The setting sun's afterglow scattered across distant mountains.
Malfoy Manor's gates slowly opened. An elegantly decorated carriage passed through, continuing along the winding path before stopping beside the fountain.
The copper bells hanging from the carriage swayed gently. As the door opened, the crisp sounds gradually stilled.
Lucius Malfoy bent down and stepped out. His forceful footsteps on the ground carried a hint of emotional release.
"Lucius, what's wrong? Did something happen to little Dragon?"
Sensing her husband's distress, Narcissa hurried forward, worry flickering in her eyes.
"Well..." Looking at his wife's expression, Lucius's lips parted slightly. He hesitated, then finally just smiled and shook his head.
"Nothing, Cissy. Little Dragon is doing well. I just feel his changes during this time have been too great..."
To avoid worrying his wife, he deliberately omitted his son's injury and those unfamiliar details. He only briefly mentioned Draco's spectacular performance in the Quidditch match.
Of course, as his closest person, Narcissa keenly caught the subtle gaps in her husband's words. But she didn't press further, instead arranging for house-elves to prepare his favorite dishes.
She knew clearly that even if Draco had truly encountered something, her husband would respond quickly and properly, never letting their son come to harm...
Night fell deep. Silver radiance from stars and moon spilled through the window.
The bedroom was silent. His wife's gentle breathing usually brought peace, but this night, Lucius couldn't sleep.
"Father? Why are you here! Did you see my match? Wasn't I brave? Just like Mother said, I'm already a man! I didn't disgrace the Malfoy family. Did you see Weasley? That guy was terrified! His father can't beat you, so as a son, he certainly can't beat me either. Thank Merlin Mother didn't come, or she'd definitely worry."
Draco's excited, proud cheers kept echoing in his ears. Those shining gray eyes were full of light, desperately seeking his praise.
But as a father, his mind was filled with images of his son covered in blood. His heart was breaking.
"What? Go to Durmstrang? Why? Dangerous? No, there's no danger here. Tiger told me—if you don't want to face danger, make yourself the danger. He makes perfect sense."
"NO!!! I'm the Malfoy family heir, not some waste who only calls for Daddy and Mommy. Father, I'm staying here! Slytherin is where I belong. My friends, my leader are all here! I'm not going anywhere!"
In those clear, familiar eyes flickered sharpness and stubbornness beyond his years. The low growl squeezed through gritted teeth proved Draco was trying hard to suppress his emotions.
Lucius unconsciously stepped back half a step. Waves rippled through his usually calm eyes.
However, the next second, that incredibly familiar face seemed like a torn painting, suddenly blooming with shocking blood. Thick, sticky blood covered his cheeks. His expression of resistance and pleading began to twist and deform...
Deep, gloomy eyes suddenly appeared.
"Lucius, sooner or later you'll fall into endless regret because of your weakness."
"Draco!!!"
Lucius Malfoy suddenly sat up.
The blood in his mind receded like tide, replaced by sunlight filtering through curtain gaps and the still-warm empty space beside his pillow.
His eyes looked around in terror, as if confirming the nightmare was merely illusion.
However, Snape's words still echoed in his ears, refusing to fade.
Just then, ripples appeared in the air. With a soft "pop," house-elf Dobby appeared beside the bed.
It lowered its head deeply, almost folding its body in half, holding up a letter.
"Sir, there's a letter from Mr. Shelby. Madam asked me to give it to you."
Its shrill voice carried trembling.
Lucius gradually recovered from his nightmare's daze. He slowly turned his head, his deep, cold gaze falling on the letter in Dobby's hands.
At the envelope's seal, a blood-red wax seal with a severed werewolf head caught his eye.
"Tommy Shelby..."
With gritted teeth, Lucius angrily took the letter.
Simultaneously, that young Shelby holding a black panther, surrounded by Slytherins like stars around the moon, with his tall, robust figure, appeared in his mind.
Like a fierce tiger sitting on a cliff, violence and majesty emanated from beneath his robes, compelling attention.
This was a temperament completely opposite to the Dark Lord's.
"Let me see... what qualifies him... to be the Malfoy family's leader..."
Another two weeks passed.
Since watching that life-and-death Quidditch match between Slytherin and Gryffindor, Hogwarts first-years felt an indescribable shock and longing quietly growing in their hearts.
Humanity's instinctive violent genes seemed awakened. When watching other houses' matches, Hogwarts first-years found them rather boring.
The only noteworthy event was during the match against Ravenclaw, when Harry was attacked by a rogue Bludger, fell from his broom, and broke his arm.
However, that wasn't the point. The point was Professor Lockhart's exquisite Bone-Vanishing Charm...
Seeing Harry's arm like a rubber glove, the little Slytherin snakes showed great interest in this spell. Unfortunately, after casting it once, Professor Lockhart could never repeat the operation.
Faced with Slytherins surrounding him, he could only refuse students' requests, claiming the spell was too dangerous.
After enduring Skele-Gro's torture for an entire night, Harry escaped the hospital wing looking haggard.
The boastful Professor Lockhart, plus the kind but strict Madam Pomfrey, had far exceeded Tiger's danger level in his mind.
At least Tiger would give him a quick death.
"Hey, Harry! Are you okay? Oh, can I take your picture?"
Returning to the Gryffindor common room, Harry didn't find Ron and Hermione, but ran into Colin Creevey.
This first-year from the Muggle world had an inexplicable obsession with him, always wanting to photograph him.
Harry found this really troublesome. But looking at that youthful, worshipful face, he couldn't bring himself to refuse.
"Good afternoon, Colin." Harry awkwardly scratched his nose. "Have you seen Hermione and Ron? I need to find them. You can take pictures while you talk."
"Thank you, Harry. You're the best person I've met in the wizarding world." Colin excitedly raised his camera.
While adjusting angles and lighting, he answered attentively: "I saw them go to the second floor during lunch, then didn't see them after... Oh, please smile!"
As the flash went off, Harry's stiff smile relaxed. He watched Colin run back to the dormitory, cheering.
Fortunately, he'd already guessed where Hermione and Ron had gone.
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