On Saturday, only two people were in the High Tower.
"I'm heading back, Potter," Malfoy said to Harry.
"Mm." Harry sounded distant. He had magic to study with Strange later, and Ron had overslept today. He might have to wake him for lunch.
"It's a Hogsmeade day. I asked someone to bring me sweets from Honeydukes and Butterbeer from The Three Broomsticks. Want some tonight?" Malfoy had someone bring him treats on every Hogsmeade day.
"George and Fred are bringing me some. No need, thanks." Harry's tone remained cool.
Malfoy didn't take it to heart. He stepped straight into the Vanishing Cabinet.
Malfoy emerged from the other Vanishing Cabinet humming a tune. Since joining the High Tower, his life had begun to go smoothly.
Academically, he no longer spent all his time antagonizing Harry. Instead, he often studied with everyone in the High Tower, where the students generally earned good marks. Hermione was especially impressive. He swore he had known she was good at studying, but he hadn't realized just how good. Now he felt the "walking encyclopedia of Gryffindor" lived up to her name.
Then there were the Weasley Twins. Behind their reputation as "prank masters," they were both top students. Of course, the newcomer Michael Corner had excellent marks too.
Whenever Malfoy struggled with a charm, guidance from the others in the High Tower soon helped him master it. Little by little, his studies improved.
Socially, quite a few Slytherin students had recently been trying to get close to him, hoping to join the High Tower. Yes, word about the High Tower was spreading. People had discovered that its members were all good students, and joining might even bring them into contact with the Chosen One.
Because of Will's peculiar position in Slytherin, no one approached him directly.