New Valet
2 knocks and a small voice speaking “My Lord? Are you ready for dressing?” that’s how the morning started same as every morning in Eastmeadow.
Although it was a new voice this morning, not the voice of Evan, Sirius’s valet that Regulus had been sharing for the last month. No, this must be the new valet just for him, The housekeeper must have finally chosen one huh.
Pity, he had grown quite used to Evan.
“My Lord?” came the voice again. Oh yes Regulus had forgotten how much reassurance new staff needed at the start. He guesses he ought to make it easier for him.
“Yes, yes come in” he croaked through his morning voice. And in came the new valet.
Regulus was a bit surprised to see he was a boy who couldn’t have been any more than a few months older than him. He shouldn’t be too surprised Evan was the same, but it was just unusual to be any higher than a footman this young. Evan had only managed it because his father had been such a loyal butler to the house before his untimely death.
“Goodmorning My Lord” said the Valet with a bow “I’m your newly hired valet” he added with a small smile.
“Regulus” he corrected mirroring the smile, “and you are?” not missing the flash of confusion across the valets face.
“I.. as I said I am your new valet my lord” he repeated unsure. “Regulus, you can call me Regulus. And yes I heard you the first time. I was asking who you were, as in your name?” Regulus replied with a stretch of his sleepy arms.
“Oh yes of course sorry my Lor.. Regulus.”
he paused waiting to see if that was really ok. Regulus just gave a small nod. “I’m Barty”
the valet said with a smile.
Barty was efficient and after the initial nerves had warn off he wasn’t half bad company, Regulus was glad to discover.
When Barty had sorted through and set his clothes out for the day, Regulus began to remove his bed shirt. He heard the intake of breath, he knew it was coming, scars like his weren’t terribly common with Lords but there was no point in hiding them, he had tried that with Evan, but when a persons job is to dress and undress you it isn’t so easy.
“Oh don’t worry about them, mightn’t be the prettiest things but i’ve been told my face makes up for that” he said with grin and a wink when Barty looked at him through the mirror.
Barty looked like he wanted to laugh but wasn’t entirely sure it was appropriate. It was terribly amusing for Regulus.
“Ok now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s get me dressed I’m sure the family will be waiting for me for breakfast.”
“Oh yes! Sorry My Lor..Regulus. It slipped my mind, your mother had given orders to have you down before 9.”
“Don’t worry about that, we still have plenty of time if that’s the case, and I think you mean my cousin” Regulus replied. “You’re cousin? Oh I don’t..I don’t think so her and Lord Tonks, your father were coming out of the same bedroom.” Regulus mumbled seemingly a bit uncomfortable.
Regulus for the second time that morning was amused. “Oh yes well she would be seeing as Lord Tonks is her husband and he so happens to not be my father.” Regulus said a smile forming at Barty’s growing confusion.
“I would have thought you would have been told this by other staff, I’m sure they have no problem telling any newcomers.” Regulus stated.
“Oh well you see I haven’t actually met anyone but Ms. McGonagall the housekeeper. I only just arrived early this morning.” Barty replied.
“Ah I see. Well I suppose I’ll let you in on the basics. Andromeda and Ted or Lord and Lady Tonks, are not mine nor Sirius’ parents. Although I assure you it would be lovely if they were. Lady Tonks is our cousin, elder by 20 years I’d say. They were ever so kind to take me and my brother in after… well after we had to leave our own home, nearly 10 years ago that was by now.” Regulus stated, it was the simplified version and although he was sure other details would reach Bartys ears soon enough, he wasn’t going to be the one to give them.
Just as Regulus finished a hurried knock came from outside his room. “Yes? Who is it?” Regulus inquired.
“I’m awfully sorry to interrupt sir.” It was McGonnagall the Housekeeper, Regulus would swear he had never seen her anything other than composed in his life. But right now she looks on the brink of tears and that makes Regulus’s heart drop to his stomach.
“What is it? What’s happened?” Regulus asks.