Aymee Parker B2 - The Cursed Mark

Chapter 37 : Intimidation attempt

Hepz POV

Unfortunately for Aymee, at the moment of the promise, Hepzibah had crossed her fingers.

The Giantess had waited a few days for the hyperactive anxious girl to calm down and stop watching her. A week before the exams, Hepzibah finally had the free way.

Secret, secret, secret, secret, secret... Aymee had been repeating this word to her since the Easter holidays and, each time, Hepzibah's frustration was exacerbated. It was as if she only knew that word! Why was it so bad if the world knew the gods were real? Aymee looked like she thought it would start the apocalypse or worse, but, from what little Hepzibah had seen, the girl had a slightly strong tendency to exaggerate.

"She's really too scared," Hepzibah whispered, twirling her wand around her fingers.

On the other hand, Hepzibah could understand her fear of Annelise Chevalier, who was reputed to be the most talented of the whole school. Parker might be the daughter of Magic, but she sucked at magic. Everyone knew it since she started to follow that poor Slytherin guy around to harass him until he gave in and told her his results. And all that for what? So that she could have a big smile announcing her triumphant D. She always looked so silly with her big naive smile...

Poor guy, Hepzibah thought as he rounded a corner. What was his name again? Pole? Wool? Well, who cares. She may be useless at magic, but I'm not. You just have to scare her big time and she will disappear. It's her last year anyway.

Hepzibah walked quietly to the Great Hall, where the students had gathered for dinner. Parker was elsewhere, in the middle of a bizarre magic discussion, and these always lasted at least an hour, so she had plenty of time to terrorize the prefect. Hepzibah ignored the surprised and wary looks to stop right behind the seventh year prefect, who was quietly eating soup. Hepzibah smiled wickedly when she saw how the other students were wisely avoiding her by a good radius of at least five meters. Annelise watched her up and down out of the corner of her eye with an almost condescending smirk that she didn't even bother to hide. Hepzibah was even more eager than before to give her a good scare.

"The Hufflepuff table is over there," Chevalier finally said, pointing to said table with her spoon.

She was right-handed, and her hand bore a certain Mark that was quite popular these days. Hepzibah bit back a smile of victory. If Annelise Chevalier was the bearer, she was bound to pay. Her plan was going to work.

"I have information on Parker," swung Hepzibah without blinking an eyelash.

Annelise quickly turned her head to look her straight in the eye. She slowly got up from the bench, staring at her. She might be five years older, but they could stare each other in the eye thanks to Hepzibah's tall stature. Annelise probed her with her brown eyes for a moment before nodding her head to follow. Hepzibah chuckled.

"Oh no. I lead."

Hepzibah left without even checking if the prefect was indeed following her. If Aymee's fears were true, then she was sure to follow. Sure enough, Annelise followed her without asking questions until they arrived at the castle gates that led to the park.

"Where are you taking me? I can cast a silencing spell so no one can hear us here."

"You'll see," Hepzibah replied, continuing on her way.

The Giant could hear the prefect stamping her feet and muttering insults before finally catching up to her quickly on the grass. Once they passed the hut of the huge gatekeeper, Annelise frowned when she realized that Hepzibah was leading them towards the Forbidden Forest. The latter was also chopping wood, his big dog drooling happily on the steps of their shed.