That last bit actually makes him smirk in response, but he stifles it—whoever it happened to be, they weren't very good at hiding how they were originally. Harry wonders: that description could fit just about anyone. But then again, spending a year following Malfoy around made him rather obsessed with the boy's existence. He wants to assume it's anyone else, because there are a lot of people, but few fit the description of "didn't like him" and "could also change" while being an "assface" at one point.

He doesn't want to assume too quickly, but if it is him, he'd rather know now. Putting it off just because he doesn't want it to be Malfoy won't help anyone.

"It's not Malfoy, is it?" he asks. He phrased the question carefully, hoping that it wouldn't be him. Harry looks at Jade, silently hoping that she means anyone else. Percy, for instance, could be a bit of an "assface." Then aagin, Percy doesn't dislike him that terribly much, and he was there right along with everyone else in the final battle.