Chapter Four: Mudbloods and Murmurs
"I have never been so disappointed in prefects in all my time at this school." Head of Ravenclaw house, Mother Superior scolds.
Emma finds herself wedged between Robin, and much to her disdain, Killian as they along with Regina, sit in front of the very angry professor.
"Arguing like first years, storming off in tantrums, bullying younger students…Do any of you know how to act your age?" Mother Superior snaps, glaring between them.
Not once in six years has Emma ever seen Mother Superior this angry and upset before. The woman even refuses to be called Professor Superior because she thinks it comes across as too strict. Mother Superior apparently sounds warmer and originally she was going to go into the Wizard Church and would be known as Mother there, so when she changed her mind and decided to teach at Hogwarts, she wanted to keep the Mother title.
"Care to explain why both of you stormed off?" Mother Superior demands angrily, glancing between Killian and Robin.
Emma feels Robin shuffle awkwardly beside her, whilst Killian doesn't give much of a reaction. Instead, Emma can feel the bad energy radiating off him, and she knows it is solely directed at her.
"Answer me." Mother Superior demands leaning on her desk, folding her arms across her chest.
"Regina made a comment about my blood status and family." Robin answers, ignoring the seething look that Regina is now sending him. "I wasn't going to put up with that."
Mother Superior looks over at the brunette and narrows her eyes. "Is this true?"
"Of course not."
Emma glares at Regina this time, but backs off immediately when she sees Mother Superior's warning look sent in her direction. The older woman then turns to Killian and raises her eye-brow.
"And what about you, Jones?"
"The Gryffindor princess just annoys me." Killian mutters. "We found a lost Hufflepuff crying. Lost or not, I am under the impression she was still breaking the rules. I suggested we deduct house points, but princess here went all mother like and coddled the kid. So I walked off."
Emma looks at Killian in a mixture of spite and confusion. It is clear that Killian has finished his tale, but he has lied to a professor, and kept the real reason to himself. Emma looks back at Mother Superior who is shaking her head.
"He's right, Miss Swan. She was still out of bed. The student would have had enough time to make it back to the common room with the others, but she didn't. Killian was right to deduct points. Five at the max." Mother Superior states. "It is your duty to make sure there is order amongst your fellow students and if you let one student off, you have to let the next one off to."
"He tried to deduct twenty-house points from a crying girl who was terrified of him." Emma argues. "Last time I checked, no student has had more than five house points deducted at one time since…"
"Since you in first year." Regina smirks. "Oh yes, we all remember you, Nolan and Blanchard thinking you could take on a fully grown mountain troll. What was it again? Fifty points each."
Emma clenches her fists to force herself not to smack the brunette around the head. Emma remembers that situation very clearly. She'd been unconscious for a day in the hospital wing after, and when Headmaster Leopold had written to her aunt and uncle, they had sent Emma a letter back saying; they wish it had done more damage.
"Thank you, Miss Mills." Mother Superior warns in a stern tone. "But we're not talking about that. Mr Jones, you are supposed to be approachable to all students and you most definitely do not have the power to take twenty-house points, nor are you allowed to storm away from your patrol partner or duty. Miss Mills, you are to put a brake on all blood comments immediately. Miss Swan, you are not to coddle children because of tears. If you do this, everyone will turn the waterworks on with you, and Mr Hood, the same goes for you, leaving your patrol is against the rules. The four of you will receive detention for you childish behaviour, and I suggest next time you have patrol together; you just keep silent, especially if you can't say anything nice. Dismissed."
"My father will hear about this." Killian mutters under his breath, before leaving the office, Regina following closely behind.
…
Half an hour later, Emma and Robin make their way down the large sloping hill towards the small cottage where Professor Lucas (Ruby's grandmother) lives. Emma's eyes land on the Slytherin's who are huddled together, and she is reminded then that she would have another two hours stuck in Killian Jones' presence. How she hated the new rules.
"Good morning class." Professor Lucas says, as she steps out of her cottage, a stern expression on her face.
A few sniggers come from the Slytherin's as Ruby smiles and happily waves at her grandmother.
"Ignore them." Emma whispers, as she sees Regina pulling a baby face.
"I'm just glad that this class was mixed and not just Slytherin and Gryffindor. I'm happy I got put with Victor, even if it was because I asked."
Emma gives a tight lip smile. Apparently Granny had tried to put Emma with a friendlier face, but had been over ruled, as Emma was a prefect and needed to demonstrate she could work with a Slytherin.
"Just like yesterday, I want you with your partner and you are to pick a place to sit. I will then come around with a name of a creature and you will be asked to write as much as you can about them."
Emma sighs and moves to a spot before sitting down, waiting for Killian to join her. Ruby sends her a sympathetic look, before joining Victor, instantly smiling. And then there Killian is, sinking down into the grass next to her, not even acknowledging Emma's existence.
Emma and Killian sit in silence as Professor Lucas, (or Granny as Emma had always called her. Granny was the old woman's known moniker for Ruby and her friends), hands the other pairings a slip of parchment. Eventually, Granny stops in front of Emma and Killian and looks between them.
"I heard you got a scolding this morning so try and work together in harmony. And to try and help this, I have given you the easiest creature, Dragons." Professor Lucas gives them a warning look and walks away.
"How about you write what you know and I'll do the same, and at the end we can just combine our notes." Emma mumbles, not looking at Killian.
Killian though is looking around, and he sees that everyone else was managing very slight conversation and that Professor Lucas is watching them like an owl.
"I don't think that will cut it."
Emma glances up at Killian with a questioning look. "What do you mean by that?"
"Something tells me this task is going to require communication. So, keep your words to dragons only." Killian warns, alerting Emma that he was still annoyed about the previous evening.
Emma would have apologized if it wasn't for his arrogant attitude.
"Okay, well I think we should talk about where they are placed on the Ministry of Magic Classification Scale, maybe talk about different breeds, laws associated with dragons, and dragon pieces used in wands and for potion ingredients." Emma states quickly changing the subject.
Killian shrugs. "Aye sounds good."
Emma reaches into her bag and pulls out her textbook, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.Killian copies her movements.
"You have neater handwriting than me." Killian notes. "Maybe you should write."
Emma rolls her eyes. She knows that Killian's is neater, but it is clear the Slytherin is still intending to give her a hard time, even though he is being watched for messing up.
In a frustrated manner, Emma pulls out a roll of parchment, her quill and ink bottle, before setting it on the ground, and using a rock as a hard surface.
"Hard to hide." Killian states, as Emma writes down his words. "And one of the most dangerous beasts known to wizards. Even some of the best wizard and witches have trouble containing them…"
…
Two hours later, Emma is in the middle of Ruby and Victor walking back up the stone steps towards the castle. It had been an exhausting lesson with Killian. Turns out, he knew a lot about Dragons and Magical Beasts, and they had almost gotten the highest mark in the class until they argued over who was saying what. Killian had tried to give Emma eighty percent of the speech and Emma had argued back. They had ended up with a zero.
"Can you believe him?" Emma mutters in a disbelieving tone.
"Yes." Ruby replies, placing her hand on Emma's forearm in a comforting manner. "I'm sorry. I'm sure Granny didn't want to give you such a low mark."
"She didn't." Emma sighs. "She pulled me over at the end of class, but she said that I should have handled it better, and if I had agreed to do what Killian was asking, I would have gotten most of the grade."
"He's a bastard." Victor says. "It's not the least bit surprising considering he has been brought up in an arrogant family. Liam, his elder brother was so different. Gryffindor student, brave and everyone loved him. Killian and he were actually very close despite the age gap, but when Liam passed away the year before Killian started here at Hogwarts, there was no one to keep him in line, or continue to inspire him to be a better person."
Emma nods her understanding as they finally re-enter the castle.
"So, when do you start Quidditch Practice again?" Ruby asks, as they walk into the great hall for the first break of the day.
"Tonight, after dinner. We decided not to re-run team trials this year, seen as the last couple of years we have won the Quidditch Cup." Emma answers, as she picks up an apple.
Victor has left them to join his Ravenclaw friends, leaving Ruby and Emma alone.
"Can I come and watch?" Ruby asks, as another good friend Mulan Chung, one of the Gryffindor chasers sits down beside them.
"Sure." Smiles Emma. "Mary Margaret is."
"Cool. I'll be there."
The rest of the day passes in a blur for Emma. She ignores Killian for the all of the lessons. It turns out that the only class she doesn't have with Killian is Arithmancy, which she only finds out today. Yesterday, there had been no Arithmancy class, so Emma had assumed that she was with Killian for everything. For Arithmancy, she was partners with Mary Margaret, and Emma was happy that she finally got to work with a friend.
Defence Against the Dark Arts is even worse. They are working with curses, and using the Imperious Curse on a spider to see what would happen to you under the influence of it. Before Emma had comprehended what had gone on, the spider was on her head and with her fear she had panicked. Killian laughed as he purposely made the spider land on Emma and of course Professor De Vil, being a Slytherin had thought it was amusing and told Emma to grow up and that Killian wouldn't have let the spider hurt her, as it was clearly a joke. Emma had a feeling that if he had had the chance, she would have been in the infirmary being treated for a spider bite.
Potions wasn't any better. They were working together to make the potion, Draught of the Living Death,and this time it had been Emma who had messed up. Sure enough Killian was pissed because they missed the chance of winning a small vial ofFelix Felicis.Killian had left the classroom in a huff when Emma told him that he shouldn't have messed around with the spider.
And the last lesson of the day was Transfiguration with Professor Dragon (Maleficent). Professor Dragon was one of the only people who could transform into a dragon and often took a special potion to stop her being dangerous when she was transformed. Killian and Emma had to transform a live animal into a statue, but because they couldn't work together in a cooperative manner, they hadn't gotten the task finished on time.
…
Emma is relieved when she and her Quidditch team head down to the pitch after dinner, carrying their brooms. Flying always clears her mind after a rough day. The team consists off three chasers; Mulan, David and Frederick Knight, two beaters; Will Scarlet and Graham, Robin their keeper, and finally Emma, the team's seeker, also the captain.
"So I thought tonight, Mulan, David, Frederick and Robin can work together. Do some exercises with the Quaffle and then Robin can try and defend the goal rings. Will and Graham, you two the same with the bludgers, and I'll practice catching the snitch." Emma explains, as they arrive at the Quidditch stadium.
"Sounds good." Robin smiles in agreement.
"You're kidding." Will mutters in his strong English accent, as he stops and looks up in the air.
"What?' Emma asks, as she pushes through them, stopping in her tracks when she sees what Will is looking at. "No way."
Right in the air, and taking up most of the air space in the stadium is the Slytherin team. Killian is in a dive for the golden snitch, which he executes flawlessly, their two beaters Felix Parker and Greg Mendell, are very aggressively hitting their bludgers as hard and as far as they can, all three chasers, Zelena, Tamara and Regina are skilfully passing the Quaffle amongst them, before firing at the hoops where Walsh is keeping.
"Jones!" Emma shouts, finally getting his attention, as he lands on the ground in front of Emma.
"When I'm on the pitch its Captain Jones to you." Killian smirks, before looking amongst the Gryffindor team.
"We booked the pitch." Emma glares her voice high with anger.
"It wasn't written down in the book, so we're here now." Killian responds in a short tone.
Emma doesn't fail to notice that his team has landed, and are standing behind him like guard dogs.
"I wrote it down, Jones. Is this your way of getting back at me because I messed up in potions?" Emma demands placing her hands on her hips.
"Why would I get back at you for that? You just proved you are as useful as a brick wall in the potions classroom." Killian sneers.
Emma feels the sharp pang of hurt go through her as she looks at Killian's arrogant expression. Killian's gaze doesn't break and Emma hasn't felt like this in a long time, not since Neal Cassidy, a Hufflepuff student, in the year above them had broken her heart.
"I booked the pitch." Her tone was quieter and she shuffles on her feet awkwardly.
Killian's gaze doesn't falter and he shakes his head. "Well, like I said it wasn't in the book, which means the first team to start practicing gets the stadium until they finish. If you want, I'm sure tomorrow is available."
"How about we use half?" Robin suggests, stepping forward.
"How dare you speak to us, you filthy little mudblood." Greg hisses, immediately stepping back as though Robin would burn him.
Emma's eyes widen in shock and she doesn't know what to do. Zelena and Walsh stand there, and even though they are head boy and girl, they make no move to correct Greg's comment.
"Hey!" David shouts, standing in front of Greg in a threatening manner. "Learn to keep your mouth shut."
"Back off Nolan." Greg says. "Come, the hint of Muggle-born is affecting me."
Emma turns to see Robin walking off; Ruby, Mary Margaret, Mulan, Graham, Will and Frederick following him. She then turns back to Killian and is surprised to see that Regina is watching after Robin, a slight apologetic look on her face, before joining the rest of the Slytherin team back in the air.
"You are kidding me right?" Emma snaps at Killian. "I knew you were a jerk, but allowing that sort of behaviour is wrong. You disgust me."
Without waiting for Killian's reaction, she turns and grabs David and follows the others.
…
Emma is glad that she is off patrol duty that night. She doesn't think she could make it through another couple hours of Killian's company, especially with what had just happened at the pitch, she knows the best thing to do is to stay away from him, or she could be tempted to throw an unforgivable curse his way.
The way he and his team had treated Robin because of his blood status could have made her cry. She can't understand how someone could be so cruel. After making sure Robin was okay, she goes straight to Professor Blanchard and makes sure to book the pitch, this time with a witness.
The next morning, Emma makes her way down to the great hall for breakfast, when she is interrupted by Professor Hellar who is standing there at the bottom of the staircase with Killian, Regina, Marian, Robin, Ariel and Victor. Emma doesn't even spare the two Slytherin's a glance, as she stands between Ariel and Robin.
"I know you are all hungry, but I just wanted to inform you of another prefect duty you will be asked to perform over the next couple of terms." Professor Hellar states. "Professor De Vil and I have organized a duelling club, which will take part in the Great Hall on Thursday nights at seven o'clock and finish at eight. As prefects you are required to attend, unless you are excused by a teacher. You will demonstrate to the younger students, safeduels, and you will also be required to keep them in line. Now, Miss Swan and Mills and Mr Jones and Hood, the four of you have not worked well together so far, so you will need to. It can be dangerous if you can't."
Despite the warning given, Emma knows that if she is given the opening to hex Killian's ass to the moon, she will.
The day passes in a blur for Emma. In double potions, they worked individual, but the pressure that was put on her by Killian's perfect potion resulted in hers going wrong, and receiving the lowest mark. She'd caught Killian and Greg sniggering at her more than once, and she was glad to have a half an hour break from him, before having to work with him in Defence Against the Dark Arts.
Professor De Vil demonstrates the Cruciatus Curse on the same spider they had used yesterday. All students are strictly instructed that they are not to try this curse, nor the next one or they will find themselves with a cell in Azkaban with their name on. Emma's eyes widen when a jet of green light shoots out the end of Professor De Vil's wand, the spider dropping dead. Emma doesn't realize she'd grabbed Killian's arm when it happened, but as soon as she comes to her senses, she quickly removes her hand. Apparently though, a few people had reacted the same way, as there are a few mumbled apologies around the room.
"Knew you couldn't resist me, princess." Killian chuckles.
Emma rolls her eyes. "Piss off."
Emma isn't looking forward to hers and Killian's patrol session that night. When she meets him outside the library, they both set off quietly, Emma twiddling her wand with her fingers, attempting to distract herself from the tense atmosphere, which rests between her and the Slytherin prince. Killian doesn't say anything to her as they turn into the same corridor where they had found Grace a couple of nights before.
"You know you're quite feisty when you want to be." Killian remarks out of the blue.
Emma spins to face him. "What does that mean?"
"You have this whole, I'm a bitchattitude, but when someone turns it on you or your friends, it's straight to we're the victimsact."
"Excuse me!" Emma snaps, getting in his face. "Your friends called one of my best friends a mudblood and you all laughed. Of course we are going to get defensive and hurt."
Killian doesn't say anything and continues walking.
"What do you have to say for yourself?" Emma demands.
"Nothing. I didn't call him it, and I'm not going to speak ill of my friends. Maybe Hood should learn to keep his mouth shut and…"
Killian doesn't get chance to finish his sentence as Emma's hand comes out and slaps him on the cheek as hard as she can muster. Killian looks at her in shock. He doesn't make a move to grab his wand, or go to argue back. He just watches as she, this time, does the storming off, leaving him alone.
"Bloody hell." He mutters, rubbing his sore and red cheek.
It is clear in that moment that Emma Swan is not one to mess with.