dysonrules | Twinsensibility Part Twenty Two

I have no comment about my lateness. SOMEONE SEND ME SOME COOLER WEATHER. I actually really like the heat, but it is NOT conducive to writing. I have been a lethargic blob.

Lysander smiled and nodded as Maribeth Coventry explained to Headmistress McGonagall the situation regarding the horrible falling skybridge that would have flattened him and Lorcan if not for her timely intervention.

Lorcan looked bored. Maribeth launched into a tirade regarding the condition of the school and the fact that some of it still had not been repaired in the twenty-some years since the war, and wasn’t it about time to think about the safety of the students? Maribeth looked pointedly at Lorcan when she expounded the last bit, and Lysander’s grin felt suddenly forced.

Maribeth was always looking at Lorcan. Lysander had been right about her having a crush on his brother. He had known it for quite some time. She was always mooning about, trying to get Lorcan to notice her. Unfortunately for her, Lorcan was oblivious.

Lysander glanced sidelong at him to verify the fact, but Lorcan’s shades were once again in place. He could have been asleep for all they knew. Or he could have been checking out Maribeth Coventry’s ample bosom. Lorcan had never displayed any interest in the opposite sex, but Lysander sometimes worried that he had simply never had the opportunity.

Maribeth would be more than happy to give him that opportunity.

When she was finished and McGonagall had ushered them out of her office, Maribeth frowned at them. “Well, that was unsatisfying. ‘We’ll take care of it,’ she says. I’ll bet. They don’t care if a few of us are killed. There are always more students. I’ve half a mind to write my father and complain. You lot should, too.”

Lorcan slid his sunglasses down the bridge of his nose slightly and looked pointedly at Lysander. The look plainly said “get me away from this babbling ninny this instant” and Lysander smiled broadly.

Maribeth continued, “In fact, I think I’ll draft a letter tomorrow in Hogsmeade. You are going, aren’t you, Lorcan? You could join me, if you’d like. I’ll help you write your letter. I mean, both of you. Of course.” She gave a false smile to Lysander, making it quite clear that she had meant only Lorcan and that if Lysander was a bright boy he would bugger off and allow her time to grope his brother.

Lysander grinned brightly through a clenched jaw, but managed to unlock it enough to say, “Of course, Maribeth. We would love to join you.” He held the fake smile even though Lorcan trod nastily on his foot.

“I don’t want to go to Hogsmeade,” Lorcan offered petulantly, apparently miffed when his painful rejoinder did not cause Lysander to recant.

“Of course you do,” Lysander said cheerfully. “We’re out of lollipops.” He allowed his tongue to slide lazily over his lower lip after delivering the statement and Lorcan frowned, but left off arguing.

When an ecstatic Maribeth had traipsed off, Lorcan growled, “What the fuck was that about? Surely you cannot want to spend time with that slithering, painfully annoying female?”

Lysander felt something loosen slightly at Lorcan’s words and tried to remind himself that he had nothing to worry about.

“Better the devil you know, brother dear. Better the devil you know.”

Lorcan sighed and drag him close with an arm around his shoulders. Lysander looped his arm around Lorcan’s waist and they made their way to the Ravenclaw common room. Although he didn’t bother to mention it, Lysander well knew that Slytherin could not be ignored or avoided. When they had their minds set on something, it was necessary to outmanoeuvre them. And he fully intended to do so before Maribeth became a threat.

“Are we really out of lollipops?” Lorcan asked wistfully.

“I might have a couple left somewhere,” Lysander promised huskily.

"Good."