Disclaimer: I do not own "Harry Potter", only my original characters.
A/N: In this chapter, we have two special appearances: our favourite Transfiguration Professor and a Hufflepuff Prefect called (name) Diggory. Coincidence? I think not. xD
Trigger warnings: past suicide attempts (Myrtle), bullying (implied)
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During Myrtle's first week in Hogwarts, older students from Ravenclaw had explained to the first years that it was preferable to stay away from Slytherins, especially if they were Muggle-borns, while also adding that Muggle-borns from Gryffindor or Gryffindors, in general, were more likely to be harassed by the snakes because of the big rivalry Gryffindor-Slytherin that had started not too much after Salazar Slytherin left the school, which in turn was related to their opposite views on teaching Muggle-borns: Slytherin was against this, Gryffindor approved and strongly encouraged it.
Despite this, Myrtle had frequently wondered if the Hat had made a mistake during Olive Hornby's Sorting. Her Housemate barely had passable grades, but possessed the cunning and the resourcefulness that Slytherins were known for. She also had never been pranked by another student. Instead, she did the pranking, sometimes joining other senior students from Slytherin who tolerated her because she was related to a Bulstrode and her grandparents were supposedly very wealthy Half-bloods – she liked to brag the fact they owned some shops in Diagon Alley. The Pure-blood girls treated her like an equal.
Few weeks after beginning her new education, Myrtle had realized that Olive Hornby's favourite target was Myrtle, the Muggle-born who was known in the entire school as "Moaning Myrtle". The girl who would lock herself in the girls' lavatory on the second floor for hours, crying rivers of tears and sometimes damage her wrists with everything pointy – scissors, a quill – hoping to end her own life. Of course, no one knew of that last part except for Minnie who usually comforted her when Myrtle was resting at the Hospital Wing. Every time she was there, Myrtle would say they were just "accidents". She knew that Minnie did not fully believe in her, but as she never pried on Myrtle's secrets, it brought the younger girl a great amount of relief.
This time, the raven-haired had been hit by a Colloshoo and a Locomotor Wibbly. People would pass by her without saying anything or mocking her instead, which was the case for Slytherins. She also was aware that she was too late to attend Professor Flitwick's Charms class, which she was not that bad at, comparing with Potions or Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Eventually, help came in the shape of a tall and stern-faced brunette with square-rimmed glasses who wore the same uniform and black robes as Myrtle, except hers had a Prefect badge pinned to her shouder and her tie was coloured golden and maroon. It was Minnie.
Pulling out her wand, she pointed it at Myrtle, instantly ending the hexes. The junior student noted that the fifth year had not even uttered the words; non-verbal spells were Minnie's forte. She was also interested in pursuing an internship under famous Transfiguration Masters after graduating and eventually teaching young wizards and witches. But for Myrtle, the thought of Minnie leaving was simply too sad to bear.
No, you can't just go! What will happen after you're gone?
"McGonagall!"
Myrtle jumped with fright at the male voice addressing her friend, puffy bespectacled eyes flickering to the tall and lean figure striding to where they were. The yellow and black tie identified him as a Hufflepuff, while the badge on his robes meant he too was a Prefect.
"What did the twins do now, Diggory?" Minnie asked him, her bespectacled piercing grey eyes locking with his own. "Planted dung bombs under your Prefects' bed? Stole your favourite Montrose Magpies' cloak?"
Diggory huffed in indignation almost instantly. "Like I would let those rascals near Grandfather's cloak!"
The Gryffindor arched one eyebrow before folding her arms. "Then, why the shouting, Jonah?" Myrtle felt the accusing tone and the sheer authority the older girl was exuding. "And do correct me if I am wrong, but the only times in which you act like this is when Alphard Black and Charlus Potter are involved."
Despite the sudden frown, Myrtle noted he was rather handsome, with chiselled features, dark blond hair with bangs partially stopped just above his forehead, and bright russet-brown eyes. However, he was already seeing someone, a Slytherin named Mon...Monfay? Yes, that was the name.
But then again, from what little she knew about the older girl, Monfay's relationships did not last that long...
Use your Ravenclaw logic; no boy would ever take an interest in "Moaning Myrtle"! She mentally admonished herself while staring at the frowning boy.
"It's her again!" He blurted out.
Minnie shook her head at this, eyes closed as she rubbed her hands to her temples before letting out a deep sigh.
Whoever this girl was, Myrtle could presume that she had quite the rebellious personality. Minnie almost never looked exhausted when she was conducting her Prefect duties; even the "twins" – Slytherin Alphard Black and Gryffindor Charlus Potter – were not siblings but they were always seen together and looked very much alike, except Black had grey eyes and Potter's were blue – never caused this effect on her and they were real troublemakers.
Perhaps she should leave since it looked like she hardly could take part in the conversation that was unfolding before her...no, not until this mystery is solved.
"Avery?" Minerva asked knowingly. Now, that was a name Myrtle had heard countless times; Cyril Avery was a fourth-year good-looking and wealthy Pure-blood from Slytherin who dated girls on a weekly basis. Hornby and Travers had a crush on him. As for Fortescue, Myrtle had heard more than once the Slytherin girl boldly state to the others that the one who deserved her love was "Thomas".
"That would be true if this was 24th November, '39," Diggory replied with a snort. "Do you remember what happened at the Duel Club with the second years? The accident?"
"Calling that an 'accident' would be quite incorrect," Minnie retorted before adjusting her glasses. "She used Reducto, literally kicked Avery's wand, grabbed him by his tie, and smacked him in the face. He instantly fell to the ground. It took two Prefects to hold her from hitting him again. Selwyn was livid - he took 60 points from her and gave her detention." She pinched her nose in clear frustration. "Who was it this time?"
"Mulciber and Lestrange," Diggory replied. "Apparently, they tried to drown a first-year Hufflepuff named Elliot Johnson – a Muggle-born - on the Dark Lake. Her words, not mine."
"By Godric! Is the boy safe?" the Gryffindor Prefect asked fearfully, her hand poised over the heart as Myrtle's hands balled into fists.
Muggle-born attacks were an everyday scene in Hogwarts, long before she had entered the school. She too had gotten her fair share of stupid pranks.
"Just a scare." Despite the reassuring tone, his eyes did not show that. "But like always, it is Ashlane's word against those two. It also didn't help that she admitted to attacking them and the first-year has no idea of what happened either."
Myrtle merely pursed her lips at the way he was describing the incident; despite her continued ignorance of this Ashlane person's identity, she had heard about the fifth-year Mulciber and the fourth-year Lestrange. They were Slytherin students who made fun of Muggle-borns and sometimes threatened them or bribed them for "favours". However, they were not the only ones; she had seen rich Pure-blood Heirs or Heiresses lurking in the corridors cornering younger boys and girls of lesser blood status.
Nevertheless, whenever something "nasty" or unexplainable happened in this school, Slytherins were to be blamed; for instance, in her second year, a fourth-year and Muggle-born Gryffindor had been found in a corridor completely unconscious, wearing nothing more than her nightdress. She also had some recent cuts on her legs and arms.
Myrtle knew this because the older girl had been taken to the Hospital Wing where she herself was receiving treatment for her injuries. She had used scissors back then.
With her back turned to the door and periwinkle blue eyes distractedly looking at her bandaged wrists, the petite frowned when she heard the soft steps of Madam Burnett entering the Wing and her concerned voice, fussing over what happened to "Miss Calder" - who apparently had no recollections of the incident whatsoever – while speaking in hushed tones with the Head of Gryffindor House, Professor Leonia Longbottom. Myrtle felt her heart skip a beat when the Mediwitch mentioned that "Mudblood" had been carved in the girl's chest with magic. In turn, the House Head had shared with her colleague she suspected the involvement of Mulciber and Lestrange, later remarking the irritating lack of evidence...
"For the love of...sorry, Myrtle," the aforementioned girl's musings were cut off by Minnie's voice, sympathetic grey eyes gazing into her own bespectacled ones. The Ravenclaw gave her a wan smile, carefully hiding her annoyance at not knowing something. "I think it is best if you go to class. It's Defense now, right?"
Myrtle hummed unhappily, eyes downcast. "I understand. Prefect stuff."
A hand on her shoulder made her look up, a faint blush spreading across her cheeks. "Don't worry about Charms. I will talk to Professor Flitwick about your absence in today's class."
Giving Minnie a shy nod, Myrtle held her schoolbook closely to her chest before she began to walk slowly towards the classroom, the Prefects' arguing still audible enough for her to listen. "You cannot possibly think she is involved in the attack. If we were talking about Roxanne Macmillan or Walburga Black, yes, maybe. But Ashlane?"
"She is a Slytherin," he reminded her sharply, stressing the name of the House. "And she is in the Slug Club, remember?"
The unmistakable sound of Minnie's famous 'Minerva chop' was heard the second he finished the sentence. "Diggory, are you thick in the head? The Slug Club is mostly composed by Pure-bloods from Slytherin."
"So?"
Myrtle paused in her steps and waited for Minnie's reply.
"The Slytherins hate her in particular. They look down on her family, but envy her at the same time. Truly a paradox..."
The voices disappeared, leaving behind a puzzled Myrtle who, seconds later, began walking toward the classroom.
A Slytherin hated by other Slytherins? That is...impossible.
Shaking her head at the ridiculous thought, the petite took a deep breath and opened the door, flinching at the disapproving look on Merrythought's features.
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