The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the sprawling estate of Black Manor as Orion Black rode leisurely along the winding country lanes that bordered his property. His chestnut steed moved with a steady grace, its hooves kicking up small clouds of dust as it carried its rider along the familiar paths that crisscrossed the countryside.
As he rounded a bend in the road, Orion spotted a lone figure up ahead, standing beside a sleek brown horse that pawed at the ground nervously. The man appeared lost, his brow furrowed in confusion as he surveyed his surroundings with a look of mild bewilderment.
Sensing an opportunity to offer assistance, Orion urged his horse forward, guiding it closer to the stranger with a friendly smile. "Good afternoon," he greeted warmly, his voice carrying across the quiet countryside. "Are you in need of directions?"
The man turned at the sound of Orion's voice, his expression brightening with relief as he recognized the offer of help. "Yes, actually," he admitted, his voice tinged with gratitude. "I seem to have lost my way. I was hoping to find Gryffindor Hall, but I fear I may have taken a wrong turn."
Orion chuckled softly, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "You're in luck, my friend," he assured the stranger, his tone jovial. "Gryffindor Hall lies just beyond those hills. A neighbour of ours, in fact. I'd be happy to escort you there myself, if you'd like."
The man's face lit up with gratitude, his smile warm and genuine as he accepted Orion's offer of assistance. "That would be wonderful," he exclaimed, his relief evident. "I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the area, and I seem to have gotten myself quite turned around."
Orion nodded in understanding, guiding his horse alongside the stranger's as they set off down the winding country lanes together. As they rode, the two men fell into easy conversation, exchanging pleasantries and sharing stories of their respective lives and experiences.
Before long, they reached the gates of Gryffindor Hall, a stately manor nestled amidst a grove of ancient oak trees. The man's face lit up with recognition as he spotted his destination, his gratitude overflowing as he turned to face Orion.
"I can't thank you enough for your help," he said earnestly, his voice sincere. "I would have been hopelessly lost without you."
Orion waved off the man's thanks with a humble smile, his demeanor gracious and warm. "It was my pleasure," he assured him. "I'm always happy to lend a hand to a fellow traveler in need. I shall hope that you will not get in trouble over this mishap."
The stranger laughed. "I hope not, since I am the master of the house." Orion's eyes widened as he realized that the man before him is the Remus Lupin himself.
"Oh my," he said, embarrassed. "I apologize. The grapevine says that you will only be here no earlier than 2 weeks later. Forgive my casualness."
"Please, good sir," Lupin shook his head. "It is my own initiative to come earlier to learn of the property. I have never been here, you see. It's a property acquired by my family for an investment that fell through. I am glad to be here. The country is lovely, and it has been most wonderful to be here."
Orion nodded. "While my family has always been masters of the neighboring land, I share the sentiment, Mr Lupin. I have never been a fan of the city. Hogwarts suits my wife, my sons and myself well enough." Remembering Walburga's excitement at the opportunity to meet the elusive Mr Lupin, he quickly added. "My wife and I would be more than happy to host you for dinner. We are neighbours, we ought to make proper acquaintance."
"That sounds lovely!" Remus smiled. "But please, let me host you and your family. It's the least I could do after your kindness today."
Orion smiled back in return. "Certainly. Shall we do the night after tomorrow?"
The man nodded in appreciation and nodded excitedly, his expression filled with gratitude as he dismounted from his horse and approached the imposing front doors of Gryffindor Hall. "Thank you again, Mr Black" he said, extending his hand in farewell. "I'm sure we'll meet again soon."
With that, he disappeared into the grand manor, leaving Orion to watch him go with a sense of satisfaction. As he turned his horse to head back home, he smiled, imagining how pleased Walburga would be with the news.
The strains of the violin filled the air, each note a delicate whisper that danced on the breeze. Regulus stood by the window, his slender fingers caressing the strings with practiced ease, coaxing forth a melody that was both haunting and beautiful.
Walburga, seated nearby with a book in hand, watched her son's performance with a mixture of pride and impatience. The music, while undoubtedly exquisite, seemed to serve as a painful reminder of their current predicament.
"What's the point of all this?" she muttered under her breath, her frustration evident in her tone. "Playing that infernal instrument won't bring us any closer to Remus Lupin."
Regulus paused mid-note, his brow furrowing in confusion as he turned to face his mother. "I beg your pardon?"
Walburga sighed dramatically, her annoyance palpable as she gestured towards the window with a dismissive wave of her hand. "Your talent with the violin is all well and good, Regulus," she conceded begrudgingly. "But what good is it if we can't even get a glimpse of that elusive Mr. Lupin?"
Regulus's lips tightened into a thin line, a flicker of irritation crossing his features at his mother's petulant complaint. Before he could say anything, Sirius, who was lounging on the sofa, looking like a young God on his throne, threw his head back and drawled in support of his brother. "Mother, I hardly see how Regulus playing the violin has anything to do with Mr. Lupin," he said evenly, his tone laced with boredom.
Walburga huffed impatiently, her frustration boiling over as she slammed her book shut with a loud thud. "Honestly, boys, must you be so obtuse?" she snapped, her irritation simmering just beneath the surface. "We're never going to make any progress with this whole Mr. Lupin business if we can't even catch his eye."
Before Regulus could respond, Orion, who had been quietly reading his newspaper nearby, spoke up from behind his paper. "Oh, I wouldn't worry too much about that, my dear," he interjected casually, his tone nonchalant.
Walburga turned to him, her expression one of incredulity. "And why is that?" she demanded, her curiosity piqued despite herself.
Orion lowered his newspaper with a knowing smile, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Because, my dear, we'll be having dinner with Mr. Lupin soon enough," he informed her, his tone matter-of-fact.
Walburga's eyes widened in surprise, her mouth falling open in astonishment. "We will?" she exclaimed, her disbelief evident in her tone. "But how? When?"
Orion shrugged nonchalantly, his demeanor unruffled as he folded his newspaper neatly and set it aside. "Oh, you know how these things go," he replied casually, his tone almost dismissive. "An invitation here, a chance encounter there. Before you know it, we'll be breaking bread with the man himself."
Walburga shrieked in delight and hugged Orion. "Oh boys!" she said happily. "Your father is most wonderful! We must make haste and find our best clothes!"
"Oh love, the boys does not need to do anything to shine," Orion smiled warmly. Their fortune may not be as favourable, but he would always be proud of his sons. "Lupin will be enamoured at first sight."
Sirius smiled in agreement. Regulus scoffed, but the pleased blush on his face was telling.
"Sirius is lovely, Mr Lupin will not know what hit him," Walburga said, pleased. Regulus' face fell. Orion, noticing his younger son's dejected look, quickly came to his aid.
"Regulus is sharp witted and equally as lovely," he said gently to his wife. "Mr Lupin is spoiled for choices, subject to our boys liking him in return."
Walburga ignored his comment, already thinking of the clothes to wear and the topics to cover. "I must begin planning now!" she quickly walked out of the room, no doubt planning for the outing.
Orion shook his head fondly and smiled at his boys. "And now, Regulus, you may continue to play without interruption."
