[Warning: Language]

Saturday May 14th
Early Morning Meal
Great Hall

The chatter and clatter of the morning meal filled the Great Hall as the students gathered for breakfast. The enchanted ceiling above them reflected the blue sky outside speckled with grey clouds. Another day of rain. The way it fell from above, mimicking the light showers outside the castle was captivating. Despite the weather, this close to the end of term they'd be hard pressed to keep the younger years focused on their studies. No doubt they'd be clamouring to be done with their homework just to get out of the castle on a Saturday afternoon. Even some of the older students were likely to put their exam prep aside. They had less than a month left in the school year, it was enough to make any of the students restless.

A call echoed across the hall as a flock of owls entered to deliver the daily post. Cadance was more concerned with her current craving for bacon. When she entered her second trimester, the morning sickness had faded and the cravings had begun. Thankfully, for now, they were few and far between. She was about to grab her fourth piece of bacon when a ruffled looking Barn Owl dropped the Daily Prophet on her plate. She scolded the bird but tucked a knut into the small satchel tied to his leg all the same.

Once it had flown away she unfolded the paper and stared at the enchanting picture moving on the front page. It took her a few moments to register the headline properly - 'Owner of Celebrated Menageries Perishes in Beasts Sanctuary' The bold letters stood stark against the regal picture of galloping Pegasi.

She raised her ice blue eyes to the collected students in the hall. Briar over in Gryffindor pounded her fist on the long table. The twins in ravenclaw exchanged shocked looks and spoke to each other rapidly. One of the youngest of the dozen or so grandchildren (and Great Grandchildren) over in Hufflepuff was grappling with with a fellow student over the newspaper with a tear streaked face. Finally she glanced up at the Professor's table trying to gauge a reaction from their Herbology Professor who had married into the family.

Cadance turned back to the Slytherin table where the majority of the grandchildren were. She looked directly across the table to her best friend and cousin, "Xavier have you seen this?" She handed the paper to him.

The darker Slytherin looked it over, his brow furrowing, "Are ye feckin' kiddin' me?!"

The paper was swiftly snatched by their younger cousin to Xavier's right, "Bullocks, Grandpa's dead?!" Kyson stood up and looked to the Gryffindor table where his sister was currently trying to storm off while a few of her housemates tried to calm her down, "Well Briar's about to punch someone in the face." He sat down nonchalantly and turned back to his older cousins, "How does Grandpa die and we have to find out about it from the bloody 'Prophet?"

Cadance blinked back tears, a hand to her belly, ignoring Kyson's question, "Xav do you understand what this means?"

Xavier had been blissfully distracted that morning. He had been looking forward to going into Hogsmeade where he'd be able to have his first official date with Jordyn. He had the whole thing planned out and he was certain this time he had actually managed to pull off the whole romantic thing.

He was lost in his thoughts when Cadance threw the prophet at him. He scanned the article in question, his brow furrowing, "Are ye feckin' kidding me?!" He was lost in thought again as Kyson went off. He tuned out his younger cousin. The kid had always been a bit on the dramatic side, which certainly didn't help the situation they suddenly found themselves in. Xavier in particular tried to process the news in relation to the plans he had for the weekend. He wasn't about to shed too many tears over the Patriarch of the greater Wentworth family but everyone around him would be expecting him to be grieving. What if Jordyn called the whole thing off?

"Xav do you understand what this means?"

Cadance's question brought him back to the problem at hand. He locked eyes with her and suddenly paled. He knew exactly what she meant. He was now the last living male heir of Wentworth family. Despite being surrounded by male cousins (and a few male first cousins once removed) Xavier was the only one that held the Wentworth name, a fact he had kept well hidden from nearly all of his peers.

The paper had made it's way to Cadance's brother, Tiberius, "The Prophet says Grandpa named Xavier his heir."

Xavier swallowed hard. He had been hoping the old man had a few more decades in him. He thought he'd have more time before everything would be dropped on his shoulders. Next to him Kyson had raised his hand in a high five, "Cheers mate, you just became filthy rich!" Xavier heard Cadance scoff and tut, reminding the hot headed fifth year that he just offered a high five over their grandfather's death.

The Great Hall was always a reliable forum for student gossip. It was where Lydie spent most of her time, whenever it was open. It was a neutral place among the houses, one where she could keep an eye on everyone.

Or rather. Seeing her friends, she wanted to see her friends, that’s why she did this, yep, Lydie reminded herself as she munched on a lemon poppy muffin. It was early, so Lydie was of course half asleep anyway, having stayed up late sneaking around the night before. She yawned and propped her head up with her arm, inspecting the muffin and then placing it on the table.

“Are ye feckin’ kidding me??”

Lydie snapped to attention, as if she were a soldier whose captain had just come into eyesight. The Slytherin table was all a-tizzy, and Lydie arched her neck to look over, as if that would help her see into the huddle that was gathering. She looked left and right and then slid off of the Gryffindor bench, carrying her muffin. Today she thought she’d take the long way out of the Hall, very very slowly....

Peyton had never seen himself as an outsider before. He had plenty of friends and got along with nearly anyone he came across. He wasn't overly opinionated and he could talk anyone's ear off about Quidditch. However when it came to family, things got . . . complicated.

For a few years now Peyton was aware of the complicated nature of his family. Growing up they never discussed his father's family. He never thought much of it. Then in his fifth year he had learned more about his father than he ever really wanted to know. He learned about his wife and his other son and when that son ran away from school Peyton finally got to meet his grandfather. The only part of his extended family that he had any normal contact with was his cousin Berkeley who filled in all the missing holes. Holes like just how many of his fellow students were actually his cousins. All this knowledge however he had kept to himself. Which made the ripple running through the Great Hall all the more awkward for him.

He looked down the Ravenclaw table to where Grant and Kelly were rapidly talking about the Prophet article. The larger of the two twins, Kelly, had been helping him over the past year or so with devising new plays for their Quidditch matches, "Alright there Kelly?"

The twins looked up, "Um, our Granddad just passed . . . Apparently."

Peyton felt his stomach twist. He wondered if his Dad knew yet. They didn't get the Prophet delivered to the house and the only other family member that knew his father was still alive was Berkeley. Would she have sent him an Owl? Was Peyton going to have to break the news himself? He may not have liked Arathorn and things weren't exactly great with his father either but he didn't think he could handle delivering such news.

He realized the twins were looking at him expectantly, "That's rough. I'm really sorry guys."

Peyton suddenly scanned the Great Hall for his current favourite Gryffindor. Nicholas was one of very few people he had told about his family. He was definitely going to need to talk to someone about this and it wasn't like he could talk to his sister (who knew nothing about it) or his brother  (who seemed to be equally ignorant)

Celene was sitting at the Slytherin table, slowly spreading some raspberry jam on toast. She sighed heavily, thinking about the day ahead. It was a Saturday, which was nice, but she really should spend the majority of it studying. It was such a beautiful day outside, though! She would much rather spend the day in Hogsmeade with the rest of the students. She'd spent day after day studying for the upcoming OWLS and she so badly wanted a break. She sighed again. She couldn't give up now. She would spend the day studying.

She was unenthusiastically chewing on her biscuit when it happened. The owls were delivering the post and...the Slytherin table exploded with activity. Everyone was shouting and pointing. Some of them looked rather upset. Today's Prophet lead story seemed to be the source of the commotion. There also seemed to be a lot of activity centered around one of the Seventh year Slytherins. 

Celene turned to one of her classmates."What in the world is happening?" She asked.

"There was some incident with a Pegasus. A bunch of people died, including a ministry beast handler and Xavier's Grandad!" The student replied. "Xavier's about to be filthy rich!"

"What?!?"

"Yeah, Everybody is freaking out! And I think...."

Celene did not much care what the second year thought. She also really didn't care about Xavier, either. She felt bad that his grandfather had passed away, but she really didn't know Xavier, and looking over at him now, he really didn't look all that sad about it. Celene was much more concerned about the other thing her classmate had said, about the beast handler that had died.

She frantically reached for the closest copy of the Prophet she could find. She quickly read the article, searching in panic for any mention of her uncle's name.

She threw the paper down in frustration. The article did not name the beast handler involved. She quickly got up from the table, and ran from the Great Hall. She had to send a letter to uncle now. She had to know that he was OK.
 

Being late for breakfast was not a normal thing for Jordyn, but she had really tried this morning.  So much so that she even did the most complicated plait she ever attempted.  It had taken three manual attempts before she lifted her wand, and even then, it had been another two tries before the plaits formed the right way and she was satisfied.  Everything had to be in order, after all.  It was her first real date with Xavier that wasn’t just finding somewhere secret to hole up and snog for as long as they could. 

That was all very well and good, but this was a date and she was actually excited about it.  So, with a spring in her step, she approached the Great Hall, ready to grab her obligatory morning scone and tea.  She had no idea what Xavier was planning so she didn’t want to spoil her appetite if that was part of it (but she also didn’t want to look like a glutton either)! 

When she arrived in the entryway, it looked like all of the Slytherins seemed to be buzzing about something.  Curious, she picked up her pace, but stopped as the mousy-red brown haired witch[1] brushed past her, looking frantic.  Jordyn raised her eyebrows and watched her go before turning her eyes back to the Slytherin table, bustling with activity. 

The Oglesbee girl had been upset.  It made her wonder if someone had done something… Jordyn approached one of the sixth years on the outskirts of the table, “What’s going on?” she inquired with a tap on her shoulder. 

The sixth year looked at her with a shocked expression.  Clearing his throat, he tugged at the sleeve of his robe.  “The Wentworth grandfather got trampled,” he explained with wide eyes, “apparently, he left Xavier Tawse everything.”  That didn’t really register right away, everything?  What?  Jordyn looked down the table where Xavier was, spotting his cousin with him. 

“Thank you,” Jordyn responded quietly and the student darted away.  She hardly noticed, stuck on observing him and his cousin, and just processing… She wondered if he was okay, should she approach him?  Say she was sorry?  He didn't look terribly upset... and what had that sixth year meant by everything?  Sinking down onto the bench at the very end of the table, Jordyn looked solemnly at the pastry she had been so excited to eat mere minutes before.  Now, however, her appetite had subsided as she chewed in the inside of her cheek.  If she had learned anything outside of her classes this year, it was most assuredly that breakfast was definitely not her meal. 

1.

Celene

Cadance caught out of the corner of her eye, the Oglesbee girl run off. She did a mental count of all her cousins and first cousins removed. It was required of her to know her family's lineage and who was born to whom. Despite how large their family was she was certain the Oglesbees were not on their tree. Her brow furrowed in concern and confusion for a moment before she realized her Grandfather wasn't the only person who died in the incident. She hoped the girl would be alright. She might have to inquire at a later date. After she dealt with more pressing matters.

She blinked away some tears grabbing her napkin to dab at her face. She knew her makeup wouldn't be affected by the moisture but she could still muss it up if she rubbed too hard. She felt her brother place a hand on her shoulder in comfort. Even Kyson looked a little brought down now that she had scolded him. Somewhere down the table she could see Charlie rise and try to make his way over to her. She didn't have much time to say what she wanted to.

She reached across the table to take Xavier's hand. The poor teen was still paled and looking as though he had been hit with a body bind curse. She wasn't sure how he'd really be feeling about their grandfather's death but she knew the sudden weight of the entire family fortune and business would be weighing on him hard. However even that was going to have to wait. There was still something even more pressing.

With her cousin's attention now she purposely placed her hand on her belly. The news hadn't broken wide yet but Xavier knew about her current condition, "Xav, you're in charge now. Do you think, would you be able to," She couldn't find the words she needed to convey her concern without letting her entire family - not to mention her peers - know what she was getting at, "do you think you'd be in charge of Grandpa's other contracts?"

Xavier sat frozen in his seat. The news was buzzing all around him. The Slytherin table in particular was agitated about the news. He saw a small figure rush off but didn't pay attention to who it was. He had spent nearly a decade ignoring his father's family he wasn't nearly as close with his many cousins as some of the others were. He tried to think of just how many were in Slytherin, if only to keep his mind preoccupied on other things. In Seventh year there was Cadance and Tiberius of course. In fifth year there was Kyson. Then in first year there was Finley, his cousin Ava's son and Erin, his cousin Jameson's daughter. The rest if the half dozen or so were spread out across the other houses. Xavier paid them little mind.

He was brought out of his mental genealogy lesson when Cadance took his hand. She was crying. He tilted his head to the side. She was really close with their Grandfather, he knew that much but there wasn't grief in her eyes. There was something else. An almost panicked hope.

He furrowed his brow at her disjointed question. Other contracts, what other contracts could she possibly be . . . ? The question was answered for him as he put two and two together. She had one hand holding his but the other was on her stomach. Before he could say anything Charlie had joined them and swept his fiance up in his arms. Cadance made a perfect show of crying into his shoulder.

A commotion at the Gryffindor table drew his attention away from Cadance's performance. Xavier put a hand on Kyson's shoulder, "Yer migh' wanna cool down Briar befor' she flips thee Gryffies table."

In the commotion he was able to catch sight of Jordyn silently settling into the Slytherin table a little down from him. He took a deep breath and caught Cadance's eye as he stood. His cousin wanted out of her marriage contract. She had a baby on the way. Xavier couldn't figure out why she would want to raise it on her own instead of with a loving, doting father - unless Charlie wasn't the father . . . that was a question for another day, "I'll see wha' I cin do."

He left the tension and chaos of his cousins behind. He was well aware of just how many eyes were on him but he just couldn't care. He so desperately wanted to leave it all behind. To forget any of it was happening. He could worry about it some other time. Sometime when he was more prepared. When he wasn't blindsided.

He came to stand by Jordan's side. He took her hand and guided her into a standing position. Without a word he wrapped an arm around her waist and gave her a deep and desperate kiss, in the middle of the Great Hall, likely mortifying the poor girl. When he pulled away he nestled his head in her shoulder, his voice a little shaky, "Please don't cancel our date. Not today. I can't. Just please say you'll still come."

Reaching out to the bowl in the middle of the table, Jordyn took a warm pastry and just held it in her hands.  It was grounding, to feel the heat radiate through her gloves.  She tightened her grip and crumbs tumbled out from between the spaces in her fingers and onto the table.  She watched them hit the table and bounce a little before settling. 

It wasn’t even her big news, but it did change things, didn’t it?  Only a few of her choice, closest friends actually knew what state her family was in.  If Jordyn wasn’t so good at charms and concealment of things, people might actually know.  It was bad enough if anyone did even just a little bit of digging they’d probably easily be able to find it all out. 

But now, he was going to have everything – that’s what the sixth year said, everything.  She didn’t even know what that would entail.  She knew some of her classmates who were well off… substantially so… they talked about parties and socializing and just… things she couldn’t even imagine dealing with.  Hell, she had to scrimp and save to get a good haul at Honeyduke’s, let alone fancy party dresses and the like.  Maybe her mind was jumping too far, but it seemed really overwhelming. 

She did not fit in with that crowd, no matter how much she would always try.  Even when the Royalty was an actual group… Jordyn was always the odd one out.  She was breathing heavily now, anxious and the scone had crumbled into a thousand pieces onto the table.  She hadn’t realized she crushed it all the way.  Blinking, she was surprised when someone grabbed her hand – effectively grabbing her out of her own head in the process, and was tugged out of her seat. 

He pulled her into his arms and into a kiss.  That was not what she expected so early in the morning, after hearing such news.  People had grief differently, she guessed, but desperate kisses in front of the entire school?  She was surprised, that was for certain and she needed to grab onto him to hold herself up, tightly wrapping her arms around him as he buried his head in the crook of her neck.  He asked her to not cancel, to still go out with him.  “Oh-okay,” she patted his back softly to try and offer some comfort and added, “I won’t cancel.”

Xavier pulled back from her, holding her at the waist and looking down into her eyes. His own were slightly bloodshot, perhaps from holding back any tears. They certainly weren't tears for Arathorn, the man hadn't exactly earned those. It was more the gravity of everything that weighed down on him. What would he even need to do now? Was he expected to run a company he knew nothing about? How much control did he have over all of Arathorn's affairs? Surely he wouldn't be expected to take his place on the Board of Governors but that was only one of his grandfather's many responsibilities.

"Thank you."

He gave her another kiss, this one softer. A little sweeter, a little less desperate. He moved his hands from her waist to her hands and gave them a squeeze before moving past her. He had completely lost his appetite. He needed to be somewhere, anywhere else. He didn't like how many people were looking at him. He needed space and time to process it all. Both of which he wasn't going to find in the Great Hall. He slipped out as quietly as he could, leaving the rest of the students to fuel the rumor mill without him.

Kyson had been poking at his bacon after Cadance scolded him. So maybe giving Xavier a high five wasn't the most appropriate thing to do but Ky wasn't exactly known for his timing, or tact, or just thinking before acting in general. Then again getting scolded by his Princess of a cousin wasn't exactly a new thing either. He remembered countless stories growing up when his sister Briar had gone out of her way to ruffle the Princess' feathers. Apparently it hadn't been too hard to do so.

The younger Slytherin put more focus on his breakfast now that the blonde was crying. Girls crying was definitely not his area of expertise, she was better left to Xavier. He was good with that sort of thing. Kyson preferred his girls laughing or blushing or even punching him for some stupid joke he had made. Crying girls were to be avoided at all costs, like a case of Dragon Pox.

He missed the entire desperate exchange between his older cousins and wasn't brought back to the matter at hand until Xavier had put a hand on his shoulder, "Yer migh' wanna cool down Briar befor' she flips thee Gryffies table."

Kyson looked up to where his sister was causing a scene over at the Gryffindor table and rolled his eyes, "Merlin's balls." He groaned to himself before hopping over the bench and trying to worm his way over to the other table. Part of him was glad his sister would be graduating this year. She was even more of a hot headed than he was. Kyson never went out of his way to cause trouble but had no qualms about finishing it. Briar on the other hand seemed to revel in making things difficult for herself. Like right now for instance. Their many cousins were reeling from the news, all the young ones were crying and most of the older ones were in shock - Kyson glanced over at Grant and Kelly who had been more like brothers to him than cousins. From what he knew Briar didn't even care about the old man, she just liked his money. Perhaps the current outburst was due to Xavier inheriting everything, though he doubted she'd have been put in his will anyway. It wasn't exactly a secret that Arathorn favoured Cadance over the rest of them.

He finally made it to his sister's side, giving a sympathetic look to the many Gryffindor's surrounding her, "Alright Bri, let's go talk somewhere, yeah?"