Chapter 785 - Extended Invitation Ⅲ

Facing Mr. Prince with a polite expression, Mr. Evans carefully says, "Mr. Prince has our Lily offended anyone she not ought to have? The Abbott family kindly explained to us various details about the wizarding world. They explained that children born from folks without magic like our daughter, Lily are called muggleborn. Then are those that are called half-blood's like Rowan and Severus, where one parent is magical, and that those called purebloods are for possessing solely an untainted magical lineage."

Mr. Evans paused to carefully word his following sentence. "From what Mr. Abbott explained, purebloods feel that muggleborn witches and wizards are a threat to wizarding society because they undervalue or trash thousands of years' worth of history and tradition. I understand that to aid with that topic that the magical government, the Ministry of Magic has opened schools to help appease those most concerned that the magical world's traditions will be destroyed and have implemented a new wizarding etiquette class at Hogwarts to explain important traditions of those residing in the wizarding world."​​

"That is an excellent summarization, Mr. Evans," Reginald said with a tilt of his head. "It is not that muggleborn witches or wizards do not have anything good to wizarding society, but oftentimes, they naively trample upon ideas and traditions that have thousand-year history attached to them. That is precisely, why the Ministry of Magic and the Hogwarts Board have implemented these changes to ease the fear on both sides and breach the divide between both groups."

"Well, I think it is an excellent idea," Mrs. Evans interjected. "Lily says that if not for Severus and Rowan, she would have been wholly lost her first year at Hogwarts. She says that wizarding etiquette is an important topic that she would have loved to learn during her first two years at Hogwarts. Even now, she says that she sometimes she says or does things that is a social faux pas in wizarding society."

"That is partially as to the reason for my unexpected visit this evening," Reginald confessed.

"Is it because Lily and Severus are dating?" Petunia blurted out, before flushing in embarrassment. She wasn't supposed to tell her parents before Lily got a chance too. Whoops!

Mr. Evans and Mrs. Evans look visibly startled by the news, while Reginald seemingly ignores the information. "My grandson, Severus has requested that Lily be his primary escort during his official presentation into society."

Petunia lets out a low gasp at Mr. Prince's words. She knew the importance of the event because her boyfriend had explained it to her. Her sweet, Andrew had said that even if Severus wanted Lily to be his primary escort, there was no precedent for it. That such a move would cause huge waves in the pureblood society and cause a negative backlash.

"The honor of being a primary escort is immeasurable," Reginald explained, "nor has there ever been a muggleborn witch that has been requested to be a primary escort. There is no precedent, and it will cause waves throughout the social sphere."

"Goodness gracious," Mrs. Evans muttered out loud at the direct implications of the statement. "Then you mean to say that the purebloods will not be pleased with the decision of Severus and Lily assenting to his request, Mr. Prince?"

"That is correct," Reginald replied, before firmly saying, "However, madam, I have never been one to fear the unknown, and my grandson has feelings for your daughter. As such, I will accept Lily Evans as the primary escort for my grandson, Severus Prince. In doing so, I ask for your formal permission and presence."

The Evans couple stares at each other as Petunia's eyes bulge in shock. If Lily as a primary escort was shocking, then the attendance of their family would be even more shocking to the purebloods! Muggles were most assuredly not invited to such events! Even her boyfriend, Andrew couldn't figure out a way to safely have her attend the ball without any danger coming out of it.

After a moment, the Evans couple ceased to silently discuss with their eyes and turn to face Mr. Prince. "Sir, we would be honored to attend, but I think it would be far too much for my wife and me. We would feel too much out of a place at such another important event. That being said, we would be honored if Lily could attend, and if that invitation might be extended to our daughter, Petunia. Unlike us, Petunia knows much more about wizarding society thanks to Rowan, and her boyfriend, a young wizard by the name of Andrew Abbott."

"Miss Petunia Evans's presence will not be amiss nor cause any trouble. I will ensure that a formal invitation is sent including to young Andrew Abbott as her companion," Reginald calmly explained. "There will be no protests at her presence nor cause for concern, I can assure you. That being said there is one other topic which must be discussed.

The Evans couple expectantly waits for Mr. Prince to speak. "There is a certain dress decorum that is expected and naturally all expenses shall be covered by my house," Reginald candidly said. "I shall send my house elf, Dawn, another day to take the measurements of both of your daughters to be sent to the tailor to be made in time for the presentation. I can assure you the dresses will be both, tasteful and modest. My house elf will also deliver the formal invitation at that time."

Reginald rose to his feet and continued, "Traveling arrangements and accommodations shall be made as the time draws nearer, but I shall convey the information via letter when the time comes."

"Travel arrangements and accommodations?" Mrs. Evans rather startled repeated the statement that Reginald had just made.

"Indeed, the presentation shall take in France at the residence of my belated wife's family, the Verninac's," Reginald steadfastly replied. "I can assure you that an international portkey will be amply prepared to deliver both girls safely. If it is a severe concern another arrangement can be made to have your two daughters depart with the Abbott family."

"Portkey?" The Evans couple murmured in confusion. What on Earth was a portkey?!

"It is growing late, and I shall leave you to your rest," Reginald said as the bewildered Evans couple mutely nod their heads in acceptance. Without any further conversation, Reginald pulls up the cowl of his hood and nods curtly at them, before letting himself out of the Evans home.

While Petunia solemnly contemplated how to go about learning to waltz, the poor Evans couple downstairs were left sitting down rather quietly in the family sitting room. After a moment, Mrs. Evans raised her head and drily said to her husband, "You realize that if Lily does end up marrying Severus that man will become our in-laws."

Mr. Evans rubs his ginger head and sighs, "You mean more like that world will permanently become a part of Lily's life and by extension our own."

"Well, it's only going to get worse," Mrs. Evans drily supplied as Mr. Evans gave his wife a dubious look in reply.

"How could it possibly get worse?" Mr. Evans muttered as he rose to his feet and aided his wife up from her seat.

"Well, Petunia will probably marry that young wizard lad, Andrew Abbott," Mrs. Evans sincerely said to her husband. "And from what I hear he's a pureblood too."

Mr. Evans lets out a low m.o.a.n as Mrs. Evans pats her husband on the back in consolation. "There's a very good chance that most if not all of our grandchildren will be magical," she said as they headed up the stairs towards the couple's bedroom.

Mr. Evans mutters under his breath that he is too tired to deal with this, and promptly climbs into bed. Mrs. Evans joins him, but a small smile plays out on her face. She never dreamed that her girls would go on to do such grand things. And it was all a mother could hope for her daughters. With a smile on her face, Mrs. Evans fell fast asleep dreaming sweet dream, while poor Mr. Evans tossed and turned with fretful dreams. It was every father's nightmare to learn that his girls were already involved with a boy. It was simply the worst!