Regency in Diagon Alley [Theodore Nott | Harry Potter AU]

Chapter Nineteen

"This is a terrible mistake," Walburga sneered but her son did not listen.

As the servants placed the traveling chests that held Carina's belongings onto the large carriage that was parked outside their gate. Many onlookers stopped on their daily tasks to see the reason for their lady to leave at such haste to Scotland. As far as they know the Blacks did not have a home in Scotland, and the carriage that came was not the family's silver and black, it was large with wide windows, covered with intricate design of gold transformed to flora and fauna, and the main body made of polished wood.

After the sudden meeting last night, and having Roman smuggle their guests out of the house while he distracted his mother, Regulus returned to the study to find Carina glaring at a bird that was perched on Hester, her owl's branch. Only when he closed the door did Theodore returned to his human form. The young duke handed him a personally written invitation for Carina to see his family home in Danu for the next few days. They discussed their mode of transportation – secrecy was not an option as it would be more suspicious if Carina left London in the shadows.

When morning came, just as Carina and the servants finished her hastened pack, Theodore arrived with Roman and a few extra hands, Tamers, all armed with their leathers, wands, and hunting knives. The young duke claimed that he had a few more that would flank them in the travel.

Regulus came to his mother's side after speaking with Rose, who would be going with Carina. "Like I said, it is for her health." He glanced at the old woman. It was hard to keep the story they have concocted, and harder to convince Walburga of it.

Walburga looked at him, unimpressed, unconvinced, and said. "Health?"

"Yes," he simply said and entered his home with his mother striding beside him. "Carina has not been feeling well."

"Then call a Healer – don't send to another man's home!"

"The Healer said that she needs fresh air to help with the recovery."

"We have potions! Spells! The air, land, and water have never been fresh since we started created cities! Since civilization started building their walls! The very soils we step on has been polluted with blood and rotting flesh – the waters filled with the garbage that we all ingest!" Walburga went on.

"I am glad to see that you care so much for your granddaughter." He rolled his eyes. "It is not just the air... Carina has been feeling unwell since the start of the season."

"Since that boy came back," she pointed at the door, where Theodore was outside talking to one of his Tamers. She huffed and glared at the sight of the young duke. "When we were children my mother would always tell me and your uncles that when the Duke in the North comes south, bad things happen... and I cannot disagree with them."

"Superstition."

"The very foundation of our culture is based on superstition." He gave his mother an incredulous look. "Myths, fables, magic, fairytales, superstitions – who do you think these Muggles talk speak of whenever they tell bedtime stories to their children about ugly witches who would curse them – faeries who would take their babes and trade it with a changeling?"

"I have no interest for a history lesson, Mother." He rolled his eyes. "What's done is done – Carina's chests are packed on the duke's carriage, she is going to Danu to rest and build her strength. And when she comes back, she will still have time to continue her hunt in the season."

"The girl staying in there would cease any hunt for the duke has already placed a claiming by inviting her to his home! By the time she comes back I have no doubt it is for a special license and her belly carrying that boy's bastard."