It was the next day, Malinda finished her classes for the day and was now looking for Merula as she had gotten separated from her hot tempered friend. She walked into the courtyard and saw Merula and Ben in the middle of a huge crowd of students. Malinda saw that Merula was threatening Ben, who looked scared and was trying to walk away, but Merula wasn't letting him.

Malinda: ( thoughts: ) Oh no! Merula is going to get herself into trouble and Ben looks terrified. I need to do something, but what can I do that wouldn't make myself look stronger or... wait, I know.

Merula: ( to Ben: ) You're an embarrassment to everyone in our year!

Ben: ( scared ) ( to Merula: ) Just leave me alone!

Merula: ( to Ben: ) Disgusting Mudbloods like you shouldn't even be allowed in Hogwarts. Leave the magic to the real witches and wizards-

Malinda: ( yells, to Merula and Ben, gaining everyone's attention: ) ENOUGH!

Malinda became nervous in response to the eyes of the crowd as they turned to her, but she just made her way through the crowd to Merula, slouching her shoulders to make herself smaller so the students didn't notice that she had grown taller.

Merula: ( to Malinda, angrily: ) What are you-

Malinda: ( to Merula, lying with a serious expression: ) Can't you see, that's that mudblood's plan? He's trying to get a reaction from you, trying to get your and everyone's attention. He ain't worth it, he's just trying to distract you and the rest of us from our studies. Let's just go.

Ben looked at the tall slytherin with a confused and scared expression, he was too scared of Malinda to speak up to her or disagree with her statement.

Merula: ( scoffs ) ( to Ben, acting as if she bought Malinda's lie: ) You're lucky that Burns caught on to you before you could even have the slightest chance of tricking me, Mudblood. ( to Malinda, sternly: ) Come on, Burns.

Malinda followed behind Merula as they made their way through the crowd, Malinda glanced at Ben with a apologetic look in her eyes. Once the two Slytherin girls were out of sight of the crowd, Merula turned to Malinda with a stern expression.

Merula: ( sternly, to Malinda: ) Don't think I fell for that pathetic lie you told me back there, Burns. Haven't you heard a word I've been telling you? You were acting like a Hufflepuff, not a Slytherin.

Malinda: I... I'm sorry, Merula. I just didn't want you to get in trouble. And I didn't know any other way to get you away from Ben and that crowd.

Merula: I'll tell you what you should do. You just stand there and wait until I tell you to do something, and if we get in trouble, you side with me. Now listen, I will be sending you a owl for something you will be helping me with.

Malinda: What's that?

Merula: ( with a mischievous smile: ) Finding the cursed vaults.

Malinda: What?! Merula, why would you- the vaults are dangerous, and-

Merula: Just do what I tell you, Burns, and everything will be ok. We will be investigating the Upstairs Corridor tonight, when everyone is asleep.

Malinda stood there in silence as she didn't know what to do or say to convince Merula to not go near the vaults, and Merula took it as Malinda agreeing to investigate the Upstairs Corridor and Merula then walked away from the tall Slytherin with a satisfied smile. Malinda sighs in defeat as she watched Merula walk away from her.

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That's it for this chapter, I hope you like it

Till next time my agents of mischief 😜