Slytherin Common Room.
Malfoy was surrounded by several young wizards who had bought Limited Edition Maps, boasting loudly about his family's glorious past.
In the process, he couldn't help taking a few jabs at Potter, both openly and in subtle ways.
It was all to show that his family was older and more distinguished.
Who knew why he cared so much about Harry? He brought him up whenever he got the chance.
Pansy Parkinson glanced toward the boys' dormitory.
Chris and the other two had just walked past them, carrying fine parchment with gold-embossed patterns.
"Seems like they've run into Prewett lately."
Parkinson turned her gaze back and smiled at Malfoy.
"I heard that too. They were in such a hurry just now, probably because they were going to make maps."
"Could that mean..." One young wizard glanced at the map in Malfoy's hand, hesitating before he asked, "the maps we have won't be worth anything anymore?"
The maps' value had originally come from their limited availability.
If they became commonplace, they wouldn't be worth much.
Malfoy realized that too.
He spread out the map again and took another look. The family crest was crisply outlined, its colors elegant and understated.
"I've seen the maps they sell. They're so poorly drawn they can't compare to ours," Malfoy said confidently, trying to save face.
Truthfully, he wasn't so sure himself.
When Chris and the others had passed by, Malfoy had clearly seen that they were carrying parchment with gold-embossed patterns too.
But he had to say this now.
After all, Miss Parkinson had spent 25 Galleons on a map with his help. He couldn't admit that he'd misjudged the situation; it would bring shame on the Malfoy family.
If Prewett couldn't beat them, he'd go demand his money back.
Malfoy couldn't