Chapter 9

Authority

The incident's news spread like wildfire in the castle. It remained the topic on the tip of everyone's tongues for the entirety of the coming week, only to subside partially later. Drake, for once, was thrown into the school's spotlight, while yet, unlike ever, he remained reluctant to discuss the matter. The strife between him and Perce only grew tenfold, and his accusation did not lay unforgotten. There were suspicious glances that spared neither of the two while they were in class, or while they were strolling aimlessly.

"Forget it, it'll die down soon. I really don't believe life proves to be so monotonous that this incident shall be prominent in the coming week," said Perce, as they were walking to the common room from dinner one evening, while Subash, which seemed like the hundredth time, was about to draw his wand as a first year girl who pointed towards them. She ran away, frightened, as he did so.

"You may be right, but it's still ruddy annoying! When it was that Drake who did —"

"You — you can't really be sure," put in Roger, who was walking with them towards the common room. Subash shook his head.

"We may not have proof, but we know for sure that it's him!"

"Who said we don't have proof?" Perce added softly, entering the common room.

"What —" Subash freezed for a second, before barging in to keep up with Perce.

"What in the whole wide stinking world do you mean by that?"

"Calm yourself, Subash," laughed Perce, while Subash was still looking baffled. Roger had his eyebrows raised, and he exchanged a glance with Subash confirming that he knew only as much as the latter did.

"Won't you explain?" Asked Roger. "We know we're stupid, what magic did you do?"

"Magic? I did no magic this time. And you're not stupid either, for it's not something I guessed, but something I have."

"Have? What do you have?" Subash asked, his voice lowering with his increasing curiosity. Roger too waited.

Perce calmly took off his cloak, placed it aside, then comfortably placed a leg on the other as he sat in the chair by the fire. Subash and Roger exchanged glances again, this time with expressions of mingled amusement and annoyance.

"As to that —" began Perce, and paused. He seemed to be thinking deeply. Subash flung up his hands in irritation.

"Come on! Say it! It's not that hard to jabber a few words!"

"Actually, no." Said Perce. Subash stared at him open-mouthed, while Roger stared from Perce to Subash. There was a silence for a moment.

"Are you — kidding me, Percival Michael Jordan?" Said Subash, almost in a snarl. Perce raised his eyebrows at Subash at the mention of his full name, and chuckled.

"No, I'm dead serious, Subash Shastri. Honestly, it's annoying how you don't have a middle name, I just don't get the effect you —"

"Shut up! And tell us about the proof!" Subash ordered, a thick frown building on his forehead. Roger sighed, not knowing what to do if Perce was being so stubborn.

"Don't get annoyed, my dear Subash, I have a reason. I intend to show it to a certain person of authority first, to decide whether it would be wise to show it to someone else," Perce said, smiling slightly. Subash's frown relaxed slightly, but he still was confused. Roger nodded. "I really don't doubt that that person would allow you to have a look," he motioned to the both of them, "but until then, I shall keep it to myself."

"Who is this — uh — 'person of authority'?" Asked Subash, still bearing a confused expression.

Perce simply laughed, and patted Subash on the knee, while he let out a cry of indignation and annoyance, this time joined by Roger.

"Really, what would be the harm in telling us that?"

"Yeah? Really, Perce!"

"Oh no, you misunderstand me. I was laughing not because I'm going to hide it, but because you were really stupid this time to not have guessed it!"

Both Subash and Roger had looks of bewilderment and thorough irritation. Perce was smiling widely at them, and his blue eyes were twinkling. "Well? Who could it be?" He asked. Then slowly, Roger's face underwent a change, and his mouth formed a comical 'O', as his eyebrows rose higher.

"Of course! Albus Dumbledore!" He said, and laughed out loud, joined in by Perce. Subash slapped his forehead, and sighed, smiling at the other two.

"Well, I've never really understood why you worship him, Perce," muttered Subash.

"I really don't think you ever will, Subash," retorted Perce, smiling.

It was a cold January morning. The fog had obscured the castle completely, rendering it almost invisible from the boundaries of the castle grounds. It gave the impression of being afloat in the clouds, so dense was the fog. Yet its majesty, as seen by the two pupils near the lake currently hidden in thick clothing, was unbelievable. They had on two jumpers each, big earmuffs, scarves, and shoes, all of which was only partly successful in blocking the wrath of the subsiding winter, for they were shivering.

"I have half a mind to s-strangle you, you d-dunderhead." Remarked Perce, his teeth chattering. "You had to wake m-me up, from my bed which I k-kept warm with some c-careful magic, to bring me into this horrendous c-cold?"

"Well, the sun will be out in a while, then you're going to regret saying that!" Said Roger jovially, apparently unaffected by the stabbing cold of the surroundings. Perce found him almost inhuman.

"Now that we're here anyway, let's talk about something. What about that 'proof' you said you have?"

Perce let out a grunt, pulling his scarf tighter around his neck, before saying, "D-didn't show it to — Dumbledore yet. Will do."

Roger nodded, then patted him on the back.

"How d'you know it was Drake? I mean, of course you have your precious proof, but is that the only thing? Well, for one, he downright denies he had anything to do with it, and he's at least five hundred percent sure it's you who did it…" Perce raised his eyebrows. "Well, of course it wasn't you," Roger added hastily. "But I really think he's telling the truth when he says it wasn't him, he sounds genuine."

Perce sighed. "You're saying that because you haven't seen my p-piece of evidence yet."

"That's true, though."

There was a serene silence between them for a while, during which time the sun decided to enter the scenery. There was a certain magnificence with which the great golden ball bestowed the light upon the sky. As it rose, it scattered rays at once, and the dark sky was painted blue as it humbly welcomed the sun. The authority with which the sun arrived drove away the mist engulfing the ground in little time, allowing the damp grass beneath to bask in its warmth. Truly, the warmth of dawn inspired the awakening of a new day.

"Isn't that absolutely stunning?" Said Roger, with a dreamy expression, turning to glance at Perce. Perce's lips were slightly parted, and his blue eyes reflected the golden shine of the sun. His teeth were chattering no more, and he let out a sigh.

"Well, you're right, there," he chuckled.

"I told you you'd regret it!" Laughed Roger, and Perce shook his head, smiling.

"Anyway. We really need to get back now, I'm starving —" remarked Perce. Roger nodded slowly, staring at the beautiful scenery, clearly not taking in a word he said. Perce almost had to tug him away, as he simply did not want to be taken in. "Move — your —"

"Okay, okay, I'm coming, calm down…" said Roger, and the two first years made their way into the castle.

"What d'you reckon Dumbledore thinks?" Asked Roger, as he entered the Great Hall with Perce, and spotted the white beard at the High Table.

Perce simply shrugged, and moved towards the table, into the buzz of indistinct chatter. Quite unexpectedly, from behind them, a voice spoke.

"Of course, like everyone else, he thinks I did it!" It was terribly bitter. There was pure fury in the voice, and Perce jerked his head back. The venom in the voice, and its power made him raise his eyebrows cautiously.

But just as he turned, a figure stormed past him. He recognised it to be the plump figure of Drake Fawley. Roger simply remained silent, knowing it wiser to remain silent.

"Why don't you admit it then?" Said Perce softly, just soft enough that Drake heard. Roger stiffened beside him, smelling a nasty fight.

"You keep your mouth shut, Percival Jordan." Said Drake with such loathing that Roger raised a hand to lead Perce away. Drake had his teeth bared, and his nose wrinkled in rage.

"You'll soon be exposed, Drake. You cannot outwit me. I have overwhelming evidence against you, you nasty brat. Trying to frame me was proof of your cowardice —"

"SHUT UP!" Drake screamed. "YOU FILTHY SNAKE! HOW DARE YOU TRY TO FRAME ME FOR YOUR CRIMES!"

Perce did not notice Dumbledore coming towards Drake. Perce had one hand clenched tight, the other gripping his wand. His teeth were gritted, and Roger was making many failed attempts trying to pull Perce away.

"Calm down, now, Mr. Fawley. This will not do. Please calm down." Said Dumbledore.

"I WON'T! HOW DARE HE!" He cried. "CALLING ME A COWARD!" By then, Dumbledore was pulling him away with firm hands, out of the Great Hall. Perce heard the words — "MEET — MIDNIGHT — TOWER —" And he assumed Dumbledore had silenced him, for he heard no more.

They together ventured to the students at the tables, who were eagerly peering at the commotion. Perce simply smiled away all questions, and sat down, Roger beside him. He was turning Drake's words over and over in his mind.

"Hello, Perce!" He heard a jovial voice talk, pulling his attention. He would bother about Drake later. Hadner Greyfall clapped him on the back. Then he lowered his voice, and glanced at the door. "He's a salty bean, that Drake," he said.

Perce nodded. "Where's Robin, and Subash, anyway?"

"Robin's over there," Hadner pointed over a few seats away, to the red haired boy. He was sitting with a girl. She had shining black hair that just brushed her shoulders, eyes of the same colour, and very fair skin. She had noticeably long eyelashes, which fluttered as she blinked. She was holding Robin's palm with her slender hand, and the redness in her cheeks was distinctly visible owing to their fairness. Roger whistled.

"Merlin, that's cool!" Chuckled Roger, winking at Robin, who flushed and turned back. It was extremely strange a spectacle for Robin to look shy, for normally he was the soul of any gathering, carefree and, well, shameless often.

"What's her name?" Asked Perce, grinning.

"She's Mary Babbington, a sixth year. Terribly bullied. She's the only muggle-born in the year in Slytherin, you see."

"Oh," said Roger, looking at the girl again. Perce silently nodded, and noticed that she was nervously looking about her every few minutes. He felt a rush of pity for her.

"Robin started standing up for her, and I reckon he started liking her. And yesterday they kissed by the lake. It was really cute, a pity you missed it." He laughed.

"Kissed? Who kissed?" Said Subash's voice. He had paused in the act of rubbing his eyes as he heard that word, suddenly wide awake, as he was approaching them.

"Good morning," said Perce, smiling widely. Subash nodded absently.

"Alright, but who kissed?" He asked, sitting down and picking up a boiled egg with his spoon.

"Robin and Mary," said Roger simply, glancing over at the couple. Subash dropped the spoon, causing a great clatter, and many turned heads, including the lovebirds'. Perce poked him hard in the ribs, and only then did he stop staring at them. Roger laughed hard, Hadner shook his head, and Robin flushed again, shaking his head too.

"Scourgify," muttered Hadner, and the mess of the broken egg was cleared.

"That's brilliant!" Remarked Subash, carefully picking up another boiled egg. Perce nodded, grinning widely.

"Anyway," said Subash, after many minutes of continued glances at the couple. "What happened to that evidence?" He asked, in a lower voice, stuffing his mouth with bread.

"I will show it to Dumbledore after breakfast," said Perce, calmly. He refused to answer any more questions after that, much to the annoyance of both of them.

"I give up," muttered Subash finally, and Perce smiled widely, receiving a punch in return. "Anyway. Where were you this morning?"

"Oh, Roger here very kindly woke me up, being so thoughtful as to want me to experience the piercing cold of the morning for a change, instead of my comfortable bed." Said Perce, narrowing his eyes at Roger. Subash laughed out loud.

"Well, don't deny the sunrise wasn't beautiful —"

"Quiet! Dumbledore got up!" Muttered Perce, though it was partly to change the topic. Indeed, Dumbledore had gotten up, with a smiling Professor Dippet at his side. Subash kept muttering impatiently, only stopping when Perce threatened to jinx him. The two old wizards slowly walked past, towards the Great Hall's door.

Perce left the two behind, waited till Professor Dippet left, and managed to find Dumbledore alone. The two first years watched eagerly, from afar. Dumbledore's eyes flickered to their side, twinkling, and they hastily pretended to eat again. They then again watched closely as Perce was talking. Dumbledore was nodding. Perce then, facing his back to them, took something out of his pocket, and handed it to the old wizard. He did so dexterously, so that the both of them couldn't see what it was.

Then, Dumbledore turned, motioning Perce out. Perce shrugged at the two of them, going out with Dumbledore. The old wizard's gaze flickered again to them, and he smiled warmly. Then, they saw what was in his hand. It was a letter.