Dobby's voice grew smaller and smaller until he showed a look of terror.
"My heavens—is it really Miss Cassandra? Are you truly Miss Cassandra?"
"Dobby." Cassandra snorted, "I really couldn't have imagined that as the Malfoy family's little elf, you would..."
She glanced at Harry: "Fawn over an outsider like this?"
Dobby whimpered as he knelt on the floor, continuously bumping his head against the wall.
"My heavens, Miss Cassandra has returned to her Malfoy Manor. If Mr. Septimus knew, how delighted he'd be..."
Harry pointed at Dobby in astonishment, and then at Cassandra.
"You two know each other?"
"Dobby is Qiqi's child, of course I know him." Cassandra snorted, "Dobby was born in 1892, the year you disappeared—when I left Malfoy Manor, he was just old enough to remember things."
Dobby continued to beat his chest and stamp his feet: "Oh heavens, Miss Cassandra is finally back. You don't know—you don't know what the Malfoy Clan has been through since you left. It's a good thing you're back! Miss Cassandra is back, and there's a leader again! Miss Cassandra is back, and the Malfoy Clan has hope again!"
Just as Dobby was howling with grief, Lucius also appeared at the manor entrance, with Narcissa following behind him.
Seeing Harry, Lucius and Narcissa nodded at him; upon seeing Cassandra, Lucius's pupils clearly contracted.
He almost immediately guessed the young lady's identity in front of him.
But he was still somewhat unsure; after all... he'd never seen what his grandaunt looked like, even in photos.
"Are you... my grandaunt? Miss Cassandra Malfoy?" he asked hesitantly.
"It's me." Cassandra returned to her original imperious demeanor.
After Cassandra resumed that demeanor, Lucius instantly confirmed it—definitely someone from the Malfoy family, otherwise, it wouldn't have that vibe.
Inherited.
"Very glad to meet you, Grandaunt Cassandra." Lucius immediately stood straight, like a schoolboy, and introduced himself: "I am the current Patriarch of the Malfoy family, Lucius Malfoy. This is my wife, Narcissa... a descendant of the Black family."
"Hello." Cassandra nodded slightly while smiling.
After greeting each other, an excited Lucius hurriedly invited his grandaunt to visit her loyal Malfoy Manor.
After chatting for a while in the main hall, Cassandra got to the point.
"Lucius, where is my father's portrait?"
"Follow me." Lucius stood up and said to Cassandra.
Under Lucius's guidance, Harry and Cassandra reached the small room where the portrait was kept.
Lucius tactfully left the area; he was clearly happier than anyone about his grandaunt's return.
Thus, he cheerfully returned to the main hall, planning to chat with his wife Narcissa about matters concerning his grandaunt—for example, how to make her become Cassandra Potter.
The portrait in the room was evidently asleep, considering it was nighttime; even portraits needed a quiet night.
Cassandra walked up to Septimus's portrait and tapped it.
"I thought I said not to disturb me randomly!"
Mr. Septimus clearly had some morning grumpiness and spoke irritably.
However, when he got out of bed and saw who was knocking on the portrait, he was so shocked that his nightcap fell off.
"Kathy?!"
He rose from his bed, squeezing himself to the edge of the portrait, seemingly about to step out with a bit more force.
"You're back! Did that Potter kid rescue you?"
"Yes, father." Cassandra smiled and said, "As you can see, I've returned."
Mr. Septimus sighed and sat on the bed, somewhat exhausted: "Alright, as long as you're back... as long as you're back..."
"I'm sorry, father." Cassandra's voice was gentle, "Please forgive my stubbornness..."
"I don't blame you, Kathy." Mr. Septimus said, "Everyone has the right to pursue happiness; whether the shoes fit, only the wearer knows."
"Thank you for understanding me, father." Cassandra lowered her eyes, "Where is Ignatius? Why haven't I seen his portrait?"
"He's right next to it." Mr. Septimus pointed to the left.
Cassandra looked over and indeed saw a portrait—but it was turned around.
She reached out and flipped the portrait over.
Harry instinctively turned his head away.
Sure enough, the first thing Ignatius saw wasn't Cassandra but Harry.
"Harry Potter!" Ignatius yelled angrily, "Do you dare show your face at Malfoy Manor! I'll personally..."
Before he could finish, Cassandra coughed twice.
"Kathy?" Ignatius's expression changed instantly, "You're back—when? Did this Potter bring you back? Huh... It's not in vain you treated him so well."
"As you can see, brother." Cassandra spoke softly, "I've escaped from Merlin's Secret Chamber, thanks to Potter—"
At this point, she turned back, squinting at Harry.
The teardrop mole gave this expression a... indescribable feeling, making Harry's heart suddenly leap.
"At least he has a conscience, remembering you..."
Before he finished speaking, Cassandra interrupted him.