glory and gore go hand in hand

Who: Logan and Anyone Where: The Lake When: March 1, afternoon

Logan didn’t particularly care about the weather, or how cold the lake was. They were ready to get in the water, and since they had magic, it was easy enough to use a warming charm when they got cold. And since it was chilly yet, no one else was going to be around to bother them, or so they thought. When they surfaced and realized they weren’t alone, they sighed. “Please tell you weren’t sent to drag me back inside. I’m not hurting anyone.”

Nadezhda was far from the type to go on walks outside, but this afternoon proved to be different as she strolled by the lake, catching sight of someone beneath the water’s surface. She raised a curious brow, before identifying Logan in the water. Her lips tugged upwards the slightest bit as she waved a hand in the air, brushing off their words. “As if I’m one to follow those sorts of rules. However if anything pulls you under, I’ll be left with no choice but to save you.”

PROMPT 005 - WANTED CONNECTIONS

Nadezhda Burke and Zaccaria Borgin: Borgin and Burkes ( @zaccaria-borgin )

Since the attack, Irina had tried her best to play the part of the concerned sister while Andrei was kept in the Hospital Wing for observation and his own protection. She’d done well to assure the Death Eaters she supported the attacks while convincing Grindelwald’s supporters that they would have their revenge in time. Around the Aurors she remained as silent as possible. No doubt they would assume her allegiance the same as her brother’s. Admission could cause unwanted scrutiny, adamant denial would practically convince them she was a member of Grindelwald’s Army as well. Instead she had only shown concern for her brother, while also dropping hints of disapproval. Compassion, sympathy, and disappointment were tools in her arsenal that allowed her to remain unquestioned by the visiting Aurors.

Carefully, Irina had made her rounds to those students she needed to speak with. Her every move no doubt monitored by every side in this war and she loathed her brother for making her job so much more difficult. Once again, she was left to clean up his mess. Nadezhda had seemed troubled after the attacks, and that would not do. The remaining forces needed to show strength at a time like this. Weakness would invite further attacks and perhaps even defeat. With it, Irina’s role of spy within the school would be rendered useless and she would be forced to pick a side. This was not ideal and as such she determined to speak with those that may serve as the weakest links in Grindelwald’s student army. “Careful, Nadezhda. Some might think you scared.” She warned, nearing her fellow Slytherin.

Nadezhda didn’t think highly of many people. Most students at Hogwarts were simply underneath her. It wasn’t a matter of her having a high level of arrogance, which she might possess to some extent but would never admit. No, it was a simple fact. The majority didn’t possess that amount of power, didn’t hunger for it or desperately claw their way to the top of the food chain with bloodied fingernails and a cracked, icicle heart. Manipulation, that was the only way to win. However, there were the people that she respected, the ones she held in high regard. Irina Draganova was certainly one of them. Of course, she respected students such as Bellatrix Black, who to her dismay, held more power than she could ever dream of achieving. But Irina and her family, they were on Grindelwald’s side. 

She relaxed, but kept her posture straight and rigid, the demeanor of a girl who’d learned how to earn the respect of others over the years. How she envied the ones who already recieved it without any effort. “Others know better than to think I’m scared. They’d rightfully assume that if I were to encounter her, I’d send every single dark curse I know hurtling right at her. I’m always careful.” Her voice was quiet, as to not alarm anyone who may have prying ears. Admittedly, it was difficult to control her actions at times, but after years of constructing how she presented herself, she knew what she was doing. “How are you faring, Irina?”

Don’t tell me what to do, Ortiz. Damn it, why were purebloods all so fucking infuriating? Who did Nadezhda Burke think she was, claiming that she couldn’t tell him what to do, while doing the very same thing herself? It was a typical pureblood superiority complex. Benito had never been very good with handling the supremacists from the get go. He was a first year the first time he was called a mudblood, and he was a first year the first time he went to the Hospital Wing for fighting with stronger people. That rowdy attitude had never left Benito, and though he tried to mind his own, when the purebloods took the fight to him, he was more than happy to push back. If Nadezhda wanted to be left alone, then she shouldn’t have spoken to him.

He was getting himself all worked up into a passion, so when Nadezhda finally finished speaking, he threw his head back in a barking laugh. “Well now I’m just stay right here, barged nice and sweet into your personal space.” To prove his point, he took a daring step closer to Nadezhda. It was at this moment, that Benito remembered how she had been exposed as one of the Grindelwald supporters. Knowing this made his urge to infuriate her even more palpable, and he crossed his arms over his chest. “I can be real annoying if I want to be. Want to find out, chica?”

Oh, so he wanted to test her. That was a dangerous game to play, especially considering how she was already on edge due to the attacks, and thought as to what Grindelwald’s next move would be. The last thing she needed at the moment was the most infuriating of the Hufflepuffs meaninglessly bothering her. She had much more important things to do. Not that she’d intended to at the moment, but she wasn’t going to let that be known. 

Once again, Nadezhda rolled her eyes when he laughed, his voice just as piercing and absolutely annoying as nails running down a chalkboard. Benito Ortiz seemed to be the personification of it. “Move any closer and you’ll regret it.” Her incident a few years ago was known around the school. Typically, it caused others to refrain from crossing her, but apparently, Benito wasn’t intimidated. It was almost amusing, how tough he seemed to think he was. “If it’s not already clear, I’d rather not be subject to your aggravating tendencies. It’d be better for the sanity of both of us if you just-” She paused to wave her hand the other way. “Move along.” 

Rodolphus was angered by the presence of traitors in his midst that he had not been aware of. He was sure that his betrothed was feeling the very same when they had found out about a certain Charlotte Fawley’s attacks and he was only sorry that he had not been there to help her out when it came to pulling off the attacks to the traitors that seemed to be in their pit. He moved stealthily through the hallways, looking for simply anyone that he could pull his anger off on, as his eyes scanned over the scared children that seemed to sense his impending wrath. However as his eyes caught sight of a familiar looking brown headed individual, his fingers moved instantly towards his wand as he raised an eyebrow at her quip before replying coldly, “I have better things than to wish to disturb you, traitor.” He sneered as he moved closer towards her to shorten the distance between them. “I’d watch your next words carefully if I was you, Burke.”

Nadezhda bit back a sigh upon seeing Rodolphus, attempting and failing to intimidate her with his meaningless words. It was no secret where his loyalities laid; he was likely much like his cousin, who’d been strung up in an alleyway. Admittedly, she found that particular killing unecessarily gruesome, but she had no part in that (or any of the attacks that day), and it got their message across well. Once again, she was filled with rage against Charlotte Fawley and her incredibly stupid decision to attack Grindelwald’s army members. A part of it was for her fallen allies (especially Lucinda), but at the moment, she hated that more people were beginning to guess her side. First Edgar, then Amycus, and now Rodolphus? She was tired of these confrontations. Not out of worry, no, but annoyance. “I always watch my words. Everything I say is completely and utterly intentional. Calling someone a traitor isn’t the best way to talk to them is it?” 

Amycus Carrow had never been known for his rationality. What he was known for was his nasty temper, his exceptional skill with Fiendfyre, his affinity for the Dark Arts, and his devotion to his twin sister. Overall, not a very good reputation. Amycus was the kind of boy that mothers warned their babies about at night, the sort of boy to act first, think never. This was common knowledge among the halls of Hogwarts, a narrative that was not only spread around by the masses, but one that was encouraged by Amycus himself. Nadezhda, being a fellow Slytherin, knew this. In fact, she knew this better than most. So, he decided that she was at fault for what was to come. After all, for someone who claimed to be so smart, she seemed to be awful stupid about picking her battles. 

Amycus moved in a flash. One moment he was standing in front of Nadezhda, and the very next, he had his hand wrapped tightly around her throat. He curled his fingers into her windpipe, moving forward with purpose until her back slammed hard against the stone wall behind her. He leaned in close, meeting her eyes. “Are you sure you don’t want to try again? It’s your last chance, sweetheart.” He asked, his voice sounding strangely kind despite his violent actions.

She knew the games that Amycus liked to play. She’d seen them for herself after all, on the occasion that she was venturing down the hallways to spot him harrassing a younger student. She never intervened, no, but listened when she could. When it was possible to hide in the depths of the shadows and eavesdrop on the boy’s rather explosive temperament. Ultimately, he was foolish. While she had the tendency to let her own impulsivities get the better of her from time to time, Amycus seemed to not know the meaning of control. If it wasn’t before, that was obvious to Nadezhda when he choked and slammed her against the wall. 

The moment she felt his cold fingers around her throat, hindering her breath and pushing her back, fury spread through Nadezhda’s body. It ran through her veins and bones, and if it was possible for her eyes to turn red with anger, they’d be a bloody crimson. And he had the audacity to call her sweetheart. Most of the time, she devoted thought to her actions, but akin to how Amycus seemed to normally behave, she let the rage take control. Purely on instinct, her hand pulled her wand from her back pocket and pointed towards Amycus. “Flipendo!” In an instant, he was off her, and she straightened her posture, glaring at him. “Nobody touches me unless I say so. But as you wish, I suppose. Hello Amycus, how are you?” She did know who he was loyal to, after all. Maybe she’d put in a word about him to Grindelwald.

Savannah was grateful to have been released from the Great Hall. She couldn’t take it anymore, being cooped up with the rest of the students of Hogwarts all packed into the same space. She wanted a moment of privacy, a second to herself, whether that was to cry or scream over her fight with Beau she hadn’t made up her mind yet. She’d had it with Hogwarts and she was absolutely more than ready to go right back home to Ilvermorny. She was a grown witch, how could anyone argue with her? No one would truly be able to, but even as the thought crossed her mind, Savannah knew she couldn’t leave. Despite the murderers roaming the halls and the complete ineptitude of the staff, her Mama and Daddy had insisted she stay away which meant the situation back home must be much worse. Still, Savannah certainly didn’t want to stay in Slytherin house any longer, Gryffindor would no longer welcome her after her argument with Beau, and she was tired of testing just how hospitable the Hufflepuffs really were. That left her one more house to exhaust and at the rate she was going, it wouldn’t be long before they tired of her too. Savannah determined to make her way down to the dungeons, pack her things, and head for Ravenclaw tower before making any other rash decisions. For now it seemed the only option available to her. She needed to think things through logically, but her anger needed to be quelled first. Packing always put her in a good mood, and some distance from her housemates would do her some good.

Brushing past other students, Savannah walked briskly through the hall, hoping she could make it back before her roommates did. The last thing she needed was to be accused of stealing anymore objects on her way out the door for good. Best to quietly pack her things and get out. Was that cowardly of her? Perhaps. However, Savannah knew her emotions all too well, and knew that she’d hardly be able to stop herself should someone pick a fight with her. Unfortunately, that seemed to be the way of her fellow Slytherins as Nadezhda snapped at Savannah as she passed through the halls. She knew she should have kept walking, ignoring the snide comment, but Savannah’s anger flashed as she spun on her heel and frowned at the friend of a known member in Grindelwald’s Army. She was absolutely tired of playing nice. “I’m just walkin’” she huffed back, her fingers curling into tight fists at her sides “what is your problem?” She knew she was acting rashly, that she would regret her behavior later, but it just felt so good to stand her ground. 

Nadezhda had heard stories of the American girl who’d transferred at the beginning of the year. She always hoarded information about others. It was as if she kept files in her mind, packed to the brim with each and every word she heard about the people around her, whether the cold, hard truth, or a silly rumor. Rumors always stemmed from somewhere, some sort of truth. While she hated mindless gossip, especially after having been the target of it years ago (and making sure she never would be again), she kept whatever she heard in mind. After all, she could always use it to contribute to her goal. Possessing the most power possible. However, she hardly bothered to concern herself with the pathetic American. Of course, she’d been interesting at first, especially after being placed in Slytherin, but after she’d heard of Savannah’s ‘goody-two-shoes’ act, she quickly dropped most interest she had in observing the girl. Slytherin was meant for the serpents, and in the house of snakes, Savannah was a lamb to the slaughter. If she wasn’t already, switching from house to house showed just how unfit she was for Slytherin. As far as Nadezhda knew, no one else in their common room would consider staying with the Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, or god forbid the Hufflepuffs. She certainly wouldn’t. 

However, the moment Savannah talked back, Nadezhda was taken by surprise. She’d expected the other to simply keep walking, and not pay any mind to her snide commentary. She was currently on edge, and didn’t wish to speak to most people, but her thought process changed immediately with Savannah’s reaction. The last thing Nadezhda had expected was for the girl to stand her ground and defend herself. Now this was intriguing. “I can think of much more efficient ways to walk by without disturbing me.” Had Savannah touched her? No, but Nadezhda had reason behind the words, reason only known to her. “Careful, doll, don’t want to let your anger get the best of you, now do you?” She’d turn this into a test, an examination of just how far she could push Savannah until whatever Slytherin-worthy qualities the hat saw inside her snapped. 

There were few things that bothered Zaccaria more than the forced pursuit of the sham of an education that Hogwarts had to offer her, but here she was. The girl itched to be away from the castle, exploring the world and discovering it’s mysteries rather than go through the humdrum of each day bored out of her mind. Fawley’s attacks had exposed those of them dumb enough to be obvious about whom they allied themselves and although she herself had been unaffected it at least caused a bit of excitement. Her elder brother had even penned her a letter to ask how she faired, which was rather rare for the man she hated so greatly. Now at his bequest he would have to find Burke to see if she had heard from her family. 

“Afraid so, darling” Zaccaria replied, smiling ruefully at the girl she had known since childhood. Her poor mood was of no consequence to the third Borgin child. Nadezhda was of little concern to the overambitious girl. “Brother dearest wanted to make sure our sweet little Nadezdha was unharmed by the big, bad auror. Probably at the prompting of our father’s. Now, you know i’m not one to mince my words, but I thought I’d consult you before sending a scathing reply”

Nadezhda’s stiffness mostly faded away at the sight of Zaccaria, the daughter of her father’s business partner. Due to the business, one Nadezhda had grown to resent for soiling the reputation she was attempting to build up, she’d known Zaccaria since she was small. While she hardly bothered herself with friends, she allowed Zaccaria to be an exception, as she did feel connected to the girl. They were also quite alike in many ways, considering their personalities and personal goals. Although, her sour mood didn’t disappear completely, as Zaccaria’s words were simply an unfriendly reminder of what had occurred, and the words darling and sweet didn’t help all that much. 

“The prompting of our fathers, hm?” She drawled lazily, tilting her head for a moment to allow a section of hair to fall behind her back. “That does sound like something my father would do, considering he can’t find the time to pick up a quill and write himself.” There was a tinge of bitterness laced through her words, but it was quickly forgotten. “You can tell him I’m not harmed in the slightest, but he’ll regret it if he actually calls me ‘sweet little Nadezhda.’ Unless that’s entirely of your doing?” 

Lucinda had be confident in the face of people she barely knew, acquaintances, and friends interrogating her and questioning her motives. Sitting here with Nadezhda beside her, Lucinda felt so vulnerable. Almost more than she had when she’d been bleeding to death a few days prior. She couldn’t bring herself to look at the only person she truly cared for. The only person she would ever allow herself to be this vulnerable around. As she felt the bed shifting next to her, Lucinda reached over to gently touch Nadezhda’s hand. She needed the touch to ground her. Give her the confidence she so much wanted to have again.

Leaning closer to Nadezhda as she talked, Lucinda sighed and shook her head. “I can’t believe it’s come to this. We’ve been locked out of Grindlewald’s good graces since no one had the decency to tell us about the Hogsmeade attack and we probably aren’t going to hear anything after the four of us were attacked.” She said before laying her head on Nadezhda’s shoulder. This sort of intimacy would have been too much had it been anyone else but Lucinda never really thought about appropriate things when it came to Nadezhda. A scoff left her lips when she heard that Charlotte had been captured and then escaped. Of course no one could do a blood thing right and detain that psychopath. Though if Andrei and her got their hands on Charlotte, she would be lucky if she got detained. “Which one is Chittock again? You’ll have to forgive me if I don’t quite remember everyone in this bloody school.” Lucinda said before squeezing Nadezhda’s hand gently. “You too?” She asked softly lifting her head just enough to look at Nadezhda’s face. “They came to see me too. Amycus even threatened to finish the job Charlotte started.”

Comfort was a foreign concept to a girl like Nadezhda. She’d been raised with a cold, icy heart that hardly ever thawed for anyone. However, she could see how vulnerable Lucinda was at the moment. Neither girl ever wished to show their vulnerabilities to anyone, but Nadezhda wasn’t unreasonable. Everyone had them, whether they liked it or not. So, she could hardly blame Lucinda for feeling this way. Nadezhda had no words to say that might ease Lucinda’s worry, but she did what she would’ve wanted if she was in the girl’s shoes. When she felt Lucinda’s hand touch her own, she shifted slightly to hold her friend’s hand, and said nothing about her head on Nadezhda’s shoulder. It was the best she could offer. 

“It’s horrible, I know. I’ve proved myself over and over again, as I’m sure you have too, yet we’re still held back from crucial information. I may write a few allies, try to get at least some information, although if they’re intentionally keeping things from us, I doubt it’ll work very well.” Nadezhda understood that they were students, limited to the halls of Hogwarts where they couldn’t do much for Grindelwald’s cause, but the day graduation arrived, that would be changed. They should be notified. Admittedly, she was a sixth year, but Lucinda was only months away from escaping the hell-hole Hogwarts had become. However, she didn’t wish to think about her life at Hogwarts without Lucinda. “Seventh year. I believe she’s a Gryffindor chaser. She went with Potter, Black, Lily Evans, and Alice Fortescue to try and find Fawley. As far as I know, it was an idiotic and hopeless mission, but I’ll admit they did more than the aurors.” She’d done her best to get any information on what happened, and while she was either annyoed by or indifferent towards the students that went looking, they had found Charlotte. They just hadn’t gone about it right. If Nadezhda had been the one to encounter the Death Eater, well, there were many curses she’d consider using. “Bastards. Edgar claimed to ‘see right through me,’ and Amycus attempted to choke me until I was ‘nicer.’ Needless to say, I took care of them. I had no idea they’d consider confronting you while you’re in the Hospital Wing.” 

Sometimes, Edgar truly couldn’t believe that this is what the world had come to. The years of Hogwarts past seemed so distant and faraway. Had it only been a year ago that his main concern was which department he’d go to in the Ministry? Only a year since his only anxiety was whether or not he would make enough O’s to get the prestigious law internship? That time of his life seemed so far away now, despite not really being all that far away at all. He was in a war now, he could see that. A war that he shouldn’t have to fight, but a war that he would give his life for if need be. He knew that now. Times were scary and unpredictable, but Edgar had never felt so grounded before. It was this knowledge that produced the smug smile he was sending Nadezhda. He was one of the good guys, and if he didn’t know anything else, at least he knew that. 

“I didn’t come to hear anything from you. I came so you could hear something from me. And now you have.” He was watching her. He could see through her. And even if she lied, he would know. He chuckled slightly as she continued speaking. Nadezhda was good with her words, better than even he, but that wouldn’t help her now, not when he knew. Well, he didn’t know. But he knew. When she finished speaking, he laughed a little, shaking his head. “You’re not as smart as I thought you were, huh? I think it’s rather obvious why I’m on edge. If it’s not, then you’re probably beyond all help.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Anyways, I said what I needed to say, so I’ll be on my way.”

She nearly laughed at Edgar’s feeble attempt to intimidate her. She didn’t doubt the fact that Edgar Bones was skilled. However, it’d take much more than a sense of morality and a good skill set to knock down her facade. She was faithful in her ability to take down Edgar in a heartbeat, no matter how good he was with his wand and words. His smile only filled her with anger, although she pushed that deep down, keeping her cold yet neutral expression. Maybe one day, she’d unleash that anger against him, if the opportunity was given to her, but now wasn’t the time. Even with her growing annoyance, she continually reminded herself that Edgar knew nothing for certain. She hadn’t let anything slip past the barriers she built up around herself, and while he may suspect, he had absolutely no proof. 

“Yes, I have heard from you, but people don’t typically approach others unless they wish for some sort of response. Especially with an accusation such as the one you’ve pinned on me. No matter what you claim, it’s obvious that you want something out of me, that I unfortunately can’t give to you, since once again, there’s nothing there.” Of course it was obvious why he was on edge. She wasn’t an imbecile, and as much as Edgar claimed she was easy to see through her, he was quite transparent as well. “Obviously, yes. I’m not moronic Edgar, simply attempting to conversate. Please, feel free to be on your way. I’ve heard enough.” 

Edgar watched her face closely. See through me? You’re going to have to be a bit more specific about that, Edgar, as I have nothing to hide from you. On the surface level, the comment didn’t indicate anything specific, but Edgar felt a pinching sort of feeling that his suspicions were correct. Again, he had nothing to go off of, except observations of normal human behavior. There was no tilt to her tone, nothing in her face to indicate anything off color about her response. But that… that right there.. that was it, wasn’t it? If she really and truly had nothing to hide, then shouldn’t the confusion of being asked such a question show on her face? Nadezhda was good with her face, and good with hiding her thoughts, but maybe she was too good? Good enough that it meant there was something down below. Edgar had come up to her, out of nowhere, with a sharp, veiled accusation. He was suspicious at the practice eased with which she cast all emotion from her face. 

Edgar arched an eyebrow in return, tilting his head. “You don’t have to admit anything. I didn’t expect you too. And you can keep talking, if you like. But like I said, I see right through you.” And though he didn’t say it outloud, he wordlessly finished his sentence with an ‘and I’m watching you.’ He uncrossed his arms, sticking his hands into the pockets of his robes. Nadezhda was changing the subject, but he did not care. He had said what he had come to say, and he had warned her that he was on the look out. He would not let her try to twist his emotions around. He smiled brightly, chuckling a little. “Is this your way of saying that you see right through me too, Burke? I respect the attempt.” She was right, Edgar was very worried about Glenda. But he could see her words for what they were. An attempt to change the conversation. “As far as subject changes go, yours was admirable.”

From the way Edgar looked at her, it was obvious that he was attempting to get a look at what was going on underneath the surface. He really was foolish, if he thought he could see any kind of worry show on Nadezhda’s face. She made sure not the reveal anything, putting a strong amount of effort into controlling and keeping a steady expression. Normally, she was keenly aware of what she was giving away to others, but in this particular sitiuation, she devoted nearly all of her focus to that. However, she tended to do it too well sometimes. She realized her reaction may not be entirely plausible if she truly wasn’t aware of what Edgar was insinuating, but it was too late to go back now. If she suddenly attempted to perfect her reaction to make it more believable, that would confirm Edgar’s suspicions. She couldn’t have that, now could she?

She allowed herself to frown at his response, a gateway for her annoyance to seep out without revealing much. It would be considered a normal reaction to Edgar’s accusation. “If you didn’t want me to admit anything, then tell me, what was the point of approaching me? I told you, even if I wished to do so, there’s nothing I could tell you that’d be of interest to you.” She was sure Edgar wouldn’t give up his predicitons about Nadezhda’s position in the war, which meant she’d have to put even more care into covering her tracks. She’d brought up Glenda to get a rise out of Edgar, a jab at him identical to the one he’d given her. She’d always been observant, and had barely spoken to anybody that day in the Great Hall. It was only natural that her prying eyes spotted an unusually large group of students conversing. “I’m afraid you have it wrong. I’m not claiming to see through you, and what’s so off about changing the subject? Most people are talking about what happened, lately. You seem on edge, and I was curious as to the reason.” 

How funny it was, this dance that the snakes did. Annoyance gave way on the younger witch’s face, revealing a smooth, neutral look. Suspicions were running rampant through the castle. She was sure some would assume Nadezhda’s allegiances lied the same as her friend. Sybill was honestly surprised when Nadezhda agreed to come with her. A smile slipped over her lips. Perhaps the girl did need some unbiased company. Despite her cold manner of speaking, she had agreed to come to the library. Sybill let the words roll off her back - she had faced much worse in her time at school than Burke being a bit stiff. “Good, I’m glad you’re doing well. Well, let’s proceed then, dear.”

Sybill began walking down the corridor again. Had they been closer, she might have linked arms with the other girl, but something told her that Nadezhda would hex her hand off sooner than engage in any physical contact. “I’ve got some oolong.” She held out the thermos and gave it a gentle shake, “Good for reading. Nice, loose leaves.” Of course, the other girl was probably uninterested. Very few of her peers were interested. Sometimes it baffled her. What was a more interested subject than divining the future? They were magicfolk, they had the power to do it. Of course, none of them had the true gift the way she did, but they could still learn the techniques to see ahead. No, everyone was focused on charms, transfiguration, and potions. “Have you heard from your family at all? Any news of the outside world?” Her own family kept to their tiny village in Cornwall. They never had news to send. All her father had for her when he visited at Christmas was a bottle of wine and an apology from her mother for being unable to come. She was craving any new information.

Nadezhda had never liked Divination. The class was simply a waste of time, and she couldn’t have been bothered to take it longer than necessary. All the talk about ‘inner eyes’ that the professor babbled on and on about had bored her to no end, and she easily faked her way through each lesson. It was precisely why she couldn’t seem to understand why Sybill loved it so much. Opinions were opinions, but Nadezhda’s had some sort of sense behind it, at least to her. The future could be changed with the simplest of actions, branches of choices and actions crafting results that led to one another and so on. Predicting a solid future was incomprehensible. It was no wonder that most of the student population, Nadezhda included, wrote off Sybill’s passion as strange and unecessary. 

Although knowing she’d be reluctant, Nadezhda followed Sybill as the other girl began walking. What a peculiar duo they must appear to be. She didn’t wish to be seen by many with one of Ravenclaw’s resident weird girls, but most people had other things occupying their minds lately. She glanced at the thermos Sybill was holding curiously, although not out of interest. While Sybill at least claimed to be skilled in the art of Divination, Nadezhda’s area of expertise was analyzing others, learning their secrets and what makes them tick. Although odd, she had to admit a Seer was an intriguing subject. “Tell me, how often do you come up with a solid prediction?” She didn’t want Sybill to attempt to predict anything about her. Nadezhda would much rather gain information than give it away. She tilted her chin upwards slightly at the question about her family. Hardly anyone brought her relatives up while not discussing the infamy of the shop. She didn’t wish to draw more attention to her status than necessary, better to claw her way up to the top with as little mention of it as possible. “No, they seldom write. I get my information from the Daily Prophet, like most, but I assume you know all that already.” Of course, Nadezhda had the knowledge she gained as a member of Grindelwald’s Army as well, but she kept that hidden well. 

Out of all the people Lucinda had been expecting to see in her room, Nadezhda had not been one of them. She had expected all of the angry Death Eaters and even a few curious acquaintances but not her best friend- probably her only true friend. Though maybe she had been expecting Nadezhda she just didn’t want her there. She didn’t want one of the only people she cared about to see her so small and so weak. Brushing off the tears in her eyes, Lucinda avoided eye contact with Nadezhda.

“I didn’t realise it was you love.” Lucinda’s voice came out softly, trying to muster up an ounce of the confidence she’d had before the attack. “What have you heard about,” Lucinda mulled over her next words carefully. She couldn’t talk about Charlotte Fawley just yet but she hoped that Nadezhda knew what she was talking about.

Nadezhda hadn’t been sure of visiting the hospital wing, at least not right away. She didn’t quite know the intensity of Lucinda’s injuries, but once Nadezhda got a look at the girl, she realized why she hadn’t left the hospital wing yet. Lucinda appeared vulnerable, in a miserable state. Nadezhda felt her indignation towards Charlotte rise, and a rare sympathy for Lucinda’s condition as well. Empathizing with another was a foreign concept to her, but as per usual, Lucinda was an exception.

”It’s perfectly alright,” Nadezhda assured her, taking a careful seat on the edge of the bed near Lucinda. It was much easier to see her expression at a different angle, and it was obvious that she was trying her best to appear confident. Truly, Nadezhda believed Lucinda had a right to exhibit her vulnerabilities at the moment, but she refrained from commenting on it, as she hardly knew how to do so herself. Before answering Lucinda’s question, she glanced around the room to make sure nobody was listening. “Not much. I’m awaiting information from Grindelwald or one of his lackeys about a next move, although after Hogsmeade I’m not sure we’ll be made aware. About Fawley, five idiots went after her, and I heard they caught her for a moment, but she escaped. Glenda Chittock’s been captured.” She was especially careful with her words pertaining towards Charlotte. “People have been spreading a lot of...gossip as well. Both Edgar Bones and Amycus Carrow confronted me earlier.”

Benito was about two attacks away from leaving Hogwarts, honestly. This was just getting bloody ridiculous, wasn’t it? They couldn’t even make it three months without someone dying, or getting damn close to it. He had been surprised to hear about the four students that were both injured and exposed as Grindelwald supporters. In all honesty, Benito had seen something like this coming. The fact that there had been members of murderous cults in three out of four houses was not lost on him. Only Hufflepuff had no one to expose. Only Hufflepuff remained good. He snorted, taking the stairs up to the second floor. He had always known that the Hufflepuffs were the only folks worth associating with in the school, and that had been proved yesterday. Even brave, heroic, holier-than-thou Gryffindors could not boast that anymore. They were all terrible, the lot of them, and Benito would be glad to be rid of them one day.

He was intending on climbing the long haul to the Divination Classroom, as he did every evening after dinner. He especially wanted to speak with Professor Vablatsky now that everything had gotten all out of control. Maybe a quick peak into the tea leaves would put his soul at rest. He had just started the journey, having only made it to the second floor when a completely unwanted, entirely unpleasant voice sounded in his direction. He slowed to a halt, settling Nadezhda Burke with the most irritable look he could muster. 

“Shut the fuck up.” He deadpanned, having no patience. Honestly, she should know better by now. When had he ever expressed any inclination to speak with her. “I’m not disturbing you. You’re disturbing me.”

Nadezhda, unfortunately, recognized the boy she’d spoken to as Benito Ortiz. She was positive that both of them had no desires to ever speak to the other, a sort of mutual disinterest. She always thought Hufflepuff was the most boring house of them all, claiming all the students Nadezhda had no desire to get to speak to or get to know. At least Ravenclaw housed ones with some sort of interesting substance, and occasionally Gryffindor as well, as annoying as that lot could be. But for someone like Nadezhda, who based her chosen interactions on the benefits they provided her with most of the time, Hufflepuffs were simply a waste of her time. Especially this one in particular. She couldn’t complain about his rudeness and arrogance, as she didn’t put herself above exhibiting either of those traits. However, Benito was like an irritating bug buzzing by her ear, a mosquito she hoped to squash quickly so she could move on from this conversation. 

She rolled her eyes, not wanting to deal with him at the moment. Nadezhda already had enough on her mind without Benito’s annoying chatter. However, she knew he’d be easy to get rid of. “Don’t tell me what to do, Ortiz.” Her expression looked bored, and she’d much rather be making her way down to the hospital wing to talk to Lucinda. “Next time, if you’d rather me not speak, refrain from barging into my personal space.”