The Fuck Ass Bob
The Gryffindor table in the Great Hall was buzzing with excitement as students chattered about the upcoming holidays. The warm glow of the floating candles, accompanied by the silent snowfall outside, made everything feel festive as Vi sat with Caitlyn, Mylo, and Claggor per usual. Across from them, a group of third-years were talking animatedly about heading home for Christmas, their voices carrying over the usual hum of the common room.
“I can’t wait to get back,” one of them said. “Mum always makes the best roast dinner. And my gran knits everyone socks.”
“Yeah, my parents are taking us skiing in the Alps,” another added.
Vi barely paid attention, but she felt Caitlyn shift beside her, just slightly. Before she could ask why, she heard Maddie Nolen’s voice, sharp and condescending as ever, carrying from the entrance to the Great Hall.
“Well, well,” Maddie said as she strolled in, flanked by her usual Slytherin entourage. “I just overheard McGonagall saying the list of students staying at Hogwarts this Christmas is finalized.”
Vi tensed, already knowing where this was going.
Maddie’s eyes flicked to them, a slow smirk spreading across her face. “And what do you know? Kiramman and Lanes, both on the list.” She tilted her head in mock curiosity. “What happened? Your parents didn’t want you home?”
Vi rolled her shoulders, ready to fire something snarky back, but before she could, she caught Caitlyn’s expression.
Her face had fallen—just for a second. Her normally composed features had faltered, her fingers tightening slightly around the spine of her book. It was the barest shift, so quick that Vi might have missed it if she hadn’t been sitting so close.
Something twisted in Vi’s stomach.
She had no idea why Caitlyn reacted like that, but she wasn’t about to let Maddie keep talking.
Vi leaned forward, resting her arms on her knees as she flashed Maddie an easy smirk. “Wow, Nolen. You must be real bored if you’re this invested in other people’s plans. What, nothing better to do than poke your ugly little nose into our business?”
Maddie’s smirk wavered for half a second before she scoffed. “Just making an observation.”
Vi shrugged. “Well, here’s mine—seems like you’re a little too obsessed with me and Cait, don’t you think?” She raised an eyebrow. “What’s wrong, Nolen? You upset we didn’t invite you to spend Christmas with us?”
A few Gryffindors nearby snickered, and Maddie’s cheeks tinged red.
“I wouldn’t be caught dead spending the holidays with you two,” Maddie snapped.
Vi grinned. “Good. Then we’re all happy. Now, take your fuck-ass bob and go to your own table.”
Maddie narrowed her eyes and her cheeks flushed. She didn’t press the issue in front of the teachers. With a final huff, she turned and stalked away, her entourage trailing after her.
Vi exhaled, fully expecting Caitlyn to scold her for picking a fight. But Caitlyn just sat there, quiet.
Vi glanced at her, still thinking about the way her face had fallen when Maddie had mentioned parents. The words sat at the tip of her tongue—Hey, you alright? or What was that about?—but something stopped her.
Caitlyn had already smoothed her expression out again, as if nothing had happened.
Vi made a split-second decision. She wasn’t going to ask. If Caitlyn wanted to tell her, she would.
Instead, Vi nudged her shoulder lightly. “Well, I don’t know about you, but I say we make sure this Christmas is a damn good one.”
Caitlyn hesitated for a second before giving Vi a small, grateful smile. “Yeah,” she said softly. “I think so too.”