we could walk hand in hand, we headed for the exit.
"Who's Rumpelstiltskin?" Adrian asked as we approached the door.
"Before I can tell you about him, I have to tell you about the miller's daughter". And suddenly it was storytime.
With Adrian now attending tea time at Hagrid's, we were a party of nine. Which were too many people to sit comfortably in Hagrid's hut. So, the half-giant set up a mod-podge collection of mismatched tables and chairs. The tables were made of different types of wood and stood at different heights. Kind of Thanksgiving dinner in America when people combine a card table with the dining room table so everyone can fit. The chairs were of different designs. Some were upholstered and others were just wood. One was even a full-on armchair complete with a decorative cushion. The tables were decorated with fall foliage (which I wasn't sure was planned), and tableware that I think was borrowed from the school's kitchen. But the best thing about this outside gathering was that Hagrid had organized this whole thing to take place in his pumpkin patch; sharing space with a tied-up Buckbeak. It gave this whole thing a kind of hundred-acre woods and Harry Potter crossover feel.
But Adrian was not as enchanted by all this as I was. "The company Gryffindors keep", he muttered under his breath as we followed behind the golden trio, Fred, and George. Hagrid's hut was only a few feet away and looming closer with every step we took.
"Hush", I whispered back as I watched Hagrid step out of his hut and engulf the entire golden trio into a spine-snapping hug. "Unless you want to hear what we think about your friends".
We came to a stop next to Fred and George who were content to watch Ron's uncomfortable face as Hagrid squeezed the air out of him. "You lot, I just can't thank yer enough", Hagrid said; dropping some of his constants as he sniffled; trying to hold in his emotions.
"It's nothing, Hagrid", Harry wheezed out in a strained voice. "Really". It must be hard to talk when you cannot fully use your diaphragm.
"All we did was ask for help", Hermione pointed out in a voice very similar to Harry's. From the way they were positioned, Hagrid's beard was hanging right over Hermione's head. Leading me to make the random observation that Hagrid's beard was just as bushy as Hermione's hair. If they had the same hair color, Hermione would have blended right in and would have been invisible in that hug.
Then Ron, the traitor, decided to force Hagrid's gratefulness away from them. "It was Holly that got the lawyer to help", he croaked in discomfort.
"Of course,", the half-giant exclaimed as he released the golden trio from his embrace. The three third-years staggered for a moment as they fought to maintain their balance and regain their breath. Hagrid locked eyes with me; his big black, watery eyes reminded me of looking into the eyes of a Great Dane.
Fearing I would be the fourth recipient of a suffocating hug, I took a hurried step to safety. Otherwise known as, hiding behind Fred and George. Who, the gits, were still snickering about this whole exchange.
"Thank yer for gettin' help for my Buckbeak", Hagrid said as he reached into his pocket and took out a handkerchief that would have been the size of a cloth napkin for most people. But he didn't try to approach or pull me into a debilitating hug. Probably because the arms-crossed, glaring Slytherin standing on my left was giving off unapproachable vibes. Hagrid blew his nose in such a way that I was left with the impression he would make a good kazoo player. "Please", he said as he pocketed his handkerchief and gestured to the mismatched table. "Take a seat. Yer all here, except for yer lawyer friend".
Much more accustomed to Hagrid's hospitality than we were, the golden trio took their seats first, choosing to sit next to each other with Hermione in the middle. Adrian refused to move towards the table until I had taken his arm. Then he chose the two seats furthest away from the armchair and proceeded to both pull my chair out for me and push it back in. Before, very stiffly, sitting down himself. But at least he didn't forget his manners. Leaving Fred and George to take the seats next to Adrian's right. When we were all seated the only open chairs were the two stationed at the ends of the makeshift table.
Hagrid beamed at us as he moved to stand next to the table to pick up a pewter platter that was stacked high with rock cakes. "Pass these 'round, would you Harry?" The half-giant asked. While Hagrid only needed one hand to lift the platter, Harry needed two, which gave him the perfect reason not to take a cake for himself.
As the platter slowly made its way around the table, I leaned into Adrian's side and whispered in a low murmur, "Don't eat the rock cakes". The look Adrian gave me in return expressed slight offense. As if he couldn't believe I thought so lowly of him to assume he would consume a cake if I hadn't warned him. This boy…. Man?... boy-man….. he really needs to get out more.
"Err", Hagrid stammered as the platter reached Fred and George. "When did that lawyer fellow say he'd be here?" Hagrid asked, despite the fact he should know that answer himself.
"I'm here now", a new voice said as the ever regal and very esteemed Lord Flint approached with his beige travel cloak swishing behind him. He eyed the laid-out table with much less visible scrutiny than Adrian had as he approached the half-giant. "Rubeus Hagrid, I presume", Lord Flint greeted cordially with his hand held out.
What was this persona? I asked myself as I watched this exchange. Maybe it was Flint Sr.'s professional persona. But if that's true, why was this the first time I was seeing it?
There was an inappropriately long pause as Hagrid stared at Lord Flint's hand with his mouth agape. But it passed and soon Hagrid was gripping Lord Flint's hand with both of his. "Yes, I am. Thank yer. Thank yer for coming". Hagrid said as he shook Flint Sr.'s hand up and down in a rapid fashion. I was waiting for Hagrid to pull Flint Sr.'s arm out of its socket. However, you would never know if it was painful because Flint Sr. never lost his 'I'm a professional' facial expression. Hagrid let go of Lord Flint to point to a forlorn Buckbeak on the other side of the pumpkin patch. "That's him, there. My Buckbeak. Poor fella. Hippogriffs aren't meant to be tied up".
Hagrid's mention of the reason why we were all gathered led to everyone turning their heads to look at the hippogriff. Buckbeak laid down as close as he could to the post so there was no tension in the chain he was attached to. Buckbeak had his front legs crossed and was resting his beaked face on top of them, refusing to look at any of us.
"Yes, I see", said Lord Flint; sounding very much like a primary school teacher trying to make sense of a student's artwork. "Shall we?" He asked, gesturing to the table as he redirected Hagrid's attention.
Hagrid assented with a nod of his big shaggy head as Lord Flint made a beeline for the open spot next to me. Joy. Leaving the armchair for Hagrid.
"Um… err, yes", Hagrid agreed as he took his seat. "err…" Hagrid's eyes landed on Fred and George and kept flickering between the two of them as if he was trying to figure out who was who. "One of you, pass the rock cakes to our guest".
Seeing this as the perfect opportunity to get rid of Hagrid's baked goods without being rude, George quickly moved to pass the platter to Adrian so it could be offered to Flint Sr. "Aw, the other two-thirds of the wonder Weasleys", Flint said as he watched my identical brothers with some type of curiosity. "I hope you two are not as much trouble as your sister".
"They're worse", Adrian commented in a flat voice as he reached around me to hand the lawyer the platter of rock cakes.
"Mr. Pucey, I fear you may have a biased opinion", Flint Sr. said with mild humor as he accepted the platter. "None of me, I'm sad to say", Flint said as he held up the platter in reference and nodded in Hagrid's direction. "I came from an office luncheon and I am still quite full". And with that perfectly executed excuse, Lord Flint set his platter down on the corner of the table and went straight to business. "Now", he said; clapping his hands together. "Of course, we've been corresponding by letters, so I know why you've asked for my expertise. But I would like to go over a summary of events". Hagrid shifted in his seat as he prepared to speak. But Lord Flint held up his hands. "No, no. Allow me. At the start of this school year, your hippogriff referred to as Buckbeak injured a student during your class-"
"Only because Malfoy is an arrogant git", Ron interrupted with a huff.
"Aw, the youngest Weasley son", Lord Flint commented with a raised eyebrow as he scrutinized my little brother. His study of Ron lasted long enough for Ron to flush a vivid shade of scarlet. "But your comment is irrelevant to the timeline of events", Flint Sr. said as he moved on, both addressing and dismissing Ron at the same moment. "Charges were pressed against yourself and your beast by the student's parents". And Flint Sr. was talking about Hagrid once again. "Out of concern, three of your students sought help for your defense. And their involvement led them to ask for help from Miss Weasley who was already in my acquaintance".
It was my turn to interrupt and I took it without hesitation. "I think acquaintance is too strong a term". Really, being forced to know each other would be a better description. But all I got for my efforts was Adrian's knee nudging me under the table in a request to be polite, and Lord Flint giving me an amused closed-lipped smile. The things I do for my little brother. Ron owed me big time for this. He better be ready when I decide to cash in.
"Miss Weasley crafted a very convincing letter to yours truly", Lord Flint continued as if I hadn't said anything. "I accepted the request for my help and now here we are at tea. You, Mr. Hagrid, are of course here to plead your case in defense of your beast". Flint Sr. gestured to the third-years. "Your young friends are here to support you in your endeavor. The older Misters Weasleys are probably here for the show. Miss Weasley is here because she was the one able to bring all of us together, and young Mr. Pucey is here, no doubt, to make sure that Miss Weasley doesn't agree to complete my earned favor without his input".
Yeah, I thought as I glanced around the table at everyone. That summed everything up. But that didn't stop Fred from clearing his throat. "Actually, it's the other way around. George and I are here to make sure Jolly Holly doesn't agree to something stupid".
"And Pucey is the one who has no reason for being here". George finished; sending Adrian a small smirk at the end of his comment.
Adrian frowned. "If you were truly trying to prevent your sister from doing something stupid, you wouldn't have helped her write that letter in the first place", he argued. Then it was my turn to nudge him under the table. Although, it felt appropriate to wonder why no one assumed I could avoid stupid decisions on my own…..
"Children, play nice", Lord Flint warned in his favorite mocking voice.
"So", Hermione broke in before anyone on the fun side of the table could retort. "How can you help Buckbeak?" She directed her question only at Lord Flint; peering around Ron to do so. Meanwhile, Hagrid started to pass around the teapot.
Lord Flint took his time answering; staring at Hermione as he collected his thoughts. "Unfortunately," he started with his professional persona once again. "It is unlikely to get the charge dismissed altogether". At those words, the gold trio bristled at once while Hagrid let out a loud sniffle.
"But Malfoy provoked Buckbeak", Harry argued as he passed the teapot to Hermione.
"Can't you argue that Buckbeak responded as any animal would when threatened?" Hermione tried as she filled her cup and passed the teapot to Ron.
Flint Sr. answered unaffected by the emotions taking place at the table. "No matter which side of the story you examine, a student was still injured during academic instruction. However, I believe it can be argued that court is an extreme response to a minor injury caused by a magical creature and we'll be able to minimize any possible sentences". Lord Flint took the teapot from Ron, filled his cup, and passed it on to me.
Once I was holding the teapot, I got a strong whiff of earl grey. Ugh, there must be more tea leaves in this pot than water. I only poured a small amount into my cup before passing it to Adrian. Adrian, who didn't even bother to be polite and gave the teapot to George.
"It's all my fault", Hagrid said wetly.
"Yes", Lord Flint agreed; his voice lacked sympathy. "That's good. We can use your remorse. It can only help us in this situation".
Hermione didn't agree. "But Hagrid didn't do anything wrong", she argued with a small glare on her face as Harry and Ron nodded next to her, supporting their friends. "Hagrid warned us about hippogriffs before we were allowed near them".
"Malfoy knew he shouldn't have insulted Buckbeak", Harry added; his tone adopting a stubborn air I associated with an older Harry that I had read about in the books, but had yet to see in person. Aw, Ron's not the only one growing up.
"It changes nothing", Lord Flint tried to explain. However, he was talking to a bunch of newly minted teenagers. He'd have better luck at making the whomping willow bow than getting these three to take his perspective. "A student was still injured while under the supervision of a teacher. That is all the court is going to find interesting".
There was silence as Lord Flint's words sunk in because as much as they probably wanted to, the golden trio just didn't have the know-how to argue with adult logic when applied in adult settings. Like legal matters. Hagrid's handkerchief made a second appearance as he dabbed at his eyes. "What do yer need me to do?" He asked.
Lord Flint nodded at Hagrid as if he had expected Hagrid to ask that question. "Exactly what I tell you to. You'll have to say what we rehearse ahead of time and restrain yourself from speaking altogether unless I tell you otherwise. And you'll have to accept whatever verdict is given. This will not be a case significant enough to be worthy of an appeal".
All three members of the golden trio opened their mouths to argue those conditions, but Hagrid was a step ahead of them. "Alright", he agreed with a sniffle. Causing the three third-years to bow their heads as they frowned into their teacups.
"Excellent", Flint exclaimed before he moved on to what was probably the real reason he was willing to attend today. "Now, there's just the matter of collecting the favor I was promised". Lord Flint turned his head in my direction along with everyone else sitting at the table.
Under the table, Adrian's hand found mine and he gave it a squeeze. "I will not marry your son", I stated clearly, causing Ron to release a wild snort of disbelief once he processed my words.
"Yes, you've made that clear", Flint Sr. said dryly. "No, it's your brother I want".
…. Come again? I looked down at Fred and George who looked just as confused as I was feeling, before looking in Ron's direction who looked a bit… scared. While everyone else just looked concerned. "And which brother would that be?" I asked slowly; trying to come off as nonchalant. "I do have many of them".
Lord Flint was far too composed for someone who just stated he wanted another person. "The middle boy. Paul, was it? The seventh year."
"Percy?" Fred asked as if he was mishearing things. "Prefect Percy".
"What would you want with him?" George asked.
"Head boy, top of his year, and an interest in politics", Flint Sr. listed off as if that explained everything. But… How did he know all that?
Then a different thought hit me. One that had me wrinkling my nose. Wasn't Percy and Flint Jr. in the same year? "Percy won't marry your son either". Ron started to make choking sounds as Hermione and Harry gave me wide-eyed looks. Meanwhile, Fred and George sniggered as Adrian gave my hand an extra hard squeeze. I think Hagrid was lost in his own little world at this point.
His upper lip curling back in amusement, Lord Flint replied with, "No, of course not. I would like your brother to apply for an apprenticeship at my firm".
I blinked. Really? I blinked again. A quick glance at Fred and George only showed me that they too didn't know what to make of this when they gave me small shrugs. "But Percy wants to work at the ministry", I informed Lord Flint.
"Hence my favor", he pressed. "I want you to convince your brother to apply to my firm".
That sounds… sounds like I was getting off easy. Based on the death grip, Adrian had on my hand, I'm going to guess my boyfriend was thinking something similar. "That's it?" I asked. "All I have to do is get Percy to apply and we're even?".
Lord Flint nodded his head. Not even bothering to give a verbal answer this time.
"And Percy won't have some sort of obligation to accept an apprenticeship with you?" I checked. Because it was one thing to make my brother apply for a job. But another thing entirely to make him take a job he didn't want. I doubt no amount of fake tears would be enough to get Percy to agree to that.
"Yes. Your brother will not be forced to make law his career if he does not wish it", Lord Flint confirmed; smirking like a cat who had already caught the canary that was still safely contained in its cage. "Although, I'm confident my firm will be most appealing to all potential apprentices".
There was a hidden motive somewhere. I'm sure of it. But when my thoughts couldn't uncover anything alarming in Lord Flint's words or actions, I shrugged. Looking at Adrian, I tried to interpret his facial expression but it was void of anything I deemed useful. So, I said, "Sure, why not. I'll get Percy to apply to your firm". This may be one of the weirdest favors I've ever been asked to do. But at least it wasn't something awful. Something like sacrificing a firstborn.