The Office
Professor McGonagall’s office was as intimidating as ever, lined with shelves stacked high with books and decorative trinkets. The walls were draped with Gryffindor colors, but there was no comfort in that—McGonagall sat behind her desk, spectacles perched on the edge of her nose, looking at them both with thinly veiled disappointment.
Vi slouched slightly in her chair, hands shoved deep into her pockets. Caitlyn, on the other hand, sat up perfectly straight, hands folded neatly in her lap, the picture of composure. Vi had no idea how she managed that.
McGonagall sighed, folding her hands together. “Miss Lanes,” she started, “I would love to say I’m surprised to see you sitting in front of me so soon, but I am not.”
Vi felt her hackles rise. “Wait—what?”
“You have a habit of attracting trouble,” McGonagall said, tone pointed. “And I have little patience for students dueling in the middle of the school grounds.”
Vi shot Caitlyn a look that screamed can you believe this? before turning back to McGonagall. “Professor, I was defending myself!”
McGonagall arched a skeptical brow. “Did you not hex Miss Nolen?”
Vi bit her tongue. Okay, sure, maybe technically she had hexed her, but Maddie drew first!
Before she could dig herself into a deeper hole, Caitlyn spoke up.
“Maddie started it, Professor,” she said, voice level but firm. “She approached us first. She was insulting Vi, calling her names, making it clear she wanted a reaction.” Caitlyn tilted her chin slightly. “Vi was defending herself. And me. Maddie had her wand pointed at me and was about to hex me, but Vi was faster."
McGonagall’s sharp eyes flicked toward Caitlyn, as if reassessing the situation. Vi saw the exact moment the professor’s expression softened ever so slightly.
“Is that so?”
Caitlyn nodded. “Yes, Professor.”
McGonagall regarded them for a long moment, tapping her fingers against the desk. Finally, she exhaled and removed her glasses, setting them down gently.
“Miss Lanes, Miss Kiramman,” she said, voice quieter now, “I do not take bullying lightly at this school. If Miss Nolen was indeed the instigator, then I will be having a word with Professor Slughorn about the appropriate consequences for her.”
Vi nearly sagged in relief—but then McGonagall’s gaze hardened again.
“That said, Gryffindor students do not rise to petty insults. We do not seek out conflict where it can be avoided.” Her eyes landed squarely on Vi. “And we certainly do not hex other students outside of a controlled classroom environment.”
Vi pressed her lips together but nodded. “Yes, Professor.”
McGonagall sat back. “You will both serve your detention as assigned, tomorrow night at 7:00 sharp, and let me be clear—if I catch either of you engaging in any more fights, I will not be so lenient next time.”
Caitlyn nodded. “Understood, Professor.”
Vi just sighed. “Got it.”
McGonagall studied them for another moment before waving a hand. “You’re dismissed.”
They didn’t need to be told twice.
As soon as they stepped into the corridor and the door shut behind them, Vi let out an exaggerated breath. “Merlin’s teeth, that was stressful.”
Caitlyn smirked. “Well, that’s what happens when you hex someone in broad daylight.”
Vi grinned. “You have to admit, it was really satisfying.”
Caitlyn rolled her eyes, but there was something lighter about her now. As they walked back toward the common room, Vi considered asking her why she had been so quick to step in today.
In the end, she decided against it.
Instead, she nudged Caitlyn with her elbow. “You know, for someone who follows the rules so much, you were pretty intense back there.”
Caitlyn shot her a sidelong look, lips twitching. “Don’t get used to it.”
Vi laughed. “Too late.”