Little Reminder: The fabulous world of Harry Potter does not belong to me, no matter how much I may want it. Thus, I credit JKR for her amazing work.
Chapter 10 What is Corrective Action?
"Hey Ari, would you be a doll and let me check my Potions homework against yours?"
Jennifer and Ari both looked up at Tristan who was smiling sweetly at Ari. Jennifer was dumbstruck when Ari stammered a response and handed over her homework without question. Tristan gave the pair a winning smile and winked at Ari before returning to the boys' table across the common room.
"Ari, you know he is just copying your work because Matt won't let him," said Jennifer carefully.
Ari gave a small withering sigh, "I know, I just couldn't refuse."
"Sure you can," said Lizzy as she sat down across from them, "you say 'No you can't.'" She pulled out her books from her bag and flipped it to the chapter they needed to read.
"I don't think that was what she meant, Lizzy," said Jenny quietly.
Lizzy looked up and raised an eyebrow, "What else could she mean?"
Ari made a small noise that sounded like crying and put her head on the table.
"Lizzy, you can be incredibly dense sometimes," said Jennifer patiently. "Did it ever occur to you that Ari might have a thing for Tristan?" Jennifer judged by the blank she got, Lizzy hadn't thought of that.
"Well, just ask him out," said Lizzy, making the situation very simple.
"I couldn't do that," cried out Ari as she raised her head. The other Gryffindors in the room looked up at the group and gave them puzzling looks. Ari blushed to the roots of her hair and looked down quickly.
"Sure you can," said Lizzy confidently. "If not," she grinned wickedly, "I bet Jenny would give you lessons."
"Honestly," said Jennifer exasperatedly, "I am not sleeping with Alan!"
"I wasn't referring to Alan actually," said Lizzy smugly. "You and Matt have been rather close lately."
Jenny glared at Lizzy, "Don't even go down that river, you'll get flooded."
Lizzy looked like she wanted to say something more, but there was a large explosion in the room. The girls looked up and saw orange smoke billowing out of the fireplace while a group of second year girls, including Jennifer's cousin Skylar, giggled.
"You have got to be kidding me," said Lizzy under her breath as she watched. A pair of Prefects rushed and escorted the girls from the room, probably to Professor Brown's office. After some short chatter, a comfortable silence fell over the room as everyone returned to their work. Just as Ari and Jennifer were finishing up for the night, Tristan sauntered over to their table again.
"Thanks for the help, Ari. You're the best," he said sweetly as he handed Ari her paper.
As he turned to go back, Jennifer called out softly, "Get any right on your own?"
Tristan turned slowly and gave her a winning smile, "A few." He returned to the table and gathered up his books and followed Alan and Matt up to their dorm.
"How can he do that?" asked Ari sadly. "Have me do anything with only a smile?"
Jennifer thought about it for a moment before she came to a conclusion. "Talent." She smiled gently at Ari, "Don't worry, I think it will get him in trouble when he is older. Come on you two, I need sleep."
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As the school year went on, Tristan's hold over Ari became steadily worse. The worst thing about it was that Tristan knew he had it. He started small; stray homework assignment, assist him in potions or do random errands. When the teachers started dishing out more work, a final charge before finals, Tristan went too far. Within four days, Ari had agreed to write two of his essays and let him copy off her exam in Defense class.
Jennifer and Lizzy hated what was happening and tried everything to help Ari, but she refused delivery. Running out of options, Jenny and Lizzy made a large decision; they went to Professor Brown.
"Professor, can we have a word?" asked Jennifer politely after class one day.
Professor Brown looked at the pair as the rest of the class filed out, "Of course." She took a seat on the edge of her desk, "What's the problem?"
It was Lizzy who told the story while Jennifer added details occasionally. When the finished Professor Brown looked out a window and remained quiet for a moment before responding, "Have you spoken to Tristan about it?"
Jennifer and Lizzy shook their heads. "That would mean betraying Ari," said Lizzy quietly.
"Umm…" responded Professor Brown. "Well then, I would suggest speaking to his friends. I doubt they are okay with his treatment of Miss Finnigan. If not, I would suggest taking corrective action."
"What do you mean Professor?" said Lizzy puzzled.
Professor Brown smiled, "Whatever you think is necessary."
Jennifer got it before Lizzy and grinned, "I think we can manage that. Thanks for your help Professor."
Professor Brown nodded and dismissed them. The pair headed back up the Gryffindor Common room and sought out Alan and Matt who were playing chess in a corner.
"Boys, could we have a quick word?" said Jennifer as she eyeballed Tristan and Ari who were across the room. Alan looked up from the board and followed Jenny's gaze. Guessing the topic he nodded and leaned back as Matt did the same.
"As you two can guess, it's about Tristan and Ari. He's using her and we want it to stop," said Lizzy, keeping her voice low.
"What makes you think we haven't already spoken to Tristan?" said Matt just as quietly. Lizzy looked taken aback and Jenny raised an eyebrow.
Alan sighed and stretched his back, "We've been trying to make him stop for weeks, and he just won't listen. Ari's a nice girl, we don't like seeing her treated this way just as much as you two."
"Well, since we are in agreement, let's do something about it," said Jennifer reasonably.
"What do you propose?" said Matt leaning in.
"We first need to keep Tristan from asking her for anything more. Then teach him how to actually treat a lady," said Lizzy.
"Well, how about one of us hang out with Ari and keep her from saying yes," said Matt. "That would stop things for now."
"Well it can't be one of us then, she just blows us off," replied Lizzy heatedly.
"Then I'll do it," said Matt. "Tristan won't ask twice if I'm there with her, I promise you."
"That sounds fine," said Jennifer as she glanced back at Tristan and Ari.
"How do you suggest we make him learn?" quizzed Alan.
"Sit him down for a chat first," said Jennifer, "Then, if he doesn't listen…" she shrugged, "we teach him the hard way; with violence."
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Well, when the time came to talk to Tristan, Jennifer missed out. A late round of the flu went around the school and Jennifer was in the hospital wing getting a draught when Alan and Lizzy sat him down for a chat. Hearing it from Lizzy though, Tristan didn't take kindly to being told what to do until threatened with Alan's fist. Ari, however, couldn't understand why Tristan wouldn't talk to her anymore and Matt was spending so much time around her.
"Don't get me wrong. Matt's a nice guy, but I prefer Tristan asking me for help," Ari complained a few evenings later.
Jennifer glanced over at the boys and caught Matt looking at them. He realized he had been caught staring and grinned sheepishly at Jennifer before burying his nose in a book.
"Maybe he has found someone else to help him," said Lizzy casually, not looking Ari in the eye.
"Probably someone pretty and outgoing," sniffed Ari.
"Unless you think Matt is pretty and outgoing, I think you're wrong," responded Jennifer.
Lizzy opened her mouth to probably make a rude comment when they heard the portrait hole open. Professor Brown stepped through and looked around; her face grave. She spotted Jennifer and motioned for her to follow.
Closing her books, Jennifer stood up and followed the professor outside into the corridor.
"What is it Professor?" said Jennifer nervously.
Professor Brown glanced down at her but remained silent, leading her on. It was only when Professor Brown said "Sugar Quills" that she realized where she was headed. She followed the Professor up a spiraling staircase and they entered the Headmistress's office. She saw a flash of red hair, saw Uncle Charlie speaking quietly to Professor Nemo and remembered seeing it before.
Professor McGonagall spoke as she motioned Jennifer into the room, "Miss Granger, I have some very bad news…"
Just to Let You Know:
Okay, I'll be the first to admit that my summer has been absolutely crazy. Until rather recently, I hadn't been on to even look around. Finally, after months, I had the chance to sit down and write. It was a liberating experience to say the least. I hope you all enjoy and please remember to REVIEW.