The One With All The Slytherins

Chapter 20: Year 2

The Slytherin vs Ravenclaw match was today. I would've been the mascot for Slytherin as a serpent but after what Malfoy had done to me, I couldn't do it. Brian had fought for me not to be forced to do it and eventually, he got everyone on the team except Malfoy to comply. Of course, I haven't talked to Malfoy for two months. I knew I was just being petty and Melody reminded me so everyday but Lainey understood. She understood how hard it was to sit there and be taunted when there was nothing you could do about it. I was at least glad to have someone I could talk with about how I felt without feeling overshadowed by Harry or have Melody judging me or be misunderstood by Ashley and Astoria.

I think the Trio felt terrible as well because them and the twins had been unusually kind to me over the past few months. I didn't know if I liked it or not but I knew it made me slightly uncomfortable because I just wanted my regular friends back so we could talk and joke without anyone getting offended anymore.

"I'll kill him," Fred growled to me as we passed Malfoy and all of his goons after dinner. "I will."

"I'm fine, Fred," I comforted him. "Really. It's probably all blown over by now."

"Hey, Higgins!" Flint yelled to me as we passed. "Watch out for Malfoy! He's coming."

"Yeah, look out! He'll Levicorpusyou again," Adrian taunted.

"Yes, it definitely has blown over. You were right," Fred noted sarcastically, clucking his tongue. I shot him a glance but ignored the Slytherin boys and kept walking. I saw Malfoy out of the corner of my eye and he looked as smug as ever, sitting in his little corner with all of his stupid little friends and their stupid little bully brains.

"Just ignore them," Lainey told me. "They mean nothing."

"It's not just them though. The whole school knows about it," I whined. It was true. I had heard from about thirty people this week that they either thought it was hysterical by making fun of me or they just flat out apologized for Malfoy's behavior. Either way, I hated them. As much as I enjoyed the attention, I didn't enjoy the actual reason behind why I was getting so much of it.

"What's your deal?" I asked Harry as we entered the common room and I noticed his glum face.

"You stole his fame with Malfoy's curse," Ron teased. Harry looked up, shocked by Ron's words.

"No, that's not-"

"For what it's worth," I interrupted him as I sat down next to Lainey. "I don't exactly appreciate what I'm known for. At least you're famous for, like, defeating an evil wizard. I'm just popular for being an easy target."

"Like Lainey!" Fred chortled.

"Thanks," She replied dryly.

"Anytime, Fitz," He said, patting her on the back as he stood up. "Anyway, me and Georgey should best be going."

"Where are you two going?" Hermione asked.

"We've got plans," George said simply.

"Oh, yeah? Got a snogging date?" Ron teased.

"Maybe we do, Ronniekins," Fred whispered dramatically. "With the same girl."

A pang of jealousy surged through me but I knew he was only joking once he winked at me before leaving. I grinned and turned to Lainey.

"We should probably get going too," I told her. "It's getting late."

She nodded. "You're right. See you guys tomorrow."

"Bye," The Trio muttered before turning to their own conversation. Harry and I held eye contact for a little longer, though, before the portrait shut behind us.