February 12, 1891 - de Monfault Theater, High Street, Hogsmeade at The Sontata #7 Orchestral Debut

Faustus Prewett

If there was a weakness Malou had it was music. She loved to hear live music, in fact it was often the main draw of a ball. It was doubtful that without the incentive to hear any music at such events Malou’s godmother would ever be able to get the healer to attend any functions whatsoever. Much to Mrs. Bagshot’s delight Malou had needed little to no convincing to attend this event.

Music to Malou was like a moth to a flame, it reminded her of her childhood. The rare trips to the city when her mother had taken her to such events, listening to her mother play the pianoforte, Malou’s own slender fingers traveling over the well worn keys as she had grown up playing a duet with her mother. No matter what happened in Malou’s life music seemed to have the magic to reflect that. She would spend her precious earnings to see an opera or an orchestra. If she were honest orchestras were her favorite. She loved the sounds of the strings lifting their music into the air as if for Heaven itself to hear. It was one of her rare indulgences, those trips. But this evening was different. This evening was because of Mrs. Bagshot’s kindness, she had asked for Malou to accompany her, and for once Malou had agreed with no hesitation.

Now, though, Malou did hesitate. Mrs. Bagshot had left in a flurry of skirts to find someone she thought Malou ought to speak with. Malou for her part simply wanted to take her seat before the show started. She felt no need to be trapped in conversation with a gentleman who would be of no interest to herself but would provide Mrs. Bagshot the satisfaction of being a good match as she watched the two with her steady gaze.

Watching Mrs. Bagshot’s dark green skirts sway into the crowd Malou, rather unkindly, had the urge to disappear. If she wasn’t here when Mrs. Bagshot came back she needn’t worry about making small talk and instead could slip unnoticed to her seat.

At least that had been the plan. Malou turned and found herself face to chest with someone else. A man, judging by the breadth of his chest and the buttons on the evening coat. “Oh!” Malou gasped, catching herself just before she ended up running directly into him.

  

---

Faustus was slightly grateful he didn't bring Iris or Mezereon. A four hour concert was certainly something he could sit through and was looking forward to, however for two children less than 10 years old that might be a recipe for disaster. He found himself solo at the concert instead, and realizing that both Iris and Mezereon would have been extremely restless. Thank goodness for Nanny, in that case. Though, he mused, after having run into Benedict Sterling, perhaps they would have been fairly entertained.

The former Head Auror certainly had a way of entertaining the children with various muggle tricks he'd learned from his time in Ireland. Faustus always wondered when the man would have children of his own — he always seemed like he would be a very family-oriented man, at least when he stopped goofing around. After saying goodbye to his co-worker, Faustus turned to go find his seat, wondering how the children were doing. With a slight grin to himself, he knew that Edelweiss would actually have enjoyed this, despite the length of the concert. He had to make sure to write to her when he got home.

He found his path somewhat blocked, although in a croweded theater it wasn't out of the ordinary for one to have to bob and weave. Faustus instinctively reached out to steady the figure in front of him. Given her startled (and slightly panicked?) expression, he hovered his hands just a little longer in order to make sure she was alright. "I apologize, miss, I'm afraid my mind was elsewhere." he said softly with a kind smile. "Are you quite alright?"

  

Malou's gaze rose up to the gentleman's face which was only a few inches above her own. His smile and words were kind and polite and Malou found a small smile crossing her lips even as his indentity dawned on her. There was not an eligible young lady in their society who did not know of the four Prewett brothers, Mrs. Bagshot would be delighted. As for Malou she was much less than her godmother would be. But Malou suspected she would be able to slip away soon enough.

"I am, thank you." Malou's soft voice reassured him. "The fault, however, is mine." She found herself adding, Mrs. Bagshot would have been flabbergasted by Malou's admittance to a lack of grace. But Malou was a professional and she wasn't about to not take the blame of something she could easily have avoided. "I suppose I was a bit too eager for the start of the concert."

  

---

He could tell she recognized him, and out of reflex, he automatically retreated half a step, though kept the smile on his face. His eyes raised to survey the crowd briefly. If his mother were to catch him with someone, there would be no getting home early after the concert.

He was surprised by her answer; sure there were a great deal many debutantes in attendance to the concert, but he knew from his mother that most were likely here to be seen rather than see. Faustus focused back on the young woman in front of him and smiled slightly. "You're a fan?" he replied.

  

"I am." Malou gave a small dreamy smile. "I love music. Especially the symphony. The strings...." She found herself trailing off as if she knew no other way to explain it. At this her cheeks turned slightly pink with embarrassment. Surely Mrs. Bagshot would scold her such unguarded enthusiasm, but it wasn't like Malou was trying to impress the man before her.

"Are you?" She found herself asking. It must be said, the question was mainly to hide her own discomfort, rather than to extend the conversation any longer.

  

---

Even given the dim lighting, it didn't take an Auror skilled in observation to notice that the woman was rather flustered at her enthusiasm. Faustus, however, though it endearing, and he did his best to keep the kind smile on his face as she recovered.

"I am, rather." he said, his gaze moving up to the stage where the musicians were currently tuning their instruments. "Would you think me simple if I said this was one of my favorite parts of the entire night?" His gaze returned to her, a slight pink tinge on his cheeks; no one liked the overture, but the music all slowly harmonizing were like tumblers in a lock sliding into place.

  

"No." Malou found herself shaking her head assuming he was talking about the musicians and not the socializing - perhaps that was wishful thinking, "More complex." She frowned as she thought of how to explain her thoughts. "Few would find this part anything other than dull. But without it there would be nothing beautiful in the end." Her eyes met his as she finished her explaination, her shyness dissapating as she focused on her own thoughts of the matter.

  

---

Faustus chuckled, mildly flattered she didn't call him a fool for liking it. He was equally (pleasantly) surprised that she agreed, and it told him she wasn't just here to be seen by society. "For all we know, we would drown in a cacophony of noise instead." he quipped, eyebrows raised conspiratorially. He opened his mouth, about to take the quip possibly further, though the calls to return to seats.

He turned back to the young woman. "I'm afraid I have been so rude as to neglect to introduce myself, and it's already time to return to our seats." He inclined his head in a respectful bow. "Faustus Prewett."

  

"Indeed." She found herself giggling - giggling. It surprised her enough that a warm blush colored her cheeks. For a moment she thought he'd say more but instead the cue to head to their seats sounded. Oddly, for all her excitement, she was ... disappointed? Not that she'd ever admit that to her godmother.

"A pleasure. She murmured before adding, "Marie Skovgaard." Accompanying it with a small curtsy.

  

---

The faint blush that graced her cheeks brought a smile to Faustus, and he inclined his head cordially. "The feeling is likewise." He responded, suddenly slightly less enthused at the upcoming concert.