Disclaimer: The characters and the world in the story belong to J.K. Rowling. I am not earning any profit from it.
Note: I have been a fanfiction reader for quite a lot of years before I gave this fic a shot, so if you see any ideas seeping in that I do not openly acknowledge, just let me know and I will add the credits. I have read too many to keep a track of them but I will try my best.
1) The idea of totems belongs to Catsarecool who is writing A Marauder's plan .
2) The basic idea of dimension travel comes from Hollow Thunder, Vital Lightning by Aariya07. You will see quite a few similarities in the first couple of chapters but it diverges after that.
3) Harry was born a girl as Juniper Anastasia Potter. Everything is as it is in canon except for her romances. This is not because I don't read slash or like it. You will see a lot of them in my favorites but because I don't think that I could do justice to that genre and because I want to do this. If you do not like such fics, do not read. Please do not flame. I will welcome criticisms, I know I am not perfect, just don't meaninglessly bash me for nothing.
4) THE RATING OF THE FIC HAS BEEN CHANGED TO 'M' because of slightly more graphic descriptions of violence. It is mostly a safety measure and does not contain anything triggering yet. Future updates will carry warnings of triggers, if any emerge in the course of the story.
For your references
"Talk"
"Parseltongue"
Previously
It was Valentine's day and Cordelia presented Tom with a pocket family watch that featured her, him, Lux, Nyx, Jormy and Erin. Tom lifts up Cordelia and kisses her in a balcony on 4th floor. However, they did not know that most of the school engaged in voyeurism and was a witness to it. Tom and Cordelia come out to school officially at dinner. Lyra Greengrass confronts Cordelia, verbally abuses her. Tries to get physical but Slytherin's locket throws her across the room. Conundrum in Slytherin Dorms follows.
Chapter 34
The First Majority
Tom's POV
Time slowed down or quickened, Tom was not quite sure.
Cordelia, as the heiress had written to Lord Greengrass, and that letter was accompanied by signed and sealed missives of Heir Burke, Malfoy, Nott, Rosier, Travers, Flint and Heiress Prince. Moreover, Titania and Zabini had sent along support as a daughter and a son of an Ancient and Noble house.
Heir Avery had expressed apology on behalf of his sister Julia, and thanked Tom and Cordelia for exercising mercy the next morning.
Daniel Greengrass, the heir of the house of Greengrass was a mere first year in Slytherin and he had been very afraid (his and Cordelia's magic were too powerful) but he had kept the decorum in check and had immediately apologized to Cordelia.
Lyra had given her younger brother a disbelief filled death look but it was Densel Bulstrode's cue that made her shut up. Even Lestrange and Parkinson were silent.
So, Daniel Greengrass had also written to his father. From what Anastius had said later, Daniel Greengrass was one of the kids whom Cordelia had treated in in the infirmary and he liked her.
Slughorn had come and so had Dippet. Speechless and wordless, their personal letters were added to the mix as all prefects reported the exact events to them.
Tom had added that the locket was charmed by Goblins and a letter from goblins was sent along to the headmaster about the locket's capabilities and in her postscript, Cordelia had mentioned that the veracity of her statements about the locket was verifiable through Gringotts.
Parkinsons were similarly addressed, though Heir Parkinson, that is Perseus had not apologized on his sister's behalf.
Most of the house had been in daze, even the Blacks and Abraxas.
It seemed unreal; all of it. Just like the aftermath on the stunning spell on Cordelia.
There was a disciplinary action. Greengrass and female Parkinson were on a house arrest within their rooms until the impeding inquiry, which was scheduled the next day.
They had received words from most Governors within a couple of hours and let us just say that Lords Black, Malfoy, Burke, Longbottom, Potter, Bones, Ogden, Rowle and Macmillan were not happy at all.
The only one remaining was Yaxley.
Yaxley, well that house had been in toes with Cordelia's family from prior; a sort of a mild rivalry between the current Lord and Cordelia's father over warding. Tom was not particularly sure but he vaguely remembered something about Lord Malfoy being closer to his sister's family (Altair Black and Blacks), than his wife's (who had been Lord Yaxley's sister), and how that had not settled well with Lord Yaxley in the least.
But one vote did not matter too much. In fact, Lord Yaxley could not possibly give a biased vote in light of the clear evidence and testimonies. Especially considering the fact that Yaxley and Macmillan were both temporary members who had been elected and nominated by the permanent members of the board. One biased move and they would be out before they could blink.
That is how it happened.
The Board and the two school representatives (Headmaster and Deputy Headmaster) had met. Everyone had voted in Cordelia's favor, even Deputy Headmaster Dumbledore.
Perhaps, Dumbledore was trying to come back to good graces or perhaps, he had realized that aligning himself against a sinking craft was foolish.
Cordelia had received a solid apology from Lord Greengrass, a scant one from Lord Parkinson and even a diplomatic plea from house of Avery, who was desperate post the whole Carrow incident.
Lord Greengrass had arrived over the weekend to pick up his daughter, who had been suspended for the rest of the school year. Lyra would even have to go to Ministry to appear for her OWLS.
He had also sincerely apologized to Cordelia in person and had thanked her for healing his son and helping him out with his homework occasionally. Apparently, Daniel Greengrass mentioned her and Titania and their nice, loving support a lot in his letters.
Cordelia had graciously accepted it and chatted with him about Daniel's strengths and interests.
The look with which he had held her daughter had given away how displeased, disappointed and tired he was of her. He had not even exchanged words with her instead telling Cordelia that he looked forward to her entrance into formal politics.
Parkinson was put on probation and the rest of people who had hurled curses had received warnings.
Tom's name was kept outside of it, citing security reasons from Grindelwald and even their courtship was glossed over.
Cordelia's parents were worried and Cordelia had used the floo to talk to them and assure them of her health and had let them know that the accusations were aimed at her and Tom. Tom, Abraxas and Dorea had also spoken to them briefly and assured them that they were being very vigilant and if they felt even slightly insecure, they would not hesitate in reaching out.
While Cordelia had not explicitly said that Tom and she were together, her parents had not been surprised that people were jealous of whatever relations/friendship the two had.
Tom had gotten yet another missive from her parents next day when they thanked him for standing up for her. While they trusted their daughter's capabilities and verbal prowess immensely, they were glad that he had been there to support her unequivocally.
In fact, in his fury and protective streak even Lord Black had not even questioned Cordelia once. He had trusted her word without questions.
"He is not bad. He just likes his control …" Cordelia had said as an explanation.
And as confusing that statement was, Tom had understood. Lord Black may be obsolete, a little too paranoid, a little apathetic and a little too prideful but that did not mean that he was a villain all the time.
It did not mean that Cordelia would not need to butt her head with him. It did not mean that their disagreements would end. But it did mean that Cordelia understood people in more nuanced ways than all or none.
Of course, there were still things that were absolutely unacceptable to her.
Amongst all the chaos, the fact that both of them were together was barely touched. They still held each other, hugged each other, and had been inseparable. But no one had once commented about it or about the fact that Tom had said that they loved each other out loud and that Cordelia had not protested.
Even when everyone was brainstorming on how to respond, the issue was taken for granted. There was no questioning about how or why or when.
It made Tom realize that despite their personal reservations, most often the people around you wanted the best for you. It might get tempered with their personal prejudices or likes but people did not have selfish dispositions by default.
It was sort of enlightening and heartening to realize that. When people defended Cordelia, a lot of them had been defending him too. Winston Travers did not seem happy about the fact that both of them were together, yet he had not hesitated to offer a letter of support, had not hesitated as everyone filled the Professors in. He had also supported Abraxas' initiative about leaving Tom's title out of it, like many others. He wanted the justice, but not when it came at the cost of Tom.
Cordelia had always put him first in many respects but the small gestures from his housemates, from his friends spoke volumes.
Tom was very glad that he had Cordelia. If it were not for her, he would probably be stranger to these humanly sentiments of gratitude and camaraderie.
Tom's POV
Tom and Cordelia were softly conversing after a long, arduous week. It was Friday evening. Lyra Greengrass had left the school a few hours ago at lunch.
Tom could feel it in his bones that it was not going to get easier. Two members of that gang were out of Hogwarts, one because he attacked Tom, the other because she attacked Cordelia. On one hand, it was a sort of lesson to them that he and Lia were not lowering their guard at any cost and they would use every avenue to get back at the attackers.
On the other, both of them might have just prompted them to up their game and wait in grass like patient snakes. Cordelia had been right. They were all injured, vicious snakes. Perhaps, it was time to get Jormy back.
But Tom hated this feeling, the feeling of being hunted, which is what Cordelia seemed to have caught on.
"We need to decide if we are going to get offensive. We have been playing the safe game for too long. They think we are complacent, that we will not react outside bounds, and that our moral quotient might work against us. All we have been doing is defend. Even our offense on Carrow and Lestrange was clandestine. They need a direct, clear warning to back off. Or we take a more brutal approach; we destroy them without warning them any further," Cordelia whispered seriously.
"Total destruction is too dangerous. If we take away everything, they will not have anything to lose further and that might embolden them. No, it needs to be significantly destructive warning, where they still think they are in the game and we lay layered traps over time such that they play our tunes or lose everything. The hope of getting the upper hand needs to linger longer in their hearts," Tom murmured back, considering her stance.
"We will need to be very smart, discreet and subtle. They need to know it was us, but there should be nothing that pinpoints to us." Cordelia added, "Moreover, our defenses need to be impeccable. They should not be able to attack us or catch us off-guard. I am commissioning several layered protective enchantments. I have the locket. We need something for you. I think that the combined magic of veela, Goblins and my magic used through parseltongue should do the trick. I will write to Matriarch Radomira,"
"Lia, such favors will come at a cost. We can pay off the goblins but the Veela matriarch…" Tom cautioned.
"I think she knows my nature as a magicae. Any favor she asks will not go against my sanctity as the magicae. Of course, we will be allowed to negotiate. Veelas are not the only magical creatures. There are others who can offer aid. I just want to perform the veela charm because it uses companionate love as a fuel. Love is very strong protection, the strongest a magicae can offer." Cordelia regarded him, her eyes almost pleading. She wanted him to understand.
Tom got it. The next moment he had taken both of her palms in his hands and was addressing her, "Look, I get it. Of all the people, I get it. I would move cosmos to keep you safe. I have been paranoid and controlling and over-protective and you have taken all of that graciously. I get that you need to know that I am safe. I just want you to promise me that you will not compromise your security in your quest to protect me. Not yet, you do not have access to your full powers. I do not want you to jeopardize…" Tom shook his head.
Cordelia nodded seriously, "Together…"
"Together," Tom intoned and Cordelia rested her head on the crook of his shoulder and squeezed their palms together.
Cordelia's POV
It was not like she was not used to titles that besmirched her character or insulted her dignity or proclaimed her vulgar. Skeeter and people had done it enough when she was Juniper. Her schoolmates in France had done it enough.
On one hand, it had given her a strong resilience. On the other, her patience had thinned. Like Tom had said the day he had given her the warding stones, even when she accommodated complains of people, they inevitably found something else to complain about.
It was a never ending cycle. While constructive critiques promoted growth, this mindless and dense drivel, bashing, arguments were just for the sake of opposition.
And frankly, Cordelia had gone through enough of that to last for a lifetime.
It was calming and a soothing balm to realize that Tom got this; that his arms were tight around her not because he thought she was weak, but because he realized that even her strength and resilience needed support and empathy.
Too often, people forgot that needing/wanting support was not weakness. She was striving hard to remember it, so was Tom, and it was a good place to be.
A clearing of throat made both of them look towards the door of the Sculpting room. Both of them were sitting there waiting for the rest of the Bonanza group to arrive.
It was Abraxas and Orion.
"Are we interrupting?" Abraxas asked with genuine concern.
Cordelia shook her head genially, a bit perturbed by his caution.
"The rest of the people are here, if you would not mind joining us…" Abraxas trailed off, his tone remaining the same.
"Have people been waiting?" Cordelia quickly got up.
Abraxas and Orion froze momentarily answering their query; people had indeed been waiting.
"Why did you not call us earlier?" Tom asked, as bewildered as she was.
'Err…Dory gets really annoyed when we even accidentally interrupt her and Charlie…" Orion said sheepishly, looking quite similar to Alphard's signature look.
Tom and she let out a chuckle and exchanged looks
"We will talk about it with all of you… Let us do the meeting first?" Cordelia smiled good-naturedly.
Tom's POV
"First of all, apologies for the short noticed request for a preponing and thank you all for considering it and turning up. We had a rough week and we would like to rest during the weekend. But we also did not want to postpone this meeting because we need to do a lot." Cordelia addressed everyone.
There was a murmur of yes and affirmations.
"I thought we should have an interhouse core group who decide everything, ideally four people. I personally would nominate Lucretia from Slytherin, who knows the myths best and can pinpoint instances that are crucial for us to enact. I would nominate Babbling, because she can think of appropriate choreography and arrangements. I would also nominate Evelyn because she is very good at classical music and of course, Bolton has to be there as he is taking up direction. Of course, we will have other department heads that take care of particular branches of magic and most would be from the advanced years, but I feel the overall theme and sense of the production should be handled by people who have a strong eye for aesthetic and theatre. Magic can fall into place post that. So, I would like if we could pay attention to their analysis and decide our final stories?" Cordelia added and gave everyone a questioning look.
There was a sort of surprise from other people; two muggleborns, one half-blood and one noble pureblood as core members. She had discussed this with him at length and Tom had played the devil's advocate for a bit even though he saw no hitches.
The next moment, there was an excited chatter as everyone concurred with her choices and logic.
The meeting lasted for a bit as they finalized the stories and then divided themselves up in different smaller, magical departments.
The next meeting was scheduled for Friday where each sub group would give updates and discuss. Of course, the sub groups were going to arrange meetings at their discretion amongst themselves.
Cordelia's POV
That night Cordelia crafted the missive to Matriarch Radomira. The central nest was somewhere in Bulgaria so it would take a while to reach it. Most full Veela were taking shelters in the hidden central nest in light of the carnage Grindelwald was leaving behind.
Ultimately, they had decided to send Quetzalcoatl with a tiny crystal that had Cordelia's magic as a protective charm and as a way to identify the veracity of the sender. The Veela Matriarch had treated and handled Cordelia as a mere infant numerous times and was familiar with the signature.
Cordelia might need Zephyr as the Heiress Black.
Of course, the missive did not mention her as a magicae or anything to insinuate who Tom was. Cordelia had merely written the missive considering Veela an ally and had hinted on an exchange of resources. Cordelia had talked about the charm through metaphors and had coded the words.
It would take a while for Quetzalcoatl to reach and come back. And Cordelia knew that the reply would not come through Quetzalcoatl. They had a long wait until the Veela responded.
Cordelia, however, had other plans in motion. The Goblin protection should arrive within a stipulated time of a week.
So, she was a little relieved and relatively less hassled and tense when she went to bed. After a long week, she had a dream free sleep for a bit.
But then, it did not last.
Cordelia woke up in the night because she felt Tom's unrest. He was sweaty and jittery and as soon as Cordelia separated herself from him to see what happened, he opened his eyes.
"I am feeling weird, might have an infection. You should move away…" He said weakly.
Cordelia merely touched his forehead and where her hand was, a thrum of magic stopped for a bit before spreading across Tom's body again.
In the next moment, Cordelia had called an elf, which popped them outside the room of requirement.
Tom was dizzy and dazed and did not react until they were inside on a soft, plushy bed.
"What, what is wrong?" He asked gently.
The creases on Cordelia's forehead vanished as she regarded him with a sheepish smile, "Nothing is wrong. You are feeling ill because your body is saturated with magic. You will go into your majority in a bit as your channels expand…
"You have a powerful core. The majority could be noisy and destructive. All of it is repairable, of course. But a majority this early is a little unheard of. It would catch attention, the kind we do not want." Cordelia filled him in, soothing his forehead with a gentle caress.
"Is it painful?" Tom asked gently. He did not know anything about majorities but the basics which told him that he would have it on his 17th Birthday, which was also not a compulsion apparently. `
"No, it is not painful. It is not even uncomfortable. Though, it can be very overwhelming. For the next few hours, you and magic will be closer than you will ever be. You will sense it everywhere and the sensation can be a bit perturbing. The room is good that way because it is a diverse set of magic spread across. You will not be forced to focus on one thing." Cordelia assured him.
"How does it happen?" Tom asked.
"So, your body has been collecting magic beyond your threshold for quite some time. Now, that magic is not containable within your current channels, so it is going to create more channels to accommodate itself. You will feel a little weak and a little high during the process because magic sorta takes over everything and it is an out of body experience. But it is completely safe and you will wake up more energized and lighter than you remember yourself once it is settled…your spells might be overpowered for a bit though," Cordelia was forcing herself to be clinical in her tone and words.
The truth was that she was worried. Very worried.
Whatever she was saying was the truth; magical majorities were nothing to be worried about. Most people underwent theirs in sleep without even noticing.
Unfortunately, Tom was not most people. His magical power alone was a very volatile bit. On top of it, he was recognized as her alpha mate by her magic. Sure, the bond will not settle until both of them had majorities, but the fact was that the bond existed.
Cordelia had humongous magical channels even without her majority. She was the perfect conductor of magic. And all those channels were linked to Tom's channels.
This could go wrong or take an unpredictable tangent anytime and she did not know what to do.
The best she could do was being near Tom and watch.
Magic would not be so cruel that it would hurt the love of its child, simply because the child met and recognized the love before she became a fully-fledged magicae, would she?
Cordelia just swallowed, then prayed and rubbed Tom's palms in circles as he drifted in a sleep or the majority fog.
Tom's POV
Cordelia's descriptor was correct. The next few hours were an out of body experience. He could not quite correctly describe it.
It was as if someone had magnified his abilities as Osculastas est Magic exponentially. Such vivid trails, shapes, figures, scattered points of magic everywhere. That is all he sensed; he heard different kinds of magic, felt different pressures all over, saw something that he could not categorize.
He lost all sense of the material world. He was as good as floating in a limbo, nowhere.
For the first time, he probably smelled magic and it was unlike and incomparable to anything else. He had not smelled anything that was better or homely, except that one thing.
In the midst of all the magic, there was this…there was this concentration of magic. It hovered near him and everything about it made him want to remain near it.
Surprisingly, it never moved away from him, just staying there. Out of every sensory kaleidoscope the rest of space went through, that speck (actually it was larger than a speck) remained constant.
He kept staring at it, if you could call it that. Maybe focusing was the better world. In the endless world, it was the North Star.
He lost sense of time, space.
His first conscious sense was smelling something familiar and he murmured out loud, "Lia," and he felt a hand go through his wet, sweaty hair in a gentle caress and warm, soft hands cradle his face.
He opened his eyes and the vivid bright, relieved yet concerned emerald orbs of his love greeted him. Cordelia was sitting right where his North Star had been. Before he knew, he was extending his hands and cupping her cheeks and he received a smile in response to that as she took his palms in her gentle hands.
Her soft lips touched his sweaty forehead and her breathy whisper, "You must be tired love, sleep," was the last thing he sensed before falling asleep.
Tom's POV
When Tom woke up, he was cuddled up into Cordelia. His arms were around her waist, his head was right under her chin and his torso was wrapped in her petite body.
Her long black hair were spread wildly on the pillow and she slept uninhibitedly, without a care in the world. Her breathing was even and her fingers were gently locked into his locks and his neck. Slight sudden movements from Tom made them ticklish, such was her gossamer touch.
Tom raised himself up a bit and her fingers tickled the back of his neck and an involuntary shudder and laughter went through his torso. Cordelia's breathing stopped for a second and then evened again.
Tom saw his wand and her wand on the sidetable and then he glanced around at the location the room of requirement had come up with.
This bed was a sort of replica of the one in the master bedroom that was in Cordelia' trunk apartment. The rest of it was empty. All of it was bare, but for a slight, really dim lamp near one sidetable.
Tom was tempted to pick up his wand and cast a tempus. But he was afraid that Cordelia would have something to say about it.
She had warned him about power escalations and how the body needed to stabilize before…yeah, he was not taking a chance, not just because it might be dangerous to her as she was so near in proximity but because he did not like to anger her all the same.
Cordelia could be very stringent about his health.
Just then, he glanced at Cordelia who still had closed her eyes. Her hand was moving precisely in a summoning pattern and before Tom knew, a pitcher of water was pouring a glass of water while both were hovering in front of him.
"Give me 5 minutes…" She mumbled, snuggling back in the blanket.
Tom raised himself into a sitting position and drank up the water. His throat was parched and he was very thirsty. Cordelia definitely knew her healing even when barely awake.
Few minutes later, Cordelia was fully awake. She had proceeded to throw various types of diagnostic charms and after she was satisfied, she had allowed him to pick up his wand and do as much magic as he wanted.
But before he could, he was wrapped in her arms and she was excitedly congratulating him.
Lia had certain seemingly contradictory traits.
After Tom was done testing, they merely had to travel back in time for a few hours so that no one got worried or alerted.
Evelyn's POV
The inner circle had taken the attack on Cordelia as a very big slight. They had met without Tom and Cordelia over the weekend at Dorea, Abraxas, Titania and Ogden's behest.
While the first reaction had been disbelief and speechlessness about what went down, it had later morphed into a solid irritation and determination.
Cordelia had been called several unsavory names. Sure, there were woman who were vulgar or characterless or a hundred different bad slurs about women, but Cordelia was not one. She could not be.
And all of that just because of Slughorn and his stupid charm.
Alphard had been going on about getting even with the Potions Masters but Dorea and Ogden had deftly reminded everyone that none of them had protested and had , in fact, participated in the voyeurism.
"It is hypocritical of us to now blame just him. We are as much a cause…" Titania had nodded in agreement.
"What do we do now? Do we tell them?" Abraxas asked hesitantly and nervously. 'Them' referred to Tom and Cordelia.
"Sure, if you want Lord Slytherin to chop all of us, and you want Heiress Black to curse all of us into oblivion. In that case, it is a very sound plan. Heiress Black has a very high threshold when it comes to testing her patience and control. All of us crossed that line by a lot. And of course, Lord Slytherin is very protective of her. If he gets a hint that she suffered the remarks because we indulged and allowed others to indulge…" Burke shook his head.
"It is good thing that Jormy is away. I wonder what…." Alphard muttered.
Every non-Slytherin was confused, even Eve herself. Jormy was Tom's familiar and 'she' was apparently scary but Eve had no context to make sense of Alphard's comments.
"We cannot let it go…I know disciplinary actions have been taken and whatever, but that is the official end of things. We need to make it clear that attacks on them will not be tolerated. Both of them stand up for other people. They deserve the same courtesy." Charlie said.
All the women exchanged looks and then Walburga spoke, "We have already sort of rolled out something. Most of us who are from noble houses have written to our mothers or grandmothers or aunts. Greengrass is going to be a pariah in the women's circle completely."
"It can have a rebound…What if they think that Cordelia deserved it?" It was Bones who pointed that out.
"They will not. Cordelia has an image, a reputation and a certain sway. I have hardly met an adult who disapproves of her. Even when she questions or debates or challenges Noble Lords, she does it with such a grace and decorum that nobody minds. Lords do not allow or even barely tolerate older, graduated heirs interrupting their inputs or participating in their discussions. They allow her that leeway. They even invite her inputs. They will not believe that Cordelia Faye Black is capable of being vulgar or…It is just not possible." It was Rowle who said that.
"The only lords who disapprove are Yaxley, Carrow, Lestrange, Parkinson and Selwyn. Everyone knows that Yaxley envies Altair Black so if he says anything; it will come out as petty. The others are from an antagonist group anyway and everyone knows that. Lestrange has been in tiff with House Black for the longest and they have always lost. House of Carrow and Parkinson are not in a position to lambast Cordelia, not when their heirs are notorious for lack of control and decorum. Lord Selwyn has the seat only through marriage. He will not use up his limited standing to get into a cold war with an adolescent heiress," It was Ogden who produced the analysis.
"The situation with women is slightly complex. There are people who are envious of her. Word about her independence is not afloat yet. Cordelia has a very docile and demure image in masses. The envy could harm us. Fortunately for us, people dislike Lyra Greengrass more…" Titania said.
"Do not get me started on her image. Everyone is tired of her high strung, pretentious and superior attitude." Gambol groaned.
"On top of it, she is a dimwit of the highest order. Everyone knows that," Prince rolled her eyes.
"She is just too condescendingly proud of her blonde locks and beauty and to be honest, everyone secretly thinks that Cordelia has much more to be proud about on the beauty end and any other end and yet she is as humble, kind and generous as ever…" Gore shrugged.
"Which is why, we thought it would be prudent to initiate conversations and spread the word, so to speak. Between Greengrass and Cordelia, people will unconditionally choose Corrie especially when Lord Greengrass sided with Cordelia," Dorea explained.
"That will take care of the nobles, what of others?" It was Sebastian who asked that.
"Cordelia has always been above the blood politics. She never discriminates. Other people know of her and know her. She has made considerable effort to reach out to people other than the nobles. She meets and greets, and she remembers them and respects them. For that reason alone, she is going to be rooted for in the purebloods…" Applebee said.
King nodded, "Cordelia has always been approachable, quite unlike the Greengrass daughter."
"We do not have a halblood in our circle but Lord Slytherin. I hardly think that they would complain about her. Cordelia has always been gracious and well, she is being courted by a halfblood." Rowle shrugged.
"That is a very big statement about her open-mindedness,"Shafiq nodded.
"Well, the muggleborns like her…"Jade Marks offered, looking at Evelyn to ask if she thought or knew differently.
"They do; a lot." Evelyn nodded.
"Like is an understatement…word about Bolton taking lead in Bonanza has spread like wildfire and everyone knows that Cordelia was behind it. Of course, Evelyn and Cordelia's friendship has been of interest to the grapevine for a long time. Moreover, Cordelia and Lord Riddle have demonstrated their maturity and regards for everyone quite aptly, especially with the inclusive courts and the way they handled communications and backlash," Anastius Zabini put in his two knuts.
"I completely forgot what they did with the court!" Longbottom mused.
"Not entirely surprising considering your brain size! We fifth years have always known…" Walburga mocked.
Prince, Applebee, Marks burst into laughter. Charlie, Dorea, Orion and Gambol split into smiles. Everyone allowed themselves a moment of mirth as Longbottom rolled his eyes sportingly.
"This takes care of the grapevine and will likely lead to exclusion of the problematic elements, but it is still not a clear message from us. I think that is what Heir Potter was indicating towards…" Pritchard pointed out.
"We could always prank them into the seventh hell," Anastius proposed quite seriously.
"Yeah, and every prefect turns a blind eye. I would love to do that. We could convince people to do that!" Prince said.
"We cannot use our positions so…selectively!" Bones pointed out, "It will not be fair."
"Well, the need to be fair is a Hufflepuff need, Heir Bones. Slytherins believe in getting even," Burke shrugged.
"Besides, there is no Professor who would protest. Except Dumbledore maybe and his reputation is in shambles anyway?" Ogden said.
"You are the Head boy!" Applebee looked at him like he had grown an extra head.
"Tiberius has always been a closeted prankster." Gambol shook her head knowingly.
"Also, fairness does not mean adhering to official decrees. I personally felt that the aggressors got very light punishments. Greengrass had planned on using cursed fire to burn Cordelia's face. That is—"Shafiq said darkly.
"I did not know that." Abraxas looked furious now.
"We found out a few hours ago which is why we asked you to call a meeting. Uncle wrote to me. Lyra was adamant that she did not do anything and that the goblins and Cordelia had schemed to destroy her and what not! She insisted on charging Cordelia with using Love potions and assault." Ogden sighed as he massaged his temples.
"Likely her mother's tutoring. Prunella Greengrass nee Crabbe is known for her histrionics and hysterical tendencies." Titania sighed too.
"Yes, but in their limited capacities, they did not factor in that there are ways to verify things. Lord Greengrass is the legal guardian and he permitted the aurors to use Veritaserum considering the only basis for any charge on Cordelia is Lyra's testimony, especially in light of so many testimonies supporting Cordelia. He was even amenable to using a mind art. Lyra protested when she realized but it was already too late. She wanted to shave Cordelia's head, burn her hair and face and several other things. It is confidential because Cordelia's parents are worried about the affect it would have on her. Lord Greengrass is horrified and he has sent his wife and daughter packing into a decrepit family estate. There is no criminal case only because Cordelia and Lord Slytherin's forethought on protection prevented…" Ogden shook his head, his hand still at his temple.
"My grandfather wrote to me. Pillwickle and he go a long way back. While he respects the wishes of adults to spare Cordelia the details and even more, was impressed by her personal forethought and patience, he wants us to be cautious and aware. Lord Greengrass is very apologetic and has likely made several amends but the other houses, especially Parkinson and Carrow are not above making desperate moves." Shafiq informed.
"And we need to prevent things and not wait for a chance for revenge. What good is our revenge if Cordelia or Tom gets permanently hurt?" Charlie squeezed Dorea's hands.
"Cordelia has been worse for wear thrice now. Tom has been attacked too. It is a pattern. People are out to get them." Gore said, "The match, the fall, the letter and now Greengrass."
"We suspect the first two to be Lestrange." It was Abraxas who confided.
"Lestrange dislikes me but I do not think that he would attack me so strongly…" Charlie looked perplexed.
"It was not an attack on your person, Charlie. That morning Cordelia destroyed Renatus over an argument about your Quidditch skills. He called her a wench and Tom got angry and stepped in and Renatus was bashed a bit by their collective wit. Lestrange was likely angry and while Tom and Cordelia were sort of untouchable because they were between us, you were not. I did not think of it then. None of us did until Anastius and Alphard started maintaining a victory sheet of all the times Cordelia dissed the lot of them after the whole Greengrass thing. They went into that morning's reminiscence session and it took Abraxas, Walburga and me merely moments to realize the connection. Lestrange attacked you to get back at Cordelia." Dorea said, her fingers nervously moving in circles around each other.
"Then Cordelia beat him quite viciously in the dueling class of Merrythought. He had made ruckus about her not being able to get better grades because she was a woman. Two days later, she was hit with that stunning spell. Lestrange upped his game…" Abraxas said darkly.
"That makes a lot of sense but both Heir Potter and Heiress Black could have died," Rowle said hesitantly.
"Maybe it did not cross their minds?" Longbottom shrugged, "They are a bit dim,"
"That lot has never made secrecy about their cruelty or homicidal tendencies. I doubt that it did not occur to him that it could have been a fatal injury. He probably just did not care or rather was glad that their deeds could cause so much damage." Gambol shook her head thoughtfully and in revulsion.
"And they have been covering their tracks and have not got caught. Let us not underestimate them." Pritchard said warningly.
"I also think that Carrow staged the potions accident that Cordelia managed to prevent; which means that he likely sent the letter too. That lot knew this; which is why they thought that whatever happened to Carrow was retaliation from us or both of them." Abraxas put forward.
It was as if someone had illuminated something and everyone had a stark moment of realization.
"This is serious. They have been trying to actively kill or severely harm them. They are not even concerned about other fatalities. Erumpent fluid in Alihotsy draught would have harmed everyone in vicinity; all the Slytherin and Ravenclaw fourth years. And these are just the successful attempts that came to our notice; I wonder what else they were —" Rowle was shocked.
All of them were catching on. Lestrange had been playing hide and seek for very long and it was nice to see that it was not just Tom, Cordelia and she who saw through it.
"We need to tell Uncle…"Ogden whispered.
"Absolutely Not!" Cordelia's clear, strong, vehement voice rung across the room.
Evelyn glanced around the room in between the silence as everyone imitated her stance. The thing was that Cordelia was nowhere in the room.
"Oh, come on…" Cordelia's annoyed voice filled the room. Evelyn could distinctly picture her rolling her eyes.
And right in front of them in the center of the room, within the circle they were standing/sitting in, Cordelia's head appeared as a really strong disillusionment charm began fading from her body.
"But…" Abraxas was opening and closing his mouth.
"That is a NEWT level spell…"Sebastian was outraged.
The seniors were just looking at Cordelia as if they could not believe…
"How did you get in? We warded it!" Burke cried out, almost stomping his feet.
"You really think that just basic wards would keep me out…" She said theatrically.
"But they did not fall or break…" It was Ogden who protested.
"It is possible to bend wards, Tiberius." Cordelia genially informed.
Of course!
"Impossible, it takes a different level of mastery to be able to do that…I cannot do that…" Bones shook his head.
"In case you forgot, Heir Bones, my father happens to be a ward master. This was one of the most basic wards I have ever seen. And just because a magic is beyond your reach, does not mean that no one else holds the capability to do it," Cordelia said calmly with a raised brow.
Heir Bones looked sheepish and apologetic immediately.
"How much did you hear?" Abraxas asked with hesitation.
Cordelia looked amused and she rolled her eyes, "Enough."
"You need not be so clandestine…"Dorea reproached.
"I did not," Cordelia agreed, "But as Pritchard and Rowle rightly said…the people you were referring to will go any lengths. The walls have ears. Do not have such sensitive conversations without proper measures!" Cordelia asserted with a warning.
A moment later, she waved her wand intricately in a round movement and a shimmering ward took over the room.
"What do you think?" Charlie asked.
"About what?" Cordelia asked.
"Our theories, what should we do?" Sebastian cried out.
"Anything you claim to be your theory is not news to me." Cordelia said calmly.
There was ruckus as the room collectively began speaking, reproaching, and a bang of Cordelia's wand silenced everyone.
"Shut. Up. Or I will stuff Anastius and Alphard's stinky socks in all of your mouths…" Cordelia said threateningly.
The Slytherin men and the Black sisters immediately pinched their noses. Most of the others were staring at Cordelia in a sort of daze.
Once the silence was maintained and everyone just looked compliant, Cordelia spoke again with a solid glare, "Now speak, one by one, without reacting like buffoons or letting go of your rational capacities."
"You have known that they are out to hunt you?" Abraxas' eyes were blazing but he said this with a deathly calm.
"And you are still traveling alone?" Sebastian cried out, opening his arms in disbelief.
"Yes, Tom and I have known. No, I am not traveling alone because Tom dropped me here." Cordelia replied very calmly.
"He left alone?" Charlie's brows scrunched.
"Yes, he needed to pick up Jormy so he used a secret passageway that only the two of us know about. He will be perfectly safe," Cordelia continued her calm responses.
"You did not tell us…"Abraxas' tone was accusatory.
"Why would I have told you?" Cordelia calmly questioned back.
"We could have….we could have…" Abraxas lashed angrily and let out a string of cuss words aside.
"Reacted without thinking and lashing out before assessing the situation…which is what all of you were doing currently." Cordelia fixed all of them with a look.
"We were discussing," Walburga glared.
"Yes, without taking proper precautions and inviting the wrath of the gang upon you, so without thinking or assessing," Cordelia said easily, conjured a love seat on one side and dropped on it leisurely.
She raised her one brow throwing a challenge on everybody.
"This is quite unusual Cordelia. You invited all of us to be your confidantes but if you keep pertinent information like this…" Ogden was shaking his head.
"How is it pertinent?" Cordelia asked.
"They are out to kill you…" Dorea's eyes blazed.
"And how is that relevant to running of the court or the ruling council? Those are personal vendettas and not at all related to the politics of the school," Cordelia promptly asked and explained.
"But they are….Heiress Black, it affects your position as…" Heir Bones began but could not complete his thought.
"Personal is political, Cordelia. You say that…" Shafiq said quietly after a momentarily silence.
"And Lestrange and Carrow are attacking you because you have been taking positions of powers within the politics of school, a position you do not deserve according to them because you are a woman," Titania added, her eyes reproaching.
Cordelia took a deep breath, "I have known that Carrow attacked Charlie as the same time when I began arguing with Dumbledore that night. I intended to keep the information to myself but Tom has ways of making me cough up things."
But before Abraxas or Dorea could say anything, Cordelia's gesture from her palm indicating stop, halted them, and so Cordelia continued, "All of you are novices and amateurs in Wizangomot politics and even more so in personal lives. I knew that it was him but I had no proof apart from circumstantial evidence. I have been building a legal case with the help of Tom since then but we do not have anything substantial that can be corroborated except Lyra Greengrass. And that is also my word against hers, my mind against hers.
"While I can submit myself to a mind art inquiry, I would like to remind you that I have as an Heiress other duties that will become compromised with such an inquiry. Moreover, everyone knows how trained Blacks are in the mind arts. People will not believe me. Moreover, Greengrass was just plainly jealous and reacted. She is too unpredictable a player to be manipulated by the others. They might have encouraged her affections towards Tom but that is not a crime.
"In your outrage and righteousness and your desire to stand by us or protect us, all of you would have made mistakes, left trails, things that I would rather not worry about. There are bigger games at play here and all of you are ignoring them in your worry and anger. The Locket in my neck is not a mere jewelry or a token of Tom's love. It is his worry coupled with his need to protect me. Both of us took steps. We did not go in blind. And yes, we have let our guard down and got caught in traps, but those were one out of 100.
"I did manage to create a shield to contain the Erumpent Fluid. And it is class A non-tradable ingredient. If we created an inquiry about it, we were not going up against Carrow. We were going up against his black market suppliers, kingpins and a whole chain of people that we do not have the capability to go against right now. Tom and I have been living very carefully and I did not want to extend that to all of you. When you live in such a worry, it is… And I did not for once believe that informing you could do any good. Look at you, all of you. You have been skipping meals, avoiding sleep, working too much while ignoring school work. And you are worried, so, so worried.
"This is what happened the last time there was an attack on me. All of you lost it and you are losing it again. As mighty and as accomplished or mature you think all of you are, you are still a bunch of kids. We are still a bunch of kids. And the feeling of being preyed on, of being hunted, of being in danger and the paranoia and the maladaptive caution that comes with it is not something that I wished to impose on you. Tom knows simply because he functions better when he knows everything and I know that. I am the Heiress and I am the ruling council as well and it is within my discretion to protect you, especially in regards to something that does not directly affect you."
"You think you being hurt will not affect us…"Abraxas was aghast.
"Don't twist my words, Abe. You know what I meant; I was not willing to pull all of you into danger simply because I was in danger. In fact, Tom and I went to great lengths to protect each other. But we do not have the resources to protect everyone currently. I would have gladly confided everything to all of you if I was convinced that I was capable of extending the protection to all of you. We knew they are targeting me or Tom. We can focus our energies and brains there. Can you imagine what intricate webs will develop if each one of you was dragged into this?
"There might be strength in numbers but too many people also spoil things, reveal secrets, and give away advantages. On top of it, it is a scheduling nightmare to protect over a dozen people who might be attacked from everywhere. Or are you telling me that you would have refrained from reacting, would have only advised or suggested things had we confided in you, instead of taking the fight in open, in halls, in corridors? Even the most cautious, wise and prudent of our lot is not yet so refined as to play this delicate game, and even though I consider Tom and I ace players, I refuse to use or position or direct any of you to be our pawns or puppets." Cordelia's eyes turned reproaching.
It was true, all of it. Cordelia was right in her assessment. The current meeting was foolhardy, Eve had known that but she rarely voiced things.
"But how can you expect us to take this silently? They are attacking you, they want to kill you," It was Charlie who cried out.
"I don't expect you to take this silently. That would be cruel, which is why I never told you. You would not know or realize it, ergo you would not feel a compelling need to respond or react to it…" Cordelia said calmly.
"But we know now…" Abraxas cried out.
"And I never said that I am not willing to take your inputs, or your concerns or your worries…now." Cordelia sighed," I was merely explaining my silence and need for secrecy before all of you joined the dots together."
"Does Lord Black know?" It was Sebastian who asked.
"No, and he will not know." Cordelia said with finality, "All of you need to realize that while all of us joined the dots easily, all of this is speculative and our theories are mere conjectures. The information available to us was also available to the aurors and they were not able to create a case. We do not have proof, evidence or testimony. All of it is hearsay, circumstantial evidence and we are up against nobility. The first thing that you should learn as sons and daughters of noble houses or any other person is that it is utterly foolish to pursue a case that is less than iron clad or open and shut against a noble born.
"Even open and shut cases have been buried under blood, documents and bribes. We are dealing with houses that merely have one son, one chance at continuation of the line and we have grievances with those sons. I need not elaborate how desperate those houses are going to get. I need not tell you the blood that will spill. I would rather not have to bury anything or, Morgana forbid, anyone so WE will not be telling any Head of the houses or aurors," Her last statement if possible was even more forceful.
The faces of Ogden, Bones, Applebee, Longbottom, Potter and even Gore were ashen. Shafiq, Rowle, Burke, Titania, Zabini, Pritchard, King and Walburga had thin pressed lines in place of their lips. They agreed with Cordelia's stark assessment.
Dorea, Abraxas, Alphard were struggling, perhaps facing a dissonance in standing by their sister or reconciling with the bloody history of nobility.
Lucretia and Orion were compliant. Evelyn herself probably looked shaken but she also accepted what Cordelia said.
"All of you are playing a game you do not know how to play. You are playing it with skewed eyes and with a skewed perception. The world is not divided into all or none, black or white and evil or good. Most of the populace falls under the bell curve. Regardless of your stance, your morality, your idealogy they are going to be apathetic, be it noble purebloods, purebloods, half bloods or muggleborns. They are not going to take sides. People like to watch or be on sidelines more than they enjoy being in the thick of it. Where were your righteous sides when muggleborns were discriminated against? Where were they when I was not here? Where were they when the whole of Slytherin was demonized and discriminated against?
"You are willing to speak to take stand now because you are the primary stakeholders, because someone singled you out as their people and you want to maintain the collective identity. You have automatically assigned yourself the position of being better than those whom you stand against, more moral, on the 'good' side. Not necessarily wrong, but taking absolute moral positions will have its pitfalls and you all fell into one ceremoniously.
"Most muggleborns are too afraid to take a stand for themselves; it is high and mighty of you to expect them to stand up for someone in between a noble cold war. Half bloods are the oddballs who do not belong, neither wizard nor muggle. They cling to any safe space and it is not always going to be us. For instance, Minerva does not believe in us, nor do many others. Now, Tom might be a halfblood but he is charismatic, he is powerful and even he would not have engaged in a legal noble battle without his nobility. Survival is an important instinct and you can shove your relative morality through drain. And purebloods, the poor pawns in nobles' games will be...it is not going to be pretty. And for what? Something as petty as adolescent egos." Cordelia gave them a withering look of disbelief.
There was an utter silence as Cordelia glared down at everyone.
"We cannot stay quiet. They are trying to kill you…"Abraxas tried weakly. He looked drained.
"I never said we were." Cordelia sighed, "But you need to get over yourself, realize that you are not the best or the most moral people, get off that high horse. This is a political game of who comes out on top and if we misstep, we will be creating reverberations that would transcend decades. Nobility does not forget easily. I am not saying that we have to let them go scot free, I am not even saying that we have to abide by the law or not exploit the gray areas and whatever. But I need you all to be mature, to think in a more nuanced manner. We know that they are trying to kill bit others do not. They do not have the same context and aurors have failed to establish any… They know about my spat with Renatus before the match where Charlie got hurt. They had probable cause to interrogate but they have not. Can you think why? Pillwickle and Bob Ogden cannot be bought. They will not stand by as things happen, so what could it possibly mean?
"Auror department has pressures. It is spread thin with Grindelwald. Raising hell in nobility is only going to prove detrimental to everything, especially the funding of Auror department. Moreover, administering truth potion or leglimency to check Renatus is out of the window. Lord Greengrass was generous, Lord Lestrange….he will burn anyone who comes near his heir. And as much as it pains me to say, I am a woman and our gender is presumably prone to hysterical tendencies in the eyes of everyone. I have grounds to be dismissed right away. And every time I leave the demure image and fight back, I am a worrisome meddler. We are up against the normative course of things. It is not as easy as you think. And I am not putting Tom in line of the fire of Lords and ladies. I refuse to play a game which might harm him. Harm all of you! We are young, our alliance is young, and our ideation is young. We cannot fight back unless we grow, we mature, we prepare. It would be a futile…" Cordelia looked as drained as Abraxas as she shook her head but when she raised her head and met their gazes, the fire in her eyes was still there.
"What do we do?" It was Ogden who asked in a whisper.
"Calm down," Cordelia half directed, half pleaded.
"How can we?" Abraxas asked with a pained expression.
"Look, all of you. I get it. You are feeling hunted. It is not nice. But the past is done, we are safe and we need to look at the future. Carrow and Greengrass are out of picture for this year. I am not sure if they will be back at all. Lord Greengrass is embarrassed by Lyra and Lord Carrow is too afraid for Albert. Moreover, Lyra went out because of attacking me. There was a consequence and she is a joke. Even Albert is a joke and as far-fetched it seems to all of you, that gang does think that I or Tom or both of us had something to do with what happened to him. They might hate us because of what happened to Carrow and their own assumptions about it but they have always hated us. But if they think that we were so smart and so vicious, they will also be afraid of us.
"And who is left? Parkinsons, Lestrange and Julia? Perseus is a craven of the highest order and is shaken to the core right now. Aimee is dumb. Julia is too passive and pressured by her father right now because of Albert. She is too focused on not having the engagement broken than anything else. All who is left is Lestrange. I am not saying that he is not dangerous because he has considerable influence in some purebloods in Slytherin but the danger is really less. And not to mention the high alert that is around after Greengrass. They know that attacking me is not going to end well. People are going to be more protective than ever. Lyra was dumb, Lestrange is not. Their next step as a collective will be fading into background for a bit. They cannot afford more casualties. Which gives us time to prepare and prepare we will…" Cordelia shrugged.
"But they cannot go Scot-free? Lestrange nearly murdered you!" Charlie was furious.
"Do you have proof?" Cordelia asked him gently.
"But…but…"
"It all makes sense in our head. It has to be him. But do we have proof? Anything? Or are we the self-styled justice system where we are going to hurt people on mere suspicion? Moreover, we are fighting against a snake. They hide, they bide their time and they will catch us off-guard. An injured snake… I want us to be patient on this one, I request all of you to be patient. They will make mistakes and we will make sure they pay for everything. But we cannot react, we have to respond. That is what makes us better." Cordelia pointed out.
"I agree with you Cordelia but we cannot be complacent as well…" Ogden said, clearly baffled.
"We cannot win this one by our morals. I am sorry to ask all this out of all of you. I know that you think that we are in the right and that alone makes everything justified, but you need to be realistic. There are no cases against them, they are covering their tracks. What if in our over-zealousness we make mistakes, we get caught? What is our explanation going to be? Lestrange might have tried to kill Cordelia. Do you see how ridiculous that sounds? But not for one moment am I asking us to be complacent, I am just asking us to be smarter about it!" Cordelia rebutted.
"So, you will not mind in the least if we prank them into the seventh hell." Zabini asked carefully, "As long as it does not come back to bite us?"
"Not at all," Cordelia shrugged but then narrowed her eyes at him, "But you better have me on the committee that plans it!"
There was a light laughter that turned bigger as people heaved sighs of relief at Cordelia's pointed mood change.
"No I am serious. No serious physical harm to them, no way to give us detentions or point drops. I am not for humiliating people in pranking but they kind of deserve it. But we need to smart and creative." Cordelia raised her hands in surrender.
"We are on it…" Alphard said, exchanging looks with Zabini and Gambol.
"Pranking does not cover the proportionate consequences." Abraxas astutely pointed out.
"I said so serious harm in pranking, Abraxas. Moreover, it is limited to physical attacks that will leave evidence. There are better ways to hurt people than physical injuries." Cordelia shrugged.
"You want to fight a clandestine political war," Shafiq asked.
"I want a slumber attack. I don't want them to realize the ramifications of engaging with us until it is too late…But I also do not want to devote an awful lot of time to countering them alone. We build our political acumen, our standing, our strength, and our numbers. Every single mark we leave, our every victory is a slap in their face. They will be so fixated with trying to fail our efforts that they will not realize the side game." Cordelia admitted.
"Are you sure Cordelia? I know you are afraid of a political backlash, but your life is worth more than merely avoiding a backlash." Ogden asked.
Charlie began, "Hell no, we should—"
"Not a word, Charlie." Cordelia glared at him.
"While I do not agree entirely with Cordelia, I must say that we should listen to her. Her points have merit. Overzealousness will not get anywhere," Titania wiped the sweat off her brow.
"I do agree that revenge can be achieved without physical hurt. In fact, that is the wisest course of action. She is right. Attacking her would be a dumb move. Lestrange is pompous and uncouth and even unaware but dim he is not. He knows that it is not worth attacking Cordelia right now. In fact, an attack would strengthen the discourse that presents her as a resilient and graceful leader, which they do not want," Shafiq added his bit.
"But we cannot have—" Bones trailed off as the shimmery ward parted to let Tom enter.
"What cannot we have?" He gave Bones a questioning look as he stood unaffected by all the stared.
"You can bend wards too?" King looked dumbfounded.
"Not really. Fortunately, Lia knows how to construct wards and incorporate exceptions." Tom shrugged as he approached Cordelia, who shifted a little on the love seat and allowed Tom to plop gracefully beside her.
"You have to teach me that!" Burke demanded. Charlie nodded eagerly.
"She does not have to do anything," Tom calmly replied before Cordelia could address it.
"Where is Jormy?" Dorea said hastily, probably in an attempt to quell the argument that was sure to happen.
"In our living quarters. She is not exactly innocuous, Dorea. And well, she kind of missed Lux and Nyx," Tom simply replied.
It was not even a minute and both he and Cordelia were gently leaning on each other with their arms and fingers interlaced. It did not seem like a conscious move. They just were so comfortable with each other's presence. Tom whispered something to her and Cordelia immediately recalled something.
"Oh yes, the reason I was actually seeking all of you," Cordelia's expression changed.
Evelyn felt a palpable relief take over the shoulders. Burying bodies and scandals, political trails and games wore her out. She did not want to see Cordelia hurt or Tom but she also did not want to deal with this reality.
She could only imagine what Cordelia's family, her cousins were going through. She got their position, she really did but at the same time, she was impressed by Cordelia's willingness to play the long game and not take immediate vicious revenge. It somehow seemed unlike her.
"Oh, will the two shut up with your guessing games?" Longbottom said in an annoyed tone and it brought back Evelyn to reality. Alphard and Zabini were taking turns to guess what it was and Cordelia was on the brink of her patience. Evelyn did not even want to think what was going through Tom's head. His expressions were extremely severe, even if completely unreadable.
"Keep your shenanigans inside. I have to go and see Nyx and Lux and even Jormy. This past week has taken away a lot of my time." Cordelia said in an annoyed tone.
"Hush you two," Walburga glared at the duo as well.
"Now because I do not have much time, I also do not have the time to elaborate on things or answer your queries. But know this that tomorrow morning, people will be invited to the first meeting of Mars. It is an open meeting but in subsequent meetings, only Knights and people who sign up tomorrow and can make a commitment will be allowed entry. The meeting will happen on Friday afternoon and will last 90 minutes. Tom and I will be leading. Come for it if you intend to participate in Mars. We will not be making exceptions for anybody unless I receive a written note before tomorrow night. I did not want you to catch off-guard," She said in a bland, authoritative tone.
There was a flurry of activity as everyone widened their eyes, shifted their feet but before anyone could ask any question about how, when, where, Cordelia had gotten up, extricated her fingers from Tom's and declared, "That is all and I shall take my leave, right now. Tom wished to speak to all of you regarding the next court meeting."
Tom had gotten up as well. Cordelia waved her wand and the shimmering ward disappeared and Tom waved his in an intricate pattern and the ward was replaced.
Evelyn could not comprehend what was happening as Tom went to one of the walls and gave out a distinctive hiss and the wall went back inside to reveal a secret passage, right into the heart of the room, right through Burke and Ogden's wards.
"Adios," Cordelia waved her arm and before all of them could react, she had stepped into the tunnel and the wall was back in place.
"It will lead to Slytherin dorms, directly." Tom assured the concerned cousins.
"The Court meeting is on next week, why the urgency?" Bones asked curiously.
"We are not discussing the agenda, Heir Bones. Cordelia will be present for that conversation." Tom simply replied.
His eyes were fixed on an intricate pocket watch. Evelyn distinctly caught the sheen as a dark blue hand moved. Satisfied, Tom placed in inside his robes.
"I wished to discuss another issue with all of you in regards to the court." Tom looked at everyone expectantly.
Abraxas just needed the chance, "We don't wish to be compliant but Cordelia insisted—"
Tom's raised hand in a gesture to stop immediately silenced him.
"This is what we need to discuss," Tom said gesturing towards Abraxas.
That was everything that Charlie needed, "Oh, thank God, somebody out of the two of you has sense. She just does not see that—
"Charlie," Dorea held his waving hands, forcing him to stop.
Evelyn merely had to glance at Tom to know. There was a controlled rage in his eyes, "Funny, how all of you are presuming that I have problems with Cordelia and wish to take your opinions on it."
There was nothing funny about it or his tone.
Dorea, Alphard, Zabini and Lucretia's face were ashen. They knew something, most likely that angry Tom was not a good idea.
There was a silence, "No, today's meeting is not to take your inputs but give you a lesson. What you learn today is going to be effectively tested from tomorrow onwards and by Morgana's mercy, I hope you do not fail because if you do…" He left them to their own imagination.
"I do not understand, Lord Slytherin," Ogden asked carefully.
Tom's eyes flickered to him but he did not take in the question.
"What role do you think you have in terms of the court?" He instead asked everyone.
There was a silence.
"Well," Tom raised his brow.
There was a shuffling of feet as everyone mumbled something incoherent.
"What is it that makes you so inarticulate when I pose a simple question when on the other hand all of you keep preaching and pulling Cordelia down every moment even when she request or demands you to just stop and listen to her?" Tom said, his words laced in disappointment, anger and above all contempt.
"Here are all the champions in the court who fought incessantly for women to be in there. Why, just for the sake of being there? Women do not just need to be representatives. They need to participate and you should have the dignity and forethought to not come in the way of that participation. You always like to speak on behalf of the woman, as if somebody gives you the right to do that, as if without communication with them, without listening to them you know what they are thinking, that you have authority on what they think or what they should think. And look at you, getting offended by what Lyra did, getting offended by Lestrange. The degree of your actions might be different but know that all of you still hold the system up when you refuse to let them speak. And you care so much about women, don't you? You are horrified that Avery clings to Carrow, that she does not have an original thought. Look at what you encourage your friends, family and partners to do. How you are always voicing what Dorea would be thinking, how you disagree and lash at Applebee, how you think Gambol is merely chaos and Gore is just a stubborn woman?"
"You do the same kind of violence that you accuse the other lot of doing. You don't get to claim to be progressive; you certainly do not get to pretend that you are so gracious about women's involvement. I have noticed a pattern and today we are breaking it. You do not just commit violence towards the rest of them but towards Cordelia. She is your ruling council. You encouraged her and you have been supposedly happy about it and yet every time she makes a loaded or difficult decision, all of you start incessantly questioning her. Discussion is a different matter but you do not get to doubt her so much, not when you do not apply the same standards to yourself, not when you do not apply the same standards to me.
"You do not know better than her, you are not better at magic than her; you do not understand politics better than she does. There is a reason that she has made a difference in so less a time and all of you but Pritchard is seemingly unaware of that or chooses to ignore it. I remember it Abraxas when you told me your cousin was a sight to behold, when all of you were in awe of her personhood. I do not need you to be in awe of her, but if you engage in any more insubordination, if you get patronizing…you won't like what happens next, because I will not like what you do just like I have not liked it in the past few weeks.
"You do not get to make decisions for her. You do not backstab her by complaining about her to me, thinking that I can rein her in, thinking that she needs reining in at all. She is not a bloody horse. She is not your puppet. She is a person; she is a woman, an absolutely remarkable and inspiring one. She is a leader, a humble one, a kind one. She reaches out, she understands, she takes your suggestions in, invites them in. But that does not give a right to dictate everything or have a say in her decisions. What kind of presumptuousness are you working with? And when any of the women, well not everyone but only Titania, Gambol, Gore and Applebee, protest your adamancy to reduce Lia to what she is not, you turn on them. It is stopping today. It is stopping right now. I understand that as men, and for some of you as nobles, it is difficult to deliver apologies at all. But at the very least, I expect you to show remorse from your actions. I am even more disappointed in the women because they try to play the devil's advocates and undermine their own cause"
"In that case, isn't it presumptuous of you to give us this lecture; to speak for Cordelia?" King looked skeptical.
"No, it is not." It was Pritchard who spoke, his palms on his face as he attempted to wipe away the tension but then met on King's gaze head on.
"I agree with Lord Slytherin. This group has been undermining Cordelia. As men, or as people born in Britain or being exposed longer to Hogwarts, a lot of us presume that we know better. Lord Slytherin is merely educating us. He is our leader. It is his job to guide us when we go astray. We agreed to that when we decided to be advisors. And yes, one could argue that as advisors, our job is to advise but you need to realize that in our overzealousness we often forget that all of us agreed that Cordelia would lead us right alongside Lord Slytherin. It means that she will take our inputs and make decisions.
"We might not like them, we might not agree with whole of them but you need to understand that she has larger goals, more inclusive goals than any of us does. There is bound to be disagreement: as it happens often with us and Lord Slytherin. King, you are the only one of speak out and while I appreciate your bravery, you still have a condescending attitude towards everyone in general. If it were Cordelia giving a lecture, how many people in this room would be butting in before she had even completed a sentence? Almost everybody! You do not fear Cordelia the way you fear Tom. Not fearing is alright, but despite proving to be better than anyone here, all of you still do not respect her as our leader and that is not okay!"
"I agree. And it is not just the men, it is also women who side with men when Cordelia or Lord Slytherin call them out," Gambol flicked her eyes, her eye staying at Dorea just a moment longer.
"I…I…we don't…" Burke was lost for words as he shook his head.
"You do it. In fact, you do it quite often and pretend that it is a joke, Herbert," Tom quietly said.
"She is not making wise decisions, Tom," Abraxas' eyes were ablaze.
"Says the voyeur who not only stared at his sister in an intimate embrace but watched and encouraged as the rest of the school did," Tom mimicked Abraxas' tone, his eyes getting darker and darker.
Abraxas could never stand against Tom's coldness but Tom's statement sent the room in a shock.
"We…we…"Ogden mumbled helplessly.
"I know, I just expected better," Tom said simply.
He turned around and left as his ward faded in oblivion.
Dear Readers,
Apologies for the massive delay. I was well and unwell and it is a long story and I am too sleepy. As a penalty, an interlude will be posted within/after 2 weeks of today and more detailed explanation to follow then.
I hope you enjoyed this and please leave me reviews.
Katoptris
P.S. Hello new readers, it is a joy to have you on board!
