Surprising The Bully Girl

Avoiding Merula for the majority of the day had been particularly hard. She wasn't the easiest person to stay away from if she wanted to find you, and today of all days it seemed as if she was extraordinarily nasty. Even people that she normally avoided herself were giving you empathetic glances as they passed you in the halls. Nobody was envious of your position.

Reaching down in to your pocket as you walked you stopped in your tracks. It was empty. That was... wrong. Sparing a quick glance over your shoulder to make sure the ill-tempered girl wasn't trailing behind you, you cursed under your breath and hurried back the way you came -- pace increasing to a hurried jog. Each step you took caused your heart to sink lower and lower, until it felt as if it was sitting at the pit of your stomach. Pushing through the crowds you rushed through the Slytherin common room and up to the boys dormitories, throwing open the door and clearing the room in a few bounding strides.

Tearing open the lid to the familiar brown trunk at the end of your bed you reach in and dug. Feeling your way through assorted items -- books, robes, and other useless junk -- your fingertips pressed against a rough, wooden box. It was as if the weight of the world was lifted off your shoulders, and your heartbeat returned to normal. A heavy, heaving sigh slipped past your lips as you lifted the small, rectangular box out and slipped it in to your pocket, muttering under your breath.

Getting out of the common room wasn't as easy as getting in. As you stepped out of the boys dorm and in to the open room you froze. Standing near the doorway, arms crossed over her chest and speaking to one of the other Slytherin boys was Merula. The very last person you had wanted to see. Carefully creeping across the floor doing your best not to be noticed you approached a smaller group of girls.

"Hey, could one of you do me a favour?" You asked. The three of them turned at the sound of your voice.

"What'cha need?"

"I need you to get Merula out of the way so I can get by. Preferably without her seeing me, or knowing I was here." That raised a few eyebrows, and caused them to turn their heads towards the entrance. "Please? Just distract her for a moment or two, and then tell her she's needed at the Potions room. Stall for like, five minutes, if you can."

The three of them glanced at one another in turn before, thankfully, nodding their heads in agreement. Clapping one of them on the shoulders you nearly hugged her in thanks, before ducking down behind the nearby couch. Just in time, too, as they immediately moved and called out.

"Merula! Can you come here for a second?"

Taking the opportunity give you didn't waste a second of the precious time they had given you. The instant there was a path clear you took off like a bullet, streaking through the common room and out in to the castle halls. So much for having your heartbeat return to normal. Whether she stuck around to talk to them, or turned back and left right away after giving the girls some kind of snarky remark as she usually would, you didn't wait to see.

Striding down the hall at a brisk pace it didn't take very long for the Potions classroom to come in to view. Trying your luck on the door you gave the handle a quick tug. It came loose; the door swinging open just as you let out another heavy breath of relief, and stuck your head in. Empty. So far, so good -- everything was going according to plan.

Heading over to Professor Snape's desk you tore open the top drawer. Reaching in to your back pocket you pulled out a small pouch and dropped it in before snapping the drawer shut once again. Snape hadn't told you what it was, only that he needed it, and you were more than happy to pay the price it took to get it. A months worth of extra projects in Charms.

Whisking your wand out of your pocket you got to work. Repeating incantations you had spent many a sleepless night memorizing, flicking your wrist, swishing it this way and that; transforming the room from a boring Potions class that could sap the happiness from anybody, in to a slightly-less-dreary room filled with a few candles, a balloon here and there, and a few small green cupcake on a plate. Last, but certainly not least, you pulled that small, rectangular box from your pocket and gave the final flick of your wand. Wrapping it in a bright silver and deep green bow.

"Merula had better appreciate this."

"Appreciate WHAT?"

You nearly jumped out of your robes at the sound of her voice. Stuffing your wand away and spinning around, clasping your hands around the box and holding your arms behind your back.

"They told me I was needed here, so I assumed it was the Professor. What are YOU doing here? Do you have any idea how long I've been looking for you, you bumbling idiot?" She said, her voice dripping with fury. "Flitwick asked us both to carry those papers to McGonagall's office. You DITCHED me, and made me do it myself! Don't pretend you didn't, I saw you slip tha-"

She cut off mid sentence, finally noticing the balloons and candles. The seething anger littering her face slowly vanished, replaced by a confused, perplexed look. Those bushy eyebrows of hers narrowed, and her bright, pink eyes flicked around the room before settling back on you. You, and that stupid, smug grin you held on your face.

"...What?"

Finding your courage you stepped forward. Hands slipped from behind your back, small box still clutched tightly between your fingers as you stopped in front of the smaller girl. Holding out the box in front of you you nodded your head towards her and pressed it in to her hand. Her head slowly lowered, gaze turning from your face to the box. For what seemed like an eternity she didn't make a sound; only staring down at her hands. Rolling the box around in her fingers she tugged at the bow and popped it open. Her fingers reached in, grasping a thin chain. Pulling it up in front of her face she raised it high -- a small necklace with a heart on the end. Green and silver; the colours of the house she was so proud of being in.

"Wha-" She started, cutting off with a slight sob, raising her eyes to look up in to yours. You could see the faintest hint of tears forming in the corner of her eyes. Without missing a beat your arms were around her shoulders, pulling the confused, happy girl in to a hug.

"Happy birthday, Merula."