Harry glowered at the Slytherin table, frightening an unfortunate Hufflepuff first year in his line of sight. "Look how smug he is. I don't care if his dad's on the board, he shouldn't be able to get away with saying things like that."
"Oh, I wouldn't say he's getting away with it." Hermione poured milk into her tea, apparently unbothered.
"Did you tell McGonagall?"
Ron resurfaced from his meal. "Not sure that'd do much good. The worst she'd do is take points, and it's not like that's ever stopped Malfoy before."
"And Snape would probably just give them back anyways." Harry agreed, and they scowled in Malfoy's direction.
"I didn't tell McGonagall. Even Hagrid didn't take house points, I doubt McGonagall would. Besides," She stirred her tea primly. "Handling it directly is much more satisfying."
This got the boys attention, and they looked at her with confusion and apprehension. Neither had forgotten how casually she had hexed Neville last year, or how she had lied effortlessly to their professors after the troll incident.
Their attention was diverted by the arrival of the morning post. Ron and Harry kept eating, not expecting any mail, but Hermione kept her attention on the flurry of owls above. She waved her wand absently over the teacup in front of her to cool it, but otherwise remained focused, keeping an eye out for a specific bird. She relaxed slightly as an Eagle Owl appeared, toting a package almost as large as itself. The bird circled the hall and glided gracefully towards the Slytherin table, dropping the package into a pair of pale hands.
Finally noticing their friend's unwavering attention, Harry and Ron looked back at Malfoy, who was waving his wand subtly over the box, no doubt checking for unfriendly spells. Apparently finding nothing, he leaned over to his housemate who was holding a much smaller package, gesturing at the large box with a sneer.
"Probably boasting about getting a gift from his parents. Prat."
Hermione picked up her tea and nodded in Malfoy's direction. "Just wait."
Malfoy had produced a short knife and was carefully cutting the strings and paper from the package. Balancing it in his lap, he reached for the flaps of the box.
BANG!
Nearly every head in the hall turned toward Slytherin table and conversation ceased. Even the professors were looking around for the source of the noise, some with concern and some with annoyance. A wave of disbelieving laughter seemed to roll over the hall as the source of the disturbance became clear. Several Slytherins were smirking, the Ravenclaws were laughing outright, the Hufflepuffs were trying and failing to giggle quietly, and the Gryffindors were positively roaring with laughter. Draco Malfoy, from his slick blond hair to his expensive robes, was covered in glitter. Speechless, he sat there in a daze, red and gold glitter shining from every surface of his body and covering the enraged flush on his cheeks. He stood up suddenly, some of the glitter falling to the table and floor but far more remaining stuck securely to his clothes and skin. He stormed to the door, perhaps not realizing that this only added to the humiliation as every eye in the room watched him go, shedding glitter with every step.
The noise in the hall was unbelievable, and in the chaos no one noticed the triumphant smile of a certain Gryffindor second year. Harry and Ron clapped and shouted jubilantly, grinning madly at their friend. Hermione took a sip of her tea, beaming. That had felt good.