"I hate this," Eugene thought to himself, hating the number of times he'd been corrected on how to hold his utensils to straighten his posture. "No wonder Sirius Black ran away from home, but I'd better not say that lest I make Mrs. Malfoy mad." And then came the mental sigh. "It's Aunt Narcissa or Aunt Cissy."
He had to deal with Demi May, who attempted to argue with Narcissa the moment she brought her out of the room for lessons, trying to point out that Narcissa sent her to her room until she knew how to behave.
"Part of learning to behave are these lessons, and you will be ready in time for the party I'm hosting for my younger cousin Reggie to build his marriage prospects, and you will be on your best behavior."
"When is this party?" Eugene asked, frustrated at all of the lessons progressing to ballroom dancing.
Narcissa fell silent, saying nothing, then after a pause, "Soon. Hopefully."
"Soon, hopefully? What does that even mean."
Things continued in this direction, with Eugene escaping when he could spend time with Panda, the red feathered own he'd picked out, the name bothering Narcissa to no end. Yet, no matter how many fancy names she or Demi May suggested, Panda remained Panda, drawing from the red panda, which wasn't actually a panda.
This escape didn't prevent the fright when a woman arrived, her black skirts going all the way to the floor, looking even more prim and proper than Narcissa, yet a chill ran down his spine as he looked at the woman; her eyes were dark, her skin pale and her hair as black as midnight, almost reminding him of a vampire, yet she walked in the daylight, exuding an elegance that outshone possibly even Narcissa.
And he knew, somehow, that he'd just encountered the matriarch of the Black family, Walburga Black.
"How? She looks younger, but then, the books did say that was a Black family trait to keep their youth for a very long time. And she's scarier than the books—I don't think the books," and then he shook his head.
"Something the matter."
"Uh, well, no," Eugene said. "You're very..."
"Eugene," Narcissa said. "Appologies, Aunt Walburga."
"You're gorgeous!" Demi May said, batting her eyes.
"Demetria Maia," Narcissa said sternly. "What have I said about fake patronage?"
"I can't believe Hildur would have taught her daughter such crude gestures," Walburga said, glaring at Demi May."
"She didn't," Narcissa said. "But if you must know, they're from the same place as that girl of yours. Lyra, I believe her name is."
"Yes. Lyra. The thing is holding up this party of yours."
"You need not be so dour about it, Aunt Walburga. Regulus means well, but it is nice to see him taking the initiative and caring for the girl. I think it might help him in the end if his bond with her is strong."
"I don't see why," Walburga slightly sniffed. "But then I don't see why he doesn't already have marriage prospects. He's the perfect gentleman."
"It gives him a way to showcase who he is," Narcissa said. "Just like Eugene will show he's a perfect gentleman to Lyra."
He flinched, rubbing the back of his neck and looking at the floor, not wanting to look the somewhat intimidating woman in the eye, swallowing as he did so.
Demi May apparently didn't get the message. "It's not fair! She's already stealing my crush, but her dresses..."
Then silence as Walburga waved her wand, Demi May's hands clapping over her mouth, her eyes finally registering just how formidable the matriarch of the Black family was. Walburga turned to Narcissa. "First, I hope that one won't be making such scenes at this party you're throwing."
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UDM: Free Falling II - Seconds Away (Harry Potter Fanfic)
FanfictionSomething as simple as wishing for a second chance to confess to one's first crush should result in ending up in the world of Harry Potter, but that is indeed what happened to Eugene. Unfortunately, this also means the girl who bullied his crush has...