The main room of Ravenclaw felt colder than what Evelyn remembered it being. Lights flickered along the walls, but the light seemed weak against the heavy quietness that weighed down on the room. Important people sat up straight in their seats, their eyes sharp, judging, and restless. Whispers moved among them like bugs, carrying gossip and bad feelings equally.
Evelyn walked in with Damien beside her. He stood up straight, shoulders back, but she felt his hand shake a little as it touched hers. To the others, he was still the leader, still like a powerful storm made real. To her, he was a man trying to hold himself together with only his pride.
She didn't want them to see he was weak. Every time Damien almost lost his balance, Evelyn kept up with him step for step, her eyes steady, her presence strong. She had learned to act confident, like she was wearing armour, even when she was scared. Tonight would be just like that.
The meeting started with people making accusations.
