I love Ferrets by Lukie15

'Leave me alone Weasley.' Draco tried to get past but Ron shoved him.

'No! Apologize to my sister! You made her cry!' Ron yelled. A crowd started to gather and Ginny stood in it, looking slightly embarrassed.

'I didn't do it on purpose. I didn't know she was around that corner; I didn't stalk her there and then intentionally shove her hard enough so she'd hit the ground! And I did apologize, I said "sorry".' Draco protested.

'Shut up you Ferrety little git!' Ron snarled.

Draco flinched and the hurt shone in his silver-blue eyes before he masked it with cold fury. Harry shot Hermione a surprised look. He'd never realized how much it hurt the Slytherin to be reminded of that incident.

Hermione rolled her eyes at him. She knew the whole time.

'Ron, come on, leave him alone.' Harry said.

Everyone did a double take. Harry Potter just defended Draco Malfoy?! Both Ron and Draco stared at Harry with something akin to complete awe.

'You're defending the Ferret?' Ron accused.

'Yes and you really need to stop calling him that.' Harry said patiently.

'What? Why?' Ron gaped.

'Ron, think about it. He's Draco Malfoy. I doubt something like that had ever happened to him before and now it's following him around. It has to hurt.' Hermione said.

'He hasn't stopped calling you "Mudblood"!' Ron cried.

'No, but that doesn't hurt anymore. I will always be Muggle-born and I'm not ashamed of it. Ron, for heaven's sake, I've quite made up for my blood by working hard and getting the best grades in school.' She scoffed. 'He was only a Ferret for a very short time, only about . . . ten minutes I think. And that's clung to him ever since.'

'I don't see why it's an insult . . .' Harry said thoughtfully. 'Ferrets are clever, quick, fierce, and intelligent. And they're quite adorable as well. And they've got lovely silky fur and cute twitchy noses and sweet tiny paws . . . '

Harry became aware that everyone was staring at him like he was clinically insane. Harry shrugged. He stared right at Draco and said something that made Draco blush furiously, which he had never been able to do before.

'I love Ferrets.'