For your references

"Talk"

"Parseltongue"


Trigger Warning: Assault (Non-graphic)

Chapter 40

The Sisterhood of Dueling Pants

Cordelia's POV

She was changing into her Quidditch robes quickly.

Slytherin with its lack of history of female players had no separate Changing room for women. It had not occurred to all the men in the house, team or in teaching positions that it could be a problem.

At first, she had been asked to change in one of the various female washrooms in school and then make her way to the pitch (because it would be blasphemous to let her enter the boys' only changing room). The nearest one was near the entrance hall, so away from the field. She had just stared blandly with raised brows at Slughorn and Murphy until they relented and house-elves were instructed to sequester one section of the opulent changing room for women.

It was the second match of the season for her team. And it was against Hufflepuff.

Caldwell was an irritating person and a decent enough seeker. She was not concerned about that end. She would play the best match that she could.

Tom and other senior members of Slytherin had taken on the belligerent attackers of Evelyn yesterday. Cordelia had stayed away, engaged in yet other intrepid interrogation with Board of Governors, courtesy of Lord Yaxley.

She was for once grateful. She had not wanted to see their faces. She might just do something that would have a domino effect, like kill them.

Lord Yaxley was questioning her motives in beginning an investigation and asking her why the rest of the school had never complained. It was probably her sour mood that led to the sassiness and impatience and she responded with an acerbic, "Well, you should pose this question to the school, my Lord. How can I explain or be held accountable for their negligence?"

She thought she had seen faint smiles at Uncle Abe and Lord Potter's faces and lightness and pride in her Uncle Arty's eyes. But that had been it.

She had written to Evelyn's parents; informing them of the incident after it seemed like the school was not going to and apologizing for embroiling their daughter in something bigger and all the steps that they were taking to ensure her safety. They had written back immediately to Evelyn. And it had a letter attached for Cordelia; thanking her and Walburga.

Lucretia, Walburga, and Dorea had also stepped up. Walburga's reaction had been mildly surprising. Her stances towards everything had changed but she had taken the attack on Evelyn very personally. Gore had all but adopted Evelyn after that, watching over her like a hawk whenever Cordelia & Black sisters could not. Kyran had also been more watchful. Timothy had taken to try and walk with Evelyn in any classes where others could not. The circle had banded together and enclosed her until things settled.

"You can stop brushing your hair and come out Cordelia, "Anastius harped from outside the door of the changing room.

"And you can shut up or I will stuff a beater bat in your mouth." Cordelia chimed in but realized that she had been standing still in a daze after she had put on her clothes.

She quickly threw her plait up in a bun, (her hair were too long) before grabbing her broom and marching out.


Evelyn's POV

Evelyn stood in the Slytherin stands, right beside Tom. She knew that even though his eyes were roving over the field keeping an eye on Cordelia, he was also very aware of Evelyn's ticks.

Tom's protectiveness was not unwelcome. It just surprised Evelyn.

In the aftermath of the ... once she got out of the hospital wing, she was not left alone. Cordelia was very protective. Black sisters were very protective.

She could almost feel Walburga's hawk-like gaze on her back and around her.

Her housemates from the inner circle had been absolute sweethearts.

The only time she was truly alone was in her bed. Truthfully, that meant Evelyn did not get a lot of sleep.

She stayed up in the common area with Gore for as long as she could, and when she went to her bed. She turned into a stiff log unable to relax or sleep.

Her eyes were on the field but she was barely registering what was happening in the match. She wanted to see, really cheer. She owed it to Cordelia, but something always, anything really, reminded her of that morning and she would start losing her grip.

Her parents had been furious. They had almost come over but Evelyn had not wanted them to risk their…wizards could be cruel.

She had managed to convince them, even though every night when her body tensed. She just wanted to fall in the arms of her parents and cry hysterically.

She was grateful for Cordelia. She was.

Evelyn did not think she could advocate for herself as much as Cordelia did. Or ask for the support that Cordelia gave naturally. She found herself being hugged or physically reassured so casually that… Evelyn had not even realized that she tensed up around men, or the only thing that made her feel safe was when Cordelia snaked around her arms on her shoulder or her waist or her wrists or draped cloaks with her scent all around her.

Cordelia was supplying her notes, so was Tom. Gore insisted on dragging her to breakfast, and more than often, Evelyn was cocooned in a Slytherin brigade.

Timothy sat with her in most classes where Cordelia was not present. Kyran had taken to walking her back from Slytherin dorms back to the Ravenclaw lest the curfew got in the way.

Evelyn sometimes got so grateful that she cried. And yet, things felt inadequate. She was going spare. She supposed that she should be watching the Match, but she kept losing focus and remembering random thoughts. She felt Tom's hand on her sleeve, near the wrist and it was like waking up from a dream. It was a cacophony of loud clapping, bellowing, and cheering from the stands she stood in.

Slytherin had won. The team was currently flying in a victory formation around.

She looked aside to face Tom's deep, concerned eyes. Evelyn felt a stab of guilt. He should be celebrating or cheering for Cordelia.

She opened her mouth to explain or reassure before Dorea bombarded them cheerfully about some move Orion had made.

Evelyn lost focus again as they started marching towards the castle. The world started going hazy…

….

When Evelyn felt conscious, it was not in her bed or the hospital wing. She smelled Cordelia, and the light incense Cordelia sometimes burned to calm her nerves.

"It's alright. You are safe," Cordelia's soft voice assured her from the side.

Evelyn turned towards the side and found Cordelia sitting on a reclining chair, her legs extended in the duvet that covered Evelyn.

"We are in a guest room of the Slytherin Chambers." Cordelia swiftly informed, "You were disoriented after the match. Tom noticed and he managed to catch you before you fainted or lost your balance. I reached a minute later. You have not been sleeping, Evelyn. I should have thought that being alone would….I apologize." Cordelia looked so deeply pained and she reached out to hold Evelyn's hand.

Evelyn lost it at that look and started sobbing.

She found herself cradled in arms.

"It is not your fault, hon. it is not. None of it is. Let it out, let it out. I am here."

Eventually, Evelyn calmed down.

"We decided that you should stay in this room until the year-end or you feel better. It is specifically warded and Jormy is always around as security. I will bunk with you. There is a separate entrance that opens near the 3rd floor. We can use that for classes so you do not have to enter Slytherin dorms unless you want to. Dorea and Walburga and Gore and Prince are joining us. Tom is also merely a few yards away. You will have access to the balcony and basically, we want you to feel safe, secure and cared for. Does that sound okay?"

"You don't have to," Evelyn stammered.

"We know," Cordelia said softly and then asked again, "Does it sound okay?"

Evelyn nodded.


Cordelia's POV

She had slunk away once Evelyn was engaged in the Gobstones fest Prince had insisted on. It was late at night but it was the weekend tomorrow. The women of the inner circle could use some bonding.

She had not bothered Tom. He was working on something for the showcase, some final enchantments. He knew not to expect her tonight.

She walked in the dense forest, glancing at the flitting images of stars through the canopy. Her business was with the unicorns tonight.

It had taken her a while to come up with a gift for the goblin nation. She couldn't pack their civil rights in a few weeks and grant it to them.

Other than that, the lore in the Wizarding world was completely biased. Greedy, little monsters. Conniving.

In truth, Goblins existed within a different social and cultural system. Their ways of family, society, and transactions were different than wixes. It did not mean that they were wrong, just different.

She could not return all the goblin made objects, not without engaging in meaningful dialogue about different ideas of ownership that each species had. She could respect that goblins thought differently of ownership, but it was impractical to not consider the laws of wixes when it came to ownership. It needed more diplomacy than she could engage in right now.

With the way Gringotts treated dragons, Cordelia could not envision gifting them anything alive. Not when a part of her was already planning the rescue of the dragons.

It had to be something material, something rare; something non-living, something that money alone could not procure.

Unicorns rarely allowed men close to them, or someone who had greed in the heart. Goblins could not even venture close. Cordelia had been visiting a clearing in the forest where Unicorns sometimes liked to lounge. She came weakly and just gathered the shed hair from their tails and manes. A few foals, golden and beaming had always come closer, nuzzling but she had petted them and sent them back to their mothers. But the unicorns had let her be as if she was a part of their habitat. She had infused their favorite bushes with her magic.

Slowly, they had let her brush their tails and manes. She merely collected the shed hair from the brush and went on her merry way. Being near them was like having a Patronus beside you.

She could use the recluse and the quiet time to feel safe and unburdened.

When she wrapped for the night and left the clearing, she found herself at the end of two bowmen, or perhaps he-Centaurs was a better word.

"Witch, do not try anything," One of them said coolly.

"Sure," She replied, "What do you need from me?"

She felt noses flare.

"You enter our sacred lands. You solicit the Unicorns. You do not get to ask questions or make demands."

"Your sacred lands do not begin for another half a mile. The Unicorns did not mind my presence. And I was simply being polite by inquiring your request, not demanding." Cordelia replied with a measure, "Shall we try again?"

One of them pulled the arrow further, but the other quelled it with a look.

"Let it be, Sevil. Witch, you are fortunate that the council has ordered your presence. Follow Sevil, I shall guard the back," The sterner one of the two indicated to her.

She nodded graciously and followed through.


Cordelia's POV

They had just about crossed the boundary of the Centaur lands.

Sevil had kept murmuring under his breath all the way and while his companion did not abuse her verbally, his eyes were not less guarded.

"You two must be poor at divining." She casually remarked, when they were invisible range and earshot of other curious centaurs.

There were some sniggers at that. And her two escorts made annoyed noises.

And then closer to the council circle, a young female centaur spotted her, gasped and bowed her head. It sort of started a chain reaction.

Even the council elders stood up and inclined their heads to her.

"I don't think I have done enough to deserve the deference, Elders," Cordelia gently bowed her head and then looked up.

"You are magicae. That is cause enough." One of them responded.

"Thom, Sevil. You do not threaten the first magicae to walk these forests in nearly 500 years." Another reprimanded.

"They were not threatening, merely territorial. I understand the instinct. My fellow humans are not respectful of Unicorns or your clans," Cordelia intervened, "Please elders, you summoned me. Allow me to hear what you have to say without the need to appease me."

"As you say Magicae. We will have solitude." An older she-centaur commanded in her raspy voice.

The others who had congregated slowly left them alone until it was her, the elders and a few watchers.

The same she-centaur began," I am Galia, my fellow elders are Blair, Donner, Afton, and Taddeus."

Each of them inclined their heads at their names.

"Well met, Elders. My name is Cordelia Faye Black. In wixen politics, I am the Heiress of the House Black and will be eventually representing them in Wizangomot. But that doesn't matter here. I am a child of magic. I was born to represent all magic and all of its parts. You know that, which is why you called me Magicae. You can call me by that name," Cordelia offered.

"You are studying at Hogwarts," Afton stated.

"Yes, I am in the fourth year of my education at the school." She nodded.

"You were not before." It was Blair who said that.

"I was raised in France and attended Beauxabatons until this session. I have spent time in this country though." She replied.

"The stars change around you very rapidly," Taddeus said almost reproachfully.

"I would apologize for the inconvenience if I could control it or I was meant to control it. A Magicae comes when paradigm shifts are required. You should know that. Centaurs are not limited to the selective memory that plagues humankind." Cordelia was very direct. She could not think of any way to respond to the vague things Centaurs talked in.

Afton and Galia had smiling eyes even though their faces twitched only a little.

"You have been spending time with the unicorns," Taddeus said. The thing about Centaurs was that their statements were often questions and often they were just vague gibberish…

Centaurs had mastered using simple language and being as vague as possible sometime during history. The only way to get them to tell you something or get an upper hand in dialogue was to use the same tactic.

She just nodded.

"I think Taddeus means to inquire why." Afton elaborated.

"I am collecting their shed hair." She blinked at them in a confused manner.

Taddeus huffed and stood on his hind legs impatiently before settling down.

Afton started chuckling and Galia cracked a smile finally.

"I think Taddeus means to inquire why are you choosing to spend your time with unicorns? You have reinforced the clearing with your magic. And yet you never announced your presence to the centaurs?" Galia spoke directly.

"I needed the shed hair. I don't like to take things without giving things, so I reinforced the clearing. And unicorns have a rather calming effect as I contemplate things. As for announcing myself to the centaurs, I have only had my majority for a few weeks. I am not formally announcing myself to any sect. Those that have found out and met me are by pure chance." Cordelia spoke plainly this time.

"And who have met you?" Taddeus asked, his eyes had a slightly offended light.

"With due respect, that is not your business," Cordelia spoke plainly.

"Do you not want our allegiance child? Are you sidelining Centaurs? We should not expect better. You are just like your kin, the rest of mankind." Taddeus took two threatening steps further before he was held back by the arm and a pointed glare of Blair.

Cordelia blinked a few times at him but otherwise did not twitch.

"I am not sidelining anyone. Just like I am not holding anyone else above. I will let the moniker of a child slide because I am a child of magic, but dear elder, keep in mind that my magic and wisdom transcends time and my power is not something you should take lightly." Cordelia spoke calmly.

"We do not mean to be hostile, Magicae," Afton tried to make peace.

"Everything about this set up says otherwise. I was dragged here by two novices who were pointing weapons at me, while I did nothing to provoke it. I am being questioned like I am being tried for a crime. And I am being addressed as if I work subserviently only for the Centaurs and I have messed up somehow," Cordelia's expressions were cold now.

"Forgive my more zealous fellow elder, Magicae. Taddeus has the spirit of a warrior. His impulses tend to overpower the forethought and prudence that stars give to my kind." It was Donner's slow tenor that answered her this time, "We merely wished to meet the blessing of magic. It is a sight not many see in their lifetimes."

He was the youngest of all the elders but his eyes had a sage look. He was also the aged centaur who had taught her scurrying and centaur polity as Juniper. He had been a dear mentor.

"Herete! Donner of Nithiel," She inclined her head, "Indeed. I understand warrior spirits. I just don't think they make for the best communicators in any situation. I have little time and I don't intend to spend it in petty squabbles. Blessed be the Moiragetes. Blessed be the Council."

The other four had wide eyes at her use of clan names and the traditional greeting but Donner just had a small smile. He bowed his head and intoned "Blessed be the creation, and blessed be the magicae. We won't spend time frivolously. Tell us about you, your mortal life if it is permissible. And we will tell you our tales."

Cordelia threw magic in a tree trunk to make it grow into a cradling seat for her and sat down. Shocking Centaurs into silence never got old.


Tom's POV

Bolton, Burke, Odgen, Abraxas, Charlie and he sat down as they finalized their progress for all aspects of the showcase. They just needed some sort of dress rehearsal (Bolton's moniker) before they would be all set.

"You should call Cordelia and others. It is almost time for the Board and the Ministerial Proceedings. She would not want to miss it." Odgen lightly reminded Tom.

Tom nodded and hastily made his way to the Room of Requirement where Cordelia had taken all women of the inner circle to do Morgana knew what.

He found that the door was not opening for him. He knocked hard.

And the door opened. It was set up like a defense room.

"Yes Tom, how can I help you?" Cordelia was hanging from a rope on the ceiling in some shirt and pants, while the others were in various combat positions. Prince and Gore were rolling on a mat. Evelyn and Lucretia were in a headlock. Dorea and Walburga had a staff in their hands.

"No, No, no! Lord Slytherin! This club is called the sisterhood of Dueling Pants. As much as we like you; and Cordelia loves you, it is sisters only club. Sisters, no men. You can march out, Cordelia will see you there." Gore got up, folded her arms and glared at him sternly.

"Alright?" Tom asked in confusion before turning around and exiting.

Cordelia ran out panting a moment later, "Sorry about that. Gore and Walburga are in full form with their disciplinary avatars. Tell me?"

"The final decision or the name everyone is calling Exorcism is about to happen in twenty minutes. I thought you would like to make sure that the ministerial staff and governors are monitored." Tom told her.

"I completely forgot!" She hit her palm on her head.

She ran inside again.

Tom heard a faint, "Women, Binns is going to get binned. We shall resume our self-defense some other time. Formal robes everyone! Quick, Quick, Quick"

In two minutes, Cordelia was outside, her hair back in a tight bun and dressed in formal robes and her satchel on the side.

"Let's go. They will all come down eventually." She told him distractedly.

"Evelyn doing okay?" He asked lightly.

"I think I saw some light return to her eyes when I showed her how to do a right hook properly," Cordelia informed him distractedly.

"You are teaching specific defense to the women?" He asked.

"I had been thinking about it. After what happened to Evelyn, I don't want anyone to feel that vulnerable around a man again. So, I decided to start teaching some tricks. Sorry, it has been hectic. The centaurs cornered me last night when I was with Unicorns and insisted on chatting. I only made back this morning and then, you were in a meeting and…" She sighed.

"It is a good idea." Tom mused before realizing, "Wait, Centaurs…"

"I am fine. They did not hurt me. They just wanted to know why I did not announce myself to them as Magicae. The proud miscreants. I swear the smugness sometimes makes me want to punch them so hard." She told him, even as she broke into a loud yawn.

Tom took it in stride. He expected things to happen to her these days.

"You ought to sleep once the Ministry and Board are gone. There has been too much excitement in the past couple of days for you." He gently told her, pulling her closer. She leaned into his shoulders as they walked, nodding to him and closing her eyes.


Evelyn's POV

After the first few minutes of the inner circle women meet, (dubbed the Sisterhood of Dueling pants) Evelyn knew a lot more about male anatomy than she would have cared to know before.

Cordelia had spent a few minutes correcting their body stances and telling them to use muggle methods rather widely. There had been talk of hidden knives and a pepper pack but most of all, it had been about how all of them were collectively responsible for taking men down a notch or two.

"Really, they can all use some humbling," Cordelia spoke passionately.

"Even Tom," Gambol waggled her eyebrows at her.

"What do you think I have been doing since I got to school?" Cordelia shot back.

"That's true; Lord Slytherin is a lot more humble than he was at the beginning." Titania agreed.

And on it went.

She realized that Cordelia knew a lot more about weaponry than was normal and could wield knives, knew how to nock and shoot arrows, and liked swinging from ropes. Something about agility and other things. She had a mean right hook. She broke through a dummy's face while demonstrating.

But she made for a great teacher, and the women together were a blast. Evelyn somehow felt safer. They had all ended up speaking about how men inadvertently had made them feel unsafe, the unfair systems and practices and treatment at homes and society.

She suddenly realized why Cordelia wanted to call it sisterhood instead of any fancy Greek moniker. People undervalued friendships and sisterhood and companionship and they made a difference in supporting you.

Anyway, after months of investigative work, a lot of political maneuvering and research, several meetings with the board of Governors, Binns had been exorcised. There had been last-minute shambles: the close OWLs, arranging teachers this late and a whole lot from Dumbledore and some students but it had been set aside.

There had been a small party in the Slytherin Chambers as everyone in the inner circle made a toast to the Binning of Binns.

There were some additions. Kyran McKinnon was there. Pierce Nott was there too.

Evelyn inadvertently found herself a part of a circle with Timothy, Trinity (Gore), Prince, Abraxas, and Jade.

"It is all fine and dandy for you scholars. I am going to flunk history if an actual Professor comes." Abraxas was whining good-naturedly.

"You would have flunked OWLs regardless," Prince pointed out leisurely.

"No, I would have begged Corrie to tutor me by the end of next year. She has a soft spot for me." Abraxas almost pouted. The punch was probably spiked if Abraxas was up to antics.

Evelyn was thankful for the glass of water Cordelia had passed to her initially. It was the safest option.

"I am going to flunk right with you," Jade said unabashedly before chugging her glass.

Everyone burst into laughter.

"Gryffindors…"Gore said fondly.

"Maybe we can appeal for everyone to be given a passing grade if they are not appearing for the OWLs or NEWTs, " Gore mused.

Prince hit her on the head, "Just because you don't take history, does not mean you throw the rest of us who have the most important grades at stake here, under the bus."

"Don't all pureblood noble houses have some training in history though? I know I did for my muggle title," Evelyn put forth. It was easier to talk to people in the inner circle.

"Technically, yes. But also no. We learn a lot about Wizangomot proceedings and noble family politics. But it is not nearly enough." Gore shrugged.

"Of course, there are people like Cordelia, who are so interested that they could write their books about it. But pureblood heirs tend to go for flashier subjects. Law, Defense, Alchemy, Arithmancy. They tend to give you more influence over the masses," Abraxas added.

"That's a strange way to look at it. I feel like anyone who gets to tell the history or write it or be an authority on it, influences the mind of masses and has an actual effect on beliefs. Take Binns for instance, how many of us have a certain perception of Goblins because of him even though he is dead boring?" Evelyn countered.

"Ah, now I know why you are one of the highest scorers in history in our year, Evelyn. You have the mindset of a one," Timothy set her with a look.

"You are that far ahead," Abraxas had popping eyes.

"Her scores are comparable to Lord Slytherin. Nobody else even comes close. It is just people don't pay much attention to History scores." Timothy revealed.

"Too bad you are not in OWL year Evelyn, you could have tutored me," Jade made a sorry face.

"How did that not get noticed?" Abraxas mused.

"Does it surprise you that not everyone likes to be flashy, Heir Malfoy," Prince said sardonically as there were gently chuckled all around.

Evelyn was pulled aside by Dorea a second later who whispered as she led Evelyn away, "A moment Evelyn, Charlie is using some muggle terms that I think are made up, I need help in the argument."

Evelyn lightly noted that Tom, Cordelia, Kyran were surprisingly coming out with Nott from Tom's solar. They look pensive. Now, what could that be about?

But before she can mull, she is surrounded by loud bellowing about what is muggle and what is not muggle.

She agrees with Cordelia. Wixes are stupid when it comes to muggle culture. They are.

She feels Cordelia's gentle presence before Cordelia asks permission to entangle herself to Evelyn's side.

"They are debating whether the rubber is just slime or tree moss or some magical creatures poo, "Evelyn updated Cordelia, much to her amusement.

"Wizards," Cordelia shook her head, "Wait until they hear about ballpoint pens and pencils. So limited in their imagination."

Evelyn chuckled.

"Did you have an okay day?" Cordelia asked. Evelyn could hear the hint of concern.

She meant the smile she gave, "I did, having people around helped. Getting sleep last night helped. My nerves are a lot calmer."

Cordelia just smiled and tightened the hug, "Speaking of sleep, I am going to turn in early. I am running on a couple of hours of sleep for the past 40 or so hours. I need a bed before I collapse. You come by whenever you want, okay?"

Evelyn had settled into a loveseat with Walburga as the party dwelled into a game of exploding snaps. It was the only decent break they would get before exams hit them in their faces.


It has been a long, long time. I am sick, I will always be. I have not abandoned this.

I try my hardest to put this forth. To all the new readers, welcome to my tiny world that gives me such joy.

To all the old readers, thank you for sticking by. Thank you for the messages and reviews that you drop. It keeps me going.

The fic is planned. The writing is harder. I have had some of the most hellish months of my life. It is still not better. But the physical distancing in pandemic has given me some time where I have been able to finish this chapter that has long been in process. The updates will be sporadic but they will be there. So, stay assured of that.

I hope everyone is safe, is trying to keep themselves together, and is taking all precautions. Sending love and strength to everyone.