Though offered in jest, her words had an air of truth about them. Balt's heart sank slightly; he knew that none of his children had had an easy time at Hogwarts since Topaz's turning, but for Ruby—Topaz's twin, and identical no less—it had been hardest at all. He had been incredibly proud when the Gryffindor had chosen to continue with her schooling, but while he might have allowed her to bow out after her O.W.L.s, dropping out in the midst of a level of study would have been an entirely different matter.

As to the proposition, well! Balthazar was vaguely surprised at how...unsurprised she was.

"Well," he replied as he mulled over this offer, wishing his teacup weren't empty. Though the wizard knew that the life of a debutante was unlikely to be in the offing for any of his daughters, he had not yet had cause to picture Ruby in any one particular area. "Why don't you read for me, then, and let us see if you are truly up to the task."