I

"Then why did I hear Seamus Finnigan talk about how weird you are, and you're only friends are the other rejects?" Max sassed.

"Because Seamus Finnigan is a compulsive liar," Libby retorted. "I know because he told me you're cool, and that's obviously not true."

Max rolled his eyes. What a lame comeback. "No, Seamus Finnigan said that because he has good taste in the people who talks with."

Lena finally lost it. "Will you shut up, Max?" she said in a voice that was nothing like hers. It was dangerously low, and had much more power in it than she had ever heard in herself before. "Some of us are actually trying to work on Herbology. Obviously, you don't care very much about that. So I would appreciate it if you could shut your overly large mouth, and stand away from us."

Some Hufflepuff with gingery hair and freckles laughed and jabbed Max in the side. "HAH! Those little weasels are really telling you." he laughed.

"Shut up!" he snapped before turning back to Lena.

"I've heard about YOU also. That little girl who just sits in the corner of each class, getting all O's, completely undeserving of the title of being a Gryffindor."

"Oh, I've heard about YOU," Lena shot back, even though it was completely untrue. "You're the pervert slacker who likes to insult other people to make yourself feel good because you have no BAWWWLS." Lena yelled the last word, loud enough to effect Max but not reach Professor Sprout's ears. "And I am completely deserving of the Gryffindor title. You're obviously stupid. I mean, look, the Sorting Hat outsmarted you. And it's a hat." Lena hadn't been this angry in - well, ever! Was this what rage felt like? Lena could get used to it.

Max took a couple steps back, and stared warily at Max. Whenever the going got tough on his side, he never could take the heat, and he would step back. So, without saying a word, he ditched the girl's group, and went to join in with that ginger boy.

"Thank God he's gone," Lena breathed, turning back to their tray. Her face was starting to return to its normal color and the rush of energy was subsiding. Oddly enough, she was starting to feel like a real Gryffindor.

Kelsi giggled. "That was TOTALLY AWESOME!" she said. "Encore!" she clapped her hands together, laughing, then turned to Libby. "You too, you like, totally defended yourself! I'd never be able to do THAT. I'd probably just start slapping him or something."