Cutty worked hard to hide an amused smile, but he managed to let it adhere itself to his face even if only in a less concentrated form. He didn't see Dot's point as an argument so much as an artform of magical transformation. She took his 'no' and made it a 'yes'. Changed the meaning of his word entirely. Like a natural wordsmith. And here she was dancing. Dancing! Like Agatha 'The Squibbliest' Helena Hapgood.

Siiigh. Merlin bless her beautiful legs wherever they may be TO-NIGHT!

If Cutty could feel empathetic in whole, Dot's comment about having to wait until the OWL results were in to essentially live her life would've filled him with frustration. As it stood, however, his brain did not have the capacity. So he faked it with a sneer that suggested oncomming upchuck. Ya know...to be social.

"Sorry abow that, Dottie. Have yer looked into what yer want ter do?" That could be a constructive summer project. "And, ugh, nar!" He said, sounding put off by the idea of ruling the world. "I'd never puttit op to popular opinion." Ah. It was the democratic practice of voting that turned him the other way, not the idea of power. "I plan to buy my politicians and Wizengamot members." He said with a proud smile and as if he were deciding which award winning dragon fertilizer to feed to his gardenias. A logical and clever household decision.

Dot knew what she wanted to do, and she'd known it since forever, but she suddenly felt shy about sharing it. Some people encouraged her aspirations to dance, and some people laughed at her and told her she was aiming her broom too high above the goal posts. It was possible that Cutty was a laugher. She tucked her hands into her robes and shuffled her feet.

"I'm thinking about it. Have some ideas. Not sure what my mum and dad are willing to pay for, schooling wise, so that's sort of a limitation. But what about you? You have to know right NOW what you want to do next." And that meant he should tell her so they could talk about him for a while.

"Buy your... oh, that's so silly. Cutty. That's way more expensive than just ruling it yourself."

Charlotte continued looking between one and the other of the two graduating seventh years, more than willing to listen to what was ESSENTIALLY compliments about her.

"They're okay, they miss their father." PAUSE. "Long distance relationships are SO HARD, Benzi." SO hard. SO HARD, ZANDER. She looked at the Gryffindor too and SIGHED LOUDLY. Did they both understand how HARD IT WAS? She was bringing up nine snails all on her own. ALL ON HER OWN. Because Wesley had been kept home from school on account of being sick. But okay SHE WASN'T GOING TO BE DISTRACTED!

Not from compliments coming her way.

......... greater? Really? Benzi, Ravenclaw prefect, thought that Gryffindors were MAYBE GREATER than Ravenclaws? Her expression was thoughtful at the knuckle bop.

........

...............

"If I promise to try really hard to be a Gryffindor and see ON A TRIAL basis next term..... can I wear BOTH your badges for the whole rest of the feast?" YEAH?

GOOD DEAL RIGHT?

It would really make her feel SO MUCH BETTER and obviously they both wanted her to feel better didn't they?

"I have a problem though. A little one. Sort of." She confessed. "Me and Davie let my mum and dad think I was a Ravenclaw all term. I wore his robes and scarf and stuff in pictures and just let them think it." SO HOW WAS SHE GONNA DEAL WITH THAT IN LESS THAN A DAY'S TIME WHEN SHE GOT HOME, HUH? HUH?

Ah. Money. The motivator. The regulator. The glittering means. "Do they not support all yer dreams?" Cutty did consider to what extent his own father would've forked out for a degree in whatever. Adonis would've liked to have his boy back in Canada and take over the family business. And despite having greater access to his father's wealth now, Cutty wanted to experiment with wealth creation. "Have yew considered applying for an educational loan from Gringotts?"


She wanted to know about his plans but she didn't seem down for this buying of the politicians. Either that or she was gas lighting him. "Booht, I am a foolish wizard, Goosey. Didn't yer know?" He explained unconvincingly. "Of course I do. I always know what I want." Lies or maybe he was lyin' to his own self. "I'm going into economics. I'll be doin a brief stint at Gringotts over the summer and then to Uni this fall."

"They doooo," Dot dissembled and stared at her pointed toe as it drew patterns on the stone floor. Her mother had always been her very biggest supporter, and it was rotten to suggest that somehow she'd been less than generous. But her mother was also practical, and Dot was not. Sometimes. Often. "But it's the difference between going to a very good school and going to a dream school, and they don't really see the difference. Maybe there isn't a difference."

Maybe she ought to consider that... did it matter if she went somewhere closer if the end game was the same? She wrinkled her nose and considered.

"You're a clever wizard, Cutty, and you can't fool me into underestimating you." She grabbed up his hand and shook it vigorously. "Economics? Like... banking? Investments? Do you like that stuff, or do you just like being close to where the money is?"

Cutty listened to Goosey's dilemma for a moment before stating raw thoughts on the matter. Ideas. She could've lied about what school she went to if she was afraid of how that might look on the CV. "Yer could go to the safety U and joost be the big fish in a small pond. Soar above the rest and make it look like yew were too good fer the skewl all along." Wasn't she anyway? So it'd be like tellin' the truth anyway.

"Yes, I can." He said, picking the petty argument over his tricking abilities as his hand was being shook. "And yeah. I like dosh. Talkin' abow dosh, makin' it. I like what it can do and what it makes people believe." Like how some people attached their worth to it and how it made certain others immobile. That was like his mother. She couldn't do much for lack of wealth.

Snails? Zander had no idea what they were talking about. But the thing about long distance relationships did make him break out into a sweat. If he got accepted for the internship he wanted… That’s what he’d have to do with Sophie and…

Wait a minute. He was going to take relationship advice from an eleven year old?

Uh. Back to the REAL problem at hand here.

Your turn, Rider.

Right, no pressure.

Actually there was a lot of pressure, Benzi.

Which is why all the waiting for his answer was starting to make Zander real apprehensive. Zander Adair trusted Beniz Rider… Sort of. Well, who could blame him okay? Zander hardly even knew the kid outside of prefecting. But he was trying to trust that Benzi would do the right thing. Granted, Zander had heard about that whole Evie/Haley situation so maybe Benzi wasn’t good at doing the right thing and sweet Merlin what—

Oh.

Yeah. See, Zander knew Benzi was gonna say the right thing ALL ALONG. There was never a doubt in his mind. Which is totally why he began smiling and nodding very enthusiastically along with everything the boy started saying. Wait, what was the question again? ”Yes, definitely.

On a trial basis was more than he could ask for, so he grinned at the sentiment. Also, nodding was happening because she could keep his badge for the rest of the feast. Not like Zander would miss it or anything. Honestly, he hadn’t even grown attached. And he had a feeling Benzi would let her wear his too. The boy looked like he’d be willing to do anything to keep the girl happy. Must’ve been some long-time friendship or something. Since he knew about her squirrels. Er. Snails? They were snails?

And all was great and good and they could finally go back to the tables and get some food and— A problem? Not another one. Zander Adair had faced enough problems whilst in this castle thank you very much. But he was listening. ”Oh,” he wasn’t expecting that one. Maybe this girl WAS meant to be a Ravenclaw. Zander wouldn’t have ever thought of that to be honest. Um. ”… I can see how that’s a problem.” Huh. ”I think the truth would be a good place to start? I’m sure they’ll be proud of you no matter what house you’re in.”

But he looked over to Benzi. Hopefully this guy knew a thing or two about her parents. Or a thing or two about how to solve problems. ‘Cause if his Quill articles didn’t say enough, advice wasn’t really Zander’s forte.

They miss their father. Long distance relationships are hard. Well Charlotte Kettleburn, haven't you hit the nail right on the head. "They're hard, but they're completely worth it," and that was all Benzi had to say on this matter. Because they totally were worth it. And they worked. So.. yes.

What were they talking about again?

Oh right. Gryffindor. The house of the stubborn. Totally not better than Ravenclaws, the house of the majestic and the wise FYI. But she didn't need to know this yet. One day perhaps he'd sit her down and explain the concept of secondary houses. His was Gryffindor, he was sure of it.

Raising his eyebrow, Benzi carefully nodded. "Only if you shake on it." No taking promises back with Benzi Rider! Unpinning his badge he carefully leaned forward when she blurted out her next confession and he froze as this new information sunk in, then ROARED with laughter. The seventh year fell back on his hands as he laughed and laughed, because THEIR FACES. Mr and Mrs Kettleburn's FACES when their daughter returns and tells them she's TRICKED THEM. That she'd been masquerading as a Ravenclaw the entire year. THIS WAS SO FUNNY TO HIM, YOU HAVE NO IDEA.

Oh, but they must have some inkling? No hat would sort Char into Ravenclaw. ... Could he be there when she told them? Pretty please with a snail on top?

"Oh kid, never change," he finally said, beckoning her closer. "C'mere so we can shake on that promise and you can walk around wearing your mismatched badges." Oh was he supposed to offer advice?

This was a good deal. Charlotte was HAPPY with this deal. She had to make sure a picture was taken with her wearing the two badges because there needed to be proof about how good she looked wearing them both. OBVIOUSLY SHE COULD ONE DAY BE A BADGEHOLDER FOR MORE THAN ONE HOUSE. OBVIOUSLY THAT WAS A POSSIBLE SITUATION!

"I'll do it good. For a whole year. And then we'll see." She would give Gryffindor a fair chance. "And then I'll write and TELL YOU BOTH all about it okay?" But she was STILL SURE that the hat was wrong. Even if it was nice to hear things that were supposed to be awesome Gryffindor traits that they both thought she embodied.

She scooted close enough for Benzi to put his badge on her and put her hand out for shaking. She also put her OTHER hand out to shake Zander's to save time. TWO SHAKES AT ONCE and also two badges at once.

"I didn't really think about the part where I'd have to go home and they would find out." She confessed. Really she hadn't thought it through in the SLIGHTEST.

.....

"Maybe I should send an owl so it gets there before I do. I could write 'mum I'm actually a Gryffindor'." That saved her actually TELLING them. And maybe they'd just be SO HAPPY TO SEE HER they wouldn't actually be mad about it?

Well at least mission complete, yeah?

See, Zander Adair could do somethings right. Never mind the fact that he actually didn’t do this one on his own, but pft he could still count it… Right? Because honestly, he was doing just fine before Benzi even showed up. Yeah. Totally got the gears moving so that the job would be super easy once the Ravenclaw show up. Yup. That is exactly what happened.

He smiled widely at Char, fulling expecting the kid to love every ounce of Gryffindor once she gave it the shot it deserved from he very beginning. Oh? They were going to shake on it? Okay, yeah he could do that. Zander went to take her hand, giving it a shake to confirm that they had a deal. Zander had been so used to dealing with physical contracts when it came to things because unfortunately he happened to make all his promises with Slytherins. Which is another reason to confirm Charlotte was a grade A Gryffindor. Gryffindors shook on it. No contracts necessary.

And then Benzi Rider was on the floor again.

Laughing?

Okay, yes this was actually kind of really funny and— What the heck, Zander let out a chuckle of his own too. Though the boy was trying harder to suppress it. Ahem. ”I think that’s a solid plan,” he nodded. Not that it’d work or anything… But maybe her parents would find this as amusing as Benzi did? Heck, maybe they’d even be as impressed as Zander was with how she managed to pull it off for so long. ”Anyways, how about food?” He was starved.

Be the big fish... she wasn't a fish, silly Cuthbert. She was a mermaid, and mermaids only survived in the right body of water. She didn't want to be safe and impressive. She wanted to be amazing and happy. This was probably why she wasn't a very good Slytherin; she didn't understand how to take the win.

"Maybe. It doesn't matter, though, does it? I'll go where I go. But you... I could show up at Gringott's next week and see you there? Or will you work in shady back offices with nefarious goblins? If you meet a nefarious goblin, will you introduce him to me?" Growing up middle class meant that Dot didn't care so much about the galleons. She'd always been pretty good at getting along with what she had and making what she wanted with her own hands. Meeting a goblin was much more interesting than all the gold in Gringott's.

"You'll miss me, though. No one is as confusing and terrible at being a Slytherin as me."

"Nar, I think I'll be wehrkin' in the front. Yew'll be able ter see me anytime yer go." That's what he'd wrote to Mrs. Clark about, anyway. So she'd have him there, he assumed. The handshake was over and he stood listening to Dottie Wojack-Gusey. She was a good girl, behind an inexplicably bequeathed bad girl veneer. A lot like Ruby Banner in that sense. Probably, all Slytherin females when he thought about it. He liked that about them. The artichoke thing. Work to to get to the heart. They weren't push-overs and knew how to protect themselves.

"I plan ter have a ton of Goblin friends." Cause he hadn't quite given up on the notion of marrying one if it earned him greater prestige within their community. He'd need their trust if he was going to go through with his ideas on how to expand wizarding wealth. "So yew can have yer pick of which one yew'd like to meet once I've introduced meself to them."

It didn't matter where she went. No. As long as she could take what she was given and make it work to her favour. He thought that was pretty Slytherin. "Who told yew yer weren't Slytherin??"

Gosh. This kid. This child.

The dimple poking was a bit annoying, as it always was, but in that annoying adorable sort of way. And so, he let her do it.

When she went to hugging his neck, however, it was hard to keep all emotions in check. He hugged her back tight. "You'll see me around. But I've got things to take care of, and I need you to stay here and keep the new Professor in line."

Right. He was going to hear back from Hogwarts in the future, he just knew it. Poor new DADA professor.

Carefully pulling Dora back, he grinned at her. "I had fun this year." Honestly, he meant it.