The Right by Parks and Fiction Chapter 12 Missus Longbottom Are
you sure you don't want to stool Margaret, One of the Janis
Thickey Ward healers asked again.
Despite her request to the contrary, none of the healers
called her by her first name thanks to Augusta's insistence
on formality. Since the harridan was bloody
terrifying, she couldn't blame them, but hopefully it wouldn't
take long to get them on her side when Augusta wasn't around.
No thank you. She needed to move freely to do
this well. Not to mention that even after
two days, sitting still smarted a little, a fact her husband had
noticed and seemed to be thoroughly enjoying.
But if there was one thing Pansy shouldn't think about while
doing her mother in While she had a small,
established customer base from private designs and fittings the
past few years, just as many people seemed interested in
seeing if there was any lasting damage to the shop.
As insulting as it was, a customer was a customer.
She'd outsold her expectations and already had a number of new
private clients. By the time she'd finally closed
the shop and returned home, she was exhausted.
Neville had offered her a massage, which she immediately
assumed was a ploy to get her back in the bedroom.
Instead, he massaged the life back into her exhausted feet in
an experience more pleasurable than half the men she'd been
with before had ever managed, kissed her forehead and served
her dinner before going to bed in the guest room like usual.
Shoving thoughts of him aside, she smiled at Alice, Margaret,
and Olivia, another one of the healers who'd already guided her
to a stool next to the bed, a charmed towel wrapped around her
neck and down her back that would immediately absorb any
water it came into contact with to prevent her robes from
getting wet. OK, Alice, we're going to start
with getting the tangles out first, all right?
There was no response but a vacant stare.
Taking the lack of distressor's permission, she began working
Madame Tussaud's tangle treatment through her hair.
While it was marketed for children, it was perfect for
smoothing tangles without damaging the hair further.
The gentlest approach seemed like a safe bet.
The pink potion bubbled up upon contact.
She continued working as much as she could into the hair until
the bubbles all faded. After that, all she had to do
was comb it out. The comb ran smoothly through
the hair. As she brushed it, she could
feel Alice start to relax and soften under the routine.
That's remarkable. Margaret said, examining the
bottle. I've only used sleek easies, of
course. Was anyone aware of her hair
existed? It's a French braid my aunt
used. Most of the pure blood women of
her acquaintance exclusively used Madame Toussaint's full
line. Expensive, exclusive and
effective and must have combination.
For those women, the detangler was second to none, and there
was a hair loss scalp tonic she knew would work wonders for the
missing patches on Alice's head. Once a proper hair routine was
established, she hoped they would cease happening entirely
since it seemed to soothe Alice. She continued brushing for a few
minutes, getting out as much of the detangler as she could and
enjoying the peaceful calm. OK, Alice, just a little bit of
water now and then we'll shampoo, OK?
It felt silly talking to her like that when she obviously
wasn't going to respond, but treating her like a doll without
telling her anything felt wrong. Rinsing was the part the healers
had warned her that Alice hated the most.
Margaret and Olivia watched them with their ones out and ready.
She started at the ends and used the tip of her wand to project a
slow stream of water onto the hair.
Working section by section, she made her way up to the hairline.
I think you'll like this shampoo.
Pansy said. It's extra clarifying, but we'll
need to follow it up with conditioning mask and that'll
leave it soft and silky. Years of neglect had left the
scalp greasy and suffering from build up that probably accounted
for much of her hair loss, but the hair itself was dry and
brittle. As she reached the hairline,
extra water beaded up and a small drop rolled down the side
of Alice's face. She exploded.
The normally quiet, stoic woman began thrashing.
Arms and legs flailed as she fought off an invisible foe.
A glass of water on her night stand shattered before 1 of the
healers hits Alice with a stunning spell.
Pansy just managed to grab her before she fell.
The healers ran over to grab her and levitated her onto the bed,
still unconscious as Pansy watched in horror.
Now you see why we've done things the way we have.
Olivia snapped. We do our best to minimize the
distress to our patience. And even though you think you're
trying to help? Her head snapped up.
It did help Missus Longbottom, she calmed down while I was
brushing her hair. She said it was a drop of water
on her face that she hated. Olivia scowled.
Well, unless you can find a way to wash her hair without water.
She didn't mind the water until it got on her face.
Pansy turned to Margaret. The older woman looked hesitant.
Missus Longbottom has been through enough, I don't want her
to suffer as a result of experimentation.
Merlin, was that what everyone thought of her?
Of course not, neither do I, but I was going to agree that when
you were brushing her hair, it is the calmest I've seen her in
years. She said.
Hope sparked in her chest. It wasn't just her who'd
noticed. If I find a way to keep water
off her face while I'm washing it, then, provided nothing else
triggers her, it will likely be as good for her emotional state
as it is for her physical appearance.
She beamed. I'll start work on it right
away. She said I'll be back on
Thursday at lunchtime. Margaret nodded.
Very well. It took only a small amount of
badgering to get them to agree to let her dry Alice's hair
before they woke her back up from the stun.
If the water was a trigger, she didn't want them to have to stun
her again as soon as she woke up from a stray lock of wet hair.
While it was hardly what she'd hoped it would be, at least
Alice's hair was no longer matted and tangled when she left
a little work, and she was confident she'd have something
that would prevent the water sliding down her face by
Thursday morning. Pansy ran the soft Terry cloth
band over her fingers, checking the spell work one last time
before she went to see Alice at lunchtime.
While she preferred fashion, there was no denying that
designing something to solve a problem, whether it was an
unflattering waste or trigger to a past trauma, fulfilled her in
ways few other things did. She looked up at the ringing of
the bell above the shop door as a man, woman and young girl
strode inside. The man was in a three piece
suit and polished cow leather shoes.
The woman wore a cream form fitted dress underneath a
lightweight blazer style coat that dropped to her knees.
The white tweed had pops of colours through it.
Pansy instantly recognised the Chanel spring line Muggles.
More specifically wealthy muggles.
Oh this is lovely. The woman's side as soon as she
entered. First place we've been that
isn't completely off, it's a rocker.
The man muttered. The young girl sat on one of the
chairs and pulled the standard book of spells, grade one out of
her bag and began reading. She couldn't help her smile,
immediately picturing a young Hermione Granger, who of course
had been an annoying busy haired swat, but still, hindsight and
all that. Good morning, she said.
May I be of any assistance? The man approached the counter.
Well, I certainly hope so, he said.
That chit your government sent certainly hasn't been.
It took everything in her not to laugh.
Hermione and Shacklebolt's Muggle Born Initiative to assign
Ministry representatives to help muggle parents shop for school
supplies, board the train for the first time, and answer any
other wizarding world related questions had largely been met
with success and glowing feedback.
This family, however, dripping with wealth and prestige, would
never get along with a Ministry representative.
I'm sorry to hear that, she said.
What places do you have left on your list?
Mother got us kicked out of the robe shop, the girl said without
looking up from her book, looking neither surprised nor
perturbed by the fact the woman in question studied the
mannequin at the front of the shop as it moved to show the fit
of the garment it was styling. Dear, look at this, she said.
Now this is delightful. She lifted the bottom of the
robe and examined the hem, appearing pleased.
She turned to Pansy. Do you sell school uniforms?
I don't have any ready maid, but I would be happy to custom make
Gazette Lovely, the woman said. Penelope Darling.
She swept her hand toward the fitting area as if she were the
one who owned the shop. The girl shut the book with a
sigh and walked over to the stand.
Don't worry, it won't take more than a minute.
Pansy conjured a measuring tape and set it to work.
All three blinked in surprise as the tape wound its way tracking
measurements. Her notebook and quill appeared
next to it, recording the numbers.
After the brief surprise, they seemed to take it in stride.
The girl's mother brandished the shopping list.
Now that pointed hat, is it necessary?
She said. Seems a little on the nose, if
you ask me. She wasn't exactly sure what the
woman meant. Unfortunately, yes, she said.
They're worn by every student at all main feasts.
And this? What's the bloody school's name
again? The man said.
Language, Richard, The woman chided with no heat.
Hogwarts, Pansy said. Yes.
Hogwarts, he said. Is it truly the only one, or are
there other options? She was dying to know who their
Ministry representative was. Hogwarts is the only magical
school in the United Kingdom, she said, though Verton Academy
in France and Ilvermorny in America are the most similar to
Hogwarts, though each school is unique.
Richard scoffed. The only place I'm less likely
to send my daughter than France is America.
She smiled. The other major schools are in
the Amazon, Russia, Japan and Uganda.
The woman's eyebrow arched. So few.
The magical community is quite small, especially compared to
the Mughal population. She said.
Globally it is more popular for wizarding families to home
school. Europe is an exception and two
schools support the magical population of Europe.
Richard asked. There is 1/3, she said.
Dermstrang Institute in northern Scandinavia.
Traditionally, however, they have not accepted muggle born
students. Some high profile alumni are
working to change it, but it is not an environment I would want
my daughter in. Since his retirement from
International Quidditch, Victor Crum had led the push to change
the entrance requirements. Nodding to Penelope, the young
girl hopped off the stand and marched back towards her books.
The mother and father exchanged a long glance.
Is that something we should expect her to face?
Her mother asked. Prejudice for having non magical
parents? Pansy paused her review of the
measurements in her notebook. Of all people, they had to ask
that question. It would not be unheard of, No,
but it is something our society is working very hard to correct.
She closed the book. Did the Ministry representative
explain to you anything about the second Wizarding War, the
wizarding Hitler? Richard asked.
He means Voldemort. Penelope called from the front.
I still intent on her book. She blinked.
It had taken a few years to get used to hearing Potter and
Granger throw his name around, but to hear the tiny wisp of an
11 year old muggleborn witch say it so casually rendered her
speechless for a moment. Darling, you're not supposed to
use the name, her mother said. She glanced at Pansy.
Some sort of a superstition, I understand.
A habit, she said. His followers didn't use it out
of respect, and he placed a taboo on his name to track his
enemies. During the war.
Potter's slip had led to the capture and near deaths of the
Golden Trio. If that knight had just gone a
little differently. Forgive us, dear.
She glanced up at the woman's concerned face.
Did you lose someone in the war? This was where her business
model failed her. Bridging muggle and wizarding
fashion was hard enough without her family history.
A lie would prevent them from storming out.
But the truth? Her gaze fell on Penelope.
Maybe it was the book, maybe it was the fact that she was a
muggle born, but all she saw was Hermione Granger.
She turned back to the mother. My father died in the final
battle. She placed a hand over her
heart. I am so sorry for your loss.
I am not. The two blinked.
My father was not a good man. She said.
He was cruel and prejudice and chose the wrong side.
Richard studied her. He was one of the wizarding
Nazis. Death Eater.
Penelope said from her spot. Her parents expressions were
unreadable. Pansy straightened.
Her father's sins were not her own.
Yes, he was. She watched the subtle change in
the woman across from her, straightening her spine, smiling
patronisingly as she sharpened her metaphorical claws.
Attack before you were attacked was a mechanism she knew all too
well. From your shop, I would have
assumed you came from a family just like ours.
It had the cadence of a compliment, but she could see it
for the test. It was there was a time being
compared to a muggle family would have been the gravest
insult. Instead she smiled with genuine
appreciation. Thank you.
She said. While my family was one of the
oldest pure blood families left in Britain, my best friend is a
muggle born. My design concepts are a merge
of both wizarding and muggle styles.
The woman seemed to soften at that.
She eyed the mannequin. I can see that.
She said. They feel foreign, but still
accessible, the core of what she wanted her shop to be.
Braving a new world is not easy, she said, but it is worth it.
She would know. The woman smiled at her, for the
first time it felt like a true genuine emotion.
She held out her hand. Teresa.
She accepted it with a smile. Pansy, pleasure to make your
acquaintance. Yours as well.
She said. And I'd be happy to show you the
glove options I have that will meet the uniform requirements.
This bit about bringing an animal to school.
Richard said as he pulled out the tray of gloves.
It's listed as optional, but will she benefit from one?
Which is best? What are they called?
Teresa asked. Familias.
Was that a muggle phrase she didn't know?
Familiar with what? The spirit animals bonded to
witches? Penelope said.
For once, Penelope failed her in explaining her parents.
Is that part of muggle mythology?
She asked. I've never heard of such a
thing. Teresa looked oddly relieved.
Well, I can't deny it's refreshing to know that at least
some of our legends are actually made-up.
Perhaps a Muggle had misconstrued what an Animagus
was, and the legend grew from there.
The option to bring an animal is only if you have one as a pet,
Pansy said. There is no benefit other than
companionship. Owls do deliver wizarding post,
but the school has a large number that Penelope can borrow
at any time. Richard stared at her for a long
moment. Owls deliver post?
Was their ministry representative that bad, or did
the entire process have this many gaps?
Were they supposed to just be surprised?
For the first time, Penelope wrote home and an owl dropped a
letter onto their breakfast. He shook his head.
Can't be worse than the royal Mayor, I suppose.
Teresa eyed the gloves. No, when they say dragon hide
from actual Dragons, yes, she said.
Richard grunted. Familias aren't real, but
Dragons are. He held up the list again.
Dragon hide or similar? He raised an eyebrow at Pansy.
Dragon Hide is top line, She said.
There are budget friendly options you can find for less
that will perform similarly for a short period of time, but as
their quality does not match my standards, I would have to
recommend a different shop for you to find them.
We'll take Dragon Hide. Teresa paused for a moment as
soon as she spoke, as if just realising how odd her statement
sounded in her ears. She recovered well.
Finally selecting a pair, she held it up towards her daughter.
Penelope, what do you think of these?
She glanced up from the textbook for all of three seconds.
Fine, ma'am, do you garden? Pansy asked.
The old woman hesitated for a moment.
It was a very acceptable hobby for pure blood witches, but
perhaps muggles saw it differently on occasion.
Dragon hide is nearly impenetrable.
It will keep you safe from even the sharpest thorn bushes.
Some of the rarer magical plants were a different story, but she
doubted anything in Teresa's proper English garden would come
close. Teresa smiled and glanced at
Penelope. What do you think, darling?
Should we get a matching pair? Penelope rolled her eyes.
Pansy pulled out her expanded selections for Teresa to
examine. That drowns the list, except for
the wand. Richard said.
On the Vanders for that, Pansy said.
Richard nodded. Now this thing about different
houses, he said The chit would tell us their names, but nothing
else except for some nonsense about how each student is placed
in one with the best fit, which is the top one.
For all that these two reminded her of the old money personality
she'd grown up with, she doubted any of them would have handled
their world upturning with half as much grace as these two
muggles. Granted, she hadn't been there
for the early bits, but they had gone past taking it in stride
and were now determined to make sure their daughter succeeded.
It depends who you ask, she said.
Every person who attends Hogwarts will say their house is
the best, except for a Hufflepuff who would probably
say they're all wonderful. He made a face so clearly not
their house. She grinned.
The Hufflepuffs are traditionally hard working,
patient, loyal and modest. The middle class, head down, do
what they're told, type. It was a fair assessment.
They usually have a strong sense of justice and will stand up for
that, but otherwise, yes. He was clearly not impressed.
What else Gryffindor's value? Courage, bravery, determination,
daring, and chivalry. He frowned.
So the military types or the vigilante justice as they see
types? He'd yet to spend a single
connote in her shop, and he was already her favorite customer.
She smirked. Both.
Sometimes in the same person, depending on which direction the
wind is blowing. All right, tell me the last two
are better. Ravenclaw House is focused on
wisdom, intelligence, and creativity.
Academics or eccentrics? All she could picture was Looney
Lovegood in those radish earrings again.
Both. Teresa straightened with a
small, knowing smile. And what is your house?
She grinned. Slytherin, she said.
We are known to be cunning, ambitious, proud, and
resourceful. Penelope sat up, her spellbook
forgotten. From the looks on her parents
faces, they'd resonated with those traits just as much.
It made sense. This family screamed Slytherin.
It had nothing to do with money. Flinch.
Fletchley was apparently loaded and there had never been more
Hufflepuff since Helga herself. But the way they carried
themselves. We do prioritise self
preservation, which is looked down upon by the Gryffindors and
Hufflepuffs. Richard adjusted his cuffs.
They don't seem like the types to be taken seriously anyway.
She smirked briefly, but there was another side of her house.
She couldn't let them leave without knowing.
We have a more sinister history. She said More dark witches and
Wizards were in Slytherin in school.
It also prioritised much of the pure blood ideology as recently
as my time in school. Rather than looking put off,
Teresa looked intrigued. You used past tense.
Yes, She said. Much has changed since the
second Wizarding war. While there has yet to be a
muggle born in Slytherin, I believe it is only a martyr of
time. Unlike the Scandinavian school
you mentioned, Hogwarts itself has been accepting muggle born
students since it was founded to.
The teachers and staff are very prepared to assist and welcome
them. She said the war exposed the
true cost and hypocrisy of pure blood ideology.
Most current prominent Slytherins are eager to prove
ourselves beyond that. How would a student ensure her
placement in a given house? Richard asked.
There isn't a way, unfortunately.
She said. The sorting ceremony utilises an
impartial magical object to sort students based on their
intrinsic qualities. She looked over at Penelope.
But do not be afraid to ask for what you want.
It worked for Potter and Hermione.
Richard nodded, wanted his daughter, and then turned back
to Pansy. What about extracurriculars,
sports, clubs the like? Our only sport is Quidditch, and
the first years aren't allowed on house teams, unless they were
the chosen one, of course. Quidditch.
Teresa repeated. It's a sport played on
broomsticks with enchanted balls.
Her eyebrows shot up and she glanced at her husband.
All first years take flying lessons, so if it's something
she's interested in, you can always purchase a broom for her
to practice over the summer months for tryouts for her
second year. Teresa looked partially stunned.
Richard, did you hear that? She said our daughter is a witch
who will wear a pointed hat and fly on a broomstick.
Richard didn't look much better off than his wife.
She wasn't quite sure what about that seemed so unthinkable.
Hermione was terrified of flying.
Perhaps it was a Mughal thing. There are other forms of magical
travel she will learn as she gets older.
Teresa exhaled slowly, as if she needed a moment to compose
herself. As for clubs, she should
participate in anything that interests her.
Pansy continued, sensing the two needed more familiar ground.
The exception is the Slug Club. Teresa looked a little pale.
Does it have anything to do with actual slugs?
No, it's a play on the founding professor's name.
Slug Horn? The relief on her face was
almost comical. Professor Sloghorn is the
Potions Master, she said. He likes to mentor students who
he sees as particularly talented or well connected.
The members of his club have almost all gone on to have
outstanding careers in their chosen fields, and he often uses
those connections to benefit the next crop of students.
Were you a member? Theresa asked.
No, she said. While he himself is a pure blood
Slytherin from one of our oldest families, Professor Slugorn has
always rejected blood purity beliefs.
Because of my father, I was not allowed in the group.
Slugorn made no secret that two of his favorite students of all
time were Lily Evans and Hermione Granger.
He'd have no problem with another muggle born witch
joining that list. There was a gleam in Richard's
eye. You said it was by his
invitation. She nodded exclusively.
She turned to Penelope. Being placed in Slytherin house
will immediately gain his attention.
She said. Studying up on potions and
having even a small grasp of the fundamentals before you start
school is another way to set yourself apart.
She shut the standard book of spells and pulled magical drafts
and potions out of her back. This one.
She nodded. He's not immune to a bit of
flattery, and he sees any social invitations he issues as an
honour he is bestowing. She said.
Holding his attention and becoming a member of his club is
more difficult than catching his interest, but he's always
looking to expand his influence. Mentioning your family's
connections in the muggle world would serve you well with him.
Richard looked pleased at this assessment.
Of course, Slocon was sometimes more eager to believe what he
wanted than the actual truth. Despite Hermione's attempts to
convince him otherwise, he was still under the impression that
dentistry was a particularly dangerous profession.
Penelope will be able to handle that, Teresa said.
Indeed, the girl in question looked excited and intrigued.
Will you teach me some hexes? She nearly burst out laughing.
What, the only ones the professors won't be able to
catch, She said. Just in case someone tries to
target me for being a Muggle born.
She doubted the Sorting Hat would even give Penelope a
chance to ask before it lumped her straight into Slytherin.
No one, Muggle born or not, is capable of that kind of magic
right away, she said. You're just as likely to hurt
yourself if you try it too soon. Penelope didn't look deterred.
All right, she said. For when I'm ready, what should
I do? Most importantly, you need to be
sneaky about it, she said. You'll pick up the usual ones,
leg locked Jelly legs, but the creative ones, spitting up slugs
or buck teeth or antler horns are talked about for much
longer. Always go for embarrassing over
hurtful. Penelope looks excited, but
Teresa was horrified. Perhaps not the best advice to
give in front of someone's mother.
There's not much students can do to one another that the teachers
aren't capable of undoing. She tried to reassure her.
Were those hypothetical examples?
No, but we're all good friends now.
Perhaps a bit of an over exaggeration when it came to the
weasel, but it got the point across.
She turned back to Penelope. If you ever do need assistance
or a sympathetic ear, you can always ask Professor Longbottom.
He happens to be a Gryffindor. But don't hold that against him.
Longbottom. Teresa asked carefully.
She smirked. The Herbology professor, she
said My husband. The bells of her shop ringing
cut their conversation off. Alesi Spinettes burst into the
door in a frantic hoof. You were supposed to stay at
Madam Malkin's. She was the assigned ministry
representative. No wonder none of them were
getting along. Teresa looked down her nose at
her. I wanted to find something that
catered better to our tastes. Alyssa knows his Pansy.
For the first time, her eyes narrowed.
Has she been giving you any trouble?
Teresa shot her with an equally sharp look.
Pansy has been incredibly helpful.
A refreshing change. Richard said.
Alicia screwed her jaw. Oh, this was fun.
Richard wasn't done. Having someone actually answer
our questions was much appreciated.
Alicia pinched the bridge of her nose.
Mr. Griffiths, if this is about Ogwarts houses, your daughter
will be placed in the one that best fits her abilities.
She said. No one else is better than the
other. She could hardly say the last
bit without cringing. He gave her a long, assessing
look with the tap of his fingers on the countertop.
He turned to Pansy with a triumphant grin.
She's a Gryffindor, isn't she? Pansy tried unsuccessfully to
fight her smirk. He nodded once, as if it was all
the confirmation he needed. Or thought so.
He said proudly. Alicia's eyes narrowed.
And did Pansy Parkinson happen to explain the priorities of her
house? Teresa straightened.
She was very forthcoming, even when she didn't need to be.
For a long moment, Alicia looked like she'd taken another bludger
to the head. Pansy doubled down on it.
And it's Pansy Longbottom. Teresa turned to her, a hint of
pity in her expression. Is it not done in your culture
to keep your maiden name or hyphenate?
She tried not to smirk. It's not common, but not unheard
of either. Well.
Her face softened. You must love him very much.
It was difficult to not laugh or cringe, although he was
certainly growing on her, if Sunday was any indication.
Something about her expression must have made Teresa believe
her assessment. The other woman reached out and
patted her hand. I'm glad you were able to find
happiness. Thank you.
Alicia watched, her suspicion giving way to confusion.
She let out a hoof. Well, if you have the uniform
sorted, the lassies Ollivanders for your wand.
She looked as if she was ready to be done with the lot of them.
Richard settled the business with Pansy.
As he walked towards the door, he paused.
You said most dark witches and Wizards came from Slytherinhaus.
He said. The ones who didn't, they were
Gryffindors, weren't they? Alicia screwed her jaw.
Yes. Pansy said.
Thought so. He winked at her before walking
out the door Alicia held open for him.