The Prefect Social, Part Two
Benedict had not told his friends or even his sister about Lara asking him to be her guest at the social. He smiled at her at breakfast, and she smiled back at him, but that was not unusual for the two of them. He expected Lara’s friends to tease him about it, but no one said anything. Maybe it’s just too early, mused Benedict.
Yet, when he reached Professor Meadows’ classroom at 8 am Tuesday morning, Alyssa, Freya and Meriko were waiting by the door. Alyssa looked angry, while Freya and Meriko seemed worried.
Freya strode up to him and said, “We heard Lara Guishar was going to ask you to the Prefect Social!”
“Oh! Um, yes, she did.”
“When was this?” asked Bell, surprised.
“Last night,” said Ben. He flushed as girls from each House gathered around him. “We’re just going as friends.”
“She should date boys her own age,” said Meriko, darkly.
Elanor quickly chimed in. “Boys date younger girls all the time, you know. Our senior prefect is taking a Fourth Year girl to the social. It’s not as common, vice versa, but it should be.”
Alyssa: “Is Guishar going to ask you to the Winter Ball, too?”
“I don’t think so,” said Benedict. “She’s taking me to a social, not a dance. We’ll just be standing around and talking for an hour or so.”
A debate broke out among the girls about the propriety of girls asking boys out, and girls dating boys either older or younger than they were. Ava thought the boy should always ask the girl, while Elanor passionately defended the rights of girls to ask whomever they wished.
Professor Meadows arrived, suspending the debate. Meadows unlocked the door and let the students into the room. Benedict took his seat and pulled out his project, a square of burlap that he was transforming into a silk handkerchief. Meadows was speaking privately to one of the Gryffindor girls.
Benedict leaned over and said to Freya, sitting next to him. “I hadn’t even had the chance to tell Bell that Lara asked me to the social. How did you hear about it?”
“My sister told me Lara was going to ask you.” He looked sternly at her and she relented. “Well, Wennie told her friends and I heard about it.”
“You eavesdropped in other words. And then you told Alyssa and Meriko?”
“Of course! We had to talk about it. Alyssa didn’t want to believe it, but we’ve seen the two of you together. As rumours go, I thought it was likely to be true.”
Meadows began her lecture. Benedict pulled out some parchment and began to take notes. During the practical session, however, he and Freya resumed their conversation.
“We’re just friends.”
“You keep saying that,” answered Freya. “Yet, Lara is beautiful. Even among Hogwarts witches, she is mysterious and powerful. It’s hard to believe you’re not attracted to her. How can we compete with someone like that?”
“You’re just going to have to take my word for it,” said Benedict, letting some irritation into his voice.
On Friday night after dinner, Benedict put on a fresh white shirt and one of his black silk ties. He went out into the Common Room to wait. Stacy found him there. “Do you have a formal robe?” she asked.
“No,” said Benedict. “I didn’t think I needed one yet.”
“Hand me that one, please.”
“Sure.” He took off his robe and handed it to her.
“You do have two more of these, don’t you?”
“Yes, but the others need washing.”
“That’s fine. I didn’t want to modify your only robe.” She ran her wand over the robe, turning the thin polyester into wool. Training her wand on the shoulders and collar, Stacy conjured up a thick faux fur trim, jet black. The plain metal clasp enlarged and became a badger’s head. With a final wince of concentration, Stacy made it yellow brass.
“Philip has one like this and I really liked it,” said Stacy.
Benedict surveyed the robe in wonder. “I don’t think I’ll be able to transfigure clothes like this even when I’m a Fifth Year.”
“It takes practice,” said Stacy. “Have fun tonight!”
Liam and Philip came out into the Common Room from the boys’ dormitories. Philip’s cloak was just like Benedict’s, black fur with yellow brass buttons.
“You two have the same formal robe,” Liam noted.
“Stacy spiffed up my robe so it looks more like Hark’s,” said Benedict.
Lara came out from the girls’ dormitory wearing a burgundy midi with long sleeves and an exaggerated turtleneck collar.
“I like your dress,” said Benedict. “It’s very flattering.”
“That’s a good colour for you,” added Philip.
Liam had a wry grin on his face. “Not a word out of you, Liam,” said Lara, coolly. “I have held my tongue all the time you’ve been cavorting with Ables.”
“Is that what you do when you’re with Ables?” asked Philip. “Cavorting?”
“Yes,” said Liam. “Cavorting while studying Runes. That’s my story and I’m sticking with it.”
Belladonna and the other Third Year girls came out of the girls’ dormitory to see Benedict off. Stephanie and Monique came too, with Stacy, to admire Stacy’s handiwork.
“Oh, Lara, I love your dress,” said Bell.
“Look at Ben’s robe!” said Katie. “Stacy, you did such a good job on it.”
By the exit to the den was a portrait of Colonel Tobias Pikelson, a Hufflepuff from the 1850s. Colonel Pikelson had gray hair and large muttonchop sideburns. In his left eye was a silver monocle. As a Hufflepuff prefect, Pikelson founded the Badger Guards and in 1857 led a surprise attack upon a group of Ravenclaws who were coming down the stairs, intent on learning the location of the Hufflepuff den.
“All clear, Colonel?” asked Liam.
“Clear and still as a summer lake, lad,” said the portrait.
“Thank you, sir.” To Benedict, sternly, “You first through the barrels. I’ll go after you, and then Lara. Hark can take up the rear.”
The girls wished Lara and the boys a good evening. Benedict went through the barrels, followed by Liam.
As they waited for Lara, Ben asked, “Do you always get the all-clear from Colonel Pikelman?”
“No,” said Liam. “I was just a little uneasy tonight, that’s all. Friday night’s a good night for mischief. As a rule of thumb, it’s ladies first going into the den, but coming out, always have a bloke or two go first, in case of trouble.”
“Hanging out with Slytherins does make one a bit paranoid,” said Ben.
“That it does. Here she comes. Help her up.”
Benedict reached out his hand and helped Lara to her feet. She offered him her arm and the two began to walk towards the stairs. Liam and Philip followed silently behind.
They waited in the Entrance Hall for the others. Sadie arrived first, followed by Morwena, Umberto and Vanessa. As a group, they mounted the grand staircase to the office where the social was being held.
When they arrived, they found a receiving line. At the front, Professor Longbottom was speaking to an older gentleman who sat in a plush chair by the door. Morwena peered around the other students and then reported back in an excited stage whisper, “That’s Horace Slughorn!”
Liam asked Vanessa, “Who is that?”
“He’s a retired professor. Emeritus, I guess is the right word. He taught Potions ages ago and was Head of Slytherin House for a time. Otherwise, I wouldn’t know either.”
Longbottom moved on, and Slughorn greeted Dave Evans and Alma Krauss as they entered the room, shaking hands and saying a few words to them. Lara opened up her small black purse and pulled out a pair of lace gloves.
“Why is Guishar putting on gloves?” whispered Vanessa. “Those aren’t exactly in fashion.”
“It’s related to her powers of prophecy,” said Liam.
“Is she trying to see into Slughorn’s future?” asked Vanessa, excitedly.
“No, she’s trying not to.”
Vanessa shook her head. “You Hufflepuffs are no fun.”
It was Lara and Benedict’s turn. Slughorn gathered up Lara’s hand in both of his. “The new Seer of Hufflepuff, I hear! And a prefect to boot! I bet we all could have predicted that! And your beau is?”
“Benedict Took, sir,” said Ben. He extended a hand, and they shook.
“Very good, very good. Have a good evening.” Morwena and Umberto were next, and Slughorn again seemed to know who they were. “Two scions of Slytherin House!” he said, excitedly. “So proper for you to have found one another.”
Liam wished he could see Umberto’s and Morwena’s expressions as they reacted to Slughorn’s comments. Vanessa turned and pressed her face into Liam’s robe to hide her laughter.
Philip and Sadie were next. Slughorn said to Sadie, “Good evening, Miss Thompson! Your father is the Magical Anthropology researcher, Gerald Thompson, if I am not mistaken.”
“Yes, sir,” said Sadie.
“And at your side, one of the Harkenborough clan. A fine family of wizards. There’s a Harkenborough at nearly every level of government, did you know that?”
“I did, yes,” said Philip.
“Wonderful! Have a good evening.”
By this time, Vanessa had composed herself. Liam extended a hand to Slughorn. “Hello sir.”
“You’re Wren, the Badgers’ junior prefect, correct?”
“Yes sir.”
There was a twinkle in the old man’s eyes. “I have it on good authority that you are in possession of a Stilgrevsen.”
“Yes sir. Have it right here.” He drew his wand and showed Slughorn the silver ring with its carved image of the dragon.
“Been years since I’ve seen one of these. They’re rare in England.” He leaned closer. “I can hear it snarling at me!” said Slughorn with a laugh.
“She doesn’t much care for strangers, sir.”
“Very good. And that’s a lovely lady you have there on your arm.”
“Sir, this is Vanessa Ables.”
Slughorn nodded. “Augustus Ables’ daughter, by chance?”
“Yes, sir!” said Vanessa brightly.
“Very good! Have a good evening, you two.”
Liam wasn’t sure whose office this had been, but it was completely transformed and enlarged for the social. There was a hearth with a crackling fire, around which was three loveseats of a deep brown leather. Two pairs of the senior prefects were already there, talking, sipping drinks and nibbling from a plate of appetizers.
Along the wall opposite the hearth was a bar, tended by a House Elf. He was standing on a glass shelf behind the bar, pouring drinks from bottles that were as tall as he was.
In between the bar and the hearth, couples mingled. At the far end of the room, opposite the door, there was a small parquet floor under swirling blue, red and yellow lights.
“Is that a dance floor?” laughed Vanessa.
“I guess so,” said Liam. There was music playing, but it was too soft and pretty to be dancing music. “You want something?”
“Yes, please. Get me a ginger ale and one of those little cookies.”
Sadie and Philip were in line at the bar. Liam joined them. “Hullo,” he said.
“This is nice, isn’t it?” asked Sadie. “Getting away for a little while. Not that my charges give me any trouble. They’re sweet as can be, those two girls. But the work this semester has been enormous! I mean, we were always told, Year Five is the toughest, but now we know. How are you holding up in Runes?”
“Managing. I keep charts, try to stay organized. Looking forward to the test so I can be done with this class forever.”
“Arithmancy’s my big challenge,” said Philip. “I thought I’d have the hang of it by now, but every year, with each new wrinkle, I feel like I’m starting over at zero again.”
“Oh, your marks aren’t that bad,” urged Sadie. “You more than held your own this week.”
Philip ordered a root beer. It came in a frosted mug. With its high brown head, it looked like a stout. Sadie asked for a diet soda. “Those aren’t good for you,” said Philip, worried. “They’re full of chemicals.”
“I just don’t want all that sugar,” she said.
“Nobody better be giving you a hard time about your weight,” said Liam. “If they are, Hark and I will put a stop to it.”
“Aww. My loyal Hufflepuff friends.” She leaned her head into Philip and gave Liam a warm smile. “No one has been teasing me, but thank you.”
Liam brought two glasses of ginger ale back to where Vanessa was standing, speaking to Umberto. A plate of cookies floated beside him.
“Thank you,” said Vanessa as she took a glass from Liam and a cookie from the floating plate. “’Berto and I were just remarking, Slughorn really did his homework tonight. He seemed to know who everybody was.”
“He used to run a club on campus,” said Umberto. “Always wanted the top students around him. He still likes to know who’s who.”
Morwena joined them. She had been speaking to Lara and Benedict. She took a cookie and held it in her hand, daintily, without taking a bite. “There’s a little dance floor over there. Do you think anyone will be dancing, later?”
“Not unless they change music,” said Liam. “This is what my mum listens to right before she goes to sleep.”
“Maybe we should talk to the DJ,” said Vanessa. “Though, I think he fell asleep as well.”
Morwena was nibbling on her cookie. “I could use some water,” she said softly.
“I’ll fetch you some,” said Umberto. He headed towards the bar. Before Morwena followed him, there was an exchange of looks between her and Vanessa. Morwena’s gaze was haughty and cold. Vanessa’s was smug.
In previous years, Liam would not have remarked about the exchange, except perhaps to note that Morwena was often haughty and cold around him. After being a boyfriend to Vanessa and Sadie, as well as keeping company with other witches of Hogwarts, Liam was getting better at understanding the silent language of girls.
He asked Vanessa, “How long have you been waiting for that moment?”
“What do you mean?”
“That look between you and Felwich. She was saying, ‘You don’t belong here,’ and you said back, ‘But I’m here anyway.’ Something to that effect.”
“I thought you couldn’t tell what Morwena Felwich was thinking.”
“Well, I’m getting better at it, aren’t I? Answer the question. How long have you been planning for this moment?”
“Since you seem to already know, why don’t you explain it to me, Sherlock Holmes?”
Liam thought back. In an epiphany, he began to connect all the dots. “The lake. Beginning of last year. You came up to me and asked if we could study together. You were eager to be with me. You had your galleons down right then, didn’t you? You were betting I was gonna be prefect.
“You knew you were never going to beat out Felwich for prefect. ‘Berto was a lock, but maybe ‘Berto would take you to a party like this and maybe he wouldn’t. You wanted a safer bet. If you couldn’t be prefect, you’d be the girlfriend of the prefect. And you pegged your Runes study partner as the next Hufflepuff prefect. You figured I’d take you to a party if you were my girlfriend. You drew me in just so you could stand here and smirk at Felwich and say, ‘Yeah, you’re here, but I’m here too.’”
“I didn’t make you do anything,” said Vanessa, coldly. “You were plenty happy to be with me.”
“Yeah, I was, and all along, I knew you were up to something. I just didn’t think it was something this petty.”
Morwena, standing alone and leaning against the far wall, watched the flare-up between Liam and Vanessa with amusement. To her left, sitting side by side on one of the leather loveseats by the fire, Benedict chatted happily away to Lara. He told her all about his sister’s slumber party. Encouraged by Lara’s warm brown eyes and conspiratorial smile, he even described the incident between him and Alyssa in which her robe had come open.
The music was quiet and slow, but Sadie and Philip decided to dance to it anyway. Philip set his hands on Sadie’s hips. She rested her hands on his shoulders and they swayed slowly to the music. Dave and Alma joined them. The four of them traded partners back and forth for the rest of the evening.