bait_backup | He calls the mansion not a house but a tomb (Reply)

*In general, Peter is more than happy to leave the offices of Augustine & Quigg, Arithmancers to do a little field work, anything to stretch his legs and break up the monotony. However, as he stands before the gate of the Rosier estate he has butterflies in his stomach. He knows of the Rosiers, as many do, but even if he didn't he would have known they were not to be trifled with by the look of their stately manor house and its grounds. He steps forward. The gate opens to admit him. He is expected. As he makes his way to the house itself, he glances down side paths to private gardens and tree-lined walks. He feels a little exposed, walking up the path on foot. He imagines most of the Rosiers' guests come in carriages or something else equally impressive.

He is here for survey work preceding the improvement of the home's defenses--against Dementors, specifically. Yet Peter knows damned well that the only truly effective deterrent to Dementors is the Patronus charm. Even the best wards constructed around the most precise of calculations would do little more than discourage them. His work here will mostly be a comforting gesture, and it is this fact that gives him pause. If the Rosiers' wards should fail, he would likely take the blame, whether he deserved it or not. On the other hand, if the Rosier estate should be invaded by Dementors, the feelings of the Rosiers would likely be rendered irrelevant.

With this thought in mind, Peter adjusts his bag and mounts the steps leading to the Rosiers' front door. He lifts the iron doorknocker and knocks twice.*