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Parkinson for her part smirked and jutted her chin out, arrogant and self-assured, then started loudly complaining to her cohort of Slytherin girls, moaning over "this waste of time", because "really, this is nonsense. No wonder it was a Gryffindork who came up with the idea. And a Weasley no less! Well, anybody can see why this is ridiculous… Honestly, someone like them shouldn't be let free to waste the time of important people with activities that have no meaning to proper wizardfolks…"

Leia was glad to see Daphne Greengrass discreetly rolling her eyes. Daphne had distanced herself somewhat from everyone after the Sorting, but Sky hadn't lost hope of drafting her into Sky's Club.

Parkinson, on the other hand, would not be let in if she begged, that much Leia swore to herself. Just what was she doing, anyway, bitching like that? Had Nott put her up to this? What was he playing at?

She cast a quick glance at Malfoy, just in case he was about to take over Gryffindor baiting, which had always been a pastime of his (and to which he was admittedly better than Parkinson); but the pale blond was keeping his mouth surprisingly shut.

"And I can't believe they're forcing us into such a crass activity as a guided tour. I mean, it's rather obvious that we proper wizardfolk don't belong here. It's for Muggleborns, after all", she said in a loud gossiping tone, full of disdain and condescension.

Leia clenched her teeth, uncertain about how to counter the nonsense the spiteful girl was sprouting but knowing she couldn't afford to let it pass. Unfortunately, Sky looked even more ill-equipped to face this than her.

It unexpectedly turned out, however, that neither of them needed to do anything: to their amazement, Justin Finch-Fletchley – bubbly, gullible, buoyant Justin – took it upon himself to step up and face the bint.

"Oh? Really, is that so? A waste of time you say… Well, I'm sure you have your reasons… Tell me, then, and I ask merely out of curiosity, you understand, but I would really like to know, why is it that an extremely useful thing like being shown around the school, which is an evident benefit to students unfamiliar with the place such as us… why is it that you don't appreciate it, Miss… whatever you name is? Unable to keep up?"

He smirked as she choked in her indignation.

"Oh, dear. I understand, it must be hard for you to face your… limitations… and really, I sympathize with you, but I'm sure the Prefects will be kind enough to explain things to you in small words if that's what you need… and your Housemates will surely lead you around to wherever you need to go if you are incapable of learning your way…"

Muffled snickers were coming from the loose ring that had automatically formed around the confrontation.

"Though I must confess it is… disappointing… that one such as yourself should be included in our class, and slow us down so…"

"Slow you down!" shrieked Pansy, but Justin blithely went on as if she wasn't even there.

"…but I suppose we have to be gracious to the less fortunate… noblesse oblige after all…"

Fascinated, Harry watched as the Hufflepuff somehow managed to look down on the pug faced girl, despite being shorter. For the first time he realized that the muggle world had its own Purebloods too.

And why not? The magic supremacists had their equivalent after all, in people like the Dursleys (really, substitute 'mudblood' for 'freak' and 'worthless blood-traitor' for 'unnatural abomination' and any rant of Vernon's could be sprouted by a Death Eater).

Justin's grandmother had been the daughter of a Baronet and Leia and Sky had had the distinct impression, over the summer, that Justin's mother would never ever let it be forgotten. Now Harry had the proof that, even if their friend wasn't inclined to make a fuss about his heritage on a daily basis, Justin clearly could be an obnoxious aristocratic berk if he so chose.

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6685668/9/