Queen Bee (Susan)

[Deleted]

Masin had invited Susan out for Tea the first week of May during the last Hogsmeade weekend. Masin had plenty of girls she had doted on over the years. Wilma, Susan, etc. She had seen potential in all of them and hoped that one of them would be able to take her place as the... Queen Bee an example of Class and Posh at the school. Susan, she decided, was the one who was the most likely to make a lasting impression on the others and could continue to spread Masins message of goodwill and good hair.

She arrived at the tea shop at the precise time that she had asked Susan to meet her there, glancing about for the girl. She felt silly, for a moment, that she was still worrying about this after everything that had happened but... this was almost a therapy for her, a way for her to get through this awful world with some confidence, pride and enjoyment.

Casey had been returned safely, thank the gods, and that made things easier too.

@susanvictoria

[Deleted]

Susan couldn’t lie, she had been absolutely thrilled when she had received the invitation from Masin to meet her for tea at Madame Puddifoot’s that afternoon. She had always looked up to Masin as a sort of role model, and this past year she had really been taken under the Head Girl’s wing. Now she was just a month shy of graduating from Hogwarts, and someone would need to fill the void left behind. Susan briefly wondered for a moment if that would be her, the shook the thought away. Masin was a good-willed person, she probably wanted to spend time with all her protégés before graduating.

She made it to the tea shop just a minute or two after the scheduled meeting time. She tried not to think of herself as too late, and spotted the older girl already sitting at a table. Susan had worn a pale blue tea dress for the occasion, which she felt brought out the blue in her eyes. Smiling, she went over to the table and sat down across from her. “Hi Masin, how are you today?” she asked her.

@delisle

[Deleted]

"Susan," Masin greeted. "Beautiful dress, it brings out your eyes," she complimented before lifting her tea cup and taking a short sip. "And I am doing well, thank you. How has your day been so far?" usually when Masin asked this question it was simply out of propriety, not that she really cared about the answer much. But in this case, she really did. Susan was a nice girl, royalty and a good person. Masin cared what happened in her life. Plus, ever since the kidnappings Masin had subconsciously found herself becoming more caring about other peoples feelings around her. No, she hadn't changed completely, but it was a pretty massive adjustment to all of the things she had done and said the last seven years. She wasn't going to go around praising everyone, no way, but she could appreciate their good qualities a little better.

@susanvictoria

[Deleted]

Susan smiled and felt a light blush creep into her cheeks as Masin complimented her dress. She wasn’t going to let on that she had spent nearly an hour trying on all of her dresses – some twice – to pick the perfect outfit. Luckily, she had had her sister meet her in the Entrance Hall before leaving and had let her know she liked the dress, which had given her a boost of confidence. “My day has been lovely thank you; finally finished my last Potions essay and sent an owl to my older brother to keep him from worrying,” she told her. Will’s worry had grown tenfold since the April Fools Kidnappings; even though Muggleborns weren’t the target of the kidnappers, one Muggleborn had been killed. She understood the worry, but was currently refusing to leave the school for her “safety”. “What about you Masin, how does it feel to be graduating so soon?” she asked the older girl. She was envious of Masin’s seventh year status; not because of the leaving Hogwarts part, but maybe Will wouldn’t be so quick to pull someone who is just about to graduate out of school.

@delisle

[Deleted]

Masin remembered Susans brother, William. He was a Gryffindor, not much older than herself. For being a Gryffindor he was actually a lot more serious than Masin expected him to be. Well, the royalness probably had some part in that. "Always nice to finish the last essay of a term. And how is William, then? Lucy seems to be doing very well in school," she added. She was in the younger girls house, after all.

"Awe, it feels... great," she said, chuckling a little, "I will miss a lot about Hogwarts. Mostly I'm just worried about leaving it in good hands," at that, her head cocked slightly to the side and she leaned forward. "You've been doing well there, Susan. Not just in the academic aspect either," she complimented.

@susanvictoria

[Deleted]

Susan smiled and nodded; Lucy had found her calling with Healing spells and Herbology and she was quite proud of her, even if she didn’t always tell her. “William is doing well; he’s a Curse-breaker with Gringotts now and seems to be liking his job. Lucy’s really finding her niche with Healing, so I think she’ll end up going in that direction. And then Edmund is…well, he’s Edmund,” she said with a laugh.

She sat up straighter when Masin complimented her on doing well at Hogwarts, specifically mentioning that it was not just academics she had been noticing her for. Masin was not only the Head Girl at Hogwarts, she was also the de facto Queen Bee of the school. She wasn’t a tyrant though by any means, she ruled the school quite peacefully and with a caring hand rather than an iron fist. Susan had looked up to Masin for years; the fact that Masin not only knew who she was, but wanted to hang out with her was astounding to her. “Thank you Masin, I try my best in everything because I have high expectations for myself. I just have one more year left, and I came my second year, so I want to learn as much more as I can before going out to the real world,” she told her.

@delisle

[Deleted]

As she spoke of her siblings, Masin nodded and listened. She had no siblings of her own, so she wasn't to great at relating to those kinds of relationships. Still, she was close to some people and understood closeness, to an extent. "Well, it sounds like you're all very different, which can be a good thing I'm sure. I must admit, I don't know much about Edmund. We're not really connected in any way," she admitted.

At Susans next words, Masins smile grew. "Good. Learn as much as you can for the rest of your life, but you'll never have Hogwarts again. Tell me," she paused to take another sip of tea, "do you have high expectations of others as well, Susan?" that was an improtant part in helping people, at least in the way Masin helped them. If Masin was going to give Susan names of people to assist, she needed to make sure her standards were also spread to those she was in contact with.

@susanvictoria

[Deleted]

Susan laughed. “Not too many people truly are connected to Edmund, he’s really his own individual,” she admitted. She did love her younger brother, but they tended to butt heads more often than any other of the siblings. After the attacks though, they had formed a strangely new bond after he protected her when she was injured; they had also banded together against William when he tried to bring them home after the attacks. She was actually beginning to like him as a person.

She nodded vigorously when Masin asked if she upheld her expectations to others. “Of course, I believe that we are given this opportunity to do good in the Wizarding world. Hogwarts is obviously the best wizarding school out there, and I feel that especially for Muggleborns we come into this world behind everyone else in magical training so we must strive to be the best we can and prove we deserve a place here.” She finished speaking, thinking of another one of her idols Hermione Granger. The Head of Magical Law Enforcement had been a Muggleborn witch and had continuously beaten out pureblood witches and wizards in classes and had most certainly been number one in the entire school academically. “I know these are values you also uphold Masin; you can see it when you speak to people and talk about your academic life,” she added, trying to will herself not to turn pink. She assumed that Masin had called her here for a reason and she did not want to embarrass herself.

@delisle

[Deleted]

Masin nodded as Susan explained what she expected of people, especially of other muggle borns. Masin hadn't really thought about that aspect of it, but it was a really good point. They, especially, needed to work hard in order to catch up to the other kids. Her mention of the 'opportunities' Hogwarts provides caused Masin to smile. "And we mustn't take advantage of that opportunity, or allow others to do so," she slipped in right before Susan spoke of how Masin carried these values and showed daily that she upheld them.

"Your very perceptive, Susan. In all honesty, I didn't want you here just for tea, which I have no doubt you've already figured out," she chuckled, then leaned forward slightly. "I care deeply for every student in the school, but there are a select few I've come to take special notice of due to their... potential," and their need for help, but she didn't say that outright. "I'd hate to leave them in bad hands. I'm asking that you help look after them once I'm gone?"

@susanvictoria

[Deleted]

Susan nodded at Masin's comment, then leaned forward slightly as the older girl admitted that she did not just call her here for tea. "I had surmised that there was another reason," she said with a small chuckle. A smile began to spread over her face as Masin asked what she had been hoping and wishing she would say; she wanted to pass the torch to Susan for her to watch over and take care of the students the next year at Hogwarts. It made her even more glad that she had chosen to stand up to her brother and mother when they had begged her to come home after the attacks last month on the castle. She knew they were trying to act in her best interest, but she knew her own person better and had won out in the end. She did have butterflies in her stomach about going home for the summer, but she at least had a few more weeks before she had to worry about that. Besides, Andy said she had an idea on what she could do to keep busy this summer, but had kept it under wraps so far.

"Masin, I would be honored to carry on your legacy in taking care of the other students here at Hogwarts. I won't let you down, I promise," she said heartily. She took another sip of tea, still smiling that of all people Masin had actually picked HER to carry on her legacy.

@delisle

[Deleted]

As Susan accepted the challenge Masin reached forward to take one of her hands over the table, "bless your heart, Susan Windsor. I knew you would be the best choice," she said, her voice almost giddy as a school girls when she said it. She was right to think that this would be a distraction from her struggles in the real world. She pulled her hand back and immediately leapt into action. "There are several girls especially whom I've been looking after. Wilma Krum and Ophelia Leventhorpe to name a few. Even though those two aren't in your house, I'm sure you will see enough of them to look after them for me," she explained, "I'm sure you are just as good of a judge as me in seeing who needs attention and who doesn't. Generally I try not to spread myself too thin, though. You need to care for yourself!" she said with a pointed finger to emphasize.

@susanvictoria

[Deleted]

Susan beamed, proud of herself for making such a good impression on the queen bee of the school, Masin Delisle. She knew that her mother and William worried about her, but if they could just see her now, maybe they'd understand why she needed to stay. She needed to provide the younger students with stability, class and help whenever they needed it. She nodded along as Masin listed off some names. “Wilma Krum, her sister is in my year I think, we've had a few classes together. Ophelia I haven't met though; would you be so kind to help set up a small meeting with us? As sort of a farewell, getting-to-know-you little mixer,” she suggested.

She finished the last dregs of her tea and smiled. “I know I will need to take care of myself. I think that perhaps I am going to learn to do so even more during the summer. I'll be hostessing at the Leaky Cauldron,” she said, feeling quite proud of herself.

@delisle

[Deleted]

Masin loved the idea of planning a little get together with all her favorite ladies and whatnot and she loved the idea of Susans summer job even more. ”I will look into getting you all introduced! As for the job, I think that is great. It will be good to get some real life experience and Hannah Longbottom is a wise woman,” she said, though she didn’t know the woman that well she had heard good things. The woman ran the most popular pub in London for heavens sake. ”I’ve got to go for now, Susan,”she announced, glancing at the little clock on the wall in the tea shop. ”Thank you for meeting with me. As prefect I’m sure you will be doing a lot of good as well, and I’m very proud of you for getting that position,” she reiterated, though she was sure she had mentioned it before. She stood with that smile still intact, her eyes never leaving Susan, ”as for a mixer, it may have to wait til the Summer but I’m sure we can get everyone together,” she lifted her bag onto her shoulder and gestured toward the door. ”Shall we head back?”

@susanvictoria (the end)