of knife-wielding wixen

a series of hapless events

June 13th, 1957

Thomas fiddled with his tie, impatiently waiting for Audrey Rosier in the dark confines of the entrance to the Slytherin dungeon.

True as it was that as a general rule, Ravenclaws were acceptable company compared to the other houses, Thomas had never felt welcome or comfortable with the Slytherin bunch. Though there were many inter-house couples, Thomas hardly knew any Slytherins well enough to be around them with the alarming frequency his housemates tended to be.

Finally, Audrey stepped out of the common room, looking around wearily.

"Hello, Thomas," she said in her usual soft voice. She gestured for him to follow her to the dimly lit hallway bench. Thomas noticed that Audrey's pale complexion had a sickly sheen to it.

He sat down on the bench, which was cold and impersonal, much like the Slytherins that generally occupied it.

"I am very sorry for inconveniencing you," she began.

"Er, it's alright," he replied awkwardly.

She smiled benignly. "I was wondering," she began, "If you could acquire a muggle house for me." Upon seeing his confused expression, she added, "I don't exactly know any mudbloods–er, muggleborns–who could help me with such a thing. And I recall you said you were going to leave the wizarding world behind."

She peered up at him, brushing her bangs to the side. After a moment of silence, "No? I must've got the wrong person then. I do apologize-"

"N-no, no, you're right. I'm going to rent a small muggle flat in Perthshire."

"Wonderful," she said grandly. "Could you find one between 4,000 to 15,000 galleons?"

He gaped at her. "That's a lot of money! You would really spend £75,000 on a flat?"

"As you are aware, I'll be receiving my 75,000 galleon inheritance soon."

Thomas felt a slight pang of unwanted jealousy. His own share was only 20,000.

"Why not just rent one?"

"Rent? But why?"

"Well, I'd assume you wouldn't mean to stay there! Why are you wanting to move out of the sprawling Rosier Estate? Why leave the wizarding world at all?" She took a deep breath.

"Thomas. I'm pregnant. And he is already betrothed."

Thomas could not believe it. Sweet, traditional-minded Audrey? Pregnant with whose child?

As if reading her mind, she explained, "Thaddeus and I are very much in love. But he is betrothed to Amaryllis Carrow.." Thomas couldn't pry his eyes off her mostly flat stomach.

He paused, thinking carefully. "Audrey, I never thought you-"

"Don't judge me," she hissed bitterly, and with a surprising venom.

He was nearly taken aback. He had never seen her look scornful as she did now. It was so easy to forget that she was a veritable Slytherin, and not some innocent Hufflepuff.

He thought about their inter-House picnics with friends, such cheerful moments.

Who was this new girl, and what had changed?

He felt this wasn't an innocuous request. Clearly, this situation posed significant consequences for her. For once, his decision would deeply impact the outcome. Perhaps he could've, should've, up and left but he felt compelled to stay. This was not the way to end their friendship. He had to do it right. He owed her this last favor.