I Know The End {Fred Weasley, ACT I}

Chapter 14- An Excess of Montague

"Before we begin, I believe congratulations are in order. You are apart of an incredibly talented cohort of students that made choosing this year's Head Boy and Girl quite the task. I welcome the rest of the professors in joining me in a round of applause in respect to this achievement."

The staffroom was littered with polite applause at Albus Dumbledore's words. Dumbledore beamed at Montague and Eleanor, who sat awkwardly in front of the staff. Montague smiled broadly, nodding his head forward slightly in appreciation of the acknowledgement but Eleanor wasn't sure how to handle so much attention. She smiled politely but was quite aware that her smile never reached her eyes. All she wanted was for Dumbledore to just get on with the stupid thing.

"First things first, how were all the new prefects? Were there any issues on the train?"

Ah, here we go, Eleanor thought.

Cedric would have lied for her if he were there, but he wasn't. He was currently laying at the bottom of a dirt grave, rotting away. Montague on the other hand didn't feel any sense of loyalty to her. He would have absolutely no problem ratting her out.

Maybe then you can get out of this before it even begins.

"I wonder how some of the prospects will handle their new positions, sir. Specifically, I question Hannah Abbot and Ronald Weasley's appointments, but I believe in second chances," Montague gave a winning smile, "other than that, I think everything went according to plan. Wouldn't you agree, Eleanor?"

Eleanor was impressed at her own ability to hide her surprise. She looked over at Montague, who was staring back at her with an annoyingly fixed smile on his face. What game he was playing at?

"I would agree, although I do counter that Hannah and Ron will make fine prefects."

"Potter, we were all surprised by the appointment of Ronald Weasley. There is no reason for you to pretend otherwise," Snape said slowly, his cold eyes staring unblinkingly at her.

"I trust the Headmaster's judgement," Eleanor responded with her best attempt at false niceties.

Not really, but fuck you Snape.

"As do I." Professor McGonagall spoke curtly, ending any further conversation on the topic.

"I am happy to hear the train ride went smoothly." Dumbledore continued on as though neither Montague nor Snape had just insulted Ron. Eleanor wished he would have come to Ron's defense. He had been the one to appoint him and he should have defended that decision. Yes, Eleanor thought Harry would have made just as good of a prefect as Ron, but there truly wasn't much of a difference in choosing one over the other. They were both kind of idiots. Idiots she loved very much, but idiots nonetheless.

"For the remainder of the year, you will continue to ensure that the prefects are performing their duties properly. It is impertinent, especially in these first few weeks, that you are on the lookout for prefects who are abusing their position of power-"

Ah yes, I already abuse my position of power.

"-for either their own gain or at the expense of others. If you see any behavior of this sort, I ask you to report it to that student's head of house immediately."

When Draco bullies first years, I'll be sure to report that to Snivellus right away. A lot of good that'll do...

"I expect you to have monthly meetings with the prefects from all houses and years. You will need to check in on them and listen to any concerns they may have. Of course, monthly password changes are advised for the prefect bathrooms and for certain house common rooms. You will both have the knowledge of the password for each house dormitory, along with the passwords for the staffroom and my office. I assume you both have the natural wit to make your way into the riddle encoded Ravenclaw common room if necessary."