2 PM Meeting

Oliver’s mouth fell open as Rebecca stood, hardly even registering her reasons for getting up to walk away. They were sensible enough, but none stuck him as reasoning for the Ministry to agree to her desire to avoid the law or marriage itself. He wasn’t even remotely offended by her terminology or names for him, considering she was quite right in her assessment of him. He was a perfect stranger and accepted it. There was nothing he could do about it, unless she sat back down and accepted the fate that the Ministry had laid down for them. Oliver had a feeling that he wouldn’t be getting out of this meeting without worry for his future, though, regardless of how it ended up. Regardless of the Ravenclaw’s choice.

Ana stared at the girl, shocked that Rebecca was willing to risk everything with just a few words. “I do hope you realize that your leaving doesn’t excuse you…” She started slowly, standing behind the desk to mirror the girl. Oliver moved to say something, but Ana’s hand effectively stopped him. A dark scowl flashed onto his face, astounded that the woman was so impossibly cold.

“If you want to get out of this, it will involve a stay in Azkaban. Mr. Connolly can be re-matched, in truth. But you cannot. Consider that before leaving. An early exit from the meeting will be considered a rejection of the law, and thus put you in line to be checked up on by Ministry Officials from the Law Department.”

Oliver stood as well, feeling oddly short compared to everyone around him in their standoff. “You don’t have to do that, Rebecca,” he tried, going for the personal route regardless of the fact that it didn’t apply. “I mean, this can be dealt with, you don’t need to-“

“Mr. Connolly,” Ana snapped, eyebrow lifted. “If you’d please, she needs to choose.”

What was this? Oliver thought it felt too much like an exam or Muggle game show, and glanced back and forth between the two, entirely unsure what was going on at that point. He couldn’t say anything, obviously, that would help. The girl had gone and angered Mrs. Levski, and now there was little he could do to fix things.

Stubbornness was one of Becca's main weaknesses. When she thought she was right that was that, she didn't easily backdown on her opinions and would insist that her way was the right way. It appeared for once she had met her match. The Ministry, Ana Levski in particular, were holding strong by their marriage law and it certainly didn't please Becca.

The Ravenclaw wanted to ask why Ana stood by the law, why she was helping to put the pieces in place for a changing ministry that didn't support it's nation for if it dead they wouldn't be punishing them. That's what this was: a punishment. Either that the Ministry was exerting its power and putting people in their place.

Taking a gulp Becca stared Ana Levski in the eyes for ten seconds or so, not a long period of time but long enough to consider her options. Azkaban wasn't the answer, neither was conforming to the Ministry. Although Becca wanted an education, she wanted to learn and she wouldn't be able to do that trapped behind bars with nothing but deranged criminals and dementors for company.

Just because she had returned to her seat it didn't mean Ana had won. For now it would appear she is conforming to the ministry but the Ravenclaw had other plans up her sleeve. Appealing the marriage wouldn't work but transfering to Beauxbatons might just do it. She would continue her education away from the law in France then, during the holidays, stay in the family beach house in southern France.

That plan too had flaws. What would her Mother, an employee in the department of magical law enforcement, say? Would she sell the beach house, cause Becca to return? But why? Surely she didn't want her daughter being sent to Azkaban and Becca didn't have any contacts or ideas as to how she could live 'underground'.

'I can't believe I'm missing potions for this.' Becca muttered to herself as she stared straight at the desk with a sulk on her face.