Interesting Things Chapter 21:
Still, hadn't it been for S.Q.U.A.D., they would've to fight even more idiots, some of them even in positions of power.
Because Sorcerers and Queers United Against Discrimination, or S.Q.U.A.D., for short, established by two Hogwarts students, one in her Fifth Year and the other in his Seventh Year at the time, and gaining a large following had outlived their tenure at Hogwarts and spread across the nation and beyond.
Where people before had vaguely accepted homosexuality (in an almost "let's ignore it"-fashion) and intellectually speaking accepted that werewolves weren't monsters, after the beginning of S.Q.U.A.D., people were forced to open their eyes to all the different sexualities and that no matter your species it only mattered what kind of person you were.
Arthur thought about all this and more, as he continued to listen.
'Just be glad that I've never transformed. Or that I've never used my full strength on you guys. That would be taking things too far.'
Indeed, it would be, Arthur thought, and then he thought that it was good that Elizaveta felt so comfortable that she could joke about her lycanthropy.
'So, instead, you're just hurting us with your frying pan?', Francis asked. Arthur could just imagine him flinging his hair over his shoulder, as was his custom. Arthur rolled his eyes at the image; if there was any exception to his attraction of blue eyes and blonde hair, then it was that Frog. And not just because he was French. Well, Arthur had to admit that was a big part of it; he was too English to trust the French.
'Only when you deserve it.' In Arthur's opinion, Francis and Gilbert, but especially Francis, wasn't hit enough with the frying pan. 'And you've to admit that it's infinitely better than to be cursed by me and my wand?' Though Arthur had never seen Elizaveta curse anyone, he knew she was a good enough witch, though she needed more training, that if she did, it would be a frightening result.
'Technically, we do get cursed by your wand, since you're using your wand, by transforming it to a frying pan, then whacking us', Antonio said, surprising Arthur with [insight].
'That's technically true, while at the same time false. Seeing how I don't cast curses, spells or charms at you.'
Arthur, whom had been surprised with Antonio's comment, got surprised yet again by Elizaveta's reply, not least because he hadn't thought about it before she said it.
'Which is good, considering how good you're with those.'
The little he'd observed, which had been enough to see that she was fit for Hetalia, led Arthur to agree with Gilbert.
By this point, Arthur had completely abandoned all thoughts about leaving. He'd plenty of excuses, but the truth was that he was enthralled with the conversation.
He heard Francis clear his throat.
Arthur then heard what sounded like two people scuffling in two separate directions, but before Francis could say whatever he'd cleared his throat for, another sound reached Arthur's ears,
The clock started to chime.
'Bloody hell!', swore Arthur softly. He hadn't noticed that the clock was approaching 9 in the evening. If he didn't hurry, he would be late, and that would give him a blot on his perfect record! Then he would never become Prefect! Nor Head Boy!
He decided to take the shortcuts he'd noticed on the Marauders' Map.
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Arthur was one corner away from the Slytherin Common Room, with one minute to spare, when he saw Gilbert. Not wanting there to be any more problems, Gilbert had already managed to get himself detention, Arthur grabbed Gilbert, said the password and propelled him in.
That night Arthur went to bed rather pleased with himself. He'd avoided Gilbert from getting in trouble, or, best case scenario, falling under the teacher's suspicion that he might be committing pranks. Like the prank that had happened today.
The thought of something like that happening again, made Arthur shudder…
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Author's notes:
Oh, Arthur, you have no idea what's about to come.
And to the Mischief Managers; I sincerely hope I've rendered the description of S.Q.U.A.D. justice. I would hate it if I've one way or another mislead people or not shown it proper respect.
In the next chapter:
She knew she was being a little ahead of her time with choosing her electives, but that was a big part of her; being precognitive. As to demonstrate, right when she was stretching her hand, to get her pen inked so she could cross the last t's and dot the last I's, she'd a vision. She was completely unaware of falling backwards in her seat with a pen stupidly raised in her hand.