Malfoy's fingers had turned pale around his knife and fork, and his body kept trembling. Whether from nerves or excitement, he couldn't tell.
Zhang Xiao patted his shoulder and encouraged him:
"Relax. You're the Azure Luan Society's spokesman and secretary. It's no big deal. If all else fails, just imagine everyone down there as baboons!"
"Baboons?" Malfoy laughed. His muscles, rigid with nerves, finally relaxed a little, and he instead began constantly smoothing out every wrinkle in his robes.
He also kept slicking back his hair.
"Maybe their curly fur makes them look cute and funny?"
Malfoy pressed his lips together, adjusted the Azure Luan Society badge on his chest once more, then took a deep breath. Under gazes filled with all sorts of emotions, he slowly walked up to the podium.
Looking at all those eyes staring at him, Malfoy suddenly felt his throat tighten and his head spin. Regret crept over him.
Had he known it would be like this, he wouldn't have agreed so readily when Zhang asked him whether he wanted to be the "spokesman."
People's thoughts always took strange turns when they were nervous. Malfoy suddenly remembered what Zhang Xiao had taught him:
"Imagine everyone down there as curly-haired baboons, because they're cute and funny."
Should I give it a try?
The young witches and wizards craned their necks, watching Malfoy stand motionless before the podium and wondering what on earth he was going to do.
Suddenly, Malfoy couldn't help letting out a laugh. That laugh seemed to sweep away all his nerves.
He cleared his throat, drew his wand, and quietly cast a spell on himself:
"Sonorus!"
Amplified by Sonorus, his voice rang throughout the Dining Hall:
"Fellow students, at Zhang's suggestion and with the approval of our esteemed Headmaster Dumbledore, the Azure Luan