<strong>Character:</strong>Draco Malfoy<br/><strong>Location:</strong>Safe House<br/><strong>Tagged:</strong>Neville<br/><br/>Draco's smirk was completely gone now.  Quick barbs aside, the issue of his parents was not a pleasant one.  Even worse, the subject of Neville's own parents was one of particular vulnerability, and he had to once again pass on taking advantage of the opportunity to rile him.  "I'd not say the same boat.  My mother is both less relevant and more secure than you realize.  Unlike me, she was able to avoid becoming a Death Eater, and she is able to deflect Bellatrix's words.  I'd not worry for her."  He smiled slightly as he said the words, some genuine warmth observable.<br/><br/>He listened carefully to Neville's rationale and subsequent challenge.  This was a delicate situation, and the only assured way to safely deter suspicion was to appear trapped, blame his father for his behavior.  It would work, but Draco couldn't bring himself to do it.  He refused to look weak in front of Potter's followers.  He came up with a riskier path.  "After all of my bullying?  You Gryffindors are so quick to play the victim.  Gryffindor is, and always has been, a house of hypocrisy.  I offered Harry my friendship from day one, and he not only refused it, but mocked me, as he has many others.  You cursed me for my schemes, all the while applauding when Fred and George play their tricks on others."<br/><br/>"Gryffindor and Slytherin have been rivals since the beginning of the school, and have always fought each other in every way for control.  Did you fail to realize that both Headmaster<em>and</em>Deputy Headmistress were Gryffindor?  How many times did they defend their own House members against breaking the rules or the law?  While Harry's numerous transgressions are likely forgiven in your eyes, can you say the same for Hagrid?  He is a frequent law-breaker regarding the controls on magical beasts, as well as a horrible teacher, yet his criminal acts were hidden and his job secure as long as Gryffindor held power.  And to maintain that power, Gryffindor is taught from the beginning to portray Slytherin in the worst light possible.  You paint me as the bully, even though Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw all allied against Slytherin our entire time here.  You even admit that you are loath to admit my skill, despite the fact that I have been a top student for my entire time, even without having Hermione to copy off of.  And now, I risk my life to save students of all Houses and weaken the Death Eaters in the process, and rather than thank me I receive insults and accusations."<br/><br/>His pride was strengthening again, rebuilding from the earlier hit at the mention of his parents.