Villain of the Piece
Part 2 Youthful Indiscretions
- Chapter 25 -
Chapter 25: Party
Animals 15th to Honor’s party invitation arrived on the first day of March,
the party being set for a fortnight later.
Jimmy eyed the invitation, trying to read it upside down, but he was not
as good at that as Severus was. “Girlfriend?” he asked.
“On a promise tonight, are we?” “Girlfriend?” Severus chuckled. “Don’t rush me. Anyway, if you saw her, you’d not be
envious. She has poise, but she’s rather
on the thin side.” “I like ’em with a bit of meat on ’em” Jimmy admitted,
returning eagerly to his eggs and bacon. Severus turned his attention to the invitation. Honor had drawn a map. She was less than a dozen streets from At “In here” he said.
“This is where it’s all happening.
Know everyone, d’you?” Severus wasn’t sure that he knew anyone. The flat was dark and full of gentle music;
it was difficult to see faces, just a throng of anonymous people in jeans and
sweaters; very few in robes. There was
little furniture and most of the guests were standing and chatting, looking as
though that’s how they spent most of their evenings. Honor’s main room was part sitting room and part kitchen,
divided by a broad kitchen bench upon which was spread the food and drink. Severus dipped into his carrier bag and added
his bottles of mead to the drinks collection as a balding, round-faced wizard
said “I’m Benjy. Try one
of these. It’s lager. Ever had lager?” Severus hadn’t had lager.
It was a Muggle drink. Benjy
opened a can from a six-pack and poured it into a glass that fanned wider at
the top than at its base. “Good girl, Goneril, isn’t she” he added. “Even got the right glasses … What d’you
think? Like it?” No, Severus didn’t like it.
It was in his opinion watery, acidic, and lacking in flavour. “Mm? Not quite me, I
think” he murmured, trying not to be too insulting to one of his host’s guests.
“How did a wizard get a taste for
lager?” Benjy launched into an explanation of a wonderful two month
holiday he had spent in Germany the previous summer, and he introduced Severus
to a couple of his friends, one of whom wore a dark shirt open almost to the
waistband of his jeans. In the
candlelight a glint of metal could be seen on a hairy, suntanned chest. Medallion Man has come to wizardkind, Severus
said to himself. He looked around,
whilst keeping one ear on the conversation.
The guests were of all ages; the conversation mostly of art, music, and
holidays. Some of the women had long
skirts and tasselled shawls; none were smartly dressed. As if to prove him wrong a glamorous red-headed witch, not
much older than Severus, appeared and moved fluidly between the party guests,
balancing a tray from which she offered a variety of things on sticks. She wore a figure-hugging black velvet dress
and long black boots, and he recognised her as Andromeda Black. She nodded in recognition. “Hello” she said. “Cocktail
sausage?” “Well, I’ve been called a few things in my time” Severus
replied, as he helped himself to several different snacks, “And mostly by that
horrible cousin of yours, but I don’t recall being addressed as a cocktail
sausage. That’s a first.” “Well, he’s not here so you can rest easy” she said,
chuckling. “I presume you mean Sirius.” “The very same!
Certainly not Regulus” Severus said with feeling. “Though I don’t see him, either.” “No, he’s also not here” Andromeda admitted. “He’s at another party. Family thing.” “Then pardon me, but shouldn’t you be there too?” Severus
asked smoothly. “If you really knew our family, Severus, you’d know why I’m
not there” she replied. “Do excuse me, I
have to hand these out. Axel? Benjy?
Any more for you?” Finally she gyrated away and the three wizards watched her
go. “Know her from school, do you?” Benjy asked. The chat turned to Hogwarts, and Benjy, who was several
years older, explained that he only knew Honor through work and it was Honor
who had introduced him to some of the Black family. “And here she is, our gracious hostess” he said, as Honor
came into view. “Nice dress, eh?” It was a nice dress – it was dark blue and sparkling, and
Severus had to admit that for once Honor looked almost pretty. She, too, was distributing food but when she
got to Severus she halted longer than expected. “You made it” she said.
“Benjy’s taking care of you I hope.” “I started him on the lager” Benjy teased. “He’s not keen, but he’s determined. Won’t give up.” Severus grinned politely.
“It’s never wise to mix drinks” he pointed out. “Besides since crossing this threshold I’ve
tasted food from all over Axel was only intent upon his drink, but Benjy was eyeing
Honor and Severus carefully. “Would you like me to carry on with those?” he asked,
indicating the tray of sausage rolls. “Oh, would you?
Thank you.” Gratefully Honor
handed the task over and turned back to Severus. “Sorry I wasn’t here to greet you” she
said. I’ve been using Axel’s kitchen as
well as my own. He’s three floors up.” “Who lives in between?” “Muggles” Axel said.
“Harmless. Do you need that
topped-up, Severoos?” Severus declined so Axel went in search of more beer for
himself. “So … what do you think of my flat?” Honor asked. “It’s, err … very “Meaning you hate it” she chuckled. “You don’t like the drinks, you’ve had to
endure unusual food, and you hate my flat.
Poor man, what a night you’re having!
No snakes-head doorknobs – is that the problem?” “I must admit I do rather like the Blacks’ house” Severus confessed. “It has some interesting features.” “Yes. Like the heads
of dead elves mounted on the wall” Honor replied with a shudder. “Well, never mind, I’ll survive your
disapproval. So, where is home for you?” “I beg your pardon?” “Well, I’m a city girl” Honor explained. “I like being just a stone’s throw from
concert halls, wine bars, theatres, museums … What about you? Given a free choice, where would you set up
home? Where or what is your natural
habitat?” “What do you think I am?” he countered. “Country-boy?
Back street alley cat?” “A cat” Honor said thoughtfully. “Yes, you could literally be a cat. You move very quietly when it suits you. But cats are at home in town or country. They have learnt to survive anywhere.” “And there you have your answer” he replied. “I, too, can survive anywhere.” “No preferences?” He thought carefully. “Hogsmeade” he said at last, “If you must press me to a
choice. I would like “Yes; s’pose so” Honor replied, looking as though it had
never concerned her. “Yes, I do believe
they do. Old Celia Lovegood, over there
– most of her family are country folk; I think they’re a bit remote. But there are some London Lovegoods;
generations of them. Monty Jiggers – he
lives in “I thought I knew that face” Severus cut in, with a sudden
pained expression. “Montague
Jiggers. I’d better say hello in a
minute.” “Then do so now” Honor suggested, “In case he spots you and
wonders why you haven’t.” They threaded their way across the room to where a wizard
had just sat down at a table in the bay window. “Monty, you remember Severus, don’t you” Honor said, by way
of introduction. “Remember him? He’s
a valued client” Monty said fervently, rising from his seat to shake hands. Looking slightly puzzled, Honor slipped quietly away, leaving
them to chat. “Well, this is like a convention of prize-winners” Monty
went on jovially. “Now let’s see, Honor
was 1974, in 75 Hogwarts didn’t get it, 76 was your year, and 77 was Lily
Evans.” They chatted for a while about the annual St Mungo’s
Potions Award and Severus enquired whether Montague Jiggers saw many of the old
prize winners. “What, apart from you?” he replied, grinning. “No.
Used to see Lily Evans at times.
Not in the shop much, but about in the Alley. Haven’t seen her for months, come to think of
it. Same with that Stevens girl; d’you
remember her? Horace wouldn’t put her in
for the award. She used to buy a lot
from me at one time, and then it all stopped…” A sudden flash of flame came from the gas hob. They peered around and saw Uncle Willy busy
with a frying pan. A smell of fried
onions pervaded the room. “Great! Hotdogs
soon, unless I’m much mistaken” Monty said, smacking his lips. “I’m gonna grab some more of that “I’m sticking to lager” Severus said firmly. “Although I might switch from Danish to
German. Let’s see what there is. And I think I’ll find my way to the bathroom,
first…” The evening was winding to a close. Willy Wigworthy had been mixing his drinks
and had disappeared. As Nat King Cole
finished serenading the guests with The Party’s Over many of them took the hint
and began to leave. A blonde witch in a
skimpy Zandra Rhodes cocktail dress was wriggling into a fur coat. Severus had watcher her on and off, as the
party had progressed – she had brought a magnum of champagne and spent the
evening drinking it. How she was
managing to stay upright on her high heels was a question in itself. “Lovely party, darling” she said, and gave Honor a lop-sided
peck on the cheek. “I’m surprised you need your coat on to go upstairs.” Honor
hissed. “Shush – mum’s the word” the blonde witch whispered, then
she grabbed Axel’s medallion and drew him away like a slave-master claiming a
slave. Finally only Severus was left. He hunted for used glasses and began to wash
up, listening for the front door to close on the last of the guests and the
sound of Honor’s returning footsteps. “You shouldn’t be doing that” Honor exclaimed, but she was
obviously pleased. With the help of some cleaning and vanishing spells the
tidying up was soon completed and Honor made a last batch of coffee in a tall
black coffee pot. She extinguished all
of the candles except for a group of three at the side of the hearth. Then she motioned Severus to sit on the sofa
and herself took the only armchair, and they sat in a room lit only by
firelight and candlelight, sipping coffee and listening to David Soul singing
softly from her cassette player. “Actually” Severus admitted, “It’s not such a bad flat. These are nice, even though they’re modern”
he added, looking at the black cup. “Are
they wizard-made?” “No. Portmerion”
Honor said, “Their phoenix design. The whole
set was a house warming present from Andromeda.
Very ‘sixties’ – I like them a lot.” He looked at the bird emblem on the cup. It glistened red-gold in the firelight,
echoing the gold lettering on the candles. “By the way, is your uncle okay?” He felt he ought to ask but it sounded like
and afterthought. Which, in a way, it
was. “Oh, yes!” Honor assured him. “He’ll be up in – what – six hours or so,
tucking in to boiled eggs and soldiers.
It’d take more than a few Firewhisky’s to knock Uncle Willy out for long.” It sounded as though Honor was used to Uncle Willy’s alcoholic
indiscretions. She leant back and closed
her eyes, letting her cup slip to a dangerous angle. Severus also lay back.
The sofa was comfortable. He
looked around briefly, took a draught of coffee and then closed his eyes,
thinking about the flat and what it told him about Honor. She had painted the room in buttermilk yellow
and stripped the plaster from the chimney breast to expose the yellow-grey
bricks. She had a bookcase full of books
– old school texts, and medical tombes, and books on artist. She had hung a copy of a Da Vinci cartoon on
the wall, and the bathroom had a reproduction Mondrian – one of his yellow and
brown rectangle affairs. Abstract, but
oddly pleasing. Who had bought her the
works of art? Benjy probably – he
appeared to be keen on her. But he
hadn’t stayed to do the washing up… “What made you choose a coat stand for a towel rail?” “What?” Quietly
dozing, Honor snapped awake. “In the bathroom” Severus added, “The coat stand you use to
hang up the towels.” “Oh, that. I got it
in the “Why does Benjy call you Goneril?” “Wow, that was unexpected!
Because it’s my name” she said with a rueful grin. “Don’t know what possessed my parents to give
me a name like that. Well, would you
like a name that sounded like gonorrhoea?
That’s why I call myself Honor.
It’s close, but not so embarrassing.
Enough of that. Next question.” “How many questions am I allowed?” “Err – half a dozen.
And that was one of them! So you
have three left.” “What is written on the candles?” “It means Any Port in a Storm. Gloria gave them to me. It’s only Latin – I thought you’d know
Latin.” “I do, but it’s too dark to read it now … Who is the lady
who went off with Axel?” “That’s no lady – that’s the aforesaid Gloria. My cousin.
Oops, that was just a bit bitchy, wasn’t it!” Severus sat up suddenly, gave her a penetrating stare and
then drained his coffee cup. “You and Benjy” he asked awkwardly, “Are you? I mean – do you have – any special wizard in
your life?” “No” Honor replied with simple firmness. “You sneaked in two questions, there. ‘No’ to both of them. He’s not my boyfriend. I don’t have a boyfriend.” The atmosphere was suddenly charged. “Am I allowed a few questions?” Honor asked, as if to break
the awkward silence. “Just one” came the careful reply. “Why–?” She checked,
not wanting to waste her question, and then began again. “Do you
have anyone special in your life, Severus?” He thought for a moment.
“Yes” he replied at length. “Me.” Honor could see him smirking, almost grinning. She wasn’t quite sure if he was actually
revealing a deep and important truth, but he appeared to be in a teasing mood. “Why am I allowed only one question?” she asked. She had had her quota of one, so nothing
would be lost in trying for more. “To answer that would allow you more than one” he
sneered. “Therefore to answer that, I
would have to go back on my word. I will
not break my word. But perhaps that, in
itself, will tell you something … It’s late, and you must be very tired. I had better go. But perhaps, we could have dinner sometime?” He didn’t wait for a reply but stood up, placed the coffee
cup in its saucer, and went to find his cloak. “You can Apparate from here” Honor said as she followed him
to the front door. But Severus fancied a walk in the cool night air. The stars were bright and he thought he might
walk part of the way home. Or, possibly,
even all of it. “Thank you for a delightful party” he said. “I’m not much of a party animal, so you’ll no
doubt be pleased to know that I found it quite survivable. About dinner – can I owl you?” For an answer, Honor took hold of the lapels of his cloak
and pulled him into a kiss. “Of course you can” she said. “And that other answer did say something
about you. It told me you are innately
unfair. So be warned, when you take me
out I’m going to choose the most expensive thing on the menu. And don’t think that means we’re going to a hotdog
stall in Grinning, Severus began his walk back. In fact he walked all the way to the boarding
house; it gave him time to think. Honor was a nice girl.
He liked her. She wasn’t
beautiful and he was sure that he was not in love with her. But he felt safe with her, and that was a
rare experience. He also felt valued by
her. Lily had made him feel valued, but Lily had chosen someone
else. And so had Delia. Cheryl had, up to a point, made him feel valued. But not so much as had Lily, Delia and Honor. And anyway Cheryl was gone. And he suspected that Cheryl had problems in
her life – he didn’t want involvement with someone who had problems, he wanted
self-assured, capable people, whose lives were running smoothly. But how far did he want to take things with Honor? Sex would be nice, he admitted to himself. But what if she wants involvement? I don’t want involvement. I’ll have to tread vary warily with Honor. I had better not rush to invite her out to
dinner – don’t want to seem head-over-heels in love, or anything awful like
that. I’ll leave it a fortnight. That should show that I’m interested, but not
desperate. - Chapter 26 - |