𝐎𝐃𝐃 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐎𝐔𝐓 harry potter.

6: Tale of the Short Hair

"I ALWAYS KNEW SALAZAR Slytherin was a twisted old loony," Ron muttered to Harry and Hermione as they made their way to the Great Hall, the smell of roasted meat wafting through the corridors, Ally approached them with a bright smile, her wave catching their attention. Her footsteps echoed softly on the stone floor as she and her friends came to a stop, facing Ron and the others.

"Did you know Salazar Slytherin started all that pure-blood nonsense?" he spat, glaring at his sister. "I wouldn't be in Slytherin if you paid me. Honestly, if the Sorting Hat had tried to put me there, I'd have taken the train straight back home."

Hermione tugged at the side of his robes. "Leave your sister alone, Ron, really."

"Oi, but she's got the right to know, doesn't she? Especially when her pals go around torturing Muggle-borns," Ron shot back, though both siblings knew this was just their usual bickering. Still, Ally was caught off guard. With the lack of reaction from their parents, Ginny's mood, Mrs. Norris, and now Ron, it had started to take a toll.

Ally's hand slid into her robe, fingers curling around the spiral wood of her wand. She pointed it directly at her brother. The air seemed to thicken as Ron stiffened, trying to appear unfazed, but Ally could see the flicker of fear in his eyes. Her voice was steady as she incanted,"Laxo Araneum!"

With a faint crackling sound, a swarm of tiny, spindly-legged spiders materialized, their glossy black bodies glistening in the dim light. They scurried toward Ron in a frantic wave, their tiny legs tapping on the stone floor. Ron's shriek pierced the air, echoing off the walls, as a group of students quickly gathered, their laughter ringing out as they pointed at the spectacle.

Hermione quickly pulled out her wand, casting spells to temporarily fend off the spiders. Her hands rested on Ron's shoulder, his face drained of all color. "Oh, Ron, Ron..." she muttered, her voice full of concern.

Harry stood by, watching Ally for a moment as she was swarmed by her Slytherin housemates, receiving pats on the back and ruffles of her hair. He winced as a piercing voice echoed in his head, calling him, telling him that it was ready. He stumbled backward briefly before turning to follow the voice, leaving the scene.

Ron and Hermione exchanged confused glances, but Ron was too shaken to ask questions. Hermione half-dragged the pale-faced Ron as they followed Harry through the night.

"That was bloody brilliant, Weasley!" exclaimed a first-year Slytherin.

Amelia and Lottie shielded Ally from the crowd, trying to make their way to dinner in peace. They were greeted by a sour-faced Draco Malfoy, flanked by his burly cronies and the ever-chirping Pansy Parkinson. "Weasley," he sneered, as if the name left a bitter taste in his mouth.

"Showing off again, are you?" he said sharply. "You're a disgrace to the house of Slytherin."

Ally took a seat next to Blaise Zabini, who was engrossed in a Transfiguration book. "And you aren't?" she retorted.

Draco made a move to lunge across the table, but Pansy held him back with a soft, "Draco..."

Pansy stared at Ally with an expression that was hard to read. Ally was used to the constant glares her fellow Slytherins threw her way and had learned to ignore them. At least, that's all they had done since she arrived—no one had actually tried to hex her or her friends, so she felt safe enough.

But something about Pansy's look felt different. There was anger in her eyes, but also a slight, unsettling smile. A streak of fear shot through Ally as they made their way to the common room that night. She kept glancing over her shoulder, her wand at the ready, jumping at every sound and shadow.