Harry had enough to study that he wished he could excuse just popping off to the kitchens and getting a snack. He didn't want to go down to breakfast, and deal with everything and everyone staring.

He had better things to do.

He was also starting to understand why half the Ravenclaw table was generally covered with books. History of Magic wasn't hard, but it was extensive. And almost none of it was what Binns said it was. Oh, he hadn't lied, but he hadn't talked about anything except Goblins!

Harry had just found a very interesting memoir about Rukbat Black, too. He hadn't realized nonfiction could be this interesting - but a modest Slytherin in the Ministry was a scintillating read.

"Potter," Theo Nott's voice rang out.

Harry looked up. "Yeah?" he asked, and then promptly started second guessing himself. Rukbat had never used such a low-class word... but Rukbat was three hundred years dead.

"Malfoy says that we first years ought to leave you alone." Nott wasn't looking like he was very interested in following this. In fact, his hands were clenched into fists. "Wanna know what I think about that?"

Harry stood up slowly. portentously, he hoped. "No, I think I can guess."

"I'm not Malfoy's follower, Potter." Nott said, "I challenge you to a fight."

"Step inside, Nott." Harry said, lacing his voice with a note of command. Surprisingly, this actually worked. Maybe he'd managed more Snape than Dumbledore?

"I'm not Malfoy's tame little dog, whatever he's told you." Harry continued. "I don't expect to remain friends with him."

Nott blinked at that, "Why not?"

Harry refrained from making the obvious pun. "Poor little rich boy gets tired of toys pretty quickly. And I walk my own path, same as you."

Nott... considered Harry. "I've... still issued you a challenge."

Harry grinned, adding a generous dollop of bloodthirsty delight. "And I'd be delighted to accept. You're clenching your fists wrong, kid."

Nott looked down at his hands, confusion on his face.

"At least let me show you how to make a fist, before I beat you bloody." Harry said, stepping into Nott's personal space. "Never put your thumb under your fingers, it'll just break when you punch." Harry showed him how to make a real fist, "And you punch with your knuckles. It hurts, too."

Nott warily looked at Harry, who'd seemed so small and weedy before. "You know a lot about this, Potter."

"Aye." Harry smiled, like the warm smile that Hagrid wore when he fed the thestrals. Just an edge of bloodthirstiness, not directed towards anyone. "It's a good thing no one heard your challenge, isn't it?"

Nott gave Harry a grateful look, "Yeah. Particularly because neither of us know a spell to defend ourselves with."

Harry nodded, and said, "You can still say you beat me up a little."

Nott looked confused.

Harry smirked, "Always leave them thinking you're weaker and dumber than you are."

Nott nodded at that, "Thanks, Potter."

Harry didn't want to be a pawn in an argument between Nott and Malfoy, and he hoped he'd managed to defuse at least one side of the conflict.

And, Rukbat's wisdom may just prove more immediately useful than he'd thought. Share a secret, deepen a friendship. Well, this friendship had been nonexistent, so Harry figured it couldn't get worse.

[a/n: Review?]