The List

Chapter 11. The Deal.

Everleigh pulled on her fingers in a nervous gesture. Index, middle and ring.
Repeat.
Slowly.

Eyes on the wall ahead of her. The Head Girl pin felt heavy on her shirt this morning.

"Ms. Grayson." Professor Weasley called softly. And yet, Everleigh was startled by her voice. "The Headmaster will see you now."

The woman moved aside, stepping by the gargoyle to allow her free passage. Everleigh took a few steps into the circular staircase before she heard Professor Weasley speaking up the password.

"Lemon Sorbet."

The stairs started to move upwards, bringing her closer to the open door that led into Black's office. She crossed the threshold, and her eyes swept the room before she saw the Headmaster in front of a mirror inspecting his mustache. The man was so caught up with his reflection that he didn't realize she was there until Everleigh was clearing her throat.

With a rapid spin, Black faced her, clasping his hands behind his back in a gesture that could only mean he was trying to mask his disconcert.

"Ah, yes. Ms. Grayson." He finally waved at her in an irritated gesture, as if it had been Everleigh and not him who requested that meeting. "Come, come."

The Gryffindor girl promptly obeyed, walking towards the desk like she was heading to the guillotine. Black stood behind it, observing her with a severe look.

"Did you want to see me, sir?"

"Yes." The Headmaster let one of his hands stroke on his black-with-a-splash-of-white beard in a contemplative gesture. "It has come to my attention that there was some sort of brawl at the Three Broomsticks yesterday evening. I spoke with the two responsible parties, and we have yet to reach an understanding. I was informed that you were there, so what exactly happened?"

The words didn't seem to want to come out. Everleigh felt as if time had slowed down, and she stared at the Headmaster while the memories from the day before flooded her mind.

Would you lie for me?

I've watched first hand how Sallow has gotten away with everything over the years.

He initiated it. He was the one who punched me.

You should stay away from him.

I'm a lot of things. But I'm not a liar.

"Well?" Black was looking at her like hours had passed. The silence was deafening. "Do you have anything to say at all to this?"

"I-I..." Everleigh stuttered, forcing herself to swallow before attempting to speak again. Her heart was pounding and she could feel the strong beat pulsating on her temples. "I'm not sure about what happened, sir."

"Perhaps you can cast some light as to who initiated it?"

She was going to be sick.

"I don't know, sir. All of it happened so fast... I can't be certain."

"I see..." His voice had a tone of disappointment, but his expression was far from grim. "Then I imagine we cannot do much. Detention for the two students involved, and some point deduction should... eh... yes. Yes! That should do it."

Everleigh stared at Black in awe, understanding dawning on her features when she realized that the Headmaster had no intention of truly punishing the two boys. No matter what she had said.
Both Sebastian and Grant were pureblood wizards, and the former was a Slytherin.

Rumors had ran rampant in the school since she had made it in about the bigotry of the Headmaster and that sickly obsession he had to favor the Slytherin house. To the point where he had once cancelled the Spring Quidditch's season because a pureblood student had been hurt. Or so she had heard.