Three years ago, Owen suggested to the Slytherin students that their parents should sponsor the school to improve the quality of education and provide financial aid to underprivileged students.
Now, three years later, those students who received aid had graduated and, out of gratitude, had done quite a few things to benefit the pure-blood families who funded them.
The Malfoy family was not among those sponsors. It wasn't until Draco entered school this year that Lucius Malfoy learned about this arrangement. But when he tried to buy his way in, he discovered it wasn't that simple. He needed the approval of a specific individual.
That individual was the eleven-year-old Owen Corlett.
So, Lucius wrote to Draco, instructing him to invite the boy to their home for the holidays, hoping to secure the Malfoy family a spot as one of the "benefactors."
Owen was actually quite surprised when he heard the reason. He had initially assumed Lucius wanted to sell him some Dark Arts artifacts.
"The Malfoy family is already on the Hogwarts Board of Governors. Adding an extra sponsorship on top of that... won't that be a financial strain? As far as I know, the sponsorship amount each time isn't exactly a small sum."
That wasn't an exaggeration. The first round of sponsorship was five thousand Galleons, used to replace a batch of broomsticks and provide student aid. The second round jumped to thirteen thousand Galleons. While some went to aid, the vast majority was used to purchase high-quality potion ingredients.
Snape hadn't been stingy either. He selected the better-quality potions brewed by the students and sold them back to the sponsors. Because of this profitable feedback loop, from the third round onwards, the sponsorship amount stabilized at twenty thousand Galleons every six months. No single pure-blood family could shoulder that cost alone, no matter how wealthy.
As for the Board's budget—ninety thousand Galleons a year—most of it went to food and miscellaneous expenses like heating and lighting for the four Houses. Just the candles in the Great Hall cost seventeen thousand Galleons a year!
And that was after a fifty percent discount.
So, the Board of Governors—essentially a sentient wallet—was still very important.
"While it is a burden, for Draco's sake..." Lucius glanced at his son, who was sitting up straight, a rare softness appearing in his eyes. "The Malfoy family can afford it."
Owen nodded, then looked at the stiff-backed Draco and smiled. "Draco, you have a father who loves you very much. But your behavior at school has somewhat failed to live up to that love."
Draco's face tightened. He didn't know what to say, and he certainly didn't dare argue with Owen.
"What is the fundamental difference between a wizard and a Muggle?"
Draco paused, thought for a moment, and replied, "Wizards have magic. Muggles don't."
"Only half right..." Owen looked directly at Draco, speaking in front of his father. "What wizards possess isn't just magic spells, but magical power. Magic is a form of power. Therefore, a wizard's fundamental goal is to possess sufficient strength. A family can be a shield, a support, but ultimately, you must convert those external advantages into your own personal strength."
Owen's next words made both Lucius and Draco change color. "When you possess enough power, you can do whatever you want. You can dominate the world, or you can change it. Mr. Grindelwald, and Voldemort—the reason they failed is simply because their power wasn't strong enough."
Draco's mind was reeling, but Lucius was already breaking out in a cold sweat.
Owen looked at him and asked, "Mr. Malfoy, do you know the price Voldemort paid for immortality?"
Lucius started, staring at the young wizard in disbelief. His hand twitched toward his wand!
But Owen continued calmly, "It was madness. An irrational, all-consuming madness. The people who followed him and were thrown into Azkaban will be reused by him because they are just as mad as he is—they are convenient tools. But those who avoided Azkaban and lived comfortable lives? They will become... consumables. Discarded at any moment, or perhaps killed just to set an example and establish dominance."
Lucius's wand was concealed within his snake-headed cane. He only needed to draw it. But his grip tightened and loosened, tightened and loosened. He wanted to eliminate this dangerous little wizard, but he lacked the confidence...
Draco's letters had mentioned it: this boy could cast spells silently and without a wand.
Owen didn't even need Legilimency to read Lucius's internal struggle. He continued, "One thing I don't quite understand is this: why haven't those who are no longer loyal to him united against him? Is it because the Killing Curse won't work on him? If one person isn't enough, and two aren't enough, what about ten? Twenty? Thirty people casting the Killing Curse simultaneously—would that still fail to kill him?"
"I once asked Dumbledore this question. The answer surprised me. Dumbledore said that Voldemort is difficult to deal with not because his magical power is insurmountable, or because he knows too many spells, but because his movements are erratic and elusive, making it impossible to find an opportunity."
Owen stared into Lucius's eyes, enunciating every word. "Mr. Malfoy, isn't it laughable? A madman with a fragmented soul, yet he is exceptionally skilled at hiding..."
All the strength drained from Lucius's body. He was certain now—this boy knew something. And if he knew it from Dumbledore, then Dumbledore knew even more.
Struggling was pointless. Even if he silenced this boy, how would he deal with Dumbledore?
"I..." Lucius's voice was hoarse.
"Mr. Malfoy, I agree to the Malfoy family joining the sponsorship program. Furthermore, I hope more people like yourself—people with intent—will join as well."
Draco didn't understand the subtext, but Lucius certainly did: Is he planning to absorb the Death Eaters?
"Draco, go find your mother. Help her arrange the banquet."
Lucius sent Draco away. The moment the door clicked shut, Lucius stared intently at the young wizard. "Mr. Corlett, I don't know where your confidence comes from, but He... is not so easily dealt with."
Owen smiled at him. "Mr. Malfoy, times have changed. Mr. Dumbledore has his plan, but I... I have a different plan. If you are willing to trust me."