The List

Chapter 27. Rematch.

"It's evident that putting the two houses in the same quarters has resolved nothing."

Professor Weasley was sitting behind her desk, and Professor Sharp stood beside her, both wearing a grim expression while facing the small group of Prefects. Some of them still sporting bloody bandages around arms and legs. Sebastian also made it into the office, positioning himself next to Everleigh, perhaps too near, his hand lightly brushing against hers. The room was much too crowded but something was telling her that closeness was for moral support more than anything else.

"I would do well in taking quite a few points from both Slytherin and Gryffindor." Professor Weasley continued, her sharp gaze sweeping across the room and finally narrowing on Adrian Pucey, who was — very dramatically — resting his weight on one leg, the other firmly wrapped in a bandage Everleigh knew he didn't need. She almost rolled her eyes at him. "But seeing as the Prefects from both houses went inside the common room to retrieve our first years, I'll consider that bravery a way to even out the damage. An additional fifty points will be given to the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw houses for the same display of courage. But do not think for one minute that we are rewarding this behavior."

"Things between Slytherins and Gryffindors need to change." Professor Sharp added, taking over for the Deputy Headmistress. "The sole reason I suggested accommodations in the dungeons was for you to work out your issues. But if anything, new ones seem to arise every day. We cannot tolerate this behavior from adults."

"First year did this."

Adrian Pucey uttered with resentment, and Everleigh noticed how Professor Sharp lifted an eyebrow at him. Adrian deflated at the intense look. Sebastian also gave a sideways glance at the Chaser, a gleam of displeasure sparkling in his eyes.

"Yes, they did." Professor Weasley raised from her chair slowly, her fingers splayed over the surface of the desk. "But who has shown them this conflict between houses?" There was a pause. Some of the Prefects fidgeted with discomfort, and Everleigh noticed stares directed at both Sebastian and her. She flushed. "They see and take after all of you. If you don't behave properly, neither will they. And if you continue down this path, none of you will enjoy the consequences, I can assure you."

Nobody spoke. Nobody dared to.

Discreetly, Everleigh wiped her cheek again, lowering her head to do so. She ventured a quick look at Sebastian. His jaw was clenched and he looked like he was grinding his teeth. Besides that, his expression remained nearly impassive and his eyes were set forward, focused on nothing in particular.

"I know all of you are tired and there is a Quidditch game tomorrow early, so you may go back to your dormitories." Professor Weasley spoke again, and as to pair with her words, exhaustion poured over her features. "I'll meet again in the morning with the Headmaster and we will decide if it's best to, given the circumstances, move the Gryffindor house somewhere else, if a resolution is not reached."

With that, Prefects and Quidditch Captains dragged their feet out the office and into the corridor. Leander, Nellie, Poppy and Anne started a conversation in mumbles, and Everleigh followed after them once Sebastian held the door open for her. The Slytherin boy walked beside her but stayed silent; she noticed an odd exchange of glances between Sebastian and Zacharias Smith, as if they were sharing an unspoken dialogue.

As soon as they reached the Central Hall, everyone marched different ways. Some to the kitchens, some to the west side tower, the rest towards the dungeons. Leander expressed his desire to get a drink while he pointed his sad steps towards the Slytherin common room; Everleigh couldn't blame him. Although, the only thing she wished for herself was getting to bed and laying down.