Everything had been going so well. They had gone down four levels without running into anyone. And then, when they finally did come across people, who did it have to be but the two she HATED more than anyone she had ever met in her ENTIRE LIFE?

Benzi and Cuthbert.

Well, okay, more Cuthbert than Benzi because at least Benzi was nice 1/4 of the time, but still. Neither one was good to run into in these kinds of situations.

She heard Benzi talking before she saw him and was about to push Forrest into the armour gallery, but it was too late. The Ravenclaw boy had noticed them, and there was no way Fern was going to give him or Cuthbert the satisfaction of turning tail and running away.

So instead she stepped in front of Forrest, and bunching her hands into fists at her side, yelled back at the same time Benzi moved to block their path, "OH YEAH!? Well I reckon long hair was just for girls, too! And yours' is shoulder-length!"

Oh wait. Forrest had kind-of long hair too. Bad comeback, Fern. Bad comeback.