There was a frisson on the air in the ballroom that told Harriet instinctively that schemes were afoot. Who was behind them she didn't know - though she had overheard one of the newer debutantes mentioning the name of that ghastly woman from Witch Weekly - but even Harriet couldn't conceive of any society matron so desperate she would actually invite such a gossip-hungry shrew into their midst and allow her to perform some mischief. Perhaps old Ariel Lovegood might have done out of desperation but Merlin bless her heart she hadn't lived to see her daughters become such a disappointment, which was probably for the best.

Nursing her second glass of champagne Harriet remained as sharp-eyed as ever though she took pains to look entirely at ease, replying to Hermione's conversation gaily, quite safe in the knowledge that it didn't matter one whit if they were actually talking about the same thing as their minds were unquestionably as one. Her sister might have married off all her daughters - even the plain ones - but she still had a son and heir to settle so mutually she and Hermione had agreed to help each other.

Hemione had just mentioned the possibility of a sight-seeing excursion in Vienna - or possibly Venice - when simultaneously two sets of sky blue eyes settled on a young woman just finished with her dance who looked politely grateful but had clearly been left a little cold by her potential suitor. Harriet's smile grew and she promptly abandoned her sister to catch the girl at the drinks table.

"Miss ____! How charming to see you looking so well. Forgive me for catching you unawares but I wondered if you could help me settle a dispute with my sister?"