A/N: Please, no one throw stones. I would not let this happen to Calesta if I didn't think she could handle it. I will let you know, I used to get punched, kicked, snapped with rubber bands and shoved around. And that is just what the boys did to me. I didn't hit 5 feet tall until I was in high school. So, I know how much it sucks to be pushed around by big boy bullies. Of course, I joined the Marine Corps and vowed that I would never let a boy/man do that ever again. Maybe Calesta will do so too?

Henny, that lucky Penny!

Cursed With Gryffindor Bravery

"Now, you are forbidden from buying anything in here, but I wanted to show you Zonko's so that way you can see how much better my dad's shop is." Fred was pulling my towards the shop marked Zonko's. I laughed at his antics, "Serious, my dad's shop is much better."

"Isn't that James' middle name?" I gave him a wink.

"Smart arse." he mumbled through a smile. I laughed again.

We entered the shop. I felt my eyes widen at some of the pranks. My inner prankster was jumping up and down for joy. Something about sprinkling itching powder down someone's robes was entertaining. My inner Slytherin kicked in and I felt myself calm down. A devious feeling settled in my bones. Suddenly, itching powder did not feel big enough.

"So, your dad's shop has bigger and better things?" Fred nodded absentmindedly, "Awesome." my stomach tingled. Pranking sounded like fun.

"Come on. Honeydukes is calling my sweet tooth." he motioned me to follow him. I took one last look around and felt a small smirk grace my lips. School could be really fun.

As we exited, I heard some voices. I turned towards them and my pulse quickened. I felt Fred bump into my back. He cursed as he steadied himself.

"Calesta, what the hell?"

"Hugo." and I pointed to the scene.

Hugo, small and meek, was surrounded by big, burly students. Even being this many yards away, I could see his discomfort and fear. My blood began to boil.

"Bloody hell." Fred swore again.

"Go get Rose." I ordered. Fred shook his head.

"She would kill me if I left him alone." he started walking towards the small gathering.

"You're not. I will be with him." I grabbed his arm, "If she were in the joke shop, I could get her. I don't know her haunts, but you do. Go get Rose." I pushed him towards the street and started hurrying to help Hugo.

"...Hex you or just kick the crap out of you?" one of the bullies was saying. I made myself start running.

"Hugo!" I called out as I neared. All eyes snapped my way, "So glad I found you!" I pushed through the ring to stand in front of him. I had a smile on my face.

"W-why?" he stuttered. I fought hard to keep my face smiling. They had scared the piss out of him.

"Freddie said something about lunch." I turned around and pretended to notice the crowd for the first time, "Who are your friends?" my voice betrayed how I felt. My tone was ice cold.

"Not." Hugo tugged the hem of my sweater.

"'Ello beautiful." a greasy voice came from one of the ugly mugs. I crossed my arms in front of my chest.

"Hi." I replied. Slytherins, the lot of them, "Come one Hugo, let's find Freddie." I made to go towards the joke shop and found a body blocking my path.

"We aren't done with the shrimp." another annoying voice. I studied their faces. Most of them were sixth years.

"I'm pretty sure he doesn't want to hang out with you." my smile dropped. I felt Hugo gather more of my sweater in his fist.

"Calesta..." Hugo whimpered. I reached my left hand behind my back and held it open. His soft, cool hand intertwined with mine. He squeezed my bones hard, "We need to go." he whispered.

"I know, sweetheart." I tried to sound reassuring, but I was fairly angry. Why pick on someone smaller than you? I hate bullies, "Back up!" I growled at the semi-circle.

"Pattinson said you were a feisty one." I recognized a good. Verdammt! I hate goons, "That kick you gave him had him crooked for days." he wiggled his eyebrows at me suggestively.

"Disgusting." I snapped, "Pattinson and you are douchebags." I snarled. I saw a shift in everyone's stance. I offended them.

"Your mouth is too pretty to talk that way." the goon sneered. I scrunched my face in disgust.

"How about another then?" I narrowed my eyes, "Go the fuck away."

"So scary." he mocked. I clenched my fists. Hugo tugged my sweater.

"I know, I know." I murmured to him. Freddie, where are you?

"I'm done playing around. Let's kick the piss out of them and grab a few butterbeers." one of the idiots had a bored tone.

"Calesta?" Hugo whimpered. My heart broke at the helplessness of his voice. They were not going to touch a hair on his head. I must have a weakness for gingers.

I do believe I have a problem with acting rash, also. I turned back to the student blocking my path. Before anyone could agree with the plan to 'kick the piss out of us', I kicked him, hard, in the knee.

As he fell over, howling in pain, I pulled Hugo around me and pushed him towards the joke shop. I ripped my hand from his grasp.

"Run, Hugo!" I shouted. If I stayed behind, he would have more time.

His budding chaser reflexes kicked in and he sprinted away. I felt better knowing that he could get away. Great, I was cursed with Gryffindor bravery. Cunning did not get your ass kicked.

"Little snake bitch!" the one I had kicked hissed at me.

"So scary." I mocked.

I watched him stand up. He wobbled as he put pressure on his injured knee. A wave of satisfaction washed over me. My Slytherin came out in the form of a smirk.

"Leave Hugo alone." I said evenly, "He's done nothing except be twelve."

I felt fingers snake into my hair and grip a handful. A sharp tug had me on the ground, lying on my back. That was when the first kick hit me in the hip. I gasped in shock and pain.

The second kick caught my shoulder. That time I cried out. I rolled onto my side and curled into a tight ball. Yeah, bravery is a drag. Cunning had not gotten my ass kicked.

"Impedimenta!" a voice shouted.

The assault ceased. I, instead, heard a steady stream of hexes, jinxes and defensive spells. I stayed curled in my little ball in case a wayward foot tried to find my face.

Then I heard rushing feet, a lot of yelling and a bunch of swearing. I chanced a look and saw the older students retreat. I uncurled and sat up. I started rubbing my tender shoulder. I looked up into the faces of gingers.

"So, you guys cut that pretty close." I said lightly.

Stomp! Stomp! SMACK!

"You are an idiot!" Molly scolded me. Her slap burned my cheek.

"Molly!" James yelled.

"It's fine." I said quietly from the ground, "She's just worried about Hugo."

"Doesn't give her the right to hit people." James muttered.

"It helps her feel better." I continued to rub my shoulder, "I suppose your Aunt Hermione was about the same way."

"Mom and dad don't talk about when they were younger." Hugo replied quietly, "Thank you, Calesta." he held a hand out. I took it gratefully.

"I would say anytime, but honestly, my shoulder hates me." I wrapped my arms around his shoulders for a hug, "But you are welcome. And I am just glad you did get too terribly hurt."

"Not a scratch." he said with a smile. I mussed his hair.

I felt my entire body hit with a wall. That wall had chestnut curly hair. The wall was hugging me. I realized Rose was saying thank you, over and over again. Rose was squeezing the life out of me and my bruised shoulder. I gave a loud hiss of pain.

"Oh Merlin!" she yelled, "Calesta, I am so sorry!" she looked near tears.

"No, I imagine this is how you Aunt Hermione were like. Molly got the hitting from someone else." I looked at Rose, "Is alright. Just a bit of pain."

"Aunt Ginny and Grandmum Molly, her namesake." Freddie came over and pinched my cheek, "All right there, Prinzessin?"

"Sore, but alive." I shot a wink at him, "Ready? I think I remember something about a sweet tooth calling?"

"Still is. See you lot back at the castle." Freddie waved and I gave them all a smile.

"Thanks for the save." I gave a small wave.

"No more." James gave me a wink.

Fred led me to Honeydukes. I felt my own sweet tooth ache at the sight of the delicious sweets. Chocolates, licorice, caramels. Sugar quills, lemon drops, licorice whips, cauldron cakes. All I could think was how I would never have to worry about PMS again.

After we chose out bounty, we headed for the counter. I may or may not have bent Fred's fingers back when he tried to pay for my candies. He may or may not have glowered at me as we left the shop.

"Where do you get that kind of strength? You're so tiny!" Fred was flexing his fingers, trying to will the pain away. I took his hand into mine. I ignored his flinch and started massaging the sore digits.

"I just don't put limits on it. I'm rash, remember?" he glanced down at his fingers being rubbed by me.

"Oh, I remember." he mumbled.

"Don't forget, we need costumes!" I squeaked excitedly. Fred grinned.

"We are heading that way. Just keep massaging my fingers. It feels nice." I rolled my eyes, but acquiesced to his request. I did feel bad about bending them.

We continued in silence. I continued to rub Fred's fingers and he continued to lead me to this costume shop. I started to get feeling that his fingers were not sore anymore. My first clue was that a grin slowly spread across his lips.

"You're terrible." I dropped his hand.

"Hey, no sane boy will turn down the chance to hold a girl's hand." he winked at me.

"Incorrigible." I muttered.

"In every sense of the word, Prinzessin!" he laughed.

We walked up to the shop. He held the door open for me and I entered. My eyes brightened at all the beautiful and silly costumes. Fred chuckled at my wonderment. Glitter and fabric. Or sometimes, the lack thereof.

Then my eyes settled on a purple and black costume. And I knew that was mine.

"Gotcha!" I murmured.

Fred watched me carefully as I pulled the costume off the rack. He glanced over it and smirked.

"Really?"