2/27 update: the muse isnt helping me with writing more chapters so this is going on hiatus for a while. thank you for all the support ive gotten
Harry sat in front of the Floo in a casual blue tunic and a pair of leather pants that clung like leggings Andromeda had recommended. He was starting to like wizard fashion now that he knew it was more than robes and suits. The leggings and tunics he had stocked up on gave him a medieval feel but didn't look wildly out of place in modern London.
Today was his first chaperoned-but-still-private date with Pansy. Andromeda had agreed to supervise their studying and a luncheon and was lurking in the room next door. Harry was still weirded out that he was using words like "luncheon," it's just lunch isn't it? THe previous date, Pansy had called him Lord Potter-Black the whole time, so he'd test the waters of a more casual form of address today.
The floo lit up green and Pansy stepped out in a pale green robe. She looked around at the dim lighting in the floo room, not impressed. The walls had been scrubbed, but it still looked like a haunted house after sitting empty so long.
She curtseyed and he bowed, kissing the back of her hand, as coached by Andromeda.
"Lord Potter-Black, I thank you for welcoming me into your home," she said politely.
"Miss Parkinson, let's be done with formality, you may call me Harry."
She blinked. "Isn't your name Berry? Legally I mean?"
He scratched his head, wincing at his legal name. "Yes and you can call me Berry if you like and you're not doing it as a joke or anything, but I was Harry for seventeen years so it's a habit."
Pansy appeared to think this over for a moment.
"How about you call me Pansy and I call you Berry to get you more acquainted with using it? And occasionally, I'll call you Harry."
Harry sighed, "Sounds alright. Shall we?" He offered his elbow.
He escorted her to the door where Andromeda was waiting, pretending she hadn't been eavesdropping.
"Pansy, may I introduce Lady Andromeda Tonks nee Black, Regent of House Black?"
"How do you do, milady." Pansy curtseyed again. Andromeda bowed her head.
"Now Berry informs me you two are studying for NEWTS in the spring. We have a brewing space here that you can both use with supervision, myself, and Kreacher has agreed to remain in any room the both of you are in if I'm called away and cannot chaperone momentarily as I'm sure will happen with an infant in the house. The portraits are also watching and ready to fetch me the instant it looks like something inappropriate is happening. Now we'll head to the library so you can set a study plan." She turned and guided them to the fourth floor.
They sat at one of the long walnut tables and stared at each other for a moment waiting to see who would speak first, when Harry cleared his throat.
"So I'm doing NEWTS in Potions, Transfig, Charms, Astronomy, Defense, and Herbology. How about you?"
"I'm studying Charms, Herbology, Defense, and History." She said, daring him to make fun of her History OWL."
"So we could study for three classes together. That's not so bad." He mused, running a finger in circles over a knot in the table.
"Okay um, let's get some books. Or did you want parchment?"
She bit back a smile. "Parchment first to write down what we need to know. Maybe we could send a letter to the Department of Magical Education? For the requirements?"
He nodded. "That makes sense. I'm too used to making up a plan as I go."
"Well, Berry, that's what I'm here for now." She smiled at him, and Harry was struck that the girl he'd thought of as Pug-face Parkinson was actually really cute.
They talked for a while while making a list of things they wanted to write the Education Department about and soon Andromeda stood from the armchair she'd been sitting in and announced it was time for lunch.
They traipsed down to the first floor, to the family dining room, with Harry at the head of the table, Andromeda to his right as Regent and Pansy to his immediate left as fiancee to the Lord.
Andromeda called out an order to Kreacher to serve the meal and sat down. Soon dishes of a grain salad, winter squash, roasted fish, and fresh rolls popped onto the table. Harry said a loud 'thank you' to Kreacher and as taught by Andromeda, served himself first so that they could all eat.
They ate quietly, the sounds of forks lightly scraping china and soft chewing cutting through the silence.
Andromeda spoke up, "So Miss Parkinson, how is your family?"
She took a sip of water before responding. "Mother and Father are well and busy with the family business. Sage is traveling the continent in search of a Master before he forgets everything he knows about potions."
Harry quirked an eyebrow. "Who's Sage?"
"My older brother and heir to the family. Sage is eight years older than I am so you wouldn't have met him at school. He's determined to become a Master of Potions so that we can open an apothecary as well as the family business of herbs for cooking and crafting."
"Do you get along? Having such an age gap I mean."
"Well enough. It was better when I was younger and had simple interests like dolls and horses. I'm afraid he's quite lost at how to handle a grown sister." She chuckled, picking at her fish.
Harry smiled softly. "It's nice that you have each other though. I always wanted a sibling. I got my cousin, Dudley, instead."
"Mrs Tonks, have you heard any news on when Diagon will reopen most of the shops? Mother was quite put out that the millinery has been closed."
"This is Charlest Hats and Other Outerwear? I think it should reopen this week. They had to hold a funeral for the owner's son."
"I'll have to put together a sympathy card," she said, frowning.
They chatted more on casual subjects and eventually Kreacher cleared the table and they all stood.
"Berry, would you please escort me to the Floo? I've had a wonderful time as your guest but I fear I must return home now. Would it work to call you the day after tomorrow so that we can begin our studies?"
"Pansy I would like nothing better." He held out his elbow and guided her back to the floo room, Andromeda following a few steps behind. He stood stiffly as she swirled away, and sighed heavily when the floo turned back to orange flames.
"One meeting down and years worth to go."