THE MIRROR OF ERISED
those people who have to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas because
they’re not wanted at home.”
He was looking over at Harry as he spoke. Crabbe and Goyle
chuckled. Harry, who was measuring out powdered spine of lion-
fish, ignored them. Malfoy had been even more unpleasant than
usual since the Quidditch match. Disgusted that the Slytherins had
lost, he had tried to get everyone laughing at how a wide-mouthed
tree frog would be replacing Harry as Seeker next. Then he’d real-
ized that nobody found this funny, because they were all so im-
pressed at the way Harry had managed to stay on his bucking
broomstick. So Malfoy, jealous and angry, had gone back to taunt-
ing Harry about having no proper family.
It was true that Harry wasn’t going back to Privet Drive for
Christmas. Professor McGonagall had come around the week be-
fore, making a list of students who would be staying for the holi-
days, and Harry had signed up at once. He didn’t feel sorry for
himself at all; this would probably be the best Christmas he’d ever
had. Ron and his brothers were staying, too, because Mr. and Mrs.
Weasley were going to Romania to visit Charlie.
When they left the dungeons at the end of Potions, they found
a large fir tree blocking the corridor ahead. Two enormous feet
sticking out at the bottom and a loud puffing sound told them that
Hagrid was behind it.
“Hi, Hagrid, want any help?” Ron asked, sticking his head
through the branches.
“Nah, I’m all right, thanks, Ron.”
“Would you mind moving out of the way?” came Malfoy’s cold
drawl from behind them. “Are you trying to earn some extra
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