CHAPTER 62: AN OLD ALLIANCE RENEWED
"An Unsettled Mind in the Summer Air"
A summer scent had long been blowing across the land, and as usual, Marie-Louise could clearly hear from her antechamber a group of young people she knew well, enjoying the fine weather to engage in yet another game of blind man's buff. Not that it bothered her, but over time, she would have preferred to see her children spend their free time in more enriching and serious activities, like studying. Yet, she herself wouldn't mind a game or two in their company, reminiscing about the times when she herself indulged in such activities with the queen and her ladies-in-waiting. But was that even conceivable? Goodness, no! What would be said of a woman nearing fifty-six engaging in a pastime no longer deemed suitable for her age? She would surely be considered a madwoman! How she longed, nonetheless, to clear her mind for a moment, to stop thinking about everything that weighed on her and the troubles she had been facing for months, troubles she felt she alone understood the importance of.
Troubles? Truth be told, she was probably the only one who saw it that way, but she placed such importance on them that she even dreamt about them at night. But everything had to be perfect! That had been her motto of late: perfection. After all, it wasn't every day that one married off their son! And as the deadline approached, the pressure mounted. She required lengthy Occlumency sessions to contain the anxiety and lock it behind her mental barriers.
Yes, anyone would tell her she was imposing this pressure on herself, while others approached the upcoming event with calm and clarity. However, Marie-Louise's primary desire was to do something she hadn't been able to do for her own marriage: to organize it herself and not leave it in someone else's hands. None of her wishes had been considered, neither in the trousseau, nor in the organization of the ceremony, nor in the choice of guests. She hadn't even been allowed to bring a few friends from her native Savoy to brighten up a future that didn't seem to promise well. Of course, to avoid repeating her own experiences, the suggestions and wishes of her son and his fiancée had been strictly followed. Today, she was more occupied with finalizing the wedding arrangements according to the desires of the young couple than giving her own opinion on any aspect of the two days of celebration. She coordinated the activities, the arrangement of the furniture displaying the immense wealth of her family, and expanded the guest list for the religious ceremony, the ball, or simply the banquet. However, this was mainly because her son and Daphné had no idea about such matters, and from what she heard outside the castle, they didn't seem to care now any more than they did yesterday.
"Your hat, Madame," reminded her one of her servants, offering her the large purple hat, similar to a puff, trimmed with crinoline, and matching the rest of her outfit.
"Thank you, Martine," she said, offering a slight smile before turning again to her mirror to adjust the new addition to her outfit atop her thick mane.
Adjusting it, Marie-Louise observed her reflection in the mirror. No one knew the reason why she was dressing so smartly today, but she hoped to make a strong impression on the person she was to meet at the bank. She didn't know who it was or what they might want from her, but Griffdur had assured her of his trust in this person and the potential interest she might find in this meeting. Perhaps it was just one of her account managers wanting to give her a lecture on her expenses over the past months? If that were the case, she could manage the issue perfectly well, for, as the saying goes, "When you love, you don't count."
"I know it's none of my business, but if it concerns our son, I would like to be kept informed of anything that might relate to him," Lily reminded her calmly, observing her as she got ready.
"I have already told you all I know," informed the Princess of Lamballe, looking at her through the mirror. "You will learn the details of this meeting only when I return, as I have nothing more to add for now. Leave us, ladies," she added, turning to the two maids also present.
Martine and Françoise immediately obeyed, curtseying to their mistress before swiftly exiting the room and disappearing into the corridor. The only remaining sounds were the children's laughter, the spoon Lily spun in her cup, and the rustling of the hat that Marie-Louise attempted to adjust over her thick mane.
"I have complete confidence in Lord Griffdur's judgment, and unless there's been a Confundus charm cast on him, I don't think I'm in any danger from this meeting," she said calmly. "However, I did not wish to inform anyone else other than you in case things go wrong. I hope not to be long, but if, as usual, I am not back before nightfall, or if you receive no message from me apologizing for the delay, send word to the authorities to launch an investigation into my disappearance. And, above all, do not inform our children."
"The way you talk about it doesn't sound like a peaceful outing," remarked Lily.
"Caution is the mother of security," Marie-Louise simply replied.
A knock on her door made her turn towards the entrance. Inviting the person to announce themselves, she noted the presence of yet another servant, usually involved in providing all the necessary food for the banquet but now seemingly interrupting his activity with important news for her.
"Madame," he said, bowing deeply, "Messieurs Pinochet and Duterrier have sent me to assure you that the requested fruits will ripen in time as per your need. The baskets to be distributed to the needy will be ready for the beginning of the festivities. Should I send them a response?"
"Please do," she said, returning her attention to her reflection. "Thank them very much for their efforts and assure them of my attachment to their business. May their affairs prosper, and may God keep them from harm."
The man bowed again to take his leave after assuring her that his orders would be promptly carried out, plunging them both back into the relative silence of the antechamber.
"Do you really intend to dress like this to meet that person?" Lily asked in an odd tone.
"Is there something bothering you about the way I dress?" Princess de Lamballe inquired absentmindedly as she now headed towards a wardrobe.
"Well... Women haven't really dressed like that since... since the birth of our son, I would say," Lily awkwardly informed her.
"And should I take that into account?" Marie-Louise replied immediately. "This person wishes to meet me not for my attire but to discuss matters. I fail to see how it could impact our conversation. Besides, you are not of my age, and while the current fashion suits you admirably, the same cannot be said for me. Frankly, I prefer dressing this way and appearing dignified rather than in such a wanton manner! Lily, it does not honor you to succumb to the trends of a troubled period where integrity and honor are trampled upon."
Lily felt decent enough to be embarrassed, and her cheeks turned a noticeable bright pink against her ivory skin. The newfound freedom she had enjoyed for years since settling in Lamballe had revived her strong liking for beautiful dresses. Yielding to the temptation of the moment, she had set aside the strict outfits in which she felt uncomfortable to adopt Parisian fashion – a long dress without hoops and with small puff sleeves, long satin gloves, a shawl around her shoulders falling usually to her feet, and hair shortened and curled around her face. As she often asserted, one simply had to live with the times. However, Marie-Louise, having surpassed the age of fifty, could certainly not afford such eccentricity.
"The preparations seem to be progressing," she then said to change the subject. "I regret not having been of better assistance to help you."
"On the contrary, I could not have reached where we are without you, my dear friend," she corrected as she rummaged through her jewelry box. "I contributed to the task only in technical matters, so to speak, but you, you have calmed the fears and anxieties of these young people much better than I could have done."
And that was an understatement, given how the future bride panicked more each day as the deadline approached. While their son was obviously concerned about what was happening in their home, he remained true to himself and showed absolutely no sign of possible anxiety about his impending marriage. The same could not be said for Daphné, who, returning from Hogwarts for nearly three weeks and relieved of the burden on her shoulders from the threat posed by Dumbledore or the Potters, did not have as much control over her emotions as her future husband. Two days earlier, this had been strongly felt; to ensure everything was in order and on behalf of Harry, Remus had presented himself at the Greengrass residence as an ambassador to request the hand of their daughter from Daphné's parents. Of course, they had accepted, but the condition was that, by marrying Harry, she would renounce all the goods, titles, and properties she could receive from them except for the dowry... This also meant renouncing becoming the heir of the Greengrass family. A wife should possess nothing other than her husband's belongings, whether in the Muggle or wizarding world, and this condition had to be respected. However, faced with this reality that felt like a sudden reality check, and despite knowing full well that Harry would never leave her in complete destitution, Daphné had suddenly burst into tears, and the contract stipulating this decision was likely still damp with her tears.
This contract, or marriage treaty according to others, completely severed her from her family, and although her parents or sister could still come to visit her as long as she wished, the feeling of no longer being a Greengrass after this marriage remained deeply rooted in her. Lily, however, had found the words to reassure her, demonstrating that she was wrong and that filiation to someone went far beyond the simple family name and the particles attached to them. Even if she was no longer a Greengrass, she would still share the same blood as her parents for the rest of her life. Marie-Louise had only approved of her words, but internally that day, she couldn't help but draw a parallel with Lily's reaction when she discovered her son's adoption. In a way, the situations were equivalent, as were the behaviors.
"You are far too kind to me, Madame," Lily stammered with a embarrassed look.
"By now, you should know that you don't need to address me in that manner, Lily," the Princess de Lamballe reminded her. "We are friends, and even more so if we consider our remarkable familial bond uniting us to our children. Now be an angel and help me fasten this necklace," she added, placing a pearl necklace around her neck.
Lily did not hesitate to do so, positioning herself behind her and tackling the task under the watchful eye of Marie-Louise, who observed her from the mirror.
"May I... May I ask you a question?" Lily stammered in a hesitant tone.
"You just did, but you can ask again if you wish," the Princess de Lamballe said amusedly.
"You are incorrigible," Lily mumbled, although her mood seemed to improve slightly. "I wanted to know if... if you think this meeting could be related to... to what is happening on the other side of the Channel?"
"To the fact that your son is... How shall I put it... Susceptible to imagining things that may have never happened?" Marie-Louise inquired.
From what she could see in the mirror, the Princess de Lamballe judged that the way she had smoothed things over must have been sufficient not to offend the sensibilities of her son's second mother because no feelings of frustration or anger were readable on her features; telling her outright that he was mad would probably have had a very different effect on her.
"He seemed perfectly sane the last time I saw him with my own eyes," she argued absentmindedly. "He had a high opinion of himself and a certain arrogance inherited from his father, but I find it hard to believe that he would invent such nonsense just for the sake of his pride."
"I won't rush to give you any hasty conclusions about the analyses that the wizarding gazette can make about this boy without having met him personally, but from what you've told me about him and our children, and considering you haven't seen him in years, it could all be an invention," she said while putting on her embroidered gloves. "Always keep in mind that a rumor is only a rumor when it is based on no foundation, and until your son clearly proves the return of this dark wizard, there is no reason to believe it."
The truth was that she herself didn't know. No real signs had heralded the return of this dark lord, no evidence supported Matthew Potter's claims. Deep down, she couldn't resist doubting what he said for the simple reason that Dumbledore supported the boy in everything he said. So yes, perhaps this meeting could be related to this peculiar situation where each side defended its stance and encroached on the other's territory, but it could just as well have no connection and be about something entirely different.
In truth, Voldemort had never threatened France during the first war against the English Ministry of Magic, and she could not share the same anxiety as the rest of her family at the thought of his possible return from beyond the grave. She wasn't even sure that this return would have any consequences for her country, especially since there would be no reason for this dark wizard to declare open war on two countries simultaneously. However, she did not take this rumor lightly, but not knowing this dark wizard beyond his name and reputation, she could not form her own opinion on the matter. And, as she kept reminding herself, the upcoming marriage occupied enough of her time not to bother with other people's problems – organizing meals, the ceremony, the seating arrangements at the head table and for the guests, the decorations throughout the castle, arranging the rooms according to rank... even the choice of music that the orchestra would play in the reception hall when her son and his wife opened the dance. Voldemort could not reasonably be included in the midst of all these difficulties.
"How do I look?" she asked, turning around.
"If you're trying to intimidate someone, it's quite successful," Lily approved, watching her absentmindedly.
"It is true that I am rather... intimidating, isn't it?" Marie-Louise argued mischievously.
"I know no one else except his governess who can intimidate our daughter as much," Lily assured her.
"And it takes a lot to impress that young lady," she agreed, smiling as she headed towards the fireplace.
Entering inside, she quickly grabbed a handful of Floo powder. Then, looking at Lily for a long moment, she spoke again, "I'll be back soon... At least, I hope so," she informed in a reassuring voice.
Lily seemed to understand, as she gave her a sincere smile that she had time to observe before loudly stating her destination and throwing the handful of powder at her feet. The green flames immediately engulfed her, but she had barely felt like she was being sucked into the fireplace when she landed in the vast hall of the bank in an explosion of green flames. Her arrival, however, went almost unnoticed, as the usual commotion of Gringott's was palpable around her. If it wasn't the disgruntled customers cursing the unfortunate bank employees that could be heard, the noise of boots, shoes, or hooves echoed throughout the room. However, she did not have the leisure to observe her surroundings any further as a goblin, aware of her arrival, was already there to greet her.
"Madame," he saluted, bowing his head as he took her hand to give it a kiss. "What a pleasure to see you among us and to have the honor of your presence."
"A pleasure shared, as you know, my dear Griphook," she assured him. "May your gold overflow from your pockets, and your affairs prosper."
"May your God hear you, my dear," the goblin replied in a grating tone. "It is not customary for us to welcome our clients for matters that do not concern our bank in any way or that do not settle within our walls. Still, I felt the duty to escort you to your interlocutor myself. I hope you don't mind?"
"Your company is always pleasant, Monseigneur, and what other better guide could fill this role better than you?" she inquired politely. "Let's walk; I'm eager to meet this mysterious character."
Leading the way, the goblin headed towards a door on their right, under the curious gaze of some customers who had rarely had the opportunity to see the bank's director in person. His employees still had the decency to respectfully greet him when their eyes met, but nothing could break the machinery of their work. Calm, however, imposed itself over time as they moved away from the reception hall and traversed the vast and dark corridors of the bank towards the offices of some hierarchically important employees or, in their case, towards a few lounges provided for important meetings.
"I haven't had the chance to thank you in person for your invitation to your son's wedding," Griphook said in a guttural tone. "It is unfortunately rare for people of our kind to be invited to such a ceremony by men, so I wanted to assure you in person of my presence among you for this great occasion."
"I expected nothing less from an old friend and incidentally the manager of my finances," Marie-Louise affirmed. "You know the affection my family has for our collaboration for a long time, and it was very regrettable at the time not to be able to invite you to my own wedding due to very unfortunate circumstances."
"What would people have said within the State if they suddenly saw a goblin appear in the midst of the guests, even in the company of the king?" the director whispered, a grimace twisting his face. "I could not afford to cause such a scandal for you as well as for his Majesty. Muggles will never be ready to accept our existence as long as they are not ready to accept that of wizards."
"But for my part, I would accept it willingly," she commented as they entered a new corridor. "And anyone who complains about your presence among us will be gently but firmly escorted from our celebration."
Griffdur nodded, satisfied, as they stopped in front of a solid door that seemed to reach the ceiling.
"This is it," he said simply, bowing his head once again. "We have provided you with our best lounge, benefiting from the best protective, privacy, and tranquility enchantments to shield you from any curious onlookers."
"Are you guaranteeing that I am safe in the presence of this person, Monseigneur?" she asked, turning to him, looking less at ease than before.
"I can assure you that nothing will happen to you," he insisted firmly. "Your interlocutor had to undergo a few minor examinations to ensure his good faith, but I will refrain from revealing the details to avoid upsetting your sensibilities..."
The smile he then flashed could have, in other circumstances, struck terror into the Princess of Lamballe, but she kept any sign of fear well hidden from her goblin friend.
"But if it reassures you, I can have some of our guards watch over your exchange and react to any suspicious movements from this person," the director continued.
"I will trust your judgment, Monseigneur Griffdur. Your advice has never failed me so far, so I see no reason to doubt your word today," she replied, shifting her attention back to the door.
Following her gaze, Griffdur lightly knocked twice on the door. Without waiting for the person inside to respond, he gently opened the door, inviting Marie-Louise to enter.
"I have other matters to attend to elsewhere, Madame, but I will never be far if you need me," he said.
"I will try to remember that. Thank you, Monseigneur," she said, nodding her head.
Without further delay, she entered and was promptly greeted by the ambient warmth of the fireplace, in front of which sat two armchairs framing a small coffee table. The room itself resembled a classic 18th-century decoration, but what surprised and amused Marie-Louise at the same time was the presence of goblins, probably females, dressed in the Greek fashion and depicted in paintings as goddesses from Muggle mythology. A man was also in the room, with his back turned until now, but the sound of the opening door made him turn towards her, allowing Marie-Louise to observe the face of this stranger who had requested to meet her. Greasy hair, a hooked nose, skin as pale as death, and dressed in a long, dark, and ominous robe, the man was entirely unknown to her. She couldn't help but feel a certain mistrust towards him, which must have been evident on her face because the man immediately raised his hands in a gesture of surrender.
"I am not here to harm you, Madame," he assured her in a deep, almost bored tone.
"Forgive me, then, for being hesitant to give you my full trust," the Princess of Lamballe replied in the same tone. "I am not accustomed to meeting people who are so mysterious in their correspondence, especially when it involves, as you indicated, a matter of the utmost importance."
"I can make a magical oath to assure you of my good faith if it allows me to converse with you without fear of leaving this room after being subjected to some of your spells," he proposed in a drawling voice.
Marie-Louise observed him again in silence, taking the time to weigh the pros and cons of this proposition. The man remained perfectly impassive, his gaze fixed on her, awaiting a response.
"That will be unnecessary," she finally said. "But abuse my trust, and you will regret it."
The man merely smiled with irony, as if ready to test the witch's talents before determining whether she truly posed a threat to him. Instead of pressing further, he turned towards the coffee table nearby, and with a wave of his wand, he conjured two cups and a steaming teapot, which he promptly seized.
"Do you prefer tea or coffee?" he asked, turning to her.
"I will take nothing," the Princess of Lamballe replied, wary.
"I did not poison them if that's what worries you so much," he assured her without changing Marie-Louise's mind. "Very well, but I do not like to drink something in the company of someone who does not do the same."
"Perhaps we will have the opportunity to drink something together when you tell me the reason why you asked me to come here and, above all, who you are," she said coldly.
"Then sit down, and we can start the conversation without having to stand to do so."
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