Sorry for the late update! It's been hectic around here.
DISCLAIMER: I DON'T own Harry Potter, which is a shame.
After their lunch, the four elementals headed to the library, settling down at a table near the back. Maya immediately left to scour the shelves for books on wandless magic. She was too busy thumbing the pages of a book to notice a certain black-haired boy approaching her.
"Longbottom"
"Potter." Maya greeted without looking up as she continued to browse the pages. Harry shifted from one foot to another awkwardly.
"I just wanted to say…Er…sorry. I shouldn't have gotten angry with you about the ferret-"
"Don't call him that."
"Fine. I should have yelled at you because of Malfoy, and I should've listened to you before making assumptions. I should have apologized earlier and…yea. Sorry." Harry finished lamely. Maya hummed thoughtfully and continued reading her book as Harry watched her impatiently.
"Well?"
Maya finally looked up. "Very well Potter." She said before going back to her book. A few seconds later she looked up again.
"What? Did someone stick you there with a spell? Go away Potter, I'm trying to concentrate." Maya said, dismissing him with a wave of her hand but he stood his ground, trying to process her actions.
"I apologized."
"Yes"
"Well?" Harry demanded. "Say something!" Maya just looked at him incredulously.
"Did you really think I would greet you with open arms when you come running back to me? After all you've said and done?" She asked incredulously, shaking her head when Harry fumbled with his words.
"Well…Er…"
"You've been spending too much time with Weasel Potter. Do me a favor and leave me, Draco, Ginny and Blaise alone. I don't care who you choose to hang out with and when you do your work and when you study for your exams anymore, I'm done with that. I'm done with having to help you with everything." She said tiredly, finally glancing up at Harry for more than a second. Harry saw the exhaustion behind her eyes. Losing himself in the chocolate orbs of his former best friend, he found himself surrounded by memories of them in trouble and in the war.
"Don't you get it Potter? I said I'm done. You are my past – you mean nothing to me now." She snapped, sending Harry reeling from shock.
"Who are you and what have you done with Hermione Granger?" He whispered as Maya barked out a short laugh.
"Don't you get it Potter? Hermione Granger never existed. There was only Maya Longbottom. I'm done with being used. I'm done with being turned to as a second option. I'm done with being called a mudblood and inferior. I'm done" She snapped the book shut and placed it back on the shelf, selecting another two. She stared into the familiar green eyes whose owner she had loved like a brother. But not anymore. Sighing, she tried a different tactic as the boy blinked owlishly at her.
"I've found a long-lost brother, the love of my life, two best friends that I know will stick by me through thick and thin and I've made new friends along the way. At what cost? 2 of my closest friends that abandoned me when I did something they didn't like." Harry flinched, but she continued.
"I've been able to study with people who think like me, who are happy to debate things with me. You and Ron ditched me. Why? Because I became Maya Longbottom and made decisions you didn't like." Softening her voice, she looked up and Harry.
"I've changed Harry, and I think it's for the better. Ronald may disagree, but he's entitled to his opinion. You are too. But Harry, I've never been so happy in my life! I've changed Harry, and so should you." She told him before hugging him.
"When we first became friends I thought my life was fantastic. We've stuck together through pretty turbulent times Harry, and I won't forget that." She told him honestly. "I never thought I would make friends with people who actually liked me! I loved you like a brother Harry, but our friendship will never be the same, no matter how hard you wish for it to be. I hope we can still be friends. It's been nice talking to you." She called softly as she left.
Harry stared into the sky, thinking hard as he watched the Giant squid splash a few little Hufflepuffs with water. His apology had not gone like he imagined it would go, but as he thought about it, he realized it had been a stupid fantasy. After all he had said and done to Maya, he thought he deserved the verbal thrashing she had given him. He had been stupid. He recalled the happiness shining through her eyes and the way her eyes lit up when talking about Draco and Blaise. As long as she was happy he was happy. He knew it. If he couldn't give happiness to her anymore, he would happily place her in the hands of people that could. He could live with that. "I've changed Harry, and so should you." Her words to him echoed in his head. He got up, brushing dirt of his pants. It was time to finally listen to his former best friend's advice. There's no time like the present.
The figure appeared with a POP, gulping nervously before entering the hall. He looked around – all of the others were not here yet.
"Hello Moonlight. How goes your plan?" Moonlight swallowed nervously as he dropped on one knee
"Not well my lord. The mudblood has recovered and-"
"CRUCIO!" Moonlight kept it all in, swallowing the pain until the third round of torture, where he started to scream as his nerves burnt and withered away, arms and legs flailing as he screamed. The leader smiled.
"I'm sorry Moonlight, but you failed, and for that you must be punished" He stated bluntly as Moonlight got up shakily.
"I... I understand." Moonlight said, gripping the table for support as his knees buckled.
"Go Moonlight and find more information on everyone who is of importance. You have learnt your lesson."
"Thank you my lord" The spy said as he staggered to the exit, twitching occasionally.
"Oh, and Moonlight? Make sure no one knows who you are."
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