"Jordan, can I ask you something?" Sitting in front of me was my older brother, Jordan. His blonde, curly hair was a mess, and his green eyes looked tired. I had just woken him up.
"What now, Bianca?" he asked, apparently irritated. He blinked a few times, adjusting his eyes to the light.
"I was wondering," I said, letting out a soft sigh--Jordan was never in good moods in the morning, "why you're in Slytherin. Isn't Slytherin for the loud, obnoxious, pratty people? You're not even close to that."
"I dunno, Bianca," Jordan said, tilting his head back in annoyance. "It's too early to answer questions, okay? Ask me later."
"No, please, please, just answer, Jordan. I know you know the answer. Please please please?"
He closed his eyes, and sighed. "Fine." He opened his eyes, pushing his blonde curls out of his face. "Some people are put into situations so that they'll get stronger. Some are afraid of what others think of them, and others are just like that."
"So what are you?" I asked, hoping it was the first one. I had always looked up to Jordan; he couldn't turn around and be the bad guy now.
"I dunno, I don't think anyone does. But it doesn't matter, because I'm going back to sleep now. Okay?"
I crossed my arms over my chest and grunted. "Fine."
"What, have you not eaten since the train ride last year?" Harry said, laughing in the background.
I looked up from my plate, swalling quickly. "Hey, I'm hungry. Don't try to put a distance between me and my food."
"Yes, don't. You might get your hand cut off," Hermione remarked, and Harry barked with laughter.
"What, Ron's doing it too! I'm not the only one here to pick on."
"But Ron does that all the time," Hermione said. "You're usually the one telling him to stop!"
I grinned. "Yeah, okay, I guess I'm just in a weird mood today." I shrugged. I looked over at Ron. "God, slow down, boy! You're going to choke!"
Harry and Hermione shared a knowing look, and both of them laughed quietly.
I was suddenly done eating, so I patted Ron on the back, and got up from the table. "Hey, I'm off to the common room . . . I'm exhausted. G'night, guys," I said, letting out a loud yawn.
Harry and Ron both said a quick good-night, and Hermione waved at me as I got up and walked out of the Great Hall.
When I got through the doors, I walked down the hallway to the staircase, only to jump five feet in the air because of a voice.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't Jordan's little sister?"
I turned around, ready to snap. Draco Malfoy. I wasn't about to forget him. Or what he had done to me.
"Hey ferret. Have a good summer running around in your Daddy's cage? Or did your Daddy not let you take a field trip to Azkaban with him?" I crossed my arms over my chest, and gave him a mock-pout.
"Wotchit, Woods. I heard from your brother that you were getting cozy with the Weasleys this summer. What now? Are you carrying a Weasel baby now, too?" Malfoy asked harshly, his lips playing a smirk.
"Stop changing the subject, ferret," I spat, taking only a step closer to him.
"Weasel."
"Okay, just because I spent half of my summer at the Weasley's house, now suddenly I'm one of them?"
"You are if you mate with them."
"I did not, you little scumbag!" I said, my voice creeping onto a high note. "It's not my fault you have to force yourself onto a girl to get anywhere!"
Malfoy's smile slanted, but didn't shift from his smirk. "You would know that how?"
I didn't answer. "I really wanted to stay away from you this year," I said bitterly. "And here you are! God, you never leave me alone, do you?"
"I'm just too irresistable," he said . . . then he scowled. "Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot. Don't hit on Gryffindors. They're filth straight from hell."
"I'm from hell?" I laughed coldly. "Look who's talking, Mister I'm-so-proud-to-be-a-death-eater's-son!"
That seemed to be his vantage point. He immediately pointed his wand at me.
I laughed, and took out my own. "Gosh, Malfoy. You never learn. You won't beat me in a duel, even if you had Crabbe and Goyle by your side. I'm better with magic. Clearly, you have no chance. So put your wand down."
He didn't, of course. But he didn't attack either. Instead, he walked away as the rest of the Great Hall started to file out from dinner. I smirked, and walked to the Gryffindor Tower.
And that is how you outsmart a ferret.