Magical Mugwort

I turned around to find a tall young man standing there. He had hair so blond it was nearly white, a sneer on his face and eyes that were used to looking down on everyone. He was slender, fitted in dark trousers and a green shirt. Beside him were two enormous goons. One had squinty eyes and a rather dumb expression, the other one reminded me of a neanderthal, an amused sneer on his face as well.



The blond one continued to look at the twins with a look bordering on disgust. “And where's the rest of your family, Weasley? Trading up to something used this year?” he asked.



“Oh, how very cutting, Malfoy,” Fred said. “Perhaps if you kept up with the same insults it might eventually start to fester a bit.”



“I see your family's become so poor you're having to share a girlfriend now,” Malfoy sneered. “And will you be handing her down to your sorry little brother next as well?”



Fred tensed visibly, a look of absolute venom on his face. Reaching for his wand, he said stonily, “At least we can walk down the street with a girl. You're stuck with these lurching nigglers hanging on to you like tossers.”



The two goons appeared visibly upset by the remark. I had to set a hand on Fred's arm to keep him from raising his wand.



Malfoy sneered and looked from them to me. It sent a bit of a shudder down my spine. His eyes raked me over from head to toe, a curling of his lip indicating a smile. “And what about you, eh? Why are you bothering with these blood traitors? Their whole family's a second hand laugh, you know,” he said. “You can do so much better. Stick with the higher purebloods and you'll find yourself in a much better state.”



His words reviled me. Of course, I could have smelled the haughtiness a mile away even if he didn't look like one of the most self-obsessed, discriminatory brats I'd ever seen. Still, I kept my cool and offered a polite smile. “Well, of course,” I agreed too easily. “And you would be of a higher pureblood line, I assume?”



If it was possible, I swore that his chin rose even further; was it even possible to look that far down your nose at someone? “Of course. One of the oldest and most respected lines, the Malfoys,” he replied. “I'm Draco Malfoy.”



“Git,” muttered Fred and George together.



Draco shot a nasty look at them before turning back to me. “My father has connections throughout the Ministry,” he continued. “Nothing goes on without my father knowing about it. The Minister consults with him quite a bit, actually. He's working hard to make sure that the pureblood families are protected and none of the Mudbloods can intermarry with them. It's only an idea right now, but just wait.”



“Never mind that your father's a Death Eater,” Fred interjected. “And he's just as likely reporting everything he hears back to You Know Who. Excellent way of living, when you're living under the protection of the Dark Lord.”



Draco didn't reply, but a certain gleam came into his eyes. Again, a horrible chill swept down my back. His father, a Death Eater? A well known one, at that? Granted, I knew that the Ministry was still trying to keep everything hidden, but still... How had he managed to stay out of Azkaban?



“House of Slytherin, I'm guessing,” I said, noticing a silver snake pin attached at his collar.



“Wouldn't want to be anything else,” he replied. He studied me for a moment, again giving me an appraising look that made me feel rather dirty. “And what about you, eh? I haven't seen you at Hogwarts before. Transfer?”



I could practically feel the tremble of contained rage behind me in the twins. I myself was not happy with being stuck talking to this cretin, but I figured I could make the best of it. “No, actually. I'm not in school. Been out for some years now,” I answered.



Draco raised his eyebrows, then glanced at his two cronies. They exchanged a leer that said so much more than was needed. When all three looked back at me, I had a hard time keeping up my unmoved face. Though they were obviously young, the look they had creeped me out. And the way they were looking at me was far too obscene for anyone their age.



“I see,” Draco said at last, a half smile touching his lips. “So seeing as you're an experienced girl, how would you like to take a trip down Knockturn Alley with us? I wager there's still a few things left that I can show you.”



George and Fred were a step ahead of me in the blink of an eye. “Shut your bloody mouth, Malfoy,” Fred snarled. “Watch what you say.”



Draco stepped back just enough so neither of them could lay hands on him. “Stay out of this, Weaselbies. I don't need to speak to either of you. I'm talking to her right now.” Looking back at me, Draco grinned again. “So what do you say? How about we leave these filthy two and you and I can get to know each other, high class purebloods only?”



I tilted my head, only just keeping myself from exploding at him. I really wanted to slap him, but I figured I could let him bury himself just a little bit more before I got him. Even though I could feel the anger roiling off of Fred and George, I tried to let them know that I had it under control.



To Draco, I said coyly, “And what exactly did you have in mind, there, Draco?”



He smiled at me, giving me a rather poor imitation of the look that Fred and George had given me. Practically licking his lips, Draco said, “Everything I can think of and then some.” When I didn't say anything right away, Draco looked up at the twins. “Looks like I'm about to steal the only thing that might have given you some value, Weasley.”



“That's it!”



George reached for his wand as Fred reached to grab Draco by the front of his shirt. The other two goons moved up to intercept.



I stepped up and grabbed their arms, keeping them back. “Stop it, Fred, George! Leave it be.”



George looked at me mutinously. “Are you mental? He can't talk to you like that! Acting like you're his whore and you'll do whatever he wants. I won't allow it.”



“Stop! We're attracting attention.” I glanced around, seeing curious looks from other witches and wizards, pausing long enough to try to figure out what was going on with our group.



“Don't bother trying to protect them,” Draco said, his lip curled in a self-satisfied smirk. “You're much too good to waste your time doing that.”



“Why? Because I'm a pureblood?” I asked pointedly.



“Of course.”



I blinked. “But whoever said I was a pureblood? You assumed as much. I never said anything of the kind.”



He frowned, confusion marring his face. “What-- Don't tell me you're a—a...” He paused to spit out, “Mudblood.”



“No. I'm a Squib,” I said simply.



Draco looked horrified and disgusted, going so far as to take a step away from me. “What?” he demanded. “A Squib? That's almost worse than Mudbloods. You can't do any magic. That makes you less than Mudblood.”



“Aw, and just a second ago you were ready to defile me in some back alley,” I said, pretending to pout. “I guess I don't get to look forward to that, then, huh.”



He took another step back. “You're as filthy as these pair are. Anything that comes from pureblood and can't do magic is a disgrace to the entire wizarding world. It would be better if the likes of you never existed.”



I felt Fred and George near trembling beside me as they restrained themselves. “Don't listen to him, Maggie,” Fred said hotly. “There is nothing wrong with you. Never has been, never will be. Malfoy just likes to make others feel small because he's dissatisfied with the less than stellar performance he has in all matters, magical and otherwise.”



“How dare you,” Draco spat. “You have no room to talk to me like that.”



“On the contrary, we have plenty of room to talk like that,” George replied, making his height known by towering over Draco. They couldn't have been more than four or five inches taller, but still, the intimidation was impressive.



“Filthy blood traitors.” He looked at me, practically spitting venom. “And you. You may look nice on the outside, but you're just as bad as them. You know, he said I treated you like a whore. You are. People like you are always whores, and I imagine you put out with the best of them. Dirty little thing, aren't you. Give yourself away to anything that will take you.”



Now my anger was starting to flare. I bit down on the inside of my lip so he wouldn't see that the flames were rising within me.



Draco smirked again and took a step towards me again until we were nearly face to face. He stared down at me. “Maybe I should go ahead and take you. Put you in your place. And when I'm done with you, maybe I'll give you to Crabbe and Goyle here and they can show you what we do with worthless little bitches. It's about the same as winding up with this lot.”



“Fucking bastard!”



Out of the corner of my eye I saw Fred raise his wand and George start to swing. I reached forward and low, getting a solid grip on Draco's balls and cock. His eyes widened in surprise and he damn near squeaked, going very still. I tightened my grip and started to pull.



“No!” he squeaked.



I stared hard at him. No matter how short I was, no matter who or what I was, I knew that I could always hold my own to a point. And now, my point was in my hands.



“You are such a cocky little shit,” I observed, struggling to keep my voice level or else I might scream at him. “You were so into the idea of shagging me when you thought I was a straight pureblood. The second you found out that I can't do magic, at least much anyway, you straight away assumed that I am lower than dirt and you can treat me as badly as you treat these guys. You're unbelievable, you know that?”



I saw Crabbe and Goyle start towards me and I strengthened my grip. Draco cringed and managed to gasp out, “Don't! She'll take it off!”



Amused, I nodded. “It's very true. So listen up, boy. You should really think hard about what it is you say to people. I'm sure Fred and George here are more than willing to hex you without a second thought, not to mention give you a broken nose. They are good guys. Who gives a rat's ass if their family isn't as rich as yours? Who cares if they have hand me downs and have a large family? I don't. Say what you want about me. I couldn't care less. See, we view things a little differently where I come from. And if you want to start something about them, then let's go.



“As for me...” I shrugged and moved closer until our faces were inches apart. “I am far too much woman for you. So before you go off and call me a whore and threaten to trade me around to your little groupies here, know this: I am not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of your father. There is nothing you can say to me that is going to reflect on who I am. I think you're just a little uptight because you've never had a proper blowjob.”



I watched the anger flood over his face, turning his cheeks a bright scarlet. His cock twitched against my hand, and I had the irritating feeling that he was actually getting a little hard over the whole situation. I squeezed hard. He whimpered.



Leaning in even closer until my lips were nearly on his, I whispered, “I give the best blowjobs in three countries. No complaints ever. Not something you'll ever find out, though. These two so-called blood traitors, however, are looking awfully good and they just might find out what it is about me that has men begging at my feet. But you will never know.”



Draco's breathing quickened, and his cock definitely hardened. I saw small beads of sweat break out on his forehead, felt the tension in his torso and arms as he struggled not to reach out, either to grab me or hit me or reach for his wand. I smiled, but it wasn't pleasant.



“Who knows, though. Maybe you could ask Crabbe or Goyle to do it for you. I'm sure there's nothing like some pure wizard on wizard action.”



A snarl came out of his lips and his eyes flashed. “Why you little--”



I dug my nails into him and he whimpered again. “I wouldn't finish that sentence if I were you.”



Pulling back slightly, I spoke so the others could hear. “You're a dirty little worm, Draco Malfoy. I hope someone can put you in your place. Right now, there's nothing I would enjoy more than watching you crawl in the dirt. So here's the deal. I'll let you go. You'll go on your merry way. You won't say a fucking word to me or to any of the Weasleys. If I find out you have, I will find you and I will finish the job. I don't need magic to remove your wand, you understand? So leave them alone, leave me alone, and make sure the next girl you call a whore is actually in that profession. Got it?”



I pulled hard on his cock and he made a small cry, biting his lip. He nodded once, quickly. I glanced over at the other two, who were glaring at me and barely restraining themselves from attacking me. “You two, back the fuck off. Take a few steps back.”



They both looked at Draco, who grimaced as if in physical pain. “Go.”



When the goons had backed up, I looked at Draco once again. I studied him for a few moments more, pondering just kicking him where I had him. Thinking better of it, I released him. He staggered backwards and half fell into a crouch, holding his crotch for all it was worth. Goyle laid a hand on his back. “You all right, mate?”



Draco threw his hand off, obviously still perturbed by my ever so subtle innuendo. “Get away from me!” His voice sounded higher than before. Hmm.



Taking a deep breath, I turned to find Fred and George staring at me. They were half-frozen, ready to spring into action yet paralyzed by awe. “So,” I said brightly. “Shall we away, gentlemen?”



Only their eyes moved as I started to walk off. I had only taken a few steps before I heard Draco yell out, “You dirty Squib slut! I'll make you pay!”



I froze. Time seemed to slow down for me as if with a Time Turner. Part of me refused to believe someone was that stupid. The other part of me exploded.



Whipping around, I retraced my steps in about half the original. Draco was just getting to his feet, half held up by his goons. He stared at me defiantly. Two things happened at once: I drew back my arm and punched his nose as I heard Fred and George yell out a Bat Bogey Hex at once. So as Draco's nose broke open and blood splattered, he was thrown backward and a few very strange things happened to him. Green and red nodules suddenly began attacking him.



Crabbe and Goyle seemed rooted to the spot as Draco began yelling some very unpleasant phrases and tore down the street, the nodules chasing him all the way.



I felt immensely better. Amazing what a little abuse could do for one's self-esteem! Blowing out my breath, I shook out my throbbing hand. It had been a long time since I'd punched someone. Turning I looked at Fred and George, who were caught between huge grins and utter anger.



“Nice hex, guys,” I said. “Beautifully done.”



“The hell with that! What about you?” exclaimed Fred. “I can't believe you hit the little blighter!”



George's brow furrowed. “How come you got to hit him and I didn't? Not that you didn't deserve the opportunity more. I can't believe that little bastard.”



I shrugged, cradling my throbbing hand. “Yeah, well, since I can't curse or hex him, I had to do what I could.”



“And it was bloody brilliant, luv,” grinned Fred. “I can't believe you had him by the balls. I don't think anyone's ever dared get that close to him. Except maybe those two.”



“Well,” I smirked, “I did infer that maybe he should look to his companions for a little physical release. He didn't really appreciate that.”



“Oh, is that what you told him? I was wondering why you were whispering.”



“I let him know of a few other facts that he also didn't seem to appreciate.” I shook my head. “The fuck's his problem, anyway? He can't be more than a kid, but he's a world-class asshole. What's his deal?”



Fred waved him away. “Oh, he's always been a self-righteous little git. His dad's no better. Always think they're highest on the chain and everyone else is nothing. Merlin's beard, Maggie, I don't think anyone's ever treated him that way.”



“Then it was long over due, don't you think?”



George looked at me. “You all right?” He motioned to my hand.



“Yeah, it just hurts a little. It's been awhile since I've hit anyone. Think I need to get some ice on this or it's going to swell pretty bad.”



“Let me see.” George gingerly took my hand in his and examined carefully, taking care not to jar my fingers at all. “Yeah, you're starting to swell a little. Come on, let's get some ice on it. Then I can heal it for you.”



For a moment I was lost in his hands holding mine. Starting out of my reverie, I nodded. “Good idea. Let's get out of the public eye. I think we've caused enough of a disturbance today.”