41 Lessons in Etiquette: Harry Guides Draco

"There is nothing wrong with wanting to learn all you can and be the best you can be. I'd be a hypocrite if I told you otherwise. But take everything with a grain of salt and get your information straight and, more importantly, complete. And think about it, you said you read everything about me, but does that mean you know me? No, it only means you know about me. If you really want to know people, you have to talk to them and get to know them," Harry patiently explained.

Hermione looked at him in surprise. She had never thought about it that way. People had always mocked her, and she had taken refuge in books, but with how Harry explained it, perhaps she should try to change that at Hogwarts. Perhaps she could finally get some friends that way.

"You're right, Potter. I think I was too concerned with my grades that I forgot other things," she admitted.

"The first step is always to realize a mistake to be able to change something," Susan said.

"That's a favorite saying of my aunt."

"Yes, right next to 'Be who you are and don't try to be who you think others want you to be or you'll fail for sure,'" Hannah added.

"Ah, a wise woman, your aunt," Terry agreed. "Thanks, you've given me something to think about. I'll go back and see if Neville got his toad back yet," Hermione said and left.

When the door of the compartment had closed, Terry turned to Harry.

"Why did you give her such an extensive lecture, Harry?" he asked.

"I had the impression she'd have tried to completely rely on the information in books. And that would have made her an outsider soon. Being lonely at school isn't nice, so I thought I needed to give her a push in the right direction," Harry answered.

They resumed their game. Then the door was opened again without so much as a knock.

"They say all down the train that Harry Potter is in this compartment, so it's you?" a blond boy asked.

Harry thought he had seen him in Diagon Alley. What did Hagrid say his name was? Malfoy?

"Yes, and you are?" he asked.

Behind the boy, two bigger boys stood. They were thickset and looked very mean.

'Great, a spoiled brat with his bodyguards,' Harry thought. 'Well, time to show him why his approach is complete rubbish.'

"Oh, this is Crabbe and this is Goyle," he pointed at his bodyguards carelessly. "And I'm Malfoy, Draco Malfoy," he said.

"Your family has a long Slytherin tradition and owns that plantation in Yorkshire for acromantula silk, doesn't it?" Harry asked.

"Indeed. You seem to be well-informed, Potter. If you want to make friends with the right people, I could help you there," Draco offered, holding out his hand.

"That's a very generous offer, and I would be an idiot not to accept being on friendly terms with those whose families are successful in our society. But I have the principle to first get to know people before I accept their friendship," Harry said, shaking Malfoy's hand, knowing to refuse to do so would be seen as an affront.

"So, I'll wait until I know you better before calling you a friend. By the way, you should work a bit on your approach. You'll have to do better to have success in Slytherin," Harry commented.

"What do you mean, Potter?" Draco asked, confused and a bit annoyed. He was pleased that Potter had more or less accepted his offer of being acquaintances, but what did he mean his approach wasn't the best.

Harry, with a calm demeanor, addressed Malfoy and his friends, inviting them to sit down in the already crowded compartment. Curious about the first names of Crabbe and Goyle, he asked, and they hesitantly revealed themselves as Vincent and Gregory, respectively.

Harry then shifted his attention back to Malfoy, discussing the breach of etiquette. "Okay, Malfoy, we were talking about your approach. First thing: I'm sharing this compartment with two lovely ladies and another fine gentleman. The proper thing to do would have been to greet everybody in the compartment after knocking at the door, but especially the ladies."

He continued, emphasizing the importance of adhering to etiquette, particularly considering Malfoy's upbringing in old pureblood traditions. Terry, Susan, and Hannah observed the exchange with interest, and the latter two blushed when Harry referred to them as lovely ladies.

Malfoy, appearing properly chastised, acknowledged the lapse in his manners. It was evident that the reminder had struck a chord, prompting him to recognize the importance of following proper protocol.

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