= Wands High =

Chapter 53 - 23 May 1998, Saturday

- So quiet... - James, almost sheepishly, uttered, as he passed through the front door of the cabin, Daynen and Hermione right behind him.

The lights came up instantly when the trio entered the small hall, making them all cringe in discomfort as they were way too bright for their eyes, which had been accustomed to the darkness outside.

- Lovely, is it not? – said Daynen with one eye closed, while Hermione was neatly adjusting the lights with a few waves of her wand, quickly drawing his attention. – You have a spell for every situation, don't you?

- Clearly not.

He couldn't grasp what the girl had meant with the remark, but whatever the joke was, it was likely, like usual, at his expense, as she swiftly turned around and tapped his nose with the end of her wand before putting it back in the side pocket of her jeans.

The lights on the whole first floor were now dimmed down and resembling the shimmers of simple candlelight. The shadows of various objects were perhaps making the overall atmosphere spookier than it needed to be, considering the latest events.

- Ah, takes me back... - Daynen muttered as he sat down on one of the two available armchairs – almost ancient–looking pieces of furniture, alongside the table and couch of same color and style. The sound it made under his weight was more than displeasing, as the sharp creaking clearly had made James feel uneasy for some reason.

- Takes you back to where? The days you were visiting cemeteries out of boredom?

- Not quite – the guitarist muttered, completely oblivious to the joke attempt. – Often I used to create such a vibe for myself when I was alone out on the countryside. I found that it always helped me to unwind and collect my thoughts after a stressful or disappointing day.

He almost didn't pay any attention to James, who'd opted to take a seat on the couch opposite him, nor to the striding left and right Hermione, whose inner sense of house management seemed to have taken over – closing windows here and pulling curtains there. Only when she had finished with all that and leaned on the armrest of his chair, letting out an audible sigh, did he finally fully register his surroundings.

- What was it you said out there – he inquired carefully, looking at James. – A delicate matter? Mind if I am present for it?

The other boy looked at him befuddled for just a brief moment before laughing heartily.

- Overprotective to a fault, Sir Tiberius! You must jest, for I doubt that you seriously consider me capable of saying anything harmful or inappropriate to our common lady friend here. Pardon me, of course, if feelings are not mutual.

- Naturally, I consider you a friend, James – Hermione replied with a smile, be it with some unease, as she shot a careful glance Daynen's way with the corner of her eye, noting that the boy's expression had remained unchanged.

- But jokes aside – James continued, clearly unimpressed by any of it and now looking back at Daynen. – It involves all of us, and mainly you and me, I'd say, so even if you didn't want to be present, I'd insist on the opposite. No disrespect to the two currently absent ladies, but, after all, I think when it comes to songwriting in this band, the burden for the most part will fall down on you and me. And there is nothing wrong with that, may I add.

Daynen finally did raise an eyebrow, but remained silent all the same. It was Hermione who opted to speak instead.

- I think I know where this is going. But it is still unclear to me why I need to be here for any of this, and more importantly – what this delicate matter you want to discuss with me is.