Chapter One
Late August 1688

She loved the kisses. She giggled as Gilbert touched her nose with his lips, lightly before pulling back. They went again, getting closer to her cheek, closer, closer, and then she moved her head slightly and their lips touched. After the kiss, she giggled even more.
Even Gilbert laughed.
“Shh Minnie, we have to be quiet,” he whispered, looking around to see if anyone was moving.
“Oh Gilly, my worry wort, are you not?” she said, batting her eyelashes.
He rolled his eyes and gave her another kiss.
“We really should go though. It’s nearing 5 o’clock. I suspect your father will be returning from work shortly.”
Minnie sighed. She didn’t want to go home. “Okay, meet me again tomorrow, will you? I will be here at half one. Don’t be late,” she said, whipping her handheld lace fan out. “I shall see you then my love.”
Gilbert took her hand and kissed it softly. And then she was gone.

Her corset was too tight in the summer sun, her skirts too full and heavy, and she could not simultaneously fan herself and lift them. So away went the fan. She lifted her skirts up to her knees, something her mother often scolded her for doing. She didn’t care though. She couldn’t see anyone around, and her street was very quiet. Owing to the fact that her parents didn’t want busy bodies poking their noses around. The small explosions that were often heard from the basement, and the wand waving, well, those muggles wouldn’t get it. And her family was sure to be burned at the stake. Something Minnie had been able to avoid thus far.

“Hello mumsy,” she called, walking in and smoothing her skirts back down. She took her shoes off at the front door and walked in through the kitchen. “That smells lovely, what is it?” she asked, retrieving her wand and filling up a goblet.
“Aye, it’s roast pig with all the trimmings,” her mother said. “We’ve got company tonight.” She gave a little look that suggested Minnie had better be on her best behaviour.
“Who?” she asked. She was sure she knew what this was about.
“Someone your father works with. He’s a lovely young man by the sounds of it.”
Minnie rolled her eyes. Of course. Marriage. They had been harping on at her for weeks now! She only had a week left of holidays and she wanted to spend every second she could with Gilbert, before she left him behind. The thought of having to spend it getting to know another man made her feel nauseous.
“Don’t roll your eyes at me Wilhelmina Elizabeth, or you’ll be sleeping out with the horses!” her mother snapped.
“I apologise mumsy. But all I wish to do is enjoy my holidays with my friends, whilst I can.”
“Your friends? You’ll be seeing them again when you’re back at Hogwarts.”
Her ears were ringing. Her mother could be very shrill and loud at times. “My muggle friends,” Minnie muttered.
“What muggle friends? The ones you used to play with as a child? Minnie, don’t waste your time on the likes of that lot.”
She knew she shouldn’t have mentioned it. The biggest fear was being caught out! Some of her friend’s grandmothers had been accused of witchcraft. And all for helping to save a little boy whose cuts certainly would have killed him after he fell from the horse. They had been burned at the stake, though of course they were fine.
She was spared answering any more questions. “Get upstairs and clean yourself off before our guest arrives.”
And that was it. Minnie had been dismissed.

In her bedroom, she looked at herself in the mirror. She thought she looked all right. A few curls out of place, but they were easily slicked back into place. She pulled out a small vial of beetroot juice and stained her lips. The makeup from earlier in the day still appeared fresh. She smiled to herself at the memory of how her lip colour had worn away.

Half an hour later, Minnie heard the front door open, and the sound of her father’s voice came up the stairs. She smiled and skipped down the stairs to greet him, but on the last step she stumbled. The floor came quickly to her face, and she groaned out in pain. Two sets of hands reached down for her and helped her up. One was her father, the other was not.
“Who are you?” she asked the stranger.
He smiled warmly at her. “I am Gabriel Longbottom. I work with your father here.”
Minnie gulped. He had extended his hand. “Minnie Prewett,” she said, sliding her fingers into his hand. He brought her hand to his mouth and gave her a light kiss. She blushed, but only because she was embarrassed. This stranger was kissing her hand in front of her parents!
She quickly drew her hand back and looked around, avoiding his gaze.

Dinner went as smoothly as she could manage. She was polite, and she made sure she glanced over to her mother every few minutes to see if she was giving her any signals. Only a few times, to get her elbows down, or stop eating such big mouthfuls. She listened to the stories this man was telling her. He was 36! Twenty years older than she was! Her Gilbert was only 18! And he had finished his apprenticeship. He was now helping to make houses. He had said if they could find some land to purchase, then he could build them a house. She just hadn’t told her parents about him. They would not have liked the idea, so she had avoided it from fear. But now her parents were wanting to wed her to this man! Once he left, her parents went out the back to talk, whilst Minnie cleaned everything up. It took less than a minute, and Minnie was able to sneak to the back door. She was hearing things like ‘…needed to finish school…’, ‘…lives in a large house…’. ‘… has three maids!’ and ‘…married next year…’. Minnie felt faint. She went up to her bedroom, shut the door, and waited.

Her mother came and entered. “Minnie, stand up.”
Minnie stood with her back to her mother, allowing her to remove her outer garments. As the corset became looser, she felt her lungs expand, and she could breathe deeply. “Mr Longbottom is a nice man. Did you think so too?” her mother asked.
“He was alright. Why was he here?” she asked. She knew full well why.
“Your father had arranged for Mr Longbottom to be your husband. Won’t that be nice? He’s a lovely gentleman. He comes from a good pureblood family. Lives close to here. Only the next village across. He didn’t want to wed you before you finished your education, so we thought it best to wait until you are home and graduated from school. We will organise everything, all you need to do is come home and your fiancee will be waiting.”
Her mother was smiling like this was a good thing. Minnie sat down, holding her hands to her stomach. That wasn’t enough. She leaned forward, clasping her head between her knees. Her lungs had felt relieved only moments ago, and now they were on fire. She gasped for air and felt the tears drip down, onto the carpet.
“Minnie, whatever is the matter?” her mother asked, sitting next to her. “Now, don’t carry on. What’s all this fuss?”
Minnie looked up. “Mother I cannot marry that man! I don’t know him! I don’t know anything about him besides what you’ve just told me.”
“Well it doesn’t matter what you want! You’re fortunate to still be going to school this year. Old Mrs Abbott’s granddaughter has been pulled out for marriage. And I’m sure she isn’t the only one.”
“Mary has been pulled out?” Things were not getting better.
Her mother shook her head and stood. “Honestly Minnie, a little gratitude would be nice. Tomorrow you and I are to meet your father and Mr Longbottom at the bank. You’ll be seeing your future home then, and I’m assured you will love it. Now, do get some rest. And put some cream on. I don’t want any wrinkles before the wedding.”