Slytherpuff Love

1

Axel sat in the courtyard with Hannah Abbott, an autumn breeze ruffling his soft, dark hair. 

He watched Hannah carefully copy some wand movements from their charms textbook, and tried to replicate her moves.

He heard a commotion from across the courtyard. He guessed it was the Slytherins, bullying some poor student. 

"Hannah, let's go." he said, hoping to leave before they spotted him. Anyone could be subject to their insults, and he didn't want to be their next victim. Hannah looked up suddenly. "Why?" she asked. He nodded his head towards the Slytherins. 

"Oh." she said, watching Draco Malfoy and his gang nervously. "Yeah, lets go." Axel couldn't see who they were teasing, but he guessed it was Neville Longbottom, a weak Gryffindor boy in their year who tended to get picked on. Axel hastily closed his book, tucking his notes inside.  He turned towards the Great Hall, starting to walk after Hannah. 

"Hey! Hufflepuff!" 

Axel froze, silently debating whether or not to turn around. He didn't need to, because Crabbe came to him. Axel tried to stare calmly into Crabbe's fat, jeering face.He was at least a foot taller than Crabbe. He hoped his terror didn't show on his face."Yes, Crabbe?" he said, trying to keep his voice from shaking.  
"You're a Hufflepuff." He said. It was clearly meant as an insult, but Axel tried not to treat it as one. 
"I'm glad you noticed, Crabbe." he said. "Was it the scarf or my uniform that gave it away?"
"No, a Hufflepuff." Crabbe said, as if this clarified everything. One of the other Slytherins- probably Goyle, who always agreed with Crabbe- snickered, acting as if this was the worst insult ever. Axel simply, turned to leave. He was done with these stupid Slytherins, and their terrible insults-

"Hufflepuff." 

Axel's stomach clenched in fear. He knew that voice. Every Hufflepuff who was afraid of being bullied at Hogwarts knew that voice. This was not the low, rumbling voice of Crabbe, but a cold, commanding voice. This was the voice of Draco Malfoy.

"We're not done, Hufflepuff." Axel took a shaky breath, desperately trying to calm his nerves, scrambling to think of a response, any response-

But I am. 

There it was. His comeback. All he had to do was say it. Say it, and walk away. Say it and be free from the Slytherins, at least for a while. 

I am done with you, Slytherins.

He took a deep breath, desperatly trying to steel his nerves. Say it, say it , say it. 

"But I am." It was barely more than a whisper, and with his back turned to the Slytherins, they wouldn't have seen his mouth move. They wouldn't have heard it. 

Louder, louder, louder. 

He couldn't do this, not against the Slytherins, not against Draco Malfoy. Who knows what they'd do to him.

Louderlouderlouderlouderlouder.

The word ricocheted in his head, filling every crevice, echoing louder and louder. 

LouderlouderlouderLOUDER

"But I am." He blurted suddenly and sprinted for the Great Hall, where Hannah stood, aghast. She held his textbook tightly in her arms. 

"I can't believe you just did that." She said in awe. 

"Neither can I," he said. His mind was quiet now. "Come on, lets go." he said, heading toward Hufflepuff common room. It was an effort not to look back, to see where the Slytherins were. They were surely following him by now. 

He didn't look back until both he and Hannah were safely in Hufflepuff.