Étoile des Neiges

Chapter 3

"What the actual fuck, Granger?"

"I swear, Draco, I didn't know it would do that," she bit her bottom lip.

"You didn't-" Draco closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Fix it."

"I don't know how," she said with a shaking voice.

"You find a fucking way!" shouted Draco.

His traitorous eyes were filling with tears. He crossed his arms and turned to look through the window. He wasn't going to offer them another excuse to make fun of him. The fucking bastards.

Draco heard footsteps leaving then coming back in the kitchen followed by the sound of something landing heavily on the table.

"What do you mean you didn't know it would do that?" He heard Weasley whisper.

"Well, it was just supposed to embarrass the target in some way," she answered. "I should have known better. George taught me the spell." She emphasised the name, as if she was mad at him. As if he was the one who had cast the fucking curse.

"Remind me to thank him." The Weasel laughed. "Hairless Ferret Face, that's an image for posterity."

Granger didn't answer. There were sounds of a page turned every now and then, coupled with irritating noises of giggles.

For Salazar's balls, if Draco heard another stupid snigger again, he would-

"Good morn-"

Draco closed his eyes as he heard the deep but soft voice he could recognize from among thousands.

"What the hell, Malfoy! What happened?"

Potter sounded concerned. He looked concerned. He didn't look as if he was about to make fun of Draco. Maybe Draco wouldn't have to threaten to hex him like he had with the others. "Granger happened." He scowled at her.

"Well, it's his own fault," she insisted with her irritating know-all voice, not looking up from her massive book. "He broke the wand rule."

"I told you she'd curse the box, mate!" The Weasel's face broke into a dumb grin.

Draco didn't catch what Potter had mouthed to Weasley, but it had the merit of shutting him up.

"Are you searching for a counter-curse?" Potter raised both eyebrows and bent forward to read over her shoulder.

"Yes, why?" Granger raised her head for the first time since Draco had turned around. "Do you know one?"

Potter bit his lip. As ever, that was an interesting sight, but Draco wasn't in the mood. At all. "Well, not exactly."

Draco rolled his eyes.

"But I did grow my hair magically quite a few times when I was younger."

He made a few steps towards Draco and looked him over earnestly.

"I can try, if you want."

Potter was wearing the snitches pattern pyjama bottoms Draco was far too familiar with for his peace of mind. He had put on a red jumper with a knitted golden H in the middle. Ridiculous. He was looking expectantly to Draco. How could he expect a clever answer from Draco when wearing this hideous get-up?