章 28: Lucretia Prewett

*Knock*

"Aunt Lucretia, it's me Ronald. You called for me?"

Although the door to her room was left open, he knew that proper etiquette stated for him to knock before entering.

"Come in..."

Getting her consent Ron pushed the door open and entered, her room was just like he expected it to be. Large, filled with perfectly carved furnishings and the most lavish bed he'd ever seen.

He could make out a shadow moving behind the light veil surrounding the bed. He got closer and stood right in front of the foot of the bed, and with one hand over his chest, the other to his side, and a big smile he bowed towards her.

"It seems that rowdy and uncouth niece of mine was finally able to raise one of you lot correctly."

Ron's smile never faded but his upper lip did slightly twitch at her comment.

"Aunt, Mother and Father both send their regards, as do my siblings. I'm sure if they could they would've made the trip with me."

"You're nothing like them, you're parents... Why is that?"

He hadn't expected that question, but didn't allow for it to show on his smiling face.

"I'm sorry but I don't understand the question, are you referring to my personality or my appearance?"

"Both. The Prewett were known for their bright red hair and large noses, while The Weasleys for their honesty and freckles. Traits that you obviously lack..."

Ron had planned to make the old woman see him as the perfect nephew and after gaining her trust he thought he'd have a chance to learn some secrets possibly concerning the Black Family. Yet in their very first conversation she'd completely outed him as being a liar and possibly an imposter.

Ron's slit like blue eyes squinted but the change couldn't be noticed as for his calm and ever present grin it stayed the same. Before he could say anything the old woman continued, so he closed his mouth and listened.

"You're Family name Weasley, was derived from the red coated Weasel but you, you're no Weasel you're a Fox. Hiding in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to make your move."

"Aunt Lucr-"

"That's why I'm glad you came to me, someone like you would never be allowed to grow with your Mother and Father. Only with me can you once again bring the Prewett and Black Family's into the forefront of the Wizarding World!"

"*So that's why... It seems I underestimated the old woman. By the sound of her voice I'm doubting if she's even actually dying.*"

"Aunt, I'm neither a Prewett nor Black, I'm a Weasley how could I possibly hope to raise both of these famous and prestigious Wizarding Family's?"

"I'm the oldest living Black and Prewett Family Member, and with that brat Sirius locked up in Azkaban. I'm currently the holder of both Families Vault keys, which I can bestow upon you..."

"To transfer ownership of both Families Vault Key's, don't I have to be part of your direct bloodline?"

" You're half right, technically I can't give you ownership of the Black Family Vault Key. However that's not the case for the Prewett Family Vault, being as I'm the sole member allowing me to grant it to you."

" Why can't you directly pass me ownership of the Black Family Key? And does that mean there's another way to get ownership over it?"

Ron needed ownership over the Black Family Inheritance, or at least to be allowed in to their Ancestral Home. He didn't want to resort to robbery to get Voldys Horcrux out of there.

"So you're interested in the Black Family's Inheritance? Then I won't tell you, not yet. First I must teach you, although you're much better than most your age, compared to seasoned Wizards and Witches you're nothing."

"*So she wants me to work for it? I don't mind it, It'll actually do me good to study under such a powerful Witch. Specially after I was played like a toy by that Vampire Lolita. Maybe she'll even teach me everything my parents and Hogwarts wouldn't.*"

Regaining his calm expression and demeanor, Ron once again bowed with a hand planted over his chest.

" Aunt Lucretia, please teach me."

*Woosh*

The veil around the bed was lifted revealing a thin, Raven haired woman she didn't look very old but she did have an apparent sickly complexion. She had her hair tied up into a bun and wore a long black english formal dress.

"Brownie!"

Right after she called out the elf from before appeared and bowed to her.

"Take Ron's belongings to the room I told you to prepare beforehand."

"Yes, Mistress..."

As fast as he appeared he vanished, that magic was something Ron wanted for himself.

"Come, first I'll see what you've been taught and what you lack."

"Yes, Aunt Lucretia."

"That is very important Ron, never forget: Etiquette Before Everything. You must never reveal your true intentions and plans to anyone.Never lose your composure in front of anyone specially to your enemies."

"Yes, Aunt."

Although she was obviously sick and weak in front of Ron her face never showed an ounce of pain.

"*So that's what she means, don't give your opponent any sign that you're weak or hurt. I think I might actually learn a lot in these five months.*"

When they reached the main hall Lucretia unlocked a sealed room and told Ron to go in. He did as he was told and headed inside, she quickly entered after him and they were inside an enormous open space.

"My late husband was an excellent enchanter he was the one that designed this house. This was supposed to be an all purpose room, now it's going to be where you'll train."

"Yes, Aunt."

"Brownie! Chairs, a table and bring me my Royal Earl Grey!"

Like before the elf appeared with everything she ordered and vanished after setting it up.

"I'm going to guess that you know wandless and Chantless magic to some extent right? Show me every spell you know."

"Yes, Aunt."

Ron turned to her and bowed which received a nod of approval from her. Turning back he concentrated and casted spell after spell, since there was nothing down here he poured everything he had to each spell.

He showed her; Accio, Arresto Momentum, Defodio, Flipendo, Incendio, Lumos, and Wingardium Leviosa. As for his other spells they served specific purposes or couldn't be used without a target.

"Is that all? If it is I'm greatly disappointed I expected more..."

"I'm sorry Aunt, I've spent most of my time researching and brewing Potions. I didn't focus much on other subjects."

*Crash*

Ron heard the sound but didn't react to it, he knew that sound was his aunt's cup hitting the ground.

"No excuses Ronald! Since you're clearly not being taught anything useful at your home, in these five months I'll teach you a variety of spells and improve your etiquette."

"Yes Aunt."

"The first will be... Expulso! Unlike many of the spells that you used, this is a Dark Charm, a Curse. I will demonstrate and then you'll practice until you can recreate exactly what I do. Of course I'll hold back since you're still without a wand."

"EXPULSO!"

Lucretia then slowly stood up and with a small and precise wave of her hand a blue wave shot from her and blasted a hole through the ground. It wasn't large and the explosion was contained but if that hit a human being they'd surely be on deaths door.

Next Ron tried to recreate the curse and was successful in casting it, but compared to hers it was obviously less powerful.

"I'm going upstairs and prepare somethings, continue casting until you reach 100 tries then call for Brownie he'll report back to me and we'll start your etiquette lessons."

"Yes, Aunt."

After bowing to her Ron turned around and focused on the spell, what his spell lacked was power, so this time he tried to pour more magic into it but was disappointed when the speed of the spell fell dramatically.

*Sigh*

"*Guess, it won't be as easy as I thought. 100 tries, let's see if I'll really reach them.*"

"EXPULSO!"

While Ron was downstairs practicing the spell, Lucretia was having trouble standing up. Right as she walked up the stairs and reached the first floor she almost collapsed to the ground.

*Cough*

"I've finally found a suitable inheritor, I can't die now... Not yet."

She gritted her teeth and stood up and with a hankerchief wiped the trail of blood that dripped out her mouth.

"Brownie!"

*Swoo*

"Yes, Mistress?"

"Take me to my room and bring me my medicine, also prepare a quill and parchment for a letter."

*Swoo*

After a hour hour Ron called for Brownie and informed him that he'd used up all of the 100 tries. He hadn't been able to recreate his aunt's spell, and since he had five months didn't try to force himself.

"*It won't do me any good, if I overexert myself on the first day. Besides I doubt I'll only practice once a day, I should instead recuperate my magic and figure out a way to do it more efficiently..*"

Brownie led him to the main hall and went to call his aunt. A few minutes later he saw her slowly walking down the stairs, her every step was elegant and meticulously done.

"Although your etiquette and manners are very impressive for someone your age, it still lacks finesse. Your walk for example it exudes strength and confidence bit lacks elegance same with your other postures. You're a Pureblood, a born leader and Inheritor of one of the worlds most Oldest and Famed Wizarding Families."

Ron knew that was her belief in Pureblood Supremacy, but since he was one he didn't mind seeing himself as superior maybe not because of his blood but by his ambitions.

"Yes, Aunt."

"Stand and let's begin!"

Ron did exactly as he was told and walked how she told him, if he misstepped she'd make him start from the beginning.

"Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!"

After making standing still in the same pose for an entire hour, Brownie told him to go wash up because breakfast was going to be served.

He'd almost forgotten that he reached the town at dawn, he went to the room Brownie had prepared for him and washed up before heading downstairs.

Going to the Manors dinning room, he sat down on the opposite end of the table facing his aunt.

"I've already informed your parents that you'll be staying with me until September first. I've also sent them enough money to buy you everything you'll need for Hogwarts."

"Aunt. I have a question concerning exactly that, I'd like to ask you, if I may."

"Go ahead."

'If I return the first of September how will I have adequate time to aquire my wand in time to catch the train to Hogwarts?"

Before she could answer Brownie entered the Dining Room with two silver trays and domed covered plates. His aunt waited until the elf left to answer his question.

"Since you didn't purchase your wand on your 11th birthday I'm guessing you wanted some time to think about it, yes?"

The woman's deduction skills always amazed Ron, maybe that's why she wasn't disowned by the Black Family unlike her sister.

"Yes, Aunt. I wanted to study Wand Lore to possibly get a customed wand made."

"When you've figured out what you want, we'll go meet Mykew Gregorovitch, one of the best wandmakers in Europe if not the best. He only works on a few wands per year but with a generous enough reward I'm sure he'll see us."

Hearing her say that he could get a customed wand, Ron was overjoyed he didn't want some generic made wand he wanted one personally tailored to him.

"Thank- I'm very grateful for the generous gift, Aunt Lucretia."

"Eat, I'll let you self study any other subjects for three hours after breakfast. After that head down to the training room and continue practicing the spell."

"Yes, Aunt."