It was a beautiful day. Belle French took her usual spot under a quiet willow tree to study. There wasn't a particular subject she needed a refresher on; she just liked to read. It helped her mind prepare for the day ahead. There was a slight breeze blowing through the air causing her hair to gently brush across her face. She tucked it behind her ear as she tried to focus on the words in front of her.
But there was one problem.
Her normally peaceful time alone was being shattered by the shouts of Ruby Lucas and her band of obnoxious gallivants who were playing some sort of game directly below her. They were throwing a fanged frisbee back and forth, and its loud snarls were mixing with their excited cheers.
Belle wasn't upset because they were having fun. It was just so peaceful until they had come barging into the scenery as if from nowhere, and the worst part of it all was Ruby Lucas.
Like Belle, Ruby was a Gryffindor, and to be honest, there wasn't a better house for her. She wasn't evil like the Slytherins or super smart like the Ravenclaws, and she was much too thickheaded to be in Hufflepuff, so here she was in the House of the brave. Here she was stuck with Belle.
Why couldn't she just go home and stop losing Gryffindor points? Who cares if she's the best Seeker to play at Hogwarts in ten years? Belle thought bitterly as she slammed her book shut and shoved it into her bag.
She was just about to stand up and head to the peace and quiet of the library when the fanged frisbee flew over her head. Out of the blue, Ruby leapt up and caught it firmly in her hand just as her legs flew out from underneath her, and she toppled forward into Belle's lap.
"Excuse you!" Belle exclaimed. Her expression was horrified as she looked down at the girl whose face was planted firmly in her lap.
Ruby looked up, a slick grin plastered on her lips. "So sorry, Princess," she responded sarcastically as she pushed herself to her knees. She reached behind Belle, never breaking eye contact, the grin never fading. "You know, if you took your nose out of those books every once and awhile, maybe you'd learn how to catch one of these things." She tapped Belle on the head with the frisbee receiving a dirty look for her effort.
"Lucas! Come on!" Graham yelled, his arms extended at his side. "We've only got ten more minutes before we have to suffer through Snape!"
Ruby looked back at her friends. "Okay! I'm coming!" She turned back to Belle, the disgusted look still covering her face. Ruby chuckled as she reached out and tousled Belle's hair. "See you in class." She hopped to her feet and tossed the frisbee to her friend before running back to them.
Belle huffed, running her hand through her hair to correct what Ruby had ruined. She pushed herself to her feet, brushing the grass off of her skirt. She gripped her bag tightly as she stomped away from the noise. That Ruby Lucas drove her insane. Always mocking her. Calling her inane nicknames. She knew nothing about her. What gave her the right…
Belle stopped in mid step as she closed her eyes. She breathed in and out several times to calm herself. She didn't understand why she allowed someone she barely knew to aggravate her so much. Maybe it was because Ruby was such a disruption. Whether it was celebrating loudly in the common room over another Quidditch victory or getting points taken away for breaking the rules. She was constantly invading the quiet bubble Belle surrounded herself in. She gripped the strap on her bag, checking her watch. She didn't have much time to go to the library now. Once again, she could thank Ruby Lucas for ruining what little peaceful time she had.
She made her away down the hall, passing other students as she went. She stopped in front of the potions room, opening the door quietly. The first class was still in session. She sighed and walked toward the large window sill. She placed her bag on the floor and sat down, bringing her feet to rest on the space in front her. She opened another potions book and began to read.
The muffled sounds outside the window drew her attention. Her head turned to see Ruby walking toward the building with the others, Graham and August jumping wildly behind her as she laughed. Belle watched her, never noticing before how bright and wide the girl's smile was. How her eyes crinkled when she laughed. She quickly shook her head, clearing her throat as she returned her attention to her book.
But of course, Belle was not allowed to have a minute of peace. "Hey, Belle," a mean voice sneered from down the hall. She looked up and immediately rolled her eyes at Gaston, who was flanked by his friends Victor and Jefferson. "What are you reading?" he asked as they sauntered up to her, hands buried in their pockets.
"None of your business," she replied sharply, turning back to her book only to have it snatched from her hands.
"Why do you read these stupid things anyway?"
"I like to broaden my knowledge," Belle smirked. "It kind of explains why you're such an idiot. … Now give it back," she added firmly.
Gaston held the book out to her, but when she reached for it, he tossed it to Victor, who threw it to Jefferson, who opened it curiously for a second before receiving a glare from Gaston and throwing it to him.
"I'll tell you what, Belle. I'll give it back if you go on a date with me," he winked, holding it above her head as if she were a child.
"There is no chance in hell that I would ever consider dating someone like you." Belle was about to whip out her wand when somebody got there first. "Levicorpus!" Ruby shouted, a grin plastered on her face as Gaston rose into the air by his ankle.
Everyone on the ground laughed at him when he dropped Belle's book on the ground, his wand clattering beside it.
"Put me down, you whore!"
"Not until you say the magic word," she taunted as Graham gave her an appreciative slap on the back.
"Miss Lucas," a bored, nasally voice rang through the hall as Professor Snape stepped out of his classroom. "Put him down."
"Sorry, Professor," she said with a grin. "Liberacorpus," and Gaston fell face-first onto the floor next to his wand.
Ruby was still laughing as she leaned over to pick up Belle's book.
"20 points from Gryffindor, Miss Lucas. As you should very well know, you are not allowed to use magic in the hallways. And if you continue to disrupt the school, it will be detention."
Graham was still chuckling behind his hand, and August was doubled over, clutching his side. None of them seemed to care that Ruby had cost their House 20 points.
"Here you go," she smiled hesitantly, holding out Belle's book to her.
"What do you think you're doing?" Belle hissed. "I don't need your help. I was doing just fine."
Ruby's excited eyes suddenly fell, and she quickly rebutted, "Yeah I could see you were enjoying your game of monkey in the middle."
Belle glared at her, grabbing her book back and putting it into her bag.
"You know you could be a little more grateful!" Ruby shouted. "I don't know why you're so uptight all the time."
"And I don't know why you act like such an irresponsible ignoramus all the time!" Belle yelled back. Graham and August glanced at each other nervously. "You always get Gryffindor into trouble, and I'm sick of it!"
Ruby was looking at her as though she must not have heard correctly. "I was trying to help you!"
"Well, I don't need your help! And I don't want your help! I want you to just leave me alone!"
"Quiet!" Snape yelled suddenly, calling the two red-faced girls from their argument. "What did I say not one minute ago? Miss French, Miss Lucas, stay after class to arrange your detentions."
Belle and Ruby glared at each other one last time before filing into the classroom behind the others.
Class ended.
Belle and Ruby sat several seats away from one another. Ruby tapped her wand against her desk as Belle glanced at her from the corner of her eye.
"Can you please stop with that infernal tapping?" Belle requested, harshly.
Ruby narrowed her eyes and turned to her. "What is with you?" she inquired. "Are you always this angry or is this just something special reserved for me?"
Belle shut her book hard as she turned in her seat. "I tend to not have a soft spot for people who get me detention." Belle snapped back.
"For the last time, I was helping you!"
"And I didn't need it!"
"SILENCE!" Snape shouted, reentering the room. He crossed his arms against his chest. "Are you both seriously so pig headed that you can't follow one simple instruction?" He looked from one to the other. "Ten points from Gryffindor for your complete lack of decorum."
Belle grunted angrily. Ruby huffed a small laugh as her eyes shifted to the desk. It was just amusing her now. How easily she could get under Belle's skin. She never had this effect on anyone before. She kind of liked it.
Snape walked to Ruby, tossing a piece of paper on her desk. "I trust I shouldn't have to tell you where and when to report?"
Ruby glanced up at him as she slid the paper off of the desk. "Nope. I got it." She held the paper up and placed it in her pocket.
He walked to Belle, sliding one onto her desk as well. "If you get lost, Miss French, I'm sure Miss. Lucas will be more than willing to give you directions."
Belle slowly took the paper from the desk and put it inside her book. "I'll find it, sir." she muttered, her eyes remaining on the cover of her book. "I need no help from her. She's done enough already."
Ruby huffed again, shaking her head as she rolled her eyes. "Can we go now? I have to get to practice."
Snape narrowed his eyes at her. "You are dismissed."
Ruby grabbed her book and exited the room quickly. Belle took her book as well, rising from her seat. She looked at Professor Snape. He shook his head disappointed as he waved her away. Belle lowered her head and exited the room. As far as she was concerned, Ruby Lucas was nothing but a world of trouble and she wanted nothing to do with it….