The Girl Who Was Forgotten

Chapter 8

Chapter 8.

The next few weeks seemed to drag for Magnolia, the news that Colin Creevey had been Petrified had spread around the school like wildfire and everyone was on high alert after that. Slytherins were being treated with even more animosity then usual, even Magnolia wasn't immune.

George had had to defend her from one of his fellow fourth year Gryffindors, when they had accused Magnolia of being the one to open the Chamber because Voldemort hadn't tried to kill her unlike her brother. The student had been in the Hospital Wing for 3 days and George was given detention for a week for it. Even Malfoy had scoffed at the idea of Magnolia being involved at all, 'She's too good to do that'.

The mood in the school changed one day though, when a sign was seen in the Entrance Hall introducing a Duelling Club to be led by Lockhart. That day it was all anyone could talk about, which felt like a breath of fresh air to Magnolia.

"Ok, so I have news that I think you'll find helpful." Magnolia whispered to Harry, Ron and Hermione as they met outside the Duelling Room, "Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle are staying here for the Christmas break."

"That's fantastic!" Harry replied as they walked in, "The Potion will be ready then won't it, Hermione?"

Hermione nodded as they joined the group of students that had turned up for the Club. Fred and George skipped over to the four, excitedly. Magnolia looked at the twins suspiciously, they looked far too excited for a club led by Lockhart.

Almost answering Magnolia's suspicion, Fred gestured to the large staged area in the middle of the room where Lockhart was now standing. Magnolia gaped as another teacher stepped up to the stage and then laughed. Now she was glad she hadn't decided to miss this. Watching Lockhart go up against Professor Snape was sure to be entertaining.

Unfortunately for Magnolia and the rest of the students watching, Lockhart and Snape's duel was over with one spell. Snape cast an 'Expelliarmus' at Lockhart, knocking him on his back and causing his wand to soar into the ground. Lockhart then zeroed in on Harry and Magnolia at the front of the crowd, and asked Harry to go onto the stage to duel with a student.

Magnolia watched warily as Snape chose Malfoy to duel with Harry. Malfoy smirked as he stood next to Snape, being instructed on what to do. Magnolia looked over at Harry, who was being told something by Lockhart and her stomach twisted with worry. The two boys drew their wands to their faces before turning and walking away from each other.

"Serpensortia!" Malfoy yelled.

Magnolia screamed as a black snake shot out of the end of Malfoy's wand and landed on the duelling stage. She hadn't been a fan of snakes since the day at the Zoo when the Boa Constrictor had escaped. Snape stepped forward, telling Harry to stay still as he dealt with the snake.

"No need Professor Snape, I can deal with this." Lockhart chuckled, before waving his wand in a complicated movement.

The snake shot up in the air and landed back on the stage, hissing at Harry. Magnolia looked to her brother in terror, when he opened his mouth and started hissing back at the snake. The snake turned away from Harry, slithering towards a frozen Magnolia. Harry stepped towards the snake, still hissing at it like he was talking to it.

Magnolia frowned at her brother, it sounded almost like he was encouraging the snake to approach her. Out of the corner of her eye, Magnolia saw Malfoy step towards her and the snake with his wand held high before Snape grabbed his arm and pushed him back. The snake stopped in front of Magnolia and hissed at her, and Magnolia whimpered when someone grabbed her hand and moved her behind them. George stepped in the middle of Magnolia and the snake, not letting go of her hand as she shook and glanced at her brother.