Malfoy's Move

"That Mudblood went to see the Malfoy Family boy?" Umbridge said, looking at the Little Aiken in disbelief.

It was a vulgar and unsettling room, everything covered with lace-trimmed tablecloths and vases filled with dried flowers, each resting on a small cushion. On one wall hung a set of decorative plates, each depicting a brightly colored large cat, each wearing a different bow around its neck.

A flash of disgust crossed Little Aiken's eyes, but he put on a smile again, "Yes, madam, I saw Wallerup and Malfoy come out of the same classroom one after the other, and Wallerup seemed very wary; he didn't want to be seen by others."

Umbridge paced back and forth in her office, which she was extremely pleased with, and said with a frown, "How did Malfoy end up with that Mudblood?"

"Madam, this is clearly one of Wallerup's methods of dealing with us," said Little Aiken.

"Him? What a joke! How can a Mudblood command Slater?" Umbridge said.

"Madam, please allow me to remind you," Little Aiken straightened his collar, "On the surface, Wallerup is a student of Hogwarts, but in reality, he is someone Grindelwald personally taught."

Umbridge scoffed at the name Grindelwald: "So what if he's Grindelwald? He's wanted by the Ministries of Ministry of Magic of various countries and doesn't dare to show his face."

Compared to a powerful enemy, working with an arrogant idiot who never learns his lesson is the truly painful thing...

Little Aiken controlled his facial expression well. "Madam, our plan is to escalate the conflict Mudblood and the Pure-blood, and Slytherin is clearly a good weapon. Wallerup couldn't be unaware of this; his contact with that Malfoy Family boy must be an attempt to sabotage our plan."

Umbridge asked doubtfully, "What can he do?"

"Given our advantageous position, there's not much he can do, but there's not little either," said Little Aiken. "Madam, please consider what the biggest obstacle we might encounter in implementing our plan is?"

Umbridge was clearly not good at thinking; she hesitated for a while before saying, "Those unruly students, would they secretly defy the rules we set? But, as you said, the conflict between Mudblood and Pure-blood is natural, so what makes Wallerup think he can eliminate it?"

"He certainly can't eliminate it, but the conflict can be shifted," Little Aiken explained.

"Then what should we do?" Umbridge completely gave up thinking.

Little Aiken smiled and said, "Please rest assured, Madam, I am ready."

"Very good, Fabian, it was definitely the right decision to entrust this to you. Go, within this Hogwarts, you may act in my name," Umbridge said directly.

"Thank you for your trust."

As he left the greasy, vulgar office, disgust and disdain flashed in Little Aiken's eyes.

Fools... Has the British Ministry of Magic really fallen this low?

However, having an idiot boss isn't always a bad thing.

"Wallerup, let's see how you handle this?" Little Aiken's eyes were icy.

Meanwhile, a minor conflict was taking place in the eerie Slytherin Common Room in the Black Lake.

"Crabbe, watch your tone when you talk to your senior," Osman said menacingly.

Because of Umbridge's unfair treatment, Osman only had to clean the washrooms in the Slytherin Common Room, a very small job, but one that still needed to be done.

Osman casually swung the mop a few times on the floor, ready to finish, but Crabbe, that big oaf, came in with his wet boots.

This infuriated Osman, and what angered him even more was that this big, dumb guy dared to talk back after he reprimanded him.

Crabbe chuckled and then said sarcastically, "This is what you're supposed to do. Does that mean you can't come in after you've finished cleaning for everyone else?"

Osman's eyes immediately darkened. "Do I need to teach you what manners are, boy?"

The argument between the two attracted the attention of many people, but they just leaned lazily against the wall in the corridor and watched the show.

This is probably a characteristic of Slytherin: if one of the two people arguing is not from Slytherin, they will immediately band together to help their own.

But if both of them are from Slytherin, then let them be— Slytherin admire the strong more.

While the two were locked in a stalemate, Malfoy led a large group of people over.

Osman turned his head and saw Malfoy. Ever since Malfoy sponsored the Slytherin Quidditch Team last year, giving each player a Nimbus 2001, the entire team had been following his lead.

Knowing that Crabbe was Malfoy's underling, Osman could only snort coldly and turn away, not wanting to get into a conflict with so many people.

However, Malfoy pulled him back from behind.

"Hey, Osman."

Osman turned his head and forced a smile, "Good evening."

The Malfoy Family was wealthy and influential, and they enjoyed considerable prestige within the college due to their financial power. This was not someone he wanted to directly provoke.

To his surprise, Malfoy summoned Crabbe again.

"Vincent (Crabbe's name), come here, don't be stupid, apologize to Osman."

Crabbe reluctantly shifted his plump body and apologized to Osman under Malfoy's stern gaze.

"Crabbe is just a bit blunt, Osman, don't take it to heart." Although his tone was as Pride as ever, Malfoy's attitude was still quite friendly.

This surprised Osman, but since the other party had given him face first, he naturally had to return the favor.

"Of course, I won't take it to heart, Draco." He then called out Malfoy's name.

"That's good. At times like these, we Slytherin should be more united, shouldn't we?" Malfoy said.

"You're right."

After exchanging a few flattering words, Malfoy leaned closer to Osman and whispered, "Buddy, do you know what's most important right now?"

"What?"

Malfoy grinned Greed. "Remember what Umbridge said? She'd be selecting members from among the students to form Special Operations Investigation Team... This is a perfect opportunity for us Slytherin to gain more power..."

"Then what's the use of you coming to me..." Osman stopped mid-sentence, realizing the crux of the matter.

Malfoy continued, "Hey, buddy, we all know she'll definitely choose you as her first choice... She's trying to win over the hearts of us Slytherin to help her deal with those unruly Mudblood."

Of course, as a typical figure, he was likely to be the first to be selected... Thinking of this, Osman's tone became much more Pride even though he had not yet truly obtained the privilege.

"Who knows? But it's certainly possible."

Malfoy smiled. "At that time, I hope you can do me a favor. All you need to do is casually mention my name..."

Osman sneered inwardly, knowing that Malfoy wouldn't lower himself for no reason. Sure enough, he had already decided to seek special privileges.

But a troubled expression still appeared on his face. "Draco, there's still no progress on this, and even if I'm chosen, I'm afraid I..."

Malfoy proudly raised his head. "You have a little over two years left before graduation. At that time, I will ask my father to write you a letter of recommendation to the ministry—no matter what position you seek."

Osman's eyes lit up; the Malfoy Family ' promise carried considerable weight.

He immediately laughed, "Leave it to me."

"Then I'll wait for your news."

After he finished doing all that, Malfoy then directed Crabbe: "Clean up the water stains you left behind."

"Hey, Draco ..." Crabbe looked at Malfoy reluctantly.

Under Malfoy's watchful gaze, Crabbe obediently went to get the mop, giving Osman a fierce glare before leaving.

Osman sneered inwardly. This wasn't me secretly reporting it; it was your boss trying to win me over.

However... he secretly glanced at Malfoy.

Malfoy's clique was actually a very good choice. As far as he knew, Crabbe and Goyle's fathers had both improved their positions in the ministry because they had climbed up to Malfoy's coattails.

If I could gain Malfoy's trust...

Thinking of this, Osman sneered inwardly. Replacing that big oaf Crabbe with his own wasn't such a bad idea after all...

As night fell, Osman prepared to go to sleep, but when he reached under the covers, he suddenly touched something wet and sticky.

He screamed and pulled back the covers, only to find a bloody, dead rat right in the center of the sheet!

"Who did this?!" Osman, who had a slight case of mysophobia, felt like he was going crazy.

Even though they woke up half the Common Room, they still couldn't find the culprit.

Osman washed his hands ten times in a row and spent the night curled up on the sofa in front of the campfire.

The next day, when he got up, exhausted, he discovered that his hair had been turned pure green by Magical Hair Dye.

"Who did this?!"

The Slytherin students who gathered around all wore mocking smiles. Osman glared at everyone, then noticed that Crabbe, who had always been with Malfoy, was not there.

After a while, Crabbe came out, still half asleep. He saw Osman and glared at him fiercely.

Damn it... Osman really wanted to go over and confront the other man directly, but Crabbe immediately stuck to Malfoy's side as soon as he got up.

He took a deep breath and forcefully suppressed his anger.

I need evidence. With evidence, I can easily kick out that big oaf Crabbe and even take his place...

Osman thought to himself.

Life at Hogwarts continues under Umbridge's oppressive management.

After class in the afternoon, Malfoy sought out Sean again.

"I did as you suggested, and now the Osman are starting to suspect Crabbe."

Sean snapped his fingers, "Very good, Draco. Remember, as long as Osman has no evidence, you should still speak up for Crabbe. But gradually, you should show your distrust, of course, only when facing Osman."

Malfoy nodded, then asked, "So what should I do at other times?"

Sean smiled mysteriously, "Play to your strengths."

"Strengths?"

"Tell a story."

"Huh?" Malfoy looked completely bewildered.

Sean leaned closer and whispered, "You need to build up your reputation. Stories that contain secrets that ordinary people can't know will increase your mystique and your reputation... Come closer, I'll tell you a little secret."

Malfoy curiously leaned closer, and after a moment his eyes widened.

His expression kept changing, sometimes surprised, sometimes excited, as if he had heard many great secrets.

After a moment, Sean patted him on the shoulder. "Put some work on it. You've probably been to some mysterious castles or something. Use these stories to attract people's attention first. When the time is right, I'll give you some extra help. Then you can start selecting members and building your team. Just imagine, my friend, an entire Slytherin House, how powerful your team would be?"

Malfoy took a deep breath, his face flushed, as if he could already see a wonderful future.

That evening, in the Slytherin Common Room, Malfoy was surrounded by the crowd.

He had just told a story about encountering a Magical Creatures Wampus Cat in the Appalachian Mountains, a creature of unknown danger. At the end of the story, he used a pre-arranged spell to awaken himself from the Wampus Cat's hypnosis and escaped in a thrilling manner.

Some people were skeptical. "Draco, are you kidding me? A Magical Creatures with a danger level of xxxxx is something that would take dozens or even hundreds of adult wizards to deal with. Besides, I heard Professor Scamander say in class that Wampus Cat are very rare now. You think you can see one just by going on a trip?"

Draco looked disgusted. "Believe it or not, I've seen such amazing creatures with my own eyes. It's an experience I'll remember for the rest of my life, while you'll never see it."

Another student chimed in, saying, "I'm from North America, and the scene Draco described is definitely something that only exists in the Appalachian Mountains."

This student was indeed not a native of England, and his statement added some credibility to Malfoy's description of the scene.

Seeing that more and more people were gathering around, Malfoy decided to unleash the ultimate weapon that Sean had given him.

"Hmph, Wampus Cat are nothing. I even know about Slytherin's Chamber of Secrets."

"You're talking nonsense, Draco. The Chamber of Secrets was sealed away by Dumbledore a long time ago. No one but him has ever seen what Chamber of Secrets looks like," someone immediately retorted.

Malfoy didn't even look at the other person directly. He snorted coldly, "Do you think the Malfoy Family's accumulated wealth over the years doesn't exist?"

The other students exchanged glances. Malfoy was right; his family was indeed very powerful.

"Why didn't you report the location of the Chamber of Secrets to the professors when Chamber of Secrets Basilisk escaped last year?" someone asked.

"Idiot, the Basilisk was placed in the Chamber of Secrets of Secrets by Slytherin. He has his reasons. How could I possibly interfere with him?"