Harry was deep into a discussion about the proper harvesting temperature for sopophorous beans—Hermione was lecturing, and Harry was absorbing raw INT points—when a sharp rap came at the compartment door.
"Is it true then?"
A drawling voice cut through the air.
Harry looked up. Standing in the doorway was a pale boy with a pointy face and slicked-back white-blond hair, flanked by two thickset boys who looked like bodyguards.
Appraisal: Draco Malfoy. Level 2. Trait: Pureblood Arrogance (MAX), Wealth (High), Social Connections (High).
Potential Asset: Faction Leader (Slytherin).
Draco Malfoy was instantly categorized as a high-value person, far more connected than Ron and potentially a superior source of certain types of Knowledge (Dark Arts, restricted history).
Harry switched his attention immediately, giving Draco a cool, appraising look.
"I've heard Harry Potter is in this compartment. I'm Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."
Ron, who had been sulking and polishing his rat, let out a cough.
Draco's eyes flicked over him with undisguised disdain.
"You'll soon find out some wizarding families are much better than others, Potter,"
Draco continued, stepping into the compartment with a sneer.
"You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there."
Harry leaned back, his Gamer's Mind processing the proposition. Alliance offer detected.
Analyzing value proposition... Ron: Low value, potential loyalty liability.
Draco: High value, high cost (submission/ideological alignment). Strategic decision: Establish pecking order first.
"I see,"
Harry said neutrally.
"What makes your sort better, Malfoy?"
Draco puffed out his chest, clearly enjoying the spotlight.
He was about to launch into a boast when his eyes settled on Hermione, who was gathering her textbooks with quiet dignity.
"You can tell the wrong sort immediately,"
Draco sneered, his voice dropping slightly but thick with venom.
"No need to ask. They usually look like… that."
He gestured dismissively toward Hermione.
"A Mudblood, trying to worm her way into our world."
The silence that followed was instant and heavy. Ron's ears had gone red.
Hermione looked like she had been slapped.
Harry's internal analysis, which had been tracking Draco's power and potential asset value, instantly crashed.
[ALIGNMENT CONFLICT DETECTED!]
Asset Hermione Granger: High INT/Knowledge, currently providing [Knowledge Grind] Mission. Low Cost.
Asset Draco Malfoy: High Social Connections/Wealth. Requires High Cost (Acceptance of Pureblood Ideology).
Conflict: Malfoy's action directly jeopardizes the stability of Asset Granger and conflicts with the User's Internal Code: Protection (Minor).
Decision Required: Choose Faction Leader (Ron/Draco) or Independent Path.
Harry's decision was instantaneous.
He couldn't afford to have a source of near-MAX INT derailed by social bullying.
More importantly, he didn't like the feeling of being dictated to by an arrogant Level 2. A relationship based on inequality was a tactical risk.
He pushed off the seat, his movement quick and deliberate, and stood directly in front of Draco, forcing the taller boy to look up slightly.
"You've made your assessment,"
Harry said, his voice quiet, flat, and hard.
His Undetectable Focus was locked on Draco, giving his gaze an unnerving intensity.
"Now I'll make mine."
Harry glanced at the two hulking boys—Crabbe and Goyle. Low INT, High POW. Simple threats.
"First,"
Harry continued, his eyes back on Draco,
"You don't insult people who are giving me valuable information. Second, I choose my own friends."
Harry took a short, assertive step forward, invading Draco's personal space.
"You talk about the right sort, but you need two bodyguards just to walk down a corridor. You look like a rich coward trying to buy a better status than you earned."
Draco recoiled slightly, his face turning a shade of angry pink. He was completely unused to direct confrontation, especially from the famous Harry Potter.
"You'll regret that, Potter,"
Draco hissed.
"You'll be sorry you turned down my offer. You'll be hanging around with the likes of this Weasley and the Mudblood!"
"The offer is rejected,"
Harry confirmed, stepping back and sitting down with finality, effectively ending the conversation.
He didn't even bother to pull out his wand; the social assertion was enough.
Draco glared, his hands clenching into fists, but the momentum of the confrontation had been stolen.
With a final, furious scowl, he muttered to his bodyguards,
"We're leaving. My father will hear about this."
The three disappeared, sliding the door shut with unnecessary force.
Harry immediately turned back to Hermione, who was staring at him with a mixture of shock and awe.
Ron was stammering something about a wizard fight.
"Ron, be quiet,"
Harry commanded, instantly bringing the boy back under control.
He focused on Hermione.
"Now, Hermione, let's study again, we waste so much time because of him. Alright, what was it? you were detailing the anti-coagulation properties of mandrake root."
Harry's pragmatic dismissal of the conflict impressed Hermione more than any dramatic defense.
He had protected her value as an asset, confirming her utility.
[MISSION COMPLETE: Knowledge Grind] (Time limit reached during study session)
Reward: +1 INT, Knowledge Acquisition Skill Proficiency, +10 Reputation (Hermione Granger).
INT: 195 → 196
Knowledge Acquisition LVL 5 → LVL 6!
[SOCIAL INTERACTION: Faction Choice]
Choice Made: Selected Hermione Granger over Draco Malfoy.
Result: Locked in Hermione Granger (Ally). Locked in Draco Malfoy (Rival).
Bonus: +20 Reputation (Ron Weasley) (Ron looks at Harry like a hero).
Harry mentally confirmed the choice. While Draco offered certain connections, Hermione offered immediate, high-yield intellectual gains.
He chose the proven asset.
"Potions, Hermione,"
Harry prompted, opening his textbook.
"Let's begin."