Last meeting
Friday, December 13th, 1991
"Hello, everyone! As you all know: the Christmas feast begins immediately after this meeting, and winter break begins tomorrow. I, and I know some of you, are going to be leaving in the morning. So, this is going to be the last Untied meeting until after break. Unless it needs to be postponed, for whatever reason, the next meeting will be on Saturday, January 4th. That is the day after the ones who go home return. Meeting will continue as usual from then on. Any questions about any of that?" Alex announced from the front of the ROR.
Oliver Wood, a supposedly cishet fifth year gryffindor, raised his hand.
"Yes, Oliver?"
"Do we have to re-sign up after Christmas?"
"No, your previous signature is good until you graduate. Anything else?"
"I...don't think my parents will like me being a part of this club. What do I tell them?" Oliver continued.
"Well, if you have to tell them something, you can just explain that this is a club that helps people. And that that is why you're a part of it, not because you're queer or anything."
Oliver looked nervous. "Um, okay. Thanks."
"Anyone else?"
A few other people had questions, which Alex quickly answered. Then it was time for the next part of the evening.
"Alright, everybody. We're going to do a pronoun check. Just say you're name, pronouns, and if you want sexuality. Okay?"
Everyone replied affirmatively.
"Great," Alex went on "I'll start. My name is Alexandria Dursely, Alex for short. I'm a trans girl and use She/Her pronouns. I'm also bisexual. Grace, wanna go next?"
"Sure. I'm Gracie Dursely, Alex's twin. I'm also a trans girl and use She/Her pronouns. Unlike my sister, I'm straight."
"Katalina Malfoy, but cool people call me Kat. They/Them pronouns, and I am gay; interested exclusively in boys."
"Mandy Brocklehurst, She/Her, straight."
"My name is Blaise Zabini, I'm pretty much the coolest person in this club. Scratch that, this whole school. I'm too cool for your expectations, so I'm a trans boy, He/Him pronouns. And I'm pansexual, because I don't want to deny any gender the amazing experience of dating me."
"Wait! You're a trans boy? But, you're wearing a skirt. I didn't know trans boys could wear skirts." A small second year suddenly spoke up.
"Of course trans boys can wear skirts, we're too awesome to be confined to pants. Now, Damian?"
"Right. I'm Damian Granger. Like Blaise I am a pansexual, trans boy who uses He/Him pronouns. Unlike Blaise I'm not egotistical or failing herbology."
"Oliver Wood....Cis straight boy, He/Him."
"Toni Weasley. I'm a trans girl, and I use She/Her pronouns. Being awesome, I'm also bisexual."
"My name is Susan Bones, I'm a lesbian and use She/Her pronouns."
The next person up was more nervous. "I'm Ha-Caden. My name is Caden Abbott. My pronouns change, but right now it's She/They; I'm genderfluid. And I'm bisexual."
Next up was the second year who asked Blaise about trans boys and skirts. "Hi, this is my first meeting. My name is Alec Sloan, I use He/Him pronouns. And I'm straight."
The names went on. Bigender/bisexual Neville Longbottem. Bisexual Dean Thomas. Loud, yet still obviously nervous, Seamus Finnegan who was gay. Questioning Lavender Brown. And more.
After the pronoun check Alex went over their growth from the past month and a half, and what she expected from the next year. Developments in their activism. Some plans she had for over winter break. And anything else she could think of.
The last thirty minutes was spent with everyone having some free time. Alex took the time to talk to their newest member, Alec.
"Hey, Alec. As I said earlier, my name is Alex. Can I talk to you for a bit?"
"Hi, Alex. Sure, whatever I guess."
"Great, thanks. Now, I know you're new to the club, and as the person who started it I thought I should welcome you. Here, I got this pronoun pin and name tag for you." Alex explained, handing over the items.
"Thanks....Do I have to wear this stuff?"
"Of course not. You can always wear it, just at club meetings, just when you're not at club meetings, or never. It's really up to."
"Okay. But, why would I have them if I never used them? Doesn't it kinda destroy the point?"
"I don't think so. It can be really helpful and euphoria inducing for some people to just have a badge with their name or pronouns on it."
"Euphoria inducing? Who told you I was trans? It must be a second year, you're a first year and the older kids ignored us last year, so they wouldn't know."
"I did not know you were trans. Everyone gets a pronoun pin and name tag. And I was just speaking in a general term."
"Oh." Alec responded, he looked embarrassed.
Alex smiled. "Don't feel bad, I get it. Remember, I'm trans too. I know how scary it can be, especially when not everyone knows."
Alec smiled back. "I don't mean to be rude, but why did you choose such a masculine name? I mean I know it's just a nickname, and it's kind of androgynous. But, I wouldn't want say Kennedy as my name or nickname."
"It's chill. And, first of all: I was three when I picked my name. But, also I just don't care what people think. I like my name, both Alexandria and Alex. It matters not to me whether or not someone else does, it's not their name."
"So, you've been out for eight years? I could never, my parents would kill me if they found out. And then there's my deadname, it's horrible."
"Same, about the deadname I mean. Even worse since literally the whole world knows it."
"That must suck."
"Yeah, but it has it's benefits. Like I already have a lot more influence which helps our cause."
"Optimistic way of thinking about it."
Alex shrugged. "Hard to live, especially when you're a minority, without a bit of optimism."
"Fair, though I don't think anyone could blame you for not being so happy."
"Won't stop them from trying."
"It will not."
Alec and Alex continued chatting for the rest of the meeting, and promised to hang out more after break; Alec was staying at the school.
The whole club headed down to dinner at 6:55, deciding to extend the meeting a bit since it was their last of the year, with a mix of emotions. Excitement, disappointment, fear, sadness, pride, and more. The next couple of weeks would be hard for a lot of them.