The afternoon sun streamed through the window cracks into the study, casting dappled shadows on the wooden desk. Although it was summer, the occasional breeze still carried a hint of coolness.
Inside the study, Draco was immersed in the sea of books, not overlooking even simple spell-casting techniques or obscure bits of knowledge.
"The ancients said cultivation was only for longevity, but they did not know that the joy of one's own progress during the cultivation process is already intoxicating," Draco sighed, recalling the views he had held in his previous life.
With his extraordinary memory, Draco could constantly feel his knowledge reserves increasing. This sense of control over knowledge brought him even more satisfaction than other desires.
Humans are shortsighted creatures, which is why people in his previous life, including Draco himself, were so enthusiastic about many online games. Because the experience points on the screen increased and the gold coins entered the backpack, they provided immediate feedback. One short-term reward after another trapped people in a quagmire from which they could not escape.
Conversely, who does not know the importance of learning? However, how many can persevere? The extremely long feedback cycle brings endless self-doubt during the process, causing people to wonder whether they are doing useless work and why they cannot see results. One by one, people often choose to retreat and fall into depravity, becoming slaves to short-term feedback.
Without worrying about forgetting, coupled with his own passion for magic, Draco became a true academic prodigy.
"It seems Felix Felicis is indeed very difficult to brew," Draco sighed inwardly, closing the book.
In his previous life, Draco was not very interested in so-called powerful potions like Polyjuice Potion, but he had been very curious about Felix Felicis. What kind of potion could temporarily change one's luck? Having the opportunity in this life, Draco would naturally not let it pass. However, after searching through many books, he came to the conclusion that the rare materials and complicated brewing process meant that even if there were no mistakes and everything was prepared perfectly, he would still have to wait six months.
"But I won't give up trying," Draco thought.
"Then I'll have to trouble you," just as Draco was thinking, a middle-aged man's voice suddenly came from outside the door. It sounded somewhat familiar.
"It's nothing, don't be so polite. Perhaps my boy will be overjoyed," this was Lucius's voice.
As soon as he finished speaking, there was a knock on the door.
Draco closed the book Magical Potion-Making and Usage, stood up from the chair, walked to the door, and opened it.
"Oh, young Draco, we meet again. This time, you may need to help your uncle with a small matter," the owner of that familiar voice was Hector, whom he had met once before. Lucius was standing beside him.
Before he could finish speaking, a small figure stepped out from behind Hector. Seeing her, Draco could not help but touch his forehead again.
Who else could it be? Of course, it was Pansy Parkinson.
Today, Pansy had changed out of her gothic attire from last time, replacing it with a white dress. The cuffs of her sleeves were adorned with light yellow bows, the layered skirt was embroidered with rose patterns, her red leather boots were simple and elegant, and she carried a delicate lady's handbag. If Pansy's outfit last time had made her look like a little devil tempting others to fall, this time she seemed like an elf from a fairy tale.
"We meet again," Pansy said softly, looking at Draco.
"You are most welcome," Draco did not know how to respond for a moment—after all, this visit was rather sudden—so he could only bow slightly.
"Alas, those parasites," Hector suddenly said angrily.
"Which family's business does not have one or two of them? You needn't be so angry," Lucius advised.
It is difficult for true friendship to exist between two people of unequal status, and friendship lacking an exchange of benefits will not last long. As two pure-blood wizards with relatively aligned interests, there couldn't be only pure friendship between them.
The Malfoy family's Galleons did not come from nowhere. Earning income through various investments is not solely a Muggle practice. Wizards also need to make money.
Unfortunately, Hector encountered financial problems in one of his ventures today, and even more unfortunately, Lucius had a share in that venture. That was why the two needed to go out to discuss matters.
"I don't want to hand all the money to those goblins at Gringotts," Hector said. Like most wizards, he had no fondness for goblins.
"Alright, alright, don't say such things in front of the children," Lucius turned to Draco and said, "You've heard it all. Your uncle and I have important matters to attend to, and it's inconvenient for Pansy to come along. She can stay here and keep you company. I think we'll be back tonight."
"This girl insisted on coming, and I have a headache. Now I can only trouble your boy. The situation is urgent, and we cannot delay any longer, or I don't know what trouble those parasites will cause."
"Pansy, be good and listen. Don't be like last time," Hector gave Pansy a small warning before leaving.
"Okay, okay, don't worry," Pansy said coquettishly, her face flushed, seemingly still embarrassed by the incident last time.
"Don't worry, Father, Uncle. I will definitely take good care of her," Draco also regretted his petty behavior last time and hoped to make up for it this time, so he made a solemn guarantee. However, he probably could not imagine what would happen later.
"Let's go, Hector. I think those parasites will enjoy watching our anger."
"I can't wait either, Lucius. It seems they have forgotten our past reputation after so long. Today is the time to remind them."
Then, the figures of the two gradually became transparent and eventually vanished. Obviously, they had used Apparition.
"This is the legendary teleportation," Draco's eyes flickered with desire. Compared to spells of massive destructive power, he was more interested in magic with mysterious underlying principles. Whenever magic involved space and time, its difficulty increased geometrically. Compared to the lethal Avada Kedavra, Draco felt that such magic represented the true source of progress in the wizarding world. They were the real embodiment of magic's mystery.
Thinking carefully, what is the difference between Avada Kedavra and a bullet fired from a gun? Muggle technology has long surpassed wizarding magic in terms of destructive power. What is the strongest spell compared to a nuclear bomb?
However, wizarding research into space and time was far ahead. Though there were many restrictions, the Time-Turner ultimately involved the mysteries of time, and Apparition alone would make Muggle scientists rack their brains.
"I'm really looking forward to the future," Draco was fascinated by the magic he would learn.
"But now, I still have to deal with a little problem," Draco thought. "I should apologize again. Why am I arguing with a little girl?"
Of course, Draco soon realized he was thinking too optimistically.
"About last time..." Draco had only spoken half a sentence.
With a "snap," Pansy threw the handbag in her hand directly onto Draco's desk. The shy expression from moments ago had disappeared without a trace, replaced by an icy gaze.
"You can open it and take a look now," Pansy's tone was slightly provocative.
Draco did not react immediately, but he still opened the handbag.
"Damn it." Draco felt he had underestimated how much women could hold grudges, even if Pansy was still just a little girl.
"I think the officials at the Ministry of Magic would be quite interested in this evidence. I'm sure there were still many people dissatisfied with your father's acquittal back then." A mischievous smile appeared on Pansy's face.
"Decryption of Cutting-Edge Dark Magic. Uncle Lucius's interests are truly extensive," Pansy said, pointing to a photograph. The photo showed the title page of a book, with Lucius's name written on it.
The other photos showed some of Lucius's annotations. The dense handwriting was startling, and certain lines were boldly marked and circled.
People fear uncertainty, but once something is confirmed, it becomes easier to accept. Previously, Pansy had been afraid of Dark magic, but after confirming Lucius was researching it, she became less frightened and more curious. Now, threatening Draco felt easy.
"The book from the secret chamber must have been taken," Draco felt another headache coming on.
In a sense, children are indeed difficult to deal with. Adults understand weighing benefits and consequences. For example, although Hector knew Lucius researched Dark magic, he would at most offer a reminder. But Pansy was different. Who knew if she might truly report it to the Ministry of Magic?
Looking at Draco's stiff expression, Pansy said smugly, "It seems Muggle cameras are still quite useful."
"Say it. What do you want?" Draco's expression quickly returned to calm.
An adult mind worked quickly. Even during the height of the Death Eaters' power, how many could truly have been acquitted by merely claiming they were under the Imperius Curse? Lucius's network must have been extensive. Many likely knew the truth but chose silence. Moreover, Lucius's Galleons had not been spent in vain. This level of evidence was hardly fatal.
Even if Pansy handed it over, it would at most prompt an early inspection by the Ministry.
Originally, Pansy felt satisfied watching Draco's stiffness. But his calm demeanor made her unhappy. She had imagined him terrified and begging. Instead, she got a poker face.
"Tch, boring. Go read your books, bookworm." Seeing his composure, Pansy suddenly felt it was pointless.
Children should not be underestimated. Having grown up in a large pure-blood family, Pansy likely understood the consequences better than anyone. She could be willful, but not reckless, in matters that could cause enmity between families.
Originally, she only wanted to scare him in revenge for the last time. Since it did not work, and she could not truly report him, Pansy found herself in a bad mood.
"Pat, pat, pat." She stomped heavily, walked to the desk, dragged over a chair, sat down, and pursed her lips.
"Looks like my favorability has dropped below zero." Draco could not guess her thoughts, but judging by her behavior, he knew he had offended her again.
"Overthinking is useless." Seeing she did not escalate things, Draco returned to his research on Felix Felicis.
"Oh, by the way, there's a copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard on the third row, fourth column of the bookshelf. If you're bored, you can flip through it," Draco suggested casually.
"Who wants to read that kind of book meant to fool children?"
Everything had been fine until he mentioned that.
After his reminder, Pansy suddenly reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
"I'm done for. Another landmine." Draco felt he had sighed more today than in the past eight years combined. "I only bought that book because of Dumbledore."
"It seems today's time will be wasted again," Draco thought helplessly.
"Alright, alright, Miss, what do you want me to do?" Draco closed the book he had barely opened.
"Hmph." Pansy turned her head away.
"I'll have to use the ultimate weapon. I'll act as a cultural ambassador for once." Draco thought of stories from his homeland.
"In a distant country, long, long ago, there was a story..." Draco began, embracing his role as a plagiarist.
"There was a young scholar named..."
It was the well-known legend of Romeo and Juliet.
"This sounds somewhat interesting." Pansy grew curious. "I'll listen."
This time, she rarely interrupted him.
Before long—
"That Romeo is really cowardly."
"That Juliet looks like a hypocrite. Full of bad ideas like you."
"It seems my image cannot be salvaged," Draco laughed helplessly.
"In the end, the two transformed into butterflies, flying together forever," Draco sighed deeply, slightly moved.
"I don't believe this story is touching enough. Pansy's eyes must be red by now," he thought confidently.
"Is that it?" Pansy asked.
"Yes."
"Heh."
"This reaction isn't right..." Draco felt deflated.
Seeing his expression, Pansy smiled triumphantly. "Although I hate you, I have to admit the story is good. I'm just laughing because you turned a comedy into a tragedy."
Draco felt his thinking lag behind this little girl.
"It's a pity you've read so many books and become foolish," Pansy mocked. "Obviously, it could have been an Animagi. It was just an elaborate plan for elopement. You know Transfiguration, don't you?"
"That world and this world aren't the same dimension," Draco complained inwardly.
"But it's interesting. As a reward, you may tell another story."
"You've become addicted, haven't you?" Draco muttered.
"But I refuse to believe I can't move a little girl."
"It must be because Rose was too heavy. Otherwise, both could have survived." This was Pansy's comment onthe Titanic.
Draco nearly spat blood.
"Why must girls obey so many rules?" Pansy seemed genuinely stirred.
"Phew." Draco breathed out. "I almost lost the face of a transmigrator."
"But based on your performance, if you were a boy, you'd have been beaten long ago," he muttered.
"Since your stories were interesting, I won't argue with you."
"That is a great honor, my lady."
"But you must tell me more stories in the future." Pansy's eyes shone.
"Okay," Draco agreed quickly.
"I still can't forget my hometown... Let this be my way of remembering it."
He drifted into thought.
"Hey, Draco, what are you spacing out for?" Pansy waved her hand before his eyes.
"Sorry."
"Is telling stories to me so boring?" Her tone was noticeably softer.
"It seems you two are getting along quite well. Pansy didn't cause trouble, did she?" Hector and Lucius returned earlier than expected.
"Father! When did I cause trouble?" Pansy instantly returned to her ladylike manner.
"Uncle, I'm very happy to have company," Draco replied politely.
"It's getting late. Why not stay for dinner?" Lucius suggested.
"No, it's late already. I still have matters to attend to. Another time." Hector declined.
After further pleasantries, Lucius and Draco saw them off. Before leaving, Pansy secretly glanced at Draco.
Draco understood that look.
"I'll come again next time."
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