Pieces of Two Different Puzzles

Azy shrugged. "Suite yourself. I could get them off your back if you wanted though." They got into the school and headed up the stairs. The girls dripping water all over the stairs.

"'m just fine on my own. I can normally 'andle myself," Linnie muttered. "They just caught me off guard..."

Azy shrugged again. "If you say so."

"I do say so," Linnie replied. "I been dealin' with 'em since first year. I can 'andle them."

"You should tell the teachers about it," Azy said. "If they've been harrasing your for years."

"Wot would the teachers do 'bout it? Give 'em detention? Take points? It wouldn't stop 'em from doin' it again."

"They nearly killed you," Azy said. "They would probably get suspended. Or something along those lines."

"If I told, it would just make 'em try 'arder to 'urt and upset me," Linn said, looking off to the side. "If I just deal with it they won't get worse."

Azy wanted to facepalm. "Linnie, you can't just let them get away with it. They need to learn that they can't get away with hurting other people and you shouldn't let them."

"There's more than just them..." Linn muttered, looking at her feet. "They're just the main group. I can't stop more than 'alf the school, because almost everyone teases me accent."

Azy shrugged. "I don't know."

"It's nice that you're tryin' to 'elp me and all, but there's nothin' you can do, unless you want to tell the teachers. Because I'm not."

"Well you should." I

t failds. Don't care.

"Wouldn't believe me. Probably'd think 'm just tryin' to get other people in trouble," Linnie muttered. "'Ain't nothin' more than a troublemaker to 'em.

Azy looked at her for a moment. 'Come on," She said grabbing the girls arm. "We are going to go tell a teacher."

Linnie tried to get her arm free. "Didn't I just say they ain't gonna believe me?" she asked. "Or do you just not listen to people?"

Azy looked at her. "They'll believe me," She told her simply. "They don't have a thing against me."

That made Linn sigh, because Azy had a point. "Fine," she relinquished.

The two girls made their way to one of the teachers offices.

The teacher was actually just walking out when they walked up. "Why are the two of you wet?" they questioned. Linn bit her lip. "Because some students threw me in the lake and Azura fished me out, because I can't swim." Even as she said it, Linnie knew that the teacher wouldn't believe her. It sounded way too outlandish to even her and she knew it was true.

Azy saw the doubt on the teachers face and butted in before the teacher said anthing."It's true Professor, I was walking outside and I saw the group of students throw her in. I know it doesn't sound very believable but it's true."

The teacher still looked skeptical, but could find no reason to disbelieving Azy as she wasn't known to lie or make up tales. "And just what am I expected to do about this unless you know the students' names. I can't very well punish every student in the school," they said. Linnie had to keep herself from looking surprised. They were actually going to believe it and do something? Probably just because Azy was there, but still.

"They were Gryffindors," Azy said. "Two in our year, Watson and Freece. Terrance, who I'm almost certain is a seventh year. Don't know any other names, but you really just need to find out who hangs out with that lot." Azy gave the teacher a look that said she expected something to be done about this. She pushed her sopping hair behind her ear, wanting to get out of her dripping clothing.

The teacher nodded. "And how long has this been happening? Was this the first encounter with the group?" Linnie shook her head. "This 'as been 'appenin' to me since first yea'. But it used to be just mockin' me 'cause I talk weird. Then they started in on 'ow 'm poor and stuff."

"WHy havn't you said anytjing before this?" The Professor asked.