She watched with unmasked disdain, as the Gryffindor Princess strolled into the Great Hall, with a majestic phoenix perching on her shoulder, no less. She scowled, glaring down at her plate, and toying around with a piece of sausage, stabbing at it angrily, and plopping it into her mouth.
She gazed back at the know-it-all witch with disapproval shining in her eyes. Why did she have to come back, and ruin everything? Wasn't it enough that she was hailed as Britain's Prized War Heroine, and The Brightest Witch of Their Age? Did she really have to come back to parade around as a student, when she could have taken the Ministry's offer of accepting an honorary Hogwarts diploma?
The witch wearing Gryffindor colours snorted to herself. Of course, Granger would not be satisfied with something like that, she probably wanted to break the school records, and go down in history, as the most annoying swot in existence. How typical of her.
Her throat constricted, when she glanced at the tall redheaded wizard, who was sitting at the far end of the table, and her expression darkened, when she noticed that he was staring at the uppity muggleborn with interest, and an odd gleam of tenderness in his eyes.
Why on earth would George Weasley be interested in prim, proper, not to mention utterly plain Hermione Granger?
It made no bloody sense whatsoever. Granger was intelligent, yes, but while the gorgeous wizard was a mischievous prankster, she was all about rules and regulations, and she had such a 'smarter than thou' attitude, that Katie Bell was properly disgusted with her House mate. She despised Granger with a passion, and she was slightly ashamed to admit, that she was disappointed she did not die in the heat of the war.
She frowned at that thought, and vehemently tried to deny that she could ever wish death on someone, but she just could not help it. It was as if she suddenly had a singular focus of wishing harm on the muggleborn, and deep inside that troubled her, but it was not like she had control over her urge.
The reason she was back at Hogwarts was to complete her studies. Katie was a year older than the current Eighth Year students, but she went into hiding with her family, before the war had escalated. Thankfully she did not lose anyone she held dear to her heart, well..., apart from those, who were foolish enough to stay behind to die at the Death Eaters' hands.
"Are you feeling alright, Miss Bell?" Romilda Vane asked quietly, as she was concerned about the pretty witch she admired.
Bell blinked, and nodded curtly. "Of course." She replied.
Romilda hummed, and her eyes trailed the older witch's gaze, and landed upon Hermione Granger. She scowled. She disliked that witch, not because she was smart, but because she had such fine wizards for best friends. She was envious of her social standing, and her fame. Vane wanted to be more like Granger, however she only desired her best qualities. She certainly did not want that hair. Gross.
"I wish she did not come back..." She muttered under her breath, and Katie's eyes snapped to the younger lion, a cold smile curling her lips.
"Is that so?" She echoed. "That is something we have in common, Miss Vane." She whispered into her ear.
"I am not surprised." Romilda continued. "She is atrocious." She frowned. "I wish we could do something about this..." She sighed in frustration, as she was not exactly a master mind.
Katie smirked, and leaned in closer. "Perhaps we can do something." She confided in her. "How good is your spell-work, Miss Vane?" She inquired.
Her eyes widened. "I am fairly good with a wand, Miss Bell." She said smugly. "Why do you ask?"
Bell rolled her eyes inwardly at the obliviousness of the witch, and explained what she had in mind. Vane was enthusiastic about teaching the muggleborn a lesson, and they held a hushed conversation over their breakfast, and waited. When the Headmistress left for the High table, and the blonde Hufflepuff joined Granger's company, their plan became even clearer, thus they drew their wands in unison, and cast some hexes and curses at the first year.
Katie's eye widened, as Granger dived at the small girl, and protected her with her body, casting a powerful Shield Charm over her young charge. She became enraged, sending a Bone-Breaking Curse at her back, while Romilda lit her robes on fire.
They shared a satisfied smile between themselves, as their spells struck Granger, and she fell limp over the Hufflepuff.
Dumbledore's phoenix screeched in an otherworldly voice, that creeped Katie out, and it was like her insides had frozen in fear. She had absolutely no idea a phoenix could sound like that. Her stomach tied itself in knots, as the aftermath of their actions hit them.
Multiple Stunning Spells flew in their direction, which they were too slow to protect themselves from, and the last thing Katie heard, was George's enraged voice, as he yelled at her, before everything went black.
A/N: Well, this was hard to write, but hopefully you enjoyed reading it. We shall see about the fallout in the next chapter.
