Most ardently by Swift Knight, narrated by Briar and Tones,
Chapter 1. It is a truth universally
acknowledged that a single wizard in possession of a good
fortune must be in want of a wife.
So, of course, when Missus Weasley heard a rumour from
Missus Brown that Featherfield Hall had let at last, to a young
unmarried gentleman no less, she rushed home to share the news
with her husband and five eligible daughters.
Hermione Ranger was returning from her morning walk around the
borough when Missus Weasley nearly collided with her upon
the path. Hermione dear.
The witch shrilled. You must pay better attention to
your surroundings. I have lost count how many times
I warned you of the dangers of reading while walking.
And you know how it vexes me to repeat myself?
Hermione sighed and closed her book.
My apologies, mother, please forgive me.
Missus Weasley was not Hermione's actual mother, but it
had been customary for her to call her such since she became
the Weasley's ward at aged 4. Her parents, the Grangers, had
chosen to place her with an awizarding family upon her first
presentation of magic. As was commonplace for
Muggleborns, the Weasleys had happily taken her in to raise
and teach alongside their other daughters, and Hermione was
permitted to visit with the Grangers a few weeks each
summer. I'd be far more upset with you
if I hadn't just received the most exciting news.
Oh. Hermione asked, uninterested but
willing to encourage Missus Weasley to change the topic as
they resumed their walk home. What have you learnt from the
village this time? Missus Weasley had a habit of
visiting Ottery St. Catchpole every market day, but
instead of trading in wares with the vendors, she often traded in
gossip with the other ladies of the neighborhood.
This task usually took her until late afternoon, so the gossip
must be quite salacious if she was hurrying home to share it
with the family. Featherfield has been let at
last, by a young, unmarried wizard no less.
Her mother exclaimed. Hermione almost tripped over her
own feet in shock. The Featherfield Hall was the
grand estate on the other side of the village and was
significantly larger than the borough.
The property had remained empty throughout Hermione's childhood,
and for a wizard to afford to occupy it, he must be quite
wealthy indeed. Who is this gentleman, Mother
Hermione Pride. Eager to learn more now?
Hermione, I can't have you receiving an unfair advantage
against your. Sisters by learning the news.
1st. She chided.
You must have patience. For I will tell you when we are
all together. Hermione wished to inquire more,
but she could see the slanted structure of the borough as they
came over the Crest of the hill. Tucking her book under her arm,
she fell into step alongside her mother as the older witch
continued to prattle about other inconsequential gossip she had
learned prior to the news of this mysterious stranger.
They arrived at the garden gate, entering and then passing the
various Mughal servants tending to the chicken and vegetable
patches. The Weaseleys, while part of the
wizarding Gentry, were not wealthy enough to have a house
elf as part of the borough estate.
Not that Hermione would have wished otherwise.
The idea of owning another living creature had always been
unconscionable to her, but tragically it was still the norm
for many families. Luna was also among the
vegetables, casually passing out sweaters she had knitted for the
gnomes that kept their residents in the garden beds.
Mrs. Weasley detested the creatures, but Mr. Weasley
insisted they kept away the worst pests and thus were
allowed to stay sweet. Luna was the only one the little
beasts seemed to like, which wasn't surprising considering
her natural friendliness with all sorts of magical and muggle
creatures. Luna was considered the oldest
of the Weasley wards and daughters, though only a few
months separated her and Hermione in age.
Her family, the Lovegoods, had died in a horrible accident when
she was only two. Unlike Hermione's muggle
parentage, the Lovegoods had been a well known wizarding
family. They had lived not too far from
the Weasleys before their deaths.
The close relationship between the deceased Mr. Lovegood and
Mr. Weasley led to the young witch being brought in as their
ward instead of the several other high-ranking families that
had offered to raise and teach her magic.
While the Wizards of Britain were sent to Hogwarts, witches
were taught at home, either by their parents or, if one was
wealthy enough to afford one, by a governess.
Mr. and Missus Weasley devoted a great deal of time to the
education of their daughters, and under their guidance,
Hermione excelled. She was the most advanced of her
sisters, though Luna was not far behind her.
Hermione devoured the magical texts offered to her, her
favorite subjects being Charms and potions.
Missus Weasley, while impressed by her dedication to her
education, would sometimes complain that Hermione wasn't as
interested in society as her younger sisters.
The witch loved to compare her daughters to one another, often
publicly, and Hermione never much enjoyed it.
Of all of Hermione's sisters, Luna was her favorite.
Her kind and quiet nature made her an excellent companion for
enjoying peaceful afternoons reading by the pond whilst the
rest of the house was an explosion of noise and chaos.
The pair had also shared a room since Hermione's arrival at the
estate and their shared experience of being wards only
brought the two witches closer together.
The three red headed Weasley daughters were younger and often
too loud for Hermione's taste. While Priscilla shared her love
of reading, she was prone to ramble for hours about anything
that piqued her interest, having a knack for seeming to seek
Hermione out when she would prefer to be left alone.
Her current subject of interest was discussing cauldron
thicknesses, an entirely boring subject in Hermione's opinion.
Charlotte, or Charlie as they all affectionately called her,
only had one interest of note in her entire life.
Dragons. Her side of the room she shared
with her younger sister, Jenevra, or Jinny, as the witch
insisted, was covered in drawings or diagrams cut out
from the pages of the books Mr. Weasley collected from his trips
to London. Jinny didn't seem to mind the
artistic display. She was the most rambunctious
and flirtatious of the Weasley daughters and had very few
interests aside from her prospects in society and the
marriage Mart. Despite being the youngest, she
was the fearless leader of the three girls.
Wherever she wandered, Priscilla and Charlie typically were not
far behind. As a matter of fact, all three
were currently congregated in the sitting room upon Hermione
and Missus Weasley's arrival, Luna floating in just behind
them. Girls.
Missus Weasley shouted to again their attention.
Where? Is your father.
We must find him at once, for I have just returned with the
most. Exciting news in his study.
Like always, Jinny answered for them.
Priscilla please fetch him sweet child, make haste.
Priscilla hurried from the room and returned shortly after with
Mr. Weasley in tow. My dears, such good news I have
to share. Featherfield has been let at.
Last missus? Weasley exclaimed.
To a young eligible gentleman no less.
Mr. Blaise Sabini arrived just yesterday to the neighborhood
My. Dear, as excited as you are, why
would you feel the need to summon me for such a trivial
matter? Mr. Weasley inquired.
Mr. Weasley, have you no sympathy for my poor nerves?
You must know what I mean. I have the highest sympathy for
them, my dear, for they have been my most constant companion
for the last 20 years, he replied.
But you still have not answered my question.
Because it is quite obvious, of course, Mr. Sabini must marry
one of our daughters. His income is rumoured to be
5000 galleons a year. My goodness, you have not even
learnt of his character yet. He could be quite horrible, yet
you wish to place our darling daughters in his path, Mr.
Weasley chided his wife. Which is why you must call on
him to find out. We cannot go.
For it would be improper for us to visit if you have not done so
already. This you must certainly know.
Oh, Father, please, Jinny pleaded.
You must go, for it would be a tragedy if you do not.
Mr. Weasley sighed, turning to glance at Hermione before
addressing them all. Such excitement, but I shall aim
to please you all and visit this new gentleman sometime during.
The week. He conceded with a small smile.
Missus Weasley rushed forward to embrace her husband, pulling
back to declare she would order the cook to make a celebratory
meal for the evening. Do you think a gentleman like
him would attend the ball next week?
Father? Charlie asked aloud.
My shall not be able to say with certainty, but I will let him
know that he would be a most welcome addition to the
neighborhood gatherings if it will make you happy.
The younger girls began theorizing amongst themselves
about the mysterious Mr. Sabini, hoping he was as handsome as he
was rumoured to be rich. But Luna interjected with a
desire of her own. I hope Mr. Sabini is amiable and
kind. She declared to the group.
But that is not as important as what he looks like or if he's a
good dancer. Jinny insisted, causing Hermione
to shake her head as the girls switched to discussing what they
planned to wear to the ball in hopes of catching the wizard's
eye. Leaning over, Hermione whispered
to her sister. I hope he is as agreeable as you
Luna. I would wish for him to be as
bright and quick witted as you, but I am not certain we will
ever meet a man to measure up. The witch complimented with a
knowing look. Too many Wizards these days have
their ears filled with ragspurts.
Hermione still wasn't sure she believed in ragspurts, but the
sentiment was there so she focused on that instead.
It would be wonderful to meet someone who could challenge my
mind. It would make it far easier to
fall in love for certain. I am afraid I shall settle for
nothing less and will likely end up an old maid because of it.
Or perhaps we'll be lucky and your perfect match will appear
at the ball next week. Luna counted before her smile
fell into a serious expression. You have never been one for a
love it for a sight though. No, I agree with you on that.
True love may exist, but it can never be that easy.
I don't know, Hermione. I have.
A good feeling about this ball, you'll see someone will spark
something new and exciting in you.
Hermione gave a noncommittal hum.
She had never been one to believe in Look or destiny or
even nargles like Luna, but it was part of why she loved her
so. Her golden haired sister
believed all the world was good and agreeable, while Hermione
considered herself more grounded in reality at times.
She would never wish to take away that hope that glowed
around her. At dinner that night, Missus
Weasley and her daughters continued to discuss Mr. Sabini
and the upcoming ball while Hermione listened in, wondering
if he or some other new gentlemen would finally catch
her interest this season.