The slug club

           HarryspentalotofthelastweekoftheholidaysponderingthemeaningofMalfoy’sbehaviorinKnockturnAlley.WhatdisturbedhimmostwasthesatisfiedlookonMalfoy’sfaceashehadlefttheshop.NothingthatmadeMalfoylookthathappycouldbegoodnews.Tohisslightannoyance,however,neitherRonnorHermioneseemedquiteascuriousaboutMalfoy’sactivitiesashewas;oratleast,theyseemedtogetboredofdiscussingitafterafewdays.

           "Yes,I’vealreadyagreeditwasfishy,Harry,"saidHermionealittleimpatiently.ShewassittingonthewindowsillinFredandGeorge’sroomwithherfeetupononeofthecardboardboxesandhadonlygrudginglylookedupfromhernewcopyofAdvancedRuneTranslation."Buthaven’tweagreedtherecouldbealotofexplanations?"

           "Maybehe’sbrokenhisHandofGlory,"saidRonvaguely,asheattemptedtostraightenhisbroomstick’sbenttailtwigs."Rememberthatshriveled-uparmMalfoyhad?"

           "Butwhataboutwhenhesaid,’Don’tforgettokeepthatonesafe’?"askedHarryfortheumpteenthtime."ThatsoundedtomelikeBorgin’sgotanotheroneofthebrokenobjects,andMalfoywantsboth."

           "Youreckon?"saidRon,nowtryingtoscrapesomedirtoffhisbroomhandle.

           "Yeah,Ido,"saidHarry.WhenneitherRonnorHermioneanswered,hesaid,"Malfoy’sfather’sinAzkaban.Don’tyouthinkMalfoy’dlikerevenge?"

           Ronlookedup,blinking.

           "Malfoy,revenge?Whatcanhedoaboutit?"

           "That’smypoint,Idon’tknow!"saidHarry,frustrated.