The Unkindness of Strangers and the Kindness of an Angel
Chapter 28 of my Game of Thrones story, enjoy.
Reviews
Boris Yeltsins: Yup, he is :)
Wolfgirl2013: Thanks :)
Katie230: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it and you like Bran's new confidence; well, here you go, they're about to learn their fate, remember however, view it in their perspective to understand how it affects them. Glad you liked Arya and Myrcella too :)
Marina Ka-Fai: Glad you liked that.
Veridissima: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it, glad you liked Bran's new confidence and Arya and Myrcella too :)
Now onto the story.
Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin.
Chapter 28
Principal Lannister shifted slightly on the cushions set high on his chair; he was deeply troubled by what had just been reported to him. He had called Bran Stark to the office; in order to try and get a first-hand account of what the boy's parents had told him had occurred. Eddard and Catelyn Stark sat on chairs at the side of the room, with them was a young woman named Meera Reed; who also had information regarding this and had told him about her part in it. Finally, after some time, there was a knock at the door.
"Come in." Tyrion called out.
The door opened and his secretary, Shae, stepped in and announced. "Bran Stark is here, Mr. Lannister."
Tyrion nodded. "Ah, good, bring him in please."
Shae nodded and stepped back, Bran stepped into the office.
"Please, take a seat Bran." Tyrion stated, gesturing to the chair in front of his desk.
Bran nodded and walked over to take the seat. As he walked Catelyn observed her son and was relieved to note that, compared to when she saw him at the hospital, he was looking a lot better. His eating and sleeping habits had returned to normal, he had regained the weight he had lost and looked healthy again, the only remaining sign of what had happened were the marks on his neck. Once Bran sat down Tyrion explained why he had called him to the office and; after only a brief hesitation, during which he had looked over at his parents and Meera, Bran gave his account of what had happened.
Tyrion frowned after Bran had finished; it all tallied with what he had been told. Some matters, rather serious ones too, had occurred outside of school. So, despite Bran showing some initial reluctance, they all agreed to call in the police and now an officer had arrived.
"Obviously we'll need to verify what you have told us Bran." Tyrion remarked.
The officer pondered and then suggested. "Mr. Lannister; correct me if I'm wrong, but apart from two of the incidents that occurred here at school; wouldn't the others have been caught on CCTV cameras."
Tyrion nodded slowly. "Yes, you're right." He quickly pressed a button on the intercom on his desk. "Shae, could you please bring me all copies of the CCTV footage from the security office please."
"Yes Mr. Lannister." She said quickly and Tyrion switched off the intercom.
Sometime later the tapes had been brought in; they quickly reviewed them and verified much of Bran's story.
"Well, well." Tyrion remarked; shaking his head. "This gets more serious the more I hear about it. It's strange, I'm not the least bit surprised about my nephew's part in this."
The office remained grim. "Indeed, if he's telling the truth about these incidents, then I believe we can agree Master Stark is telling the truth about the others. I'll attempt to procure evidence from this diner…But; these pictures…"
Bran quickly spoke up. "They didn't want to get caught, so they destroyed the copies, I overheard that Gwen has the only copies left, on her phone."
"How fortuitous for you then Bran." Tyrion exclaimed. "For Gwen had her phone confiscated for using it in class; officer."
With that Tyrion produced Gwen's phone from his desk and handed it to the officer.
It did not take long for the officer to find the pictures and verify Bran's story completely. Tyrion made a few more calls on the PA system and soon Arya, Myrcella and Jojen were also present and explaining what they had seen, backing up Bran's story and detailing what they had witnessed.
Finally Tyrion sighed. "This is certainly much deeper and more serious than I thought. I want to thank you all for coming forward with this; especially you Bran, I know it can't have been easy. Please, all of you, take a seat and we'll deal with this right away."
So, Bran, his sister, best friend and his sister's girlfriend, joined his parents and girlfriend. Tyrion spoke briefly with the officer, who was slightly incredulous.
"I must say I'm surprised that they were so brazen as to bully someone in areas where there was CCTV."
Tyrion shook his head. "Many students don't believe there actually is CCTV, they think it's a ruse to try and convince them to behave. You saw the way people behaved; still, it is fortunate for Bran that it exists."
The officer nodded and Tyrion then made one ore PA announcement, calling Joffrey, his gang, Gwen and the girls involved in the basement incident to the office. Shae showed them all in and they were soon standing before Tyrion's desk, many of them looked confused, including Gwen; Joffrey glared belligerently at his uncle, they all spotted Bran and shared a look, suddenly realizing what this had to be about, that soon changed the atmosphere.
Tyrion glared at the assembled crowd.
"I hope you all appreciate the severity of all this; I've called you hear in relation to some…disturbing information I've received."
Joffrey scoffed. "Oh please uncle, you believe this…"
Tyrion cut across his nephew severely. "We're in school Joffrey; I am your principal here. Now, as I was saying. You are all in serious trouble and we do not just have Bran's word for what happened. The people with him have verified his story, what they've told me tallies with him. In addition we have evidence; these."
He directed their attention to the CCTV videos, even showing a few of them, almost immediately the assembled group paled as even Joffrey could see he would be unable to worm his way out of this one. Even worse, he knew that these added credibility to the statements that couldn't be backed up.
"Beyond this however…" Tyrion explained. "We have certain issues taking place out of school, which require police intervention."
The girls all shared a nervous look; Gwen however interjected.
"Surely you can't believe that…"
Her words died as the office revealed her phone. "This serves as evidence; we've found the pictures on it."
Bran could only watch; amazed at how quickly things had changed. For so long these people had cast a shadow over his life, yet now; when confronted with what they had done, they were cornered.
Tyrion nodded slowly and then cleared his throat.
"I have discussed this with Mr. and Mrs. Stark; the officer here and we have decided on your punishments. However; I must say, I am shocked at your behaviour throughout this, don't any of you feel any remorse or shame at all."
Joffrey sneered; the others all shared looked but said nothing; but then, a lone voice spoke up.
"I do." It was Sandor. "This has gone too far; and I am truly sorry."
His words were directed towards Bran who was even more amazed; just as amazed as the others.
"Well Bran, do you accept his apology?" Tyrion asked; clearly surprised.
Bran nodded. "Yes; I…I do, thank you Sandor."
Sandor merely grunted and waited for his fate.
Tyrion sighed. "Well, I'll have to take this into account but for now…All you boys; until a full investigation is completed and the final decisions made, you are all indefinitely suspended."
"What!?" Joffrey cried as the other boys, except Sandor all gasped. "You can't…!"
"I can, I'm the principal, now for the rest of you." Tyrion replied sharply as he turned his attention to the girls. "Your actions were more serious and certainly served to be the catalyst that pushed Bran Stark towards attempting suicide. Sadly, the harshest punishment I can give is to expel you from school. I'll leave any other punishments to those better suited to give them, but you are all forthwith expelled."
For this crowd, suspension of expulsion was considered shameful; it ruined their future, so while it didn't seem that much to many, knowing their mind set, Bran knew they were certainly coming worse off, however their punishments weren't done yet.
Finally, the officer stepped forwards.
"In addition to the expulsion; considering your role as the leader of this little plan, plus having pictures like those on your phone…Guinevere Frey, you are under arrest."
Gwen leapt from her seat, eyes wide. "What, no, you can't do this to me, I've not…"
The officer then explained. "You are charged with attempted manslaughter, harassment and possession of child pornography."
Gwen could only stare in shock, unable to resist as she was cuffed. In desperation she looked over at Bran who was sitting between his mother and the Crannog girl.
"Bran…" She cried, putting as much desperation into her voice as possible.
Bran just shook his head. "Sorry Gwen, but it's too little too late."
Then she saw his final insult to her; he took the Crannog girl's hand and squeezed it gently. He had chosen the filthy swamp brat over her; her control over him was completely gone. She was led out; unable to comprehend how she had lost everything so quickly. Then, on Tyrion's orders the other girls and Joffrey and his crew left the office and were sent home from school, with letters also being sent to their homes. Bran felt himself relax, finally, after so long, it was over.
End of chapter, two more to go, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.
