Chapter Text
Malfoy was sending origami swans to him. They all had sketches.
Another swan nudged at Harry’s arm. He pulled the paper open. A… is that a penguin? bird of some sort was sitting in a yellowy-orangish pool of something. Harry crumpled the paper and went back to ignoring Binns.
Malfoy huffed behind him, and sent a new swan floating at his head. A note.
If you don’t like phoenixes, what are you doing for a Mark?
Harry rolled his eyes, scribbled back.
A ferret riding a hippogryph.
The swans stopped, and Harry felt Malfoy glaring the rest of the class.
***
Goyle walked up to him hesitantly after class. Harry waited for him to say something, but he didn’t seem to be in any rush.
Finally, Harry said, “Can I help you?”
Goyle held out a package, mutely.
Harry looked at it suspiciously. “No offense, but I’ve had bad luck with mystery packages lately.”
Goyle’s eyes filled with tears and his bottom lip started to tremble. It was rather disgusting.
Harry tried to smile, took the grubby box. “Thanks, Goyle,” he said weakly.
Goyle grinned. “I vote for kittens. I like kittens. But whatever you want is perfect.” He ran off.
***
Parkinson and Zabini caught up to him together, dragged him into a side corridor on his way to Charms.
“I have some thoughts on robes,” Parkinson said.
“Do we have to do masks?” Zabini asked. “Would a domino mask be acceptable?”
“Black is just so… basic.”
“Or something extravagant. Carnevale masks?”
“I think a deep emerald. You’d be dashing!”
“Masks could be fun, if we personalize them.”
“And the trim doesn’t have to be silver. Gold is in this season!”
“Just not that metal cage. Ugh.”
“A really dark red might be acceptable.”
“Think about it!”
“Consult us!”
They left.
***
Harry was a little concerned when Crabbe sat next to him in Potions. Crabbe didn’t do anything, though—didn’t even make his own potion.
Harry watched him all through the class.
That was probably why he missed the warning signs in Ron’s potion.
It exploded, covering Ron and everyone around him in a sticky potion. Horns started sprouting everywhere… except on Harry.
Crabbe had acted with surprising speed, putting himself between Harry and the cauldron. He made an effective shield.
“Thanks,” Harry said.
“Grindylows,” Crabbe said.
“Sorry?”
“I like Grindylows for the Mark. But whatever you decide is fine.”
***
“I refuse to get a ferret riding a hippogryph!” Malfoy popped out of nowhere, looking furious.
“What?” Harry was confused for a moment, then remembered the note from earlier.
“Anything else! Just please, no ferrets or hippogryphs!” His expression turned pleading.
“Erm…”
Before Harry could come up with a proper response, Nott shoved Malfoy into a wall and waved a fist in front of his face. Malfoy squeaked.
“You don’t get to dictate to Lord Potter!” Nott said.
Malfoy’s eyes went wide. “I wasn’t! It’s a plea, that’s it!”
“Good.” Nott turned to Harry. “I vote for owls. My Lord.”