The mood in the Great Hall at Hogwarts had been made far more relaxed and lazy than usual by the joy of the approaching holiday and break.
Beneath the floating candles, the four long House tables in the Great Hall were already filled with chattering students, and the House-elves had made the meal on the day before the holidays especially lavish.
At the Slytherin table.
"My father was very pleased when he saw me using those new moves Allen taught us," Draco Malfoy said smugly. "He promised to equip me with a Wizard Computer at school too. When the holidays are over, we can use it to play games."
"I'm still not as good as you, but I've learned a few as well." Blaise Zabini straightened his back rather proudly, picking up a silver fork in his dark-skinned hand and spearing a piece of white fish steak. "When I was practicing on the training ground, I was lucky enough to get some guidance from Laura's mother, though I still haven't mastered the Stone Skin Charm."
"If you ask me, if you two idiots put even half the thought you put into eating into practice... you wouldn't still be unable to learn the Shield Charm... I feel embarrassed by the way people look at you when you trail behind me." Draco wrinkled his nose, casting a disgusted glance at Crabbe and Goyle, who were grabbing cake and stuffing it into their mouths in huge bites, then looked somewhat enviously toward Laura Rosier, the perfect follower, who was handing a Sugar Quill to Emily.
Emily was sitting near the head of the Slytherin table, whispering with Pansy. The plates in front of her had all been pushed far away. She took the Sugar Quill Laura had unwrapped for her and took a