Malfoy shook the map in his hand and unfolded it again.
The yellowed parchment displayed a map of Hogwarts, and there was still hardly anyone near the bathroom on the second floor of the castle.
"If we're talking about leaving, now would be a good time," Malfoy said, looking at the Marauder's Map.
An indescribable bitterness immediately appeared on Pansy's face, and a dull pain began to spread through her heart.
She immediately regretted what she had said.
Why did they have to be sensible?
"So even if you don't come back, I should still be able to see you, right?"
Pansy asked anxiously. She still felt as though she might be hallucinating because she had missed him too much.
Dreams could end at any moment.
"There will be opportunities. Don't worry."
Malfoy reassured her.
But in reality, he did not know when they would meet again.
After returning, he would probably have to work hard for a long time to earn more of Lord Voldemort's trust.
He needed to find an opportunity to get rid of Nagini.
"All right, then. Goodbye, Draco."
Pansy took a deep breath and spoke decisively, deciding to leave without looking back so that she would not truly hesitate anymore.
"Wait a moment."
Malfoy called out to her.
Pansy became slightly excited.
However, he had not actually called her.
Instead, he called out again.
"Dobby!"
A house-elf dressed impeccably in a black tuxedo appeared before him.
"Young Master Draco! You're back! Master and Madam will be very happy."
Malfoy did not reply.
He leaned down and whispered something into Dobby's large right ear.
Dobby trembled with excitement.
"Dobby guarantees he will complete the mission! Please rest assured, Young Master Draco!"
He followed Pansy's footsteps, glancing back at Malfoy reluctantly before disappearing back into the passage.
It was unknown when the two of them would meet again.
Malfoy removed the lock from the iron gate, climbed the steps, returned to the surface, and began his next move.
In an inconspicuous room within Malfoy Manor, a beautiful blonde woman sat before a dressing table.
She looked haggard as she stared at the bronze mirror in front of her, but she made no attempt to do her makeup.
She was simply lost in thought, trying to pass the unbearable time.
Suddenly, she heard the wooden door creak as it was pushed open.
She did not react.
"Why are you back so early today? Did you finish what the Dark Lord asked you to do? Any news about Draco?"
She asked without looking up.
She assumed it was her husband returning and spoke casually.
The long wait had given her plenty of patience.
"Mom?"
Malfoy called from the doorway.
His voice was slightly different, but Narcissa recognised it immediately.
"Draco?"
She looked up in panic, her eyes instantly filling with surprise.
Then she hurriedly stood up and rushed toward the door, not caring that her leg accidentally kicked over the coffee table beside her, nearly causing her to fall.
She rushed straight to her son.
Tears welled up in her eyes before quickly streaming down her face.
She pulled her child into her arms.
Her son's haggard and listless appearance finally eased, and the tension in his brows relaxed.
"Draco, you're finally back."
She hugged her child even tighter.
"I'm fine, aren't I, Mom?"
Malfoy was somewhat overwhelmed by his mother's reaction.
But he also knew that he could not simply push her away.
He felt quite guilty at that moment.
After all, he had made them worry for far too long.
However, he could not have any contact with this side.
Even his communication with Dumbledore through the two-way mirror had been extremely restrained in order to prevent any secrets from leaking.
"Am I dreaming, Draco?"
Narcissa cupped Malfoy's cheeks.
"No, Mom. I really am back."
He repeated the words.
"It's good that you're back. It's good that you're back…"
Narcissa clutched her chest.
"Draco, you must be hungry. Dobby!"
She called for the house-elf.
"He shouldn't be here. I sent him out to run some errands."
"What would you like to eat? Mum will make it for you."
Narcissa was somewhat careless with her words.
The news that her son had returned was so exciting that she had forgotten the fact that she was not actually very good at cooking.
After all, they had long been accustomed to a life of luxury.
"No need, Mom. I've already eaten."
Malfoy explained.
Her emotions gradually settled, and the helplessness in her expression eased somewhat.
Soon, mother and son moved into the living room.
Even though Malfoy refused, a sumptuous meal was still prepared and placed on the long table.
Most of it consisted of ready-made food.
"You didn't encounter any danger on your journey, did you?"
"No."
Malfoy told her the truth.
All the dangers he had encountered during this journey had been within his ability to handle.
"Look how much thinner you've become. You must have suffered a lot. It's my fault for not protecting you properly."
"Don't worry. Your father will handle everything. He won't let you go to prison."
She turned to comfort her son.
Azkaban had collapsed and been destroyed, but a new prison had already been built.
Malfoy, however, was not worried about this.
There should not be any Aurors around Lord Voldemort who would dare to act recklessly.
Although he had not yet met the Dark Lord, he must have already gained a sufficient degree of trust.
His plan to infiltrate Azkaban had failed, but his actions—openly taking hostages and wandering throughout the country—could also be considered proof of his loyalty.
The prophecy about the sphere breaking had not come to pass.
His father had not been imprisoned, and he even held a certain number of shares in The Daily Prophet, giving him considerable influence.
He occupied a very high position within Lord Voldemort's camp.
That played a very important role.
Especially now, when the Dark Lord had almost no capable subordinates.
The Malfoy family was highly valued and had been entrusted with important responsibilities.
This was the result Malfoy needed.
Having the opportunity to get close to Lord Voldemort meant that Nagini would eventually enter his field of vision, allowing him to find more opportunities.
There was definitely no need for him to return to Hogwarts.
However, there were still some necessary arrangements that required his involvement.
Narcissa looked at her son with heartache.
She rolled up Malfoy's sleeve, revealing numerous abrasions on his arm.
His once-pale face now had a healthy tan, and a few faint blue stubbles had appeared around the corners of his mouth.
"Don't worry. The Dark Lord is our protector now. You've contributed so much to him. He'll definitely help you."
Malfoy nodded.
"I have to tell your father this news. He'll be so happy."
Narcissa wiped away her tears and pointed toward the window.
"Narcissa, Dumbledore is dead. At his funeral… Draco might be able to…"
Just then, Lucius's voice came from outside the door.
The door was pushed open, and a silver silk robe was the first thing to enter the room, followed by a tall but somewhat slender man.
He removed his hood and hung it on a rack.
"That's rare. You actually ate something on your own initiative, Cissy."
He spoke without looking up.
After Malfoy had fled from Hogwarts, his wife had gone for a long time without eating properly or on schedule, becoming extremely thin and haggard.