With Pansy and the others shouting for everyone to stop, the rest quickly realized that the visitor, the House-elf before them, was likely not an enemy.
More accurately, once they saw that it was Kreacher, no one remained wary of him.
After all, he was a House-elf. In the eyes of most wizards, House-elves were the least threatening beings imaginable.
Even Ginny, a Weasley whose family was already considered rather unusual among wizards, was still influenced by that common assumption.
Draco had clearly proven that, within certain rules, a House-elf could become the key to turning the tables.
In any case, once they understood that Kreacher was not an enemy, everyone finally lowered their wands.
What followed was a flood of questions about the House-elf before them.
Ginny, who could never hide what she was thinking, was the first to ask, "Hermione, you know him?"
"Mm... This is Kreacher, the House-elf from Draco's family."
"Then he's here because..." Looking at the House-elf whose oversized head was bowed so low it almost touched the ground, Ginny asked the question everyone was wondering.
"..."
"..."
"..."
The awkward silence made Ginny look blankly at Luna beside her, whose expression was just as helpless.
Had she not spoken loudly enough?
Or was the question really that hard to answer?
In truth, among everyone present, probably only Pansy and Hermione understood what was going on.
Especially when they saw the shape of Kreacher's mouth as he muttered under his breath, Pansy and Hermione became even more certain of what they were thinking.
"Damned... filthy... don't speak to Kreacher."
"..."
"Don't stare at Kreacher with those disgusting eyes... Mudblood."
It had to be said that House-elves were indeed rather special beings, each with a strong personality of their own.
In any case, while Kreacher was quietly muttering those unpleasant insults, the two girls exchanged a look with perfect understanding.
Then, after Hermione, who had once been a victim of this herself, raised her hand slightly, Pansy stepped forward and repeated Ginny's earlier question. "Kreacher, what happened? Did Draco send you?"
"...No, respected Young Mistress. Mistress sent Kreacher here."
It was as if Pansy received special treatment.
He had been completely indifferent to Hermione and Ginny moments ago, yet the moment Pansy spoke, Kreacher answered her with obvious respect.
Although his voice was anything but pleasant, that subtle form of address made all the witches around them stare straight at Pansy with strange looks.
Pansy, however, seemed not to notice at all. She straightened that outrageously unfair figure of hers slightly, as if showing it off.
Fortunately, not everyone had misplaced their priorities.
Worried about Ron Weasley, Ginny glared nervously at Kreacher, who still had not raised his head. "So, you know what's happening outside?"
"..."
"..."
The same silence came again.
This time, Ginny finally seemed to understand, and she clenched the wand in her hand in frustration.
If not for the last bit of reason she still had, she would definitely have taught this utterly rude House-elf before her a lesson.
At this point, Hermione tugged lightly at Pansy's sleeve, and Pansy took the initiative to break the awkward atmosphere.
"Mistress... you mean Mrs. Narcissa, don't you? Does she have a message for Draco?"
"Yes."
"Can... can we hear it?"
"Yes. Kreacher believes Young Mistress will deliver the message to Young Master in full."
"..."
What did that mean?
Did he not trust anyone else?
Hermione, who immediately understood the implication, rolled her eyes helplessly.
She was not angry over it, but she could still feel the difference in treatment.
It had to be said that Kreacher's highly provocative words made everyone present clench their fists.
Pansy seemed to realize that if this continued, she would become the target instead, so she quickly interrupted the strange mood. "Ahem. Don't worry. I'll definitely pass the message to Draco exactly as it is."
"Yes. Mistress said..."
He paused.
Under everyone's gaze, Kreacher slowly raised his large head. His cloudy, aged eyes seemed to fill with light, and his bent back slowly straightened.
Then Kreacher took a letter from inside his clothes.
As the letter opened, Narcissa Malfoy's gentle voice, filled with worry for her child, drifted through the air.
"The final battle has begun."
"Your father... the wizards under his command... all the aristocrats... have decided to stake everything on the battlefield at Hogwarts."
"Draco, if you truly want to do something, then do it. Lucius and I both believe in you, our proud little dragon..."
There were only three short sentences.
Yet their impact was anything but small.
And this sudden war left Pansy and the others completely unprepared.
How had the situation suddenly become like this?