She Said What?

Chapter 21: I Revisit a Mortal Fear

A/N: You guys are awesome. Your reviews amuse me. And no, Mary, it doesn't go quite like that – although that argument does come up a tad bit later.

Have fun with this one, you lot.
Xx

November 21

2:15 PM
Status: Surprised

You know, today, it took me a couple of minutes longer than usual to figure out what I wanted my status to be, when I wrote it in the line above. Obviously, I decided on "surprised" but I think a more accurate description is "surprised/astonished/brooding/confused/conflicted/annoyed-at-myself-for-feeling-this-way" but I figured that was a bit long.

The reason for this is quite straightforward and traces back to the prefect's meeting I had to attend at one this afternoon. I really didn't want to go, but it's one of those tiresome Head duties I'm stuck with this year, and I had to sit there in the room and pretend I cared about the dull conversation we were having.

Or, rather, that Annie Potent was having.

I rather think that Annie Potent ought to take my job over for me. I think Annie Potent is going to be the best Head Girl Hogwarts has ever seen, by the time she's old enough to take the post. I think Annie Potent is going to grow up to be a lawyer, a Ministry department head, and the CEO of a big company by the time she is twenty five. I think Annie Potent puts me to shame.

During the meetings, Annie Potent is the only one who talks. She conducts all the business I'm supposed to be conducting. And the best thing about her is that she doesn't need responses to keep rambling – she asks questions and answers them herself as well. The other prefects are more than happy to doze off and let her have at it (which is inevitable) but I find that she lulls even me and James to sleep, which is saying something because we're both trying our best to be responsible.

The whole meeting, I don't think I said anything after I started it off. Annie took my lead and flew with it, talking herself into a frenzy. I know I should feel bad about it, but I don't, because it's so bloody boring. Annie actually enjoys it. Ah well. At least I'm giving her practice for when this becomes her job one day.

Once the damn thing was over, I don't think the relief could have been more tangible in our little room. We all got up immediately and Annie bid us all good-bye instead of me. I didn't mind. I was almost out the door when suddenly, I heard the sound of a young girl sobbing quietly inside.

My first thought was the Hufflepuff prefect, Kate Patterson. She had been a bit red-eyed throughout the meeting, but I hadn't thought much of it. I slowed on my way out of the doorway, listening, and I was considering going back in to see if she was all right when I heard a second voice asking exactly that question.

I knew that voice anywhere, but I peered inside anyway, and found that James Potter was sitting beside Kate Patterson and asking, gently, what was going on.

I couldn't move. I remained rooted to the spot, curious to know how this scene would play out, and shamefully I watched, praying neither of them would look up and see me.

"C'mon, Kate, you can trust me," James coaxed her. "What's going on? You can talk to me, I can keep a secret."

Tears were still streaming down Kate's face, but she considered the offer seriously. Of course she did. This was the good-looking, charismatic Head Boy, taking time out of his day to ensure her emotional health wasn't too damaged. I think I'd consider the offer too.

She waited a few seconds, but she sniffled, "Okay. I guess I could tell you..."

"I want to know," he said, so earnestly that I could feel the empathy from the door.