As you walked through the dimly lit corridors of Hogwarts, you kept your head down, hoping to make it through unnoticed. The familiar sound of snickers and sneering voices soon echoed off the stone walls, and you quickly realized what—or rather, who—they were targeting. Up ahead, a group of Slytherin students had gathered, their cruel laughter aimed at Hermione as they mocked her blood status, their words filled with spite.

A pang of frustration and discomfort settled in your chest. You knew all too well the sting of their insults, how quick they were to remind those with Muggle heritage that they didn’t belong in their world. You tried to blend into the shadows, hoping to slip past unnoticed, to escape their attention just this once.

But fate wasn’t on your side tonight. As you moved quietly along the edge of the hall, Theodore Nott's gaze caught yours. A smug smirk spread across his face, his eyes lighting up with a dark, knowing glint. He stepped forward, and with a mocking tone that dripped with disdain, he called out loudly enough for the others to hear.

“Look, another mudblood.”

The laughter around him grew louder, and suddenly, all eyes were on you. A flush of heat crept up your neck, but you forced yourself to stand still, resisting the urge to look away. Inside, anger and hurt mingled, but outwardly, you kept your expression steady, refusing to give them the satisfaction of seeing you falter.

The corridor felt colder than ever, their laughter filling the air like a thick fog, yet as you held your ground, you resolved not to let their words break you. You might be an outsider to them, but you knew that your strength ran deeper than their empty taunts.