Chapter Three, French Magical Theatre and Extended Family

As soon as Dobby and Gwen had arrived back at the Manor, her purchases were taken from her by Dobby and Rosa (another elf in her employ, most likely Tally was just somewhere else), to be put away in her room leaving Gwen free to her own devices once she'd confirmed the last few bits for her Debutante Ball. With that thought in mind she summoned the files which included portfolios of her businesses and headed towards the family lounge.

Seating in her favourite plush emerald armchair before the fire, as a tray containing a teapot, a jug of milk, a jar of honey and a teacup and saucer appeared on the coffee table. For the next hour Gwen spent the time browsing through the portfolios as she finally selected baby blue flowers, white freesias and honeysuckle and blue lavender as the final touches to her Debutante Ball, and wrote to Astoria confirming her fitting for her gown as Astoria would be making her dress.

Stretching as she stood from the armchair she noticed she still had two hours before Remus and Aunt Cassiopeia arrived for lunch before they departed for France as they would be staying there a few days after the theatre, she decided to head to her grandfather's Duelling room to practice getting to grips with her new wands, plus she was just eager to try out some of the new spells in the books she got for her birthday.

***

Time seemed to pass by in a blur to Gwen as she worked up a sweat pushing her body and magic to exertion to make herself stronger, her wands twirling, in both hands, so rapidly it was mostly a blur as she fired off Curses at frightening speed.
"Mistress Gwen, you have some visitors with Moony and Miss Cassiopeia. Tally has served them tea in the main lounge." Dobby informed her, as he appeared behind the security ward which stopped stray spells from hitting any who entered. It was only after the final spells left her lips, and hit the duelling dummies obliterating them, did Gwen finally lower her wands and return them to her holsters. Her breathing was a little heavier than normal from the intense and thorough duelling she'd been doing for the past two hours.

"Thank you Dobby." Gwen rasped, accepting the glass of water gulping it down quickly until the glass was empty with a satisfied sigh. "Who is it?" She asked curiously, not expecting anyone to come over other than her Aunt Cassie and Uncle Remus.
"It's Lord Elijah Barrett Montague, his wife Lady Rhea Veronica Montague née Rivers and their son Graham Jackson Montague. Your extended family, Mistress. But if they's hurts you, Dobby will not be accountable for his actions." Dobby said firmly, a fierce scowl upon his small forehead.
"Thank you Dobby. Don't worry if they do anything you can deal with them." Gwen assured her sweet elf. "Could you please inform them that I'll just quickly freshen up and join them shortly."

"Of course Mistress. Take as long as you need they'd really should have notified my wonderful Mistress first instead of just turning up, that's how it's supposed to be." Dobby grumbled.
"How'd they gain access?" Gwen questioned alarmed, knowing no one knew where Potter Manor was (except a select few) and that's just how she liked it and wanted it to remain.
"They have a letter from Lord Griphook and King Blood-claw who both allowed them one time entry." Dobby replied seriously.
"Did they now." Gwen hummed, she would wait and see how this impromptu meeting turned out before she announced judgement. After a quick shower Gwen redressed in the dress she had worn that morning (having changed into leggings and sports bra for her duelling session), she headed back downstairs to the main lounge hearing amicable conversation between them all (about her and her mother no-less).

"I'm sorry I kept you all waiting." Gwen apologised as she entered the room, everyone standing as Society dictated as she was at the top of their societies hierarchy. Gesturing them all to retake their seats as she fully entered the room. Once gifting her aunt and uncle a hug and made herself a fresh cup of tea, Gwen took the armchair closest to the fireplace.

"Not at all Lady Potter-Black-Peverell." Lord Elijah Montague smiled at his beautiful niece, she reminded him of his father and uncle making his heart hurt but with his uncle's and therefore her mother's fiery blood red hair. "It is our fault for dropping by unannounced and without letting you know beforehand, and on your birthday no less. But after receiving the missive from King Blood-claw, I had to come and see you. Make sure you were well as I had a feeling deep within my bones all was not well."

"That's an understatement." Cassiopeia scoffed dryly while also remaining elegant as she sipped at her tea.
"Quite." Lady Rhea agreed grimly, with a slight American accent, she and her husband had heard stories from their son on the going ons at Hogwarts. And to say they were horrified and disturbed was an understatement. "We are neutral dear. We only side with family and you my darling are indeed family. Graham has been keeping an eye on you from afar at Hogwarts and even took the role of big brother while threatening Heir Malfoy just before the Yule Ball." She informed with a smirk as her son let out a sound of complaint, a blush on his cheeks which only darkened as Gwen giggled.

"Would you like to join us for lunch?" Gwen asked. "I'd like to get to know my family, and have a good relationship with a cousin for a change."
"I'd like that too little cousin." Graham agreed for the three of them, his smile widening at the blinding smile Gwen gifted him as they started talking about Quidditch, and bantering good naturedly, while the four adults spoke quietly with smiles upon their faces as they made plans for the three Montagues' to join the three of them in France for the week and attend the theatre the following evening. It was good seeing Gwen smile for a change; seeing her so free and relaxed.

***

As they exit The Regina Hall, after watching 'The Amāns' - which was about a Princess and her lover who stood against all she'd been taught only to have to go against the depths of time to achieve said love - Gwen was buzzing and on cloud nine. Her speech rapid as she was filled with such excitement over watching her first ever theatre show it was like someone had given her the nectar of the gods and now she wanted more; and what made it sweeter was that her extended family (the three Montagues') had joined them in the Royal Box that Aunt Cassie had reserved.
"Calm down Cub." Remus laughed, as they made their way to the Apparition point in the theatre to Apparate back to Potter Château where they were all staying for the duration of their stay.

"I have another surprise for you, dear niece." Cassie informed Gwen smugly holding out her gloved hand for the young woman to take.
"Aunt Cassie, although I'm grateful for all you've done, you don't have to keep spoiling me." Gwen reassured her with a kind smile.
"I know I don't have to but I want to. Besides this one you'll like - no, you will love it more than your first theatre experience."
"I doubt that." Uncle Elijah teased, winking at Gwen as Rhea slapped his arm, rolling her eyes, as his baritone laugh slipped past his lips.
"Which we will be taking you to more, now we know." Aunt Rhea added, ignoring her husband and son who were sniggering. Least Remus had some decorum and was trying to hold in his laughter though his lips kept twitching she noticed.

"Quite right." Aunt Cassie beamed, before Apparating them home. Once they were home and in the lounge being served tea (feeling rather full to have anything else after their exquisite three course meal), did she finish their conversation.
"I've spoken with my niece, and she and young Draco will be joining us in two days, once they can slip away and then stay for the rest of the week." The smug smile only increased as her sharp silver eyes picked up on the extremely happy gleam in her niece's eyes but she was happy her teachings had made a better impression than they had on her father (Sirius) for she did not jump up squealing in glee, however, a faint red hue did adorn her cheeks.

"Thank you Auntie." Gwen intoned gratefully, a blinding smile upon her lips as the tightness in her chest eased slightly knowing in two days she will be reunited with her love, her Alpha.
"Of course dear." Aunt Cassie said happily, she knew it would be painful for them to be apart for long periods of time so anything she could do to help them she would, besides, she thought with a suppressed wicked grin.
'There's plenty of us here to keep them in line and keep her dear sweet niece pure.'

"As long as he doesn't try anything we're all good." Graham grumbled with Remus and Elijah nodding in agreement only to yelp when three Stinging Jinxes were shot at them - the strongest one coming from Gwen who had shot hers Wandless and nonverbal.
"Kidding. Kidding." Graham muttered quickly, his hands raised in surrender.
"Well, we're not." Elijah and Remus grumbled simultaneously. "James and Sirius aren't here so it's up to us to keep boys away!"
"Men." Gwen, Cassiopeia and Rhea expressed dryly, and simultaneously, as they rolled their eyes as one sipping at their teas.

Judi Dench as Cassiopeia Black

Yvonne Mai as Lady Rhea Veronica Montague née Rivers.

Dominic Cooper as Lord Elijah Barrett Montague.

Iwan Rheon as Heir Graham Jackson Montague