Best Laid Plans
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Pride and Prejudice. All recognisable characters, content, or locations belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
Part One: The Defence Association
Chapter Sixteen:
After the meeting, Helena lingers to speak with William. They've been assigned the last patrol, but she wants to speak with him before then - maybe ask after his mother - but he's immediately drawn into conversation with Neville and Ernie, and Helena's opportunity is lost.
"Are you coming?" Hannah wonders.
"Lead the way," Helena acquiesces, resigned.
Hannah does so, chattering all the while about the school year ahead, her regret to see their holidays end, her expectations (and dread) for their O.W.L's. She chats about Neville, too,analyses the finer points of their conversation, and is in the middle of questioning the state of his relationship with Hermione when they finally reach the compartment their friends have commandeered for their group.
Most of them have already gathered - Daphne and Tracey, Susan, Padma and Lisa - and they all glance towards the doors upon their arrival, each diverted from books and food or conversation.
There are smiles, hugs, cheerful greetings, and it isn't until both Helena and Hannah are seated that their conversation continues.
"Do you think he fancies her?"
"I doubt it," Helena replies, "I think she has eyes for Ron."
Daphne pulls a face, appalled. "Weasley?"
The Slytherin 'Ice Queen' needs no other clarification, of course. Hannah's crush is a long-standing thing, a frequent and familiar subject of conversation within their group, and the Hufflepuff is nothing if not predictable in her interests.
Helena shrugs, clueless and equally baffled. It defies logic, but as the saying goes, there's no accounting for taste. "Anyway, I think you're in the clear."
"Does he fancy anyone?" Susan wonders.
"He had that thing for Cho Chang last year," Padma contributes, tone mild.
Helena glances at her fellow Ravenclaw, hesitant, and Padma offers her a warm, sincere smile. The sight is reassuring, and Helena finds peace in the knowledge that her friend isn't about to hold against her the appointment as Ravenclaw's newest female Prefect.
"He hasn't mentioned anything."
"I suppose he's got other things on his mind," Susan concedes.
There's a general murmur of agreement. They're all far too aware of what's been going on in Hogwarts in recent years to dismiss Neville's claim of Voldemort's return, and they all trust him, besides. More to the point, all of their respective parents and guardians believe him, and that sort of validation goes a long way.
Lisa diverts the conversation before it can segue into a discussion regarding Voldemort. "So he's a prefect, then?"
"He is," Helena confirms.
"Who else is?" Tracey queries, "I assume we'll have to put up with Malfoy and Parkinson on a power trip?"
Helena nods. "You assume correctly."
Daphne huffs, displeased, and there's a general air of discontentment from the news. Draco has made a nuisance of himself over the years, strutting around Hogwarts like he owns the place, perpetually bracketed by his obligatory bookends, throwing around his father's name (and money) as though he actually expects it will earn him respect from their peers.
Pansy Parkinson has been even worse, shrill and annoying and vicious, determined to tear everyone down to make herself feel superior. She's frequently brought girls to tears with her words and with her wand, and with her usual group of hanger-ons as well, and Helena genuinely dislikes her as she does few others.
Draco's probably got more important things to concern himself with, these days, but Pansy is as mean as she ever was, and it will be exhausting to put up with her usual nonsense on a good day.
With the authority of Slytherin Prefect behind her?
Helena already dreads it.
Hannah continues, "The others are Neville Longbottom, Will Darcy, Ernie MacMillan, Hermione Granger, myself and Hallie."
Daphne hums, thoughtful, but she doesn't share what's on her mind, and none of them pry. She'll confide in them in her own time, and they all know better than to push her.
"No surprises, then," Lisa determines.
Hannah laughs. "Speak for yourself, Turpin; I was very surprised."
Susan grins. "You're the only one."
As Padma returns her attention to her novel, and Tracey to her steady demolition of the lunch hamper she'd brought from home, Susan and Hannah return to the subject of Neville Longbottom, and the question of whether or not the blonde Hufflepuff actually stands a chance with the Gryffindor.
Helena tunes them out, already far more involved in Neville's love life than she cares to be, and instead listens quietly as Lisa and Daphne discuss the longterm implications of Dumbledore's dismissal from both the Wizengamot and from the International Confederation of Wizards. Neither are fans of him, but he has been a fixture amongst Magical Europe's leadership for generations, and the removal of much of his power base has raised a lot of questions regarding the future direction of British politics, and more broadly, that of European and Global politics, as well.
Helena, perhaps, isn't nearly as interested in the subject as she ought to be, but she has stayed informed - mostly via Sirius and Emilyn - and nothing Lisa and Daphne mention surprises her.
Inevitably, their conversation drifts to the Wizengamot, to Minister Fudge and the Daily Prophet, to the war they all know is only a matter of time.
"Aunt Amy is spitting mad," Susan says, "Minister Fudge has barred her from preparing, cut her funding, and threatened her with dismissal if she continues to show her support for Dumbledore's claim."
Madam Amelia Bones is the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. She's a decorated auror, a highly capable, highly principled investigator, an excellent combatant, and a woman Sirius and Emilyn both esteem greatly. She's Dora's idol, a confident and competent careerwoman, expected to be Minister of Magic one day, and Helena is entirely unsurprised by Susan's information.
"That's terrifying," Lisa says, "Fudge is going to get us all killed."
"You're not wrong," Susan concurs, uncharacteristically sober.
"My parents have been talking about moving back to India," Padma says, "They don't want to get caught up in a war."
"I'd go," Tracey admits, "If I had the option. Does that make me a bad person?"
"I think that just makes you smart," Daphne replies.
Even as she wonders why they're talking about it as though any of them have any personal experience with the hours of war, Helena, who is unsure she'll have much of a choice in her involvement in the conflict to come, doesn't disagree.
-!- -#-
Author's Note: Apologies for the delay. Real Life. What can I say? Not sure when I'll next update, but here's hoping I'll have more time and energy to write soon. Until then, take care. -t.
