After spending two more days in the hospital, madam Pomfrey was eager to discharge me, if only to serve her detention. I was not sorry to go.

however, Those two days had been cold for me, no one from Slytherin dropped in to see me except for Aster. And her beating-around-the-bush speech told me she was doing it as an obligation.

I knew I had done them an injustice, But couldn't care less. That is what we Slytherins were good at. What I had just done was let my housemates have a taste of the drought they brew for others.

I had my agenda, and wasting time apologizing to some unfeeling kids wasn't on my current to-do list. Hermione didn't show up either, and this too did not disturb me. But one friend did visit. And his visits were long and fun. He told tales of his adventures with his master. And how they travelled and did fun stuff with him. to be honest, his ideas for fun stuff were a little distorted, but so what. I couldn't judge the elf, seeing I had heard tales told about his master, for that man was no other than the famous Grindelwald. Yes, Dumbledore frenemies.

From Rompuy's tales, the elf was there during the time of the two men's friendship and had witnessed the growing rivalry between them.

He was also perhaps the only living being, apart from Dumbledore, who knew truly what transpired during the battle that saw his master's death.

Even though he was no longer Grindelwald elf, I noticed the elf was not willing to share that secret. I did not push him. That is not how friendship works. in due time, when ready and easy around me, the elf would open up, until then I would wait and nature that trust.

That morning I had transfiguration classes with McGonagall and in truth, classes were just a formality that I had to painfully endure. They added nothing at all to my system. Even the concept would be explained by the system once .but it is the classes that bought me time to figure out how to handle peeves. The poltergeist had now racked my thoughts day and night, with no possible solution presenting itself. I was daydreaming about a way of creating a meeting with peeves when McGonagall's voice jolted me back to her class.

"Mr Malfoy, you are up next. Let us see what you do with this stone"

A murmur was now rapidly spreading through the class and a loud ugly snigger came from the first row where Hermione sat alongside Ron and Harry. I knew that Ron was probably saying something ugly to his friends in an attempt to impress Hermione.

I hated to give him a reason to trump me even further, but it appeared that was just what I was gonna do, seeing I knew no spell that would affect the ugly rock anyway.

"Don't waste my time, Malfoy, and you better do something, or it will be points out for daydreaming in My class.

I stepped out of my desk to go and make a fool of myself. And of course, my newfound hobby. Nicking points from my house. at this rate, Snape would soon throw me out.

Reaching McGonagall's desk, I reached within my robes and fetched the troll whisker wand father had purchased for me.

"Oh boy, let us see what a troll can do" Ron snorted smugly.

"Shut up Mr. Weasley" McGonagall yelled sternly, but the damage was done. The class roared in laughter. All the students, including Slytherin. I should have felt proud of myself, seeing that I was probably the only thing Slytherin and Gryffindor agreed upon.

Two faces, however, remained serious. But one gave me more joy when it did not join. Hermione had bent her head as if feeling shame for me. it felt good watching her not join Ron and harry. Then I knew why, or rather felt it.", please tell me you read the book I left you stupid"

I hadn't known I could smile at being called stupid. But the warmth of that voice in my head brought a massive grin to my lips. I had almost forgotten about the coin in my robes. God knows, she hadn't used it for quite some time. I was also smiling because weirdly, during my last day in the hospital, after Rompuy had left for the kitchen, I had read the opening chapter of Bathilda's book and one spell had stuck in my mind.

That smile alone made the class quiet, even Ron didn't seem to find his joke funny anymore.

"I swear I tried ", I said in mock solemnity in my mind," but the book almost killed me, Hermione. I managed only one chapter.

There was a brief pause then Hermione exclaimed in My thoughts" no, not the first chapter, it needs more magic which is beyond the first year" maybe" I answered knowingly

I pointed at the small Rock on the desk In front of me, knowing very well the wand couldn't help me. it was merely for show. But at least it would do me a service, even if it was a tiny one.

Reaching out to my assimilated power, I felt it flow from my reserves to my fingers "orchidious" I yelled. immediately, the cold ugly rock transformed into a bunch of the most beautiful bouquets of roses I had ever seen.

Their sweet scent wafted through the class

Wow!

through the room and I could see several girls inhaling and staring at the roses covetingly.

"well done Mr. Malfoy ". McGonagall said seemingly pleased." the orchideous is one of the potent spells, written by Bathilda Bagshot." she paused, "hard because it requires a lot of magic from the user. But who can tell me why a bunch of flowers is considered powerful." McGonagall paused to stare at the class. Hermione's hand shot up immediately. The professor nodded to her." because the conjurer can use the flower's Sweet fragrance to poison multitude." well done Hermione." McGonagall said looking at the girls pointedly.``ladies, that is to say, that if Mr. Malfoy so desired, most of you would either be dead or worse, under his influence".she paused." That reminds me, for that powerful spell Mr. Malfoy get 25 points, and for that brilliant answer Miss Granger gets ten points, for your assignment....." that is as far as my mind followed McGonagall. I picked up my bouquet and dropped them on Hermione's desk as I went to take my seat

"Roses for the lady" I whispered into her thoughts. Pansy and Zabini were looking at me venomously, But I was immune to their serpentine stare. I was a serpent after all. But what gave me the warmest feeling was two faces that had transformed for different reasons. Hermione was pink for blushing and Ron was Fiery Red …well, for obvious reasons. The class hadn't been futile after all, I had repaid the points I had lost and had the last laugh. it felt good…so good.