Disclaimer: I own not, you sue not. Actually I do own Tai, part of Scarlett, and Anita, and Elena McMillan and others.
A/N: You might notice that I kinda changed the layout. It is like a script, for some of it, cause it was very confusing other wise.
So. Enjoy the show
James stood up. Actually, he stood on the table, sending his empty goblet flying at Peter and hitting him on the nose. James cleared his throat. As if he needed to, he had the interest and attention of every female in the vicinity, and most of the boys were at least a little bit interested in what he had to say. "I would like to dedicate the prank you have just witnessed to Miss Lily Evans!!!!!" Tai put a hand quickly on Lily's arm to prevent her from jumping up and strangling Potter. Anita tightened her grip o Lily's other arem as Lily Shrieked "WHAT????" at the top of her lungs. Ouch! Lily's skin was hot. Tai could feel the heat radiating from her friend. The heat of anger. Elena McMillan and her girl squad's heads all turned as one toward Lily, identical glares on their faces, al directed towards Lily. Tai sighed. Thanks to the four 'mistakers' the next few weeks were going to be fat from enjoyable.
Dumbledore was still standing. As James sat down, the whole hall's eyes, except for the girl goon's of course who were still sending Lily the death glare, turned to their headmaster. When he started to speak, Tai had expected his voice to be merry. However, his voice was very grave. "However amusing this speech start I'm afraid it's going to have to end on a somber note. I must admit that the wizard Lord Voldemort is coming to power. This means that we are going to have to employ greater security, which is why the Heads of Houses are going to be conducting appointments with certain students. You will be informed if you are to be appointed. That is all, please. TUCK IN!"
The occupants of the great hall started mumbling and in a few seconds the volume was at a dull roar.
Tai was confused. This Lord Vledmorty or whatever it was sounded like a joke. Like a bad record label or something. It definitely didn't seem to threatening. And what did Dumbeldore mean? "To be appointed.."? Only time would answer that question.
When Tai got into her dormitory that night she decided to breach the subject of Dumbledore's speech.
"So, what did you think of Lord Voldethingy?"
Scarlett and Anita both gasped and choked on the bottled butterbeer that they kept in their room. Lily alone seemed perfectly calm.
"I don't know," Lily said, "I suppose that it's a bit serious. I wonder who McGonagal is going to talk t- what you guys?"
She was addressing Scarlett and Anita who were gaping at Tai and Lily with open mouths. Scarlett, being by far the most outspoken of the four, spoke first.
"you two just said his name. HIS name."
Tai was puzzled.
"uhhh whose name?"
Scarlett:
"what!!!!! You know who's!!!"
Tai:
"no actually, I don't know who's. What on earth are you saying Anita"
Scarlett:
"YOU KNOW WHO'S!!!!!"
Tai:
"I DO NOT!!!!!"
Scarlett:
"HE WHO MUST NOT BE NAMED!"
Tai:
"WELL YOUR GOING TO HAVE TO NAME HIM!"
Scarlett:
"WELL I CAN'T"
Tai:
"WELL YOU BETTER!"
At this point Anita dropped her voice.
Anita:
"His initials are L.V."
Tai thought for about two seconds.
Tai:
"OH! Lord Voldemort?"
Scarlett and Anita's voices as one:
Scarlett and Anita:
"AHHHH don't say the name!!!!"
Lily:
"you two do realize your being ridiculous, don't you?"
Tai:
"Yeah it's not like he can hear you, who ever he is."
Tai and Lily still weren't able to get any information out of there two friends, so they decided to leave it for a while.
When Tai walked down the circular stairs for breakfast on the third day of her fourth year, she didn't really think that her name was on the board, but there it was. Right between Remus' and Lily's names was Tai Reynolds. She was, as it turned out to report to Professor McGonagal's office during second period.
For Tai, the first period sped by quickly. She was soon seated in a chair opposite Professor McGonagal. He head of house started the meeting with a question.
"Tai, do you think that your parents will support He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, or Dumbledore?"
Tai was a little surprised at the frankness of the question. She was also very confused. What on earth did Professor McGonagal mean, support he-who-must-not-be-names, which, as far as Tai could figure out, Lord Voldemort.
"Professor? I don't' get it. What is there to support about Lord Voldemort."
It was her Professor's turn to be shocked.
"Miss Reynolds! I must ask you not to say his name in my presence ever again."
Tai was sick of it. This 'I'm scared of a simple name' thing was really getting ridiculous.
"Why not? I mean, what are you? Scared of a simple name? erm, Professor.."
Tai was afraid she was going to be chewed out, but fortunately, her professor just took a deep stabilizing breath, as though praying for patience, and began to explain how Lord Voldemort (or in Professor McGonagal's case he-who-must-not-be-named) killed and tortured innocent people. By the end of her speech, Tai under stood every ones fear. But she still couldn't see how refusing to say a name could protect you from him. She was still in a little bit of shock. She never expected anything like this.
In a strangled voice, she addressed her Professor McGonagal.
"Professor? Why isn't anyone doing anything to stop Lord Voldemort?"
Professor McGonagal looked at her almost strangely, as though she was see Tai clearly for the first time. It was almost like being stared down. Tai met her gaze levelly. Suddenly Professor McGonagal stood up.
"Miss Reynolds, I'm going to ask you to come with me."
And with that, she walked out of her office. Tai followed her, with a feeling that, not for the second time, her life was about to change.