A/N. I don't own Les Mis.
All characters in this fic are fashioned after the movie cast, and, sadly, I don't own them either.
I'm rating this as M because, apparently, that's what a story has to be rated as for references to some violence (FanFiction's story guidelines), so, whatever.
Eponine Thenardier struggled to keep her eyes open as Professor Joel Rupert droned on about malum… something. Eponine sighed and took in her surroundings. The majority of the class was scribbling notes down in their notebooks. A few students were furiously staring Professor Rupert down as if they could make him combust into flame. Eponine snuck a glance at the young man next to her, and her heart leapt as he crinkled his nose at his notebook. This was Marius Pontmercy. His green eyes were flicking about his notes, trying to find the definition of whatever it was that Professor Rupert was talking about now. Eponine was just marveling the multitude of freckles on his face as a flurry of movement on the other side of the classroom caught her attention. She inwardly groaned as she recognized the source. It was that blonde haired friend of Marius… What was his name? It started with an E. He was always asking questions and disputing opinions in class.
Professor Rupert seemed determined to ignore the opinionated student. He found this hard, however, as the entire classroom stopped writing notes and stared at the raised hand. Professor Rupert had no choice but to acknowledge his student.
"Mister… Enjolras?" Professor Rupert lazily asked.
"Professor Rupert-"
"DOCTOR Rupert, if you please." Eponine rolled her eyes. This man didn't seem to look like a doctor. He didn't have on gloves or a white coat. Eponine had decided on day one to keep addressing him as professor.
"Doctor Rupert," Enjolras said, voice dripping with disdain. "I have a question about malam in se. You say that it's an act that is evil in itself, like murder or assault. However, in yesterday's example case, you ruled in favor of someone who beat a beggar."
"Your point being…?" asked the professor.
"My point, professor," Enjolras seemed to spit out his words, "is that the two lessons contradict each other. Aren't we studying law to help people?"
Professor Rupert let out a harsh laugh. "Don't be silly, my boy. You're only employed to make money for your law firm. How, per say, would the beggar have paid you? Sure, some self-righteous pricks may think that it's their job to choose right from wrong, but the 'good side' won't pay the bills!"
Enjolras jumped out of his seat, and a couple students gasped. "I'm here to help people!"
"Prove. It." Professor Rupert drew himself up to his full height. "I ran a multi-million dollar law firm back in the United States! The fact that you think you can tell me how to practice law is almost laughable! Don't delude yourself into thinking you can make a difference in the world."
The clock struck 3:00, but no one moved. Everyone was afraid to get into the cross-fire of this argument. Professor Rupert stared Enjolras down for a couple more minutes, then seemed to realize that he was in front of a lecture hall full of students. He looked down at his watch and frowned. "Well, what are you all waiting for? Class is dismissed!" He barked as he grabbed his suitcase and stormed out of the classroom.
It was almost as if time suddenly started again as the students broke from their stunned silence, picked up their belongings, and started towards the door. Marius struggled to organize his notes as Eponine "accidently" knocked her own notebook off her desk. As the student on her right hurried to help pick up her notes, Eponine swiftly reached into their backpack and swiped their wallet. She hid it in the sleeve of her baggy sweatshirt as the student straightened, notes in hand. He blushed as he gave it back to her.
"Merci!" Eponine called as the student grabbed their backpack and left the room. Eponine sighed wearily. She had never wanted to steal other people's belongings.
It had all started over the summer. Eponine was following Marius as he signed up for his fall classes. She hadn't even noticed as one of her father's lackeys, Brujon, followed the pair. Of course, Brujon had told Eponine's father, Thenardier, of the rich young boy that his daughter was so fond of. A wicked smile grew on Thenardier's face as he heard of what they were doing.
"Signing up for university classes, huh?" His glare focused on Eponine, who was trying to disappear in the corner. "You! You'll go to these classes with this boy. Steal what you can, when you can. Don't come through, and it will be pain for you, my dear."
"But… what if someone notices that I'm not enrolled in the class?" Eponine quietly asked.
She had gotten quite the beating for "being smart" that night. It didn't matter in the end. With a class of 40 some students, Professor Rupert didn't even bother with attendance.
Eponine was bringing in around 30 euros a week. At first, this pleased her father, but he soon became all too eager for more money.
A light touch on her arm snapped Eponine out of her thoughts. "Are you ready to go, Eponine?" Marius asked as he stood up.
Eponine felt a pleasant tingling sensation on her arm where Marius was touching it. "Of course, Monsieur Marius!"
Marius' green eyes crinkled in amusement. "I told you, it's just Marius."
"Right, sorry, Mon- Marius." Eponine blushed as Marius laughed and turned away. Eponine took this opportunity to slip the stolen wallet from her sleeve into the backpack she had "acquired". She didn't notice a piercing pair of blue eyes watching her from across the room.
