Hello,
Things start ramping up in this chapter!
Chapter 6: One of Us
Three weeks later after dinner …
Classroom 2E (Charms classroom), Third floor, Charms Corridor, Hogwarts Castle
Arya tapped the surface of the desk with her fingers. Her agitation was mirrored on her friends' faces. It was only October and this was their sixth collective evening detention. Even Shireen was tired of the extra study time.
"Please don't be Professor Tyrell .. please don't be Professor Tyrell," Trystane was chanting beside Arya.
"I don't care who takes our detention, I just don't want to do anymore cleaning!" Myrcella complained as she rested her forehead on her folded arms.
"Did anyone manage to talk to their house ghost?" Shireen asked, attempting to distract her friends from their impending boredom.
"I found Princess Nymeria," Myrcella murmured into her arms before shifting so her face was visible, "but as soon as I mentioned I wanted to talk about Aegon's Tomb and the trials she flew straight into a wall and vanished."
"I found Bran the Builder," Shireen added enthusiastically across both Arya and Trystane, "He was really nice; looked like an older version of Professor Stark but with a really long beard."
"Great! Did he tell you anything useful?" Arya prodded.
"He said the trials were for the heirs to complete and since he wasn't one, he didn't think it would be appropriate for him to divulge any information to me."
"Helpful," Trystane muttered sarcastically.
"How did you get on then?" Shireen fired back.
"I found Ser Duncan the Tall but he insisted I duel someone of his choosing before he would talk to me," Trystane replied hesitantly.
"And?" Arya pushed.
"He chose the Head Girl."
"You duelled Ygritte?" Shireen gasped, "But she's the school's duelling champion!"
"I know," said Trystane testily, "Anyway, I got disarmed in like ten seconds and she gave me detention for it right after. But Ser Duncan said the fact I accepted his challenge and faced her meant I had honour. He told me that a number of Hufflepuff heirs have come to him over the centuries, all with different questions and obstacles to overcome. I asked him about the riddle and he said he had no head for puzzles but that he knew each trial was only meant for one heir."
"Helpful," Shireen said sarcastically, echoing Trystane's tone from earlier.
"You're funny, for a Ravenclaw," Trystane said across Arya to Shireen before nudging Arya's shoulder, "What about you?"
Arya bit the inside of her cheek. It was a nervous habit.
"The Slytherin ghost is supposedly Lann the Clever, but I haven't actually been able to find him. I spoke to Loras and Daenerys and they've never even seen him."
"Have you asked Professor Lannister?" Shireen offered helpfully, "He has been the Head of Slytherin for seventeen years."
Arya didn't respond immediately, instead choosing to examine her hands.
"I have been avoiding that option," she said finally.
"Why?" Shireen inquired.
"He isn't the friendliest is he?" Trystane interrupted with a yawn.
"That isn't it," Arya said, still fidgeting in her seat.
With her friends all looking at her, Arya felt the dam on her emotions break.
"I don't want him to think I'm some stupid little girl who needs help. I'm the first Stark to be sorted into Slytherin, and I need to prove I belong there!"
Arya sat back down with a deep breath. She hadn't even realised she'd leapt to her feet during her outburst.
"But we do need help," Shireen pointed out gently.
"And what do you need help with?" Tyrion appeared at the doorway.
"Locating Lann the Clever," Myrcella responded before Arya had the chance too.
"My Father might know where he is," Tyrion said kindly, as he fully entered the classroom to stand before the four troublesome students.
"…I know," said Arya quietly, ignoring the smug look on Shireen's face.
Tyrion noted her reluctance but made no further comment.
"Now, some of my colleagues favour cleaning as a detention activity but I find watching students polishing cauldrons to be fairly boring, and not at all constructive to your learning. I've also heard that a certain DADA professor will be teaching the disarming charm to the first years soon…if anyone is interested in getting a head start?"
Myrcella and Arya's eyes lit up.
"I already know the disarming charm," Shireen shyly informed her Charms Professor.
"I taught Mister Martell the spell last year as well but there is always room for improvement, or would you rather go clean out Professor Baelish's classroom?"
All four students shook their head violently.
Tyrion grinned, "Now pull out your wands— make sure they aren't pointing at anyone —and repeat after me: Expelliarmus."
Next morning …
Great Hall, Hogwarts Castle
"Myrcella is the new Gryffindor seeker!" Jaime announced proudly to the staff table, "and just in time to face Slytherin this afternoon."
"Of course she is. That's what all the extra coaching was for wasn't it?" Tyrion said looking out at the Gryffindor table and quickly spotting his niece. "Maybe Gryffindor will be able to pip Slytherin to the Quidditch cup this year."
"Counting out Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff so easily?"
Tyrion gave his brother a suffering look, "We don't have a strong team this year and I don't even think Hufflepuff has enough students interested to even form a team of their own."
"Stark will be so disappointed. Poor man always holds out hope that Hufflepuff will win one of these days," Jaime chuckled, giving a quick glance at the Ancient Runes Professor who was preoccupied with his Head of House, Jon Arryn.
As talk of Quidditch died out, Tyrion's attention wandered to his father. Tywin Lannister was sitting as straight as a rod next to Professor Baelish and staring intensely at the Slytherin table, knowing his attention alone would keep his students in line.
"How do you think Father is coping with the news?" Jaime asked, noticing where his little brother's attention had gone.
Tyrion clicked his fingers, casting a quick muffliato around them before answering.
"He is scowling more than usual but apart from that I haven't noticed anything off. And be careful what you say brother, the students aren't supposed to know who the new heirs are."
"I know. I'm just worried seeing the new heirs of Aegon will remind him of Mother," Jaime said in a heavy tone.
Tyrion shot his father another glance, "He looks fine."
"You didn't see him after Mother disappeared. He fell apart," Jaime said fidgeting with his cutlery, "Locked himself away in his study for days at a time. Cersei and I couldn't break his protective wards, had to call over Aunt Genna and Uncle Kevan."
"I don't remember that. Where was I in all this?"
"With Uncle Gerion. You were only twelve and the war was just winding down after Aerys' disappearance. You were too young to see Father that way."
Tyrion sucked in a breath. This was more than Jamie had ever shared on the subject, and he was definitely not used to discussing emotions with family members.
"We can keep an eye on him," he said as Tywin stood from the table, "I'll take first watch."
Jaime shot his brother a questioning look as the dwarf slid out of his chair and bounded after their retreating father. Tyrion finally caught up to Tywin in the staff corridor.
"Is Slytherin prepared for Gryffindor later?" He said by way of greeting.
"Ramsey Bolton has moulded our quidditch team into a well functioning unit but that isn't why you followed me out the Great Hall."
"Quite right, your other son is the one that is Quidditch mad," Tyrion replied easily, unperturbed by his father's bluntness.
"So…the search for Aegon's Tomb resumes once more. Not too taxing for you I hope?" He said feigning innocence, though he knew his father would easily pick up on what he wasn't saying.
"It isn't," Tywin snapped back, his impatient tone contradicting his words.
"Then you won't mind helping Arya Stark locate Lann the Clever."
Tywin stopped walking and gave his son a furious look, only now seeing the trap he had fallen into. Tyrion huffed at the scolding glare he received.
"I know you aren't naturally inclined but as teachers it is our job to help our students, and I think you are uniquely placed to help Miss Stark in her quest as Slytherin heir."
Tyrion's jibe was only met with one last look of annoyance before Tywin stormed off, leaving his son standing in the corridor.
"Good luck in the Quidditch match," Tyrion called out with a smirk on his face.
It was a rare occasion when he got the better of his Father.
Later that day …
Slytherin stand, Quidditch Pitch, Hogwarts Castle
"She looks good," Trystane commented from Arya's left as he watched Myrcella go through the warm up with the rest of the Gryffindor Quidditch team.
"Myrcella is good but Slytherin will still win," Arya said, confidently.
"I regret sitting with you already," Trystane puffed, glaring at any Slytherin that looked his way.
"Come on," Shireen said, trying to keep the peace from Arya's other side, "We're sitting here because Arya is our friend, not because we support Slytherin in this match."
"It is going to be hard to cheer on Gryffindor from here," Trystane muttered, seeing only green scarfs and snake motifs in his immediate vision.
Trystane shuffled closer to Arya, "Is everything ready for operation library?"
She gave Trystane a disappointed look, "Is that really the best name you could come up with?"
"We'll be ready by Halloween," said Shireen quickly in an attempt to defuse the staring contest between her friends, "We just need to avoid Mr. Clegane."
"Who is that?" Arya asked.
"He's the caretaker. He goes around at night trying to catch students who should be in bed," explained Trystane.
Arya nodded, there seemed to be an impossibly large amount of Hogwarts staff members and she doubted she would meet or remember them all.
A shadow suddenly fell over the group as someone joined them from the bench above.
"How is the hunt for Aegon's Tomb going?" asked a pleasant voice.
All three of them turned around, surprised to see the charming smile of Margaery.
"Um .. how did you know?" Trystane asked before Arya could stop him.
He wouldn't have noticed her warning look anyway as he was too busy staring at Margaery's beautiful face.
Margaery's eyes twinkled, "I didn't know, you just confirmed it."
"Um .. no we aren't," Trystane said lamely.
Margaery threw him a look of disbelief before settling her bewitching brown eyes on Arya, "So you three are Heirs of Aegon, and I've seen you around Myrcella Baratheon a lot so I presume she is the fourth?"
"Does everyone know?" Shireen asked, putting her hands in her pockets.
"No, but they will after I release my weekly column for the school's newspaper," Margaery winked.
"Do you have to do that?" Arya pleaded.
"The student body deserves to know," said Margaery with practiced conviction.
"How about an interview to go along with that?" Arya offered suddenly.
Perhaps she could turn the situation to her advantage.
"I'm listening," Margaery purred, eyes glittering intently at the opportunity.
"Since Trystane can't keep his mouth shut," Arya sent the boy a pointed look, "he is willing to give you an interview in exchange for a favour."
Margaery pursed her lips, "Depends on the favour."
"Distract Sandor Clegane on Halloween night."
Margaery placed the tip of her finger in her mouth as she pondered the demand, "Fine, but I want the interview right after Slytherin wins the match. This is big news, and I want to be the first to report it."
"If you win," Trystane grumbled before his scarf wrapped itself around his eyes and he heard Margaery's smooth voice beside his ear.
"We always win."
"This is getting painful," Trystane complained after Slytherin had scored yet another goal.
"Gryffindor can still win, they just need to catch the snitch," Shireen said hopefully.
Arya followed Myrcella's movements closely. She had grown into the match, searching more confidently and was less concerned with what her team mates were doing. She really needed to find the snitch soon, though, or the match would be beyond Gryffindor.
Joffrey, the Slytherin seeker, was never far from Myrcella and Arya was sure the sibling rivalry was bubbling away between the two.
Suddenly, Myrcella and Joffrey went into a steep dive.
"They've found the snitch!" Shireen yelped ecstatically.
Both seekers pulled up just before crashing but they remained flat on their brooms, flying a mere metre from the ground as they raced each other for that extra inch. In the next instant Myrcella was on the ground, unmoving.
Arya, Shireen and Trystane collectively gasped and ran to the front of the stand to lean over the edge.
"Joffrey pushed her!" Arya hissed into Shireen's ear.
Shireen only nodded absently, not taking her eyes off Myrcella.
When Arya looked back she saw that Professor Steffon Baratheon was already on the field, conjuring a stretcher for the downed seeker.
Now that Myrcella was in safe hands Arya let herself relax slightly only to be startled by the sudden presence of Professor Tywin. He stood silently beside her, watching the scene with narrowed eyes. Arya noted his clenched fist, and when she followed his intense gaze she realised he was staring not at Myrcella but at Joffrey who was shouting in triumph, the golden snitch clutched in his hand.
Slytherin Common room, Dungeons, Hogwarts Castle
Arya stormed into the Slytherin Common room where the celebration was in full swing. She scanned the crowd and her eyes narrowed as she honed in on Joffery who seemed to be enjoying the attention a little too much.
She pulled out her wand and shouted, "Expelliarmus!" at the top of her lungs.
Joffrey flew backwards over the couch, and his wand clattered to the floor. Everyone else immediately backed away from the centre of the common room. It was an unspoken rule that any internal disputes between Slytherins were solved without the involvement of teachers.
"You pushed her from her broom! You could have killed your own sister!" Arya accused, waiting for Joffrey to reemerge.
"We were a metre off the ground, and I wasn't bloody well going to let Gryffindor win!" Joffrey exclaimed exasperatedly.
Arya had foolishly given him enough time to retrieve his wand and he fired a knock-back jinx from behind the couch that only just missed her.
"That's no reason for what you did! You should have focused on catching the snitch not hurting Myrcella!"
"Oh, come on nobody smart plays fair and there's no way I was going to let my little sister outshine me," He sneered jumping up into full view.
Arya sent another disarming charm his way but Joffrey shouted, "Protego," and the spell disintegrated on contact with the invisible protective shield that now surrounded him. He immediately took advantage of Arya's lack of defense and shot multiple jinxes at her.
She managed to avoid the jelly-legs jinx and the trip jinx but Joffrey's second knock-back hit her squarely in the stomach. The force of the spell caused her to fly backwards, dropping her wand in the process. Her momentum was only halted when her back slammed into something that was softer than the wall.
Arya shook her head from the impact, or lack thereof, vaguely registering the look of absolute terror on everyone's face. Joffrey appeared to be shaking, even though she was sure she hadn't been able to counter him. Then Arya registered that she was being lowered to the ground, not by magic but by someone's hands.
As soon as her feet touched the ground, she spun around only to come face to chest with the imposing figure of Professor Lannister. And he did not look happy.
"Mister Baratheon, Miss Stark my office. Now."
Head of Slytherin's Office, Dungeons, Hogwarts Castle
Arya and Joffrey sat side by side facing their Head of House who sat behind his desk with his hands steepled. Arya was busy forcing herself to take slow breaths in an attempt to calm down as Joffrey continued to prattle on about how the fight was her fault.
"She started the fight! She tried to disarm me!"
Arya couldn't disagree. She had started the fight, but he had hurt Myrcella. Tywin raised a hand and Joffrey's next excuse died on his lips.
"Miss Stark sent a disarming charm, while you hit her with a knock-back jinx. You're a third year; you should have been capable of disarming her and resolving the issue peacefully. Instead, you choose aggression against a first year."
"But Grandf-'"
"Enough!" Tywin shouted at his Grandson.
The anger radiating off him had Arya shrinking back in her seat.
"You're suspended from the Quidditch team for a month, during which time you will help Professor Baratheon in the greenhouses. Every day."
"Yes, Professor Lannister," Joffrey said, not meeting his Grandfather's eyes.
"You may go."
Both Joffrey and Arya made to move from their chairs.
"Not you."
Arya snapped back into her seat but her eyes followed Joffrey as he practically ran out the room.
Professor Lannister settled his piercing gaze on Arya, "What did you see?"
"I saw him push Myrcella off her broom," Arya said with conviction.
She was not willing to sacrifice the truth to ease the conversation.
Tywin shook his head slightly in disgust, "Joffrey's and Myrcella's parents will be notified of what happened. House pride is one thing, family wellbeing is another."
"My Father thinks the same," Arya commented.
The corners of Tywin's lips curled slightly at the thought he shared anything in common with Eddard Stark.
"A word of advice Miss Stark, next time you pick a fight make sure it is one you can win."
Arya nodded in agreement, "Next time, I will wipe the floor with Joffrey."
"Miss Stark, that is my Grandson you are talking about," Tywin reproached, even as he let his amusement at her bold statement seep through.
"Myrcella is your granddaughter too and my friend. I protect my friends."
"And that is precisely the reason why I am willing to overlook this, just the once. Any further fighting will not be tolerated. I should take house points off you but Slytherin really doesn't have any to spare and detention doesn't seem to be helping your tendency to seek out trouble." He paused and she lowered her gaze at the slight scolding, "All I can suggest to you is the next time you break school rules, don't get caught or I will have to talk to your parents."
Arya's face portrayed her surprise at the initial advice she had just received from her Head of House before the thought of him talking to her parents made her panic.
Tywin observed the myriad of emotions flashing across Arya's face until she eventually settled on concern.
"How is Myrcella?"
"She had a few broken bones and hit her head when she ..," Tywin kept his eyes on her, "was pushed. Matron Pycelle assures me she will be back on her feet tomorrow."
Arya nodded, glad that she would be able to see her friend tomorrow.
"It has also come to my attention that you are trying to find Lann the Clever. Was there any particular reason behind that?"
Arya stilled. How did he know that?
A new wave of panic rose up within her, but she tried to force it down. She was a Slytherin for heaven's sake, and she needed to start acting like one. But as Tywin did nothing to break the silence Arya's resolve began to crumble. Her friends needed help…she needed help, and a Slytherin wouldn't let anything stop them from achieving their goals.
Tywin kept his eyes trained on his student while she battled with herself. He had never met a Stark that was so…un-Stark like. She clearly shared that keen sense of justice that all Starks had if her fight with Joffrey was anything to go by. But the girl's ability to distinguish the truth behind Myrcella's accident, and her current attempt to curb her base emotions gave him hope that he might make a Slytherin out of her yet. He smirked at the thought. What would Professor Stark say to that?
Finally, he saw a new tension in her shoulders and the set of her jaw, a clear indication her battle was over.
"We think, the other heirs and I, that our house ghosts might be able to help with the riddle that appeared on our arms and tell us what happened with the previous heirs."
"Did you ever think to ask the previous heirs themselves?" He said with a raised eyebrow.
Arya's eyes flashed with alarm and he had to suppress a smile when he realised why.
"You don't trust us."
It was a statement not a question, but his tone had Arya answering anyway.
"We didn't think you … were allowed to help," Arya said, sidestepping his accusation.
Tywin pulled up his sleeve to reveal his snake wriggling around his lower arm and slithering down until its head finally rested on his pulse point of his wrist. He placed his arm, palm up on the table and flexed.
Arya saw the words of the riddle appear around the snake's body in the exact manner they had on hers.
She quickly drew her sleeve back and copied his movement, resting her arm next to his. Her snake, which was significantly smaller in every way, coiled itself entirely around her wrist as the riddle became visible once again.
"If I were not allowed to help, then why did this appear on my arm?"
Arya could sense this was a pivotal moment even if she didn't quite understand why. Her eyes darted between their two snakes. A clearer sign couldn't have been given. She decided to trust in Aegon's magic. It had placed her in Slytherin under Professor Tywin's care for a reason; a reason she found she wanted to discover.
"…Fine," Arya conceded, "Do you know where Lann the Clever is then?"
"If you want Professor Baratheon's and my help we have conditions."
"Conditions?" Arya said, retracting her arm as Tywin did.
"I don't care what you and your friends think, you are still children and the trials Aegon set up will be dangerous. Do not underestimate the task ahead of you if you choose to continue the hunt of Aegon's Tomb. We don't want you ending up-"
"Like Aerys?"
"Hurt," Tywin cocked his head at where Arya's mind had gone. "Before you enter a trial you will notify myself and Professor Baratheon."
"I will discuss it with the rest of the heirs."
"All four of you will also attend an extra Saturday class with Professor Baratheon and myself."
"Why?"
"To prepare you for the trials as best as possible."
"What would you teach us?"
"Whatever we feel with help you the most."
"Like combat magic?" Arya said excitedly.
"If it is appropriate," said Tywin reluctantly.
"I need to talk to the others."
He nodded.
"And Lann?"
Tywin clasped his hands together under his chin as he contemplated his next move. Arya was forced to wait in tepid silence.
"Go to the West Tower at sunset. Call out Lann's name. He will be there."
Arya remained in the chair, shocked he had actually given his help without anything concrete in return.
Tywin unfurled his hands, "You may leave now, Miss Stark."
Arya got up but before she left she turned back and said quietly, "Thank you, Professor."
Tywin gave her a curt nod and she disappeared through the door.
Author's Notes:
I think Tyrion is the teacher I would like to spend detention with the most as he would just use the time to teach another class.
Hope you liked the Arya & Tywin interactions there will be more coming :)
If anyone was going to find out about the heirs it was going to be that sneaky bitch Margaery XD
Big surprise that Joffrey is still a twat, I know but it seems Tywin doesn't much like him either.
Positions within Hogwarts revealed:
Ygritte – Head Girl & Gryffindor seventh year
Sandor Clegane – Caretaker of Hogwarts & Former Gryffindor
Matron Pycelle – Healer of Hogwarts & Former Ravenclaw
House Ghosts
Ravenclaw – Bran the Builder
Hufflepuff – Ser Duncan the Tall
Gryffindor – Nymeria of Ny Sar
Slytherin – Lann the Clever
Reviews:
Supremus85 – Yeah, me too! Yes, Cat is more chilled out than Ned, she isn't a teacher like Ned is. Correct you are! Olenna is the Head of Ravenclaw.
Ro781727 – It just fits, doesn't it. Margaery discovered them this chapter and with her gossip column the rest of the school will know shortly. The character development of the quartet is just so much fun :D
Ksyushangel – I am trying to blend the two fandoms together so thanks! Who do you mean by "Denis?"
I was just like, what animal would Olenna Tyrell be … an OWL!
Arya just spend most of her childhood pre-Hogwarts mucking around with her siblings in Winterfell and she is only eleven years old so she doesn't know some basic things about the magic world or Hogwarts. At age eleven I knew nothing about my school before I attended so I am going off that personal experience.
Next Up: It's Halloween at Hogwarts and Arya gets caught out.
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