It was the first day back at Hogwarts after the holidays, and the halls buzzed with whispered gossip. Draca Malfoy leaned against the cold stone wall of the corridor, arms crossed, eyes scanning the throng of students like a hawk sizing up prey.

“Oh, please,” she drawled, voice sharp and mocking as a group of first years passed by nervously clutching their books. “She deserved more. I did her a favor saying it to her face.”

She flicked her pale blonde hair over her shoulder, a cruel smile curling at her lips as she looked to one in her group. “What do you think?”