Chapter 2
August 30th, 1994
Maria stepped out of the Ministry’s examination room, the door shutting softly behind her. She let out a long breath, her heartbeat finally beginning to slow after what felt like hours under scrutiny. The corridors outside felt too bright after the dim, focused atmosphere of the exam room.
She spotted Narcissa and Draco waiting just ahead, sitting with their perfect posture, their composed faces giving nothing away.
Maria walked over, her feet feeling heavier with every step.
Draco rose the moment he saw her, his eyes scanning Maria’s face. “How do you think you did?”
Maria exhaled slowly, pushing the tension out of her shoulders. “I think I passed,” she said with a small smile. “At least, I hope I did.”
Narcissa’s lips curled into a soft smile of approval as she stood up. “Of course you did. You’ve worked far too hard to come out of this with anything less.”
They waited in silence for a while, each moment stretching longer than it should have. Maria’s mind wandered back to the spells she’d performed, the theory questions, wondering if there was something she had missed. Still, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she had done well. Narcissa’s calm presence beside her was strangely comforting.
Finally, Draco spoke again, his voice soft. “They’d be foolish to not let you pass.”
Maria nodded, but before she could respond, the office door creaked open. Dolores Umbridge, her proctor for the exams, stepped out, her sickeningly sweet smile plastered on her face.
“Miss Marialynne PenDragon,” Umbridge said in her usual sugary tone, her voice grating on Maria’s nerves. “I am pleased to inform you that you’ve passed your entrance exams with an ‘Outstanding.’”
Maria’s breath hitched, the word “Outstanding” echoing in her ears. She had hoped to pass, maybe scrape by with an ‘Exceeds Expectations,’ but to hear she had been given the highest possible grade, it felt unreal. She fought to keep her expression neutral, though inside, her heart began to beat faster.
“Thank you,” she said, managing to keep her voice steady despite the excitement bubbling just beneath the surface. She caught a glance at Draco, whose face remained composed, but there was a gleam of satisfaction in her eyes.
Umbridge grinned, clearly taking some twisted pleasure in Maria’s response. “Yes, yes, well done, my dear. You should be quite proud.”
Maria nodded politely, though she couldn’t help but feel the hidden weight behind Umbridge’s words.
“Thank you, Ma’am,” Maria said again, this time with more confidence. She wasn’t going to let Umbridge spoil this moment for her.
Umbridge’s sickly sweet smile didn’t falter as she pulled a crisp parchment from the inside of her cardigan. “Oh, one more thing, Miss PenDragon. Now that you’ve officially passed, you’ll need this.”
She handed Maria a neatly rolled scroll, tied with a red ribbon. It was heavier than it looked, and as Maria unrolled it, she immediately recognized the list of supplies and books: Fourth-year requirements.
Maria blinked, trying to focus on the neat handwriting on the page. The weight of it all—finally knowing she would be heading to Hogwarts this term—hit her like a wave. She was going.
“These are the textbooks and materials you’ll need for your fourth year at Hogwarts,” Umbridge continued, her tone still dripping with faux kindness. “Make sure you gather everything before the start of term. Some of the books can be...a bit hard to come by, but I’m sure you’ll manage.”
Umbridge gave a tight-lipped smile, then glanced at Narcissa, her face stiffening just slightly. “Enjoy the rest of your day, all of you.” With that, she turned and disappeared back into her office, leaving them standing alone in the corridor.
The second the door closed, Maria felt the weight in her chest lift. She turned to Draco, still processing what had just happened. “Outstanding,” she whispered to herself, hardly believing it.
Narcissa’s lips quirked up, and she placed a gentle hand on Maria’s shoulder. “I told you—you’ve done wonderfully. Now, let’s get you home. We’ll rest before we head off to Diagon Alley.”
Maria smiled, the tension finally beginning to drain from her. She had passed. She had really done it.
The bells of Flourish and Blotts chimed softly as Maria and Draco stepped inside, greeted by the hum of whispered conversations and the rustling of pages. Books towered on every shelf, some bound in cracked leather, others shimmering with enchantments as they floated back and forth between the shelves. The shop was bustling, but for the first time that day, Maria felt a sense of calm. The chaos of her exams and the weight of the Ministry’s judgment had lifted now that it was done. She could focus on simpler things—like books.
“I’ll grab the ones you need for school,” Draco said, his tone casual but efficient, already scanning the towering shelves filled with textbooks for Hogwarts students. “You should go look for a new novel to read.”
Maria gave a soft smile, nodding gratefully. She watched him move through the crowded aisles, his silver-blond head standing out among the shoppers. With a quiet sigh, she turned toward the novels section, her fingers already tracing the spines of the neatly arranged rows of fiction. There was something comforting about being in the shop, the soft murmur of voices, the smell of old parchment—it reminded her of simpler days.
Hours had passed since the Ministry exams, and yet her heart still fluttered with the relief of having passed. Umbridge’s words—though syrupy and condescending—still rang in her ears: “Outstanding.”
She tried to push the memory away, focusing instead on the titles in front of her. Her eyes landed on a book about magical creatures, one filled with stories of myths and legends from distant lands. She grabbed it, considering how it might be a nice distraction from all the studying she’d been doing recently.
Meanwhile, Draco had wandered into the schoolbooks section, already piling textbooks into his arms—with an extra copy of 4th year’s Herbology textbook for himself. He'd get back at Theo another day for taking his copy a few days ago. His mind wasn’t on the books, though. It was still back at the Ministry, replaying the moment when Maria emerged from the exam room looking calm but drained, the tension from her brow finally easing. He had been nervous for her, but he’d never admit that aloud.
As he moved through the shelves, Draco heard a familiar voice from across the room.
“Malfoy.”
He turned sharply, his face instantly shifting into a sneer. There, standing at the entrance to his aisle, was none other than Harry Potter with Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Of course, they had the unfortunate timing of showing up wherever he was.
“Well, if it isn’t Potter, Weaselbee, and Granger,” Draco drawled, his tone filled with condescension. “I thought I smelled something foul.”
Harry’s gaze darkened behind his glasses. “We’re just here to buy books, Malfoy. Not to deal with whatever your problem is.”
Draco scoffed. “You’re the one that said my name first, Potter.”
Ron’s eyes flickered down to the two identical Herbology books Draco held under his arm, his mouth curling into a smirk. “What’s this? Couldn’t figure out which one to buy, so you’re getting both? Not that it’ll help you, Malfoy.”
Draco’s sneer deepened, his grip tightening on the books. “Not that it’s any of your business. Some of us actually know how to help others without making a fool of ourselves.”
Before Ron could snap back, Draco spotted movement near the counter. Maria had finished browsing and was at the register now, holding a few novels in her arms. The moment his gaze softened, all the bite drained from him. Without another word to the trio, Draco pushed past them and walked straight over to Maria.
The trio watched, taken aback by the sudden change in his demeanor. Harry narrowed his eyes, confused by what he was seeing. The way Draco approached her—there was no arrogance, no malice. He moved with an ease that Harry had never seen from the Slytherin before.
“Who’s that?” Ron muttered, staring at Maria. “Malfoy’s actually being… nice?”
Hermione’s brow furrowed as she observed the interaction, something clicking in her mind. She had seen that girl before—somewhere.
“That’s Marialynne PenDragon,” Hermione whispered, her eyes widening in realization. “I can’t believe it… Do you two ever read The Daily Prophet?”
Harry and Ron exchanged a confused glance.
“PenDragon?” Harry repeated, bewildered. “I’ve never heard of them.”
“Of course you haven’t,” Hermione said, still watching Draco and Maria at the counter as Draco handed over some Galleons to pay for her books along with his own. They didn’t miss the way Maria grumbled about being able to pay for her own supplies. “They’re not the type to flaunt their status. The PenDragons are the most influential wizarding family in the world. They’re private, very rarely seen in public unless it’s on official business. Her father, Roland PenDragon, is one of the greatest potioneers alive—famous for his work on regenerative potions. And her mother, Sofiana, is a world-renowned herbologist.”
Ron’s mouth hung open. “Wait, that’s her? What’s she doing with Malfoy?”
Hermione’s eyes were glued to the scene in front of them. “I don’t know. The PenDragons don’t associate with just anyone. It’s rumored they’re even above the Ministry—above the law, in some ways. They’ve always kept to themselves, only mingling with their inner circle.”
Harry frowned. “And Malfoy’s in that circle?”
Ron scoffed. “Of course. Probably paid his way into their good graces, just like he does with everything else.”
Yet, as they watched Draco, Harry felt a nagging doubt. The way Draco turned toward Maria, handing her the books with a quiet smile, seemed genuine. They exchanged a few words, and though the trio couldn’t hear what was being said, they could see the ease between them. It was a stark contrast to the animosity Draco typically displayed.
As they moved toward the exit together, Harry watched them, something gnawing at the back of his mind. “I don’t know, Ron,” he said thoughtfully, his gaze lingering on Maria as she laughed softly at something Draco said. “I don’t think Malfoy paid for anything. They look…close.”
Outside the shop, Draco and Maria stepped into the bustling street of Diagon Alley, the warm afternoon sun casting shadows as they walked side by side. From a distance, it was clear—they weren’t just acquaintances. They were friends.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione watched as the pair disappeared into the crowd, their curiosity piqued.
“I think there’s more to this than we realize,” Hermione muttered, her brow furrowed in thought.
September 1st, 1994
The Hogwarts Express rattled along the tracks, the sound of the train’s wheels clacking against the rails filling the air as it departed the station. Inside one of the more private compartments, Draco, Blaise, Theo, and Maria sat in a comfortable silence as the outside rain began to hit the windows. Blaise lounged in his seat, casually flipping through a magazine, while Theo scrawled absentmindedly on a page in his personal journal. Draco had his usual composed expression, his gaze occasionally flicking towards Maria, who sat beside him, lost in a novel.
The compartment door slid open with a bang, breaking the tranquility. Pansy Parkinson stood in the doorway, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle, her expression twisted with annoyance.
“Why are you lot cramped in here?” Pansy’s eyes darted around the small compartment, wrinkling her nose at the limited seating. “There’s plenty of room in the open booths.”
Blaise, not even bothering to look up from his magazine, drawled, “Use your eyes, Parkinson.”
Pansy, clearly irritated by his dismissive tone, snapped her attention to the others. Her eyes landed on Maria, seated comfortably next to Draco. A flash of confusion crossed her face. Maria stayed quiet, watching Pansy closely. She recognized her from a gala Narcissa had hosted earlier in the year, but it seemed Pansy hadn’t made the connection yet. Curiosity sparked in Maria’s mind, wondering what Pansy would do in the next moment.
“Who’s she?” Pansy asked, her voice sharp as she gestured towards Maria, her tone edging towards something unpleasant.
"Taking in charity? That's not like-"
Before Pansy could say anything further, Theo, who had his wand in hand, flicked it in her direction with a smirk. “Silencio.”
Pansy’s mouth opened, but no sound came out. She slapped her hand over her mouth, glaring at Theo furiously. Crabbe and Goyle, noticing the train was beginning to pick up on a faster speed, began to walk away, mumbling something about needing seats elsewhere.
Blaise finally glanced up, an amused glint in his eyes as he addressed Pansy. “That’s Marialynne PenDragon,” he said coolly, his voice carrying just the right amount of weight. Pansy’s eyes widened even more, her face draining of color as the realization hit her.
Maria merely watched as Pansy took a step back, eyes darting between the group before she swiftly turned on her heel, practically fleeing the compartment.
Theo chuckled, leaning back in his seat as he called after her, “The hex wears off in about ten minutes! Enjoy the peace!” He lazily flicked his wand, sliding the door shut behind her.
For a moment, there was silence in the compartment before Blaise snorted, shaking his head. “Hopefully she leaves us alone for the rest of the year.”
Draco smirked, his gaze softening slightly as he looked over at Maria. “Lucky for her, Theo acted fast.”
Maria shrugged, a small smile tugging at her lips. “I recognized her from that gala your mother hosted. Didn’t feel the need to remind her of it, though.”
Theo grinned. “Well, that was a show. At least the rest of the ride should be peaceful now.”
As the train chugged along, the tension melted away, and the group fell into easy conversation, talking quietly amongst themselves.
The Great Hall buzzed with excitement as Maria, Draco, Theo, and Blaise entered, now dressed in their house robes—Slytherin green for the boys, and a plain black set for Maria. Madam Malkin had mentioned her robes were enchanted, only revealing the colors of the house she’d be sorted into once the Sorting Hat made its choice. That thought swirled in her mind, heightening her nerves as she sat with the boys at the Slytherin table.
As the first-year students filed in for their Sorting Ceremony, Maria tried to calm her racing heart, but the stares and whispers from the rest of the hall made it nearly impossible. She could feel the weight of curious eyes on her, the name "PenDragon" lingering in the air like a question no one dared ask aloud.
Rumors spread fast on the train ride to Hogwarts. When Pansy's hex had worn off, she was quick to alert the rest of her compartment about a 'Marialynne PenDragon' attending Hogwarts. Suffice to say, by the time the Hogwarts Express reached Hogwarts, almost everyone had begun to whisper her name.
“I’m nervous,” she admitted quietly, her voice barely audible over the surrounding noise.
Theo, ever the calm one, smiled reassuringly. “Don’t be. It doesn’t matter where you end up. We’re still your friends, no matter what house you’re in.”
“Exactly,” Blaise chimed in. “You’ll just be our exception—a Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, or Hufflepuff among Slytherins. No big deal.”
Draco, seated on her right, gave her a quick nod, his expression more serious but just as comforting. “You’ll be fine. Just don’t think too much about it.”
Maria managed a small smile in return, though the knot in her stomach remained. It wasn’t just the Sorting that bothered her—it was the attention. Whispers had followed her on the Hogwarts Express, and they only seemed to intensify now as she sat among her friends.
The Sorting continued, with each new student finding their place among the four long tables. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Professor McGonagall had read out the final name that silenced the entire hall.
“Marialynne PenDragon.”
The hall erupted into a flurry of whispers, and Maria froze for a moment. She could feel all eyes on her as she stood, her legs trembling slightly. Dumbledore had to raise his hand to quiet the students, and when the murmur finally subsided, she walked to the front of the hall, her heart pounding in her chest.
As she reached the stool, Professor McGonagall leaned down, her voice soft and kind. “Congratulations on your acceptance to Hogwarts, Miss PenDragon.”
Maria blinked in surprise but offered a small, grateful smile. “Thank you, Professor.”
McGonagall returned the smile, placing the Sorting Hat gently on her head. Immediately, the hat’s voice filled her mind, drowning out the noise of the hall.
"Ah, a PenDragon…quite the legacy you carry," it mused. "But where to put you? A mix of courage and cunning…loyalty and ambition…much like your parents."
Maria’s breath hitched as the Sorting Hat considered its options. It seemed to pause, thinking carefully. "Gryffindor would suit you well, like your mother…but you have the traits of Slytherin, like your father. Such a difficult choice."
The hall waited in silence, the tension thick in the air as the hat took its time. Finally, after what felt like ages, the hat spoke again.
"Better be…GRYFFINDOR!"
The Gryffindor table erupted into cheers, the loudest of the night. As Maria stood and removed the hat, her black robes shimmered for a moment before turning into the rich red and gold of Gryffindor. She smiled, relieved, but her first instinct was to glance back at the Slytherin table.
Theo was grinning broadly, giving her a playful thumbs-up. Draco and Blaise both nodded in approval, their expressions calm, offering silent support. Their friendship hadn’t changed.
With newfound confidence, Maria made her way to the Gryffindor table, scanning for an open seat. She found one between two girls who were eyeing her with curiosity but no judgment. She slid into the seat, offering them a small smile.
“Hi,” said the girl on her left, a bright, friendly look on her face. “That was quite the close call. Gryffindor or Slytherin, huh?”
“Yeah,” Maria replied, still a little dazed from the experience. “The Hat took its time.”
“Well, we’re glad you’re here,” the other girl added, her voice softer but just as warm. “I’m sure Gryffindor will suit you perfectly.”
“Thank you,” Maria said, feeling herself relax a bit in their company.
They settled into comfortable silence for a moment. After a few minutes, the girl to her left leaned in closer, her tone dropping to a playful whisper.
“So… what’s it like being friends with the hottest boys in in our year?”
Maria blinked, caught off guard by the question. She glanced over at the Slytherin table, where the boys were now deep in conversation. She hadn’t considered how others might perceive her relationship with them.
“They’re just my friends,” she said, laughing lightly. “We’ve known each other since we were kids. I’ve never thought of them like that.”
The girl on her right rolled her eyes, nudging her twin. “Ignore her,” she sighed. “She’s always like this.”
“I am not,” the first girl protested, though her grin betrayed her amusement.
Maria chuckled, already feeling at ease with the two girls.
The girl on her left leaned close to Maria. “Oh, I’m Parvati, by the way.” A bright smile returned to her face. “And this is my twin, Padma,” she gestured to the other girl sitting next to Maria.
“You can call me Maria. Marialynne seems too proper,” Maria responded and the girls smiled back, warm and inviting.
Before the conversation could continue, Dumbledore stood at the podium, raising his arms to capture the attention of the room.
“Welcome, welcome to another year at Hogwarts! As we settle in towards another year full of learning, I only have one major announcement as of now. Quidditch is unfortunately canceled-”
Groans of disappointment filled the room. Maria blinked in confusion. Why would Quidditch be canceled? Was it because of the events that played after the Quidditch World Cup only a week ago?
She glanced at the Slytherin table and witnessed Theo seething under his breath while Draco and Blaise glared at the Headmaster.
Maria didn’t realize how seriously they took Quidditch.
"It is indeed a great disappointment," Dumbledore continued, raising his hands to silence the students. "However, in due time, you all will be told why. Now, for our change in staff…”
Maria tuned out Dumbledore’s voice. Her thoughts wandered to the upcoming school year, and it finally hit her—Hogwarts would be her home for the next ten months. No more late night dinners with her father, or weekly visits to St. Mungos for her mother. The feeling in her chest felt heavy, but a sense of relief seemed to wash over her.
Suddenly, a flash of lightning lit up the Great Hall, followed by a deafening crash of thunder that echoed off the walls. Gasps and murmurs rippled through the students, but the moment was quickly controlled by a new presence.
Maria’s eyes locked onto the man standing near the side entrance. His appearance was…strange. One of his eyes was mechanical, and he walked with a limp. There was something about him that felt off, something Maria couldn’t quite place, but it stirred an unease in her chest.
“Bloody hell. It’s Mad-Eye Moody,” someone muttered nearby.
“Alastor Moody? The Auror?”
Parvati leaned in. “What would he be doing here?”
Padma shook her head, looking just as confused. “I have no clue.”
They watched as Dumbledore greeted Moody, the two of them seeming to know each other well. As Dumbledore returned to the podium, Moody limped to the side, pulling out a bottle and taking a swig.
“What do you think he’s drinking?” someone asked.
Maria squinted, trying to see the color of the liquid in the bottle, but it was too far away.
“I don’t know,” another boy said, “but I don’t think it’s pumpkin juice.”
Padma stifled a laugh at the comment.
“More news will come about during the midst of our dinner. For now, let the feast begin,” Dumbledore announced.
Platters of food and jugs of juice and milk shimmered into existence on the once-empty tables. Maria was, once again, amazed at how freely magic was used at the school. She eagerly filled her plate with sausages, potatoes, and gravy, feeling completely at ease after the day’s events.
“So, PenDragon,” a voice called out, “why’d your folks send you off to Hogwarts?”
“Shut up, Seamus,” someone else said.
Maria and the Patil twins turned towards the voice, their eyes landing on a boy with a thick Irish accent. “Work got busy for them,” she replied.
“Just ignore him,” Parvati whispered, nudging Maria slightly. She pointed toward his goblet. “Any second now, his goblet will explode. That’s his trademark—casting spells or charms that always blow up in his face.”
On cue, the goblet in Seamus’s hand exploded, covering his face in black ash. The surrounding Gryffindors burst into laughter, realizing that he had once again tried to turn water into rum.
“Honestly, we don’t care why your folks sent you here,” Padma said, slicing into her sausage before taking a bite.
Parvati nodded. “Exactly. We actually want to be friends. I know it can be tough starting Hogwarts as a fourth year, but we’ve got the answers to almost all your questions.”
Maria’s heart squeezed with gratitude. She never really had any girl friends before; her only close friends had been Blaise, Theo, and Draco. Being at Hogwarts already seemed to open new doors for her.
“I’d love to be friends with both of you,” Maria said, smiling warmly.
The twins squealed with delight, hugging her from both sides. Glancing toward the Slytherin table, Maria caught Draco’s gaze. He gave her a firm nod, the corners of his lips quirking up into a barely-there smile, and in that moment, she felt truly felt all the tension leave her body.
“We’re heading to the common room, are you coming with, Maria?” Padma asked as the feast came to a close and students began to shuffle out of the Great Hall.
Maria shook her head, offering a small smile. “You two go on ahead. I’m going to catch up with-”
“The hottest boys in in our year?” Parvati interrupted with a grin, and Maria couldn’t help but chuckle.
Relentless.
The twins waved goodbye and Maria returned the gesture before glancing over to where her trio of Slytherin friends were, already strolling down the aisle towards the entrance. She walked to where they were and Theo was the first to notice her presence.
“Our little Gryffindor,” he teased, a playful smirk on his face as he pointed at the house crest on her robes.
“The only Gryffindor you can tolerate, hm?” She bit back.
As they exited the Great Hall, Theo had thought it would be a great idea for the boys to give her a small tour of the grounds. After all, they had a few hours before curfew would hit.
“Were the Patil twins talkative during the feast?” Blaise asked, and Maria shook her head.
“Surprisingly, they weren’t. However, there was a group of redheads who seemed to lack a sense of social grace.” She pondered, thinking back to the feast.
Blaise snorted. “The Weasleys are something. At least you didn’t sit next to Potter. That would’ve been an interesting sight to see.”
Draco scoffed at Blaise’s comment, giving him a light shove as they walked in step.
Theo threw an arm casually around Maria’s shoulders. “Just be careful with them, Mari. Potter, Granger, Weasley—they’re honestly trouble.”
She wriggled out from under Theo’s arm with a sigh. “As if you three aren’t trouble,” she replied. “Besides, I wouldn’t even know Potter if I tripped over him.”
That made the boys stop abruptly, causing Maria to bump into Draco’s side. He instinctively reached out, steadying her.
“They were sitting three people away from you,” Blaise laughed, his eyes filled with amusement.
Maria rolled her eyes. “It’s not like I could focus on my surroundings with the Patil twins gushing about how I’m friends with the so-called ‘hottest boys of our year’.”
All three boys shared a look before grimacing.
“Seriously? That’s what they think of us?” Theo asked, sounding mildly horrified. He knew that he himself was attractive, but hearing it come from a Gryffindor felt oddly weird.
Maria shrugged, and chuckled their reactions. “I’m just reciting what they said.”
Blaise grinned, leaning in slightly, “So, do you think we’re the hottest in our year?”
Draco immediately smacked the back of Blaise’s head, causing the other to hiss in pain. “Unbelievable you are.”
Before anyone could respond, Drac’s expression shifted to annoyance as a trio of familiar Gryffindors walked towards them.
“Three against one, Malfoy? That’s low, even for you,” Ron called out, sarcasm being evident in his voice.
“Shut it, Weaselbee. As usual, sticking your nose in where it doesn’t belong,” Draco snapped back.
Maria turned to face the Gryffindors Theo had warned her about, noting the familiar sight of Ron’s red hair, his expression clearly annoyed. Granger looked exasperated, while Harry’s gaze flickered between Maria and the Slytherins who had been a thorn in his side for years.
“Come on, don’t start something,” Maria whispered to Draco, tugging gently on his sleeve. She was all too aware of his long-standing rivalry with these particular Gryffindors, having read his letters filled with tales of their encounters over the years.
“How is it us starting something when he’s the one who made an assumption?” Blaise asked himself quietly.
Maria raised a hand toward her housemates, trying to convey calmness. “Nothing’s happening here. I’m friends with them—no need to jump to conclusions.”
“You can’t seriously be-” Ron started, but Hermione quickly smacked his arm, silencing him.
Harry stepped forward, still looking wary towards Malfoy and his lot. “If they ever do bother you, we can-uh-help.”
Theo raised an eyebrow, noticing the stutter in his words. “Potter, if we ever did bother her, she’d knock us into next week before you even had the chance.”
Draco was beginning to look fed up. “Let’s go,” he finally said.
Maria offered Harry a tight-lipped smile, a blend of reassurance and defiance. “I’ve known these guys for years. I can handle myself.” With that, she turned around and began walking away, leaving the situation behind her.
Theo threw a mocking wave toward Harry before following Maria, Blaise hot on his heels. Draco lingered for just a moment, testing the waters to see if Harry would say anything further. With an unreadable expression, he turned around and fell into step with his friends.
As the Slytherins walked away, their voices and footsteps echoing faintly in the hall, Harry, Ron, and Hermione watched them in silence. Just before they turned the corner, Maria playfully shoved Draco in the arm, her laughter sounding carefree.
“I can’t believe it. Malfoy was so,” Hermione thought for a second before finding the right word, “docile. Not a slur leaving his mouth.”
Ron, who was still annoyed, crossed his arms. “What I can’t believe is her defending them,” he grumbled. “I mean, honestly! She witnessed him calling me Weaselbee.”
Hermione sighed, shooting him an exasperated glance. “Ronald, to be fair, you were the one who jumped to conclusions first. What did you expect?”
“Well I didn’t know that it was her,” he replied defensively. “I would’ve thought Malfoy and the rest would’ve abandoned her since she got into Slytherin.”
“I think their friendship is different,” Hermione mused, her tone thoughtful. “You heard her. She said she’s known them for years. A different house at Hogwarts wouldn’t break that bond so easily.”
Ron muttered something incoherent under his breath, though Harry could make out the words ‘Slytherins’ and ‘always causing trouble.
After a moment, Ron’s behavior shifted, a sly grin beginning to form on his face. “Oi, Harry, speaking of jumping to conclusions…You practically stuttered when you talked to Maria just now.”
Harry’s response was almost too quick. “I did not stutter,” he replied, his voice a little higher than normal, his face flushing slightly as well. He looked away, giving a look to Hermione to try and back him, but she shook her head with a small smile on her face.
“Right, sure,” Ron pressed, his grin widening. “Just admit it, Harry—she’s quite attractive. I mean, half the boys at our table were staring at her during the feast. I wouldn’t fault you for having a crush on her already.”
Harry groaned, rubbing his face as he began to walk away. The two followed in tune with his walking. “Drop it, Ron,” Harry said, his voice firm but slightly flustered.
Ron chuckled, nudging Harry’s side playfully. “It’s fine, mate. A lot of people changed over the summer. Right, Hermione?”
Hermione shook her head while chuckling. “Don’t involve me in this.”
As they made their way toward the Grand Staircase, their voices filled the nearly empty halls, bouncing off the stone walls.
Hermione sighed, shaking her head in amusement.
“Boys will be boys.”