Rebecca Warren and The Third Wizarding War

Chapter 14: Black Eyes and Bullies

For the next few weeks, Rebecca was able to focus on her classes perfectly fine. Vanessa did not say anything to or about Rebecca. Morgan found a way to get Rebecca switched so she could be her partner in Culinary Arts In Magic so she no longer worked with Albus. In Transfiguration, Professor Farnsworth rearranged her seating chart to where Sheila no longer sat with Rebecca and Morgan. It appeared that Professor Farnsworth took notice of what had happened in US History of Magic. Now it was a Pukwudgie girl named Alexis Black, who Rebecca thought was rather attractive. Roman Winters was beginning to talk to Rebecca and Morgan at their table too.

After about a month of classes, Rebecca decided to take a weekend to spend some time with Isabelle. She seen her every once in a while in between classes. She had made a best friend, Faith Pendleton, a Pukwudgie just like Isabelle. Hugo and Lily were also hanging out with them too. Rebecca was delighted to know that despite all of her problems, Isabelle had none. At least none that she knew of.

Rebecca and Isabelle hung out by the lake inside the courtyard. It was a nice and quiet area, though usually couples would come here to hide in the bushes if they wanted some privacy. Isabelle had been skipping rocks as she spoke to Rebecca.

"Faith is from Virginia. She's been to Britain before and she loved it there. She doesn't like what those mean people are saying about us."

"People are saying mean things about you?" Rebecca asked defensively.

"No... not really..." Isabelle said uncomfortably. This got Rebecca's attention. She walked over to Isabelle and said calmy, "Issy, I need to know if someone is being mean to you. I can fix it. I can make them stop."

Isabelle was quiet for a moment and then said, "There's this mean girl in my class who is making fun of me." She looked at Rebecca who then said, "Who is she?"

"Her name is... Eva... Bancroft."

Rebecca's stomach dropped. There was another Bancroft in this school and had issues with her sister. Rebecca kept herself calm and asked Isabelle, "Do you know where she might be right now?"

Isabelle hesitated to speak.

"Issy, the only way this will stop is if I deal with it." Rebecca reassured her.

"I think she was going to meet her sister by the Charms classroom." Isabelle said.

Rebecca hugged her sister. "Don't worry. This will stop today. I promise."

She let go and headed for the Charms classroom.

There weren't many students in the hallways so it made it easier for Rebecca to maneuver and spot Vanessa. She was standing outside the Charms classroom with another girl who looked almost identical to her. It must had been her sister. Rebecca marched straight up to Eva.

Both Bancrofts were surprised to see Rebecca, and so Rebecca got chest to chest with Eva and said, "If I ever hear that you're bullying my sister again, you will wish you were never born."

Eva looked frightened, clearly having no guts to defend herself, but Vanessa pushed herself between them, face to face with Rebecca. "Get out of my sister's face right now!"

Wham!

Vanessa had hit Rebecca in the lip which busted it open. Blood went to the floor. Rebecca fell onto one knee. If she wasn't angry before, she was now.

Vanessa went to kick Rebecca in the stomach. She felt her insides lunge towards her spine.

Vanessa looked pleased with herself. She then turned to Eva and said, "Let's get out of here."

They started down the hallway, but Vanessa was now gasping for air as Rebecca wrapped her arm around Vanessa's neck and brought her to the ground. Both girls were rolling on the floor wrestling one another. Eva only stood and watched.

Rebecca had a few successful hits on Vanessa. This wasn't Rebecca's first fight with someone. She had plenty at Hogwarts, but despite how proper Vanessa was, she wasn't a terrible fighter herself. Rebecca had received another hit to her face. She was certain she'd have a black eye after this.

Suddenly, she felt a huge burst of air that separated her and Vanessa to either side of the hallway. They both looked over to see Professors Codmen and Stetson, who had her wand out. "Explain." she said cooly.

Rebecca did not open her mouth, nor did Vanessa. Instead, it was Eva.

"She attacked my sister!" she said in a worrying tone.

"Why?" Professor Codmen asked.

"Isn't it obvious?" Stetson said. "Miss Warren and Miss Bancroft don't like each other. Miss Bancroft probably said something that Miss Warren should had ignored."

Rebecca still said nothing in her defense. She never told a professor why she fought.

"Detention for Miss Warren." Professor Stetson said coldly.

Vanessa grinned, but it did not go unoticed by Codmen. "I'm also serving Miss Bancroft detention."

Stetson did not seem to like this, but she couldn't stop it. Vanessa tried to argue against it, but Codmen ordered her and her sister to leave the area.

Rebecca got up and attempted to wipe the blood off her mouth.

"You'll receive your detention notice by owl in the morning." Professor Stetson told her before walking away. Professor Codmen checked over Rebecca to make sure she was okay and then went back into his classroom. Rebecca headed back to her common room.

Rebecca pushed through the door. The adrenaline she had was fading away now and she started to feel the pain on her face and stomach. Morgan and Andrew were by the fireplace and seen Rebecca come in. Rebecca was heading for the girls dormitory. She was stopped by her friends, however.

"Are you okay?" Andrew asked with wide eyes.

"Fought Vanessa." Rebecca said weakly.

"Please tell me you at least won." Morgan said. Andrew cut his eyes at her.

"Stetson broke it up." Rebecca said as she was led to a seat near the fireplace. Morgan went to grab something to drink while Andrew cleaned up the blood on Rebecca's face. Andrew noted that there would be a black mark around her left eye. Once Morgan returned with pumpkin juice, Rebecca explained everything to them from what Isabelle said all the way up to Stetson giving her detention. Morgan enjoyed the parts where Vanessa got hurt. Andrew was concerned about the detention.

"Why did she not give Vanessa detention too?" Andrew asked.

"She hates me." Rebecca said angrily. "She's just as judgemental as the Twat Squad."

Morgan laughed. "That's a good name for them."

"Rebecca, you have to find another way to get back at Vanessa. Violence will get you put out of here." Andrew said.

"You don't understand." Rebecca replied. "My sister can't take ugly remarks well."

"Couldn't you teach her how to stand up for herself?" Morgan asked. "You're good at it."

"You still don't get it. She just... can't. Period." Rebecca was finding it difficult to talk. She knew they wouldn't understand.

Andrew and Morgan exchanged looks of confusion. Morgan finally asked, "Why?"

"Because she's... something..." Rebecca sighed. There was no way she could tell them why. "Look, I can't explain, but trust me. She can't. If something upsets her or gets her really scared or hurt, she can become dangerous. That's all you need to know."

Both of her friends were still befuddled. Rebecca continued, "Please, just understand that she can not be harmed in any way. It will not be good for anyone. I had to put fear in Eva and Vanessa. At least to where they will think twice before messing with her."

"Alright, Becca. We get it- somewhat." Morgan said slightly annoyed, but she changed the subject. "You know you're going to get laughed at about your face for a while."

"I couldn't care less, but I hope Vanessa's will look just as bad as mine so she has no leverage." Rebecca rubbed around her eye.