Malfoy began to rant about what prospects open up from cooperation and what terrible things can await those who refuse this cooperation.

"So as not to sound unsubstantiated," Malfoy took out his wand and began to play with it in his hand. "Oh, I almost forgot! Who will ?realize? that they are wrong? Maybe Astoria? Will she watch her sister being tortured, burning with helplessness?"

The crowd laughed.

"Maybe dilute the torture with carnal pleasures? Maybe even Granger will have the happiness to be with a real pure-blood wizard instead of pathetic semblance in the form of Knight? Eh?"

It became clear from the faces of both Daphne and Astoria that they realized the prospects. Malfoy pointed his wand at Astoria.

"Finita Silencio, what do you think?"

The brunette, gaining the ability to speak, suddenly looked at Draco extremely seriously.

"Do you even realize the depth of the hole you're digging for yourself? To yourself and your friends?"

The Slytherins laughed, some feignedly, some not.

<In case you're wondering, I found Skeeter. She's right here in the room, lurking on Goyle's clothes.>

Leave a mark on her.

"And what could possibly happen?" smirked Malfoy, looking at Astoria. "What can one housewife do to us loyal followers of the Dark Lord?"

"How little you know, Malfoy."

" It doesn't matter," Draco drawl lazily. "You better imagine what a fun life awaits you from now on. A contract or unbreakable vow of everything that happened in this circle. They will study here for at least another year, and you - two. You will run to persuade your mother to accept the Dark Lord's conditions. Of course, he won't be as merciful as before, but isn't that better than nothing?"

During the conversation, some of the Slytherins were building up the atmosphere, moving quietly around the "victims." Nott was paying particular attention to Daphne, who suddenly began to flinch at Nott's touch - the guy seemed to "casually" touch her shoulder, then hair, then hand. Daphne's every flinch was reflected in Nott's face - it annoyed him. Strange.

"So?" continued Malfoy. "You, Astoria, are kind of the smartest of the two of you. Think how you will persuade your mother, and to think better ..."

Suddenly, Crabbe, Goyle, and Malfoy were frozen in place by spells flying at their backs. A spell flew at Astoria as well, apparently Silencio. After all, Slytherins can do a little more than Gryffindors and at least conjure a couple of spells without words.

Now everyone was looking at Selwyn, who had come out into the center between the girls and the paralyzed trio. Sixth year, not the most noticeable guy of ordinary appearance. He nodded to fourth-year student Harper, sixth-year student Morgan, Riley, and Nott, who was looking at Malfoy with an undisguised grin. Mutiny aboard!

"Draco, Draco, Draco," Selwyn repeated Malfoy's intonation. "Over the many years that we have all known you, you have shown yourself terribly. For a long time, we have all shown visible respect for you, counting on further relationships and the influence of your family. However, with Mr. Malfoy's death, all your family is doing is losing. Loses everything, slowly but inexorably. Your behavior and skills have turned away many influential people from you and your family, who now maintain only the appearance of a good relationship with you, continuing to pull money from you. And you're glad. They say you don't listen to your mother, but I heard how she tried to give you good advice. Now that the Dark Lord in his "mercy" has chosen yours as his home, soon there will be no trace of your money left."

Selwyn paced back and forth, thinking aloud.

"Many people at the House think that your leadership is no longer appropriate. However, we all understand that you can't just be dropped. And then you come with your own, as always, brilliant plan — to scare the Greengrass girls! Although the Dark Lord ordered to convey the idea and not to frighten possible allies. In the end, by a majority vote and on the strong recommendation of Mr. Nott," Selwyn pointed his hand in the direction of Theo. "It was decided to discredit you and your two bullies in the eyes of the Dark Lord. Of course, the discrediting will take place according to a very pleasant plan for us — we will not scare the girls but go directly to the point."

Nott chuckled wickedly, continuing to circle over Daphne and not noticing anything. But the others noticed it very much.

"Apparently," Selwyn said thoughtfully, looking at Theo's behavior. "Mental abnormalities are hereditary. True, Mr. Nott has become a paranoid maniac, but our poor Theo has become a pervert."

Selwyn took a step towards the frightened and shocked Daphne, looking into her eyes.

"You see, darling, what happens when you don't let a crazy psycho get to sweet?" historical