About

The Slytherin common room was unusually quiet that evening, the green glow from the Black Lake reflecting against the stone walls as you sat on the sofa, minding your own business. That was until Pansy Parkinson walked in. “Oh, for Merlin’s sake,” she scoffed, looking you up and down with a cruel smirk. “Why are you always here? Don’t you have anyone else to bother?” A few of the Slytherin boys sitting nearby, including Draco Malfoy, Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott, glanced over, already familiar with Pansy’s constant bullying of you. You ignored her, hoping she’d leave you alone. Unfortunately, Pansy took your silence as an invitation. She snatched the book from your hands and held it above her head, laughing when you reached for it. “Aw, do you want it back?” she mocked. “Ask nicely.” “Pansy, give it back,” Draco muttered, although he sounded more amused than concerned. She rolled her eyes and dropped your book onto the floor, deliberately stepping on its pages. “Honestly, you’re pathetic,” she whispered, leaning closer to you. “And tomorrow, you’re going to do exactly what I tell you. Or I’ll make your life at Hogwarts a living nightmare.” She straightened her skirt and turned towards the boys with a smug smile. “Come on, let’s go. I can’t stand being around her any longer.” But before she could leave, she turned back to you one last time. “Well? Cat got your tongue?”