𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗜𝗥 𝗗𝗘 𝗟𝗨𝗡𝗘. Demetrius Desmond

06

"AS PUNISHMENT FOR BEING LATE ROLL CALL, YOU ARE TO HELP THE DORM MOTHER."  Professor Henderson spoke to me as i nodded still tired from yesterday's mission. 

"Yes, sir." I managed, masking the exhaustion threatening to show through.

The professor's gaze was sharp watching me like he suspected there was more to my tardiness than he'd been told but luckily, he didn't press.

With a swift nod, he dismissed me and I made my way to the dormitory's common room where I could already see the Dorm Mother bustling about with stacks of folded sheets and an assortment of cleaning supplies.

"Here early, are we?" she asked without looking up, her voice brisk but softened by a small smile. "Well since there's not much left to do today, you can help the first years hang the sheets."

I managed a polite smile in return, although I was still exhausted. Grabbing a hefty stack of sheets I made my way outside, greeted by the sight of three young boys.

"What are you two doing here?" asked a boy with short dark brown hair and hazel eyes, surprised to see his friends. "Why didn't you go with the others?"

The chubby boy gave a shrug. "This is our punishment." he said with a grin while the tall blond friend sighed and added, "Let's just get this over with."

"I told you, I'm not going to play." the dark-haired boy replied, approaching his friends with a scowl. I couldn't help but smile as I watched.

His friends were clearly here to support him, no matter how much he tried to push them away. There was something endearing about it.

I joined them quietly, draping the sheets over the line to let them dry in the fresh breeze. The chubby boy nudged his friend and grinned mischievously. "Stop being so stubborn, Lord Damian. You nerd."

I stifled a laugh as Damian glared at him, clearly annoyed but too proud to say anything. "Whatever. You two don't need to stick around with me. Go have fun."

The chubby boy waved him off. "The others are just wasting a day like this at some movie." he said with exaggerated disgust and the tall blond nodded solemnly.

"Exactly! We're in on the real fun, hanging laundry." he added, wrapping a sheet around his shoulders like a cape. "And we can even pretend to be Imperial Scholars!"

The mention of "Imperial Scholars" made my mind go back to my black haired friend, He was probably sticking his nose to a book right now despite it being the weekend.

"If you want Stellas, come catch me!" the boy laughed, taking off in a sprint as the other two boys chased him, yelling about who would keep the "cape."

I watched, chuckling as they dashed around, half-serious in their attempts at the chase. I continued with the laundry. Amused by their antics until Professor Henderson appeared, his gaze sharp.

"Playing around when you're supposed to be working?" he called out. "I have a new punishment for you four."

Four? I froze, pointing to myself in confusion. Surely he didn't mean me too? He nodded and my jaw dropped. "What did I do?" I asked, bewildered.

"You weren't supposed to do their share of the chores." he replied sternly. I sighed but he wasn't finished. "You're all going on a field research trip with Mr. Green, our custos."

He gestured over to Mr. Green, Mrs. Green's twin brother, known for being a laid-back, easygoing presence on campus—quite the opposite of his sister which i was glad over.

"Field research?" one of the boys asked, both curious and wary.

"Oh, you'll see." Mr. Green said with a grin, his eyes twinkling with the prospect of adventure. "Better grab your coats. The fun's just getting started."