"The filthiest group in all of Slytherin. A mudblood, a halfblood, and a blood traitor. And you're with them too, Rosier? I wonder what your mother would have to say about that?"
Charlotte visibly flinched at Malfoy's words, but made no move to reply or respond in any way, while Tracey launched insults back at Malfoy (the girl was unsurprisingly proficient at riling the blonde boy up), while Zabini looked unbothered as always.
I probably don't need to get involved, Blake thought. I could easily walk away. But Blake remembered the look on Charlotte's face, and her body language at Malfoy's words. Her mother's definitely a blood supremacist. And she's still choosing to be friendly with us over them? A strong feeling swelled in Blake's chest for Charlotte, similar to the one he got whenever Connor did something that made him proud.
If I did something, would that make it better or worse for her? No - Malfoy's a coward, he always hides behind Crabbe and Goyle because he can't defend himself. He would definitely snitch on Charlotte to her mum somehow if I don't do anything, but also if I explicitly tell him not to - the best chance of him not snitching on Charlotte is if his anger is directed enough to someone else.
Blake looked around - a crowd of students of varying ages and different houses had gathered to see Malfoy and Tracey hurling profanities and insults at each other. For a second, Blake thought he saw Snape, but in the next instant, he vanished. The Professor's words echoed in his mind. "I cannot, and will not, show you any support." Blake thought about what would happen if he didn't get involved - people would think him a pushover, yes, but they'd also likely forget about the whole incident later. After all, it was only the first day. But I have an opportunity here, Blake thought.
If I can beat Malfoy here, I'd gain favour from Tracey and Charlotte, probably even Zabini too, and all the other houses - no one needs to tell me they all hate him, and they're probably wary of me too right now, considering I'm the only muggleborn in Slytherin history. But I'd be painting an even bigger target on my back, from Malfoy and his dad, but also the supremacists in the older years. Is the trade off worth it?
While his mind raced, Blake looked around the crowd again - Harry was there, and Ron too. He'll definitely want me to do something, especially after the train situation. If I don't, he'll think I'm a coward, and I have a feeling the Boy-Who-Lived will be a useful ally and friend to have in the future. But still, is it worth it?
I don't know…
But then, Blake remembered the promise he had made himself, right after the first time he had met Malfoy, and the one he had reaffirmed less than an hour ago.
'I won't let Malfoy disrespect me a second time. I'll make him regret that.'
Blake made up his mind.
If I deal with him now, I shouldn't have to deal with him again for a long time.
I'll go straight for Expelliarmus - I'm not taking any chance of losing in front of this many people, he thought, taking a step forward. But before that…
"I think that's enough, Malfoy," he said coldly.
Tracey stopped her insults, as did Malfoy, whose sneer turned into an expression of glee. He thinks this is going to be easy, Blake seethed internally.
"What did you say, mudblood?" Malfoy responded with venom dripping from his voice, drawing his wand, and his 2 goons mirrored his actions.
Blake, expecting it, drew his wand too, quicker than Malfoy could get a spell off, wiping Malfoy's glee off his face for a second.
"Ready when you are," Blake said coolly.
"Don't get involved," Malfoy hissed at Crabbe and Goyle, before shouting his spell.
"Locomotor Mortis!"
The intent is there, but his wand-work is slow and clumsy, and the spell's magical power is weak.
Blake easily sidestepped the jinx, and before Malfoy could react in time, sent his own spell at him.
"Expelliarmus!"
Perfect. The spell hit Malfoy's wand hand squarely, knocking the wand clean out his hand. But Blake wasn't finished. He remembered the anger he had felt at Malfoy's words earlier, his rudeness to Zabini and Tracey, and his threat to Charlotte.
I said I would make him regret it. I'm not taking any chances.
"Locomotor Mortis!"
The leg lock jinx hit Malfoy right on the left knee, and just as it was meant to, Malfoy fell to the ground, his legs thoroughly locked.
"By the way, Draco, in case Daddy didn't teach you, that's how you use the leg lock jinx," Blake said, his voice dripping with the same venom as Malfoy's so often did, as the crowd burst out laughing.
"What in Merlin's name are you doing, you idiots? Get him!" Malfoy shrieked at Crabbe and Goyle, who dumbly said, "Oh." before slowly moving their wands. Stupid oafs, Blake thought, before sending trip jinxes at both of them, leaving them on the floor, much to the crowd's amusement.
"Well done, Blake!" Tracey said, laughing louder than anyone else there. "I didn't know you had it in you!" Blake smiled at her, before turning to Charlotte.
"Are you okay?" he asked her gently. Charlotte gave him a big grin, and nodded. That's why she reminds me of Connor, Blake thought. They have the exact same smile. Finally, Blake turned to Zabini, who looked at him with an unreadable expression, before opening his mouth to speak.
"What's going on over here?" a Scottish woman's voice said sternly, as the crowd rapidly dispersed. Yeah, I really don't want to face McGonagall right now, Blake thought. The rest of the group also seemed to have the same thought, as they simultaneously rushed away from the scene to the Great Hall for lunch, leaving Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle, who had only just recovered from their jinxes, to face the full wrath of the Head of Gryffindor. I wonder if he's going to snitch, pondered Blake as he dug into some lovely pudding he had decided he'd earned himself at the lunch table.
/
Meanwhile, a girl with icy blue eyes and blonde hair finally emerged from behind a pillar into the empty hallway after McGonagall had reprimanded her foolish housemates sufficiently, and sent them on their way.
Blake Renshaw. Tracey tells me she likes you. I thought you were intelligent, but you already have a lot of enemies, and it seems like you want to make more. I don't know what to make of you.
You could be useful in the future for it, yes. You're not half-bad at the subjects I need either. But I have the feeling you'll get in my way, and I hope for your sake you don't.
I know what I have to do, and I won't let anyone - prodigy or not - slow me down.
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