figuresomethingout.

“you’renie,harry.iwaspreparedforyounotwantingtotalktome.”

harryfrownsather.“whywouldidothat?”heasksinredulously,buthealreadyknowswhy.

“beausei’maslytherin.”

“youdidnothingwrong,”hesaysfirmly.hethinksofdrao,narissa,andseverussnape.“slytherinsaresomeofthebravestpeopleiknow.”

finally,shesmilesagain,rendgenuine,hatreaheshereyes.“you’renie,”shesaysonemore.“ithinkiuanddraoabitmorenow.”

thatnight,whendinnerhasbeeneatenandstudentshavereturnedtotheirrespetivedormrooms,harryrummagesthroughhistrunkforthemapandtheinvisibilitycloak.

ronthrowssomethingathishead.

“hey!”harryexims,gring.hegrabstheoffendingobjetandissurprisedtoseethatit’sahootefrog,sittingstindprettyinsideitsshinybox.

ronthrowssomethingathimagain.

fastseekerreflexeshavehimathingitwithease,andhestaresatitinbewilderment.it’sanotherhootefrog.

ronlooksaway,earsredandmuttering,“givetheotheromalfoy.merlinknowsheneedsmorefatunderthoserobesofhis.”

harrybeamsathim.

draojumpsandstandsupfromhisbedwhenheenters,andharryremembersthatoh,right,he’sinvisible.hetakesofftheloak,andsmilessheepishlyingreeting.