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A Blue Stocking Thing	By : Jeanette Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 2421 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 7
- 8
- 9
Anti-litigation charm; JK Rowling owns the Harry Potter Universe, to her we bow. Warner Brothers and Various Publishers also have their own rights. We are just playing in their backyard and we promise to clean up when we have finished.

This is in response to the REGENCY CHALLENGE on WIKTT.

Also as an explanation of the delay, real life has been biting at my ankles for the last few months: one of my cousin's committed suicide; my best friend's sister also lost the will to live; I've had a research paper to finish for the PhD; exams to write and mark; and, just the normal fun of being a Mum, a student and a wife. I hope the next set of updates does not take as long.

Now on with the story: NOTE Chapter 7 has been revised.

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Miss Dursley was in alt. She found that the transfer to the Malfoy Barouche bought with it a lightening of her mood. It was not that Lord Snape had been anything but gracious, his control of his cattle superb and his attentions to her just what she deserved but she found she was slightly troubled by the thought that the famous Lord's magnificent addresses had in fact left him. It wasn't in anything that he had said or done, but she felt as though he was not fully appreciative of the good fortune he had in driving her out. That anyone could be so unaware was beyond her comprehension.

It had puzzled her until she hit upon the cause; he had actually been looking forward to taking the Blue Stocking about, probably to assist him in reaching that state of ennui so sort after by the highest Lords of the realm. Her presence, with its beauty and grace had caused Lord Snape to fail in reaching that blessed state; however, the gracious Lord that he was had not allowed him to darken her day as well, and thus he had called upon Lord Malfoy with the sure knowledge that they would care well for her.

If Miss Dursley had been cognoscente of the sheer relief that Lord Snape had felt at her removal she would have believed him touched in the head.

The Malfoy's meanwhile were everything that was gracious and kind, not an ounce of condensation could be detected in their speech or manner. They enquired after her mother and father, praising them lavishly for having brought out such a jewel in the crown of this year's season. In doing so they allowed Miss Dursley to assume a greater degree of friendship than was truly on offer. Miss Dursley feeling that she was at home with these gracious people soon began to regale them with her current trials and tribulations.

"You would not credit it my Lord," she said addressing herself to Lord Malfoy, "but we cursed at present with a Blue Stocking of the first order, why she even reads for pleasure."

"But surely all Misses currently read for pleasure," Lady Malfoy cut in, "after all the circulating libraries are all the crack at present."

"Oh no, I don't mean she reads 'novels'," Miss Dursley said as though the very thought of a 'novel' was wicked. "She reads to illuminate her mind as though she were equal to the likes of your Husband." Miss Dursely finished with a blush.

She's have been put to more than a blush if she had been able to glance into the mind of Lady Malfoy for not only did Lady Malfoy tho those novels of which Miss Dursley spoke with such approbation, she also wrote them; though under a suitable nom de plume. The gothic tales of Arch Narcissus were much sort after with there shadowy references to the Pretender and his company of devilish rakes; the morte.

Lord Malfoy of course was fully aware of his wife's pastime and found it most amusing to watch his fellow morte's as they attempted to discover the identity of the author who portrayed them with such chilling accuracy. All the while the authorities under the guidance of MOMy remained blissfully unaware of the subtle game played to undermine there own authority.

"Illuminate her mind?" Lord Malfoy asked aghast, "Surely not." He would have said more rather liking the idea of baiting the diamond but his wife's well aimed heel reminded him of his manners.

"Do you know when this paragon of intelligence is to be presented?" Lady Malfoy asked, after all there were only a few weeks left in the season and it would be difficult to organize a come out ball this late a date; all of the major hostesses had already taken the remaining days for there various balls and entertainments.

"Papa is to arrange it." Miss Dursley replied happy in the knowledge that her father could not possibly arrange for Miss Granger to be presented to MOMy until season's end at least not without her mother's help and Mrs Dursley was not fool enough to add to the competition even when her daughter was the avowed diamond of the year.

Lady Malfoy, awake on all suits, heard the unspoken comments and was impressed in spite of herself, Mrs Dursley could have shown it seemed could have taught Wellington a few tricks. "My dear you are to be complemented, you have a fine grasp of the etiquette of the season."

The rest of the trip passed pleasantly.

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Miss Granger woke with a pounding megrim; something that she had never suffered from before and if she had her way would never suffer from again. The light level indicated that the hour was definitely later than the hour of four at which she has supposed to go about the park with Lord Snape. "Whatever will he think of me now?" She wondered aloud, well aware of the Lord's apparent disdain for those members of the weaker sex who suffered the mysterious ailment.

"Never fear Dreary," the mirror answered her musings rudely, "Miss Dursley was able to take your place this afternoon. Such a self-sacrificing young lady, you are most lucky to have her acquaintance at all," the mirror continued on, "and she did look so fine did Miss Dursley. She will make a match of it I am sure."

As the mirror continued on, and on, singing the praises of the delightful Miss Dursley the temperature in the room began to plummet. Miss Granger, a young lady who normally would tolerate the slings and barbs of vicious intent with out any outward show of discontent was fast moving towards a display so unladylike that if the Grand Hostess were ever to here of it she would be barred from all polite society. Luckily for Miss Granger, and unluckily for the mirror, the only thing to observe her loss of control was suddenly shattered into a million fragments.

Miss Granger was aroused from melancholia when she heard the front knocker; Miss Dursley was home. A peek out the window showed the Malfoy Barouche parked in the street and the Viscount Slytherin assisting Miss Dursley to alight, there was no sign of Lord Snape or his equipage.

"Mama," Miss Dursley cried out in dulcet tones, "I would like to make you known the Lord and Lady Malfoy and their son Viscount Slytherin."

The Malfoy's condescended to acknowledge Mrs Dursley as she stepped out onto the pavement dropping into a deep curtsy far deeper than there rank required. "My Lords, and Lady." Her tone asking what had happened to Lord Snape.

"Lord Snape was unfortunately called away." Lord Malfoy was saying pleasantly as he noted the tone and posture of Mrs Dursley, 'aiming above ourselves are we?' he though sardonically, rather thinking a little fun could be had at Snape's expense. "He prevailed upon me to see your daughter home. He was most insistent that all care be taken of her."

Watching from above Miss Granger was horrified to observe Mrs Dursley collapse in a faint. Miss Dursely instantly went to her mother's side and so missed the look of disdain that the elegant Lord and Lady in the carriage sent her way.

The younger lord was obviously torn between assisting Miss Dursley and joining his parents in their amusement at the elder lady's plight. With Miss Dursley fussing and driving herself into a pet he decided that his parent probably he the right of it. His belief was further reassured when Miss Dursley began to shriek like a fishwife for the family's butler.

"Percy." Miss Dursley's voice echoed up and down the street frightening the horses.

As that worthy appeared at the door Lord Malfoy addressed his son, "Come Draco, we will take our leave and allow Miss Durlsey some privacy whilst her mother is unwell." That said he directed the driver to move off with alacrity.

Percy took one look at the scene before him and immediately decided it was for the housekeeper to deal with; Mrs Dursley fainting spells often best addressed with a vinagrete and a shot of Maderia. Directing two house boys to carry the lady indoors he returned inside in the sure knowledge that all was well.

The entertainment having moved inside Miss Granger made her way downstairs. The sight and sounds that greeted her was enough to send her back into a fit of the blue devils. "Lord Snape has developed a tendre for you." Mrs Dursley was saying as she waved burning wafer under her nose, "why else would he entrust you to Lord Malfoy with those instructions."

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TBC Jeanette
- 7
- 8
- 9
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A Blue Stocking Thing