Emerald [Cedric Diggory]

Chapter Nine

"Can.. can I sit here?" a meek voice stuttered, causing Maya and Damien to look up from their conversation. It was a nervous looking Hufflepuff girl. Hannah Abbot, if Maya recalled correctly. "Please?" the girl added, almost as an afterthought.

Maya looked around the Transfiguration classroom, her eyebrows furrowing when she noticed all the free seats. What does she want? Maya wondered, as she saw the girl holding her books tightly to her chest as she eyed them nervously. Usually even if there were no other seats available, people just sat next to them without ever acknowledging their presence.

Maya gestured to the empty seat next to her, as if to say 'feel free'. The girl gave her a relieved smile as she set her books down on the desk.

"Thank you." the girl said shyly, as she put her inkpot and quill in front of her.

Maya opened her mouth to respond, but a shadow looming over her caused her to look up for the second time.

"Hannah, why are you sitting here?" Ernie MacMillan demanded, as he threw an uneasy glance at the two Slytherins sitting next to his friend.

"Um," Hannah started, her face reddening slightly. "I'm really weak at Transfiguration, so I thought I should sit up front. That way I can concentrate on what Professor McGonagall says."

As if on cue, Professor McGonagall walked into the room, two heaps of scrolls floating behind her. "If everybody could go back to their seats, we'll get started in just a moment." she said briskly, stopping in front of her table, her scrolls setting themselves down with a flick of her wand.

"You better not hurt her." Ernie said lowly, turning to glare at Damien and Maya.

They raised their eyebrows, looking thoroughly unimpressed.

"Define hurt." Damien said to the Hufflepuff boy.

"Does turning her into a teacup count? I mean this is Transfiguration class." Maya said, casually twirling her wand around her fingers. "I'll turn her back into a person after class." She gave a bored shrug. "Probably."

Ernie narrowed his eyes and was about to respond, when Professor McGonagall caught sight of him.

"Mr MacMillan, is there a problem?" she asked him sternly.

"No, Professor." Ernie replied, still not breaking eye contact with the two Slytherins. Maya simply smirked, and Damien made a shooing motion at him.

"Well then get back to your seat." Professor McGonagall admonished. The two Slytherins watched as Ernie ambled along the classroom to get to his seat in the back. From the corner of her eye, Maya saw Hannah give her a fearful look. She turned to look at her.

"Don't worry, we're not going to hurt you." Maya assured the terrified girl.

"Not unless you hurt us first." Damien added, popping his head from around Maya to give Hannah a faux-sinister look. Maya elbowed his side. "Fine, we won't hurt you. We just said all that to mess with MacMillan."

Hannah nodded, still looking slightly unsure. Rolling her eyes, Maya turned her attention back to the Professor.

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