Malfoy exploded

Of course, whenever Malfoy was in such a cheerful mood, something bad would always happen...

That afternoon's Potions tutoring could count as the happiest afternoon Malfoy had spent in the two days since school began!

Although she had felt a little wronged at first and deeply resented Potter.

But afterward, she discovered that Potter really was giving her "hands-on instruction," and he had even covered her legs with his cloak and kept an arm around her waist throughout their Potions tutoring...

Hmm, surely that was more intimate than what he had with that red-haired white rat monster, Weasley?

At least, that was what Draco thought.

So Malfoy had basically chosen to forget all the earlier unpleasantness.

Later, when she helped Potter put on his glasses at the entrance to the Great Hall.

Malfoy felt that, although her heart kept pounding nonstop, it actually left her remarkably calm!

Because she was a little afraid to react too strongly, worried that she might disturb this beautiful-er, yes, beautiful moment, but don't get the wrong idea~

But for some reason, just as Draco's mood had clearly begun to improve, Hermione, who had only just started school, began refusing to let the matter drop again...

"Hey, you still haven't said what you were doing at the entrance to the Great Hall!"

Turning his head along with her rather stiffly, Harry was now at a loss for words.

Just how low was Hermione's emotional intelligence at this point, when she had only just started school...?

Couldn't she see that I was actually helping her just now?

The original only said that Hermione acted without thinking things through, and apart from being good at studying, she practically offended a classmate every time she opened her mouth.

Now Harry finally understood just how much of a headache Hermione had been at the start of school in the original...

And Harry was now immensely relieved that he had not chosen to befriend Hermione at this point.

How much frustration would I have had to swallow?

Better leave her to dear Ronnie. I believe Ron never disappoints in this respect.

Whatever it is, it can wait until after Halloween. At least Hermione after that looked a little cuter, rather than being like this...

It was just that he had a good temper. After all, he had been put under pressure by a bastard professor during graduate school, so it was hard for his emotions to fluctuate much.

As for Miss Malfoy beside him...

"You stupid, damned, bucktoothed squirrel Mudblood!"

Draco did not have Harry's good temper.

Yes, that was to be expected.

She had endured the first provocation for Potter's sake.

It was not that she had not wanted to take issue with it earlier. She had simply been beside Potter and intended to restrain her temper a little.

And yet, the other girl had actually continued provoking her?

Fine!

Then let's see who's better!

If I don't really blow up, will she actually think I have no temper?

Me! Miss Malfoy!

My father is the head of the Malfoy family, and my mother is the only remaining member of the Black family still active in the outside world!

Both are noble pure-blood clans with a thousand years of history, and very wealthy ones at that!

My father and mother have never let me suffer the slightest grievance growing up. What right does this Mudblood have to make her back down!

Her accumulated anger surged straight toward Hermione like an erupting volcano.

The more Draco thought about the situation, the angrier he became.

I was so close to leaning in just now. Just one second! Just one second!

Aaaaah!!!!

I'm going to die of anger!

So furious was Malfoy that even Harry was having a little trouble holding her back...

Of course, there was nothing he could do if he could not hold her back.

He could only let Malfoy charge forward into a battle of words~

Anyway, since Hermione was so good at talking, why not let her argue with Malfoy and see who was better?

School had only just begun, and Malfoy had not learned any jinxes, so there was no need to worry about any accidents.

Although Hermione had taught herself quite a few spells at home, at this moment she had not yet been infected by those two little terrors, Harry and Ron, and was still very rule-abiding.

Harry felt that the battle between the two of them probably would not lead to anything serious.

One wanted to lash out but could not.

The other had the ability to lash out but did not dare.

However...

Forget it. There was no "however."

Seeing how smug Malfoy looked now, with her arms wrapped straight around his waist and her long platinum hair resting softly against his shoulder, Harry already knew the outcome.

Malfoy had probably defeated her...

That made sense. The original Malfoy could trade insults with the original Harry.

As everyone knew, the original Ron merely had a somewhat smart mouth. When it came to truly sharp tongues, it had to be the original Harry and Malfoy...

In that case, let's leave first. I still have to see Professor Snape for tutoring tonight. Sigh...

As for Hermione...

Harry actually really wanted to help her, but if he intervened at a time like this, he would only end up offending both sides. It was better not to interfere...

Anyway, Hermione could be a friend, but when it came to a closer relationship, Harry really could not quite take it.

Someone like Malfoy was better...

Wait, what am I thinking?

What do I mean, Malfoy is better? I only see Malfoy as a friend!

At that moment, Harry, who considered himself a shrewd schemer, completely failed to notice that Malfoy had secretly taken his hand, an exceedingly smug smile curling her lips.

Meanwhile, at the entrance to the Great Hall.

An older Slytherin witch's eyes flickered, and then...

She took out a magical wizarding camera!

The spot it was focused on seemed to be the Ravenclaw Table, where Harry and Malfoy were now...

Harry and Draco sat down in the Great Hall and began eating in a relaxed, cheerful mood.

The gazes around them were still full of confusion and surprise, but the two of them were used to it by now and simply stopped caring.

Harry himself had actually also grown used to the unfriendly looks constantly directed at him from the Slytherin table.

This is exhausting.

Didn't I come to Ravenclaw instead of Gryffindor precisely because I didn't want to spend every day at Hogwarts acting out an endless cycle of revenge?

And yet, those Slytherins...

Forget it. At least my relationship with Miss Malfoy seems pretty good right now. I'll just keep it that way.

I'll sort those Slytherin fellows out sooner or later. They really don't know any better...

When the time comes, I'll use you lot to test my Aguamenti when Professor Snape isn't looking!

Muttering a couple of things, Harry prepared to free his left hand and properly cut the steak in front of him.

But then his gaze flickered, and only now did he notice.

Why was Malfoy holding his hand?