Besides the Daily Prophet, quite a few students had received letters from home.
Draco Malfoy held up a letter.
With his two little followers, Gregory Goyle and Vincent Crabbe, he walked over to the Gryffindor table.
Casting sidelong looks at Harry Potter, he smugly told his two followers:
"My father wrote to say he's holding a grand press conference for Professor Holmes, to thank him for looking after me at school.
"And he has authorized me, Draco Malfoy, Slytherin's second-year Defense Against Dark Magic class representative, to deliver this letter to Professor Holmes personally as the family heir, as a sign of the Malfoy family's respect for that venerable gentleman..."
With that, he raised his chin and swaggered out of the hall with his followers.
Watching Malfoy leave, Ron said in a squeaky voice:
"He has authorized me, Draco Malfoy, Slytherin's second-year Defense Against Dark Magic class representative... respect for that venerable gentleman...
"Good grief, that's absolutely revolting.
"Our Hermione's a class representative too, but she doesn't show off like him.
"And 'venerable gentleman'? I bet if Professor Holmes heard him call him that, he'd dunk his mouth in a hot pot eight times!"
Harry frowned.
"Don't you think there's something strange about this?
"Malfoy's always looked down on Muggle-born wizards. I'm sure his father thinks the same way.
"Why would he be kind enough to hold some press conference for Professor Holmes?
"There must be a plot behind this!"
Neville finished reading his letter, his eyes wide, and said in surprise:
"My gran says Professor Holmes must be a very powerful wizard.
"She says...
"Oh!
"No!
"Ptooey! Ptooey! Ptooey!"
While Neville was speaking, a late owl wobbled through the air, yet seemed to have taken aim as it plunged headfirst into the milk jug in front of him.
Milk