Chapter Text
Adyn Cadence Greenburrow sat perfectly still on the bench of the Junior Year Mealtime Table, next to her best friend, Kayden.
“Why do you think we were all called in? Usually, they just announce stuff during homeroom.” Kayden whispered, though they were meant to be completely silent. It’s not like he was the only person talking in a hushed whisper.
Adyn just shrugged. It’s not like she knew what the hell was going on.
Just as Kayden was opening his mouth to ask another question, a hush fell over the dining hall. The Headmistress, Ms. Hendryx, silently walked down the row between the junior and sophomore tables, her heels clicking with each step.
Click
Click
Click
She finally arrived at the teachers’ meal table and the clicking stopped.
“I suppose you all are wondering why you were asked to stay at your tables instead of going to your first-hour class,” The headmistress began in her soft southern drawl, “I have an announcement to make.
“As most of our juniors and seniors know, 50 years ago before it was banned, our school used to participate in a tournament. It happened every 5 years, and it involved a series of tasks that a school champion had to complete.
“It was called the Quadwizard Tournament, as four schools participated, but it was shut down after a few too many fatal injuries occurred. This year, the other three heads of schools and I have decided to bring it back, but with added rules to ensure the safety of our students.
“Each school will have a representative, who is of age and is chosen by an outside source, and they will compete in three tasks to win the tournament Cup and a grand prize.
“The whole school will be traveling to Scotland, as the tournament will be taking place at our sister school, Hogwarts. Your training will continue there, as will there be housing. Evermore Academy will be paying for the trip, so no need to worry about the expense.
“Any questions?”
A few hands raised around the room, but Adyn tuned out the rest of the speech. She knew all of this already, she just hadn't known when they would be announcing it to the students.
Perks of her mom being a teacher.
As she spaced out, she caught sight of her little brother across the room, sitting at the freshman table. Danny didn’t seem to be paying attention either, but like her, he already knew all of this.
She was still a little spaced out when Kayden shook her shoulder. She dragged her eyes up to him in question, but realized the people around her were standing and figured the announcement was over.
“You knew already.” It wasn’t a question, but Adyn nodded anyway.
“Obviously. My mother told me.” She said quietly, her voice flat.
She walked in pace while Kayden practically skipped down the hall, headed to their first class.
“And you didn’t think you should have told me about this? We’re of age y’know, in Europe. We’ll be able to compete.” Kayden said, his voice bubbly. Adyn didn’t understand how he was this happy all of the time.
“You’re aware that I’m not supposed to tell you. I’m not supposed to know myself.” She said.
“Ugh, you’re always so stoic. Can’t you break one rule for your best friend?” Kayden countered.
She rolled her eyes but didn’t say anything.
“I know you’re the golden child of Evermore Academy, but I’m your best friend.” He gave her puppy dog eyes.
She slipped him a small smile, barely there, before they made their way into the charms classroom.
His answering smile was bigger and sunnier, but that’s how they had always been. Adyn was quiet and stoic, while her counterpart was sunny and loud. It was their dynamic.
Adyn flicked her wand to send a chain hex flying at the training dummy. It was soon wrapped up in chains of her own making.
She had been down in the training room for hours now, perfecting spell after spell. It was expected of her. She had to be the well-oiled machine. The golden child of Nevermore Academy.
No one else was around at this hour, but it didn’t deter her. She kept throwing spell after spell at the training dummy.
She did not tire. She did not falter. She was a machine, made for battle. That is how it was.
Adyn did not stop until the hour demanded it. She quickly and efficiently put the dummy back in the storage closet. As she walked back to her dorm room, she gulped down her water.
She was a few doors down from her dorm when her brother caught up to her.
“I know you knew I was following you.” He quietly accused her.
She just nodded, looking up at him.
Even though she was older than him, he dominated her in size. He could easily look over her head.
“Dad wants to talk to you, he said you weren’t answering his texts.”
She again nodded, not saying anything. She loved her brother more than anything, but this was not a topic she wanted to discuss.
“Have you been in the training room since dinner?”
“Yes.” She finally spoke.
“Adyn, that was seven hours ago. What the fuck were you doing in there for seven hours?” His brow furrowed in worry.
“Training.” Was the only reply he got.
They finally made it to her dorm, and they stopped.
“Goodnight, I love you.” She spoke quietly.
“I love you too.” He answered, but didn’t leave right away. Instead, he looked at her. Analyzed her.
He finally turned to leave, and Adyn slipped into her room, making sure not to wake up her roommate.
Her pajamas were just an old hoodie and some shorts, which she changed into quickly, and then slipped under her covers.
Her half of the room was bare, unlike her roommate’s, which was covered in photos of what Adyn assumed were her family and friends.
She hadn't asked.
Adyn was what the rest of the school liked to call a ‘lone wolf’. She has Kayden and Danny, but she didn't talk to anyone else.
She was taught to not make unnecessary connections.
That thought reminded her of what her brother had said. She sighed and closed her eyes. She would call her father in the morning.