For
100 Word Prompt Challenge (rescue)
"Gonna cry, little Crouch?"
"Look at the little firstie. Look at his lip quiver!"
You tell yourself you can ignore it. It isn't your business. You and the Crouch boy had shared a compartment on the train, but that is it. He is nothing to you.
And yet…
The taunts grow louder. You hear the distinct sound of someone being shoved and you know that Barty, as gentle as he is, is not the victim.
With a sigh, you round the corridor. Three boys, all in silver and emerald, surround Barty who has fallen to the floor. You know their faces but not their names.
"Haven't you lot got anything better to do than to torment so poor boy?" you drawl, approaching them.
One of the older boys round on you. "Defending him, Black? I heard his father lead the raid on your uncle's house last spring."
"He isn't his father," you say simply, pushing past the small group and helping Barty to his feet. "Leave him alone, or you will have to answer not only to me, but to my cousins as well."
"We aren't afraid of-"
"Bellatrix, included."
That's enough to shut them up. "Let's go," one says, and his friends follow behind him.
"You didn't have to rescue me," Barty huffs. "I was doing fine on my own."
You snort. "What were you planning to do down there? Bite their ankles?"
You watch the pink creep into his cheeks. He looks away. "Thank you. I guess you should go now, huh?"
"Actually, I was on my way to the library," you explain. "I wouldn't mind some company. You're amazing at Transfiguration, I hear, and well, I'm not doing so great."
He turns to face you again, a small smile on his lips. You offer him your hand, and you can't explain why you are so happy when he accepts it.