= Wands High =

Chapter 29 - 14 May 1998, Thursday

- Let me get one thing straight – I'm no school authority and I have no right to interfere in the academic life – Griffin began as soon as the three of them got out and a few meters away from the entrance. – But as long as my partner and I have work around here, I am as high an authority as Principal Ashdrake when it comes to order. So no more bullshit tonight, people are trying to have a good time. The show's over pal, so take that thing off – he ordered the Horcrux member.

- It's part of the act...

- Do I look like I care about the act at this particular moment? – Griffin's gaze was about to reduce the guy to ashes. – Take it off before I light it on fire and you run off screaming threats about how your dad is going to learn about this. I don't have the patience to say that a third time.

The boy, though tall and buff, seemed to shrink before the Auror's figure. He lifted a hand and took the mask off revealing short brown buzz cut, brown eyes and a small scar splitting his upper lip diagonally.

- Thank you, Mr. Harrison – the Auror said, obviously making the connection with the school picture he'd seen of a Durmstrang exchange student going by the name of Patrick Harrison. – You're free to get back to the party but you better stick to your palls. Or learn an adequate way to talk to girls. One more wrong step and you'll remember Innestrad by scrubbing all of its lab floors, understood?

- Yes, sir – the student snarled.

- Good. And you – Griffin turned to his brother after the Harrison guy disappeared back in, – what the heck was that for?

- Before you smite me with your righteous anger – Chris replied without as much as a hint of cavil in his voice, – can I first ask what's wrong with you? It's not like you to snap like that because of a stupid teenage quarrel.

Griffin took a deep breath and let it out slowly before answering:

- I may have overreacted a bit...

- Man, I thought you'd throw me out by the neck like a dirty kitten.

- Well, pardon my sensitivity, but last thing I expected to see tonight was you taking a swing at some jackass. Ender's the one who's more likely to do such a thing, I thought.

- Yeah, yeah, I know – Chris muttered looking away though there wasn't much to look at in the night. – I may have had one drink too many and lost it when I saw that guy ready to hit Orianna just because she didn't curl in the corner weeping.

- Is that all there is? – Griffin lifted an eyebrow.

- Of course not – Chris looked at his older brother after a moment of silence. – Do I really need to explain this to you?

- No. But saying it aloud helps, believe me.

- I hate it when I'm on the receiving end of your wisdom – Chris muttered. – Okay – I punched that guy to stop myself from punching Ender. I prefer people gossiping about me being an idiotic knight on a white horse instead of the wonderful example of brotherly love that we are. There, happy now?

- No – Griffin shook his head. – But I can't say I don't understand. He must have really pissed you off.

- Not more than usual. I guess I wouldn't have reacted like that if I wasn't so exhausted. Being the smartass when he openly provokes me and turning it into a joke for the audience, gets the best of me. At least... tonight it did.

- I know, bro. And I'm super proud with you for being able to do so. Not many guys are that self-conscious, no matter the age – Griffin laid his hand on his brother's shoulder. – But I really need to know that I can lean on you when I falter man, even if it's only once a year. One silly acting kid in the family is more than enough.