This was the first open day of the school year for Hogsmeade to Hogwarts students.
It was still early, and the morning mist had not yet dissipated. A platinum-blonde-haired boy emerged from the mist and hurried along the busiest cobblestone street in Hogsmeade.
He was Draco Malfoy.
He turned out of Honeydukes, walked past groups of Hogwarts students, and without looking to either side, passed the bustling Zonko's Joke Shop.
Finally, under the watchful eyes of several Dementors, he pushed open the door of the Three Broomsticks, a frequent haunt of Hogwarts students.
The Three Broomsticks is a warm, cosy place where one can enjoy a Butterbeer.
Although they also offer lemonade, mulled mead, red currant rum, and even cherry syrup, Draco knew that people still loved to come here in the afternoon, order a Butterbeer, and enjoy a drink with a few friends.
At this moment, Draco looked around at the customers in the pub... there were not many people yet.
With his hands in his pockets and head casually tilted, he exchanged a few words with Madam Rosmerta, who was enthusiastically welcoming customers at the door, before swaggering over to sit down in an empty booth in the corner.
Across from him in the booth was a handsome man with a gloomy expression.
His skin was deathly pale, like a vampire, radiating an aura that kept strangers at bay. His black hair hung down in front of his eyes, and he occasionally sipped his Firewhisky, seemingly weary of everything around him.
"Another drink!" He waved his empty glass at Madam Rosmerta at the door, then stared blankly into space, as motionless as a statue of a handsome man in a Greek temple.
Madam Rosmerta approached with a swagger, carrying a tray.
She was a beautiful, curvaceous woman. Draco was certain that she had given the Black heir a flirtatious look as she set down his Firewhisky glass, but he had not been swayed in the slightest.
So she casually placed the other glass of sparkling water in front of Draco and walked away disappointed.
Sirius Black's aloof demeanour did not dampen the enthusiasm of those around him.
Several older Hogwarts girls were hiding in a nearby booth, watching him, whispering amongst themselves, and occasionally letting out silly giggles.
He paid no attention to the girls. He simply raised his eyelids, glanced at the boy who had just sat down opposite him, and did not smile.
He stopped wasting his expressions and treated Draco like an ordinary boy.
He no longer displayed the same gentle and friendly attitude he had towards Harry's other Gryffindor friends.
After that night, and witnessing everything that happened in the Headmaster's office, he understood that Draco Malfoy, his distant nephew, was not as innocent as he appeared.
He is actually very mature and experienced in his work. Since that is the case, there is no need to treat the boy opposite him like an ignorant child.
This boy is by no means ignorant. The lively and cheerful demeanour he displayed when he visited Grimmauld Place, and the seemingly innocent questions he asked, were probably all an act.
Not every student has the ability to stand in the Headmaster's office late at night, plotting something with Dumbledore. Draco Malfoy was involved in some things too deeply... perhaps even more deeply than Harry.
Why would this child from a pure-blood family, who is clearly cunning, pretend to be innocent and naïve when approaching Harry? Is he genuinely sincere, or does he have ulterior motives?
Did he know about Hufflepuff's cup, or what he had done to deceive Narcissa?
Sirius casually sized him up, but was extremely wary.
Draco felt his gaze. He pursed his lips, maintaining his indifferent expression. He felt a surge of disgust towards Sirius Black, and the thought of his deception of his mother, Narcissa, filled him with rage.
Even though he bravely destroyed that Horcrux, he is still an arrogant jerk, Draco thought with a stern face.
If Harry had not asked him to come, he would have loved to just walk away and get back to Honeydukes.
He would rather spend the whole day helping that clueless little girl pick out sweets than sit across from this traitor of the pure-blood family and see the poker face of that unruly Black family heir.
"Draco Malfoy, what brings you here?" After what seemed like a eternity Sirius asked casually.
"Sirius Black," Draco said coldly, taking a sip of his glass. "Harry asked me to give you a message."
Sirius was slightly surprised by his purpose. He lowered some of his guard. "Oh, really? I thought he would come to see me himself, instead of..."
"He wants me, a Malfoy, to deliver a message for him? Is this that odd?" Draco replied indifferently. "He has been held up by something and will not be able to come to Hogsmeade today."
"Why can he not come? Does he not want to see me?" Sirius asked suspiciously.
"Quite the opposite. He wants to see you. He has been put in detention by Professor Snape," Draco said bluntly.
"Oh," Sirius said dryly.
"He is very worried about you. He has been concerned about your condition ever since you left the Hospital Wing." Draco scoffed. "You had better write him a few more letters, Harry's godfather!"
"Yes, that is right. You are actually quite concerned about him?" Sirius asked inquisitively. "You two are so close? How unexpected! Is it common for Gryffindors and Slytherins to be friends at Hogwarts these days? The two Houses are no longer in constant conflict, but are now like family?"
"It is not common. There is always bickering and provocation between the two Houses," Draco said coldly. "I get advised by some Slytherins every few days to keep my distance from the Gryffindors."
"Oh, in that case, how do you maintain your friendship?" Sirius said lazily. "Or rather, how did you even begin to build your friendship?"
"I do not see the need to explain my friendship with Harry to you." Sensing the sharpness in his words, Draco's own words became equally sharp. "It is as if you have explained why you tricked and coaxed my mother into giving you a certain historical memento... even though it did not belong to you at all."
Sirius casually flicked his wand, seemingly casting a Silencing or anti-interference spell.
In an instant, the surrounding noise disappeared, and the world became extremely quiet. They could no longer hear the deliberately amplified laughter of the silly girls around them, just as the girls could no longer hear what they were talking about.
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