"Indira Patil?"

Indira giggled. Whether it was out of nerves or out of genuine, sanguine fun, Equity couldn't tell. Her best friend grasped her wand and ran into the room being used for the C.I.S.F. tryouts. Equity sank to the floor and sighed. She wasn't upset that her best friend had gone in for a chance to have her dreams of spell-fencing stardom come true. She had just realized that, with Indira in trials, she was now alone. 

"May I sit with you?" a small voice asked. It belonged to a tiny girl with brown hair and round, rosy cheeks. Equity nodded, too stunned to speak. People didn't usually approach Slytherins, especially shady ones like her.

"I'm E-e-equity," she finally managed to stutter.

The girl extended a hand, as if meeting a big official. "I'm Jessi Bones-Wallace. My mum is Susan Bones. She went here. My dad is Muggle. Everyone calls it a disgrace."

"Mmm," Equity said, not really paying attention. Thankfully, Jessi talked enough for both of them. For a whole army, actually. She discussed where she wanted to go once she left Hogwarts (Spain, most likely Madrid or maybe Barcelona), what she wanted to do (teach basic magic to Muggles and Squibs), who she wanted to sort of kiss up to (Kingsley Shacklebolt or whoever was current Minister of Magic). All Equity had to do was nod and make noises that were affirmative/leaning towards curiosity, and Jessi would jabber on. She seemed like the sort of person who would tell her life story to a wall.

"Equity Riddle?"

The voice calling her must have been heaven-sent. It rang through the haze of Jessi's words and brought Equity back from her peaceful stupor.  She leaped up with obvious relief, and then clutched her wand to her chest as she entered the room.

It was an amazing sight, with vaulted ceilings and torches that burned with a green flame. But there were still uncomfortable bits that were left over from when this had been the trial house many years ago, for the immense dungeon network beneath the school. The walls were cold grey stone, although they had been polished until they shone. A small chair-and-desk piece the color of silt sat in a sort of cell, most likely for the person on trial. At a long dais at the top of the room sat three teachers: Professors Thomas, Zabini, and Chang. Equity walked toward the center of the room, and spoke loudly.

"My name is Equity Riddle. I am going to perform a basic Seek charm. Will one of you please tell me something that was lost to you?"

Her voice echoed, as though she was standing in a vast cavern.

"I lost my gradebook a few weeks back," Professor Thomas mused.

Equity had a small fire in her heart. She closed her eyes and let the spell come, not from her wand, but from her soul.