Time flew by, and in the following days, Thor progressed much faster than most. Within a week, he had advanced from a magic apprentice to a Level One Mage. This was partly due to his lightning-based abilities. While not entirely aligned with the magical system, they provided useful insights into power structuring. Augustus was pleased with Thor's speed; even Loki had taken about ten days to make the same leap.
Draco Malfoy didn't reappear in class until Thursday morning, halfway through a joint Potions class for Slytherin and Gryffindor. He stumbled into the castle's main hall with his right arm in a sling and bandages wrapped tightly around it.
"How are you, Draco?" Pansy Parkinson asked with a silly grin. "Does it hurt?"
"It does," Malfoy replied, putting on a brave face. But when Pansy looked away, he winked at Crabbe and Goyle.
"Sit down, sit down," Professor Snape said lazily.
Malfoy took a seat beside Augustus. Lillian smirked. "Ah, our great hero has returned! Fresh off the battlefield. How's the mood, Draco? Care to share some words of wisdom with us humble civilians about your heroic exploits?"
Malfoy coughed awkwardly, covering his mouth, then straightened up with an air of pride. "This minor injury is nothing! A mere scratch. I insisted on attending class despite my arm being almost immobile. Madam Pomfrey was so moved by my courage that she gave me special permission to join. Ha!"
"Tsk, tsk, such bravery! Who would've thought? Even the knights of Muggle legend famed for their valor might pale in comparison," Lillian remarked, her tone dripping with mock admiration.
"Of course," Malfoy said, puffing out his chest. "Fighting against the oppressive tyranny of someone like Hagrid is my sacred mission. Even such a grievous injury only strengthens my resolve!" He began to speak in an increasingly dramatic tone, his expression almost sanctimonious.
"Enough already! I didn't think you could be more shameless, but clearly, I underestimated you!" Lillian finally snapped, her patience exhausted.
"Such ignorant rabble," Malfoy retorted smugly. "Professor," he called out, "I need someone to help trim these daisy roots. My arm, you see…"
"Weasley, cut Malfoy's roots," Snape said without looking up.
Ron's face turned red with anger. "Your arm is perfectly fine!" he growled.
Malfoy smirked across the table. "Weasley, you heard Professor Snape. Get to it."
Ron snatched the knife and roughly chopped at Malfoy's roots, leaving them uneven.
Augustus observed with mild amusement, shaking his head slightly. Knowing Malfoy, this would only backfire on Ron.
As expected, Malfoy drawled, "Professor, Weasley's ruined my roots!"
Snape strode over, his hooked nose peering down at the table, and gave Ron a nasty smile from beneath his greasy black hair.
"Switch roots with Malfoy, Weasley."
Ron, who had spent a good fifteen minutes meticulously cutting his own roots, was forced to exchange them with Malfoy.
"Now," Snape said dangerously.
Malfoy leaned back smugly as Ron began cutting again. "Oh, Professor," Malfoy added, "I also need help peeling my figs."
"Potter, peel Malfoy's figs," Snape ordered, his tone full of disdain.
"Potter, be careful with my figs," Malfoy said grandly, like an emperor addressing a servant. "I don't want them ruined like last time."
Harry's expression was stormy as he aggressively peeled the figs, imagining it was Malfoy's skin.
"Relax, relax," Malfoy said with a smirk. "By the way, you two probably don't know about Hagrid's current situation." His tone grew quieter, almost conspiratorial.
"What do you mean?" Harry demanded, slamming a peeled fig onto the table.
"Well," Malfoy drawled, feigning innocence, "my father was quite upset about my injury. While he hasn't managed to send Hagrid to Azkaban, it seems his teaching position is in jeopardy."
"Give it a rest, Malfoy. Your father isn't even on the school board anymore. He doesn't have the authority to fire Hagrid," Lillian retorted, cutting through his smugness with a sharp jab.
"Ah…" Malfoy's face flushed crimson under Harry's suspicious gaze. "Don't look at me like that, Potter! While my father may no longer hold an official position, his influence on the board remains strong. Getting rid of someone like Hagrid is child's play," he said with exaggerated nonchalance.
Harry's heart sank. The thought of Hagrid being ousted felt like a cruel injustice. Despite his bravery in facing Voldemort and protecting the Philosopher's Stone, he now felt powerless to protect his beloved friend. Watching Malfoy's smug expression, Harry felt something fragile and pure within him shatter—a newfound bitterness toward the wizarding world and its entrenched inequalities.
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