So after my little adventure with those older idiots, a few changes happened within the castle for me. First is that a lot of those who Flint and his followers had bullied now look at me with some admiration in their eyes, I mean no one likes a bully, but everyone loves someone who stops him. Second is the fact that pretty much the whole of Slytherin house has decided to hate me, I think Snape really pushed for that one. But the only result was a lot of people hit by hexes or jinxes I reflected back at them and that when I try to help in class they continually try to sabotage or make me look bad, which just doesn't work considering I'm constantly under the gaze of the Professors and other students. Third is something which Christian and James both hate me for and tease me about constantly, that being girls started to look at me like a piece of meat and they are the hunters, so I'm just constantly hiding. And lastly, I've had a boom in numbers for the exchange, with more students coming for help and older one realizing they can use the place to discuss with their peers, no matter the house or year, and help younger ones in their spare time, while also asking for help without judgment. I made this place to focus on the improvement of everyone, bullying and harassment will lead to temporary ban or if the case is too severe the person will be banned permanently. I've also had to add a clause saying that if you aren't here to improve or help others you had to leave, because girls kept trying to sneak in and just stare at me. Got a lot of dark stares from the guys till I added that rule.
On the whole, I believe I've been a major beneficiary of the event. Funnily enough, because Tonks knows about the fact that I'm ahead of 7th years by far in pretty much every subject, she was the first senior to ask for help in the room, and that's what made the older students acknowledge my academic abilities as well. I was now being called the freaking Silver Raven because of my old nickname of Silver Star by the girls and my knowledge as a Ravenclaw. I got teased to high heaven by my friends for this one and I think it was revenge for when I help them practice their hands-on skills.
With all this happening, my reputation in the castle was simply exploding upwards in the eyes of pretty much everyone except one very angry house, some more jealous students, and one apprehensive headmaster. But the rest of the professors were thrilled at the trend in increasing grades and the fact that three of the houses were having more exchanges between each other.
But. There seemed to be one girl in the third year who was getting worse and worse in grades and emotional state.
My self proclaimed rival from first year had started stagnating in second year for some reason, but since the start of our Third year she's been literally depressed. Every time I saw Victoria she now had a dark expression on her face, with reddened eyes showing we had probably cried recently. She's been avoiding the Great Hall and even skipped the Halloween feast. I don't particularly have a good opinion of the girl, but it's not bad either. I mean even with her Death Eater father she still has never bullied or insulted muggle-borns, she simply showed some rejection on her face, and she was just trying to be number one through hard work, not sabotaging. Seeing her slowly break down was not pleasant, but I don't know the girl well enough to really interfere and I don't want to make the prideful girl break by showing pity.
But well, let's just say my attitude towards the problem changed very quickly when it was almost the winter holidays.
I was on my way back from cleaning and locking up the exchange for the break after a little celebration for the holidays with those who'd wish to come. It was a nice little thing. I got the castles elves to makes some Christmas themes food in the shape of snowmen, snowflakes, pine trees, etc. Decorated it a bit like how the Great hall was for the Yule ball scene in the movies and just had a few fun competitions like the best Ice transfiguration, who could make a small statue sing/dance the best, or just who can destroy a dummy the best. I think it was quite successful.
Feeling happy, me and my friends decided to walk around the snow covered grounds. Gives a different feel then the rest of the year, for a lack of a better word, it feels more magical seeing the white blanket cover everything.
Suddenly as we neared the Black Lake, we heard some voices. Looking over, we spotted a group of students, dragging another one kicking and screaming. We looked at each other and started to run in their direction.
By the time we got close enough to see what was happening in detail, they had thrown the student into the lake and were shooting spells to stop her from being able to get out.
"Ha! You think you're so great Travers? You think you can be better than the Star? Well, how about now?" I could hear one of the bullying girls taunt, what we could now see was Victoria.
"Make her learn her lesson. She is nothing. She's not better than any of us." Sneered another.
All three of us froze when we saw a mix of Ravenclaw and Gryffindor girls doing something so mean to another.
With a quick look we all knew what had to be done. With my tutoring and constant training, Christian has gotten quite good at using silent casting and had a knack for the art of plant magic. He was in charge of getting Victoria out of the lake by manipulating the aquatic plants. James was going to be with me to immobilize the rest of them, since with him following my lead, he's also far ahead of others in the areas of Charms and Transfiguration. So we just casted Incarcerous at the lot of them.
With some surprised yells at being suddenly tied up and falling they start to curse.
"What Slimy Snake doesn't have the guts to take us on?!" Yelled one of the lion girls.
"Which bastard wants to support that little bitch!?" Screeched one of the claws.
"You want to take this one o mighty Silver Raven." Asked Christian jokingly, while glaring at the bullies.
"Yeah i got this. James can you dry her and bring her to the infirmary?" I ask my charm proficient friend as I turn my attention to the girls. "Madam Pomfrey should be at the feast, but I won't be long and should be able to take care of it."
"You do that, we'll get her there safe and sound. She needs to get out of the cold after being in the lake for that long." Agreed James.
They left me with this group of bullies as they took Victoria away.
I step in front of them and look at them with a cold face.
"You know... I hate bullies." I start with a little pause. I see their faces drop when they hear how cold my voice is compared to my gentle and calm tone when I'm helping others or my happy and energetic one when I'm explaining something I find interesting.
"But this was for you!" Yelled out one of my house members.
"That snake can't be allowed to reach you!" Explained another.
"I have never requested anything from anyone. I abhor this type of behavior." I reply with anger in my voice, shutting them all up.
"You will be permanently banned from the exchange. I will notify Professors McGonagall, Flitwick and Snape of what happened, they will decide the punishment for such acts. I believe your group has also been responsible for some of the changes Victoria has been through over the last year and a half as well, this will also have to be considered." I announce my verdict to the girls.
"You can't do that!" Now said a raven, feeling both scared and nervous.
"I can and will. My exchange was made on the principle of helping each other no matter the house and ability. I've clearly stated that participants are to never bully others or discriminate, and you have shown a disgusting level in both. As for telling teachers, you are lucky I'm not helping Victoria charge you with actual crimes. You've all committed horrible acts of harassment against a single girl who was trying her best without harming others." I reply with a glare.
With a wave of my wand I clear the snow around the fallen students, conjure a fire to keep them warm and then take my leave with them begging for forgiveness from me.
I walked on without looking back at them and headed to the infirmary where my two friends were waiting for me. Victoria seemed to have lost consciousness which is both good and bad. It lets me treat her with no issues, but it means her body was at her limit and her mind had been put under incredible stress for a long time.
"Sigh. Can you two go get the heads of house except for Professor Sprout, since it involves all houses but hers? Madam Pomfrey also needs to be notified. They should all be at the feast. Sorry for the running around." I asked apologetically to my friends.
"It's no problem mate, you're the only one who knows anything about healing. You stay with her." Answered Christian, understanding the situation well, with James nodding besides him.
They both ran out and headed to the Great Hall.
Meanwhile I used a few diagnostic charms on Victoria, it was disheartening seeing the results. She was quite underweight for a girl her age. Scrapes, cuts and bruises were all over her body, but I'm not sure if that's the bullying or if she is in an abusive home. I've actually found a few bones with traces of being improperly mended. Her body itself is running on empty. And if I understand her psychological state properly, she's getting close to the point where one would actually contemplate committing suicide due to constant harassment, bullying, possible abuse, pressure from the self and exterior, and no support from anywhere.
'She needs help. I can't turn my eyes away from this anymore. Whether she likes it or not, I will help her.' I thought with determination.