Gus couldn’t help but laugh as his fingers tightened around the ring in his hand before he flicked his gaze up to her. “Perhaps I intend to wait until the season starts, and then unleash havoc at one of the balls by doing just that. She’ll have to fall in love with me on sight and then I’ll whisk her away.” He had no intentions of actually going to much of the season, if any of it. His sister had already debuted and was either being courted or married (at this point he was too afraid to ask if that was why Fig was so angry with him), and his parents would let him settle for a year before they got on his case to marry, if they did at all.

He’d be a cursebreaker before he settled down to marry anyone.

Gus’ grin widened as he continued. “You can be my date to ensure you witness the whole ordeal and I’ll promise to give you all the credit. Although perhaps I’ll stop by when you’re free and see what you have for me. Still have my weekend at Hogwarts free for February.” Of course he knew the one name he wanted to be on that list wouldn’t be - Basil couldn’t marry him and right now he thought Gus was incapable of love. He huffed a laugh as he flicked his gaze up to her.

“In all actuality Fig is going to murder me when I see her next, so this is my ‘please hide my body where it can be easily found’ gift.” He shrugged; she’d sent him a couple angry letters and well, he had only managed to reply with a couple of sorrys and I’ll visit soon.

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