Here I Come, And I'm So Not Scared
by Sarah Jo Dantess
Prologue
"I don't need help from filthy Mudbloods like her!"
The words rang in my ears like one last hex cast in a wizard's duel. It took a moment for my brain to register what had occurred. After all, Sev was my best friend in the world. For him to call me mudblood was the impossible thing that could never happen. No matter that he's been avoiding me more often than not over the past year or so and ditching me for his Slytherin friends. They're in his house, and I'm not. Of course he would want to send more time with them, right?
Mudblood. Mudblood. Mudblood. Mudblood.
Oh my Merlin…that just happened? No, of course not. I drew back, struck with shock by his fierce slander. My mouth opened a bit and hung that way, an audible, sharp intake of breath travelling through my exposed top teeth. My eyebrows shot upward as my astonishment showed. He would never –
Mudblood. Mudblood. Mudblood. Mudblood.
I blinked hard as my eyebrows drew together. Yep, that just happened. How dare he treat me with such contempt, after all I've done for him –
"Fine," I spat. My anger rose to an obvious edge in my tone. I was on fire, determined to give that ex-best friend of mine a good piece of my mind, even though he didn't want it. "I won't bother in the future. And I would wash your pants if I were you, Snivellus," I snarled.
As the words left my lips, the reality of what had occurred began to sink in, like rubbing cool salve on a burn. It stings first, and that was happening now for sure. Tears prickled at my eyes and I knew it was only a matter of time before they would threaten to make an appearance in front of this crowd. I turned to leave, feeling the hurt as the fact that I was no longer friends with my best friend of almost seven years became all too real. A gnawing pang in my chest clutched my nerves. Ouch.
"Apologize to Evans!"
I turned back to the scene. Potter was pointing his wand at Snape, ready to hex him unless he caved to his demands. My jaw clenched. How could he be trying to make this any better? He started it!
"I don't want you to make him apologize!" I shouted at him in a flare of anger. "You're as bad as he is!" The arrogant, bullying toerag only blinked as surprise became visible on his face.
"What?" he yapped. "I'd never call you a – you-know-what!" I frowned. My eyes became slits that could have Avada-Kedavra-ed him if looks could kill. How thick can he possibly be? Oh, right. All damn boys are that thick and need a damn explanation. Merlin's beard.
"Messing up your hair because you think it looks cool to look like you just got off your broomstick, showing off with that stupid Snitch, walking down corridors and hexing anyone who annoys you just because you can – I'm surprised your broomstick can get off the ground with that fat head on it!" I thundered, my voice filled to the brim with poison. I went in for the kill. "You make me sick."
I didn't stay to see Potter's reaction. I had the final word and I wasn't giving it up. I spun around on my heel and marched away as the tears stung at my eyes once again. I blinked them back hard, not wanting anyone to see me cry, and didn't stop for anything until I was behind the door of my empty dormitory, with all the solace in the world all to myself in this precious privacy. Then and only then did I let the tears pour in streams down my cheeks.