Squeeze

Disclaimer: Yes I'm Jenny Nimmo. Course.

Hell even I didn't believe that and I'm the most gullible fool this side of Russia.

I DO NOT OWN THE CHAPTER TITLES! Though I am listening to Sqeeze! YAY!

Hmm.

Fine, here's the story:

Tancred was deep in conversation with David by the time Eluned reached them. She'd taken her time. A lot of her time. Both men immediately fell silent as she reached them, though it was possible that Tancred might have frozen with terror. Concerning Eluned, that was very possible, particularly now that he'd spoken with David who had a nasty habit of telling tales.

"What took you so long?" David whined. Tancred wisely kept his mouth shut; there were a few people who could act like that to her. He wasn't one of them, although if I ever finish uploading this story that might change.

"I was treasuring the last few moments with my head." She told them airily before glancing suspiciously at Tancred, who tried not to squirm. "You were talking about me." She added.

"Yes. Now sod off and annoy your sister." Her teacher's tone was light but he squeezed her shoulder reassuringly. "Trust me." He added gently and his pupil shrugged.

But before leaving she fixed Tancred's gaze in place with her own. She seemed to travel to the pits of his soul. It was terrifying. He had a feeling she could see deep into him. It was a(nother) scary thought. He stared back at her, trying not to shake. In her eyes was a maturity and wisdom that rivalled David's but there was laughter that brightened her up. Hidden to strangers, was the kindness she showed to Miffy, David, Remus, Mrs Dora and Maria. Plus, of course, the bite she tossed at him time and time again.

She grinned and broke the connection. The strange girl nodded to her teacher.

"I'm off to embarrass Miffy. Poor girl." She cackled evilly and moved over to her sister. David watched the solemn young man's eyes follow her with a look of extreme concentration on his face. It was evident that he planned to work her out or die trying. Or just to peel away those layers until he reached the warm heart underneath.

"So you do see what I mean. She's not that bad really." He clapped the weather vein on the back and they continued to talk, Tancred suddenly showing the maturity he hid behind his weather-ness.

Meanwhile, Lysander and Miffy's game had changed. They were playing Pass the Old Lady (Hearts, Queen of Spades, Old Queen, etc) with Alex and Remus. Eluned grinned at the scene cruelly and across the room, David and Tancred tried not to laugh. Poor Miffy didn't know what was coming to her.

"Stop drooling. Just tell him you love him, get married, and have 8 kids. You know the drill. Oh and play this." Eluned whispered into her sister's ear and pointed. Miffy choked back a yell and dropped her cards in shock. When she looked round for her sister, she'd left over to another conversation.

Lysander raised an eyebrow at the scarlet Miffy. The blushing girl ducked her head.

"Sorry, Eluned gets a bit… well she surprised me." She calmed down and took a great interest in the cards she'd picked up. Lysander grinned and bit back a laugh. He had a feeling this Christmas would be interesting.

"Don't worry about it. Alex and Tancred do that to me." He stuck his tongue out at his sister who shrugged.

"We didn't see your hand. Whose turn is it?" Remus added quietly with a smile. Girls could be so cruel. Eluned had said that knowing Lysander could hear. Poor Miffy, he thought, having been on the receiving end of Eluned's plans multiple times.

"Still, I'll get her for that." Miffy grinned, as evilly as Eluned had, as she watched Tancred laugh at/with her sister, causing Eluned to almost smile as she regarded him.

Lysander glanced at his cards weakly. He knew that he'd be roped into this (although, technically he as wrong, as Miffy soon lost interest in revenge).

"My turn."