January 31, 1890 - Gerald Abbott's Residence, London

This was one of the many family dinners that Gerald had hosted for his family. Alice and their mother was always welcome for a visit, and Will was tolerated to a certain degree. Gerald knew how to act like a proper young man. There were ladies present after all. So far the evening was going quite well. Alice expressing how well the children were doing, which was good. The child would have a governess soon, which was good to hear. Education was always ideal for the young. It taught them their place in the world, wherever that might be for each child. The idea of having his own child was in his mind more and more as the days went on, though he didn't want to make too much of a proclamation, not wanting to look like a fool for his younger age than others who begin their wife search.

"I went to a wonderful party last night. Many wonderful young ladies were there. Were you there, William? I didn't see you among the crowd." Mother did want Will to participate in the events more. And without a job, it must have been far more easy to attend party after party. He did wonder how the wife search was going for the oldest of the family. Mother seemed to focus more on the conversation as she looked between the two of them.

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William Abbott/@"Melody Finch"

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While William was always pleased to enjoy an evening with his mother and sister (the former of which he spent many an evening with) he didn't feel quite the same about his brother. Gerald was a rigid, uptight ass who frustrated Will more than he'd care to admit. Their mother always dragged on about Gerald's ministry job and wife hunt. As though a twenty-seven year old man was ready for a wife. Will had only just recently thought about marrying and it was still a terrifying concept. Gerald could wait awhile yet.

Which was why when his brother brought up the topic of women William glared daggers across the table. He was flirting with a few women, dancing with even more. None of them measured up to Diana - who Will was certain would slap him if he were to propose marriage. "Unfortunately I had to miss it." He casually responded as he stabbed at his dinner. What he would give to send his fork flying at his brother. "I had to attend to an issue with the team's coach."

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As a man with a respectable career and a good standing in society, Gerald felt that he certainly was ready to take a wife. Unlike how he viewed his older brother. The man did nothing but deal in manners of quidditch. It was an utter disgrace by Gerald's standards. Will was the oldest. Why couldn't the man be a bit more responsible when it came to his future? The poor girl to be dragged into such a marriage was only lucky in the aspect that Will was the eldest. And eldest had not proved to equal that of most responsible.

The glare seemed to be noticed by mother as well as Gerald, as he heard the woman sigh softly in disappointment. Given the reason for the lack of attendance at a society function, Gerald was surprised that their mother wasn't glaring daggers at Will. "What a shame. It was quite delightful. I had plenty of wonderful discussions last night."

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He was certain to hear about ut from Mother when they returned home. The aging woman wished only to see her children happily married and to spoil her grandchildren. Already, Will heard her nagging voice in his head, 'why can't you be more like Gerald? You'll never find a wife on the quidditch pitch!' It was a fair argument, one Will didn't bother to refute anymore. However, he had ten years before finding a wife became unlikely. He refused to marry someone strictly because he didn't want to be alone.

"I'll have to take your word for it." The party was likely boring and over early. Even if Mr. - hadn't had questions about early recruitment Will likely wouldn't have attended. The Season wasn't even in full swing! He had a few more months before daily parties were an obligation again. "Though, now that I'm thinking of it, I didn't see you at the Zabini wedding a few weeks back. Everyone was speaking of it for weeks." Let Mother glare at Gerald for once.

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Mother's wishes were no different than what was expected of every respectable person of society. Will simply needed to grow up and understand his place in the world. But mother certainly was doing a good job of nagging Will on her own. Gerald just had to mention one event or another and let the dominoes fall where they may.

In truth, it had been boring. Not that he would ever admit this. But some of the company had been pleasant enough. "Indeed. Work did run a little late. But I had also promised a dear friend of mine that I would attend a dinner party for his wife's birthday. One never goes back on a promise if it can be helped."

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One was also not supposed to betray one's brother to one's mother, but William wasn't about to begin a family fued over something so trivial. Gerald was handsomely taken care of with their father's passing. It wasn't the sizable estate William had inherited, but it was generous enough that Gerald needn't work if he didn't wish to. Still, if his younger brother insisted on clinging to the resentment of an unchangeable birth order, so be it.

Will could think on two fingers the promises he'd broken in his life. The first was to his father - an unfair promise made as a child - and the second was to her. But, that promise was broken due to circumstances beyond his control. "It was lucky I was able to attend then, to ensure our family was represented. It's a pity you missed it. Most of the debutantes were besotted with the idea of love that night, you might have found your one true love."

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The problem was that Gerald genuinely felt that Will didn't deserve the privileges he got. But more, he didn't deserve the status of being head of the family. That was how Gerald saw it, and it didn't seem as though his opinion was going to change any time soon.

"As head of family it is your responsibility to represent the family in general. My being there is only a happy addition." A status that burned in his mind. The after thought. The spare. That's all he was. Even Alice had the privilege of being labeled the 'precious daughter'. Not that he would trade lives with her. "Besides, it wouldn't be the most appropriate to spend time at someone else's wedding by attracting attention to one's self."

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"You don't need to remind me of my duties." Will responded calmly. He had assumed his role as the head of the family half a decade ago. It hadn't been the most graceful transition, what with the suddenness of it all, but Will had it all well in hand now. The finances, the estate, Alice's and Gerald's inheritances were all maintained by him. Gerald could claim many things of Will, but irresponsibility wasn't one of them.

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It was true that they had the good fortune of Will not being irresponsible with the family finances thus far, but Gerald couldn't help his worry given the older brother's other life choices. "I'm sure." He responded before turning to their sister and asking how the children were doing.

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