Caduceus
by KentuckyChicken
Caeduceus: A staff with wings and twin entertwining snakes. It is the symbol of Hermes, the Greek god of messengers, thieves and medicines, and it is also the symbol of healers.
"Hey."
The boy in the Ravenclaw scarf looked up as the word was spoken. It took a few moments for him to redirect his focus from the Transfiguration tome before him to the speaker. Eventually, though, his eyes cleared and he sat back. "Hello," he said. There was no welcoming warmth in his voice. Well, there was, but only if one was looking especially hard for it.
The speaker gave him a wry smile. He didn't need to look for that warmth. He knew it was there and would only have to trust that it would remain there. Sliding into the seat opposite of the Ravenclaw, he said, "Doing homework?"
"No. I'm writing my application form for the Minister of Magic seat."
It drew a chuckle from the newcomer. "You and your sense of humor," he grinned. "They always make people think you're either crazy or getting in that direction."
The Ravenclaw tilted his head. He didn't smile and he didn't raise an eyebrow. "What are you here for, Luke?" he asked. His voice was dry as the desert and nonchalant.
All the cheers drained from his companion's face, and blue eyes darkened until they were almost black. "I heard what happened with Sullivan," he said in a low voice.
The Ravenclaw's back stiffened. "So you have," he said. His voice didn't change. "What of it?"
"What if the next time it's going to be your family?"
"My family is safe," the Eagle answered immediately. "They are protected. And they aren't involved in this."
The other boy sighed exasperatedly, running a hand through his short hair. His tie was green and silver. "They are your parents, Cedar," he said. There was no pleading note in his voice, but it was close. Very close. "That's enough for them to be put on their black list." Nobody said Death Eater here. It was a taboo. "And he wouldn't stop hunting them. They are sports." He was even more of a taboo.
The Ravenclaw was absolutely stiff now, and his face had gone pale. His voice shook when he spoke. "The charm protects them." It was a feeble attempt at a comeback and they both knew it. It was a feeble protection charm and they both knew it. Not even the Secret Keeper charm would stop the Death Eaters from hunting down Muggleborns and their parents. Sooner or later they will die, and if they were lucky they would be granted a quick Killing Curse.
That possibility was minimal. So minimal it might as well not exist.
The Ravenclaw started crying. There were no sobs, just quiet tears. He bowed his head. He knew what would come and what would become. He was a realist. He couldn't see hope – there was no hope and he knew it.
The Slytherin said nothing. He didn't say sorry – what will it do? He didn't say let's fix this – how will they fix this? He didn't say let's not think about this – it was real and it was here and it was impossible to avoid.
God forbids he says 'serves you right'.
So he stood up and round the table and put his hands on his friend's shoulders, holding them in a vice-like, almost-bruising grip. There was nothing he could do. There was nothing they could do. They will die one day and everything will go to hell and it will be the Ravenclaw's turn next. Because he wasn't born pure. Because he wasn't born into nonexistent nobility; because he wasn't 'privileged'. And because the Slytherin was, chances were he would be the one who had to make that execution happen. Or worse.
The world looked so bleak.
Madam Pince saw them. She left them be.
Shorterst piece I've ever written. Reviews, please?