Close Friends Who Shared a Dormitory and Hardships Together

Draco returned less than half an hour after leaving, then went silently back to his upstairs room.

Lucius and Severus were still chatting at the dining table. Only Narcissa noticed that something was off with him.

As his mother, she guessed that something must have happened just now.

She went upstairs and gently knocked on her son's door. "Draco, may I come in?"

There was a flurry of panicked movement inside before Draco finally answered, "Of course, Mom."

Narcissa opened the door and happened to see her son, sitting on the bed with his hands hidden behind his back.

She frowned slightly, sat down beside him, and gently took hold of the hand he had been hiding.

The back of his hand was red and swollen, with scraped skin across his knuckles. His other hand was the same.

Narcissa glanced toward the desk drawer that had not been fully closed.

She stood and slowly walked over, pulling open the drawer to find the healing potion he had hidden away as well.

"Mom, I just—"

"Apply the medicine first. We can talk afterward."

Narcissa's movements were very gentle, as though afraid she might accidentally hurt her son.

Draco pressed his lips tightly together as he looked at her, deeply regretting having beaten up his two lackeys to vent his frustration before coming back.

Those two had thick skin and sturdy flesh. No matter how hard he hit them, he was always the first one to get hurt.

After applying the potion, he guiltily looked away.

"Did you get into a fight?" Narcissa's tone held no blame, only concern.

Draco felt even more remorseful. "No, Mom. I ran into the Weasleys and Wayne. Afterward, I was in a bad mood, so I beat up Crabbe and Goyle."

Narcissa's gaze immediately turned cold.