Ultimatums

Chapter 11

Regulus and Hermione sat in the Great Hall opposite Avery, Regulus wolfing down his eggs and Avery nibbling a piece of toast nervously.

"What is wrong with you today A? You're not eating anything." Hermione asked, raising an eyebrow at the toast he kept raising to his mouth and discarding when he thought no one was looking.

"I have to go home. I can't go to Reg's house like last time, my parents are taking me with them to view potential suitors to marry me off to suitresses. And I really am not looking forward to being sold like a broomstick"

Regulus snickered "Latest model, Avery, not very sociable, but can do your makeup for you on a timed schedule! Pre-Order him now before he runs out, ladies" he said in his most telemarketing voice.

Hermione elbowed him and held Avery's hand reassuringly "Don't worry, just make sure you hit it off with the most poised, least prejudiced and very pretty girl and you'll be fine"

"So basically you?" Regulus pointed out, helping himself to more sausages.

"Yes. Find yourself a clone of me, Avery and you'll have yourself a wonderful future wife" Hermione grinned.

"Speaking of you, Nita, Mother asked if you want to come to the summer house this summer. Sirius'll be there, and you might have to attend some dinners and whatnot, but there are some upsides" Regulus offered.

"Upsides?"

"Well you'll be in the company of yours truly, there's an awesome lake to swim in, and a wizards only town by the beach. And next to that is a muggle tourist attraction. A theme park I think it's called. We can sneak off there"

Hermione beamed at the idea of seeing the muggles, and made a note to write to her mother to ask. Just as they were readying to leave for transfiguration with the Gryffindors, Dolohov was hoisted into the air by his underwear. He was swearing like a sailor, and trying to reach his wand, but every time he made a grab for it, he was twisted around. Boils started to grow on his face, bubbling with pus and his hair started to thin considerably. Hermione started to chuckle, and look over at Lily, assuming she was the cause of it, but she shook her head irritably, pointing down the table where the Marauders sat laughing their heads off.

Shaking her head and assuming it was a coincidence, Hermione started to describe to Avery how to being charming in a way women appreciated, and Regulus pretended to read as he listened in and made mental notes.

☏

Hermione opened the letter her family's owl sent her and read it aloud at breakfast the next day

Mia,

I believe this is a good experience for you to hone your social skills, I know Lady Black is one of the most efficient in etiquette after all. However, you promised you would show us your progress with your specialty, so I must insist you spend the night you leave Hogwarts at home, and arrive at Grimmauld Place the next day. Do you find this reasonable? This way you can pack your clothing yourself and deposit any school items you don't need. How are Jamey and Sirius? Do ask them about their school work please. Also, don't mind your father when you come home, he's in a bit of a mood about the situation you've caused .

See you tomorrow,

Mum x

"Well that's nice of her. Not, how are you Hermione? Not, how's your schoolwork? Just ask James and her second favourite child Sirius. Wouldn't believe I would be third, hmm? He's probably getting all the Potter jewellery and my bedroom no doubt!" Hermione fumed, folding up the paper and stashing it in her pocket.