*Aubrey looks at him for a long moment and then, without raising his voice, says* Give me the common room.
*The sixth and seventh year Slytherins immediately start collecting their things. There’s some confused looks from the younger students, but they also follow suit when nudged along.*
Do you know your problem, Graham? *Aubrey asks over the sounds of the room emptying around them.* Your real problem?
It's not that you're a delusional fantasist. It's not that you can't accept responsibility for your actions. It's not that you're a fool, or a creep, or a liar, or a thief. It's not even that you never. Fucking. Listen. It's that you think you matter.
*Aubrey smiles coldly as the last straggler leaves the room, and rises smoothly to his feet.*
That's what really offends me, you know? Your father matters. Your family matters. But you, Graham?
*He starts closing the distance between them at a slow, steady pace.*
You're nothing. A nobody. A disgrace to your name.
[He tries hard to pretend like Aubrey's words don't bother him. He puts a smirk on his face instead of the grimace he feels inside. He crosses his arms.] That's your opinion.
*Aubrey chuckles at that, a warm, natural sound in the weirdly deadened quiet of a common room otherwise so cold and empty that even the portraits are absent.
And then he does his level best to punch that smirk right off Graham’s face.*
[Graham's been hit before. He's been hit harder than this but it took him by surprise. He falls back but doesn't hit the ground. He grabs his jaw, sweating at Aubrey.] You're going to regret that. I promise you that.
[Graham goes down. He should have seen that coming.] What's the plan Macdonald? You going to kill me? Right here in the common room. You think I won't respond to this? Because I will. I don't have lay a hand on you. But whatever happens to her will be on your head now.
You admitted to your crimes. Then you took the Floo back home. Your father, easily bought off, will say he withdrew you from the school to be educated privately. People may suspect, but they won’t do anything. Nobody will look for you. In a few years, your father will have another heir and give him your name. Nobody will remember you. Just, poof. Gone from the world.
*Graham’s wand doesn’t like Aubrey forcing magic through it. It shudders and spills hot sparks across them.*
Did you really think further threatening Sylvie would help you? After what you did?
*Aubrey looks at him for a long moment and then, without raising his voice, says* Give me the common room.
*The sixth and seventh year Slytherins immediately start collecting their things. There’s some confused looks from the younger students, but they also follow suit when nudged along.*
Do you know your problem, Graham? *Aubrey asks over the sounds of the room emptying around them.* Your real problem?
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It's not that you're a delusional fantasist. It's not that you can't accept responsibility for your actions. It's not that you're a fool, or a creep, or a liar, or a thief. It's not even that you never. Fucking. Listen. It's that you think you matter.
*Aubrey smiles coldly as the last straggler leaves the room, and rises smoothly to his feet.*
That's what really offends me, you know? Your father matters. Your family matters. But you, Graham?
*He starts closing the distance between them at a slow, steady pace.*
You're nothing. A nobody. A disgrace to your name.
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*Aubrey chuckles at that, a warm, natural sound in the weirdly deadened quiet of a common room otherwise so cold and empty that even the portraits are absent.
And then he does his level best to punch that smirk right off Graham’s face.*
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*Still calmly smiling, Aubrey closes the gap even as Graham speaks and swings again.*
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*Aubrey makes a grab for Graham’s arm like he’s trying to prevent the wand draw, but it’s mostly to disguise the kick aimed at Graham’s leg.*
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*Aubrey steps thoughtfully on Graham’s wrist. He smiles down at him. There is nothing in his eyes at all.*
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*Aubrey picks up Graham’s wand, spinning it idly.* Yes, *he decides.*
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You admitted to your crimes. Then you took the Floo back home. Your father, easily bought off, will say he withdrew you from the school to be educated privately. People may suspect, but they won’t do anything. Nobody will look for you. In a few years, your father will have another heir and give him your name. Nobody will remember you. Just, poof. Gone from the world.
*Graham’s wand doesn’t like Aubrey forcing magic through it. It shudders and spills hot sparks across them.*
Did you really think further threatening Sylvie would help you? After what you did?
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