Review pretty please! And if anyone has any requests for a one-shot or even something a few chapters long, I'd be happy to take them!
Enjoy!
Mudblood.
The whispered word was barely audible in the tangle of conversations that swirled through the corridor, but it still hit its intended target.
Ron had been drifting in and out of the conversation anyways, ignoring Harry and Hermione's dull chatter about Potions homework in favor of daydreaming about bringing the Chudley Cannons to their first victory in years.
It would be spectacular, he had mused as they navigated through the busy halls. I'd make an impossibly save at the last possible moment and the crowd would go wild and Hermione would be in the stands cheering for me and-
What?
He shook that last thought from his mind. Focus, Weasley.
It was then, as he tried to determine whether or not he was blushing, that he heard it, and his face flushed even redder.
Next to him, Harry and Hermione's prattle came to a sudden, silent halt. Harry was scowling, looking around to see who had whispered it. Hermione had gone very pale, and Ron could see that her knuckles were white where she was gripping her schoolbooks tighter.
A few steps ahead, he saw the back of a head covered with smooth, white-blond hair, flanked by two squat forms- Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle.
Of course.
Ron felt anger rise up, fast and terrifying, turning the tips of his ears scarlet.
He shoved his books into Harry's arms and took a few steps forward, grabbing Malfoy by the cloth of his robes.
"Oi! Malfoy! Don't say Mud- that word, or I- I swear, I'll- I'll-"
He trailed off, unable to think of a suitable threat and Malfoy smirked.
"You'll what, Weasley? Stammer at me? I didn't realize you were so protective of your little Muggle-born girlfriend."
Ron was sure his face was an unappealing shade of brick red right now, and he prayed that Hermione hadn't heard Malfoy's last comment.
"She's better than half the likes of you, Malfoy."
Crabbe and Goyle began to advance on him, and Ron suddenly deeply regretted picking a fight with someone with much stronger friends than his.
But before they could do anything, a tall, thin shadow loomed over the four of them.
"I trust you're not fighting, boys?" McGonagall looked down at them imperiously, looking displeased.
Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle scattered before she could give them detention for the remainder of the year, leaving Ron staring up at her, feeling small and stupid.
Why couldn't he just think before he did things?
He braced himself for McGonagall's punishment, but instead he received the smallest of smiles.
"That was a very brave thing you did, Weasley, but you had better not do it again. Get to class."
Ron had to restrain himself from sprinting back over to where Harry and Hermione stood.
He looked at them expectantly, hoping for praise or a smile from them, particularly Hermione, something along the lines of Ron, you're so brave or Ron, thank you for standing up for me. Why yes, I'd love to go to the Yule Ball with you.
"I can't believe you, Ronald! Out of all the stupid, ill-conceived, idiotic things to do! Did you really think you could start a fight with them? And what makes you think that I need you to stand up for me? Honestly."
Well then.
Hermione stormed off ahead, leaving Harry and Ron standing dumbstruck in her wake.
Harry shook his head.
"Girls."