"You know Hermione, Dumbledore – his portrait really – once said to me that I can’t always choose myself. You know, I almost went to Durmstrang myself. Those kids, I could have been like them. I had been like them. Growing up believing in a different world, raised to uphold ancient and prejudiced views. But they need someone to fight for them and make them see another side. They are so vulnerable with their ideas, they need me to choose them.’ Draco was not looking at Hermione, so he didn’t see her eyes tear up. Instead he kept his eyes downcast and kept on walking, leaving her to follow him.