I added a little more to chapter seven before writing this, so it might be helpful to check that out for more context of this chapter. This chapter kind of gets the plot rolling a little bit more.
After plotting her revenge against Granger, it could be said that Cyn Winters was in a fantastic mood. It was something that she made no effort to hide, either. She was ecstatic! Primarily, because she was going to show that Granger girl that she wasn't the center of the universe, and because Blaise, Verity, and Draco were aiding her in her little plot. What was that plot, one might ask? Oh, it only involved some harmless pranking intermixed with psychological warfare. What better way to make Granger realize she wasn't amazing, than to destroy her psyche? The very thought of it made Cyn giddy.
However, it couldn't be quite as simple as it sounded. For one, Granger was constantly surrounded by Ron Weasley or Harry Potter, so the four Slytherins would have to proceed with caution. For another, Granger was such a teacher's pet, so if she could find proof that it had been the four of them, there was no doubt in Cyn's mind that she would go to a teacher. Thus, the best way for them to execute part of their plan was in Snape's class. Snape hated, no, loathed the Golden Trio so there would be no danger of Granger running to him because he'd dismiss any of her complaints. They were also Slytherins, which meant that up to a certain point, Snape would certainly overlook their actions. Especially, since they were going to torment one of his least favorite students.
Cyn figured that it was a win-win situation. For the Slytherins and Snape, at least.
"Would you quit acting so excited," Draco hissed at her side. "You're going to make everyone suspicious."
Cyn shot him a frosty look. "I'm sorry, I'm excited to prank her."
"I thought you were referring to it as psychological warfare," he raised his brows.
"Well, yes, it is, but if anyone was listening to our conversation we don't want them to hear that part, do we?" She hissed. "Honestly, Draco, I thought you were supposed to be smart."
"There is no reason to get snappy at me, Winters. Did you forget that I'm helping you," he growled back, silver eyes glittering irritably.
"Sorry."
He hummed doubtfully but didn't press the subject. Anxiously, Cyn's foot bounced underneath the table as Blaise walked into the classroom, shadowing the Golden Trio who had entered just a few moments prior. A warm hand clamped down on her knee, stopping her foot from continuously bouncing up and down, and Cyn's cheeks flushed a bright vibrant red, as her eyes traced the hand back to its owner, Draco Malfoy. He grinned at her, and she quickly looked away from him wishing that the color in her cheeks would quickly fade.
"Relax," he whispered, as the Golden Trio took their seats, save for Hermione who sat down, gasped and immediately stood back up as her hands flew to her backside.
Cyn snickered, grinning mischievously at Draco. "I am relaxed, whatever could you mean?" She mumbled, her eyes locking one more on Hermione who once more made a move to sit down before shooting straight back up.
Up at the front of the classroom, Snape was looking thoroughly irritated at Hermione's antics, and even more irritated at the whispers coming from everyone else in the classroom. "Miss Granger, would you please just sit down already. I'm sure your seat is just fine without you constantly testing it to make sure that it is 'just right'," Snape drawled.
Hermione's jaw dropped, and she looked scandalized before dropping down into the seat quite heavily, a blush staining her fair complexion. Cyn snickered, glancing at Draco and finding that he was just amused as she was. Though his amusement, was better hidden than hers. Sitting directly behind Hermione, was Blaise, and that was when the second phase of their little prank came into play. He was going to hex a piece of paper that he had slipped onto her chair and turn into a faux Howler of sorts. It was sure to send Granger into a tizzy, and would no doubt irritate Snape however Snape's irritation would be with Hermione, and if they were lucky he'd even ask her to leave class. Or better, assign her a detention!
Cyn wriggled in her chair and Draco sent her a stern look which immediately cause her to still and whisper an apology. Blaise turned around slightly in his desk to wink at both her and Draco, before facing Hermione and quickly flicking his wand. Immediately, thunderous yelling filled the room as a feminine voice yelled at Hermione for poor grades, poor attitude and behavior, and lectured her about treating people better and how the Muggle-born girl was not the "queen of the universe". That was just a little phrase that Cyn thought up, that she hoped would go nicely with the faux-Howler.
By the time the piece of paper exploded, after finishing a lengthy rant on Hermione's curly hair, the Muggle-born's cheeks were a bright scarlet and she couldn't bear to meet anyone's eyes. Cyn snickered, leaning against Draco a little as she fought to control her laughs as Snape strolled up to Hermione's desk, brimming with irritation.
"Dismissed, Granger. I have had enough of your outbursts," Snape drawled. He glanced at Potter and Weasley as they made a move to move after Hermione, who had practically run from the classroom. "Not, you two. You two, still have class."
Cyn covered her mouth, disguising her smile as Snape stalked back up to the front to begin their lesson. Well, that's Phase One complete, she thought. Now, onto Phase Two.
Phase Two, Cyn thought, was a smashing success. During lunch, Granger's goblet had exploded in her face, showering the Muggle-born with cranberry juice and accidentally ruining homework that the girl had been working on. Later, Verity had also tripped the girl as she was walking up the stairs, although no one else was around that could verify that. Blaise had used a jinx to make pimples appear on Hermione's face, and Draco and Cyn had feigned concern before sneakily planting another faux-Howler on Hermione which would eventually go off during Potions with Slughorn. As Cyn walked into the Great Hall for dinner, she felt nothing but euphoric despite the small part of her that cringed upon seeing Hermione's face as she sat between Potter and Weasley, crying. The youngest Weasley, Ginny, was sitting across from them trying to soothe Hermione but it didn't appear as if it was helping.
But Cyn also felt a vicious satisfaction, at seeing Hermione look so unsure of herself. It made her appear certainly less self-righteous and irritating, Cyn had reasoned with herself. Had the pranks been mean-spirited? Perhaps, but it wasn't like Granger was entirely undeserving of it. The little know-it-all, had gotten everything that she deserved even if a small, small, miniscule part of Cyn felt a little bad for making the Muggle-born cry. She pushed that small part to the side, ignoring it as she sat beside Draco who was laughing with Blaise and Verity as they had recounted the pranks that they had pulled on her when Cyn and Draco hadn't been around.
"Plan was a success," Draco informed her.
"I'm very aware of that," Cyn murmured. "Did you see her crying with Weasley and Potter?"
"With her face all scrunched up," Blaise crowed, snickering.
"She looks delightfully pathetic," Verity sniffed.
"She's a Muggle-born, what else can you expect?" Draco said viciously, sipping at his glass full of water. "They aren't exactly known for being graceful or tactful, but rather clumsy and moronic. Don't you think?"
"I don't think Granger quite fits into the moronic stereotype, unless it comes to anything over than academics," Cyn sniffed. Her eyes lazily roved around the Great Hall, before falling once more on Hermione who was staring at them, her brows wrinkled. "Someone's staring."
"I don't know why. It's not like we did anything," Verity lied.
Although, only Blaise, Cyn, and Draco knew that it was a lie. But because of how confident and snooty she appeared when she said it, too anyone watching it would have appeared as though Verity was telling the truth.
"She's inherently suspicious of us because we are pureblood Slytherins," Cyn muttered, resting her chin in her palm. "Little does she know that prejudice goes both ways." Draco glanced at her. "Slytherins are prejudiced against Gryffindors, but Gryffindors are prejudiced against Slytherins, for example. It goes both ways. She's not as righteous or redeemable as she thinks she is. At least we can own up to our own flaws, instead of portraying ourselves as perfect."
"What are you talking about? I am perfect," Blaise laughed, erasing the tension that had developed after Cyn's little spiel.
The four chatted easily amongst themselves, even with the weight of Granger's gaze on them. It was obvious to anyone looking that Granger believed that the four Slytherins had something to do with the misfortunes that had plagued her throughout the day, and she wasn't wrong but to an onlooker it looked silly an as if she was being prejudiced. There was nothing that even hinted at the fact that a Slytherin was involved, let alone the four Slytherins that she was blatantly staring at. Not that they would ever own up to what they had done to her; none of them were looking to getting in trouble with the faculty. Which was why they had made sure that nothing could be traced back to them.
Even if Granger was right, there was nothing she could do to prove it was them. For now, it was all just hearsay. Cyn tossed her dark hair over her shoulders as Blaise regaled them with a story about the Triwizard Tournament that Hogwarts had hosted when the two (two, being Blaise and Draco) were in their fourth year. Of course, by some stroke of luck or misfortune, Potter had somehow been allowed to take part. Because of course, nothing could ever be on a level playing field when it came to him.
"Too bad Cedric died," Cyn murmured, once Blaise had finished the story. "How do they know it wasn't Potter that killed him?"
"Because Potter walks on water," Draco scowled. "Haven't you heard? The Boy Who Lived can do no wrong." He pitched his voice lower, "It was You-Know-Who that had Diggory murdered. Potter and Dumbledore can attest to that."
"So can the Ministry," Blaise added, ignoring the dark look Draco shot his way.
Cyn hummed. "So there is irrevocable proof then that it was You-Know-Who."
"Seems like it," Draco murmured, suddenly seeming very uncooperative and unwilling to talk.
Cyn watched him with concern as he seemed to shut down, only picking at his food and not contributing to any of the conversations that Verity and Blaise tried to draw him into. With a huff, Draco pushed his plate of food away from him a scowl etched on his aristocratic features. Cyn watched him worriedly.
What's going on with him, she wondered. Does it have something to do with You-Know-Who?
