"This is an equal exchange, Weasley," Draco raised an eyebrow.
As a Class Prefect, Percy had some privileges, like not needing to answer the Sphinx's questions when entering the Gryffindor common room.
After entering the common room, Percy found Harry, who was currently researching materials.
This was a task entrusted to him by Sebastian, asking him to help find any methods for lifting Dark Magic curses in these books.
"Harry," Percy said, "someone is looking for you outside."
"Who is it?" Harry put down the book in his hand, "Isn't it almost ten o'clock already? Percy?"
"It's Malfoy," Percy said, "Alright, I've delivered the message. Now I need to get going."
Hearing it was Malfoy, Harry stood up immediately.
Cassandra actually came to find me on her own?
This really is... quite surprising indeed.
Could it be that she's figured things out?
Thinking this, Harry hurriedly exited through the Sphinx-guarded hole.
However, the slicked-back hair in front of him told him that it was not Cassandra who had come, but Draco.
Harry couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed, not even knowing why himself.
He even felt he was being pathetic, always going out of his way to let Cassandra humiliate him.
"Draco," Harry said, "what are you doing here? Is there something you need?"
"Of course there is," Draco cleared his throat.
But after clearing his throat, he glanced around like a thief and, after making sure no one was around, he said to Harry with a bewildering look: "Harry, when will our Dueling House open?"
"Just for this?" Harry took a shallow breath.
You came all the way here late at night just to ask about this?
I thought...
"Of course," Draco frowned, glancing at Harry, "Of course, I'm not asking for myself, but for my great-grand-aunt."
At the mention of Cassandra, Harry was no longer sleepy.
You should have said early on that you were here for Cassandra!
"Oh, does she want to join the Dueling House?" Harry asked.
Hearing Harry's question, Draco sighed helplessly, palming his forehead.
"Harry, how can you expect a girl to speak first about things like this?" Draco said a bit exasperatedly, "Oh my goodness, even though Cassandra is of high rank, she's still a girl— do you agree? In fact, she hasn't been in this world for many years, as a gentleman, you can't expect the girl to speak up first, can you?"
After saying this, Draco added, "I remember that Principal Black taught you guys gentleman etiquette, didn't he? Harry, don't make me teach you how to be a gentleman!"
You can't say...
What Draco said, Harry felt made some sense.
Indeed, I really shouldn't expect the girl to speak up first.
"Yes, you have a good point," Harry nodded earnestly, "How about I personally invite her to join our Dueling House in a few days? What do you think?"
"The important thing isn't what I think, but what you think!" Draco patted Harry's shoulder: "Alright, think it through carefully yourself— oh, and don't mention to her that I came to find you, can you?"
"Rest assured, I'll keep it secret," Harry nodded.
After returning to the dormitory, Harry still felt Draco had a point.
He was also somewhat relieved, as he was glad Draco reminded him, otherwise, if he had forgotten about Cassandra, she might really ignore him for a long, long time.
Additionally…
Yes, I shouldn't forget about Vivi either, better write a letter to ask for her opinion.
It wouldn't be good to invite Cassandra and not invite Vivi, otherwise, Vivi might get upset as well...
Oh dear.
Harry rubbed his head, thinking what did he do wrong to endure such torment?
He thought about this while taking out pen and paper, biting the pen tip as he dipped it twice into the ink bottle.
Vivi:
How are the Muggle World courses going? Are you almost done with the coursework?
I think it's necessary to invite you to join our Dueling House, if you have time...
Your faithful
Harry Potter
After finishing the letter, Harry handed it to Hedwig to deliver to Vivi.
After sending off the letter, Harry stretched, leaned back, and fell asleep.
The next morning, on the first day of the new semester, as Harry entered the hall for breakfast, the first person he saw was Cassandra Malfoy.
It seemed as if Cassandra was deliberately waiting for him; when Harry walked over to greet her, Cassandra stomped on his foot heavily, then returned to the Slytherin table like a victorious queen, elegantly starting to slice the roasted tomato with a knife and fork as if she was slicing Harry himself.
Harry felt guilty, after all, yesterday he described Cassandra as a washboard...
But in fact, he was indeed a bit exaggerating; Cassandra... well, how to say, although lacking a bit, wasn't quite a washboard.
Compared to Vivi, though, she definitely paled in comparison— if compared to the humanoid Pabi, it was practically disastrous.
When Pabi was still in human form, she had to put the book on the table to avoid feeling uncomfortable due to the weight.
"She kind of reminds me of Hermione," Ron commented to Harry after sitting down, "Hermione also likes stepping on me— but I don't think Hermione means any harm, and neither does she, it's just because we upset them that they step on us."