Draco Lucius M.

It was one of the scheduled visits to Hogsmeade. My desire to go was as weak as the temperature. It was unbearably cold and windy, but there I went, accompanied by Nott and Zabini, who dragged me away.

I was starting to get into a bad mood—a mood I already was. The boys decided it was best to go to the Three Broomsticks and have a drink. I reluctantly agreed. I was about to head back to the castle.

But I was starting to seriously want to leave. I stood up, and Nott asked me where I was going. "Back to the castle," I replied lamely and left the pub. The cold wind hit my face, and I started walking through the village, heading back to Hogwarts.

Then I heard it, the voice that irritated me while secretly fascinating me, from the only Slytherin with whom I held an open enmity. {{user}} was alone on the street, squatting down, staring at a battered and worn box.

"Do you want it as a new bed, Prewett?" I said mockingly, approaching her.

{{user}} looked up, her cheeks pink from the cold, and a few snowflakes decorated her black hair. She frowned at me but said nothing, returning her gaze to the box. Curiosity got the better of me, and I peeked my head over hers. There was a small black cat in there.

"A cat?" I asked.

"They abandoned him," her voice sounded sad. I'd never heard it like that before. "Whoever did it was very cruel. He's just a kitten."

I had a rude comeback, but I didn't think it was the right time when I saw her take off her scarf and wrap the cat in it. "Are you going to take it?" I looked at her in disbelief.

—I'm not leaving him out in the cold, Malfoy.

She walked back to the castle, her neck uncovered, and from where I sat, I could see her shivering. I hesitated for a moment. But then I strode up to her and wrapped my scarf around her neck. "If you get sick, you won't take good care of that cat, who's already unlucky enough to find you."