Regina Avery does not throw tupperware parties. (prettily) wrote in caged, @ 2013-09-25 01:10:00 |
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As promised, promptly at five minutes to ten o’clock, one Regina Avery was patiently waiting outside the Hufflepuff Common Room, a resigned but not displeased look on her features. To say that she was excited about her new responsibilities as a Prefect would be overstating her feelings on the matter, but there were perks, of course, and - she reflected ruefully to herself - when it came to being partnered with members of the school, there were worst options than the Head Boy. At the very least, she could expect Ernie to talk sense, which was more than she had come to anticipate when it came to members of other houses. Jury was still out on whether he did have potential or was a lost cause as Draco had said - but until that became definitive… As the entrance swung open and her partner stepped out into the hall to join her, she glanced up even as a smile spread across her face - then paused. Taking on a decidedly more cautious tone than she’d originally planned because of the look on his face, Regina greeted him with a, “Hello. Is everything all right?” It was September 25th. Ernie had come to realise that he wasn't a fond of this day, but it all started because his mind was preoccupied by one particular person all day long. Ernie went back and forth between imagining the worst and the best, in terms of what his best friend was up to, and the worst imagination made him feel sick. But Ernie figured that there was no point in assuming the worst. He didn't know where Justin was or what he was up to, but he certainly hoped that things were not as bad as he had assumed. Or that he wasn't dead. But he certainly didn't expect to have a very glum conversation with his girlfriend, either. He didn't expect that he would be girlfriend-less by the end of the day, and right before rounds, at that! He looked a little perturbed, and off-put, and his Head Boy badge was crooked, as he stepped out of the common room. He greeted Regina with a smile, though it was nothing compared to his usual jovial attitude. "Good evening, Regina. Yes, thank you. How are you doing?" he asked with a hint of annoyance in his voice, as he inhaled sharply. Looking as if she were anything but convinced, she still let it go in favor of a wary glance at him, then decidedly away and out toward the halls as if giving him a chance to compose himself as she answered, politely but idly, “Quite well, actually, despite all the chaotic new developments.” Motioning to the Prefect pin adorning her blouse, she added in an attempt to be lighthearted, “I spend most of my evenings reading, not pacing.” Turning her attention back to him after a moment, she smiled blandly, though already inwardly considering whether there was a path to be followed or a routine and how she might use this to her advantage in the future; irritatedly remembering that she had no access to Hufflepuff house despite her authority; idly wondering what made Macmillan’s shoulders tense up tonight the way they had. But, a little brightly, she motioned ahead and asked, “Should we be off?” Ernie observed Regina for a moment -- she wasn't as conniving as people thought she was, and in fact, Ernie appreciated her quite a bit. He knew that it must have been annoying to have dealt with Susan the way she had, but Regina hadn't broke. He appreciated her patience, even if she probably knew that Susan was just testing her boundaries. In retrospect, Ernie found Susan's behaviour to be childish, and he told her to knock it off, but it hadn't exactly worked. Ernie smiled at Regina, a genuine smile this time, and nodded. "It certainly is difficult to maintain a strict study schedule, when your evenings are suddenly filled with things you were not expecting." He would know; he already had his colour-coded system slightly messed up due to his brief romance period. He gave a firm nod, in response to her question, heading towards the direction of the grounds. "I heard it was supposed to get chilly this evening," he casually remarked, and he had already dressed for the occasion. Ernie liked to be over-prepared as opposed to unprepared regularly, anyway. He was quiet for a few minutes, as they neared the entrance, and out to the grounds. "How is the diorama coming along?" he asked, hoping to change the subject to something else. At the very least, whatever else she may have been, Regina could at least serve as a respectable prefect alongside Ernie: as she’d told Draco, there was little to no point in alienating a potential ally just because you couldn’t play nice. Susan Bones, on the other hand, had been deliberately baiting her. Rising above that had been easy, as it always was for the young Avery, who had been reared from the day she was walking to tread lightly until able to deliver the death blow. More figuratively than literally, but still. Playing nice in public could only help her case with those she considered important. It had helped that she’d gotten to watch the fliers that Theodore had collected for her burn in a blaze of fury, one that reflected the physical freeing she had needed to move forward. Reassured her that she wasn’t alone in dealing with everything. It had given her the resolve to handle everything that had come since. Even dealing with the problem of Hufflepuffs singing in showers. “Oh, tell me only after we’ve set out,” she answered, smiling over at him with a surprising feel of genuity - it wasn’t particularly rare for Regina to find someone she could consider an ally (and it was considerably easier with members of the opposite sex; something to do with her father, she was sure), but at the least, Ernie was that at the basest level. There was something vaguely comforting about knowing there were rules they both enforced - a camaraderie. It didn’t go unnoticed. “Well enough,” she said truthfully, considering. Tensions were high within their group, naturally, but they had accomplished more than she’d expected, and with considerably fewer missteps. Not hiding the need to roll her eyes, she went on in explanation, “I feel certain Longbottom is planning something.” Ernie knew that Regina had the right to be suspicious, with Neville in their group. In fact, even Ernie had suspected that Neville might have been up to something, but he didn't want to say anything, in case he was wrong and humiliated himself. Plus, he had to give Neville the benefit of the doubt, didn't he? He gave her a half-hearted chuckle, making sure to tuck his hands in the pockets of his trousers, as they exited. Autumn had just begun a few days ago, but one could already feel the crispness in the cool air. "Let us not get ahead of ourselves, Regina," Ernie started, glancing over at her. "I know Neville has not exactly been the best-behaved student," he paused, for a brief moment, "but we cannot hold him responsible for something he has not even done yet." Ernie didn't know what that something would have been, but he hoped that Neville wouldn't do anything. Ernie may not have liked Muggle Studies and Dark Arts, but he did want to get good marks in both of those classes, nonetheless. If he wanted to go on and become a defense attorney like his father, then he would have to do well in all his classes, whether he liked them or not. "For what it is worth, I am sorry that things have not been easy for you, recently -- both as a group leader in Muggle Studies, as well as some students giving you a hard time, as a new Prefect," he offered, slightly apologetic. “I’m not condemning him,” she answered, as if a little affronted, keeping casually alongside Ernie and casting her gaze around as they walked - frankly, she didn’t expect much trouble, but then again, she’d expected her first day to be quieter than it had been as well, and look what that got her. Primly, she went on, “But as group leader, I would be remiss not to keep an eye on the students who have been deliberately causing trouble.” Glancing back at Ernie, she asked a little pointedly, “No matter what he has or hasn’t done, I know you’re not interested in failing the assignment if Longbottom decides it’s in his best interest to keep us from succeeding.” She took a moment after his apology to look over at him once again, first of all to be sure that he was genuine - not because she actually expected him not to be, but because with all that had happened in the past day or so, suspicion was high on her list of emotions at the moment - and second of all because she was surprised to actually appreciate it. When she answered, it was more hollow than her usual demeanor; an indicator, shockingly, that she herself was being honest. “Thank you. But I’ll survive.” Then, with a little chuckle that had something bitter in it. “Although if I’m meant to solve every problem Susan Bones has for the rest of the year, I may actually snap at some point.” Ernie responded with a soft chuckle, a little amused that Regina would point out what he was thinking, regarding not failing the assignment. He gave a nod, but he let his chuckle die before speaking up again. "I can understand that you may be apprehensive, but let us not point fingers just yet. Neville is just --," he paused, trying to think of the best adjective to describe his cousin. "Passionate. He has good intentions at heart, I promise." And Ernie knew that was true, obviously. If being one of the leaders of the DA was any indication… yes, Neville was very passionate, and no one could argue otherwise. He offered a small smile at her thanks and nodded again, though he stiffened up at the mention of Susan. He pursed his lip, and clenched his jaw, staring straight ahead, as though he was suddenly without any emotion. Ernie further went on to clear his throat, inhaling sharply. "I will have a chat with her, if you think things are getting worse," Ernie finally said, though he wasn't so happy with the prospective. “Good intentions are somewhat useless,” said Regina, just a little snippish, before she heaved a heavy sigh and added, grudgingly, “But so long as he’s willing to work with the group, I can work with him.” Despite crossing her arms and giving a decidedly exasperated look about the grounds that would have mildly concerned any first year that had come across her path, she did appear resigned to the future of their group, and to her assurance that she would do what she could to tolerate him. Small house elf miniatures resembling him nonwithstanding. Unsurprisingly, however, when Ernie immediately tensed at the mention of Susan’s name, Regina took note - and paused again. Obviously troubled, she answered as if uncertain how best to handle this change of events, cautious, “I can handle her.” Then, after a short pause, she asked delicately, “Did something go on between the two of you?” She expected mention of a confrontation, wondered if she might have been the cause; having not been aware of their relationship, however, she really didn’t know what she was prying at. He let the first topic subside, now that apparently things were taking a different turn, with the mention of his ex-girlfriend. Ernie cleared his throat again, relaxing himself slightly, returning his attention to his Prefect partner. He gave her a wary smile, almost reluctant to even talk about this, anyway, and finally decided to shake his head. "No, of course not." Ernie hadn't even mentioned to his own cousin that he had been dating Susan, albeit however short that relationship actually was, and he sure as hell didn't want to dive into the details with someone he didn't know very well. "You know how Susan can be," Ernie said, with a somewhat amused expression taking over his face. "And I know the two of you are not exactly the best of friends." And it wasn't like what he said wasn't the truth. He just didn't want to give up anything else, regarding their personal lives. "I just want to help ease things out, if the need arises," he ended with a firm nod. With an exasperated roll of her eyes, she replied, though sarcastically pleasant, “No, no, we’re out-and-out best friends in the making. We’ll be holding hands and skipping through the halls any day now.” Then, dryly, as if abandoning sarcasm altogether, “She’s not fond of me, no. But I appreciate the offer,” she glanced over at him, then back to the duties that awaited them in hallways ahead. “I’ll be sure to come to you if I need help dealing with her. She may actually listen to someone she respects.” Ernie couldn't help but laugh at Regina's sarcasm, appreciating the fact that she could actually joke about it. He merely nodded in response, and offered a quick smile. "Let us hope for the best," he said, hoping to change the topic, and into something a little less headache-inducing. It was going to be a long two hours, after all. |