= Wands High =

Chapter 58 - 24 May 1998, Sunday

- ... and I don't believe it has anything to do with it – Syrus continued without barely taking any time to breathe between words. - I mean, her literation is shambolic at best. And that's saying something, I might add. Clearly she is still holding a grudge over that incident from a couple years ago. What a crazy woman! D, I can't really blame you for showing her the door the way you did...

Finally Daynen's hand waving gesture managed to get the 4th grader's attention.

- Alright, alright Syrus. I think we are getting a bit off-topic here. Your update has been noted and appreciated, earning my most sincere thanks. Off you go now.

Much like a forest hare, caught in the lights, the boy blinked a few times, before slowly nodding and moving back to the table where he had been originally seated.

- Slavery has been abolished for quite some time now – Hermione noted a moment later, without taking her eyes off the banana cream pie she was having for desert. – Even as far as House Elves go.

- Ms. Granger, whatever do you mean?

He seemed to be taking the question with good humor for a change, rather than getting upset or making an even bigger jape over it.

- Well, I figured I'd rather inquire about that particular topic, rather than the fact yet another female name has been mentioned next to yours. It's been popping with almost every conversation, one could not help but be a little curious.

That last remark did manage to erase Daynen's relaxed smile instantaneously.

- I hoped this would not ruin our evening – the boy sighed, clearly somewhat flustered all of a sudden. - You want to know the details? She was upset that I didn't mention her during our final song back then. Made a big fuss about it. Public scandal in the main hall, screaming, throwing of objects, both physically and magically, of course, everyone staring and talking about it for days afterwards. I might have overreacted myself in the end. It wasn't my proudest moment, what can I say...

- Easy there – Hermione laughed, finally turning her head to regard him. – Is there Veritaserum in your juice or something? I was just teasing.

- Veritawhat? You were? Thought you were getting mad.

- Oh, trust me, you've yet to see me mad, Daynen.

She threw him yet another notorious look, mixed with both suspicion and amusement before moving closer to him on the bench.

- I don't care about Cassidy, nor Cynthia or whatever their names are – the girl said with a bit more of a quiet tone. – You said it yourself, didn't you? It was back then. This is now. That's all that should matter, correct?

- How very logical of you.

- Are you surprised?

- Not really. But it does make me feel kind of bad since I rather overacted when I saw that picture of you and that "Wesley" character or whatever his name was.

That did make Hermione stop mid-bite and turn her head fully towards him, fork still hovering in mid-air. Her brown eyes were unnaturally glittering, as if trying to say something almost, but whether that was really the case Daynen could not determine. Had he strung an unpleasant chord by mentioning the topic, or was it something else he had done wrong?

- That's because you are a boy – she finally said, her usual all-knowing tone fully resumed, raised eyebrows and all. Before continuing, the fork containing the last piece of banana pie had now moved further away from her lips and closer to Daynen's. – You care about those sorts of things, don't you? I know you do.