Poison Ivy | T. Riddle ✔

[04] Citrus And Rain

The clock struck four in the afternoon, announcing the end of Perseus's shift. Due to Tom's addition to the shop as an apprentice, Caractacus asked them to divide the shop timings mutually. The first half was the busier shift and as Riddle had yet to learn to handle customers and run the shop, Perce let him have the easier second shift, keeping the busier part for himself.

At four, the first shift ended. Perce would stay a while to have tea with Riddle just before the second shift began. However, contrary to the usual routine, he was in a bit of a hurry that day. As soon as Tom stepped in, he told him he would be gone for a while and ordered Gabby to prepare tea for him only.

Tom took note of his haste but simply shrugged in reply, taking his teacup from Gabby. He started his shift behind the counter, prepared to receive the clients.

Perseus, on the other hand, had to make a stop in Diagon Alley—a jewelry stall erected near Twilfitt and Tatting's outfit shop—right before heading to his desired location. He was saving his money for a particular item and had requested the stall owner to keep it for him. Reaching there, he quickly paid the amount and took a slender metallic case which he placed safely in his overcoat's pocket.

From there, he returned to the street where his family home was located. Walking just a few blocks more, passing Herbert's abode as well, he stopped in front of a rather welcoming house with a nicely trimmed garden and a flower wreath hanging on the gate.

He rang the doorbell and stepped back, a small smile dancing on his face. It was the Fawley residence—in other words the house of his lovely fiance. 

The door opened revealing Renata, seeing him a genuine smile spread over her beautiful features, "Perseus, what a pleasant surprise."

She stepped aside allowing him to come in and closed the door after. The whole place was silent except for the slight humming of a gramophone in the distance. She noticed his surprise at finding the place so quiet, so she spoke, "No one else is at home. Lazarus and Celia had to go out today so I was just in my room, listening to some music."

Renata's parents had died when she was very young therefore she was raised by her older brother, Lazarus Fawley, and his wife, Cecilia. As the Fawleys lived close to Herbert Burke, she had been playmates with the Burke cousins from a very young age and even then they were all quite close friends.

"Oh I see," he nodded, "I hope I haven't disturbed you then."

A soft carefree laugh escaped her at that statement, "Not at all. I was really hoping you or Demi would drop by. It gets boring being at home with no company."

"By the way, the flower wreath looks beautiful on the door," he complimented, knowing full well that she had made it herself from the flowers she grew in her backyard. She was rather fond of gardening and had picked it up as a hobby at an early age. 

Her eyes glittered in delight, "Would you like to see the rest of my flowers? I have been working a lot in the garden lately and all the blooms have turned out equally beautiful."

"Of course, I'd love to."

She led him to the backyard, delightfully showing him all the plants she had cultivated in the small but neatly organized garden. From dahlias to beautiful blue cornflowers and carnations to fresh red roses, Renata seemed to have gathered all the possible plants blooming in that month and tended after them rather well.

"These are wonderful," he exclaimed noticing her eyes lit up with joy at his remark, "your garden could easily win one of those contests held in London for best blooms in the spring season. The only issue is that it's not spring yet."

After she had given him a tour of the garden, the two sat down on the steps by the backyard gate, just like they used to whenever Perce or Demi came for a visit.