The Slytherin common room was emptying out by the time I sat down near the fireplace, the flickering flames casting long shadows across the stone walls. Midnight was closing in, and most of the students had retreated to their dormitories. But I wasn't ready for sleep. Not yet.
I sealed the envelope with a frown, licking the edge and instantly regretting it. The taste of old parchment stuck to my tongue, dry and bitter. Ugh. There had to be a magical way to do this. I made a mental note to ask someone tomorrow.
A quiet snort broke my thoughts. I looked up.
Malfoy.
He was lounging on the far side of the room like he owned the place, one arm draped over the back of the couch, an amused smirk playing on his face. That damned smirk. It said, I know something you don't.
"You know," he said, eyes trailing over the empty chairs and snuffed-out lanterns, "I really didn't expect Hogwarts to suddenly start handing out Potters like candy."
I didn't bother looking directly at him. "Why don't you go back to not knowing I exist? That seemed to work for everyone else."
He laughed softly, clearly entertained. "I gave your brother some advice once. Figured I'd offer you the same courtesy."
"Oh?" I asked, sarcasm dripping. "Let me guess. 'Don't make friends with the wrong sort'?"
His grin widened. "See, you are sharp."
"I imagine Harry's just as grateful as I am."
"You'd be surprised," Malfoy said, but his voice dipped into something quieter. Thoughtful, almost. "There's a reason he didn't take my hand. Pride. Maybe fear. People like us—we don't get that luxury."
"People like us?" I echoed, incredulous.
Malfoy opened his mouth to respond, but before he could speak again, a familiar voice interrupted.
"Honestly, isn't one Potter more than enough for you, Malfoy?"
Silvy Ikwood stood in the doorway to our dormitory, arms crossed but eyes twinkling with mischief. She nodded at me. "Come on, Peter. No point letting him monologue his way into your dreams."
I didn't need another prompt. I stood up quickly and followed her into the hallway.
As we stepped into the room, she shut the door behind us.
"I owe you," I said, grateful.
She shrugged with a grin. "I enjoy seeing his face fall. It's my favorite sport."
We both flopped onto our beds, the room quiet aside from the faint creaks of the castle settling for the night.
"What's his deal, anyway?" I asked after a pause.
Silvy stretched, then rested her hands behind her head. "Draco Malfoy's been obsessed with your brother ever since Harry refused to shake his hand first year. Daddy told him to befriend him. You can guess how well that went."
I snorted. "They seem to hate each other."
"Oh, they do," she said lightly. "In a weird, dramatic, could-write-a-book-about-it kind of way."
I laughed.
Breakfast the next morning was nothing short of amazing. The kind of feast you dream about while surviving on dorm snacks and hurried lunches. I ate like I hadn't seen food in days—which, considering I'd missed dinner last night, was almost true.
As I stood from the table and stretched, I glanced at my schedule. First class: Divination. I wrinkled my nose slightly.
Hermione brushed past me, looking as irritated as if someone had transfigured her textbook into a sponge. "Divination is nonsense," she muttered. "I can't believe we're wasting time on this."
I smiled as I followed the trickle of students toward the staircases. At Durmstrang, it had taken half a term to get to anything remotely hands-on. At least here we were doing something practical, like tea leaf reading. That had to be an improvement, right?
After class and a quick lunch, I checked my schedule again—Care of Magical Creatures, with Professor Hagrid.
A sudden excitement bloomed in my chest. It had been years since I last saw Hagrid. His hugs could break ribs, but his heart was warmer than the hearths of most castles.
Unfortunately, I had no idea where his hut actually was.
So there I was, map in hand, squinting at the corridor walls like they might come to life and point the way.
"You look like you're trying to decode ancient runes," came a familiar voice.
Silvy.
She walked up beside me, tossing a glance at my schedule.
"Care of Magical Creatures?"
I nodded.
"You're in luck. Same here. Come on, I'll show you."
She led me out of the castle and down the gently sloping hill toward the edge of the Forbidden Forest. A group of students had already gathered near a paddock. I spotted Harry, Hermione, and Ron huddled around a towering figure.
My grin grew as I hurried toward them.
"Hagrid!"
The half-giant turned, his beard twitching with a smile. "Peter! Look at yeh! Haven't changed a bit. Well, maybe a little broader in the shoulders."
He pulled me into a hug that almost cracked my spine.
"See, this is why I'm the favorite," I joked.
"Oi!" Harry said with mock offense. Hagrid just laughed.
"We were just tellin' Hagrid he's gonna be brilliant today," Hermione said, beaming.
"And I agree," I added.
Hagrid led us further down into the paddock and clapped his hands. "Right! Today's a special one."
We all pulled out our copies of The Monster Book of Monsters, some of which were still snapping at their bindings. Malfoy, who was not far away, sneered.
"How are we supposed to open these?" he asked lazily.
"Stroke the spine," Hagrid said. "They calm down when yeh do that."
Malfoy eyed his book like it might bite off his hand, then followed the instruction. His eyes widened when it worked. He didn't say anything, but the surprise was obvious.
"I thought they were funny," Hagrid said, watching our reactions.
"Oh yeah. Hilarious," Malfoy said, his voice dripping sarcasm. "Very witty."
Hagrid disappeared for a moment into the trees.
Malfoy turned to his cronies. "Wait till my father hears Dumbledore's letting this oaf teach classes."
I bristled.
"You better—" I started.
"Shut up, Malfoy," Harry cut in, cold and firm.
Malfoy gave a mocking gasp and strutted toward us. "Aww. The Potter twins, finishing each other's sentences. How adorable."
Then, without warning, he screamed.
"Dementor! Dementor!"
Everyone whirled around. Harry's body went stiff beside me.
But there was nothing.
Laughter erupted behind us. Malfoy and his friends were mimicking ghostly howls, pulling their hoods over their heads.
Harry looked humiliated. Furious.
"Terribly funny," I muttered. "Really witty."
A throat cleared behind us.
"Tada!" Hagrid's voice boomed.
He stepped aside to reveal a creature unlike anything I'd seen before—majestic, fierce, and elegant. Feathers, claws, a sharp beak, and proud wings.
"Say hello to Buckbeak."