"Wasting time?" Lucius said in astonishment.
"What makes Holmes terrifying, Lucius, is his suffocating efficiency.
"He uses every second to strengthen himself, whether through Muggle knowledge or magical means."
"If Draco wants to survive the coming turmoil-whichever side he stands on."
Snape's eyes flickered.
"He must be stronger than everyone else.
"Since Holmes uses such high-pressure methods to train Potter and Granger, we, as Slytherins, cannot fall behind."
"We must use the enemy's methods to defeat the enemy."
"Lead the way."
Snape gave the curt order.
"Where?"
"Draco's study."
Snape adjusted his cuffs, an expression appearing on his face that struck terror into every student at Hogwarts.
"As Head of House, I believe a home visit is necessary.
"To see just what my most prized student has accomplished in these first forty-eight hours of the summer holiday."
"A home visit?"
Lucius froze. He could not shake the feeling that those words carried something inexplicably chilling when they came from Snape's mouth.
The east study on the second floor of Malfoy Manor.
An expensive crystal chandelier cast a soft glow, and a fire blazed in the fireplace, driving away the chill of the rainy night.
Draco Malfoy sat at a mahogany desk.
He wore a silk shirt with the collar open, his hair falling naturally over his forehead, making him look less vicious and more like a fresh-faced boy.
But his expression was anything but relaxed.
Before him lay an open copy of The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 5. To his left was a cup of tea that had gone completely cold, and to his right lay a hawthorn wand.
"Protego Totalum... no, that's not right. Another flick of the wrist."
Draco muttered under his breath, his brow tightly furrowed.
Yet his mind was on Harry's performance in the