Chapter 39 #3
“Any less reliable than the circumstantial evidence you’ve provided today?” Alaric fires back. “Because it seems to me that you have a vendetta against this student due to past interactions with her father, and now you’re attempting to place blame on her by making connections where there are none.”
Callista steps up to add her statement. “And all three of us can confirm that the night Mitchell went missing, we were together the entire night. We left the Samhain ball when it ended, went straight back to Max and Vivian’s dorm room, and stayed up all night hanging out.
You’re welcome to go ask the other students who live in the dorm as well, because we spent some time down in the common room performing a common Samhain ritual with other students. ”
She’s telling the truth. After we had left the ball and changed into comfortable clothes, many of us gathered in the common room and utilized the perpetual fire in the hearth to perform a ritual of writing down events from this past year that we’d like to let go of and burning the papers, then sharing with each other our hopes for the future.
We were joined by six others who would vouch for our presence.
Mr. Escher focuses his gaze on one of the papers before him.
“Well, according to the reports here, Mr. Hansley did indeed go missing on Saturday night after being seen at the Samhain ball. And while the exact time of death could not be pinpointed, the report does state that the estimated postmortem interval is four to five days. It seems to me that the evidence against Miss Harver is largely circumstantial.”
“That still doesn’t account for her uncontrolled magic, which is dangerous to other students here on campus,” the Chancellor argues, but her composed facade is faltering now, her voice laced with frustration.
The bald man with the long beard speaks up again. “Are there any records of Miss Harver causing harm to another student?”
“Well, not necessarily, but there have been events where she’s been unable to control her magic, and students could have been harmed in those instances. She only got lucky that nobody was hurt.”
“If no students have been hurt, and no legitimate evidence has been provided to implicate Miss Harver in the death of Mr. Hansley, I think we’re done here.
This meeting seems to have been called in haste, but I’m glad we were called here to clear things up,” Mr. Escher states.
“If any other information comes to light about potential suspects, please let us know. Otherwise, I believe we’re done here. ”
“You’re required to vote on the matter,” the Chancellor interjects in one last desperate attempt.
Mr. Escher sighs almost imperceptibly and looks to either side of him. “All in favor of expelling Vivian Harver?”
Two hands raise, both of them belonging to my grandparents. Are they in on this too? What is going on?
“All in favor of her continuing her education at Arcadia Academy?”
The other ten hands lift.
“Then that settles it. The motion to expel is denied,” he announces. “Miss Harver, you’re free to remain at Arcadia Academy. However, we will be keeping a close eye on any potential issues that may arise from your lack of magical training. Is that clear?”
“Yes,” I manage to choke out. My throat is tight as I hold back tears, but for the first time in months, they’re not due to frustration or heartbreak.
“This hearing is adjourned.”
The board members begin to stand, murmuring to each other and collecting their coats. My friends rush to me, enveloping me in a group hug that makes me melt with gratitude. I wouldn’t be staying here if it weren’t for them and Alaric. They saved me.
It hits me then just how much I matter to these women, and just how much they matter to me.
This is what genuine friendship feels like: loving each other, fighting for each other, and being there for each other in the best and worst of times.
By the time we pull away, we’re all crying and laughing with disbelief.
This morning, I thought my life as I knew it would be over. The relief of realizing that I won’t have to leave here after all, that my memory won’t be erased, is staggering.
“Thank you guys so much,” I sniffle. In my periphery, I see my grandparents huddled in the corner, speaking with the Chancellor, but I can’t bring myself to care right now.
“We couldn’t just let you leave us,” Callista says. “There’s still a lot of mischief to be made with the five of us. We couldn’t find Avery in time to make it to the meeting, so we’ll have to fill her in later.”
“Come on,” Max says. “Let’s get out of here and get some coffee, because they sure as hell won’t excuse our attendance today despite this shit show.”
We head to the doorway, Callista and Delilah flanking me on either side while Max leads the way.
When I glance over my shoulder, Alaric is standing off to the side of the room with his father, where they’re speaking in hushed tones.
I catch his eye, and the combination of relief and concern in his expression is evident.
I’ll find him later and speak to him—we have class together in an hour, after all—but right now, I’m going to get coffee with my friends and debrief this entire chaotic morning.