Chapter 7
“Mother tell me again why we couldn’t bring Sirius,” James wined at his mother as their cariaagde rode them to the country.
“He didn’t get an invite with the Blacks love and as much I hate it, he is of age so we can’t adopt him,”
“Bollocks,”
“James,” warned his father.
“Sirius is as much my brother as you are my father, Papa. This isn’t fair,”
“When have we known the ton to be fair beta,” said Effie.
“Think of the positives James,” Fleamont said looking up from his paper,” it’s a week with Lily. Enough time to secure a proposal for sure,”
“Yes,” James gave a sad smile.
“And, Regulus will be there,” Effie added causing James’ smile to grow. He hadn’t seen Regulus since the night in the orchard, but the thoughts of the boy were yet to leave his mind.
“That he will be mother, that he will be,” James said staring out into the lush greenery of England’s countryside.
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“How long must we endure this Walburga,” huffed Orion from his seat on the grand carriage.
“A week my lord,” Orion grumbled returning to his paper. “I’m only glad that Sirius wasn’t invited,” Regulus cringed at his mother. “Don’t you think Regulus?”
“Yes mother,” the boy responded turning his head from the window.
“Tell me boy,” began Orion,” do you have any intention of courting the diamond,”
“My intentions this season is fixed on my duties as the heir father however I am keeping the Evans’ as a close alliance,”
“Good,”
“Mother who else will be joining us with the Evans’ in the country,” asked Regulus.
“The Potters most probably,”
James,
“Dursleys, McKinnon’s, Medows, and a few others. But that’s all later. For the first few days it will just be us and unfortunately the Potters. Why do you have intentions to court any of these young men or women,”
“Not particularly but I always think it’s good to keep my options open,”
“Wise boy,” spoke up Orion,” you’re already doing so much better than your brother,”
“Thank you, father,” Regulus said trying to keep a straight face as he turned his head back towards the window.
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Half an hour later, Regulus saw the grand building of the Evans summer home pull into his eyesight. It was larger than Black manor and carvings of cherbis sat at the top of the building. The house looked old as vines wrapped around the front pillars and an array of staff stood at each end of the door as he saw the Evans family step out to greet him.
“Regulus!” he heard Lily before he saw her. She came almost running at him with arms open as he stepped out of the carriage. He fell back slightly as the girl wrapped him into a hug. He pulled back to catch a slight glimpse of his mother’s disapproval before he went to greet the rest of her family.
“Lord and Lady Evans, a pleasure as always,” he heard his mother’s introductions, “my son Regulus,” he bowed his head as he noticed eyes fall on him.”
“Pleasure to meet you my boy,” Seamus stuck out his hand.
“Pleasure all mine sir,” he turned his head to meet Petunia,” you must be Lily’s sister,”
“Yes, that’s all I seem to be these days,” she Shaked his hands lazily.
“Tuney be nice,” Lily said coming to his side. The rest of the sisters spat got tuned out as Regulus heard the trotting of hooves come behind them. He turned around to see the Potter carriage. He saw as James walked out with his parents and immediately, he wanted to crawl six feet into the ground. I mean seriously no one should look that good after a two-hour carriage ride. James’s hair was as wild as ever, but his travel clothes looked like the pencil of grace. Needless to say, the boy looked hot.
“Lord and Lady Evans,” said James coming to greet Lily’s parents, “Petunia, Lily lovely to see you both again,”
“Hi James,” said Lily. Regulus looked around as the adults greeted each other and paid close attention to the interactions between his own parents and the Potters. His mother was curt, and his father avoided as much eye contact with Viscount Potter as he could get away with. Regulus could already tell; this would be a taxing week.
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After the Evans had gotten their guests set up James found himself stumbling into his mother’s room.
“Mother,” James said stepping into his mother’s guest chambers, “might I borrow something from you,” Effie turned to him with a knowing look. She then looked down at her engagement e=ring and then back up to her son.
“James,” she looked back down at her ring, “are you really ready my boy,”
“With the season hitting its climax I think it’s only wise if I make a proposal now,”
“Evans?” she asked.
James wished it could be Regulus, but he already knew the politics would be too messy for that. It would be Lily, James knew he could be happy with her, and he knew he would have to, “It would have to be yes,”
“James,” his mother gave him a sad smile.
“Lily is the safest option. I can be happy with her and most importantly she is what’s best for this family. Our image and all,”
”James Fleamont Potter you will not be getting this gorgeous ring that has been given to me by the love of my life until you know that it will sit on the hand of yours,”
“Mother you know I can’t think like that,”
“Oh yes you can,” James stared at the floor, “James all I want it my children’s happiness. All I want is for you to be happy. So, I will give you this ring but only when I know, that you know that you’re making the right choice,”
“Yes mother.”
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The next morning, in the Evans garden James and Regulus found themselves speaking to Petunia about an odd game that neither boy had neither heard of not played.
“What exactly are the rules of this game?” asked Regulus
“Pall-mall is less about the rules, more about the goal.” said Petunia as she walked the boys around each wicket. “Which is, of course, to hit your ball through each wicket. The first player to send their ball through the last wicket wins.
“Simple enough.,” said James.
“Though, if you are feeling devilish, you can use your turn to knock an opponent's ball as far away from their next wicket as you would like.”
“Why waste a turn if the point is to get one's own ball through the wicket?”
“To infuriate your opponent, I gather?” added Regulus.
“Precisely,” confirmed Petunia, “I see why my sister is so fond of you. You are of sharp wit I must mister Black,” Regulus felt his face flush with an uncomfortable blush as Petunia returned to explaining the game,” It is a poor player who plays the game, and a wise one who plays their opponent.”
“I believe I shall rather enjoy this game.”
“Right. Oh. Now, my father is a solid shot, but he avoids conflict. Mother is crafty. She will strike when he thinks you are least suspecting it, so always be suspecting it. I, of course, am a complete enigma who will divulge none of my secrets. And, well, then there is Lily.”
“Let me guess. A most ruthless, cutthroat player.” Joked Regulus.
“Why, you have made his acquaintance,” Petunia said noticing the change in James’ facial expressions. “That is not to say she has no honour. She's usually the most genteel sportsman.
Except as far as this field is concerned.”
“I'm sure she is an excellent player.” Said James.
“We will all pass a very pleasant afternoon.” Petunia said walking them over to the mallots where the three was met with a jumble of fights.
“Let's toss a coin.”
“Last year, we promised to let the youngest pick first.”
“We pick based on alphabetical order.”
“The only fair thing to do is to let our invited guests choose their mallets and strike first.,” said Petunia.
“Never thought you’d be the voice of reasoning Tuney, ”said Lily.
Petunia shot her sister a glare. “Please, take your pick Mr. Black,”
Regulus looked at the basket of mallots and took a pick of a black mallet with green detail.
“An excellent choice.,” said Seamus, “ The mallet of death. Would you look at that, Lils?”
“Is this yours?”
“Not at all. You're welcome to it.”
“You threatened to beat me last time I touched...”
“ You exaggerate.,” Lily cut her sister of.
“Are you the superstitious sort?”
“I can play perfectly well with any mallet. I wish you the best of luck.” Lily said begrudgingly.
“Are we to stand around deliberating all day, or shall we play?” said Petunia. In the next few seconds, a hundred hands attacked at basket as mallots got pulled left and right.
“To the field of combat!” said Sophie, “Lord and Lady Black you do not plan on joining us?”
“We are quite content to sit this one out Lady Evans,” said Walburga.
“Very well, come on.”
“Are the demands of the day affecting your game, son?” said Effie coming towards James after he missed and easy shot.
“Not a chance. Miss Evans, I believe you are next. I did not wish to leave my ball in your path,
so I've left an open space so you can send yours.
“How very kind of you, my lord. However, may I remind you I have been playing this game since I was four and am in no need for your pity,” said Lily before sending a perfect shot through the wicket.
As Regulus walked to the next wicket, he noticed a crowd surround him.
“You have the chance to best him.” Said Lily.
“That would not be very sportsmanlike, would it?” said James.
“I was told unsportsmanlike conduct was a requirement for this game.” Regulus smirked looking over at Petunia.
“A fast learner you are, indeed, Black,”
“What do you say, James? Are you in a losing mood?”
“My mood shall remain unchanged, regardless of your choice.”
“Ah, is that so? You would bravely bear the crushing shame of defeat?” James felt his collar go hot from how Regulus edged closer in taunt. As Regulus swung his mallet James saw the ball go flying into the distance.
“Oh. I am bested, “
“That you are Mr. Potter,” Regulus said twirling his mallet in his hand,” that you are.”
“You could still retrieve your ball if you wish to stay in the game.” Added petunia.
“You know I just might,” said James looking directly at Regulus,” Regulus may you want to join me. Unless you would like to quit, here and now?”
“Absolutely not.”
“After you.”
As James and Regulus walked through the woodland he noticed as Regulus went of one his own to a foreign part of the forest.
“Oh. Dash it!” James went over to where Regulus was and saw his ball sitting comfortably in a swamp of mud.
“We could pluck them out. No one would be any the wiser.”
“But I would know.”
“Such a stickler Reggie,” James said climbing over the bushes.
“James.” Regulus cried as the boy followed him,”
James struggled as he got grasp of the ball,” Got it,” Regulus watched as the boy struggled to get out of the mud,”
“All right their Jamie,” James looked up at Regulus. His hair was messier then normal and the slight build-up of sweat on his forehead made the boy look downright angelic in the afternoon sun.
“Clearly not, a bit of help here,”
“Just pull yourself up,”
“I’m trying, I’m clearly stuck,”
“Oh, for goodness sake,” Regulus cursed underneath his breath before reaching an arm out to James. The two boys struggled and grunted along until a slip of hand ended with both boys covered in mud.
“Woah,” Regulus cried she fell on top of James, “sorry,” he said pulling himself and then James back up.
James chuckled, “No problem,”
“This isn’t funny Potter, I’m covered in mud because of your stupidity.”
“Oh, it’s very funny Reggie,” James said bringing his thumb up to wipe some of the dirt from Regulus’ cheek. He let his fingers linger before pulling them back down again.” come on the others are going to wonder what’s taking us so long.”