    Life at Hogwarts was getting even better. In the common room, it was still awkward, tense – some people still dared to mutter the word "mudblood’, but when they did it was rarely in the presence of Hermione, Harry or Ron. The older Slytherins still watched, but they were less alert now, as though they had decided the way things were working were fine. They were more willing to step in and help now, and Harry watched the way some first years were pulled into groups of older students, noticed that it was always the ones on the fringes, the ones who hadn't managed to group themselves with others.