the lucky one

today is happy

Today is a happy day, and Miranda is determined to keep it that way. Nothing would ruin today. Today is happy. She has the ability to be happy, they all do. Today, she won't think about the rising rate of Death Eater attacks. How Hannah Abbot burst into tears the other day as she was pulled out of Herbology. How the Patil sisters had been removed from school by their parents. The classes she had where half the students were missing, having not returned after holiday. The Muggleborns persecuted left and right by pureblood Slytherins. The fact that they haven't heard from Sirius or Lupin in months. That Harry is subdued, drawn when he returns from his lessons with Dumbledore. She will not think about any of that today.

Because today is Ron's seventeenth birthday. And god damn it, she is going to be happy. They all are.

"Plan still set for tonight?" asks Miranda, heading down the halls with Mateo and Ginny. Afternoon sun streams though the bay windows, it is a rare, clear day, though Miranda suspects it won't last long.

"Mhm," Mateo nods. He adds cautiously, "And Hermione's still—?"

"As far as I know," she smiles. After much coaxing, on all of their parts, Hermione had agreed to attend tonight. The plan was to surprise Ron and take him out to Hogsmeade, where Fred and George and probably Lee would be waiting. This has been in the works for ages.

Ginny pauses, "Have we landed anywhere on the Lavender issue?"

"Well, I think they have a dinner date beforehand," Mateo ponders, thinking. "Theoretically we're not required to invite her, and I can't imagine Hermione will go if she does..." Their conversation fades into the background as Miranda catches sight of Harry across the corridor. He is in engaged in what looks like a heated conversation with a Slytherin she recognizes as Montague.  But she can't make out what either of them are saying. Miranda frowns, just as she witnesses Harry take a menacing step towards Montague, a hand on his wand.

"I know, but we can't just—"

"Sorry— excuse me a moment," she mutters a hasty goodbye to Mateo and Ginny,  walking as briskly and as calmly as possible to where Harry stands, having pushed the Slytherin brute up against a wall.

"—well, what do you think it means?" Montague is taunting.

Miranda steps up to them, pasting a bright smile on her face. Through clenched teeth she says, "What's going on?"

Montague sneers, "I was just telling your boyfriend here that he can cozy up to Slughorn all he likes. The Dark Lord will reign, and you, his blood traitor best friend, and that insipid Mudblood—"

"Shut your mouth," Miranda hisses, bristling with fury. Harry's eyes are black. His fists clenched so tightly his knuckles have turned white.

"—so I wouldn't hang my hopes on your precious potion's master. He will kill you just like he killed you parents. Your coward father and your Mudblood mother—" Harry  snarls, drawing his wand in a flash and shoving the point of it to Montague's throat.

There is a gasp. It is not an empty corridor by any means. Several student onlookers stare and gape. Some Slytherins snigger cruelly, no doubt waiting fro Harry to snap and receive detention; lose house points. They are baiting him.

Miranda grabs Harry's arm, guiding him back from Montague firmly. He staggers back with her, nostrils flared. His entire body is tense with anger. "Look at me," Miranda implores, pulling his wand down. She gazes up at him steadfastly,  "Look at me. Look at me." Harry finally drags his eyes to meet hers. He is breathing heavily, jaw tight. Miranda keeps her voice low, stare never wavering. "Hey— go to the bathroom. Hit something if you have to," she advises. "But do not let them see you lose it," says Miranda quietly. Her face softens, and she puts her hands on his chest, whispering,  "Today is happy."