𝐄𝐗𝐈𝐋𝐄 ❦ 𝖧𝖠𝖱𝖱𝖸¹ ✓

002| 𝚄𝚗𝚎𝚡𝚙𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝙰𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚎𝚜.

!★ 🔱˚˖ 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐖𝐎 ━━━━━ 𝙾𝙾𝙾. 𝚄𝚗𝚎𝚡𝚙𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝙰𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚎𝚜.

AS HARRY AND JENNY MADE THEIR WAY THROUGH the bustling corridors of Hogwarts, whispers and stares followed them like shadows. The encounter at Hogsmeade Station lingered in the air, casting a pall over their return to school.

Jenny's shoulders were tense with the weight of the taunts and jeers that had been hurled at her, but she refused to show weakness in the face of adversity. Harry admired her resilience, her determination to rise above the cruelty of others.

Their first classes of the day passed in a blur of lectures and assignments, but as they made their way to the Great Hall for lunch, they encountered a new challenge – a group of Slytherin boys, led by none other than Draco Malfoy, blocking their path.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" Draco sneered, his silver eyes glinting with malice. "If it isn't the Gryffindor golden boy and his little Slytherin pet."

Jenny bristled at the insult, her fists clenched at her sides. She knew all too well the disdain with which many Slytherins viewed those from other houses, especially Gryffindor.

"Back off, Malfoy," Harry warned, his voice firm. "We're not interested in whatever nonsense you're peddling."

Draco chuckled, his smirk widening into a malicious grin. "Oh, but I think you'll find this quite interesting, Potter," he replied, his tone dripping with condescension. "You see, my dear friends here have taken a liking to your little friend, Martin. They think she's quite... fetching."

The Slytherin boys leered at Jenny, their eyes raking over her body in a way that made her skin crawl. Harry's blood boiled with anger at the blatant display of disrespect, but he knew that confronting them head-on would only escalate the situation.

"Leave her alone, Malfoy," Harry growled, his fists trembling with suppressed rage. "She's not interested in your pathetic attempts at flirting."

Draco's laughter echoed through the corridor, a grating sound that set Harry's teeth on edge. "Oh, I think you'll find that she's very interested, Potter," he taunted, taking a step closer to Jenny. "After all, she's just a silly little girl who doesn't know her place."

Jenny's jaw tightened, her nails digging into her palms as she fought to keep her composure. She refused to let Draco's words hurt her, but the venom in his voice cut deeper than any physical blow.

Just when it seemed that the situation couldn't get any worse, a voice rang out from behind them, cutting through the tension like a knife.

"Enough, Draco."

All eyes turned to see Severus Snape, the Potions Master and Head of Slytherin House, striding towards them with a look of disdain on his face.

"What is the meaning of this?" Snape demanded, his dark eyes flashing with anger. "I will not tolerate such behavior in my house."

Draco paled under Snape's steely gaze, his bravado faltering for the first time. "But Professor, we were just having a bit of fun," he stammered, his voice betraying his nervousness.

Snape's lip curled in disgust. "There is nothing fun about harassment and disrespect, Mr. Malfoy," he replied, his voice like ice. "I suggest you and your friends find something more productive to occupy your time."

With a flick of his wand, Snape dismissed the Slytherin boys, leaving Harry, Jenny, and Draco alone in the corridor. Harry couldn't help but feel a twinge of gratitude towards his former enemy, grateful for his intervention in a situation that could have spiraled out of control.

"Thank you, Professor," Jenny murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I appreciate your help."

Snape's expression softened ever so slightly, a rare glimpse of humanity shining through his stoic facade. "You are welcome, Miss Martin," he replied, his tone more gentle than usual. "Remember, you are not alone. There are those who will stand by you, even in the darkest of times."

With that, Snape turned and swept away down the corridor, leaving Harry, Jenny, and Draco to contemplate the unexpected turn of events. As they made their way to the Great Hall, Harry couldn't shake the feeling that their encounter had changed something between them – a glimmer of understanding, a flicker of respect, a bond forged in the fires of adversity.

And as they sat down to lunch together, Harry knew that despite the challenges that lay ahead, they would face them united, stronger together than they could ever be apart.