On the first day of the Christmas holidays, most Hogwarts students set off for home to enjoy time with their families. Only a handful from each house stayed behind to spend the holiday at school.
That morning, Jerry climbed out of his warm bed, washed up, and headed briskly toward the Great Hall for breakfast. Before he reached it, he heard Malfoy's taunting voice echoing down the corridor. Malfoy was mocking Harry and the others with vicious glee.
Jerry did not go over. He slipped into an unnoticed corner, leaned against the wall, and listened to their argument.
"Black is still running free, and you can't do a thing about it, Potter. If it were me, I'd hunt him down myself and make him pay," Malfoy said arrogantly, a smug smile curling his lips. "Just imagine how thrilled Black must have been back then!"
Then Malfoy drove the insult home. He imitated Black's voice, though he had no idea what Black actually sounded like, and let out a shrill, crazed laugh. "I did it, Master! The Potters were stupid enough to make me their Secret Keeper."
From his corner, Jerry peeked out at Malfoy's brazen display of death-defying stupidity and could not help giving him a thumbs-up. When it comes to hitting Harry exactly where it hurts, you're the expert, Malfoy!
Malfoy's words struck Harry like a hammer, turning his face ashen. Hatred spread through him like poison, filling him with anger and pain he could barely contain.
Ron could not hold back either. "Shut up, Malfoy, you rotten piece of dog shit! Don't forget your father was a Death Eater—and one of Voldemort's inner circle!" he shouted.
"Weasley, don't go making things up. That's slander! My father only joined the Death Eaters because he was forced to, and because