Happy birthday, TheRealRavenclaw

Hannah watched as Harry pushed past her, a stormy look on his face. For a few moments, she felt just a little guilty, but she soon forgot about that as Ernie's laughter filled the corridor. Instead, she turned to Ernie, wondering when he had become so cruel. Two years ago he never would have jeered at anyone like that. Then again, neither would have she.

"Ernie..." Hannah began softly, fingering her badge nervously as she waited for his laughter to subside. "Perhaps we ought to apologize."

At this comment, Ernie stared at his friend in shock. Since when did she care about Potter? Scoffing, he replied, "Why? He's a cheating scum that never should have been named a Champion."

"You don't know that." Hannah looked thoughtful as she watched Harry talk quietly to Cedric from a distance. It didn't look like Cedric had a problem with Harry, so why should she? "Besides," she continued, keeping her voice low. "You know they smart girl, Granger? She believes him, and she really is clever."

"She's probably been shagging him," Ernie retorted, dismissing Hannah's look of disbelief with a shrug of his shoulders. "Don't be so trusting, Hannah."

Hannah pursed her lips tightly together, still fingering her Potter Stinks! badge. Maybe she ought to take it off... It did seem rather cruel. Harry had always been nice to her - it would be the least she could do.

"No, no, no!" Ernie snapped, reading Hannah's gestures and figuring out her intentions quickly. "Leave it, Hannah. Be loyal to Cedric and your house."

Biting her lip, Hannah glared at Ernie from underneath her long lashes. Trust him to bring up the loyalty card. That's what they were all about, wasn't it? Loyalty this... Loyalty that. Though she'd never admit it out loud, it drove Hannah absolutely barmy sometimes.

"It is rather horrible though," Hannah argued weakly. She had never been very good at getting others to see her way, and she doubted that she would suddenly develop the skill at this moment in time.

"Don't be stupid. He deserves it."

"No one deserves that, Ernie," Hannah murmured, frowning.

"He does. Just leave it, Hannah, for Merlin's sake."

Inhaling sharply, Hannah, for the first time in her life, stood up for herself. Ripping the spiteful badge from her lapel, she Vanished it with a quick wave of her wand, much to Ernie's dismay.

"Harry's never done anything to you, Ernie," Hannah smiled slightly as she contemplated her next words. "Be loyal and return the gesture, yeah?"

And with that, Hannah stalked off, leaving Ernie gaping at her disappearing figure.

Mental, that one. Dead loyal, but mental.