harrywentforaknife,butmalfoylungedarosstheroomfasterthanhe’dantiipatedandwhakeditouthishand.theystoodloseforamomentbeforeharrytookastepbakandranintotheounter.withhisarmsstillraisedinadefensivestane,heasked,“howdidyougetinhere?”

malfoyblinked.“thewindow.obviously.”hepointedtotheteakettle.“willyoumaketeaorshalli?”

harryfrowned.thenherealizedmalfoywasbreakingintoarhie’sft.malfoyhadnoideahewastalkingtoharrypotter.“idon’tmakeitahabitofinvitingintruderstositandstayfortea.”

“youthinki’mintruding?”malfoyalmostsneered,butitatuallylookedlikehalfasmile.heheldharry’sgazeforlongerthanwasomfortableandthenpeeredaroundtheft.“itlooksasifyoumightneedsomeintrusioninyourlife.”

“whatisthatsupposedtomean?”harrysaid,suddenlyunsureifhewasmoreinensedattheslightagainsthimorthatmalfoywasexpertlydistratingharryfromthefatthathe’dbeenaughtbreakingin.harrylookedaroundandremindedhimselfthatmalfoydidn’tknowwhohewas.

malfoystrolledovertotheouhandsatdownwithagraefulfluidity.heleanedbakandstaredathisnails.“you’vehadasuddenbrushwiththestrangeandextraordinary,haven’tyou?”

harrynarrowedhiseyesatmalfoy.“astrangeburgrinmyft,yes.”

“aseriesofeventshaveunfolded,allquiteoddandseeminglyued,butsimirinthattheywerepeuliarorunexpinable?”harryrossedhisarms.malfoyontinued,“youhavehadquiteabtimeasofte,unsatisfatory,monotonous,nosuesstospeakof—atworkorinthebedroom—butthentodaysomethinghanged.suddenlythereisaswirlofbizarreativitysurroundingyou.”