#connor willows

Llwelyn Manor, Ireland, July 1991

“Nervous?”

Merula only nodded at David’s question, though in all honesty it was an understatement. While she had met his mother, his father and his step-family, apparently making a good impression with all of them, this was something different. This would be the day she was to meet the true matriarch of the Willows family. 

The defeat of R being swiftly followed by their N.E.W.Ts had been a stressful time for both David and Merula, yet they had persevered through it all. The vacation to Barbados with Talbott and Judith and had been nice but in a few months, David was set to begin his Quidditch career with the Wimborne Wasps whilst Merula herself was supposed to begin an apprenticeship under Bill as a curse-breaker.

Still, she found the comforting squeeze of her hand and the warm smile from the man she had fallen in love with was reassuring as they, alongside David’s mother, Rue walked to the front doors of the Llwelyn manor.

“Rue, David, Merula! Glad the three of you could make it!” Connor’s voice boomed as the doors of the manor opened up. Though he gave both his daughter and grandson a hug, a silent agreement passed between the two. Given that he had been the one to put her parents away the first time around, they would likely never be close but for David’s sake they were at least willing to offer one another a firm handshake.

Though as they entered the foyer, Merula admit she was expecting someone taller when David had described his great grandmother. In spite of her age, which if David was to be believed was over one hundred and twenty years old, she barely looked much older than sixty. She still retained good posture in her old age, though that still meant she barely came up to Merula’s chin.

She offered her granddaughter and great grandson a smile before turning her forest-green eyes on Merula, slowly looking her up and down as she analysed the young woman. Merula knew all to well what it meant, here Leila held all the cards.

“Mer, this is Leila Hellebore, my great grandmother.” David introduced, sensing the ice needed to be broken.

“A pleasure to meet you Merula.” Leila spoke softly, strange given the presence that she so clearly commanded within the walls of the manor, “Connor, dear, why don’t you take Rue and David? I would like a word with our guest, if that’s alright with you two?”

David’s eyes widened somewhat, though Leila’s question was soon answered solely by Merula, “I would be glad to join you for a chat.” The other three departed, with a reassuring glance sent David’s way, leaving the two women to stare each other down, green meeting pink as neither broke eye contact.

“So-” Merula began to utter yet Leila turned her back and began walking up the stairs with surprising speed, “Hey wait!” Merula called up to her but to no avail. She huffed, following after like a lost puppy, unable to do much else.

Though she would keep trying to call Leila back, her requests went unheeded all the way up the flights of stairs until they arrived at a bedroom close to the top of the manor. 

Leila stood at a window, two glasses and a decanter of brandy labelled Willows Brew sat on the windowsill, which Leila was already pouring out for the two of them. 

“Offering me a drink for dragging me up here?” Merula asked jokingly as Leila silently offered her the glass.

“In a sense.” Leila said before the light coming in from the window was blocked out briefly by large shape covering it. A single green eye with a black, slit pupil staring in at them. Merula startled back at the sudden appearance of the Chinese Fireball though was even more surprised when Leila hissed at it, “We’re trying to have a conversation here Cui, go away.”

Sunlight streamed back into the room as the beast moved its head, “Never have been one for dragons.” Merula stated in the vaguest attempt to spare her pride.

“Believe me, neither have I.” Leila agreed, “The staff are the ones who tend to handle the dragons on sight, myself and Connor see to the distillery being kept in top shape. Reuben was the one who had a real gift with them.”

Merula, took a sip, it was fruity but not too sweet for her liking and without the dragon in the way, the view across the rolling green hills of the sanctuary, occasionally interspersed with the glint of metal from the walkways Reuben had installed in his time was utterly stunning.

“This was Reuben’s guest room before the manor came into his possession.” Leila stated nonchalantly.

“I see,” Merula responded awkwardly, “I would have liked to meet him, honestly.”

“I’m sure he would have liked that as well,” Leila stated, her lip curving into a smirk, “Has David told you of our heritage?” She asked in a curious tone.

“He has.” Merula said after a pregnant pause. Even by wizarding world standards, demons were often considered far-fetched. Many brushed them off as tales to scare young children going to bed on time lest they be snatched away. To hear that they actually existed and that David was even related to one had been quite the shocking fact to learn about her boyfriend.

“I’m aware of your heritage as well,” Leila said, though caught herself as she noticed Merula’s grip on the glass tightening ever so slightly, “Don’t worry, I’m not interrogate you about your parents or their involvement with R. David told me that you saved him from your mother trying to kill him before you were actually together, why?”

Merula thought carefully before giving her answer, “I cared about him, we hadn’t had a good relationship for a while. But when we went out together for a bit, I enjoyed my time with him. I suppose you could say he melted my heart.”

Leila chuckled at that, “Willows men have a tendency to do that, good answer.” With that statement, she raised her glass. Merula, seeing what Leila wanted, mirrored her, the two glasses clinking together.