Kids, what can you do?

Everyone else found it difficult to do. Harry couldn't do it, Ron gave up and Seamus wasn't allowed to pull out his wand for the rest of the class. Rightfully so if you ask me, we don't need someone setting fires to the books in the classroom.

The Professor reprimanded me for not participating which bothered me to no end. So, I begrudgingly pulled out my wand and easily performed the charm silently which stunned the Professor. The guy wouldn't shut up about it which made all the other kids look at me the same way they looked a Hermione. I finally felt what she felt, and it pissed me off.

These kids are looking down on me for being better than them, in what world does that make any sense? Ron seemed to be sulking even more after being incapable of doing it after trying again and therefore focused his anger on me. What a funny little redhead.

Hermione didn't spare me a glare either. She was very happy with her result but when she saw me do it without chanting, her mood soured. Naturally, she didn't care too much; much less act differently towards me because of it. No-no she would be much worse, she was going to pester me about it until I gave her an answer. I sighed at my fate as I stared at Hermione's smile that didn't seem like a smile.

As we exited the room and walked across the courtyard, I could clearly hear Ron's insulting words about me. Calling me things like a nerd, loser, and teacher's pet. Naturally, I didn't really care but Hermione wasn't so tough. She was getting more resilient due to occlumency, but she had a long way to go before her confidence increased enough to be indifferent towards such comments.

I saw her clutch her books tighter as she attempted to run away. I quickly grabbed her hand stopping her from leaving. She looked at me with tears welling up in her eyes. Fuck, Ron you've done it now. I cursed as I tightened my free hand into a fist.

"Hermione, you don't need to pay attention to what other people say. After all, what that idiot is saying is just to comfort himself due to his own incompetence," I said in a low voice. "He knows he can't pull off what you did so he has to blame you in order to feel better. Listening to his words will only make you fall into his trap, I know it is hard to be indifferent, but you must get used to it. This world is not paradise, no matter how much you wish for it to be," I stated seriously.

"don't pretend Knight, you two mud-bloods are just a bunch of ner-" he couldn't finish as I held his throat in my hand. "Say that word again to Hermione or me and I will snap your neck regardless of the consequences, you arrogant freeloader," I spat while still holding his neck.

Draco was looking at me with hatred but couldn't speak due to my hand blocking his airway. Hermione seeing what was happening quickly came over and pulled my arm gently.

"Tom let him go or the teachers will get involved," she persuaded with concern. It seemed she was new to the word "mud -blood" since she had no visible reaction to it. I reluctantly let go of Malfoy who collapsed to the ground while gasping for breath.

"Watch your tongue next time Mr Malfoy, or I will make sure you lose it" I hissed before leaving with Hermione. We soon arrived at our common room where we sat down on the empty couch no one seemed to notice.

"Tom, thank you for cheering me up," she said gratefully.

"By the way, what was that word the Draco used that made you so upset?" she asked cautiously. I looked at her before sighing slightly.

"Mudblood is a highly derogatory term for a Muggle-born or half-blood, wizard or witch; that is, individuals with close Muggle relatives," I said while looking at her. She looked at me for a second before furrowing her brows.

"Why would he say something like that?" she asked cluelessly.

"Because he is a Malfoy, one of the prestigious 28 magical families and one that puts extreme value on purity of blood. They look down on muggles and their offspring, especially those with magical capabilities. Voldemort wanted to cause a war between the muggle world and the wizarding world due to his hate for them," I said softly while repositioning my body on the couch in order to face her.

"I don't get it why do they hate muggles so much?" she asked with indignance.

"Well, elitist pure-bloods believe that it is a sign of weak magic to enjoy non-magical company and seem to believe that some of the supposed dirtiness of Muggles and Muggle-borns would rub off on those who associate with them, thus they consider blood traitors to be "filthy" as well," I answered.

"Blood traitors?" she asked curiously. I nodded before answering.

"yes "Blood traitor" is a derogatory term commonly used by elite pure-blood wizarding families like the Malfoy's to describe witches or wizards who sympathise with the non-magical community or willingly associate with other such sympathisers or with Muggle-borns, such examples are the Weasley family," I responded.

Hermione looked at me with an incredulous expression. "The Weasley's? Ron's family?" she asked raising her voice slightly.

"Correct, Ron is part of a pure-blood family which sympathise with muggle's and that is why Ron and Draco are like fire and ice," I nodded in affirmation.

"I see, that explains all their useless quarrelling," she nodded in understanding. I flicked her forehead with my finger which caused her to wince in pain before glaring at me hatefully.

"Why did you do that for?" she asked as she rubbed her forehead.

"It's to knock all those unnecessary thoughts out of your head, I hope what that Idiot Ron said didn't affect you too much," I said before opening my book and starting to read. Hermione scoffed and turned around, but a small smile could be seen tugging at her lips.