23 Monday

Charms class had gotten back to learning non-verbal versions of spells. Noelle was just beginning to grasp how they were performed. It stood to reason that if she were able to master it for one spell, it should come naturally for the rest. Still, she imagined the teachers would continue to teach it for more and more spells regardless.

Non-verbal spells had many practical uses. The most notable she thought, was for dueling. It made it so your opponent couldn't easily prepare for your next attack since they wouldn't know what was coming. With her legilimency, Noelle wondered if she could even get a one-up on the enemy by reading their thoughts and plans.

As she walked between classes, Noelle heard a meow. Sidestepping, she stopped in an adjoining corridor and reached up to touch her hair clip. "What is it Salem?" He meowed again and she peeked around the corner, spotting several sixth-years picking on a third-year Hufflepuff in the courtyard. She sighed, knowing from experience the young girl's feelings, and walked up. "Hey, leave her alone. Don't you guys have classes to attend?"

They turned towards the newcomer, four of them in all, two girls, two boys. All Slytherin. Noelle realized her mistake. This meant they knew her, and her them. They also all went to the same place at the end of the day. At least she didn't share a room with any of them. She recognized the two boys as Crabbe and Goyle, and the girls as their girlfriends.

Goyle stepped up to her looking her up and down. "Well well Lestrange. If you'd prefer, we can turn our attention to you."

She wanted to back down at that point but she didn't, willing the Hufflepuff to escape while she stood her ground. "Do you people really have nothing better to do than pick on others? You're giving Slytherin a bad name. I guess this is what you resort to when Malfoy isn't around to give you orders." She was relieved when the Hufflepuff ran.

One of the girls stepped forwards, pulling her wand. "What was that?"

"You heard me." She pulled her own wand out behind her back. "All of you are spineless without your leader."

The other girl pulled her wand as well. "We don't follow anyone."

Crabbe spoke up now. "Is it true that you wear your cat around all day Lestrange? Can't stand to go anywhere by yourself?"

Goyle laughed. "Is it to help you cope with your mommy issues?"

Now Crabbe laughed in response. "I heard she got attacked by a plant in Professor Sprout's class, and then ejected from the lake by the giant squid!"

Her own temper flaring, Noelle knew she shouldn't take on the four of them. With any luck she would only manage to take out two before the others descended. As she watched, a crowd was gathering to watch.

"Listen, I don't want to fight you." And it was true, she didn't. She'd met with enough teachers during the first three weeks, that she didn't want to get in trouble.\

"Too late for that." Crabbe pulled his wand and he and the girl next to him pointed them at her, opening their mouths to cast a spell.

Moving quicker than the both of them, Noelle threw her arm forwards. "Expelliarmus!" Both of their wands flew from their hands. She could see the other two moving in and she hurried her attack against Crabbe and the girl. "Rictusempra!" Both of them doubled over in laughter, clutching their sides.

She turned to face the other two and saw that they both had their wands pointed at her but were looking past her. Slowly they lowered their arms and looked away in guilt. Noelle turned and saw Professor Dumbledore and Snape had cleared a way through the crowd and were watching. Noelle pocketed her wand and blushed. Now she'd done it.

Professor Snape stepped forwards. "Allow me to handle this headmaster."

Dumbledore put an arm out to stop him and walked forwards himself. "The four of you." He looked at all the contributors besides Noelle, two of which were still on the ground rolling. "Twenty points shall be taken from each of you for this unnecessary fighting. And should I hear that you bother either Ms. Lestrange, or Ms. Wyndam again, there will be larger consequences." Noelle knew that must be the Hufflepuff student she saw now peeking out from behind a pillar. She must have gone for the professors. Now he turned towards her and she winced, awaiting her punishment. "As for you Ms. Lestrange. For standing up for a fellow student, and not resorting to violence, but to a more peaceful method of resolving the conflict," he looked at Crabbe and the girl who were slowly getting control of their giggles, "Ninety points to Slytherin."

Noelle felt her jaw drop but she quickly closed it. "Thank you sir."

He nodded and motioned to Snape, who joined him at his side. "Severus, please make sure these students all get to class."

Severus gave Noelle a condescending look as he responded. "Yes Headmaster." He turned and begun ushering students from the courtyard.

Dumbledore remained by Noelle. "Which class do you have next?"

She blinked. "Herbology Professor."

He nodded and began walking. "Walk with me."

Noelle had heard that he often walked with Harry Potter and other prized students. Is that what she was all of a sudden during her sixth year? She couldn't imagine. And, though technically Slytherin had only gained ten points from that event, Noelle was surprised at the teaching moment. In doing so, Dumbledore had made an example of the other four by showing the punishment for fighting. She worried that now the bullies would come after her harder. Hopefully Dumbledore's warning stuck with them.

He put his hands behind his back. "I believe your lesson is on Snargaluff pods today if I remember correctly… I remember when I learned about them myself." He looked at her with a twinkle in his eyes. "Nearly had my arm taken off. Always approach that one with a partner."

Noelle smiled. "I'll keep that in mind." The herb shed had come into view.

"How are your lessons coming with Ms. Goldstein?"

"They're going well. We've been learning to read muggles."

He nodded. "Very good." He stopped just outside the shed. Students were passing and looking at them curiously. "Now be careful Ms. Lestrange. It's not just your unique name that makes you special, but your abilities as well. There are those who would be jealous of you or that would hurt you or your friends out of their own feelings of being small. Continue to stand up for what is right and never stop asking questions."

She looked back at the shed which was filling up with her classmates. "You mean at this school?" She turned back, but the professor had disappeared. "Dumbledore?" She peeked around the shed, but he was gone. She huffed. "I'd heard he does that, but really?"

People who would wish her harm? It was bad enough that the enemy was likely on the move, but even other students turning against one another? Noelle had trouble imagining such a world, but it was slowly becoming clearer and clearer.