Chapter 3
Chapter 3
The Prefect Meeting
Hadrian entered the Dining Hall and took a spot at the Ombrelune table. It matched all the others, sculpted from a light colored wood, but each table had a thin cloth that spanned the entirety of the center of the table. Theirs was a deep blue.
"What are you reading this time?" Amelie whispered, standing beside him and eyeing the Wood Nymphs that were setting up on the dais where Madam Maxime would enter to start the meal.
"It's called A Herbology Revelation." Hadrian whispered back, "My friend Theo recommended it to me. We had an argument last year about plants that need blood versus carnivorous ones that need raw meat; he's been putting research into both, trying to convince me he's right."
"Which side are you on?" Jaecen murmured, leaning close.
"Blood. Plants that need to be soaked in blood are always harder to care for, in my opinion, plus it grosses people out." Hadrian grinned, then inhaled sharply and fell silent as Madam Maxime strolled in, her heels clicking loudly on the marble.
She smiled at her students, and sat down at her seat. Every student mimicked her, taking their seats and waiting politely for the Nymphs to get comfortable. They faced the students, and began their lilting tune. This one was a sad song, one without words that rang through the hall and echoed across the icy statues. It reminded Hadrian of what someone could feel as they were left behind, not knowing if the object of affection would ever return for them. It made him smile sadly as he slipped the book out of his bag and slowly pulled a plate towards him.
Hadrian always thought that meals in the calm silence, the only noise being the tune that masked all the soft sounds of the students eating, were much more relaxing than the boisterous disasters that were Hogwarts' every meal. Once again realizing he was home, at Beauxbaton, he smiled.
"Alright, Prefects, this way." Hadrian recognized the boy as Heir Trace Coyle, seventh year Ombrelune Prefect, and quickly joined the collected group of Prefects.
"We're your seventh year Prefects, so follow us to the Prefect room." Lady Belmont said, beckoning them from Coyle's side.
Hadrian hadn't ever been to the Prefect meeting location, but he knew it was just past the Transfiguration classroom in the west wing of the third floor. The third floor was Hadrian's personal favorite. The ceilings were high and the floors a flawless marble, and the trim around the floors and decorating the corners were a deep gray. Carvings of flowers and vines flowed down the pathways; he used to follow them with his fingers, when he was younger, trailing his too small fingertips along the walls as he stared in awe. The blue torches lighting the way were cracking with magic, sparks falling lightly to dissolve on the heads of passing students.
Once they'd reached a wall with a statue, they stopped. Hadrian peered around some of the taller students, and noticed it was a man wearing a crown. He had large lips and a wide nose, his cheekbones low and prominent. Heir Coyle approached it easily, confidently.
"Intra." The accent was odd to Hadrian, but the word was simple enough. He briefly wished he'd cast a translation spell, but he apparently didn't need one as Lady Belmont spoke.
"The word is 'enter', and, like many of our spells, it's Latin." Hadrian didn't like to admit the first time he'd realized their spells derived from Latin was when he figured out Crucio directly translated to "I torture" in Latin. "This is where all Ombrelune Prefect meetings will be taking place in the future, so remember it. Easy way to remember the location is to remember the statue next to the Transfiguration classroom on the third floor. We're only walking you all through it once, since you're all old enough to not get lost like the itsy bitsy baby firsties." She grinned, and Hadrian resisted a surprised laugh.
"Anyway, come on. It's open." Coyle disappeared into the room, and the line of Prefects followed slowly and orderly. Hadrian stepped inside, after Tolleson, and examined the room.
It was much the same as the hallway, marble floors and gray trim and high ceiling, but it had a large round table with chairs surrounding it. Each chair had a name on the back of it, that, presumably, magically changed as the Prefects moved up in years and new ones were added.
Hadrian and Gianna sat side by side, and that's when Hadrian realized they were seated by year. Tolleson was in Hadrian's left, with some other sixth year on Tolleson's left, and a seventh year on their left, and so on. Coyle cleared his throat across the table and Hadrian snapped his eyes over to him.
"The Head Boy and Girl are Heir Kyro Bliashe from Bellefeuille, and Heiress Poppy Plauste from Papillonlisse." He announced. "They are good people, and, fifth years, if you need any advice, they're the ones best fitted to help you. After myself and Helena, of course." Coyle nodded to the girl and she smiled.
"This meeting is mainly to hash out schedules, but also so you can recognize your fellow Prefects. Names matter less than just facial recognition, so do your best." She gave a pretty smile, showing off her dimples. Helena was pretty in general, her dark skin clashing nicely with her pale blonde hair, and she was rightly confident too. Hadain often wondered if the hair was natural, but had never worked up the courage to ask.
"Feel free to discuss the specifics of the patrols of your areas, but the floor assignments are non-negotiable." Coyle said, eyeing them all seriously. "Now, Prefects patrol in duos by year, each year having specific floors. Fifth years will take the first and second floors, sixth years watching the third and fourth, and us seventh years will have the fifth and sixth floors. Nobody patrols the seventh floor, because the librarians literally never leave the library." Hadrian sighed, remembering how often he'd been kicked out by Mistress Hillard for staying in the library past curfew by accident. She was the toughest of the three for sure. "You have the choice of patrolling at the same time, or separately, depending on your schedule and sleep preferences."
"You can talk amongst yourselves now. We have an hour before the testing schedule release, and then dinner. There are maps of each floor in front of you." Lady Belmont then turned to her fellow seventh year, and Hadrian turned to Gianna.
"So we have the first and second floors." She said immediately, thoughtfully tapping her chin. "That's the entrance, Dining Hall, kitchens, Sorting Hall, and then a few Core Classrooms, right?"
"Yeah." Hadrian nodded, sliding the floor plan towards him. "History, Charms, and Transfiguration for the lower years are in the west wing. Here," He pointed to the east wing, "this is Drama and Care of Magical Creatures, and the Herbology greenhouses are just outside."
"I totally spaced on the Drama room down there." She facepalmed, making Hadrian snicker. "So what should we patrol first?"
"I'd say the east wing, it's the closest to the stairway down from our Commons." He suggested, "If we spend roughly an hour searching the area, we can move on by eleven, since our curfew is ten." Gianna nodded.
"We could take about a half hour running through the other rooms, but it's unlikely a student would sneak out to go to the kitchens or Dining Hall." She made a face, and Hadrian laughed.
"They would, if the Commons hadn't added those snack request stations."
"I still don't get whether elves sleep or not." Gianna muttered. "Is there a house elf hiding somewhere nearby, 24/7, so when someone rings the bell they just know? Creepy as hell." Hadrian grinned and changed the subject.
"The second floor is mainly Secondary Lesson Classrooms." Hadrian said, peering at the second map. "Literature, Philosophy, Painting and Drawing, and Art History in the west wing."
"Architecture, Sculpting, Textiles and Photography here, in the east." Gianna continued. "If we, again, spend an hour in each wing, it'll be only one in the morning by the time we're done with them."
"Then we'll have the north and south wings, which are entirely Defense Classrooms and Dueling Chambers." Hadrian said, tapping them on the map. "They're huge, and empty, so checking them shouldn't be hard. Another half hour at most."
"So is that everything?" Gianna said, blinking in surprise. "We'll be done around two, and that's not so bad. That gives us, at most, five hours of sleep."
"Would it be better to switch off?" Hadrian frowned, "That way we'd be patrolling every other night and getting full nights of sleep on our off days." She frowned as well, and then nodded slowly.
"We could do that." She decided. "How do we split it? There's seven days in a week, and weekends are the prime times for people to sneak out." Hadrian hummed.
"What about we both patrol on Wednesdays?" He suggested thoughtfully, "I patrol Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. You patrol Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. That's four days each."
"Oh!" Gianna exclaimed, beaming ear to ear. "On Wednesdays we can split up! You take the bottom floor, I'll take the second, and then we meet up in the Commons! Both floors'll take about an hour and a half, so we'll finish roughly the same time. That way we're in bed before one, and we won't be zombies for our doubled-up days!"
"That's genius." Hadrian grinned, "We'll do that." She laughed happily, and he couldn't resist a small laugh at her pure excitement. Hadrian then turned as Tolleson tapped his shoulder.
"Looks like you got everything sorted." The boy grinned, and Hadrian laughed.
"We did. You?" Tolleson nodded.
"It's super easy to patrol the fourth floor, since it belongs to the Commons." He said smugly, "We barely have to go anywhere."
"Something to look forward to, then." Hadrian grinned, "For next year."
"If you're even here." Tolleson rolled his eyes. "I wouldn't be surprised if you graduated before I did."
"It's entirely possible." Hadrian said, "Can't keep up, Heir Tolleson?" He winked, and Tolleson laughed.
"Drop the Heir, Black. We don't really need formalities, since we'll be Prefects together until you graduate."
"You mean until you graduate." Hadrian corrected. "You're a year older."
"Yeah, but I'll be graduating about four months early, not an entire year, Black." Tolleson gave him a look.
"There you have it, I'll just have to wait until next February to graduate, so I'll be after you. No problem." He grinned innocently, and Tolleson laughed. "Also, just call me Hadrian."
"Henry, then." Tolleson said, smiling.
"How is it that we've known each other, using formal titles, for three years and are just now switching to first names?" Hadrian asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Probably because we flirted more often than we were actually friends." Henry admitted.
"Y'know it's your fault I flirt so much." Hadrian laughed, "Flirting with little third year me, what a mistake."
"I can't tell if it was a mistake or a giant win." Henry said with faux seriousness, "However, I can take pride in knowing I created the famous Hadrian Black's personality."
"Hey! I created it myself, thank you very much." Hadrian laughed, "I was inspired by your trashy flirting, and made it better." Henry put a mockly offended hand on his chest.
"Trashy?" He exclaimed, "I'll have you know my flirting skills were, and still are, impeccable."
"You winked with both eyes." Hadrian deadpanned. "I can acknowledge the confidence, though. Props to you."
"Ah, at least I get some acknowledgement around here." Henry said, rolling his eyes. "Hallelujah."
"Oh, hey Lord Black." A person leaned out from the other side of Henry, "It's cool you're a Prefect too, I haven't seen you in awhile." Hadrian blinked at them. It was Noel Williams, straight nose and short brown hair that curled around blue eyes and a nose that looked a little too wide on their face. However, that wasn't what made Hadrian blink.
"I'm completely blanking on your title, Williams." That was a lie. Hadrian just didn't want to admit he had no idea what the gender-neutral replacement for Heiress was.
"Ah, I just go by Heir." They said, smiling. "The goblins said Lord and Heir are technically non gender specific, so it's the best I've got."
"Don't they count you as a female Prefect, too?" Tolleson frowned, "The Wizarding world seems less and less accepting the closer I look."
"Technically they call me the 'non-male sixth year Prefect', but yeah." Williams shrugged. "Not ideal."
"Amelie is thinking of being a Lord instead of a Lady." Hadrian said. "Just because she thinks Lords are stereotypically above Ladys, though. She thinks it's a power imbalance." Williams nodded.
"That makes sense. Good for her." They grinned, "Fancy becoming a Lady, Lord Black?"
"He'd make a terrible Lady." Henry snorted, rolling his eyes.
"Hey! I'll have you know I'd be an excellent Lady of the Black family." Hadrian said, sniffing as if offended. "I'd positively destroy the other people in dresses." His comment made the two burst into laughter, which earned them all odd looks from the people around the table. Hadrian just winked at them.
"Alright everyone, the hour is up." Coyle clapped his hands and everyone straightened to attention. "I hope everyone got their schedules worked out because patrols are starting the first day of classes, which is two days and two Mondays from now. Don't forget to introduce yourself to your Houses tomorrow morning, and all of you should be in your Commons and ready by seven thirty so you can have time to greet and lead the firsties." He turned to grin at Lady Belmont, and she cleared her throat.
"Don't forget to grab your schedules. The Professors will be handing them out in the Entrance Hall." She announced. "Make sure to study, because testing starts next week. Meeting adjourned." Belmont stood, smiling at everyone as she took Coyle's hand and left with him as people followed slowly.
"Are you excited for your tests?" Hadrian asked Henry as they stood. He vaguely noticed Gianna grabbing Heir Williams and chatting with them happily.
"No. I'm going to die if I don't move up." Henry sighed. "I keep forgetting to study over the summer, so I have trouble leveling up after the break. Once school starts I usually don't have any issues though."
"Why not study now?" Hadrian suggested, stepping out of the meeting room and following the group down the corridor, "You have some time, the testing doesn't start until Monday. You have the whole weekend."
"Arriving at school on a Saturday morning always made no sense to me, but it does help with preparing for classes and things." Henry admitted, and Hadrian laughed.
"True. I've always liked starting on Saturday, it gives me time to enjoy the Palace before testing." He smiled fondly, running his pointer finger along the walls as he descended the staircase and found himself in the Entrance Hall.
"I can't even remember what Secondary Lessons I chose." Hadrian heard Jaecen groan, and he looked over to see Jaecen standing with Amelie in the crowd of students waiting for their testing schedules. "I know I picked three, and I probably chose Literature?"
"It's not a mystery, it'll be written on your schedule." Amelie laughed, making Jaecen pout. "Thank you." She and Jaecen were handed their schedules and they moved away from the line.
"Yikes." Tolleson said, looking at the mass of people between them and the Professors. "I'll wait until after dinner."
"You can do that?" Hadrian asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Technically. The teachers don't mind, but most students are too embarrassed to ask." He grinned, and Hadrian laughed.
"I'm gonna go grab mine, see you later." He waved to Henry, who winked and gave a fluttering wave that made Hadrian huff in amusement. He glanced back towards his friends as he got in line.
"I'm telling you, I can do it!" Jaecen was yelling, pumping a fist, "It's not gonna be a repeat of last year!"
"Oh yeah? I think you shouldn't delude yourself." Amelie said, stifling snickers behind a hand.
"Thank you." Hadrian said, taking a paper from the Professor and moving towards the duo.
"C'mon, I really think I can this year." Jaecen was mock pouting, but as Hadrian approached he saw a tightness in his shoulders Hadrian didn't like.
"Do what?" He inquired, coming to a stop, paper still in hand. Jaecen turned to him with a grin.
"I'm gonna get into Potions 7!" He declared.
"Oh yeah, sure." Amelie teased, not noticing the way Jaecen's smile dimmed. "You've been in Potions 6 since you were a fourth year, Jae."
"I can help you study." Hadrian said softly, "What day's your test?" He leaned over to get a peek at Jaecen's paper, and the boy tilted it to give Hadrian a better view.
"It's later in the week, Thursday." He admitted. "It's great, my easier tests are first." Hadrian examined the schedule closely.
MONDAY
- Herbology - Care of Magical Creatures - Drama
TUESDAY
- Divination - History - Defense Against Dark Arts
WEDNESDAY
- Astronomy - Etiquette
THURSDAY
- Charms - Flying - Potions
FRIDAY
- Literature
SATURDAY
- Philosophy
SUNDAY
- Language
Hadrian scanned the dates and names carefully. Jaecen excelled in Herbology and Drama, same with History and Divination. Defence and Astronomy were more challenging for him, but Etiquette was a breeze. Charms and Flying he could skate by with a few extra reminders and tips, and his secondary classes on Friday were brand new and didn't have Year marks. Secondary classes were divided into three classes based on skill level, but you took one year of it no matter what level you got.
"How about I help you study with Potions and Astronomy?" Hadrian proposed, grinning at his friend. "I bet you can do it, no problem."
"You think so?" Jaecen's eyes were wide, and Amelie was watching the interaction with dawning comprehension.
"Of course. You were ahead for several years, there's no shame in being on the proper level. You're a sixth year, so repeating Year 6 wouldn't be a big deal anyway." Hadrian said thoughtfully, "But if you really put your mind to it, you can get to Year 7."
"I think you can too." Amelie piped up, making Jaecen whip around. "I was only kidding, I didn't know you were serious."
"Okay." Jaecen said, and then he grinned as he flipped his short and floppy blond hair dramatically. "I got this." Hadrian nodded, also grinning.
"You got this."
"What about you, Hadrian?" Amelie leaned over, looking suspiciously like she would steal his paper if he didn't tell her all its secrets.
"Oh, I'm only testing during the week." Hadrian said, pointing. "See? Jaecen and I are even in a few of the same test groupings."
MONDAY
- Etiquette - Care of Magical Creatures
TUESDAY
- Herbology - History
WEDNESDAY
- Astronomy - Transfiguration
THURSDAY
- Drama - Horseback Riding
FRIDAY
- Dance - Drawing
SATURDAY- Free
SUNDAY- Free
"You've already taken Horseback Riding twice, why again? You only need a year of three chosen lessons. You took… what, Horseback Riding and Painting, right?" Jaecen asked, confused. Hadrian smirked.
"Plus Art History. I'm finished with my secondary lessons; I don't need to take them at all." Hadrian grinned as Amelie sighed in defeat and Jaecen gaped. "I just enjoy them, if you can believe that. Besides, I adored Painting and Art History, so maybe Drawing will be fun too." He shrugged, and Jaecen blinked as if it had never occurred to him people would willingly take extra classes.
"Why Dance, though? It doesn't seem your type of scene. You're all… athlete, horses, running around in the races type." Hadrian laughed at Amelie's confused expression.
"Exactly, and as an athlete, I think I'd like to try a sport that's a little more artsy."
"Dancing isn't a real sport." Jaecen denied, "It's just a hobby for girls, right?"
"Of course it's a real sport, and anyone can do it. Seriously, have you seen some of the tricks and routines people do? It's crazy and amazing, and I can't imagine being able to do some of it." Hadrian laughed, "I'm taking it for the exercise. It'll be nice to throw in something that'll get my heart rate up." Amelie shook her head in disappointment.
"Only you Hadrian, only you." She sighed and all three of them laughed, Trill walking up with a grin.
"Having a party without me?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh we'd never leave you out, beautiful." Hadrian winked, making the boy sputter and turn pink. He was so easy to tease, it made Hadrian laugh again.
"What're you most excited for?" Amelie asked as Trill hid his pink face behind his paper.
"Drama, I think I'll get my Mastery this testing period." He said, clearing his throat. "What about everyone else, in Drama?"
"I'm close, moved to Year 7 last year." Amelie said, grinning. "Hadrian is still in Year 5."
"Only because I won't bother putting effort into a useless skill." Hadrian said pointedly.
"Hadrian couldn't move up in Drama if he tried." Jaecen snickered. "He's shit at acting."
"Is that so?" Hadrian raised a challenging eyebrow, "50 Galleons says I have my Mastery by March." Trill blanched.
"What!? You can't jump two Years and get a Mastery in only a year!"
"I got my Flying Mastery in January of my first year." Hadrian smirked, "That's jumping seven Years and still getting a Mastery."
"It's true, the idiot was so excited he actually grinned in the Common Room, and talked to us for the first time that day." Amelie laughed at the expression on Trill's face.
"It's not my fault you guys were intimidating." Hadrian muttered, "Socializing with kids my age wasn't my thing." Jaecen laughed, slinging an arm around Hadrian's shoulders.
"Still isn't, you go for older boys, don't you Hadrian?" Jaecen wiggled his eyebrows as Hadrian thought of his 7th year sort-of boyfriend, and grinned.
"I do indeed." Hadrian said, leaning into Jaecen so the boy had to catch him. "Oh Jae, marry me!" The boy laughed.
"Hey, take me on a date first!" Jaecen teased. "What if you're just a terrible boyfriend?"
"Hm, I take it back." Hadrian said, pushing off him and straightening and making Jaecen squawk. "You're not right for me. The marriage proposal has been receded." Amelie choked on nothing, and Hadrian sent her a wink.
"Damn, guess I tried." Jaecen sighed in mock disappointment, and Hadrian rolled his eyes. As Hadrian turned to look at his other friends, he caught sight of an odd expression on Trill's face and smiled at the boy. He looked away quickly, making Hadrian frown.
"So what secondary classes are you guys taking?" Trill asked, clearing his throat again and turning to Amelie.
"I asked for the same as Jaecen. Literature, Language, and Philosophy." She listed for him, "Hadrian has Dance, Drawing, and Horseback Riding." Trill frowned.
"But he's already taken three secondary classes. Not to mention he's taken Horseback Riding twice." Amelie looked at Trill like he was insane.
"Why did everyone know that except me!?" She demanded, throwing up her hands in defeat. "Am I blind or something?"
"To be fair, I didn't notice either." Jaecen snickered.
"So it's you!" Amelie rounded on Trill playfully, poking his chest, "You were stalking Hadrian, right?"
"What!?" Trill turned red and put both hands up defensively. "O-of course not!" Hadrian laughed, and patted Trill's shoulder lightly.
"It's cute you pay so much attention, Bensoir." He smiled at a still red and embarrassed Trill. “You should come take a closer look sometime.” Hadrian winked, and Trill squeaked.
"Anyway!" Trill exclaimed, still red in the face, "We have dinner soon, so I'd better go!" He turned on his heel and hurried off, making Hadrian sigh.
"Well, he's easier to fluster than I thought." He lamented, and turned to his other two friends. He blinked at them, confused by the odd look they were giving each other. Hadrian narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "What?"
"You flirt with him a lot, that's all." Amelie hummed, grinning.
"Amelie. I flirt with everyone." Hadrian deadpanned, giving her a look.
"Not me!" She giggled, "Am I too amazing for you? Too special?" She winked, and Hadrian groaned faintly. He then stepped forward and grabbed her chin delicately, lifting her face to meet his eyes. He swiped a thumb over her mouth lightly, and she gasped, so his thumb followed the curve of her parted lips slowly.
"You're special all right." Hadrian whispered in her ear, smirking. "And beautiful." He tucked a silvery strand of hair behind her ear. "Sweet, and kind." He pulled back to have his nose inches from hers, and her green eyes were huge in a very red and flushed face. "And I am gay." Hadrian released her and stepped back, grinning madly.
"Jesus." Hadrian glanced over at Jaecen, whose eyes were nearly as wide as Amelie's, and face nearly as red. "That was unreasonably pleasant to watch."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it, because it was a one time show." Hadrian laughed, "But I'd gladly repeat it with you as my victim, Samîel." He winked, and Jaecen burst out laughing.
"I don't know whether to melt or scream." Amelie said weakly, her blush finally fading. “I never saw you that way, but damn, you could probably pour soup in my lap and I’d probably apologize to you.” Hadrian snickered.
"Ah, once again, our love is never meant to be. The sexualities will never align. Woe is me!" Hadrian placed a dramatic hand on his forehead, making both of his friends laugh. "C'mon, we really do have dinner." Amelie nodded, skipping off as Jaecen trailed after her fondly, and beckoned for Hadrian to follow.
As Hadrian walked with his friends to dinner, Amelie happily skipping along with Jaecen meandering along behind her, he smiled gratefully. He had more than just them, of course, but they'd been his first friends. The first to reach across the chasm he’d placed between himself and the rest of the students. His little trio, and he'd always love them for it.