the sort of…’
‘I’ve had the displeasure of meet him,’ Draco interjected, helping him get on with the story.
‘Oh, in that case, I’m sorry,’ Zane almost snorted. ‘I don’t need to tell you how Cedric reacted to that, given he treated the lad almost like his own brother.’
‘I imagine so.’ The dragon merely grunted in reply. He had neither the experience nor any precedent for such behaviour. ‘It must have really hurt him, seeing as he’s still holding a grudge a year on.’
‘If your best mate were to sling mud at you every day, whilst boasting that it was only thanks to him that you’d achieved anything, you wouldn’t be too keen on new faces either.’
Draco made no comment. If he’d wanted to, he could easily have cited a wide range of far more hurtful and cruel behaviours that could be directed at another person. He shuddered, but not because of the memories, only because he realised how dispassionately he approached the matter. He shook himself and took the gambeson off the hanger. It turned out that a one-and-a-half-handed practice sword was hanging on the back wall of the wardrobe. A decent weapon with blunted edges.
‘And since this wasn’t the first time something like this had happened to Cedric, that’s how he reacts to everyone now,’ Zane concluded wearily.
‘Right, I can understand him, but…’ He didn’t finish his thought, not wanting to offend his new friends.
‘I know, it’s not what you were expecting.’ Zane stepped out from behind the wardrobe and leaned against it. He was wearing trousers and a shirt made of thick canvas, as well as bracers, shoulder guards and hand wraps. It seemed that the equipment for practical training largely depended on the cadet’s personal preferences. ‘You might find their behaviour a bit much, but apart from that, they won’t cause any trouble. I guarantee it.’ The elf glanced towards the door. ‘You’ll see for yourself, anyway. I assume neither Cedric nor Carter mentioned today’s class to you.’
Draco shook his head as he finished fastening the buckles on his
