It was late, but Malcolm didn't care. He had the wonderful experience of his first detention. He did get to spend his time writing letters to his family. McGonagall even included a lesson on how to send an owl, assuring him that the distance was not a problem. The Owl Post would handle that.
Professor McGonagall was not as bad as he expected, but there were reasons. She had seemed to be a stern teacher during his first class ever, Transfiguration. She was clearly pleased that he had made a passable needle out of his match, but then the news came about Draco and Hagrid.
His friend had been attacked by a hippogryff, and Hagrid was being blamed for it. Rumors in Gryffindor said that Draco was faking his injury to cause trouble. Malcolm believed this. He knew how much the Malfoys disliked the giant, even if he hadn't been told why. His reaction was to wait and see what happened, an attitude which did not go over well in his house. He found he had to defend himself when he returned to the common room
Fred helped by saying, "He hasn't even been here a whole day. He's right. Let him wait and find out what's going on."
"That isn't true. He was a good idea of what is going on," Hermione Granger said. "After all, he spent the morning with Hagrid, and he claims to be friends with Malfoy."
"Malcolm, What is your opinion on all this?" someone asked as all eyes in the room watched him."
"First of all," Malcolm said angrily, "I don't claim to be friends with Draco Malfoy, I am friends with him. Second, I spent the morning with a very tall guy named Hagrid. I met him this morning when I walked into the Hall for breakfast, and saw him holding a dead animal. He then gave me a playful pat on the head which sent me to the floor. He did not make a good first impression."
"Hagrid is a wonderful person," Hermione said.
"Not to me," Malcolm shot back. "But then I've only known him for one day, I'll give you that. Draco doesn't like him either, and neither does his father. Do you know what I think? I think Hagrid has a very good chance of losing his job."
"Hagrid didn't do anything wrong," Hermione argued, "Draco provoked the hippogryff."
"Wrong?" Malcolm answered, "Hagrid, the teacher, introduced a dangerous animal to the student, Draco, who did not have sufficient training to handle the animal properly. Hagrid, as the teacher, was negligent in his duties."
"But Draco is faking his injuries, and we can prove it," Hermione countered.
"Doesn't matter," Malcolm argued, "The Malfoys can claim that it is emotional trauma, as a result of the unexpected attack."
"There is ample evidence that Draco Malfoy always acts in such a manner," Hermione retorted.
"Then it becomes a case of willful negligence on the part of the teacher. Hermione, You have just acknowledged that Draco Malfoy was not capable of handling the hippogryff. Present that argument in court and you will lose hands down."
Hermione shook her head sadly. "You're right, Malcolm. But I have to admit my surprise. How do you know those legal tricks?"
"I just paid attention whenever I was in a courtroom," Malcolm said, "That particular argument got my brother off, after the car caught fire."
[That's also why Francis is in a military school in Alabama. That and the nose rings.]
"He set your car on fire?" Fred asked.
"Of course not," Malcolm said to everyone's relief, "It wasn't our car."
Shortly after that, everyone went their separate ways, giving curious glances at their American housemate. Hermione came over to Malcolm and asked him if the incident with the car was true.
"Of course it is. Why would I lie about something about that."
Hermione appeared flustered. "Malcolm, I don't understand how you can calmly discuss your brother like that. Perhaps it's because I'm not used to such things but..."
"But I make you feel uncomfortable. I know, I get that a lot."
[Really, I do. Lots of people feel uncomfortable around me.]
"Malcolm," Hermione said, Laughing softly, "How did you manage to get into Gryffindor? You don't seem the type."
"It was to keep me out of trouble."
Hermione laughed at the joke. "I'm serious, Malcolm."
"So am I. The Sorting Hat told me I was smart enough for Ravenclaw, and ambitious enough for Slytherin, but it said I should go to Gryffindor because I would cause less trouble here."
Hermione thought about it for a minute. "The Hat was right, Malcolm, at least from my point of view."
This time Malcolm laughed. "Why do you say that?"
"That legal advice you gave me off the top of your head. You could be giving it to Malfoy." She paused and watched Malcolm for a minute. "I think I should keep an eye on you, you are someone to watch."
"Yeah, I get that a lot, too."
With that, Malcolm got up and went to his dorm to go to bed. "Hermione," he called back, "Christopher Lee or Richard Harris?"
"You have to explain that one."
"EJ and I were talking about the movies and Gryffindor."
"I get it, Count Dracula or King Arthur."
"That's right. So, Hermione, which one would you expect?"
"The Sheriff of Nottingham. I'm a big Alan Rickman fan."
Malcolm walked into the owlery with one last letter to send. He had written Stevie a long letter explaining, what had happened that day, asking for his opinion. It was the type of thing the Krelbournes were good at, as long as they didn't actually have to follow their own advice.
"I could tell you what your friends will say," Dumbledore said from behind.
[How does he do that. It's as though he and Mom went to the same mind-reading school.]
"I'm sorry, Sir," Malcolm said, "I didn't see you standing there."
"I know, Malcolm," said Albus, "but you have been on my mind quite a bit. Your name keeps coming up. People are telling me you are a boy to watch. You know what Lucius will do, don't you."
"He'll try to have Hagrid removed as a teacher. I know they don't like each other. Draco will fake his injuries enough to make a case. If this is anything like the real world, it's going to go on for a long time."
"It could last a few months easily," Dumbledore said, "a year at the most. But there is nothing we can do about that, yet. Don't forget, we also have an escaped convict to hunt for. Our attention is divided now."
Malcolm looked down at the floor, "You're talking like I'm on your side. The truth is, I don't care about Hagrid that much. Despite what they're going to do, I do like Draco, and his father. And I know that they like me, at least that was my first impression."
"You are right about them. Do you remember when you were sorted, yesterday, how the Slytherin table cheered you. Draco wanted to show you how he felt, so he told everyone in his house to applaud that you didn't get into Slytherin. They were annoyed with him when they found out the truth. As for his father, he sees that part of you, that is most like him. The robes you wear prove you are right about him as well."
"What should I do?" Malcolm asked.
"Send the letter to your friends," Dumbledore assured him. "I'm sure they will help you decide what to do when the time comes to choose sides, and it will. Until then, the problem will continue, regardless of what you do. It is not a pleasant situation, and it has you, Malcolm, in the middle."
[That phrase sounds awfully familiar.]