Sarah Brenna's 'Broken' Jaw
Minnie made her way through the bookshelves of the library in her free period between Charms and Herbology. She was looking for a book on advanced love potions when she passed a shelf with a book that caught her eye.
A Wizard's Ultimate History Of Crime
by Lark Crawford
She loved mystery and crime stories, especially ones that had actually happened. This one seemed to be newer. She wondered what harm could come from taking a small break from her studies.
She sat herself down in a small nook before cracking open the cover. She was wholly intrigued by a story about how the dementors of Azkaban had come to be in the service of the Ministry. That was until she began to hear the slight sounds of smacking lips a bookshelf away.
She peaked through the shelf to see Warrington and Brenna completely intertwined.
She turned her head away, that fancy was certainly gone now. She felt very much like throwing up. She began to tidy her books and grab her bag, she'd rather be anywhere else.
"Come on Sarah, I can't be late for class." Warrington whispered to Brenna.
"It's just Herbology." Brenna insisted back. "Besides, I bet Professor Longbottom's tying one over so he won't mind if one of his students are missing."
"Tying one over?" Warrington chuckled.
"I heard he and Fyre were both drinking at the Hogshead INN. Jacklyn said so." Sarah Brenna's voice trailed through the shelves.
"How would Jacklyn know?" Warrington asked.
"Does it matter? They're still drunks."
"My parents aren't drunks." Minnie growled from behind the bookshelf.
"Oh really?" Brenna coughed as she peeked her head around the bookshelf to look Minnie in the eyes, "Listening in are we Longbottom? I hear you've got a knack for sneaking around."
Minnie felt trapped slightly as she mumbled, "I didn't mean to listen in."
"Well, I'd be ashamed if I were you." Brenna said with a roll of her eyes.
"I should be ashamed?" Minnie asked looking over Brenna.
"For listening to private conversations."
"It's the library, it's commonly meant for reading, which is what I was doing." Minnie said trying to remain steady in tone.
Warrington followed Brenna, crossing his arms as he leaned against the bookshelf. He chuckled a little but Minnie was quite convinced he was making fun of her.
"Oh, don't be so high and mighty" Brenna narrowed her eyes. "Besides, I wasn't wrong. Your parents are both drunks. Worst thing to ever happen to this school really."
Minnie felt her fist tighten.
"Drop it Sarah." Warrington harshly whispered.
"Why? Everyone knows her family is just pretending to be better than they actually are."
Minnie held her tongue's response.
"Your mum is a slag." Brenna exclaimed. "My mummy said so. She said your mum wouldn't deny it, instead she published the rumors in her own papers. The Dark Side of The Demob said she made more than a deal with the Minister of Magic to get that deal to bring your wash out of an Uncle home."
Minnie gritted her teeth.
"Then your dad was just desperate enough to marry her." Brenna kept going. "I heard he failed being an Auror so the only option he had was teaching. Of course he wanted to marry someone with a high status, it didn't matter if it was your mother."
"Sarah stop." Warrington's voice was louder.
"Why should you care Cas?" Brenna looked at him with both her eyebrows raised.
"Because none of that's true." Warrington insisted.
"They are trash. You yourself admitted yourself you think Longbottom's sister is the most obnoxious girl in school. At least Alice has good looks, when she shuts her dumb mouth of course."
Minnie began collecting her book. Brenna turned her attention back to Minnie.
"Unlike poor Minerva here."
Minnie said nothing, but felt a twinge in her hand. The room began to spin as Brenna's harsh words continued.
"Ugly name and ugly face. Ugliest girl in our year wouldn't you say?"
"I said stop it Sarah." Warrington warned.
"I mean, if she isn't ashamed of her family she should be ashamed of those ears." Brenna laughed haughtily. "And I wouldn't show my face in public if I were fat like you."
She hated her body as it was. She wasn't as slender as her sister, but no one had ever called her fat before. She hadn't really worried about it before, but suddenly she regretted ever eating beef stew.
Minnie stacked her books and began making her way past Brenna and Warrington.
"I wasn't done talking to you." Brenna said before shoving Minnie back into the shelf. Minnie's shoulders felt hot from Brenna's touch. "Dumb and ugly. I'm sure if you don't feel shame at your family, they feel shame at you."
Warrington tried to interrupt Brenna, "Don't tou-"
SMACK
It felt odd to have someone's cheek against her fist, but it was quick.
She had punched Brenna so hard that she was on the floor. A brief moment of silence passed. It was like the three people present couldn't believe it had happened.
Brenna's mouth opened quickly, a sheer terrifying scream emitting from her large obnoxious mouth.
Minnie was frozen in shock. Her hand was throbbing.
She had punched someone.
She had punched someone in the face.
Madame Hickory, the librarian rushed back to them. Her wild frizzy hair atop her head was askew and she seemed to be sweating as she asked, "What on earth happened here?"
"She punched me Madame Hickory." Brenna sneered looking up. She touched her cheek which was red and marked from where Minnie had hit.
Warrington took Brenna to the hospital wing. They'd left with Brenna wailing that it had to be broken.
Minnie was still numb as Madame Hickory drug her by the shoulder of her robes to the Transfiguration classroom.
"Merlin's pants." Her mother exclaimed as she stood up upon their entrance.
Duke flew over. Madame Hickory swat the air around him.
"Horrid little beast." Madame Hickory scolded.
"Leave Loretta alone Duke, she's not hurting Minerva." Minnie's mum scolded.
Madame Hickory pulled her shoulders back, "Samantha, Miss Longbottom was involved in an incident."
Duke wrapped himself around Minnie's hand, right above where a bruise was forming.
Her mother practically floated across the floor. "Are you alright Minerva?"
"She punched another student." Madam Hickory informed.
"Really?" Her mother briefly flashed a slight smile, but it disappeared as quickly as it appeared. "Who?"
"Miss Sarah Brenna." Madame Hickory said.
Minnie crossed her arm over her body.
"Did she give a reason?" Her mother asked.
"I never thought to ask." Madame Hickory rolled her eyes. "Your daughter assaulted another student. You are lucky I didn't handle the situation myself. I assumed since she is your child you should handle the situation."
"Well, honestly the head of her house should be handling it." Her mother raised her eyebrows.
Madame Hickory laughed haughtily, "Traditionally, but if the way your husband handles Miss Alice Longbottom is any indicator, one can only imagine he is not the disciplinarian in your home."
Her mother tilted her head before pressing her lips apart, "I would very much prefer if you didn't make assumptions about what happens in my home Loretta."
Madame Hickory put a hand to her heart and before she could protest further, Minnie's mum interrupted her.
"I'll handle Minerva. Please do me a favor, if Miss Brenna needs further medical attention let me know, I'll write her parents personally." Her mother put her hands on Minnie's shoulders.
After Madame Hickory was out of earshot, her mother looked over Minnie's face.
"Loretta has no integrity. She didn't get both sides of the story." Her mother softly smiled at Minnie. She led her over to her desk and had her sit down. "You alright Minerva?"
Minnie nodded.
"Your hand looks red baby." Her mother reached into her top drawer of her desk. She pulled out a cream. "Put some of this on. Mr. Weasley has always kept me in supply for bruises."
Minnie took the cream, it felt cool as it began to work.
"Why did you punch Miss Brenna?" Her mum asked after a moment of silence.
She decided not to tell her mum Brenna had pushed her. If Brenna got in trouble, she'd blame Minnie. "She was taking the mickey out of you and dad. She said some pretty horrible stuff."
"We can handle a few insults. Trust me, we've all heard worse." Her mum insisted with a small twinkle in her eyes, "Five points to Gryffindor for being honest though."
Minnie smirked, "Thanks mum."
"I'll see to it that Miss Brenna has a proper punishment if you'd like as well." Her mum's eyes tried to meet her's.
"No, she'd say I just ran to mummy." Minnie grimaced.
"You still have to do detention you know that right?" Her mum's smile dropped.
"I know."
"Next time someone insults your dad or I just ignore them please." Her mother winked. "You will have detention with your father next Wednesday evening. Help him harvest Puffapods or something."
Minnie smiled a bit, her mum was really letting her off easy, "Mum, Puffapods aren't in season for another month."
"Don't be a smartass or I'll give you real detention." Her mother smirked, "You know I'm rotten at Herbology. Your father's tried for decades."
The door to her mother's classroom burst open with an existential swing.
"Professor Fyre, it wasn't her fault!" Warrington yelled, practically sprinting across the room. "Sarah edged her on, and she pushed her."
"Did she?" Her mum pursed her lips, she motioned for him to take a seat "Tell me more Mr. Warrington."
Warrington gave a very detailed explanation of the event. He even had his notebook out with everything that had happened written down in exceptional detail.
He handed it to Minnie's mum.
Her mum looked over the notebook, "Well, Mr. Warrington, first of all, have you ever considered a career in journalism?"
His cheeks immediately turned red, "Really Professor?"
"I know good writing when I see it." Her mum handed the journal back to him with a sarcastic smirk, "I hope you are auditioning for the Gazette."
"I was considering it." His eyes dropped to the floor. "I wasn't sure because of dad's reputation."
Her mother waved her hand, "Good writing should speak for itself, anyone on the Gazette who turns you down would be a slave to outside bias. Which is against the Gazette's code. Auditions are next week and I fully encourage you to go for it."
"Thank you Professor." His eyes drifted to Minnie before he continued on his original mission, "Minnie won't be in trouble right?"
Her heart leapt out of her chest.
"Well, five points from Gryffindor unfortunately for not telling me the whole truth." Her mother raised her eyebrows at her. "But seeing as this was an act of defense and not born of malicious intent, I will dismiss Minerva's detention."
"Thank you Professor Fyre." Warrington nodded before standing.
"And ten points to Slytherin Mr. Warrington." Her mum looked between them. "For your gallantry."
Minnie's heart slammed into her throat, mostly out of shock.
"Before you go Mr. Warrington, do this poor old mum a favor, walk Minerva to the Great Hall." Her mum said making Minnie's heart sink. She pulled out a watch from her pocket. "There's no point in sending you both to Herbology now. Class is nearly over."
"That's not necessary mum." Minnie begged. She didn't want to walk with Warrington. Not with how confused she felt around him. She'd been fine facing her fancy the day before, but after this situation she felt conflicted.
"Of course it is." Her mum stated as her eyes drifted to her hands, "This was a semi traumatic event and like it or not, you are my daughter. I was around your age when it all started."
Her mum was referring to her Malediction, she had always worried Minnie or Alice would inherit it.
"Any shakes and she must be taken to the hospital wing." Her mum instructed before standing. "Now, off to dinner."
"Understood Professor." Warrington nodded respectfully.
Minnie stood and followed him down towards the Great Hall.
"Why'd you stand up for me?" Minnie asked breaking their silent walk.
"Because you-your family doesn't deserve how Sarah talks about you-your family." Warrington shook his head. "None of it's ever true."
Minnie wasn't sure how to respond.
"But Brenna's your girlfriend." Minnie exclaimed, "You should be with her."
"I got her to the hospital wing." Warrington laughed.
"Because I punched her."
"She pushed first, and whether she's my girlfriend or not, what she was saying was wrong." He said with a roll of his eyes. "You aren't dumb, you know that right?"
"I know." Minnie lied, she only had decent grades. She could have better ones.
"You are one of the only people in our grade who can brew advanced potions." He smiled, "It's Newt Level stuff you do. And I've seen your work in the Gazette, it's bloody good."
Minnie felt her ears go slightly warm. He'd really paid close attention to her. "Thanks."
"And you aren't-" He started but stopped a little, he coughed.
"Aren't what?" Minnie asked trepidatiously.
"Ugly." He coughed out as they made it to the Great Hall.
She wasn't sure if she should take that as a compliment. She wasn't even sure how to respond to that.
If she wasn't ugly then was he implying she was pretty? That wasn't a possibility in even the slightest. She wasn't pretty.
"Oh." She held her books closer to her, "Thanks for walking me back."
He nodded in response before making his way over to the Slytherin table. He sat beside a very frustrated looking Brenna who was crying upon Jacklyn Orpington's shoulder. Her cheek was completely red. Minnie avoided her gaze.
Minnie sat alone near the end of the table with her back to the Slytherin table.
Cody and Josie were obviously still at Herbology and Alice was probably still in Care of Magical Creatures. She tried desperately to try and make sense of what had all happened.
She looked over a tray of sandwiches. Roast beef and bratwurst were normally tempting to her, but at this moment the only words cascading through her mind were fat and ugly.
She couldn't eat now, not with Brenna's eyes glued to the back of her head. She decided instead to have a glass of pumpkin juice before making her way back to the common room.
She decided to just read the book she had been interrupted from.
"So I heard you punched Brenna in the face?" Cody asked sitting down beside Minnie. He had a trail behind him consisting of Lysander and Josie.
"How did you know that?" Minnie shrugged before closing her book.
"Hard to keep things like that at bay when Brenna's been waling in the Great Hall that you broke her jaw." Lysander said sitting at her feet.
Josie grabbed Minnie's cheek and kissed it. "I knew you were brilliant. Tell us everything"
"It's not a big deal really." Minnie said before wondering what kind of lipgloss Josie used. It smelled distinctly like cherries.
"You've gotta tell us!" Cody begged with his hands like a prayer. "In the most fantastical language you can muster Longbottom."
Minnie felt embarrassed as everyone in the Gryffindor common room began looking at her. "She pushed me, so I punched her." She was well aware of all the eyes upon her.
"That's not nearly enough juice Minnie!" Josie said before moving closer to her.
"That's all there is."