Unfortunately, Draco truly didn't escape the parental "mixed doubles" from his mother and father.
To make matters worse, he became famous—
—Because of this thoroughly satisfying beating.
The Malfoy family's story spread throughout the entire British wizarding world within the first two days of the holidays.
Even numerous gossip tabloids published features about this prominent wizarding family's amusing incident, becoming everyone's after-dinner conversation topic.
Jane flipped through the newspaper, reading an article titled "Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child: The Malfoy Family's Elite Education."
[The renowned pure-blood wizarding family, the Malfoys, recently engaged in fisticuffs within their manor.
The Malfoy family has always wielded considerable influence in the wizarding world. It's reported that the family upholds traditional wizarding elite education, possesses substantial wealth, and the current members—Lucius Malfoy and Narcissa Malfoy—are a harmonious couple, serving as model spouses.
What caused this happy family to fall apart? What made them turn against each other?
According to informed sources, the root of it all lies with the unfilial son born to the couple: Draco Malfoy.
Draco Malfoy, a fifth-year Slytherin student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, has displayed the behaviour of a spoiled wastrel during recent school life, lavishly squandering the family's Galleons.
According to a fellow student, his food, clothing, and accommodation are all configured to the highest standards—not only is every garment a unique custom piece from Twilfitt and Tatting's, but he also takes only one bite of each dish whilst requiring two attendants to serve him; his dormitory occupies Slytherin's prime location; he even travels by Firebolt...]
Reading this, Jane couldn't help raising an eyebrow.
She hadn't expected the Firebolt she'd lent to the team would actually make it into the news.
[But this is merely a glimpse of his extravagant lifestyle. Over the past half-term, his conduct has become even more deplorable.
Rumour has it that his parents' pocket money can no longer satisfy his spending desires. Therefore, under the pretext of entrepreneurship, he repeatedly defrauded his parents of money, and even after Mr and Mrs Malfoy sent multiple Howlers, he still refused to mend his ways. Allegedly, he not only squandered vast family assets but also went mad when he ran out of money, developing hysteria.
"We think he's gone completely mad! Every day he mutters incomprehensible things and delivers random speeches around school!"
An unnamed Hogwarts student said this, seemingly corroborating the above rumours.
And Draco Malfoy'sO.W.L. results were dreadful—he might not even pass the minimum requirements...]
What followed was a lengthy passage describing Draco's appalling behaviour at school, worded so earnestly that every wizarding parent would beat their chest in despair and pray to Merlin that they'd rather have roast pork than produce such a wastrel son.
Jane continued reading and saw two high-definition accompanying photos: one taken at the station showing Lucius grabbing Draco by the collar whilst Narcissa yanked his ear, half-lifting him—the couple's facial expressions so fierce they were alarming; the other showed Malfoy Manor's gates with a drooping Draco hanging there in Slytherin robes.
The report continued describing the Malfoy couple's iron-fisted methods:
[Their son's worthlessness plunged the Malfoys into despair, whilst his unrepentant attitude broke their hearts completely.
Therefore, adhering to the principle of "spare the rod, spoil the child," they dealt him a vicious blow, hanging him at Malfoy Manor's gates and delivering an inhumane mixed doubles beating, aiming to teach the child a lesson.
But this allegedly worsened his condition, causing him to shout mad ravings like "I want dragon pox!" and "I want to be like Grandfather!", bringing utter disgrace to the Malfoy family name and leaving the couple too ashamed to venture outdoors...]
Reading this, Jane once again prayed Draco would have good fortune.
Though this report was 99% a script self-directed by the Malfoy family—
She still felt that, given Draco's genius failed business plans that left the couple startled and panicked—
His chances of getting beaten were equally 99%.
Fortunately, playing mad and keeping a low profile was indeed useful, allowing him to successfully dodge Voldemort's warmth.
But the report didn't end there—it soon began mixing in considerable ulterior content:
[It's alleged that the person who drove the Malfoys' only son mad was none other than his former Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, Dolores Umbridge.
Recently, due to her forbidding students from using wands for spellcasting at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, spreading forbidden Muggle ideas, and arbitrarily punishing and abusing students, she was expelled from school and dismissed from all Ministry of Magic positions...]
Reading this, Jane suddenly remembered Voldemort's target from Harry's dream—Umbridge!
"What do we do next?" She immediately stood up from her chair, asking Dumbledore, who was handling the school's final affairs. "Should we go protect Umbridge?"
She felt this logic was perfectly sound:
Since Umbridge had been targeted as the next person to be captured by Death Eaters—
They could go to her house and wait for the prey to walk into their trap.
Surely Voldemort wouldn't personally visit to deal with a mere Umbridge...
And with Dumbledore present, they could at least catch several Death Eaters and help fill the newly rebuilt Azkaban!
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