Homages

Congruity - An Homage

HERMIONE, as she flew along with Neville Longbottom and Susan Bones, who were enjoying the first flush of their engagement, watched for the first appearance of Malfoy Park with some perturbation; and when at length they turned in at the lodge, her spirits were in a high flutter.

The park was very large, and contained great variety of ground. They entered it in one of its lowest points, and flew for some time through a beautiful wood, stretching over a wide extent.

Hermione's mind was too full for conversation, but she saw and admired every remarkable spot and point of view. They gradually ascended for half a mile, and then found themselves at the top of a considerable eminence, where the wood ceased, and the eye was instantly caught by Malfoy Park House, situated on the opposite side of a valley, into which the road, with some abruptness, wound. It was a large, handsome, stone building, standing well on rising ground, and backed by a ridge of high woody hills; -- and in front, a stream of some natural importance was swelled into greater, but without any artificial appearance. Its structure had clearly been altered significantly since Draco Malfoy had inherited it just over a year before. Its banks were neither formal, nor falsely adorned. Hermione was delighted. She had never seen a place for which nature had done more, or where natural beauty had been so little counteracted by an awkward taste. They were all of them warm in their admiration; and at that moment she felt that to be mistress of Malfoy Park might be something!

They descended just beyond the hill, dismounted and crossed the bridge on foot as they approached the door; and, while examining the nearer aspect of the house, all her apprehensions of meeting its owner returned. She dreaded lest the chambermaid had been mistaken. On applying to see the place, they were admitted into the hall; and Hermione, as they waited for the House Elf, had leisure to wonder at her being where she was.

A House Elf entered, wearing a respectable-looking skirt and jacket, as all House Elves had been presented clothes by their families, at the insistence of the Ministry during the celebrations following the end of the recent war. Her jacket pocket featured the Malfoy family crest. They followed her into the dining-parlour. It was a large, well-proportioned room, handsomely fitted up. Hermione, after slightly surveying it, went to a window to enjoy its prospect. The hill, crowned with wood, from which they had descended, receiving increased abruptness from the distance, was a beautiful object. Every disposition of the ground was good; and she looked on the whole scene -- the river, the trees scattered on its banks, and the winding of the valley, as far as she could trace it -- with delight. As they passed into other rooms, these objects were taking different positions; but from every window there were beauties to be seen. The rooms were lofty and handsome, and their furniture suitable to the fortune of their proprietor; but Hermione saw, with admiration of his taste, that it was neither gaudy nor uselessly fine; with less of splendor, and more real elegance, than the furniture that decorated the home of Professor Severus Snape, which she found surprising, as she knew the two men saw each other regularly, because of both familial obligations and because the professor was serving as his tutor in his postgraduate studies.

"And of this place,'' thought she, "I might have been mistress! With these rooms I might now have been familiarly acquainted! Instead of viewing them as a stranger, I might have rejoiced in them as my own, and welcomed to them as visitors my dearest friends. -- But no,'' -- recollecting herself, -- "that could never be: my friends and Muggle family would have likely been lost to me: I should not have been allowed to invite them.'' This was a lucky recollection -- it saved her from something like regret. She longed to enquire of the House Elf whether her master were really absent, but had not courage for it. At length, however, the question was asked by Neville; and she turned away with alarm, while Renky replied that he was, adding, "but we expect him tomorrow, with a large party of friends.'' How rejoiced was Hermione that their own journey had not by any circumstance been delayed a day!

Susan now called her to look at a picture. She approached, and saw, in the corner of a frame as if it wished to be out of the picture, the likeness of Ron Weasley suspended, amongst several other miniatures, over the mantelpiece. Susan asked her, smilingly, how she liked it. The House Elf came forward, and told them it was the picture of a young gentleman, who had been educated as a child by her late master Agustus Malfoy, so his grandson, who was now the master of the Park, would have companions in his studies before the boys started at Hogwarts. "He is since gone into the army,'' she added, "but I am afraid he has turned out very wild.''

Susan looked at her friend with a smile, but Hermione could not return it.

"And that,'' said Renky, pointing to another of the miniatures, "is my master -- and very like him. It was drawn much later than the other -- about twelve months ago.''

"I have heard much of your master's fine person,'' said Susan, looking at the picture; "it is a strong face. But, Hermione, you can tell us whether it is like him as he is now or not, as neither Neville nor I have seen him in over three years. His hair appears darker in the picture than I remember it.''

Renky's respect for Hermione seemed to increase on this intimation of her knowing her master.

"Does that young lady know Mr. Malfoy?''

Hermione coloured, and said -- "A little.''

"And do not you think him a very handsome gentleman, Ma'am?''

"Yes, very handsome.''

"I am sure I know none so handsome; but in the gallery up stairs you will see a finer, larger picture of him than this. This room was my late master's favourite room, and these miniatures are just as they used to be then. He was very fond of them.''

Renky then directed their attention to one of Miss Alexandra Malfoy, drawn when she was only eight years old.

"And is Miss Malfoy as handsome as her brother?'' said Neville.

"Oh! yes -- the handsomest young lady that ever was seen; and so accomplished! -- She plays and sings all day long. In the next room is a new instrument just come down for her -- a present from my master; she comes here to-morrow with him.''

Neville, whose manners were easy and pleasant, encouraged her communicativeness by his questions and remarks; Renky, either from pride or attachment, had evidently great pleasure in talking of her master and his sister.

"Is the young master much at Malfoy Park since the end of the war?''

"Not so much as I could wish, Sir; but I dare say he may spend half his time here; and Miss Malfoy is down with regulatiry.''

"Except,'' thought Hermione, "during her attendance at Hogwarts.''

"If your master would marry, you might see more of him.''

"Yes, Sir; but I do not know when that will be. I do not know who is good enough for him.''

Hermione could not help saying, "It is very much to his credit, I am sure, that you should think so.''

"I say no more than the truth, and what every body will say that knows him,'' replied the other. Hermione thought this was going pretty far; and she listened with increasing astonishment as the House Elf added, "I have never had a cross word from him in my life, and I have known him ever since he was four years old.''

This was praise, of all others most extraordinary, most opposite to her ideas. That he was not a good tempered man had been her firmest opinion, and one which had dated back over ten years. Her keenest attention was awakened; she longed to hear more, and was grateful to Neville for saying, "There are very few people of whom so much can be said.''

"If I was to go through the world, I could not meet with a better master. But I have always observed that they who are good-natured when children are good-natured when they grow up; and he was always the sweetest-tempered, most generous-hearted, boy in the world.''

Hermione almost stared at her. -- "Can this be Draco Malfoy!'' thought she.

"His father may have caused some problems for others, but his grandfather was a good man,'' said Susan.

"Yes, Ma'am, that he was indeed; and his grandson has become just like him since Mr. Lucius passed away during the recent unpleasantness -- just as affable to the poor.''

Hermione listened, wondered, doubted, and was impatient for more. Renky could interest her on no other point. She related the subject of the pictures, the dimensions of the rooms, and the history of the furniture, in vain. Neville, highly amused by the kind of family prejudice to which he attributed her excessive commendation of her master, soon led again to the subject; and she dwelt with energy on his many merits, as they proceeded together up the great staircase.

"He is the best landlord, and the best master,'' said she, "that ever lived. Not like the wild men now-a-days, who think of nothing but themselves. There is not one of his tenants or servants but what will give him a good name. Some people call him proud; but I am sure I never saw any thing of it. To my fancy, it is only because he does not rattle away like other young men.''

"In what an amiable light does this place him!'' thought Hermione.

"This fine account of him,'' whispered Susan, as they walked, "is not quite consistent with his behaviour to our poor friend, or while we were in school, before the troubles and the war.''

"Perhaps we might have been deceived. Or perhaps he has truly changed.''

"That is not very likely; our observations are too good.''

On reaching the spacious lobby above, they were shewn into a very pretty sitting-room, lately fitted up with greater elegance and lightness than the apartments below; and were informed that it was but just done to give pleasure to Miss Malfoy, who had taken a liking to the room when last at Malfoy Park.

"He is certainly a good brother,'' said Hermione, as she walked towards one of the windows.

Renky anticipated Miss Malfoy's delight when she should enter the room. "And this is always the way with him,'' she added. -- "Whatever can give his sister any pleasure is sure to be done in a moment. There is nothing he would not do for her. Understandably, it has been difficult, as he has only spent extensive time with her in the past two or so years, but the love they feel for each other has become an unmatched thing.''

The picture gallery, and two or three of the principal bedrooms, were all that remained to be shewn. In the former were many good paintings; but Hermione knew nothing of the art; and from such as had been already visible below, she had willingly turned to look at some drawings of Miss Malfoy's, in crayons, whose subjects were usually more interesting, and also more intelligible.

There was certainly at this moment, in Hermione's mind, a more gentle sensation towards Mr. Malfoy than she had ever felt in the height of the war, when she had learned that he had provided information to Dumbledore and his associates which had proven useful in defeating the Dark Lord and his own father. The commendation bestowed on him by Renky was also of no trifling nature. As a brother, a landlord, a master, she considered how many people's happiness were in his guardianship! -- How much of pleasure or pain it was in his power to bestow! -- How much of good or evil must be done by him! Every idea that had been brought forward by the House Elf was favourable to his character, and as she stood before the canvas, on which he was represented, and fixed his eyes upon herself, she thought of his regard with a deeper sentiment of gratitude than it had ever raised before; she remembered its warmth, and softened its impropriety of expression.

When all of the house that was open to general inspection had been seen, they returned down stairs, and, taking leave of the House Elf, were consigned over to the gardener, who met them at the hall door.

As they walked across the lawn towards the river, Hermione turned back to look again; Neville and Susan stopped also, and while the former was conjecturing as to the date of the building, the owner of it himself suddenly came forward from the road, aboard a quick-moving new model Firebolt, which he was threading slowly through the trees.

They were within twenty yards of each other, and so abrupt was his appearance, that it was impossible to avoid his sight, when he halted the broom's movement in mid-flight and dismounted in a graceful leap. As his feet touched ground, their eyes instantly met, and the cheeks of each were overspread with the deepest blush. He absolutely started, and for a moment seemed immoveable from surprise; but shortly recovering himself, advanced towards the party, and spoke to Hermione, if not in terms of perfect composure, at least of perfect civility.

She had instinctively turned away; but, stopping on his approach, received his compliments with an embarrassment impossible to be overcome. Had his first appearance been insufficient to assure the other two that they now saw Mr. Malfoy, changed as he was from the last time Neville and Susan had seen him, the gardener's expression of surprise on beholding his master in such a state of disarray must immediately have told it. In this moment, his hair was almost dark with water and his robes dampened and windblown where they were hanging from the broom's tail. He was clad only in a shirt that was transparant with lake water and riding breeches of the sort that had been used by the fliers in the Kopparberg-to-Arjeplog Broom Races in decades past. They stood a little aloof while he was talking to Hermione, who, astonished and confused, scarcely dared lift her eyes to his face, and knew not what answer she returned to his civil enquiries after her family, and Harry. Amazed at the alteration in his manner since they last parted, every sentence that he uttered was increasing her embarrassment; and every idea of the impropriety of her being found there recurring to her mind, the few minutes in which they continued together were some of the most uncomfortable of her life. Nor did he seem much more at ease; when he spoke, his accent had none of its usual sedateness; and he repeated his enquiries as to the time of her having left Longbourn, and of her stay amid the moors, so often, and in so hurried a way, as plainly spoke the distraction of his thoughts.

At length, every idea seemed to fail him; and, after standing a few moments without saying a word, he suddenly recollected himself, and took leave.

The others then joined her, and expressed their admiration of the considerable changes that had wrought the new master of Malfoy Park; but Hermione heard not a word, and, wholly engrossed by her own feelings, followed them in silence. She was overpowered by shame and vexation. Her coming there was the most unfortunate, the most ill-judged thing in the world! How strange must it appear to him! In what a disgraceful light might it not strike so vain a man! It might seem as if she had purposely thrown herself in his way again! Oh! why did she come? or, why did he thus come a day before he was expected? Had they been only ten minutes sooner, they should have been beyond the reach of his discrimination, for it was plain that he was that moment arrived, that moment alighted from his broomstick. She blushed again and again over the perverseness of the meeting. And his behaviour, so strikingly altered, -- what could it mean? That he should even speak to her was amazing! -- but to speak with such civility, to enquire after her family! Never in her life had she seen his manners so little dignified, never had he spoken with such gentleness as on this unexpected meeting. What a contrast did it offer to his last address in Sodbury Park, when he put his letter into her hand! She knew not what to think, nor how to account for it.

They had now entered a beautiful walk by the side of the water, and every step was bringing forward a nobler fall of ground, or a finer reach of the woods to which they were approaching; but it was some time before Hermione was sensible of any of it; and, though she answered mechanically to the repeated appeals of Neville and Susan, and seemed to direct her eyes to such objects as they pointed out, she distinguished no part of the scene. Her thoughts were all fixed on that one spot of Malfoy Park, whichever it might be, where Draco Malfoy then was. She longed to know what at that moment was passing in his mind; in what manner he thought of her, and whether, in defiance of every thing, she was still dear to him. Perhaps he had been civil only because he felt himself at ease; yet there had been that in his voice which was not like ease. Whether he had felt more of pain or of pleasure in seeing her, she could not tell, but he certainly had not seen her with composure.

At length, however, the remarks of her companions on her absence of mind roused her, and she felt the necessity of appearing more like herself.

They entered the woods, and bidding adieu to the river for a while, ascended some of the higher grounds; whence, in spots where the opening of the trees gave the eye power to wander, were many charming views of the valley, the opposite hills, with the long range of woods overspreading many, and occasionally part of the stream. Neville expressed a wish of going round the whole Park, but feared it might be beyond a walk, and none of the three chose to return to the Lodge itself for their brooms if such would be necessary. With a triumphant smile, they were told that it was ten miles round. It settled the matter; and they pursued the accustomed circuit; which brought them again, after some time, in a descent among hanging woods, to the edge of the water, in one of its narrowest parts. They crossed it by a simple bridge, in character with the general air of the scene; it was a spot less adorned than any they had yet visited; and the valley, here contracted into a glen, allowed room only for the stream, and a narrow walk amidst the rough coppice-wood which bordered it. Hermione longed to explore its windings; but when they had crossed the bridge, and perceived their distance from the house, Susan, who was not a great walker, could go no farther, and thought only of returning to the Lodge as quickly as possible. Her friend was, therefore, obliged to submit, and they took their way towards the house on the opposite side of the river, in the nearest direction; but their progress was slow, for Neville was very fond of fishing, and was so much engaged in watching the occasional appearance of some trout in the water, and talking to the man about them, that he advanced but little.

Whilst wandering on in this slow manner, they were again surprised, and Hermione's astonishment was quite equal to what it had been at first, by the sight of Mr. Malfoy approaching them, and at no great distance, his now-dry hair shining in the sunlight, his robes more formal than one would anticipate for a warm summer afternoon in the country. The walk being here less sheltered than on the other side, allowed them to see him before they met. Hermione, however astonished, was at least more prepared for an interview than before, and resolved to appear and to speak with calmness, if he really intended to meet them. For a few moments, indeed, she felt that he would probably strike into some other path. This idea lasted while a turning in the walk concealed him from their view; the turning past, he was immediately before them. With a glance she saw that he had lost none of his recent civility; and, to imitate his politeness, she began, as they met, to admire the beauty of the place; but she had not got beyond the words "delightful,'' and "charming,'' when some unlucky recollections obtruded, and she fancied that praise of Malfoy Park from her might be mischievously construed. Her colour changed, and she said no more.

Susan was standing a little behind; and on her pausing, he asked her if she would do him the honour of introducing her to Mr. Malfoy, as she had never spoken with him during their time at Hogwarts, and although of course Neville had, the two men had not exchanged a word in almost half a decade. This was a stroke of civility for which she was quite unprepared; and she could hardly suppress a smile at his being now seeking the acquaintance of some of those very people against whom his pride had revolted, in his offer to herself. "What will be his surprise,'' thought she, "when he knows who they are! He may now take them for other people, not members of the society that struck down the Dark Lord and Mr. Lucius Malfoy.''

The introduction, however, was immediately made; and as she named them, she stole a sly look at him, to see how he bore it; and was not without the expectation of his decamping as fast as he could from such unexpected companions. That he was surprised by the connection was evident; he sustained it however with fortitude, and so far from going away, turned back with them, and, to her great surprise, entered into conversation with Neville, which, to her estimation, had never happened since they had first met at age eleven. Hermione could not but be pleased, could not but triumph. She listened most attentively to all that passed between them, and gloried in every expression, every sentence of Neville, which marked his intelligence, his taste, or his good manners.

The conversation soon turned upon fishing, and she heard Mr. Malfoy speak to Neville, and with a great civility that she would not have comprehended as a fourteen year old, watching their interactions in Potions class, or even earlier in their school days, invite him to fish there as often as he chose while he continued in the neighbourhood, offering at the same time to supply him with fishing tackle, and pointing out those parts of the stream where there was usually most sport. Susan, who was walking arm in arm with Hermione, gave her a look expressive of her wonder. Hermione said nothing, but it gratified her exceedingly; the compliment must be all for herself. Her astonishment, however, was extreme; and continually was she repeating, "Why is he so altered? From what can it proceed? It cannot be for me, it cannot be for my sake that his manners are thus softened. My reproofs at Hogwarts and afterwards could not work such a change as this. It is impossible that he should still love me.''

After walking some time in this way, the two ladies in front, the two gentlemen behind, on resuming their places after descending to the brink of the river for the better inspection of some curious water-plant, there chanced to be a little alteration. It originated in Susan, who, diminished by the exercise of the morning, found Hermione's arm inadequate to her support, and consequently preferred her fiance's. Mr. Malfoy took her place by Hermione, and they walked on together. After a short silence, the lady first spoke. She wished him to know that she had been assured of his absence before she came to the place, and accordingly began by observing that his arrival had been very unexpected -- "for your House Elf,'' she added, "informed us that you would certainly not be here till to-morrow; and indeed, before we left to fly here we understood that you were not immediately expected in the country.'' He acknowledged the truth of it all; and said that business with his steward had occasioned his coming forward a few hours before the rest of the party with whom he had been travelling. "They will join me early tomorrow,'' he continued, "and among them are some who will claim an acquaintance with you, -- Mr. Ernie Macmillan, Pansy Parkinson and her two sisters, one of whom is entering her seventh year at Hogwarts, in Ravenclaw, surprisingly enough.''

Hermione answered only by a slight bow. Her thoughts were instantly driven back to the time when Mr. Macmillan's name had been last mentioned between them; and if she might judge from his complexion, his mind was not very differently engaged.

"There is also one other person in the party,'' he continued after a pause, "who more particularly wishes to be known to you, -- Will you allow me, or do I ask too much, to introduce my sister to your acquaintance during your stay in the area?''

The surprise of such an application was great indeed; it was too great for her to know in what manner she acceded to it. She immediately felt that whatever desire Miss Malfoy might have of being acquainted with her must be the work of her brother, and without looking farther, it was satisfactory; it was gratifying to know that his resentment had not made him think really ill of her.

They now walked on in silence; each of them deep in thought. Hermione was not comfortable; that was impossible; but she was flattered and pleased. His wish of introducing his sister to her was a compliment of the highest kind. They soon outstripped the others, and when they had reached broom rack, where their Nimbuses were hovering patiently under the eye of a young Elf, Neville and Susan were half a quarter of a mile behind.

He then asked her to walk into the house -- but she declared herself not tired, and they stood together on the lawn. At such a time, much might have been said, and silence was very awkward. She wanted to talk, but there seemed an embargo on every subject. At last she recollected that she had been travelling, and they talked of Stonehenge and Dove Dale with great perseverance. Yet time and Susan moved slowly -- and her patience and her ideas were nearly worn out before the tête-à-tête was over. On Neville and Susan's coming up, they were all pressed to go into the house and take some refreshment; but this was declined, and they parted on each side with the utmost politeness. Mr. Malfoy helped the ladies onto their brooms, and as they flew off, Hermione saw him walking slowly towards the house.

As they flew at a low altitude, there was not too much wind as to prevent conversation, so the observations of Neville and Susan now began; and each of them pronounced him to be infinitely superior to any thing they had expected. "I never would have expected it. He is perfectly well behaved, polite, and unassuming,'' said Neville.

"There is something a little stately in him to be sure,'' replied Susan, "but it is confined to his air, and is not unbecoming. I can now say that though some people may still call him proud, today, I saw nothing of it.''

"I was never more surprised than by his behaviour to us. It was more than civil; it was really attentive; and there was no necessity for such attention. His acquaintance with Hermione was very trifling when we were in school, and to us, it was quite antagonistic.''

"To be sure, Hermione,'' said Susan, "he is not so tall as Ron; or rather he has not Ron's countenance, for his features are perfectly good. But how came you to tell us that he was still so disagreeable, despite his heroic efforts in the war?''

Hermione excused herself as well as she could; said that she had liked him better than before, and that she had never seen him so pleasant as this morning.

"But perhaps he may be a little whimsical in his civilities,'' replied Neville. "Your more powerful men often are; and therefore I shall not take him at his word about fishing, as he might change his mind another day, and use a banishing charm to remove me off his grounds.''

Hermione felt that they had entirely mistaken his character, but said nothing.

"From what we have seen of him,'' continued Susan, "I really should not have thought that he could have behaved in so cruel a way by any body, as he has done recently by poor Ron. He no longer has an ill-natured look. On the contrary, there is something pleasing about his mouth when he speaks. And there is something of dignity in his countenance, that would not give one an unfavourable idea of his heart. But to be sure, the good House Elf who shewed us the house did give him a most flaming character! I could hardly help laughing aloud sometimes. But he is a liberal master, I suppose, in comparison to Lucius Malfoy, and that in the eye of a servant comprehends every virtue.''

Hermione here felt herself called on to say something in vindication of his recent statements about Ron; and therefore gave them to understand, in as guarded a manner as she could, that by what she had heard from his relations, his actions were capable of a very different construction; and that his character was by no means so faulty, nor Ron's behaviour towards him so mild as she had been led to believe throughout their acquaintance. In confirmation of this, she related the particulars of all the pecuniary transactions in which they had been connected, without actually naming her authority, but stating it to be such as might be relied on.

Susan was surprised and concerned; but as they were now approaching the scene of her former pleasures, every idea gave way to the charm of recollection; and she was too much engaged in pointing out to her fiancé all the interesting spots in its environs to think of any thing else. Fatigued as she had been by the morning's walk, they had no sooner dined than she set off again in quest of her former acquaintance, and the evening was spent in the satisfactions of an intercourse renewed after many years discontinuance.

The occurrences of the day were too full of interest to leave Hermione much attention for any of these new friends; and she could do nothing but think, and think with wonder, of Mr. Malfoy's civility, and above all, of his wishing her to be acquainted with his sister.