After Party

Natalie made her way up to the castle, slowly. She had quite a bit of time on her hands, and was not quite sure how to entertain herself. She and Ana shared adjoining rooms, the door between which was charmed to prevent it from being locked, for security purposes, or so the Headmistress said. The woman entered through the big wooden doors, and decided to go to her classroom and work on lesson plans, or something.

As she passed the potions classroom, she heard Severus berating a student. ‘Wonder which hapless soul is stuck down here at this hour?’ Natalie paused momentarily to listen at the door, smiling as an interesting idea popped into her head. Knocking sharply, she stood and waited for the professor to answer his door.

“What!” He demanded harshly, shoving the door open.

“Never mind!” She snapped back, spinning on one heel to tromp back down the corridor.

Growling, Snape slammed the heavy door shut, returning to his detention. Natalie continued on to her multi-use classroom, muttering to herself, “Ingrate, rude, condescending, snarky, arrogant …” Her list seemed endless. She stomped past the Slytherin prefect on patrol, glaring daggers at the poor boy, daring him to speak to her. He wisely stepped to one side to give the angry woman a wide berth. She threw her gloved hand at the door to her rooms, and it opened with protesting hinges, then slammed it forcefully shut behind herself.

Once inside, she waved her wand at the wall sconces, and the candles they contained flared to life. Removing first her gloves, then her heavy outer cloak, Natalie laid them neatly over her chair. She stared quite bored at the mound of paperwork she had left in the center of her desk.

“Might as well catch up.” She muttered, picking up a quill, dipping into the inkwell, and began to mark the seemingly endless parchments. She next looked up when her small clock chimed 9:00 p.m. Rolling her eyes, and leaning back in her chair, she heaved a huge sigh. “I hope you are enjoying yourself Ana.” She pouted with her hands behind her head. Gathering her gloves and cloak, Natalie snuffed the candles, and left her room, heading for the staff lounge, where unfortunately, she planned to sleep for the night.

Nimbly negotiating the shifting staircases, she quickly reached her destination. As she opened the door, she stopped short in her tracks. There, in the center of the room, she found the Headmaster and the transfiguration Professor pouring over the scrolls she and the others left on the shelf. Two sets of twinkling blue eyes fixed her in position, her blue eyes widening impossibly, looking much like a trapped animal.

“Ah, Miss Richmond, do come in.” Albus crooned softly, waving his head.

“Headmaster, Professor.” She nodded to the pair.

“Miss Richmond,” Albus began in his kindly way, “We have found an interesting set of scrolls.”

Natalie slid into the closest chair, praying for support. “I wouldn’t know about the others, Headmaster, we agreed to not show each other.”

“Indeed? Well, we have ascertained from the seals which parchment belongs to which person, and, I have to admit, I’m intrigued by the content of these lists, but not nearly as intrigued as I am by your seal.”

“Headmaster? Didn’t Madame Maxime inform you?” Natalie asked, appalled. “If so, I completely understand. I will pack immediately.” She rose from her chair, pushing it backwards to leave. Albus stopped her immediately.

“Pack? My dear, why would you leave?” Albus asked concerned.

“I don’t think you would appreciate someone with my …” Natalie hesitated, searching for diplomatic words, “... familial ties in your school.”

“Nonsense. Hogwarts does not discriminate against people just because of their families.” Natalie sank back into the chair, astounded. “Even my family?” She asked incredulously. “Yes, even your family, Mademoiselle Monterichelieu.”

Natalie stared long and hard at the Headmaster who stared back at her over his half-moon glasses. Drawing a deep breath, she grimaced slightly, before adding. “Headmaster, I prefer not to use my family name. I chose to be Miss Richmond for many reasons.”

“Certainly, Miss Richmond. But, now back to these scrolls …” His eyes twinkled mischievously. “A contest of sorts?”

“Yes, Headmaster. Three teams, the first to complete both partners’ ‘lists’, wins.”

“This sounds like an interesting contest.” Minerva pursed her lips into a wry little grin, eying the Headmaster with a matching twinkle.

“Are there rules, Miss Richmond?” Natalie shifted uncomfortably on the hard chair. ‘Just where is this leading?’ She wondered.

“Yes, Headmaster. The lists show 5 things we have never done, but, would like to try.” Albus and Minerva grinned at each other mischievously. ‘No, no, no, no, no, this can’t be happening.’ Natalie groaned inwardly. ‘Why me? First the Madame and Hagrid, now the bird and the bee? How much karmic retribution do I deserve?’

“Headmaster?”

“Yes?”

“We can’t look at each others’ lists.”

“Ooooh, much more challenging.”

Natalie struggled mightily to not roll her eyes. “And, the game is over at the Leaving Feast, winner or no.”

“Can we join in?” Minerva arched an eyebrow coyly at her long time paramour.

“I can’t think of a good reason why not.” Natalie answered, a bit untruthfully, ‘Except that it’s just too much to process.’

“Miss Richmond?” Albus’ voice jerked her back to the present. “What is the prize?”

“The losers will be at the beck and call of the winners for one night, eight hours only with one proviso, no permanent changes.” With great trepidation, Natalie raised her eyes to the two older parties, now pouring over their own lists.

“You do realize the rest of us have a head start?”

“Of course, Miss Richmond, just makes the challenge more exciting, don’t you agree?”

“Certainly, Headmaster.” Natalie settled her head in her hands. ‘Good night in the day … the others are going to kill me!’