It all happened so quickly; Titania’s hands shooting out to break an anticipated fall and her unexpected discovery. She tore her hands back to her chest, away from the poor man she’d unwittingly smacked in his. The flush of embarrassment heated her skin; her cheeks feeling positively fiery, but her eyes were unaffected by the surprise. She knew the not-stranger she’d unintentionally assaulted.
She’d met him on the train on her first trip to Hogwarts, but he was mostly an often-heard name in Isobel and her brother’s stories. Anya had seen the family portraits he sent Isobel and had included her name in greeting on letters, but she hadn’t seen Murdock Greyback in nearly – what was it? – twelve years. The Allaways opened their estate to the Greybacks for two weeks leading up to Archie and Isobel’s wedding and the massive clan brought new life to usually reserved Allaway home. She remembered Murdock as the king holding court, he’d been full of stories about his days as an auror and told jokes that brought Titania to the edge of tears. He’d been quick to share stories about the bride-to-be as a child, much to Isobel’s terror and the amusement of all others, but he also radiated a protective pride and genuine love for his family that could be heard and seen in every interaction. Anya also remembered his stunning wife nearing the birth of her their first child. She was quieter than her second family, but she had a razor wit and had been kind enough to allow Anya to practice her French over the weeks.
The wizard before her was worlds away from jovial storyteller she’d known. There was still humor in his eyes, but there was a gravitas to him now, a weight behind his eyes. If she were honest and not drowning in her own embarrassment, Anya would admit he wore the years well.
Anya’s retreat was halted by a hand and, had she not been turning colors before, she was certainly blood red now. As much as the gesture startled her, there was something in his touch that commanded calm. She found herself obeying. “Only forgetting a skill I thought mastered in the nursery, sir.” Offering what, she hoped, was a reassuring smile, Titania looked away from Mr. Greyback for the first time since their ungraceful greeting. “You’ll forgive my surprise, Mr. Greyback. I was under the impression that Isobel was unwell this evening.” The sister in question didn’t bother to look apologetic; if anything, she seemed smug. Titania felt her chest knot up. This reminded her of school pranks; it never ended well for her. Anya found herself unconsciously leaning into the hand against her. “While I cannot wait to speak with dear Isobel, I think I will intrude on your kindness a moment longer.”
The charmed effects seemed to weaken on the veranda and Titania released a breath she didn’t know she was holding. Collecting herself and feeling like a complete idiot for the happenings of the last five minutes, Titania turned her attention back to her companion. “I keep finding reasons to seek your forgiveness, Mr. Greyback. I’ve hardly made a favorable reintroduction. I have an ill feeling that there is a game being played and I’ve never learned the rules.” Isobel’s strange behavior was frustrating and odd. Why in Merlin’s name would she feign illness to avoid an evening with Archie and insist on this ridiculous costume for Titania? If she wished to spend time with her brother, she need only be honest. “You are most gracious for coming to my rescue. Perhaps I should limit our communication to family letters, I think my chances of injuring you would be minimized.”
She’d met him on the train on her first trip to Hogwarts, but he was mostly an often-heard name in Isobel and her brother’s stories. Anya had seen the family portraits he sent Isobel and had included her name in greeting on letters, but she hadn’t seen Murdock Greyback in nearly – what was it? – twelve years. The Allaways opened their estate to the Greybacks for two weeks leading up to Archie and Isobel’s wedding and the massive clan brought new life to usually reserved Allaway home. She remembered Murdock as the king holding court, he’d been full of stories about his days as an auror and told jokes that brought Titania to the edge of tears. He’d been quick to share stories about the bride-to-be as a child, much to Isobel’s terror and the amusement of all others, but he also radiated a protective pride and genuine love for his family that could be heard and seen in every interaction. Anya also remembered his stunning wife nearing the birth of her their first child. She was quieter than her second family, but she had a razor wit and had been kind enough to allow Anya to practice her French over the weeks.
The wizard before her was worlds away from jovial storyteller she’d known. There was still humor in his eyes, but there was a gravitas to him now, a weight behind his eyes. If she were honest and not drowning in her own embarrassment, Anya would admit he wore the years well.
Anya’s retreat was halted by a hand and, had she not been turning colors before, she was certainly blood red now. As much as the gesture startled her, there was something in his touch that commanded calm. She found herself obeying. “Only forgetting a skill I thought mastered in the nursery, sir.” Offering what, she hoped, was a reassuring smile, Titania looked away from Mr. Greyback for the first time since their ungraceful greeting. “You’ll forgive my surprise, Mr. Greyback. I was under the impression that Isobel was unwell this evening.” The sister in question didn’t bother to look apologetic; if anything, she seemed smug. Titania felt her chest knot up. This reminded her of school pranks; it never ended well for her. Anya found herself unconsciously leaning into the hand against her. “While I cannot wait to speak with dear Isobel, I think I will intrude on your kindness a moment longer.”
The charmed effects seemed to weaken on the veranda and Titania released a breath she didn’t know she was holding. Collecting herself and feeling like a complete idiot for the happenings of the last five minutes, Titania turned her attention back to her companion. “I keep finding reasons to seek your forgiveness, Mr. Greyback. I’ve hardly made a favorable reintroduction. I have an ill feeling that there is a game being played and I’ve never learned the rules.” Isobel’s strange behavior was frustrating and odd. Why in Merlin’s name would she feign illness to avoid an evening with Archie and insist on this ridiculous costume for Titania? If she wished to spend time with her brother, she need only be honest. “You are most gracious for coming to my rescue. Perhaps I should limit our communication to family letters, I think my chances of injuring you would be minimized.”
![[Image: 6FdDBqK.png]](https://i.imgur.com/6FdDBqK.png)