Although, because of his father, Draco's family naturally stood in opposition to the Greatest Wizard, Dumbledore, it would be a mistake to think Draco's casual comment earlier truly reflected carelessness.
In truth, Draco was always cautious when dealing with those stronger than him.
And besides, he didn't believe the Greatest Wizard would seriously act against a minor wizard like himself—especially not over a few careless words.
That restraint... it was the collar around the neck of the Greatest Wizard.
...
Draco rarely lost his temper.
You could even say he was remarkably tolerant—able to ignore most provocations. Whether people insulted Slytherin or accused him openly of being a Death Eater, Draco could let it go.
Because to Draco, the people saying those things weren't even on the same level as him.
Awareness.
Vision.
Status.
Power.
The gap between them had a name—rank.
However, perhaps because of a certain little witch, Draco's emotions had recently become more volatile.
And right now, it was unmistakable—Draco was angry.
"Next time, don't point your finger at me, you stupid Weasley!"
"I… you…"
Those signature gray eyes of the platinum-blooded noble were frightening in their calmness. His gaze made people instinctively want to submit. Though still young, Draco already possessed an aura of his own.
It was an intimidating pressure, coming from deep within the soul.
It was the pride of dragons.
It came from his noble lineage.
Whatever the reason, Draco could not tolerate being lectured—especially not with a finger pointed at his face.
And especially not by Ron Weasley.
The Weasley family might've been one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight pure-blood families, but Ron had never carried himself like a wizarding noble.
Draco didn't understand what gave Ron the courage to stand up to him. If that confidence came from the Chosen One standing beside him, then Draco found that absolutely laughable...
His blunt, dismissive words brought the entire scene to a halt.
Speaking of Slytherins, they were a rather unique bunch. Ambitious beyond most, they were willing to abandon much in pursuit of their goals.
But when faced with someone strong—someone worth following—they could also suppress their ambition and offer loyalty in return.
Whether Draco was that kind of leader or not wasn't something the other Slytherins had thought too deeply about. But instinctively, one by one, they fell into step behind him.
That unified Slytherin response made Ron Weasley retreat another step.
Just as Hermione frowned and looked ready to speak up, Professor Hooch—furious—finally exploded.
"What are you doing?!"
"Do you want to start a fight in my class?!"
"By Merlin's beard—this is outrageous!"
For young wizards, the authority of a professor still held weight. The brewing conflict instantly dissipated under Professor Hooch's intervention, and Draco withdrew his gaze from Ron Weasley.
In response, Goyle and Crabbe merely shot Ron and Harry a fierce glare before stepping back into line...
"Slytherin and Gryffindor, ten points from each!"
"If it happens again, you're out of my flying class!"
It was clear that Professor Hooch was truly furious.
However, this didn't seem to affect Draco much.
His calm gaze betrayed none of the guilt of someone who'd just cost his house points. On the other hand, Ron's expression—sour and aggrieved—suggested he took this "unfair" deduction quite personally...
"Relax, were you planning to eat him?"
Even after being docked points, Draco, who looked completely unfazed, gave Pansy a light pat on the head.
At that moment, the once-angry Pansy instantly turned into a bashful, soft-spoken girl. It was as if that fierce, mafia-boss aura from earlier had never existed...
However, when she realized she'd been patted again, Pansy glared at Draco in annoyance.
"Well, it's that... stupid Weasley's fault for provoking you."
She seemed to fully embrace Draco's earlier insult, parroting it herself. Hearing that, Ron turned and glared at her furiously.
It was worth noting, though—it had been Draco who said those words first, but now, Ron wasn't even glaring at him...
...
No one dwelled on how the confrontation had started anymore. Slytherin's show of unity had, almost instinctively, caused the Gryffindors to band together in response.
Tension crackled in the air as both houses now stared at each other with open hostility.
Where before there had only been wary glances, there was now blatant disdain.
Hermione noticed the shift in atmosphere too. Her gaze toward Draco was complicated.
She had wanted to say something earlier, but the professor's outburst had cut her off—and now, she felt she no longer had the chance to speak.
Looking at the figure standing at the head of all the Slytherins, as if he'd naturally become their unspoken leader...
Hermione murmured to herself,
"Even if he is a Slytherin, that guy..."
He was different somehow.
Not someone she found all that unpleasant.