Michael settled down next to Lavender and picked up one of her books. Muggle studies, he noted with an pang of disgust, recalling the slightly different view on Muggles the Carrows liked to present.
"I'm a Halfblood," he said quietly. "My mum was a Gryffindor. The rest of us are Muggles." Michael paused and let his words sink in. "Except for myself, of course. My aunt was pretty upset." He trailed off, then shook the morose thoughts off and tossed the book aside. "You know I'm a pacifist, but when I read stuff like that," Michael indicated the Muggle studies book, "Then I'd like to show them some Muggle aggression. Because Muggles are not helpless or stupid or evil, just because they lack magic," he finished heatedly. Michael was dimly aware that he should keep his voice low since being overheard could lead to detention but he couldn't help himself. He had been quiet for a very long time now and slowly but surely the walls started to crumble. He unballed his fists again and took a deep, soothing breath.
"When I see people like the Weasleys or you, I mean Purebloods, standing up for Muggleborns; that's what keeps me from giving up on wizards." Michael raised his gaze to meet Lavender's for a moment.
"So, anyway. What subject do you want to start with?"