To Ursula’s great surprise, Phineas didn’t make any sort of remark, snarky nor angry, but let her take his hat and gloves out of his hands and made his way upstairs without any protest. Of course she hadn’t hoped for any form of gratitude or affection from his side. Phineas seemed to be too caught up in his own thoughts anyways. Had he even been aware it was his wife and not a house elf taking his accessories from him? From his still furrowed brows and somehow pained expression she could tell he probably had a migraine coming. He seemed to have those from time to time, whether it was because of the stress his daily schedule provided or his current drinking habits, she did not know. Fact was that the lack of protest from him was a clear sign that something wasn’t right and his current state, both mentally and physically, poorly. She could read him like an open book after all those years. When he gave in so easily, it was always concerning. His pallor and dark eyes hadn’t remained unnoticed by Ursula as well. She sighed, then shook her head slowly. If he would only tell her. A sorrow shared was a sorrow halved, wasn’t it? Her eyes followed him until he disappeared to the first floor before she went to put his hat and his gloves on the hall stand. Normally, she wouldn‘t condescend to playing his valet, it was Scrope‘s task to tend to his master. But for now, Ursula didn‘t mind. And she had more important matters to deal with now to ensure the evening would turn out as expected.
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She entered the dining room where four house elves were still busy making a few last adjustments to the opulent dinner table already been laid. A crisp and pristine white table cloth, shining candelabra, tasteful flower arrangements, polished silver, porcelain dishes adorned with the Black family crest, silk napkins and crystal glasses. All the finery to impress.
Upon the arrival of their mistress, the servants faltered in their movements, bowed respectfully and lined up at one side of the room. Ursula addressed one elf with big ears and bushy eyebrows directly.
“Orlo, prepare a tray with strong tea and ginger biscuits for the master and tell Scope to bring it upstairs.“
The elf bowed obediently and disapparated.
“Very well then, let me see if you have executed my orders and exceeded my expectations for the dinner table.“
“Yes mistress“, the elves muttered in unison.
Ursula slowly made her way around the table, inspecting every piece and making sure it was in place. Hosting a dinner was one of her many duties as lady of the house. And the house elves knew she had high standards. Nothing less was expected of a Black. She let her critical gaze wander over the laid table, adjusting a placemat here and the position of a dessert spoon there. Then, her eyes narrowed ever so slightly as she picked up a wine glass to have a closer look.
“Fingerprints! Must I repeat myself constantly in telling you to ALWAYS wear gloves while handling the glass ware, we can’t have our guest drink out of glasses that show traces of the dirty fingers of a servant, is that clear? Polish all of it again, and thoroughly this time.“
Then Ursula’s fingers reached to touch the blossoms of one of the flower arrangements.
“These flowers look dry. See to it that they are replaced, perhaps you even want to charm them to make them look fresh and smell delicately.“
One last look around, then:
“That will be sufficient. Hand me the place cards.“
An elf stepped forward and passed a stack of small cards to his mistress. Ursula started to arrange the sitting order. That kind of thing had it’s own rules and she wouldn’t trust one of the servants to know all the specifics.
“My husband and I take our usual seats at the short end of the table while Mr. and Mrs. Burke are going to sit on the long ends. I have Mistress Belvina sitting next to me of course. As the eldest present son, Master Arcturus will sit next to my husband and Mrs. Burke. He can practice how to converse properly with a dinner partner then.“
She paused briefly to think.
“As for their son Herbert, he has to sit next to his father as well“, she stated and put down the card decidedly.
“That only leaves their daughters. We can’t expect their eldest daughter for she is in Hogwarts but young Miss Cynthia would make good company for Belvina on my other side.“
Ursula nodded in contentment before returning to the house elves again.
“I take it the preparations for the menu have already started in the kitchen?“
“The wine has to be tempered accordingly. One of the 1880 vintage from our vine yard in France is most suitable for the occasion. I hope you haven’t forgotten to cool the champagne for the reception in the downstairs salon. I expect everything to run smoothly during the dinner and won’t tolerate anything less than perfect standard. That will be all!“
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Ursula left the dining room pleased that the servants had once again followed her instructions accordingly. She made her way upstairs and towards the nursery being silent while passing the door to the master bedroom to not interrupt her husband’s rest.
Cygnus, her youngest, was in the middle of being fed his evening meal by Minnie, the elf who looked after the younger children. Contrary to her husband, Ursula actually remembered all their servants names. Very useful should disciplinary measures be necessary. Ursula only took a brief glance at the scene. She would kiss Cygnus good night later because if she interrupted the toddlers meal now, she would be regaled with little arms reaching out for her and inevitable crying. Since the complicated birth that had nearly claimed both his and his mother’s life, he had been a needy child. Ursula shut her eyes, trying to not dwell too long on the dark memory and carefully retreated.
When she entered Belvina’s room next door, she was received by her very proud daughter who was already dressed in her new robe, the color a velvety burgundy with lace trimmings, turning in front of her mirror. Ursula couldn’t help but smile at the sight.
“Don’t you look like a very charming young lady in your new dress, little owlet? What a delight for the eye.“
Belvina beamed at her mother, who was now making quick work of the matching satin bow which was hanging loosely in the girl’s brown curls. Clearly Minnie, who had helped Belvina dress before tending to Cygnus, had no sense of aesthetics whatsoever but that could hardly be expected of filthy creatures clothed in old bedsheets.
“I feel very pretty, Mommy! Do you think Daddy likes my new dress?“
Ursula felt a twitch in the corner of her mouth.
“I’m sure he does. It is very important to him that you look nice!“
Belvina nodded eagerly hearing that, still smiling, but then something else came to her mind.
“Oh, I have to dress Miss Josephine now, SHE has to look good for the dinner TOO!“
“Of course, love. There is still some time before our guests arrive. The Burkes have a young daughter as well, I’m sure she likes to see your favourite doll after dinner. Now, be a good little witch and be careful with your dress while playing, will you?“
In the hallway, Ursula met Arcturus who came out of the bathroom, the usual gloomy expression on his face. It pierced her to the heart how very grown up the 6-year old boy already looked in his suit and tie, the dark hair styled neatly with bundimun pomade. Ursula could clearly recognize her husbands noble features and the effortless elegance he always eradicated in him as in all of her sons. In a few years time, the boy would grow into a handsome young man. Not for the first time it amazed her how similiar Arcturus was to his father, in more than one way. It was hard for her motherly heart to see how little interest Phineas showed in his third son, though.
“Arcturus, you look very smart. You did an excellent job with your bow tie. Im sure your father will be very pleased!“ Ursula gave the boy an encouraging smile he didn’t return. It had been a weak try to be honest.
“Thank you, mother“, he simply muttered.
Ursula felt sorry for her son immediately but was at a loss of words. Of course the boy had noticed his father’s neglect. Had given up on trying too hard to get his attention.
“I would very much like you to play the piano for our guests in the drawing room after the dinner. You play that Chopin étude so well, it would be a crime to keep that delight from our guests. Perhaps we should go downstairs so you can warm up your fingers a bit. Go through the piece a few times? I can look over your shoulder?“
Arcturus looked down on his polished shoes but nodded obediently and followed his mother down the stairs. Ursula knew that he loved to play, and oh he could play well, but he was very shy and reserved about it.
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Once they were alone in the lit drawing room with it’s heavy curtains, the expensive satin wallpaper, the dark furniture and the grand piano, Ursula stood behind Arcturus and occasionally flipped the sheets for him while his fingers moved skillfully over the keys. He seemed to be in his own world. Ursula could understand that on a deeper level. She had used to play the piano as well, the instrument often her only companion after her marriage to Phineas, when he had been out of the house doing business in the ministry or had had to work in his study for endless hours. They had hardly spent much time together as a newlywed couple. But her having time to play had been of short while, because Phineas had had clear intentions for the time he had actually spend with his wife and had got her with child not long after the wedding. What followed was a never ceasing roll of feeling nauseous due to the pregnancy, having to recover from birth, sleepless nights, nursing (Phineas had been strictly against THAT, but she had insisted), looking after and educating the children before then discovering that their marital duties had been fruitful once again. So the whole circle had started again. Five times. On top of that, Ursula had to maintain a household and appear as a figure in wizarding society with dinner parties and balls. Needless to say that such leeway as playing the piano wasn’t a luxury she could simply pay for, not with all the thousand of galleons in the Black family vault at Gringotts. No, being a wife and mother was now what consumed her every moment. That was what the arrangement had been all about.
All of a sudden, Arcturus stopped playing, abandoning the melody abruptly in the middle of a run. That broke Ursula’s train of thoughts. With a questioning expression she looked down at her son who was staring past her towards the other side of the room, his eyes alert and almost… frightened? When Ursula followed his gaze, she noticed the cause of the sudden interruption. As it happened, Phineas had entered the room in silence and was now leaning against the side cabinet, drink in hand, watching them with furrowed brows and an unreadable expression. He was already dressed in a fine black dinner suit, hair and beard neatly coiffured, boots shining. Ursula could now smell the unmistakable scent of his rich cologne in the air. But despite his stately appearance, he still looked awfully worn down. He took a sip from the golden liquor in his hand.
Ursulas demeanor changed instantly. She stiffened visibly, her eyes narrowed only an inch. Her worry for him given his still concerning state was subdued by a wave of anger. Another drink? Did he want to get drunk on purpose? His low tolerance and the fact that a few biscuits in his stomach would not change that for the better, made her start to fear for the outcome of the evening if he continued like that. Wasn’t this dinner allegedly so very important to him? And the way he had sneaked into the room like a dubious fellow in Nocturn Alley! Hoping to escape unseen with his drink no doubt!
It took a lot of willpower for Ursula to ignore the strong urge to accio the glass out of her husband’s hand and tell him that problems were seldomly solved by drowning them in firewhisky only to start a heated argument once again. Not in front of their son, though. Instead, she did what she did best: concealing her emotions. She put on an almost cheerful smile.
“Ah dear, I see you have already changed. I hope you are feeling better after your rest!“
His notable pallor and dark eyes told her better.
“I have overseen the last preparations for the dinner and can assure you that everything is in order and will be to your satisfaction.“
As always, she added mentally.
She then put her hand protectively on Arcturus‘s shoulder.
“Arcturus has kindly agreed to play a bit of music on the grand piano for our guests later. He has made great progress and plays wonderfully. Isn’t that right, my dear?“
Arcturus looked her way quickly, then back on the keys.
An uncomfortable silence fell. Not a word from Phineas. Ursula nearly snatched. Once again, she overplayed the tense situation, but not without letting her husband get away with it so easily.
“Well, it is getting on, if you will excuse me now, dear, I should go upstairs to get dressed myself.“
She bowed her head slightly in Phineas direction, putting on the act of the demure wife. Only to make sure her next words had more effect.
“Oh and Arcturus, why don’t you do one last rehearsal for your father? I can‘t recall he has ever heard you play!“
While speaking, her eyes never left Phineas‘s. She shot him a poignant look tarnished by a following sweet smile that didn’t reach her eyes. Then she left the room without further ado.
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In the master bedroom, Ursula still tried to keep her anger in check and silently prayed that she hadn’t caused a tragedy in the drawing room by leaving Arcturus in Phineas’s company, but managed somehow to focus on getting ready for the dinner. With a side look at the bed, she noticed that the sheets and topper were slightly crumpled on Phineas side. At least he had tried to lay down and get some rest then… She also found his golden pocket watch on the dresser. He must had forgotten to put it back on after changing into his formal attire because her husband would rather abandon his wedding band than the old watch. Ursula decided to take it down with her after getting ready. Thoughtful wife she was.
Her personal house elf apparated after having been summoned by her mistress and helped her out of her plain day dress. Ursula then refreshed herself quickly at the washing basin. She let Dinky bring her evening dress, a beautiful black gown with fashionable puffed sleeves, a beaded bodice and a low décolleté, altogether more than appropriate for the occasion. Ironically, black had always been the color that suited her complexion best. Standing in front of the large mirror, now only in her chemise and corset, she ordered Dinky to pull the laces impossibly tight by using magic to accentuate her already slim waist even more. After birthing five children keeping her slender shape certainly was an accomplishment on it’s own. When Ursula reached for the flask of expensive French perfume that Phineas had sent her for her last birthday (his usual way of congratulation, not that he would deign her with his presence on that day), suddenly the door to the bedroom opened to reveal said person. Talk of the devil… Ursula, only too aware of her scant state of dress, turned in surprise towards her husband, who stopped in his motion instantly after spotting her and stood there petrified for a second before he quickly averted his gaze, clearing his throat awkwardly.
