Returning Home

A Decision

Gwyn wasn't surprised at all when she left the small room to find her friends waiting just around the corner. She was, however, having a difficult time with hiding her amusement as they all seemed to busy themselves with studying the painting in front of them and describing the details to each other with a slightly raised volume. She shook her head to herself and gave Severus a small nod farewell before walking up behind them. She cleared her throat slightly and bit her cheek to keep from snickering as they all pretended to startle at her 'sudden' appearance.

"Interesting portrait of flowers, is it?" She kept her eyes on the painting while Nero snickered into her ear.

"Well you would be the one to know, what do you say?" Blaise was the first to speak as the two sisters hid their giggles behind their hands.

"Oh, quite interesting indeed. It can have several different meanings. All of them meant to insult the receiver." She shrugged simply and hid her smile behind a smirk.

"Sorry, do you mean to say you can insult someone with flowers?" Theo sounded incredulous from beside her while Draco scoffed.

"Certainly. If one knows which flowers mean what then you can definitely make an insult bouquet. The black roses symbolize hatred, petunias for resentment and anger, white hydrangeas for arrogance and to top it all off the single lotus for suffering. It's a very beautiful way of telling someone off." That she couldn't deny, whoever had selected those flowers knew what they were doing. She almost didn't hear Lucius approach.

"I'm not surprised to learn the meaning. It was a gift to my grandfather. I'm told the flowers changed after the giver had gone back on their word to him and he collected on payment. The family to this day blames the Malfoy line for their suffering." The way he paused and wrinkled his nose before stating the word family let her know that the feeling of dislike was mutual.

She turned away from him and back to the portrait. "If it was two generations ago and they never attempted to apologize for going back on their word or working themselves back up then they can only blame themselves." She didn't need to know the details to know that she didn't believe in living in a victim mindset. She actually had a strong dislike for anyone who did.

"Indeed." Lucius clicked his tongue once before looking away from the portrait and towards the ones gathered around him. "I'm sure I've interrupted the interrogation they're going to pretend not to put you under. Please, do come by and see Narcissa and myself before you leave." He gave her one fond smile before walking away and Gwyn found all eyes once again on her.

"Alright I'll answer questions but not in the middle of a hallway." She easily answered their unspoken request.

"A walk to the gardens then." Draco easily announced while looping their arms together and beginning to lead their small group. "What did my godfather want?" She had to give him credit for cutting to the chase.

"Two things, I asked a favor and he let me know that he couldn't do it but would still assist me in getting it done." While she liked Daphne and Astoria she wasn't quite comfortable yet telling them everything. Besides, it was for Lupin which technically made it Harry's business to share or keep secret.

"And the second?" Blaise encouraged her from behind to Draco to continue.

"Well, as you lot already knew and Daphne and Astoria learned at lunch, I've been brewing beginners potions and sending them off to him for evaluation." At their hums of acknowledgment she continued. "He offered, as did Rowle, for me to take place as an aide during our lessons to help them. I accepted the offer from Uncle Sev and Rowle has given me until we turn in our essays to give him my answer."

This time it was Theo who let out a low whistle from behind Harry. "Why accept one right away and not the other?" Daphne held an air of innocent curiosity as she spoke from the sister's place in between Blaise and Theo.