[ HPe Chapter 142 ]
"Harry"
The wizard stopped and turned to face the speaker he had already identified. Daphne Greengrass, along with her friend Tracey Davis.
"Hello Daphne, Tracey." The two brightened, causing him to wonder if they had been expecting a different reaction.
"How are you feeling?" Tracey asked, earning a bit of a shift from the boy just to check on the various aches which were slowly dissipating.
"Better, I'll probably be back to my normal self in the next day or so at most."
Daphne nodded before biting her lip. "We were wondering if you had thought about doing lessons again this year, you know like before."
He hadn't, not really. There was an assumption, deep down, that no one would be interested in such a thing after the calamity that ended the previous year and his own involvement in the events already transpiring. They hadn't wanted to be associated with him before, when he had been actively avoiding trouble, why would they want to now that he was practically throwing himself in front of it? "I've been a bit busy already, so no."
A thought had occurred to give an explanation, but he opted against it. He always felt as though he was explaining himself, explaining his reasons. Not this time, if they wanted to know more they could act their age and ask.
Greengrass looked as if she were going to reply but her friend beat her to it. "Right, of course you have been. We were just wondering is all. With what happened in Defense class last year a lot of us are behind, so we were just, you know... checking."
"I was tutoring last year, if you remember."
There was the flinch he had been anticipating, but strangely enough it didn't make him feel any better, just a bit guilty. After all, they were kids, scared children who didn't know what was going on or who was going to be hurt next. All they knew was that it seemed to revolve around Harry and Grace.
Who could blame them for putting distance between themselves and potential harm?
"Tell you what, give me a day or two to figure out a schedule and lesson ideas and I'll let you know the specifics of when you can sign up, okay?"
Both nodded in obvious relief before scurrying off.
****
The young blonde did her best to maintain a 'proper' reaction. She had been taught not to reveal her thoughts and emotions through reactions after all, but it was difficult especially in that moment. It was her name on the signup sheet to be considered for Seeker, her name, and a date with a time for her tryout, her name, the first and last, not just her family's name.
It was something she had been striving for, been pushing and practicing for. Something she would be able to call her own, that she could brag about achieving with her own skill and not just her mother and father's fame and fortune.
The grin broke through, and it was because of this euphoria she turned and nearly ran into her sister.
"P-Pandora," The younger Malfoy exclaimed, before remembering her tutoring and schooling her expression into one of neutrality with just a hint of superiority, "it is good to see you sister."
Her sibling looked far from convinced and raised her eyes to the Quidditch board for a moment before returning. "It seems you have made it to tryouts. Seeker even, quite impressive for someone your age."
It was a typical 'higher society' compliment with a hint of insult, something Cleopatra had come to recognize and expect, especially in public and from members of her family.
Still, a part of her, one she buried deep down, despised it. "Is there something you need? I find it hard to believe you came over here to check on my progress in Quidditch."
"I have received a letter from mother and father instructing me to ensure you are taking your studies seriously and to not take any unnecessary risks."
"My grades are above average."
Pandora quirked an eyebrow as if to doubting the statement but saying nothing. "It would be in your best interest to spend some extra time studying defense. I will find you a tutor among the older students if you desire."
Cleo considered it, with everything that had already occurred it would be a good idea to brush up on her dueling skills. Then, from the corner of her eye, she spotted him.
She tried not to look, not to give away any intent, but under her sister's scrutiny there was nothing she could hide.
Pandora turned her head slightly to follow her own gaze and if her features were hardened before they were ice moments after.
"Take care Cleo not to covet what already belongs to someone else ."
With that she turned and departed, earning a brief glance from Harry Potter who had just entered from a different side of the room.
Still, Cleopatra couldn't help it. She was a Malfoy after all. What better defined them than wanting what someone else had?
Except perhaps taking what they wanted.
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