Crookshanks | 𝘚𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘶𝘴 𝘉𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬

Chapter 113

    Hermione then opened up Crookshanks's basket and let the ginger cat out. Crookshanks stretched out her legs and curled up on the empty space beside Hermione, purring.

"And guess who's a Slytherin prefect?" said Ron, still with his eyes closed.

"Malfoy," replied Harry at once, his worst fear confirmed.

" 'Course," said Ron bitterly, stuffing the rest of the Frog into his mouth and taking another.

"And that complete cow Pansy Parkinson," said Hermione viciously. "How she got to be a prefect when she's thicker than a concussed troll..."

"Who's Hufflepuff?" Harry asked.

"Ernie Macmillan and Hannah Abbott," said Ron.

"And Anthony Goldstein and Padma Patil for Ravenclaw," said Hermione.

"You went to the Yule Ball with Padma Patil," said a vague voice.

Everyone turned to look at the blonde girl, who was gazing unblinkingly at Ron over the top of The Quibbler. He swallowed his mouthful of Frog.

"Yeah, I know I did," he said, looking mildly surprised.

"She didn't enjoy it very much," Luna informed him. "She doesn't think you treated her very well, because you wouldn't dance with her. I don't think I'd have minded," she added thoughtfully, "I don't like dancing very much."

     She retreated behind The Quibbler again. Ron stared at the cover with his mouth hanging open for a few seconds, then looked around at Ginny for some kind of explanation, but Ginny had stuffed her knuckles in her mouth to stop herself from chuckling.

     Everyone glanced around at each other questioningly. Ron was first to try and change the subject, clearing his throat awkwardly.

     But not long after, all their heads turned around when the compartment door was suddenly opened, and they saw Draco Malfoy smirking down at Harry from between his cronies Crabbe and Goyle any more enjoyable.

     "What?" Harry said aggressively, before Malfoy could open his mouth.

     "Manners, Potter, or I'll have to give you a detention," said Malfoy, whose sleek blond hair and pointed chin were just like his father's. "You see, I, unlike you, have been made a prefect, which means that I, unlike you, have the power to hand out punishments."

     "Yeah," said Harry, "but you, unlike me, are a git, so get out and leave us alone." Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Neville laughed. Malfoy's lip curled.

     "Tell me, how does it feel being second-best to Weasley, Potter?" he asked.

     Jenna suddenly had the urge to transform back to human and punch him on his stupid smug face.

     "Shut up, Malfoy," said Hermione sharply.

     "I seem to have touched a nerve," said Malfoy, smirking. "Well, just watch yourself, Potter, because I'll be dogging your footsteps in case you step out of line."

    Jenna's heart sank in her chest at those words and her stomach clenched worriedly.

     "Get out!" said Hermione, standing up.

     Sniggering, Malfoy gave Harry a last malicious look and departed, Crabbe and Goyle lumbering in his wake. Hermione slammed the compartment door behind them and turned to look at Harry, who knew at once that she, like him, had registered what Malfoy had said and been just as unnerved by it.

     "Chuck us another Frog," said Ron, who had clearly noticed nothing.

     As she watched Harry and Hermione exchange knowing looks, Jenna could tell that they were thinking about the exact thing which was worrying her.

     Sirius had been reckless for not listening to Dumbledore and coming to the station with them, even though he knew that the Ministry was still after him. Pettigrew had probably told the Death Eaters about Sirius's Animagus form, and Lucius had recognized him at the station.

     Sirius shouldn't have left the house, and Jenna feared losing him again.