The next morning, Draco was in his study as usual, continuing his reading.
"Knock, knock, knock." After three knocks, the old butler's voice came: "Young Master, the Parkinson family is here. The Master wants you to go out and meet them."
"Alright, I'll be right there," Draco replied.
Draco slowly closed the book and went to the drawing room. From a distance, he could see two figures, one tall and one short. These must be the Parkinsons visiting today.
"Hector, it's been a long time. You haven't changed at all," Lucius said, a rare smile on his face, though no one knew how sincere it was.
"Yes, it's been a long time, Lucius," Hector replied with a perfunctory greeting.
"Draco, come here," Lucius beckoned Draco. "This is your Uncle Hector, one of my good friends from years ago, and still is."
"Hello, Uncle Hector," Draco said with a slight bow, then fell silent.
"I heard you're a Squib?" A crisp voice suddenly rang out. The owner of the voice was undoubtedly Pansy Parkinson, his so-called destined partner.
"Her personality is as unpleasant as expected," Draco thought to himself, taking a moment to examine Pansy. Chestnut hair, cut short and scattered around her ears, slightly messy bangs covering most of her forehead, paired with a black pleated dress, and an arrogant expression—she could only be described with one word: princess. In the Parkinson family, Pansy was indeed favored, so it was not an exaggeration to call her a little princess. But her sharp words naturally shattered that noble aura.
"Pansy! Is this the etiquette I taught you?" Hector's expression changed upon hearing this, and he immediately reprimanded her. "Quickly apologize to your Uncle Lucius and Young Master Draco."
"Hmph," Pansy turned her head away, not saying a word.
"Children will be children, Hector. Don't be angry. Draco, take Pansy around the manor. Your uncle and I have some things to discuss," Lucius said, seemingly not hearing the somewhat insulting words directed at his family.
"Yes, Father," Draco nodded slightly.
"Pansy, go and take a walk with Draco, and remember to apologize."
"I don't want to walk with a Squib," Pansy muttered.
"Pansy!" Hector's tone grew heavier.
"My beautiful lady, please," Draco bowed slightly, performing a gentlemanly gesture. "I think our fathers must have important matters to discuss. It's better if we don't disturb them for now."
"Such a little gentleman, his etiquette is impeccable," Hector couldn't help but praise. "Lucius, your education is truly successful, unlike our Pansy, who has been spoiled since childhood, lawless, and dares to say anything."
Lucius chuckled. "Children are innocent, children are innocent. It's good to be lively. Just let them spend some time together." As soon as he finished speaking, he turned to Draco and said, "I believe you will get along very well. Entertain Pansy well. Your uncle and I will go upstairs first. It's been a while; we need to catch up." With that, he and Hector went upstairs and disappeared at the end of the staircase.
After that, there was a moment of silence, as if a Silencing Charm had been cast. But the silence was finally broken by Draco. "I think even if you dislike me, just standing here would be more boring than walking with me, right? You might find something you're interested in in this manner." As an adult soul, he did not bother arguing with a little girl, so he took the initiative to break the deadlock.
Seeming to feel that just standing there was indeed boring, Pansy reluctantly nodded. "Then I'll be merciful and let you be my guide."
Beneath her indifferent expression was a hint of expectation. After all, the Draco family was one of the ancient wizarding families. Something interesting might truly exist in this mysterious manor.
"My pleasure," Draco replied.
"Little girls are really hard to coax," Draco, who had been single in his previous life, muttered to himself.
The two slowly walked along the corridor. The expensive lamps emitted a gentle glow, illuminating the patterns formed by years of erosion on the gray-black walls. Every so often, they would pass a painting by a long-deceased celebrity hanging on the wall, or a portrait of a Draco ancestor.
Because the internal structure of Draco Manor was very complex, the layout of the corridors was winding and tortuous, with many forks. It was easy to get lost for those unfamiliar with it. So Draco reminded Pansy, "Remember to follow me closely. Don't get lost."
"You've said that three times already. How annoying, little Squib," Pansy said impatiently. "Didn't you say you'd take me to see something interesting? Where is it? Don't tell me it's just these broken paintings in the corridor." The winding passageways had already made Pansy lose patience, and she complained openly.
"The authors of these paintings and the ancestors of the Draco family would cry if they heard you say that," Draco thought to himself. "She really is a difficult little girl to please. How should I coax her?" he wondered as he walked.
"This room is very special," suddenly came Pansy's voice from behind.
Hearing this, Draco suddenly turned his head. In the faint light, he saw Pansy standing in front of a stone door. Strange symbols were engraved on its surface, exuding a gloomy aura.
"This room is not right." Draco's mind immediately flashed back to a book he had read about Dark magic, which contained many similar ancient magical symbols.
"Pansy, don't go in!" Draco hurriedly shouted, but it was too late. The curious Pansy had already pushed open the door and stepped inside. Strangely, the seemingly heavy stone door was easily pushed open by an eight-year-old girl. Then something even more abnormal happened—the stone door gradually began to close on its own. But Pansy, who was peering into the room, did not notice.
"Sigh." Draco shook his head and rushed inside before the door fully closed.
With a creak, the stone door shut heavily. The faint light from the corridor lamps disappeared as well. Pansy, who had been carefully observing the room, finally came back to her senses.
"Fortunately, it's not some forbidden area." After entering, Draco immediately scanned the room in the dimness. Looking at the magical materials and broken wands scattered around, and relying on his knowledge, he quickly judged what this place was.
"With security measures like this, anyone can break in. Father, how dare you study Dark magic with peace of mind? Aren't you afraid of a sudden raid by the Ministry of Magic?" Based on the clues before him, his own knowledge, and his understanding of Lucius, Draco quickly concluded that this secret room was none other than Lucius's usual Dark magic laboratory.
Draco muttered to himself. But now was not the time to worry about such matters—finding a way out was the priority. "I wonder if this young lady has been frightened." Draco felt another headache coming on. If it were not for this burden, he would not mind staying in this dark chamber. Although he had not begun studying profound Dark magic yet, he could still manage a simple Lumos. With books here to pass the time, staying for a day would not be a major problem. But now it was different.
Pansy finally seemed to regain her composure. Her expression could not be seen in the darkness, but if there had been light, Draco would have noticed that her slightly trembling body betrayed her fear.
Pansy pretended to be calm and said, "What is this place in your house? It's so gloomy, and there isn't even a lamp. Didn't you say the Draco family is famous for being rich? Could it be that you can't even afford proper lighting? My house doesn't have a place like this." Although she was afraid, her sharp tongue had not changed.
Draco did not reply in the darkness.
Because he had decided to give this little girl a small lesson.
"Why don't you say something? Are you scared silly?" Pansy continued.
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