queenteek: Unexpected Visitors (Draco, 100.3)
Title:Unexpected Visitors
Author: queenteek
Rating: PG
Prompt Set: Draco 100.3
Prompt #: 65- AND
Word Count: 1,746
Summary: He knew they’d be getting in contact with him, but he hadn’t expected it to quite so soon.
Notes: Part 5/?? of “How to Save a Life”. If you missed the first parts, they can be found here.
As he pulled into the lot, he knew there was something wrong. He parked, grabbed his helmet and was headed for the barn when it hit him. A spike of familiar magic, laced with fear and panic, and he could hear whispered mumblings in the back of his head. Quickening his pace he walked down the breezeway towards his horses stalls, saying his normal hellos on the way down. The centre was busy this time of day, so he didn’t have to worry about people wanting to stop and chat, which he was very thankful for.
“Epona, what’s wrong?” he thought, catching sight of her pacing in her stall.
“More of your kind were here, Youngling.” her normally calm voice said back, and she stopped to look at him.
“The few wizards and witches that come through have never bothered you before.”
“These were different. One of them, a man, he felt like you. He looked right at me.”
“Felt like me? What did he look like?”
”Tall, long dark hair, blue eyes, with a scar down his left cheek.”
”You saw all that?”
”He stood right here, talking to Adelaide. Something about boarding, for a few days anyway. He paid no mind to the woman he was with.”
”She a brunette too?”
“Yes. Her head rested under his chin, but her eyes wandered everywhere. Like she was looking for something. I did not like it.”
He ran a hand down her neck, over her withers and back, trying to help calm her. If he was understanding her correctly, his cousin and Pansy had been here, which meant that it wouldn’t be long before they got in contact with him. He reached out of the stall for a soft curry from his grooming tote and gave her a nice slow rub down.
“I didn’t realize they would come here, or I would have warned you. I promise that they mean you no harm. That was my cousin; he’s here to take over for Severus.”
”Your guardian has passed?”
”Yes, almost two weeks ago now.”
”I’m sorry. I know he meant a great deal to you.”
”Thank you. Enough about me, how are you? Any changes with this mornings excitement?”
”No. He will come soon, but not for at least another moon. The urge to hide has gotten stronger, but we had anticipated this.”
”At least everything has been going as it should. I don’t know if I could deal with any more complications right now. I’m exhausted.”
”I can feel it. I am fine now, go have your lesson. You can give me another brushing when you are through.”
He chuckled and gave her forehead a kiss as she tried to push him out the door. Picking up his helmet from where he’d dropped it, he latched her stall door and headed three stalls down to where a large dapple grey thoroughbred stood, apparently waiting.
“You’ve got him spoiled, Evan.” a woman laughed from behind him. “He hears your voice and just waits for the apple or carrot he knows you have for him.”
”None of you ever stop to give him anything, so someone has to.” he replied, pulling a carrot from the bag he’d put in his helmet. “Afternoon Frank.”
The horse whinned and took his treat, earning him chuckles from nearby riders and staff.
- - - - -
“That was a good lesson, Terri. You’ve come a long way since your first time up.”
”Thanks Evan. Looks like mum’s already here, so let me go get Frank settled.”
He nodded and headed for where the older woman stood, a big smile on her face. He gave her a friendly hug and kiss on the cheek before taking her into the club house.
“So how’s she really doing?”
” Side saddle’s not easy, but she’s doing well. It helps that she’s got the dressage background.”
”No offence, Evan, but when she first told me she wanted to learn to ride side saddle, I thought it was just because of the cute instructor. But she really does enjoy it, and you don’t push her.”
”It took me a good six months before I was completely comfortable side saddle, and I’d been riding a long time. It’s not something you rush.”
”So same time next week?”
”Actually, I’ll have to let you know. I’ve got some family business to take care of and would prefer to keep my calendar open in case something doesn’t go quite as planned, if that’s alright with you?”
”Of course, of course. Just give me a call and let me know when. I’m sure Terri will be by to take a lesson with Mark at some time during the week.”
She handed him a check and started for the barn, leaving him to retie his loose ponytail, thoughts drifting off towards his current situation. He knew that his mother would like her role in his new life to remain as it had for the past six years; she would be receiving her copy of the updated Declaration any day now, and if he knew Severus, her presence would be required for the casting of the new Fidelius. She would have to cut her trip to Paris short if that was the case, but he didn’t think it would be a problem. He’d already started putting memories aside for Pansy, and was ready for the tongue lashing he knew he was going to get when he finally let her speak. He hadn’t quite figured out why his cousin was keeping the Slytherin witch around -his role as her ‘guardian’ ended years ago- but he was sure he’d find out.
“Evan!”
Startled, he turned to see an older woman waving him over from the door. The look on her face said there was something wrong, and he reached out with a little magic to try and discern what the problem was. Eponas’ magic hit his, nervous but not panicked, and he looked down the breezeway for any sign of distress in her.
“What’s wrong, Addy?”
”New boarder just pulled in.”
”And?”
”Horse doesn’t want to leave the trailer.”
He chuckled and shook his head, taking another look at his horse. She looked at him, deep brown eyes telling him she was fine, but he saw the swirl of red that went through them. Whatever this new horse was, it was definitely magical, if her precautions were anything to go by. He followed the woman, Adelaide, out to where the large truck and trailer were parked, and had to shake his head.
“I didn’t expect you so soon, Regulus.” he said, walking up to take a look at the horse.
“Would you have prefered I wait until the old bird’s up your ass?”
”A phone call would have been appreciated. I haven’t had a chance to clear my schedule. Friesian, isn’t he?” he reached out and stroked the aggitated horses muzzle, locking their gazes.
”Yeah. Bit of an attitude, this one.”
”Stallions normally do. You should have Hagrid geld him.”
”Harry’d kill him if he gelded Eton.”
His eyes went wide as Pansy’s words hit him, and he took a few steps back, pulling his hand back as if he’d been burned. Deep blue eyes watched him with concern as he backed off the trailer, eyes never leaving the horse.
“You alright, kid?”
He blinked and shook his head clear, watching as Eton pulled the lead line from his cousins hand and slowly made his way out of the trailer. He didn’t move as the horse lowered his head and sniffed at his hand before pushing it lightly.
“Youngling, are you alright?” he heard Epona called out, her voice laced with worry.
“I am. Was not expecting this.”
” It will take me some time to discover what he really is.”
”He won’t be here long. He’ll be on his way as soon as we get things settled.”
”We shall see.”
He took a step forward, one hand coming up to rub the horses forehead, the other grabbing the lead line, and let out the breath he’d been holding. He could feel the magic rolling off in waves, but it was calm and unthreatening, and if he tried, he could see how it was being held away from the end of the barn Epona was in. Eton could obviously feel the other horse, and knew to keep away from her.
“Thank you.” he said, running his fingers through the long dark mane.
A soft snort and Eton picked his head up, looking back over his shoulder towards the trailer. Regulus closed up the back, and Pansy dragged out a large tack box from the dressing room. She sent him a cool look before turning to Adelaide and asking where Eton was to be stalled so she could get his things settled, and maybe get a quick tour of the facilities. The women left the men to their own devices and Regulus gave the horse a light shove as he came to stand next to his cousin.
“I’ve got to get him settled in and then Pansy and I are heading out for dinner. You can join us if you’d like.”
”No, thank you. I’ve got a few things to do around the house. I assume Severus left you with directions to the house; you’re welcome to stay with me while we take care of things. If Minerva’s going to be watching the house...”
” I’ll give you a call after we eat, and let you know if we’ll be by tonight or tomorrow.”
“That’s fine. I’ve got to feed my horses, but I’ll show you where you can set Eton up.“
As they started inside, Regulus turned to look at him, brow furrowed in confusion.
“Evan?”
“Severus didn’t tell you?”
“He mentioned that you’d taken the Black name, but nothing else.”
“You’ll understand tomorrow, after I’ve had a chance to show you some of what you’ll be keeping.”
“I’ll be sure to tell Pansy.”
”Tell me what?”
“That we’ve been invited to stay with Evan while we’re in town, rather than my mother.”
“Oh.” Pansy said, taking the line and walking Eton into his stall. “Thank you. Walberga was not in a pleasant mood when we stopped by last night- apparently Tonks changed the curtains without asking her.”
He nearly choked. Pansy was as quick as ever, and the picture of his great aunt’s portrait having tie-dyed curtains was just all too amusing.
~TBC~
Author: queenteek
Rating: PG
Prompt Set: Draco 100.3
Prompt #: 65- AND
Word Count: 1,746
Summary: He knew they’d be getting in contact with him, but he hadn’t expected it to quite so soon.
Notes: Part 5/?? of “How to Save a Life”. If you missed the first parts, they can be found here.
As he pulled into the lot, he knew there was something wrong. He parked, grabbed his helmet and was headed for the barn when it hit him. A spike of familiar magic, laced with fear and panic, and he could hear whispered mumblings in the back of his head. Quickening his pace he walked down the breezeway towards his horses stalls, saying his normal hellos on the way down. The centre was busy this time of day, so he didn’t have to worry about people wanting to stop and chat, which he was very thankful for.
“Epona, what’s wrong?” he thought, catching sight of her pacing in her stall.
“More of your kind were here, Youngling.” her normally calm voice said back, and she stopped to look at him.
“The few wizards and witches that come through have never bothered you before.”
“These were different. One of them, a man, he felt like you. He looked right at me.”
“Felt like me? What did he look like?”
”Tall, long dark hair, blue eyes, with a scar down his left cheek.”
”You saw all that?”
”He stood right here, talking to Adelaide. Something about boarding, for a few days anyway. He paid no mind to the woman he was with.”
”She a brunette too?”
“Yes. Her head rested under his chin, but her eyes wandered everywhere. Like she was looking for something. I did not like it.”
He ran a hand down her neck, over her withers and back, trying to help calm her. If he was understanding her correctly, his cousin and Pansy had been here, which meant that it wouldn’t be long before they got in contact with him. He reached out of the stall for a soft curry from his grooming tote and gave her a nice slow rub down.
“I didn’t realize they would come here, or I would have warned you. I promise that they mean you no harm. That was my cousin; he’s here to take over for Severus.”
”Your guardian has passed?”
”Yes, almost two weeks ago now.”
”I’m sorry. I know he meant a great deal to you.”
”Thank you. Enough about me, how are you? Any changes with this mornings excitement?”
”No. He will come soon, but not for at least another moon. The urge to hide has gotten stronger, but we had anticipated this.”
”At least everything has been going as it should. I don’t know if I could deal with any more complications right now. I’m exhausted.”
”I can feel it. I am fine now, go have your lesson. You can give me another brushing when you are through.”
He chuckled and gave her forehead a kiss as she tried to push him out the door. Picking up his helmet from where he’d dropped it, he latched her stall door and headed three stalls down to where a large dapple grey thoroughbred stood, apparently waiting.
“You’ve got him spoiled, Evan.” a woman laughed from behind him. “He hears your voice and just waits for the apple or carrot he knows you have for him.”
”None of you ever stop to give him anything, so someone has to.” he replied, pulling a carrot from the bag he’d put in his helmet. “Afternoon Frank.”
The horse whinned and took his treat, earning him chuckles from nearby riders and staff.
- - - - -
“That was a good lesson, Terri. You’ve come a long way since your first time up.”
”Thanks Evan. Looks like mum’s already here, so let me go get Frank settled.”
He nodded and headed for where the older woman stood, a big smile on her face. He gave her a friendly hug and kiss on the cheek before taking her into the club house.
“So how’s she really doing?”
” Side saddle’s not easy, but she’s doing well. It helps that she’s got the dressage background.”
”No offence, Evan, but when she first told me she wanted to learn to ride side saddle, I thought it was just because of the cute instructor. But she really does enjoy it, and you don’t push her.”
”It took me a good six months before I was completely comfortable side saddle, and I’d been riding a long time. It’s not something you rush.”
”So same time next week?”
”Actually, I’ll have to let you know. I’ve got some family business to take care of and would prefer to keep my calendar open in case something doesn’t go quite as planned, if that’s alright with you?”
”Of course, of course. Just give me a call and let me know when. I’m sure Terri will be by to take a lesson with Mark at some time during the week.”
She handed him a check and started for the barn, leaving him to retie his loose ponytail, thoughts drifting off towards his current situation. He knew that his mother would like her role in his new life to remain as it had for the past six years; she would be receiving her copy of the updated Declaration any day now, and if he knew Severus, her presence would be required for the casting of the new Fidelius. She would have to cut her trip to Paris short if that was the case, but he didn’t think it would be a problem. He’d already started putting memories aside for Pansy, and was ready for the tongue lashing he knew he was going to get when he finally let her speak. He hadn’t quite figured out why his cousin was keeping the Slytherin witch around -his role as her ‘guardian’ ended years ago- but he was sure he’d find out.
“Evan!”
Startled, he turned to see an older woman waving him over from the door. The look on her face said there was something wrong, and he reached out with a little magic to try and discern what the problem was. Eponas’ magic hit his, nervous but not panicked, and he looked down the breezeway for any sign of distress in her.
“What’s wrong, Addy?”
”New boarder just pulled in.”
”And?”
”Horse doesn’t want to leave the trailer.”
He chuckled and shook his head, taking another look at his horse. She looked at him, deep brown eyes telling him she was fine, but he saw the swirl of red that went through them. Whatever this new horse was, it was definitely magical, if her precautions were anything to go by. He followed the woman, Adelaide, out to where the large truck and trailer were parked, and had to shake his head.
“I didn’t expect you so soon, Regulus.” he said, walking up to take a look at the horse.
“Would you have prefered I wait until the old bird’s up your ass?”
”A phone call would have been appreciated. I haven’t had a chance to clear my schedule. Friesian, isn’t he?” he reached out and stroked the aggitated horses muzzle, locking their gazes.
”Yeah. Bit of an attitude, this one.”
”Stallions normally do. You should have Hagrid geld him.”
”Harry’d kill him if he gelded Eton.”
His eyes went wide as Pansy’s words hit him, and he took a few steps back, pulling his hand back as if he’d been burned. Deep blue eyes watched him with concern as he backed off the trailer, eyes never leaving the horse.
“You alright, kid?”
He blinked and shook his head clear, watching as Eton pulled the lead line from his cousins hand and slowly made his way out of the trailer. He didn’t move as the horse lowered his head and sniffed at his hand before pushing it lightly.
“Youngling, are you alright?” he heard Epona called out, her voice laced with worry.
“I am. Was not expecting this.”
” It will take me some time to discover what he really is.”
”He won’t be here long. He’ll be on his way as soon as we get things settled.”
”We shall see.”
He took a step forward, one hand coming up to rub the horses forehead, the other grabbing the lead line, and let out the breath he’d been holding. He could feel the magic rolling off in waves, but it was calm and unthreatening, and if he tried, he could see how it was being held away from the end of the barn Epona was in. Eton could obviously feel the other horse, and knew to keep away from her.
“Thank you.” he said, running his fingers through the long dark mane.
A soft snort and Eton picked his head up, looking back over his shoulder towards the trailer. Regulus closed up the back, and Pansy dragged out a large tack box from the dressing room. She sent him a cool look before turning to Adelaide and asking where Eton was to be stalled so she could get his things settled, and maybe get a quick tour of the facilities. The women left the men to their own devices and Regulus gave the horse a light shove as he came to stand next to his cousin.
“I’ve got to get him settled in and then Pansy and I are heading out for dinner. You can join us if you’d like.”
”No, thank you. I’ve got a few things to do around the house. I assume Severus left you with directions to the house; you’re welcome to stay with me while we take care of things. If Minerva’s going to be watching the house...”
” I’ll give you a call after we eat, and let you know if we’ll be by tonight or tomorrow.”
“That’s fine. I’ve got to feed my horses, but I’ll show you where you can set Eton up.“
As they started inside, Regulus turned to look at him, brow furrowed in confusion.
“Evan?”
“Severus didn’t tell you?”
“He mentioned that you’d taken the Black name, but nothing else.”
“You’ll understand tomorrow, after I’ve had a chance to show you some of what you’ll be keeping.”
“I’ll be sure to tell Pansy.”
”Tell me what?”
“That we’ve been invited to stay with Evan while we’re in town, rather than my mother.”
“Oh.” Pansy said, taking the line and walking Eton into his stall. “Thank you. Walberga was not in a pleasant mood when we stopped by last night- apparently Tonks changed the curtains without asking her.”
He nearly choked. Pansy was as quick as ever, and the picture of his great aunt’s portrait having tie-dyed curtains was just all too amusing.
~TBC~