T. P. Forrester (theoktonic) wrote in lightning_war, @ 2008-12-23 01:12:00 |
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Current mood: | frustrated |
Late Thursday morning, 17 September 1942, the Head Boy's study at the Royal Academy of Wizardry...
Tom Forrester hadn't been terribly surprised to be called out of class to report to the Head Boy. He'd been derelict in his duties, rushing off to the orrery during the raid, but it had been worth it - after all the time he'd spent in there trying to understand it, it had finally responded to him. At a time of crisis, it had called out to him. If it had been a real raid, he would have been the one with the power to save everyone, and they would all know it.
But until then, Valeria was the only one who knew how special he was, so he had to contain the damages. He knocked politely on Bartholomew Cross's door. "You wished to see me, sir?"
Barty let him in to his study and shut the door behind them. "Take a seat, please," he said, terse but not unkindly. "Do you know why you're here?"
"Yes, sir." He knew lectures of this sort always went better when he confessed up front; it made people believe he was truly contrite. "I went to the orrery instead of following proper procedure and looking after my firsties. I thought there was something happening there, but I was wrong. I'm sorry, sir, I won't let it happen again." At least not until something really was happening, in which case it would be obvious that he'd done the right thing.
Barty looked at the younger student for a moment, trying to make up his mind whether Tom was lying or not. Either way, it just confirmed that the course of action he had to take was the right one. "Whether you abandoned your firsties or not is irrelevant, Forrester. You were seen with Miss Malaspina in a state of disarray during the drill."
Tom was genuinely puzzled. "Disarray, sir?" True, he hadn't been paying much attention to his appearance during the drill, but he couldn't imagine how being untidy would make what he'd actually done irrelevant.
"Somebody saw you, and reported you to Mathers," continued Barty. "As you can imagine, he seized on the chance to inflict some damage on Avalon, and he's demanding you explain directly to him what happened, or your badge."
Tom grimaced. The last thing he wanted was to try to explain himself to Mathers--no matter what he said, it would be put in the worst possible light. Especially since he still wasn't sure what he was being accused of--nobody could have seen them up in the towers. "Somebody? Saw me where?"
"We think it's Pettigrew. The accusation itself is just the sort of thing he'd use," explained Barty. "He's accusing you and Miss Malaspina of neglecting your duties for each other, and then failing to conceal it in front of firsties and students." Barty sighed. "I don't know if he's got any evidence for it beyond hearsay, but we're going to have to take your badge."
Tom controlled his temper with an effort. It was just the sort of thing Pettigrew would say, but how did he even know? "I showed her parts of the castle. After we'd finished our rounds. When the alarm went up I was asleep." Technically true, if misleading. "I did nothing that should justify losing my badge."
"So you'd be happy to explain to Mathers?" Barty asked.
Tom paused. Mathers was a mesmerist and would certainly get more out of him than he wanted to tell--and Mathers had always had it in for him. "I think I should talk to Professor Chattox first. I'm sure this is all just a misunderstanding, and I'm terribly sorry for causing you all this trouble." It wasn't Barty's fault this was happening, after all, and he didn't want to get on the Head Boy's bad side.
"Very well," said Barty, although he was still uncertain as to how well things might turn out. "If it's a misunderstanding, then I'm sure things can be worked out. All the same, I'm very unhappy with your behaviour in the drill. Your first duty is to your firsties. Even if you think the castle itself is in danger, you need to get them to safety first. And that goes double when you're on the Inquisitorial Squad, you hear me? If you can't fulfil both duties, I won't hesitate to ask that you be removed from one."
Tom nodded. "I understand. It won't happen again." Now that he knew what to expect, he could plan things out better if it happened again. "Thank you, sir."
"Make sure it doesn't," said Barty, without moving to open the door. "Oh, and Mr Forrester. It wouldn't be frowned upon if you gave Mr Pettigrew a message as to how we view people who try to cause trouble for Avalon." With that, he opened the door. "Do take care."
Tom nodded. "I shall ensure that Pettigrew receives that message in a way that leaves no room for misunderstanding."
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