Spellbound → Hermione Granger [1] ✔

I 07 I Brooms and Duels

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So far, Alexander had no baseless judgement against the Slytherins. Despite rumours of their dark reputations, most of the Slytherins were respectful and introverted. Blaise Zabini, his Potions partner, was a quiet, withdrawn boy who had a talent for potion-making. Though Alexander would acknowledge Blaise with a small nod in a corridor, the two boys usually stuck to communicating during Snape's lessons. He and Blaise would often joke about Snape's cloak and hair, causing Alexander to stifle his giggles in fear of Snape hearing. Snape, of course, still favoured the Slytherins and scolded Alexander at times due to his House, but his reprove was not nearly as hostile than when he addressed Harry.

Helen, Nia's best friend, was also a Slytherin. While Alexander had not personally spoken to the blonde-haired girl, her presence was witnessed around the castle. Helen, he figured, was a social butterfly, popular amongst everyone. She always had a joyful smile, her robes were pressed neatly with her tie done elegantly, and her laughter chimed from across the courtyard. Nia accompanied her with a soft half-smile.

The same, however, could not be said about the ferret-faced boy, Draco Malfoy. His pointed chin and pale face sneered every time another first-year walked past him. His twin-set minions trailed after Malfoy, looking like a pair of dense gorillas. While Helen's light laughter filled the corridors and courtyard, Malfoy's drawling voice was full of callous taunts.

Alexander had been walking through the castle from the library session when he encountered the three Slytherins after a turn in a corridor. A tiny, red-haired boy had tears flowing down his cheeks, distressed at the sight of Malfoy repeatedly throwing what seemed to be the boy's wand to Crabbe and Goyle while jeering at him. His yellow robes indicated that he was a Hufflepuff. Alexander paused, watching. The others hadn't noticed he was there yet.

'Look at the big baby cry,' Malfoy sneered. Crabbe and Goyle laughed stupidly. 'I could just snap this wand right here and now.' Malfoy smirked and spun the boy's wand in his hand.

The Hufflepuff panicked, wide-eyed and anxious, and tried to lunge at Malfoy, but the two gorillas held him back. The boy let out a loud cry, his face scrunched up in pain as Crabbe squeezed his arms tight behind him back. Alexander opened his mouth to shout until Malfoy continued.

'I'd be doing you a favour, Hughes,' sniggered Malfoy. 'A muggleborn like you.'

Malfoy held the wand in hands as a threat. Alexander felt a wave of indignation rush over him. Immediately, his hand whipped to the pocket of his robes and drew out his wand. Pointing it towards the blonde ferret, he said in a strong tone, 'Expelliarmus.' Professor Flitwick had briefly mentioned the spell during one of their sessions, and it was the first one that popped into his mind.

A red light burst forth from the end of his wand and travelled towards Malfoy. The pale blonde raised his head at Alexander's voice, terror-stricken, but it was too late; the spell slammed against Malfoy like a weight train, and he sailed backwards, landing on his side, groaning in pain, while the wand he was holding flew into the air. Alexander watched it and caught the wand before it hit the floor. The gorillas appeared confused at the events, unsure of what to do. The Hufflepuff boy took advantage of their disorientation and freed himself from their hold, then punched the two in the chest with his tiny fists. Alexander doubted the boy did any damage.