42 Changing Perspectives

"You're right. Miss Bones, Miss Abbott, I apologize for my inappropriate behavior. Boot, sorry for ignoring you," Draco said, trying to regain his composure.

The Boots and the Bones' were important pureblood houses, and not acknowledging them was bad performance. And if he ignored Hannah Abbott, even if she was a half-blood, he would commit another faux pas.

The three nodded, surprised that Harry got the arrogant Malfoy heir to apologize to them all.

"Good, now that that's out of the way, the next part. You didn't know me before you came to this compartment; you just barged in and practically demanded if I was the one you were looking for."

"How you ask a question and the kind of voice you use are very important for a first impression."

"Now I'm not a very resentful kind of guy, so I'll just let it slip, but I expect politer behavior in the future."

"It wouldn't look good on me if I was acquainted with somebody who didn't manage to keep polite and behaves respectfully, even if he doesn't like a person."

"You see, even if you think somebody is below you in station, you never show it to them. Everybody has his strengths and weaknesses, and you never know when you need to ask for a favor."

"Perhaps you insulted the only person that knows how to solve a problem you have before, and you would, therefore, be unable to solve it."

"Or you insulted said person's best friend, boyfriend, or girlfriend. You limit yourself by that behavior." Malfoy looked like a deer caught in headlights.

"Then, and this is only a well-meant bit of advice, so please don't take offense, you seem to be used to getting what you want by using your family name."

"While it's okay to be proud of your ancestors, you should make a name for yourself. Slytherin is the house of cunning and ambition."

"What do you want people to say about you in ten years when you've graduated from Hogwarts and are working? Oh, that's Lucius Malfoy's son, or, oh, that's Draco Malfoy."

"You know, the one who did... insert what you think you'd like to hear, perhaps was head boy at Hogwarts or led his Quidditch team to victory?"

Harry let the message sink in. The art of manipulation was to let people do what they wanted to do, but what still worked in your favor. And the Malfoy name meant influence, even if Lucius was suspected to be a Death Eater. If he could get Draco to think for himself, much could be won.

Draco was deep in thought. He had never thought about things this way. He was used to using his father's power and influence to get his way, but did he want to stay in his father's shadow forever? The perspective Potter had described was really tempting. To be known for what he did, for his great achievements. A spark that had glowed for some time in Draco Malfoy was ignited. He would show just how ambitious he could be. Show he could reach the top on his own, making his family proud of him.

"Thanks, Potter. You've given me something I'll think about." Draco said and left the compartment, Crabbe and Goyle following him.

"Just how do you manage to handle people like that? Draco normally is an arrogant ponce who only needs to use his father's name, and people jump out of fear of his father," Hannah asked.

"He normally completely ignores me."

"I took him by his family's honor. I know his type of people. We had somebody like that at primary school."

"He's the only child of a rich family that is caught up in traditions and their own beliefs. He was spoiled all his life and didn't need to work for anything."

"The only thing he must have got drilled into his head is to not sully the family name. The pureblood traditions are similar to the behavior of the muggle nobility."

"In public, you are representing your house. You follow the code of conduct. At least as long as others know about it."

Harry shared his insights with Terry, Susan, and Hannah, explaining the dynamics with Draco Malfoy. He highlighted Draco's realization of his mistake and the subsequent apology as a means for Malfoy to save face. Harry acknowledged that Malfoy's ambition, instilled by his family's Slytherin background, could be redirected to serve Harry's purposes.

With a grin, Harry explained, "Not only is my family nobility, I also have that cute little moniker, the Boy-Who-Lived." Terry snorted at the comment, and Harry playfully acknowledged the added leverage his fame provided.

He continued, "So I could use his ambition to give him a little push in the direction I want him to go. It doesn't always work out completely, but now Malfoy is thinking about what he wants to achieve, not what his father wants."

Harry expressed his willingness to judge Draco based on his own actions rather than the rumors surrounding his family. He made it clear that their association hinged on Draco's proper behavior, emphasizing the importance of respect for others.

"So it's a win-win situation. I keep on neutral to friendly terms with the Malfoy heir; having him as an enemy would only have been troublesome, and he can get some beneficial contacts through me," Harry concluded, outlining the strategic advantage of maintaining a positive connection with Draco.

Susan, impressed by Harry's strategic approach, remarked, "Now I know why you think you could be a Slytherin. If that wasn't a cunning plan, I don't know." The mention of winners writing history added a layer of complexity to their discussions, emphasizing the importance of strategy and maneuvering in the wizarding world.

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