Nothing's Fair In Love And War | Zarry

Part Eleven

The following week had been humid and drizzling, covering the entire hill under the grey sky. It was more difficult for the coven to track the unicorns' conditions, therefore the other witches still had to follow their traces into the woods under the heavy rain. The bad weather had been perturbing everyone in the coven, especially for Harry. Just like what Zayn said, he wouldn't be very helpful around the unicorns. And the constant rain had deprived his opportunity to stay in the herb garden for the entire afternoon. The house was mostly empty, except for the classrooms that he couldn't step into. And that brought Harry down to a lower level.

Kalisha and some witches had decided to hold a banquet for Taylor. They didn't want the atmosphere to be too distressing. Instead, it would be a cordial event with gracious ceremonies. The witches would greet Taylor and proffered their blessing. All the witches from the nearby neighbourhood would present themselves to show their regards as well.

Harry didn't like the ambiance in the coven right now. Everything seemed treacherous to him, but he couldn't read from the dense fog around. His nightmares happened more and more frequently, but he still didn't know the meaning behind the swords that almost slashed his throat open every night.

On the other hand, unlike Harry, Zayn was always busy. Each of the witches in the coven only had one or two class every week, but Zayn needed to participate every single class with the students. Harry doubted if that was necessary, or they just wanted to keep him aside. Sometimes Harry would peek through the door, wondering if Zayn was on the balcony with his cigarette again. And then he would bury himself under the covers as he thought about how ridiculous that was.

The banquet for Taylor was held on the full-moon day of the month. Harry was trying to offer his help the day before the event was held. Not to his surprise, he was soon becoming the spared one after the decoration in the hall was done. Kalisha suggested him to assist the kitchen work, but the other girls claimed the kitchen was full already.

So Harry decided to spend his time in the grand library alone, surrounding himself with paper and inks. In the silence he could only hear the raindrops pattering on the windows, and his fingers flipping the pages. He held his chin on one side, fighting against the drowsiness as the time went by. His eyes almost closed that he didn't even notice someone else had entered the room and stood behind him.

" 'Alchemy: Through the History'? Really? Can I assume that's my impact?"

Harry jumped from his seat and dropped the heavy book as the voice appeared by his ear all of sudden. "What are you doing here?" Harry squealed, arranging himself while Zayn grinned and put a finger in front of Harry's lips. "You shall be quiet in the library." He smirked, "I've been looking for you."

Harry raised his eyebrow, "Yeah?"

"Taylor wants to talk to you. She's in her office."

"Oh." Harry mumbled, picking up the book on the floor, "what does she need me for?"

Harry couldn't hide the bitterness in his words. Taylor didn't show much concern to him after the night he told her about his dream. He thought she would at least check on his condition and the various nightmares he'd experienced, but it didn't happen. Harry really didn't want to let negative thoughts occupy his mind at this moment. Zayn shrugged as the answer to his question, so Harry nodded at him. He wanted to ask what Zayn had done for the day, but Zayn was already waving at him and walking out of the door.

Taylor's office wasn't too far away from the library. She was sitting by the window as Harry knocked the door and walked in. He smelled a pleasant fragrance in the room, but he couldn't tell what kind of plant it was.

"White musk, do you like it?" Taylor adjusted the aromatic lamp on her desk, "Have a sit, Harry."

Harry managed a smile, pulling the chair across Taylor's desk. "What do you need to tell me, Taylor?"

Taylor didn't answer him immediately. She's pouring more hot water into her porcelain kettle. Harry waited patiently, watching her put a lemon slice into the cup. "It's just a simple question, dear. Tea?"

"Thanks." Harry replied, but didn't touch the tea plate.

"Harry, you know I've always valued your opinions." Taylor said sweetly, "I know the other ladies...they have their own point of views, that's something I can hardly change. But as a leader, I'm obligate to balance the different voice in the coven..."

"What are you going ask?"

Taylor didn't look at him, putting a sugar cube into her tea. "What do you think about Zayn Malik?"

Harry's tongue tied, "Wh-what?"

"Mr. Malik has been widely welcomed by the other members of the coven, but I think we can't deny that there's some obvious bad blood between two of you. And I wonder why." Taylor tilt her head to look at him, her typical smile was still on her face.

"We've solved the problem ourselves." Harry answered flatly, "We did have some minor conflicts before, but now we're good... So it shouldn't worry you."

"Really?" Taylor grinned again but didn't move a bit, "You still haven't told me what you think about him though."

"I – why does that matter?"

He clenched his knees, trying to keep his expression calm as he threw the question back. Taylor took a sip of her tea, "Just like I stated before, Harry. I need to hear the voice of every member individually. Mr. Malik will soon fill my blank in the coven, I have to decide if he's the suitable one."

"Then did you... May I ask if you have consulted the other witches?" Harry asked again, keeping the politeness in his voice.

"Not yet." Taylor crossed her fingers on her lap. "You are a special one to me, Harry, you understand that. It's just a simple question, or you find it difficult for you to answer?"

"No." Harry denied, voice weakened. "Well... Zayn is very friendly to me...and the others, for sure. He has enlightened me with a lot of information and knowledge that I've never dabbled myself in. He's very patient and considerable with the students too. They really like him."

"And?"

"And?" Harry reiterated her question, "That's all I can say."

"You don't have anything else to add?"

"I don't know what you expect to hear from me, Taylor."

Taylor narrowed her eyes, and then put on her smile once again. "It's fine. That's enough for me to know. Before you go, can I ask you one last question?"

"Of course."

"Do you think Zayn Malik is qualified for the role of leader?"

The sudden question confused Harry more than the last one did. "I'm sorry?"

"To my observation, Mr. Malik possessed all the features to be a perfect leader for our coven." Taylor explained mildly, "I think you've just confirmed that to me. You said that he's very nice to all the witches – including you, even when you had some arguments with him. And the children like him too. He's also very knowledgeable about exotic magic, which is what we're lack of ideas for. Does that not persuade you?"

"He's only been here for less than a month." Harry contended, "Why don't you choose Kalisha? She's contributed a lot to the coven. Is she not in your consideration?"

"Are you asking for her, or are you insinuating something else?"

"I won't be that stupid, begging you to make me the leader. I know I was the last person to be added on your list." Harry stood up abruptly, "Talk about insinuating, you know what is strange? I just had the dream of the Ten of Swords, and all of sudden Zayn was brought here? And now he's going to be our future leader? It's almost like, someone has planned this all already?"

"Sit down, Harry." Taylor ordered, "and please don't misinterpret my words."

Harry ignored her, "Have you been discussing this with Zayn? Wait, maybe you've already declared that to the entire coven. And I was the last to be informed?"

"That's not true, Harry." Her voice was bland but also strict, "Please sit down. Your tea is cold."

"You can keep it to yourself." Harry said ruthlessly, turning around without giving her another look.