Tea with the Ravenclaws
Saturday morning at breakfast, Tess received a letter from her father. She didn't read it straight away. Instead, she stashed it in a pocket of her cloak. When she was finished eating, she returned to the common room and found a quiet room to sit and read.
Dearest Tess,
No shock here that you landed in Slytherin. You do take after your mother.
We're both very proud of you.
Sounds like you've paired up with some good girls. I know Felwich. Do business
with him in London. He's a shrewd businessman, but he plays fair. His Wennie,
he tells me, is sharp as a tack, and from what you've written, I believe it.
Good of you, too, to pair up with the MacDougal girl. People in this family
hold grudges far too long. Time to let bygones be bygones. Give the girl a
chance to set her own path, I say.
Your mother is worried that you'll socialise too much, and you won't get your work
done. She's selling you short. I think you'll do fine. Besides, they go easy on
the First Years. Not til Year Five will you see anything really tough.
Take care and write back soon.
Love, Dad
Tess felt tears building up in her eyes. She was glad she waited until she was alone to read the letter. She did miss her family - her younger sister and brother, her older brother Devon, and her mother, of course - but her father had a special place in her heart. She loved him dearly.
The morning was glorious. The girls once more made a circuit of the castle, along the cobblestone path, the sun glinting off the dewy grass. Morwena was silent and shy. The others chatted away gaily about home and family, for they had all received letters that day. Even Muggleborn Pauline had received an owl. Pauline was quiet and cautious in a large group, but when it was just the four of them, she was gregarious. Her green eyes were stunning, and she had a lovely laugh.
Rhiannon, too, was fun to be around, now that Tess was getting to know her. Because they both had little sisters, Tess found she had much in common with her tall, freckled, orange-haired cousin. Tess regretted being so cold and hateful to Rhiannon in the past. She was determined, not only to be nice to Rhiannon, but to make some bold gesture on her behalf.
Father is right, of course. Let bygones be bygones.
After lunch there were still two hours before the start of Calliope's party. The girls retreated to the dormitory to get ready. They had to pick out their "best dress."
Rhiannon had only one dress, the green one she had worn on the train, which thankfully had been washed and pressed already by the House Elves. Morwena and Tess had two each, one for the train ride, plus another.
Pauline had four, with shoes to match. Some had been purchased in Paris, of Italian design. "I wasn't sure, so I brought everything."
Tess suggested, "Why don't we trade dresses? I think one of these Emerald dresses would look smashing on Pauline!" Morwena offered Pauline hers, and indeed, it looked amazing. The dress brought out even more Pauline's bright green eyes.
Pauline had a lovely yellow dress that Tess was keen to try on. It fit her nicely, even the shoes, which were yellow with black patent leather accents.
Morwena declined to try on any of Pauline's beautiful clothes. She put on her other dress, which was midnight blue, Ravenclaw's color. "I brought this along, just in case," she said dryly.
Tess laughed. Morwena landing in Ravenclaw was inconceivable to her, but it showed how far ahead Morwena planned, and for how many contingencies.
"Cousin," asked Rhiannon, shyly, "can I try on your plum dress?"
"Of course!" Tess fetched it from her wardrobe and brought it to Rhiannon. She stood by to help zip it up in the back. It fit everywhere but in the length. Rhiannon was a little broader in the shoulders, but she could still move about. Her legs, however, were much longer than Tess', and the hem was now well off the knee.
"I've seen Vanessa wear dresses that short," said Morwena, icily.
Tess tried to cover over the rebuke. "It's only us girls. I'm sure no one would mind."
But, Morwena's remark had been fatal. With a wounded look, Rhiannon changed into the emerald dress she wore to the station.
Pauline had a stash of Muggle makeup that Tess was keen to try. She preened in the mirror while she powdered herself. Then, she became beautician for Morwena while Pauline did the same for a reluctant Rhiannon. With sparkling blush on their cheeks, and gloss on their lips, they went upstairs to wait for the Ravenclaws.
Morwena's cousin, Sally Poysenberry, met them in the Entrance Hall and lead them up to Ravenclaw Tower. Like the Slytherins, the Ravenclaws had expanded beyond their original Common Room. They had converted nearby rooms into lounges and study halls. Unlike the Slytherins, however, these rooms were accessible to students from other Houses. One did not need to go through the Ravenclaw Common Room to reach them.
For her party, Calliope had reserved a large room at the base of the tower. She greeted the Slytherin witches at the door. "Hello all," she said. "Welcome to our little soirée."
"We begged Vanessa to join us," said Morwena dryly. "We assured her that she would be welcome. But alas! She had other plans."
This drew laughter from the Ravenclaw girls. Morwena's dark eyes swept the room. "Where's Thompson? I was so looking forward to meeting her."
"Oh Wennie, you're a riot," said Sally.
Tess was not sure that this last comment was sarcastic. Sadie Thompson had, after all, the endorsement of Umberto Calais. She’s probably being punished for saving Wren yesterday, mused Tess. There were five First Year Ravenclaw witches. Like Vanessa, Sadie was the odd girl out.
Calliope led them into the room. "Later in the term, this hall would be impossible to reserve. It's a very popular study room, particularly for group projects. But, since school has barely started, it was open."
Two square tables were set side by side with a white linen table cloth laid over the top of them. Eight chairs had been set around it. Before each chair was a set of delicate china, yellow with blue trim, each with a name card propped up like a small tent. There were two pitchers of hot water, bowls of tea bags, and plates of cakes and cookies.
The girls mingled by the door for a few minutes before taking their seats. Calliope had carefully interspersed them. Morwena and Calliope faced one another at the end of the table. Next to Morwena sat her cousin, Sally, while Tess sat between Sally and Trillian. Across from Tess sat Mona. Pauline sat on Mona's right, and Rhiannon on her left.
Calliope's House Elf, from their family estate, moved quietly between the chairs, refilling cups and replenishing trays. Pauline had never seen a House Elf before. Tess couldn’t tell if she were frightened by the elf or trying hard not to laugh at it.
Tess' placement at the center of the table allowed her to talk to her old friend, Mona, while following conversations left and right. Trillian engaged Pauline, who quickly fell into her French girl routine, going even thicker on the accent this time. "Oh, I wouldn't even consider Beauxbatons once I got my letter from 'Ogwarts."
Sally and Calliope together kept Morwena engaged in a conversation about the teachers they had encountered so far. Only Rhiannon looked awkward and unhappy. Tess thought Rhiannon would have preferred sitting on an end rather than being "land-locked" as Tess was. Rhiannon sipped her tea, nibbled at the cookies and didn't say a word to anyone.
Tess asked Mona, "What did Thompson do that kept her off the guest list?"
"She was just being a pill," said Mona. "We didn't like her saving Wren the other day."
"I thought not."
Trillian: "Wren had upstaged Cal in Potions, Thursday. We were keen to see him take a fall. But Sadie didn't get the message."
"Love conquers all," said Tess slyly, eliciting giggles from Mona and Pauline.
Trillian continued her narrative in an ever louder and excited tone. "Last night, Cal said to Sadie, 'What do you see in that skinny Mudblood anyway?' Sadie came at her with nails bared, scratching, pulling hair. Lucy had to blast them apart with her wand!"
At this, Calliope called out in a loud voice, "Don't tell them all my secrets, Trill. These are Slytherins, you know."
Tess took advantage of the interruption to look Pauline's way. She looked a little paler at that moment. Tess gave her an encouraging smile.
The conversations swirled around Tess, and she flitted from one to the other, sipping her tea but avoiding the cookies and cakes. After all, every day is Feast Day here at Hogwarts, she reminded herself. There was plenty at lunch and there will be plenty more at dinner.
After some time, Tess whispered to Trillian, "Where's the loo?"
"Outside the door and to the left."
Tess excused herself. The girls bathroom was close by. When she came out of the stall, Calliope was standing by one of the sinks, checking her hair in the mirror. Tess stood beside her at the other sink.
"You look like you're having a good time," said Calliope, idly.
"Yes! Thanks for inviting us."
"Most of you are having a good time, anyway. Rhiannon looks completely lost at things like this, doesn't she? Not sure what you and Wen see in her."
"Rhi is actually quite fun in a quieter setting. I'm glad I'm getting to know her."
“Still, there’s always been something off about Rhiannon, something queer, if you know what I mean.”
“No, I don’t,” said Tess crossly, for she could indeed see the direction Calliope’s thoughts were taking her.
Calliope continued in an off-hand way, “I wouldn’t be surprised at all if, in a few years, Rhiannon comes out as a lesbian.”
“That would hardly be a concern of yours,” snapped Tess.
“Surely you see it?” asked Calliope.
Before September the first, a comment like that might have bullied Tess into avoiding Rhiannon altogether. But that was then . . .
"Cal, you are my cousin and my friend,” said Tess, sternly. “But Rhiannon is my Slytherin Sister, and if you call her that again, I shall draw my wand."
"Is that how it is, is it?" said Calliope in an offended tone. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised." Calliope stormed out of the room without another word.
Outside, Tess found Morwena, Rhiannon and Pauline waiting. Morwena sent Rhiannon and Pauline into the bathroom. When the door had closed, she said, "What is it? You look flustered, and Cal was furious about something."
"It's nothing. Just Cal being snide. I told her where I stand these days."
"What did she say?"
"Tell you later. Let's get downstairs first."
The event quickly wrapped up. The exchange between Calliope and Tess had cast a chill over the room. Morwena gave a gracious farewell, but Calliope was silent. The other Ravenclaw girls were eager to find out why. Rhiannon looked relieved to be out of the room.
Down the stairs they went in silence. Once they were past the level of the Entrance Hall, they relaxed, as they were sure to be out of earshot of other Ravenclaws. Morwena put her arm around Rhiannon and said, "I know those things are not your favourite. Thank you for enduring. It made for such a stronger show to have all four of us there."
Tess gave Pauline a hug, too. "You were brilliant again!" She kissed Pauline's cheek, and felt an exhilarating rush. What a Prog I'm turning into, she thought to herself. What would Mother think?
Morwena: "What did Trill say that upset Cal?"
Tess: "Tril was saying how Cal got into a fight with Thompson."
"An argument?"
"No, a real fight,” said Tess. “Cal called Wren a Mudblood and Thompson went at her like a rabid cat. Claws and all. Their Prefect had to separate them."
Morwena smiled at the news. "You see," she said casually, "this is the difference between a Ravenclaw and a Slytherin. Trillian witnessed something exciting and interesting, and she wanted to tell you about it. She was also eager to explain Thompson's absence at the party. But Trill had no thought about how Calliope would like to be portrayed in such a story. Nor did she consider what we might do with this information.
"That's a Ravenclaw for you: A thirst for knowledge, a desire to gain as well as to share. But, no political acumen."
Tess nodded. "Should I tell you what Cal said while we were in the loo? It was nasty, and I was quite short with her."
"Yes, tell us." The girls stopped in the hallway, near the entrance to the common room, and formed a tight ring. Tess whispered her revelation to the others.
"What a snotty little bitch!" said Pauline.
A tremour of rage swept over Rhiannon. Morwena put a calming hand on her shoulder blade. "Rhi, please, this isn't anything you haven't heard before. We are on your side. Anyone who taunts you openly will suffer for it."
Rhiannon roughly rubbed her eyes. "It's none of her business what I am! She says that to my face, I'll rip her head off and give it to Thompson as a birthday present."
Morwena stared up into Rhiannon's eyes. "A complaint to Professor Gregor will be much more effective. It will put Cal on notice that we mean business, and it will keep you out of Azkaban."
"It's not funny!" snapped Rhiannon.
"I'm being serious, Rhi. She can't be flaunting the Standards of Conduct, not if she has aspirations of being a Prefect someday. A warning from Professor Gregor will frighten her deeply. The next step would be a mark on her Academic Record and an owl home. She can't risk that."
Pauline gave Rhiannon a firm hug. "We're not going to take shit from those snotty little girls!"
Tess followed with a hug of her own. "Thanks for sticking up for me, cousin," said Rhiannon, her voice cracking.
"Of course."
The girls continued on to the Common Room entrance. Rebecca was waiting for them just inside the door. "Good. I was wondering where you went."
"We were attending a social function with some of our Ravenclaw friends," said Morwena.
"Delia's been talking to some of the Seventh Years. She's put it in their heads that you are forming a coven, and that you are excluding Vanessa. This social event was Exhibit A."
"We invited her to come with us!" cried Tess. "She turned us down!"
"None the less, they've called a Council meeting for tonight. You'll have to make your case for forming a coven. I will support you girls and give you as much help as I can, but I have no influence at all over the Seventh Years."
Pauline: "What if we make a proposal and they turn it down? Then what do we do?"
Rebecca: "There could be some back and forth. They will want their concerns addressed. They also will want you to stick to tradition as closely as possible."
Tess was furious with Delia. She purposefully waited until we were at the tea party before she made her move. She wants us to have as little time to prepare as possible.
Morwena remained calm. Only the crinkles around her eyes showed how irritated she was. "What do we need to do?"
"There's a protocol for these sorts of things," said Rebecca. "I can show you the book."
"Please do. I'd like to be prepared."