Just as it had been at the Sorting Ceremony, Draco had once again become the public enemy of every boy in Hogwarts this year. The moment they realized that the girls they liked only had eyes for him, the hostility in their gazes grew even sharper.
It didn't help that every morning, the peculiar yet beautiful girl who often slipped into Slytherin for tea, as well as the new Slytherin first-year already admired by many, were both constantly seen by Draco's side.
And then there was Pansy Parkinson—cold, poised, and with a figure that had become increasingly impossible to ignore. Despite her Slytherin ties, plenty of boys secretly harbored feelings for her.
Because of this, most male students found Draco's popularity both infuriating and incomprehensible. They simply couldn't understand what those girls were thinking.
Yet, their resentment did nothing to curb the girls' enthusiasm. Every morning at breakfast, Draco received owl-delivered letters laced with feminine perfume, and daring upperclassmen would occasionally pass right in front of him, deliberately trying to draw his attention.
Aside from the relatively composed Slytherins, Draco was the focus of attention wherever he went.
"Today's class... hmm, Defense Against the Dark Arts. Looks like we'll finally see whether this new professor is really as everyone says."
Pansy shot a frosty glare at a Gryffindor upperclassman who had tried to approach Draco, scaring her off before pulling him toward the classroom. She didn't forget to cast one last warning glance at the other Gryffindors watching from nearby.
One had to admit—compared to the other houses, Gryffindors certainly had more courage.
"I heard this new professor has been getting good reviews. This morning, I overheard some Ravenclaws talking about it."
"Oh? If even Ravenclaws are saying that, then perhaps we can actually look forward to his Defense Against the Dark Arts lessons. At least we might learn something this time."
"But honestly, he doesn't look like any kind of powerful wizard. With that shabby appearance, anyone would mistake him for some wandering vagrant."
"....."
Goyle's comment made Draco lift his eyes from the book in his hands, speechless.
Ever since he had exposed the face beneath Lockhart's mask, Draco had come to understand one thing—
Never underestimate any wizard.
No matter how pathetic someone might appear, it could easily be a façade meant to mislead others.
And as for something as trivial as shabby clothes—completely irrelevant to ability—even if they made someone look like an oversized house-elf...
Draco felt it necessary to remind them, "Double training today."
"...."
"...."
The sudden announcement froze Goyle and the others on the spot. Their faces stiffened instantly, and the sight made Pansy's lips curl upward in satisfaction. That sly smile of hers sent a chill down their spines.
Just as Pansy was about to speak, an indignant voice rang out behind them.
"Professor Lupin isn't like what you're saying! You didn't even see how he fought off the Dementors that day!"
That familiar voice didn't even require turning around to recognize.
"Oh? Our fragile Harry Potter—and his crybaby sidekick."
"Who are you calling that?!"
"What's wrong? Eavesdropping not enough for you? Or are you planning to start a fight? Maybe another sneak attack, Weeping Weasley?"
Goyle hadn't forgotten who had hexed them last year, and seeing Ron Weasley now, he couldn't resist the jab.
But surprisingly, Ron didn't react the way he once had. He wasn't provoked into anger or losing control by Goyle's taunts.
While Harry glared furiously, Ron remained composed, his tone steady.
"An ambush? You've got no proof of that. Though, if you're so sure, we could always settle it with a proper duel. But... ha."
He shrugged casually, casting a faint, knowing glance toward Draco—an unspoken suggestion that Goyle and Crabbe were nothing without him.
Draco narrowed his eyes, studying Ron thoughtfully.
If he hadn't recognized the wand in Ron's hand—the very same one he'd seen at Ollivanders—he might not have believed this was the same Ron Weasley he'd known before.
Not only had the boy learned to throw barbs of his own, but that newfound composure was something else entirely.
Draco glanced at the flushed, fuming Goyle and Crabbe beside him, then back at Ron, who stood calm and confident. Closing his book, Draco murmured, almost amused, "Interesting."
It seemed the boy had grown up quite a bit in a very short time...
...
Draco, who made no move to intervene, simply stood by and watched the subtle clash between the two sides unfold.
To him, the whole thing was nothing more than mild entertainment—not nearly serious enough to warrant his attention. That is, unless Goyle and Crabbe ended up being humiliated.
Pansy, however, was far less composed. She clearly had no intention of letting Goyle and Crabbe lose to Ron Weasley.
"You two," she said with a cold hum, "if you actually lose to him... hmph."
"..."
Those few quiet hums were enough to make both Goyle and Crabbe's scalps prickle. It was painfully obvious that if they lost a duel to Ron Weasley, life would be miserable afterward.
They both knew just how terrifyingly devious Pansy could be.
Maybe it was because she'd noticed something different about the redheaded Weasley, but Pansy, slightly uneasy, instinctively turned to her childhood friend for support.
"Draco, you'll be in charge of training these two idiots. Don't hold back."
"Uh, boss lady, I think—"
"Shut up!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
Standing before them with her hands on her hips and her finger jabbing at their noses, Pansy easily cowed the two hulking boys—each with arms thicker than her legs—into obedience. Their timid expressions only made Draco chuckle quietly to himself.
Honestly, Draco doubted Goyle and Crabbe would ever lose to Ron Weasley. Even if the boy finally had a wand of his own, it wouldn't make much of a difference.
Unless something unexpected happened...
Just as Pansy was about to continue scolding them, they reached the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom.
The door was open, and through it they could see the professor already waiting inside for his students to gather.
Remus John Lupin.
The new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor...