Shadow of the Prophecy

Ch. 17 - Are You Strong Enough To Stand, Protecting Both Your Heart and Mine?

Helena Haggerty

January, 6th Year

Several years ago, when Helena had been ten years old, her mother had begun to teach her the social graces necessary to fit into good society, and Helena had taken to it.

Poorly.

Certainly, she had read her mother's manual enough times to know the rules. The rules had not the issue. The issue had been that etiquette, like honesty, is only wanted in muggle society when it is convenient to hide behind. Determining when one could break the rules required a finesse Helena had found difficult to obtain, and a level of moral ambiguity she had often found distasteful.

It had been her greatest disappointment in her Wizarding peers to learn that some things transcend boundaries between the worlds, but it was something she had become used to. It had affected her very little in her day-to-day life at Hogwarts.

Until now.

It has never been in Helena's nature to be cautious. Though she is capable, it does not come easily. She has always been much more likely to act on instinct and navigate the ramifications later.

Theodore is more of a voice of reason.

Helena had expected the conversation about discretion to come from him at some point towards the end of the holiday. Then, however, the engagement had happened.

The legilimency had shown her Theodore was willing to make enemies on her behalf, and not just any enemies; Powerful enemies in his social group. Enemies such as Flint and Nott, and they would likely not be the last.

Etiquette and propriety needed to be important to her now, and it needed to be important to Theodore. Marriage among those of different statuses always reminds society of how convenient etiquette and propriety can be.

The look on Basil's face at the sight of Helena's ring had been enough confirmation. The crosshairs of pureblood society's 'good' opinion is where Helena and Theodore find themselves now.

She should have insisted on the chain.

****

Ravenclaw Tower is still mostly empty; save the odd student milling about among the luggage and discarded study materials cluttered about the space.

It is not odd that it should be. After holidays, most Ravenclaws are eager to make up for lost time and feverishly prepare for the return of classes. They gather in the library or in the alcoves as groups, and likely this is where she would find them if she were inclined to go looking. Instead, Helena is relieved for the opportunity to return to her dorm and unpack in peace and without disruption.

The ring had felt like a beacon the entire way to the tower, and she had to fight against her typical nervous tick of fidgeting with her hands lest she attract attention to it. Even so, Helena had been hypersensitive to every gaze that had turned in her direction along the way, and there had been quite a few. All had been pureblood, and all had been enough to foster anxiety and concern.

The gazes had made her stand a little straighter and walk with a little more purpose; determined to prove she was unaffected. At least, until she could allow the act to melt away on the other side of the common room door.

A little bit of peace and time to unpack her things and her thoughts is just what she needs, if Helena is honest. She can seek out Basil and determine just how worried she should be in a little while.