Draco Malfoy stood unamused in the Great Hall. It was just another boring first day of school, as far as he was concerned. He missed the summer terribly; sleeping in, lounging around the manor, the elegant parties. He was already counting the days until Christmas break.
His interests perked at the sound of three familiar voices: Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Looking for something to pass the time, he seized the opportunity to entertain himself.
"Oy! Weasley!"
The three friends turned in unison at the sound of the all too familiar voice, each bearing the same expression of dismay. They were holding Ron's filthy owl.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" Harry asked, preparing to stick up for his friend.
Draco got an evil grin on his face.
"Did you have to bring that foul smelling thing in here?
Ron turned bright red with embarrassment and anger. Seeing that Ron was close to pouncing, Harry began to hold him back.
"How dare," was all Ron could get out before he was interrupted.
"I was talking to the owl," Malfoy replied with a wicked grin.
"That's a good question, Malfoy," Hermione replied sarcastically. "Now maybe you can tell me what the point of having a brain is, when you're incapable of using it?"
At Hermione's comment, Draco stared at Hermione. For some reason, an odd smirk spread across Draco's face.
"Touche, Granger," Draco replied as he slowly turned and left.
Hermione didn't know what was different about Draco this year, but he had never smiled at her that way before.