"Grace Merryn Eddy, what were you thinking?"

Grace's head snapped up and her eyes went wide. Did her Head of House just use her middle name in that maternal, scolding manner? And now, was Grace really seeing a look of utter disappointment from the Arithmancy professor? The prefect was stunned into silence and she dropped her head back down to her chest, awaiting the rest of the tirade that was sure to come.

From where she stood looking down at the prefect, it occurred to Myrni that Grace should be protesting about now. That was the way of most Gryffindors. But Myrni forged on ahead and told the girl, "I don't care if Maeve deserved it ten times over--" Even her knowledge of the Whitman clan and how much they irritated her of late, Myrni maintained her authoritarian air. "You're a prefect. You should know better." Myrni then rested a hand on her hip. "Between you and Chance providing such wonderful examples, it's no wonder Gryffindor House is doing so poorly. I'm starting to wonder if I need to take the titles away from you."

"So are you?" The words were out of Grace's mouth before she could stop them.

"No." Myrni narrowed her eyes at the prefect. "Something gives me the impression that doing that would be too easy a punishment for you. And I think we'd both regret that happening later on." Myrni walked around her desk and took a seat in her chair, clasping her hands and setting them on the desk top in front of her. "Like it or not, even with this transgression, you are one of the most responsible 7th years in this house. I might be hard pressed to find someone else who is normally so dedicated."

"So you're not going to punish me?" Again, Grace spoke without really thinking but this time her words had a more hopeful quality about them.

Myrni could hardly contain a chuckle at that logic. "Grace, you know perfectly well that I can't let this go without doing anything. You're lucky that I waited this long to dole out what is due instead of doing it last night at the ball as soon as I learned what happened. But I am actually glad that I waited because it gave me time to think about what punishment might be best suited for the crime."

Grace bit her lower lip as numerous worse case scenarios ran through her mind. She could only guess which one Levartian would choose. She hesitantly prodded, "And what did you decide?"

Myrni casually averted her gaze to a sheet of parchment in front of her on the desk. She carefully informed Grace, "I think that you need lessons on how to conduct yourself in a manner befitting a prefect...." She paused dramatically before adding on, "...and a lady."

Grace's brow furrowed in confusion. What the heck kind of punishment was that?

As if to pick up on the student's failure to understand, Myrni continued. "I know you must be wondering what I am talking about. I'm sure you remember our house meeting last month where we all talked about what could be done to curb the downward spiral that has been plaguing Gryffindor of late. Well, after the meeting, I had a very lengthy conversation with Kit Branwell who spoke with such passion about the virtues of chivalry and honor that is the very basis for our house." Myrni settled her unrelenting gaze on Grace's face. "Frankly, I was won over by her dedication to those concepts."

Grace was still confused, but she was also starting to feel a sense of dread sink in. She had no idea the full scope of what Professor Levartian was saying, but she already knew that it couldn't be good.

"As part of your punishment, I would like for you to seek out Ms. Branwell's help with etiquette lessons. I know you seventh years must think that you know everything already, but I think it's safe to say that this is one area in which this particular fifth year will be able to school you."

Grace was finally starting to feel her ability to speak return and she cut in with her first feeble attempt at protest. "Professor Levartian....are you....sure that is necessary?" It was on her tongue to ask if there was anything else that she could do as punishment instead. Lines? Manual labor? Anything but training in....good Godric, she had no idea what etiquette entailed exactly and that scared her.

"Yes, Ms. Eddy. It is very necessary. You have thus proven that with this latest episode." came Myrni's clipped response. It may have been the closest she'd come to showcasing a spine and a no-nonsense attitude since taking over as Gryffindor Head of House. For anyone who knew her well, they could attest to that being a difficult task for her. But Myrni wasn't about to be swayed and she steeled herself for what else she had to say. "For the forseeable future, consider yourself to be at the mercy of Ms. Branwell. Whatever she requests of you for this training, I expect that you will comply. So, if she requires that you wear a heels, panty hose and skirts, I think you should do so with a smile on your face. If she thinks that by virtue of your being female that you should like the color pink, then you should be prepared to know every shade in existence. I mean it, whatever she wants you to do for this, you are to give her your utmost cooperation. Are we clear?"

"Isn't there...." Grace fumbled for how to best convince her Head of House that some other punishment might be better.

"Some other option?" Myrni supplied the prefect. With a sweet, simple smile, Myrni shook her head. "I'm afraid not. There are no other options. Unless, of course, you would rather be at the mercy of Ms. Whitman." Seeing the look of disgust on Grace's face, Myrni nodded. "As I thought. I'm sure you'll find Kit Branwell to be a fair arbitor of your punishment--to he benefit of everyone in the house." Myrni's expression softened and she leaned over her clasped hands still resting on the desk. "And yes, you are being made into an example, Grace. That is very mean of me. But I am hoping that in doing so, it might help curb further delinquency in our house. You can tell the others what fate lies ahead should they wish to continue the reckless behaviors that give Gryffindor such a bad reputation."

Grace released a dejected sigh. She was certain that her situation could not possibly get worse. but as she sat wallowing in self pity and glaring at the varnished wood of Levartian's desk, the woman's next words ebbed into her thoughts.

"Oh, and speaking of Ms. Whitman. As the other part of your punishment, I expect that you'll be apologizing to her for what you did to her. And I'll know if it's done in a proper fashion so I suggest you put your best effort towards making it genuine."

"Great," Grace muttered in response. She slumped a little further in the chair, not even attempting to hide how much she disliked the package punishment deal she had just been given.

"Now, you're dismissed. You have a prefect meeting to attend. And I expect that you'll be your best behavior..."