Hogwarts Mystery [HP APPLY FIC]

year one, chapter two

Merula Snyde was the spawn of the devil. Of that much, Zoë Spalding was sure.

During Potions, Merula had purposefully sabotaged Zoë's work, causing it to explode and for Snape to give his first detention of the year to Zoë.

Of course, since she was a Gryffindor and Merula was a Slytherin, it didn't matter how she protested and claimed Merula was the one at fault, it only added time to her detention after school with Snape. The cherry on top was that her brother, Achilles, thought it was hilarious and had become fast friends with Merula.

"Just forget about it," her new friend, Rowan, advised as they walked through the courtyard that evening after Zoë's detention.

The empty promise fell silent on Zoë's lips as she noticed Merula (speak of the devil, or rather, the spawn) standing in the centre of the courtyard, a group gathered around her to watch as she taunted a scared looking Gryffindor boy.

"Oh, hell no," Zoë snarled, immediately rushing to stand between him and the tip of Merula's wand.

"Ah, here to save the day, are you, Zo?" Merula sneered, each word spiked with sarcastic significance.

"Zo?" Her eyes flicked to Achilles, who was stood next to Merula. He smiled at her, expression guilty. Looking back to Merula, she clenched her jaw. "Back off, Snyde."

"Make me," she challenged, stepping forward and leaning close to Zoë's face. (Zoë hadn't noticed how purple the other girl's eyes were.)

"Please don't fight her," the boy behind her whispered.

"Ben..." His friend sighed, presumably trying to be reassuring, but he gave Zoë a not-so discreet look that said 'I mean, it wouldn't be the worst thing if you did...'

"No, Kai, I don't want her to get in trouble because of me," he murmured, and Merula scoffed.

Zoë whipped her head back around to face her, refocusing her fury by lifting her wand so it was pressed to Merula's throat. "I'm not afraid of you, Merula Snyde, and I don't mind getting into trouble if it means taking you down a few pegs."

Merula smirked, inhaling to give a response that was sure to have lots of bite when Professor McGonagall cleared her throat, dispersing the crowd in an instant.

"And what do you two think you're doing?" She asked, looking down at the two first years with distain clear on her face.

"I— uh—" Zoë stuttered. She was very good at getting into bad situations, but not so much when it came to getting out of them.

"Nothing, Professor," Merula said smoothly, eyes still burning into Zoë's, full of what Zoë could only describe as intense hate.

"Mm," McGonagall narrowed her eyes. "It better stay that way." Turning to the still-lingering spectators, she raised her voice and called out, "I wasn't aware they were serving dinner in the courtyard this evening! Best get to the Great Hall, hmm?"
Anyone who had still been watching hastily hurried to dinner and McGonagall followed them, giving one last judging look to Merula and Zoë.

Zoë shoved her wand into her ponytail, grabbing Rowan's arm and marching out of the courtyard before Merula could bait her into doing something else.

As Rowan was in Ravenclaw and Zoë was in Gryffindor the two had to part ways at the doors to the Great Hall with an agreement to meet up after dinner and Zoë was left to have awkward small talk with the other Gryffindor first years.

"I can't believe you stood up to Merula!" Evan (the Spaldings' childhood friend) exclaimed as way of greeting, immediately shifting so there was room for Zoë on the bench next to him.