The library was in the second-story west wing of the school mansion; although Adrienne couldn't see it living up to the grandeur of Hogwarts' treasure trove of knowledge in her eyes, she wasn't particularly disappointed by the array of books immediately visible upon entering the large room.
The next sight in her immediate line of vision was a bit more surprising: Katrina and Walt sitting at one of the study tables along the left side of the room, chatting quietly as to not disturb what few other students there were.
The founder said that the other house leaders would be waiting for me here...does that mean…?!
"Oh, it's you. What's up?" Walt was the first to notice her presence, and nodded in recognition. Katrina, on the other hand, nearly squealed.
"Hi again, Adrienne!" she cried. "Did you get settled into your dorm alright? How do you like your housemates? What brings you to the library when classes haven't even started yet - and why are you still just standing there? Oh, and have you seen a tall blonde guy named Matthew around? He's in your house - he's supposed to be meeting us here for the house leaders' meeting so we can figure out important things to know for the year and - "
"So," Adrienne cut her off, making her way over to prop against their table, but not sit, "you guys are the other two house leaders?"
"That's right," Walt nodded. "Both of our third years in the position and counting. We would've mentioned it earlier, but technically the decision wasn't final."
"Because," Adrienne continued. "I'm sort of the leader of my house now."
The almost stunned silence that followed only served to reassure her that the situation was still going downhill. This was why she was so surprised by the amused smile that broke across Walt's face.
"Well," he chuckled, "this is certainly new!"
"Merlin's beard!" Katrina squeaked out, in much the same way a muggle would excitedly scream oh my god! Adrienne yelped as the witch leapt from her seat and hugged her so hard she was practically lifted from the ground. "Congratulations! This hasn't happened in forever, you know, normally the founders stay with who they picked as fourth-years until they graduate and I don't think an exchange student has ever gotten picked! I'm so happy you were chosen, though, Matthew was kind of a prick anyway, now us three can all tackle whatever we need to this year together and it's going to be amazing!"
"Okay, Kat," Walt interjected, "I know we're all really happy about this, but maybe we should get down to business sometime before tomorrow."
The ginger giggled sheepishly as she set the blonde down. "Right! Sorry."
Even as Adrienne subconsciously grounded herself and prepared her mind to process new information that would be crucial for the coming year, the surreal feeling of the situation never quite left her. They all settled back at their corner table, where the other two house leaders explained to Adrienne the implications and duties of her new position. Although it was quite a bit to process after having been unexpected in the first place, she managed to gather the basics. Essentially, she was what the Head Girl or a Prefect would have been back at Hogwarts, only with slightly different duties.
"We don't so much run the house," Walt explained, "as represent it. Sort of like a class president at a muggle high school. Students in our houses come to us with their concerns, and we make sure that important student matters are brought to the administration's attention. We don't have much authority over the students themselves, like the - what were they called, prefects? - at your old school do."
"To sum up our role in one phrase: 'be aware,'" Katrina explained, now considerably more calm. "Just make sure you're staying in touch with what's happening concerning the students in your house and the higher-ups of the faculty and you should be fine! We're involved in some event organization and things like that, but it's nothing too terrible."
"So, basically, just make sure I know what's happening and stay involved?"
Walt nodded. "You've got it."
"Oh! This comes with the territory of staying involved," Katrina added. "You'll probably be expected to get involved in some school organization. Like, I'm a soprano in the choir, and Walt's the captain of his house's dueling team. It's an easy way to show the students and faculty that you're involved and interested in what's going on at the school."
While Adrienne had admittedly been curious as to what extracurricular activities her new school offered, joining one combined with her leadership position (all in addition to adjusting to the school itself) now seemed like just another burden. Rather than voicing this, she said, "I'm sure I'll think of something."
"You look worried there; don't go panicking over this. It's an honor, really; professors give you preferential treatment and everything," Katrina said, observing the deep lines that had furrowed into Adrienne's forehead.
"Besides," Walt grunted as he got up. He walked over toward a library shelf that had dozens of books on it, but no organization to them. "You learn things as house leader that you might not have learned otherwise," he said with a grin. He took out his wand and tapped several books at what seemed like random; yet soon the book case bent and reshaped itself with ease, forming stairs to a trapdoor on the ceiling of the library.
The three of them ascended the stairs, Adrienne bringing up the rear. When she pulled herself up, she found a spacious square room of about 900 square feet. It was furnished with a simple table, three chairs, lanterns for light, and a large bed; there were also what looked like burn marks on the two of the walls. The rest were covered by various paintings: some of two wizards dueling, of brooms flying, and various other subjects.
"Sorry for the mess! Walt used to like to try and make up new spells up here."
"Yeah...turns out trying to mix confrigo with stupefy to create a blinding explosion doesn't work out too well," he said, rubbing the back of his neck.
"His eyebrows just grew back!" Katrina whispered to Adrienne, who had to laugh a little at the idea.
"Anyway," Walt said clearly trying to change the subject, "this is a place where we come and meet, discuss what's going on 'round here, and try and escape from school for a little bit." As he spoke he took off his brown leather overcoat and hung it on the chair in the middle. "It's good to get away from it all sometimes."
"So why is there a bed then?" Adrienne asked with her right eyebrow cocked.
"Oh, it's not what it looks like!" said Katrina, the words tumbling out of her mouth like a waterfall. "It's just that sometimes we're here really late and I'll be helping Walt with his Runes or Divination homework, or he'll help me with Defense Against the Dark Arts or maybe Charms and we'll be here really late, and it's kind of weird because obviously it's school so you know how people are when Walt and I are missing at nights, but Walt always lets me use the bed, he just sleeps on the floor. Oh, that probably makes me sound terrible for making him use the floor, but he never takes the bed when I offer it to him, not that I'm offering to take him to bed or anything. It's just people talk, you know?"
"The point is," Walt said chuckling, "this is our own personal fortress. Sometimes we stay here so late after classes and clubs that we just sleep here."
"Well, it is kind of cozy, isn't it?" Adrienne said approvingly.
"Yeah, well," Walt said as he lit the fireplace, "it's better when its warm; here, cozy up next to the fire."
He pulled the three chairs up to the fireplace, but kept his closer to the open window where a chilly Autumn breeze was blowing off the lake as Katrina and Adrienne warmed themselves by the fire. They soon found themselves chatting about the differences between here and England, and the differences in Quidditch here and there, about what classes she was taking and what she wanted to do. They had talked for hours, and soon Katrina had literally flopped onto the bed and was soon fast asleep. Walt got up from his chair near the window just long enough to cover her with a blanket before sitting down again. He pulled out a half-churchwarden meerschaum pipe with snowflakes carved into the bowl of the pipe.
"This doesn't bother you, does it? I can't do it while Kat's awake; she yells at me."
"No, it's fine, my father used to smoke a pipe."
As he lit it, the fire from his wand illuminated his face for a brief second. He was soon puffing on it; a comfortable silence filled the room. Adrienne was almost asleep in her chair when Walt asked,
"He was an Auror, wasn't he?"
"Yes."
"I read his obituary. He was a great man. I've always believed our fathers impact us in ways we never really comprehend, sometimes even more than our mothers. He would have been proud of you, becoming your house leader."
All Adrienne could think to say was thank you, before crawling into bed next to Katrina. She began shivering since the window was still open. Before she could get up, Walt had moved the blanket to cover Adrienne too. Even with the blanket, Adrienne thought it was still a little chilly.
"Before I fall asleep," she mumbled as her eyes closed, "do you want me to stoke the fire or something so you'll stay warm?" It was a stupid question, she knew; she was already half-asleep. However, they had been so kind and open to her, she felt she had to offer something.
Walt just chuckled and the puffed on his pipe once more.
"Nah, nah, that's fine. You go on to sleep. The cold never bothered me."
Elena frowned as she studied the three cards laid out before her on the grass. "This doesn't look good..."
"Aw, come on, 'Lena, you're overthinking this," Lucas laughed. "A few playing cards aren't going to foretell the next year accurately; surely you acknowledge that!"
"Lucas, anything can foretell accurately if you know how to interpret it and don't let your own expectations get in the way," Elena responded calmly, trying to keep her frustration from showing on her face.
"Well, then," the dark-haired boy acquiesced, jumping down from the tree branch he had been seated on to drop beside his friend. "What sorts of doom and gloom are you seeing, then?"
She pointed to each card in succession as she answered. "The Magician reversed, The Tower, and the Hanged Man reversed. Normally, these cards have positive connotations in some sense, but all together and with these two in particular being reversed..."
"Don't tell me, you're predicting the death of a student again?"
Elena sighed. "That was literally one time - and no one died!"
"I was just messing with you," Lucas chuckled, his smile part teasing and part fond. "Your buttons are so easy to push!"
"Anyway - " The girl turned back to her cards, though she returned the smile. " - the Magician reversed can mean manipulation, deceit - someone using their skills for negative ends. The Tower upright has always denoted a disaster or upheaval of some kind...I think it's safe to say that whoever the Magician represents in this is going to be responsible for whatever disaster the Tower is predicting."
"Sounds cheery so far. And what about the last one?"
Elena fiddled with a strand of her short hair as if she were uncomfortable. "The reversed Hanged Man means martyrdom. Meaningless sacrifice. Of course, this could be taken in different contexts, but - "
"See?" Lucas laughed. "I knew you were going to predict another death eventually!"
"Oh, shut up!" She sighed, stacking the cards before her and replacing them in the tarot deck lying off to the side. "I'm trying to be serious here, Lucas...this could actually mean something bad is going to happen this year! Then again, I shouldn't be surprised. Do you even believe in anything?"
"I believe in you."
Elena's immediate reaction was to interpret his words as a jest, but there was a strange sort of sincerity to his tone that made it impossible. "Be serious!" she said, turning away slightly to put away her cards.
"Serious, 'Lena? We both know that 'serious' is what I do worst."