Are few moments of blissful boredom and plain discretion too much to ask for?

"Hey! You're Seth's friend, aren't you?"

A couple of enormous man-children suddenly accost me in the produce section of the grocery store. How many older siblings does Seth have? These two in front of me have the same mannerisms, including unsettling smiles and sly expressions. I can't believe I've gotten myself into an interaction as immature as this. "What?" I sigh.

"Oh, nothing," the tall oaf shrugs before glancing at the thin oaf and giving him a look that, I presume, is supposed to be devious. It comes off as utterly moronic. Reminds me of Crabbe and Goyle…

Then they must be bullies.

"Just wonderin' what you're like, that's all," the thin oaf smirks. "You work at the clinic, don't you? Are you like a nurse?" He snickers.

I've heard my share of sexist jokes, so I pay them no heed. I bag the oranges and toss them in my basket without a word.

"So," the tall one continues on, "must be boring there, huh? Not much action." He leans against a wooden crate holding small watermelons, pushing it a few inches in the process. He's heavier than he looks. "What do you do in your downtime? Other than shopping, that is. We haven't seen you around much."

"I try to avoid menials," I mutter.

There is a short pause in the conversation, which I use to my advantage. I pick up the shopping basket and walk away. The oafs are probably trying to come up with another attack strategy. I'll just choose some tomatoes while they are thinking hard.

I hardly had to count until thirty before they have scurried behind me and planted themselves there so that I am cornered against the shelves.

"Ah, Leah was telling us that you had a smart mouth," the thin oaf grunted. "Heard you were jerking Seth around. He's just a kid, you know? Cut him some slack."

"Yeah," the tall oaf chimes in. "He might not be the brightest, but he's got a good heart. If we find out that you've been mean to him, we-"

I can't help my scoff. Their words tumble into stunned mumbles. Good. It's time for me to say my piece. "Look, I don't know who you are," I say slowly, "and I don't particularly care. I can't even begin to fathom a reason as to why I would want to associate myself with any of you. So if you could refrain from these showy confrontation, that would be fantastic."

Now I'm on the receiving ends of seething glowers that would have quelled me had I been in primary school. At this moment, it just looks misplaced.

I bend down to pick up the shopping basket-

-when it is kicked away from my arm's reach.

Physical confrontation. Unfortunately, this is not something I am good at. My pulse suddenly quickens as I realize that perhaps these men don't listen to voice of reason.

I straighten up. I'm in a public store, albeit on a slow day. They wouldn't dare start a scene here. At least no sane individual would. I haven't done anything to provoke them, other than demand that they bugger off. So what is this about?

I examine their expressions carefully. They are genuinely angry. Angry at me. "I realize that the two of you might not have the intellectual capacity to understand what I had just said," I drawl despite that uneasy feeling in my gut, "so I'll just repeat myself. Yes, you need some mindless entertainment, but please stop harassing me."

Without warning, I am jerked forward by the shirt and abruptly find myself inches away from the tall man's fierce face. "I said cool it with the insults," he snarls. His anger is rolling onto me, my skin suddenly prickling with heat. His fist will not be as forgiving as others I've encountered.

Thankfully, he doesn't lay a finger of me.

I stagger back when I'm let go. I stumble into the shelves, causing a few tomatoes to fall onto the floor. My dizzying pulse isn't helping my reflexes. Only a moment later do I realize what is happening.

I don't know where he came from, but Seth is standing between them and me, sputtering out a string of mild curses and angry words.

Enough is enough.

I push past him. My hands are shaking. I just know I will be seeing red any second now. Who knows what the hell I'd do to these people if I lose my bloody temper. I grip my wand that's hidden in my pocket. I can feel it buzzing against my fist. I really, really shouldn't. Although they do deserve what's coming to them… I would feel not an ounce of remorse if I manage to hex their mouths to their arses.

As I get away from the stifling shop, the rain helps calm my nerves. I focus on the steady crunch of gravel under my shoe. I hate losing in a confrontation. Next time I won't hesitate. Next time I-

I trip to a halt and pull back when a zooming streak rushes past me and then skids into my path.

It's Seth.

"I'm sorry," he struggles to get out between panting breaths. "I-I don't know why they would-They aren't usually like that. I swear. I-I'm so sorry."

He looks like he is about to burst into tears.

"Forget it," I mutter. He is testing the last of my patience. I try to sidestep him.

"Wait." He grabs my arm, holding me back. "Y-you didn't buy anything."

"I said forget it," I snap at him. I wrench away from his grip and keep walking. Lunatics. Bunch of no-good, crude lunatics with too much time on their hands. Unbelievable. I just want one moment of peace. Just one. Is that too much to bloody ask for?

I glance over my shoulder.

He is sitting on his haunches, arms wrapped around his knees and head tucked behind them.

What is he crying for?