As it turns out, Nott eventually does prove himself…rather Draco forces the issue. How? By asking the genius of a boy to make him something: a magical sword, one that can act as a wand and yet still cut like a proper blade. Surprisingly, the quiet reclusive boy is up to the task, and within a few months, the project is done. This of course delights Draco, as now both of his friends have proven themselves, and circumstances are one step closer to his brightest and best days, the days of his last life.
"So, Nott's a recluse, yet a genius inventor, and you, are the spitting image of Snape—" Draco begins, only to be rebuked harshly by the dark-skinned boy in their group.
"Excuse me, you what, mate?" He all but spits out in disgust. The platinum blond tries the innocent act.
"What? You're both good at dueling, you're both good at potions, and you're both…dark." He ends with a snicker.
"Oh bugger off mate." Blaise doesn't find it so amusing, even as his two best mates share a chuckle at his expense. "I'm no more Snape than you are Dumbledore!" He counters in an accusatory tone. Suddenly the room gets quiet and tension is in the air.
"Take that back." Draco demands. The darker boy doesn't relent.
"No. You started it." The two stare each other down and the tension in the air grows even thicker, with utensils rising off desks, and the desks themselves floating. And then it's gone, with the two best mates breaking out into laughter, as Nott rolls his eyes at their antics. And even he cannot help but let a smile find its way to his face.
After it all settles down, and giggles are had, the defacto leader of the group interrupts the fun with a suggestion.
"I think…we should add more people to the group." Blaise rolls his eyes at those words.
"Here we go again." The 'Little Demon" instantly becomes defensive in his stance. "What? You're going to ask to let a girl join aren't you?"
"…Yes." Unusually, the King of Slytherin responds in quiet shame.
"Alright, I'll bite. Who Draco? Who should join our group of psychopaths and eccentric geniuses?" Blaise all but demands of his over-eager friend. To that, Draco only licks his lips.
"I was thinking Angelina Johnson—"
"A Gryffindor." Blaise points out, interrupting.
"A first year Gryffindor." Blaise points out, before rolling his eyes. "And a Weasley." Unabashedly, Draco shrugs.
"I don't see the problem."
"First of all, calling her Weaselette is dumb. As is She-Weasel, because you started calling them that, after you came up with the name." He stresses to his oldest friend. "It's not the same if it's not organic." Draco is unimpressed by the critique, answering with a snort.
"Says you." Nott shakes his head, but remains silent.
"Second, no Gryffindor is going to want to join a group of evil Slytherin boys, and most certainly not those two." He explains in a clear voice.
"And why not?" Draco asks, affronted. His dark-skinned friend can only give him a look of disbelief.
"Really, mate?" The Slytherin King remains resolute. "Really? The Malfoy and the Weasleys hate each other!" He exclaims, incredulous. "Didn't your fathers almost come to blows in the middle of Diagon Bloody Alley?" He questions. Again Draco shrugs.
"I fail to see your point." Blaise exhales.
"Didn't you torture her brother?" He asks, trying to make his point once more. Draco waves it off, as if it's a minor event.
"An entire year has passed since then." He says dismissively. The darker-skinned boy can only close his eyes and pinch his nose.
"Alright, whatever."
"So she's good to join?" Draco asks, excitedly.
"No." Both him and Nott say in unison.
"Give me one good reason." The Malfoy heir demands.
"What talent does she have, Draco?"
"I…"
"None. You just…want her. In a few years supposedly, if your promise is anything to go by, but she's not qualified. Not yet, anyways. And Angelina Johnson—"
"She's a good flyer." The pale boy provides 'helpfully', as his best mate gives him a dry look.
"Yeah that's not cutting it. You also want her just because she's hot. And worse, you brutalized her captain, who she very much looks up to. I'm pretty sure she wants nothing to do with you." The dark-skinned boy stops and looks up in thought for a moment. "But hm…I suppose I could have a chance." Draco scoffs.
"What happened to not stepping on my toes?" Blaise scoffs right back.
"You get the entire House of Slytherin and Ginny Weasley apparently. You don't get to claim Johnson too." Draco opens his mouth to rebuttal, but Blaise continues. "Plus, she probably hates you. And that bridge isn't just burned, it's completely annihilated. Turned to ash." Draco full on scowls now.
"Says you." At this point, even Nott chimes in.
"Says everyone."
