A Slytherin Christmas
That night, after dinner, Tess got into her nightgown and went to bed. She didn't feel like talking anymore to anybody. Morwena, however, came and sat on Tess' bed. She leaned against the wall, with pen and parchment in hand and her history book as a writing surface. Tess scooted over to make room for her. Tess lay with her head on her pillow and stared up at the flickering green lights.
"How did it start?" asked Morwena. "How did you know to go to Room 213 in the library?"
"The picture told me."
"What did it tell you?"
Slowly, bit by bit, Morwena drew the story out of Tess. They went over each clue that Scott Highcross gave her, plus the hints and suggestions from Robert.
When Tess fell silent, Morwena asked, "Are you feeling all right?"
"No. I'm still all mixed up inside. I love my daddy! And now, it turns out I'm not really his daughter."
Morwena nodded. "It would be hard for me, too, if this had happened to me."
"You know what's really stupid?" asked Tess, morosely. "I used to think that Scott liked me. That he thought I was cute. But that wasn't it at all!"
Morwena ran her hand through Tess' hair. "He loves you. He knew you were his daughter from the moment he first saw you."
Tess sighed. "I know that now. I still feel stupid."
"Don't. There's no way you could have known all this. For some reason, your mother kept it a secret from you."
Tess let out an irritated growl. "When I get home, she and I are going to have a talk."
Morwena smiled. "Before the end of term, I'll prep you. We'll think of everything she might say or could say. I'll make sure you're ready."
Morwena left Tess to her musings and moved on to Rhiannon. Rhiannon and Pauline were sitting on their loveseat, talking. Morwena sat across from them and set her book on her lap.
She asked, "What did you know, and when did you know it?"
Rhiannon drew her knees up to her chest and gazed away, down the hallway. Morwena was about to press her when Rhiannon finally answered.
"Delia knew something. At the beginning of term, she offered to help us and you turned her down. She's a little older than we are. I thought she may have heard something, a bit of family gossip, and that this picture was somehow a part of it. The Meadows thing, too. Tess looks like this guy, Scott Highcross? How is that possible if he’s not related to her? If they are related, how?
"When I got the Howler, I knew. Aunt Livy must have had Tess out of wedlock. It was a scandal, but they buried it. Buried it deep. I never knew a thing, never heard a thing about it, growing up."
"I had no idea," said Morwena. "I was so shocked, when I saw Olivia's name in that book. Then, Tess fell apart, and I realized she came up with the same answer I did."
"Are you going to write this next paper?" asked Rhiannon.
"Yes, and this time, we're all going to sign it. We each had a hand in finding the secret. I want each of us to get the credit for it."
Morwena spent all of Sunday morning drafting the revised report on Scott Highcross. This time, she had each girl read the rough copy and make suggestions, before she made her clean final copy. Tess was reluctant, but with Pauline's urging, she read through it and clarified a few points.
A few minutes before twelve noon, the students began to congregate in the fireplace room, ready to make their way upstairs to the Great Hall. Morwena went up to Robert with the clean copy of her paper. He took it from her promptly and gazed over its contents. "Yes, this looks quite good. And, I see all four names. Well done." He tapped the paper with his wand, and it flew down the stairs to his room.
For their efforts, each girl received an additional twenty points of extra credit. Morwena was now the points leader in History. Rhiannon and Pauline had moved up into the "Exceeding Expectations" category, while Tess was more firmly "Acceptable."
The Autumn Term was coming to a close, and Morwena was determined that they all do well in their classes. She made a study schedule for each class, and blocked out time for practicing the spells they had learned in Defense and in Charms.
"We'll automatically do better on our second exam," Morwena reasoned, "simply because we know what to expect. But, so will everybody else. You've got to know that Calliope is studying, and she's making Sally, Mona and Trill review with her. We've got to work hard if we're going to keep pace."
This did not keep them from enjoying the first snowfall of the season. The girls put on their coats, hats and gloves and walked along the path that circled the castle. The trees of the Forbidden Forest were frosted with a white dusting. The lake was flat and still. It looked to be frozen already.
After their walk, they went into the Great Hall and enjoyed a cup of steaming cocoa. The elves had even sent up from the kitchen a vial of cinnamon and nutmeg, and a bowl of tiny marshmallows.
As November stretched on, the blanket of snow became heavier. Each trip out to the greenhouses for Herbology became a trial. But that was nothing compared to their weekly trips to the parapet for their Astronomy Lab. No matter how cloudy and stormy it had been, the skies were always clear and cold for Wednesday night stargazing.
The girls wore everything they had - coats, hats, gloves, scarves, plus thick sweaters under their coats and heavy tights under their longest skirts - and they were still cold. As Morwena adjusted the telescope to see the Sagittarius constellation, Tess rubbed her hands against her arms. A few feet away at the next station, Philip Harkenborough was coughing. He was so small, with his woolen cap, he looked like a lost child.
Tess gazed for a moment at Philip, paired that night with John Fortney. Philip's mother was killed in the war, I'm told. Tess felt a pang of pity. I guess we all have our problems.
On December the first, Tess awoke to the faint smell of pine. Once they were showered and dressed, the girls went out to the main room. By the hearth was a great bushy fir tree, trimmed in silver tinsel and glowing silver balls. Pauline took a close look at one of the silver balls and flinched. "There's a snake on this one!" She shivered. "It's looking right at me!"
"This is Slytherin House," said Morwena, crossly. "They all have snakes on them."
Tess, curious now, leaned in for a closer look. Indeed, there was a snake etched on the ball. As she stared at it, the etching rotated until two pale green eyes were staring up at her.
"I see what you mean," said Tess. "That’s quite eerie!"
That week, instead of the Astronomy Lab, Professor Sinistra had them gather at eight o'clock in the Entrance Hall for a night of caroling. The Slytherin First Years, escorted by Blake, went up the stairs together. Hagrid had brought a tremendous tree into the great hall. It was decorated with red, blue, yellow and silver baubles.
Tess and Pauline went straight over to the tree and took a deep breath of the fresh pine scent. Morwena, Rhiannon and Vanessa stood together, gazing at the Hufflepuffs, who had come up a different stairwell at about the same time. Vanessa had not been invited to join them, but Morwena, perhaps in the Christmas spirit, had not shooed her away. Morwena made no move to greet the Hufflepuffs, however, but stood apart, cool and indifferent. Tess and Pauline took the cue and got in line with the others.
The Gryff boys came down the Grand Staircase, singing loudly some obnoxious song. From another stairwell came the Ravenclaws, Calliope at their head. Morwena went quickly to greet them. Tess mingled with her old girlfriends, giving hugs to Trill and Mona.
Morwena asked, "Where's Thompson? I still haven't even spoken to her yet."
Calliope, her voice a low growl, said, "She's run off to see her Mudblood boyfriend."
When she heard Calliope’s slur, Pauline, at the edge of the mass of girls, gave a little flinch. Rhiannon set a hand on her shoulder.
Tess thought, Sadie Thompson has a boyfriend? Tess followed Morwena's stare, across the room, to the mass of Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs. There was Thompson, gazing avidly up at Liam Wren. Tess felt a twitch of jealousy as she watched Wren smile warmly back.
Just then, Wren was aware of their cold stares. He looked warily back across the room at Morwena, Calliope, and finally Tess.
Before anything more could happen, Professor Sinistra arrived, and they went on their rounds of caroling.
In the Herbology greenhouse, the Portia’s Peonies were flowering, bushy green plants with large pink, purple and white blossoms that were potently fragrant. The students could smell them as soon as they entered the greenhouse.
“I had to move them into the next room,” said Professor Sprout. “Long exposure to the fragrance can cause intoxication.”
After a lecture in which she reviewed material, preparing her students for the upcoming final, Professor Sprout led her charges into the next room to see the peonies. In the center of the row of flower pots was a tall, thin stalk with delicate leaves and prominent thorns. At the peak of the stalk was a deeply red rose.
“Covenshire, Langlet, Clayton and Mullen, this one is yours,” said Professor Sprout, indicating the rose. “I’m not sure what happened here.”
The four shared a nervous laugh. “Tess and I kissed the seeds,” said Pauline.
“Ah, that will do it,” said Sprout.
Finals week was the third week of December. There were two long days of End of Term Exams. Wednesday there were Practicals in Defense and Charms, and a written exam in Fig. Thursday held a grueling History exam. (Fortunately, they had all been studying Morwena's meticulous notes.) This was followed by a slightly less daunting Herbology exam. After lunch, Tess and Morwena collaborated on a perfect potion, which earned them a proud smile from Professor DeVere.
During Friday's dinner, the last big feast before they boarded the train for home the next day, the younger Bitters walked down to the First Year end of the table. He had two notes in his hand. He gave one to Gordon and the other to Pauline.
It seemed innocuous enough. Alan Bitters had a cold sneer on his face, but Tess didn't find that terribly unusual. Yet, as soon as the notes were delivered, an angry hum, like the buzzing of a hornet's nest, erupted at the table. Older students were casting angry glares down at the First Years.
"What is that note?" asked Morwena, alarmed.
Pauline read through it with a shrug. Rhiannon picked it up and scanned it quickly. Her face grew pale.
Tess glanced over at Gordon and Umberto. Neither of them looked particularly alarmed, but something was clearly upsetting the older students. Morwena took the note and set it between her and Tess so that they could both read it.
Miss Langlet,
Your presence is required at the annual ISWS meeting, tonight in Professor Meadows classroom, promptly after dinner.
It was signed by Professor Gregor. "What's the ISWS?" asked Tess.
"The International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy," said Morwena, softly. “It must be a lecture about not using magic around Muggles.”
Finally, Tess understood. Only Muggleborns have to go to this meeting. Pauline's cover, as the daughter of a French witch, had been blown.
Fear was seeping into Pauline. "What do we do?" she whispered. Rhiannon ran her hand along Pauline's back, but she too looked worried.
Morwena took a sidelong look at the older students down the table from her. Then, looking right at Pauline, she said calmly, "Go to the meeting with Gordon. We'll handle them."
Professor Gregor came down from the staff table to collect Pauline and Gordon. Pauline cowered behind Gordon as they walked past the older students.
Morwena said calmly to Tess and Rhiannon, "Let's go down to the Common Room, shall we?" When Morwena stood, Umberto and Vanessa quickly went to her side. The five of them, Morwena, Tess, Rhiannon, Umberto and Vanessa, went down to the Common Room together.
Down in the Halls, Morwena did not retreat to their dorm room or their study, but waited by the large hearth. The five First Years were joined by the two Prefects. That makes seven, thought Tess. That's as good a number as we can expect.
Behind them came a pack of girls, Helen Hellgate at their center. Beside Helen, a cold, cruel look on her face, was Delia Soulbridge. At the outskirts of this crowd were two distinct groups of boys, the Progs, led by Kaufmann and Stone, were on one side and the Conservatives, led by Beardsley, were on the other.
The Prefects will protect us, but they don't have much power over a Seventh Year like Helen Hellgate, thought Tess. And, Professor Gregor is at this meeting. He's not around to save us.
Delia started off the interrogation. "So, Morwena Felwich, offspring of one of the most conservative, Pure Blood families, has been harbouring a Muggleborn in her coven?"
Before Morwena could answer, Helen demanded, "What did you know about this, and when did you know it?"
Morwena glowered back. Her answer was aloof, haughty. "I knew from the beginning, of course."
Helen: "Who came up with the story that her mother was a French witch?"
"I did."
Delia: "You lied to us!"
"I felt I needed to protect her. I didn't know what the current situation was for Muggle- borns. I had to make a judgment call, on the train, and this is what I decided."
Delia: "You must have known the truth would come out eventually."
"It happened sooner than I thought, but I knew it was inevitable, yes. I wanted to give Pauline a chance to prove herself. And, she has proven herself! Pauline is an asset to this House. I'm proud to have her in my coven."
Helen stepped closer so that she was inches from Morwena's face. "You will regret trying to deceive me, Felwich."
From Morwena's left, there was a low laugh. Robert waded through the mass of students and stood beside Morwena and Tess. "That threat would mean more coming from a Fifth or Sixth year, Helen. You have precious little time to make good on your threat, and I doubt Felwich here will give you an opening to do so.
"As for Langlet, I immediately questioned the story of her family history. Her alibi was perfectly unverifiable, which made it suspect in my eyes. I asked Calais, and he confirmed my suspicions.
"This meant nothing to me - I was merely curious. Why, I ask, are you so upset? That Felwich did not confide in you? That she did not seek out your advice?
"Why should she?" he snapped, with a sudden force that made Helen back up a step. "When have you shown any interest in these girls' welfare? When have you tried to get to know them? Never! All you have done is meddle in their affairs.
"Felwich has no fear of you. She beat you earlier, and she has beaten you again, tonight. She stared you down and shrugged off the threats she sensed were empty. Believe me, Helen, Morwena Felwich will make a more prominent mark in the history of this House than you have in your time here.
"Gregor and McGonagall knew from the beginning, of course, that Pauline Langlet was Muggleborn. These Pure Blood witches, Morwena, Rhiannon and Tess, from ancient wizarding lines, taking in this girl, befriending her, including her in their coven - that has not escaped notice of the staff. It was an astute move, politically. A move worthy of a Slytherin."
Helen gathered herself and made a sudden counter. "Your interest in these girls have been questioned, Kaufmann. We suspect your intentions are less than honourable!"
Robert glared down at her. "If you have accusations that you can substantiate, bring them before the Council!"
"I'm watching you, Kaufmann." Helen pointed her finger at both Robert and Morwena. "I'm watching both of you!"
To this, Robert made no reply. Helen stormed off to the stairway. The large group of girls dispersed, some going downstairs, while the younger girls headed for the upstairs dormitories. The boys dispersed in the same way. Finally, there were only Robert, Umberto, and the four First Year girls. Rebecca lingered on the outside of the circle.
"I had to give her the last word," said Robert, when the crowd had dispersed. "It was the only way to get her to leave."
"Thank you for your help," said Morwena, softly. She looked suddenly weary.
"Respect, Help, Love - these are not freely given here in Slytherin House. You must earn them. I watched you hold your own against Hellgate. She had nothing on you - no leverage whatsoever. I merely moved in to prevent her from besieging you."
"Thank you for your confidence in me."
"As I said, you earned it." He took Morwena's hand and shook it. He then put his hand on Tess' shoulder and gave her a warm smile. With a nod to the others, he went to the stairs.
The door to the Common Room opened, and there was Professor Gregor. He waited at the threshold as Pauline and Gordon entered.
Gordon went straight to Umberto. "It was nothing," said Gordon. "They told us things to say when we're back home. What we're doing here at 'Lakewood College.'"
Pauline was hanging shyly back. Rhiannon came up to her and gave her a firm hug. Morwena followed with her own hug. Gazing into Pauline's eyes, Morwena said, "Don't worry. I held off Hellgate and the others. They're prejudiced, of course, but they can't admit it. So, they yelled at me for lying to them."
"I'm sorry," murmured Pauline.
Tess said, "It was nothing! We took care of it."
Pauline reached out her arms, and Tess gave her an embrace. As she brushed her lips against Pauline's cheek, she thought, What a Prog I've become. Just like my Mum.