'You're just jealous,' piped up Colin, whose entire body was about as thick as Crabbe's neck.

'Jealous?' said Malfoy, who didn't need to shout any more; half the courtyard was listening in. 'Of what? I don't want a foul scar right across my head, thanks. I don't think getting your head cut open makes you that special, myself.'

Crabbe and Goyle were sniggering stupidly.

'statistically speaking he is right.'

Draco whipped around to see Amelia lining against a tree a smirk playing on her lips.

'Men are dumb incredibly stupidly dumb. If a man's role as a leader is threatened by a superior they will becouse jealous and aggressive. Going by everything I would say you feel threatened by Harry, is that not correct?' Harry was trying not to laugh at the annoyed look on Mlafoys face. Amelia had a shit-eating grin on her face and looked very proud of herself.

'Pfft what would you know, you're just a dumb girl,' Amelia was about to snap back a quick remake but didn't get the chance.

'Eat slugs, Malfoy,' said Ron angrily. Crabbe stopped laughing and started rubbing his conker-like knuckles in a menacing way.

'Be careful, Weasley,' sneered Malfoy. 'You don't want to start any trouble or your mummy'll have to come and take you away from school.' He put on a shrill, piercing voice. 'If you put another toe out of line –'

A knot of Slytherin fifth-years nearby laughed loudly at this.

'Weasley would like a signed photo, Potter,' smirked Malfoy. 'It'd be worth more than his family's whole house.'

Ron whipped out his Spellotaped wand, but Hermione shut Voyages with Vampires with a snap and whispered, 'Look out!'

'What's all this, what's all this?' Gilderoy Lockhart was striding towards them, his turquoise robes swirling behind him. 'Who's giving out signed photos?'

Harry started to speak but he was cut short as Lockhart flung an arm around his shoulders and thundered jovially, 'Shouldn't have asked! We meet again, Harry!'

Pinned to Lockhart's side and burning with humiliation, Harry saw Malfoy slide smirking back into the crowd.

'Come on then, Mr Creevey,' said Lockhart, beaming at Colin. 'A double portrait, can't say fairer than that, and we'll both sign it for you.'

Colin fumbled for his camera and took the picture as the bell rang behind them, signalling the start of afternoon classes.

'Off you go, move along there,' Lockhart called to the crowd, and he set off back to the castle with Harry, who was wishing he knew a good vanishing spell, still clasped to his side.

'A word to the wise, Harry,' said Lockhart paternally as they entered the building through a side door. 'I covered up for you back there with young Creevey – if he was photographing me, too, your schoolfellows won't think you're setting yourself up so much ...'

Deaf to Harry's stammers, Lockhart swept him down a corridor