The Day of Returning to School

The Hogwarts Express sped through the thin mist, with the rolling Scotland wilderness outside the carriages, yet the interior was warm and cozy.

The House of Malfoy's private compartment is located in the most secluded section at the rear of the train, with a discreet silver serpent emblem engraved on the door, isolating it from most noise and curious glances.

Inside the private room, Daphne Greengrass sat in the main seat, her light blonde hair gleaming softly under the warm yellow wall lamp. With Skylar absent, she would be temporarily taking over as the leader of the Sleeping Dragon Society this semester. At this moment, she displayed the aura of a hostess, discussing the semester's plans with Cho Chang, Morrie, Luna, Astoria, Susan, who were seated around her.

Cho Chang leaned against the window, her long black hair cascading down. She turned her gaze away from the window, her eyes gentle yet subtly sharp. "It's another new year. Many of the old members of the Sleeping Dragon Society have graduated. This year, we'll have to find ways to recruit fresh blood from the new students ourselves."

Morrie put down his cup and calmly said, "According to Skylar's previous statement, Dumbledore has already become aware of the existence of the Sleeping Dragon Society. Skylar is not here now, so we must be extra careful to avoid attracting the professors' interference."

Daphne nodded in agreement. Her sharp gaze swept over the crowd as she said softly, "After we disperse, please pass on this message: This year's recruitment of new students must be more discreet than ever before. Only invite those young wizards whose family backgrounds and ideologies truly align with the Sleeping Dragon Society, and do so privately. Leave no trace, and do not discuss it in public."

Susan Bones sat to Daphne's right, her round face unusually serious. She hesitated for a moment before speaking, "I heard that the previous Head Boy, Elusi Montgomery, has Skylar Sherryn's Shield Security Consulting Company. Is that true?"

"Yes, Skylar told me about this. Now Montgomery is someone we can completely trust." Daphne's eyes softened as she smiled, thinking about how Skylar had so effortlessly recruited such a talented person.

"That's right," Susan nodded, then paused before continuing, "Montgomery has two younger sisters who are in Hufflepuff and are in their fifth year. They contacted me privately during the summer, subtly expressing their desire to join the Sleeping Dragon Society."

Daphne's gaze lingered on Susan's face for a moment, then she chuckled softly, "Okay. Let them join."

She paused, her voice lowering, carrying a meaningful reminder: "But you must remind them—from the moment they step into the Sleeping Dragon Society, they are no longer just Hufflepuff students. They must be prepared to prioritize defending the interests of the Sleeping Dragon Society, even if it means going against the Ministry of Magic or Dumbledore."

Just as Susan was about to speak, the door to the private room was gently pushed open.

Hestia and Flora, the Carrow Sisters, walked in. Arranged by Skylar and Mr. Carrow, the two had undergone a month-long intensive training at the Silver Spear office in Diagon Alley during the summer holidays, and their demeanor was now noticeably different.

Hestia's gaze sharpened, and Flora's smile held a dangerous playfulness, both clearly brimming with confidence due to their sudden surge in power.

"Sorry I'm late," Hestia spoke first, her voice clear yet slightly hoarse. "I was a little late last night during the final trial at Silver Spear."

Flora plopped down on the sofa, legs spread wide, and grinned like a satisfied cat. "But it was worth it. Hestia can now unleash three 'Sectumsempra' attacks in a second. I... well, I've learned how to make my opponent lose consciousness before they even scream."

The girls in the private room let out a few low gasps and laughs.

No wonder they reacted that way. The Carrow Sisters have only just entered their fourth year, yet their strength is already comparable to that of an ordinary seventh-year student. In fact, if they were to use their Magic Wielder Form and the Carrow Family's secret magic, they might be able to skip two grades and directly take on an ordinary novice Auror.

Daphne raised an eyebrow. "Looks like Skylar didn't send you there for nothing."

As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of orderly footsteps echoed from the corridor outside the private room.

Four Auror walked past the window, dressed in brand-new dark blue uniforms, wands tucked into their waistbands, their expressions serious.

Williamson led the way, his eyes sharp as an eagle; Stebbins followed closely behind, short but exceptionally capable; Proudfoot was a burly man with an old scar on his face; Savage brought up the rear, his eyes somber, as if harboring some secret.

Susan whispered, "The Ministry of Magic actually sent four official Auror this time... they seem genuinely afraid."

Daphne sneered, her voice extremely low. "Four? That night, the Department of Mysteries couldn't even hold off the Dark Lord for a few minutes with over thirty full-fledged Auror combined. As far as I know, many of the current Auror are newly promoted from trainee Auror. How useful can they be?"

Cho Chang said softly, "At least on the surface, the students are safe."

After a brief moment of sarcastic remarks, the atmosphere in the private room relaxed again, and the topic naturally returned to student affairs.

Luna tilted her head, as if suddenly remembering something, and said in a light but serious tone, "By the way, Cho Chang, congratulations on becoming this year's student Head Boy."

Cho Chang was slightly taken aback, then gave a restrained and polite smile, "Thank you, actually I didn't expect to be the chairman this time."

This wasn't Cho Chang being overly modest. You see, she had never served as a Ravenclaw Prefect before, and the Head Boy is usually chosen from among the Prefect, though there are exceptions, such as Harry's father James Potter, who was one, and Cho Chang is the second one right now.

"Smoothly?" Astoria gave a soft hum, her tone carrying undisguised approval. "You participated in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, and were one of the few students who truly stood to the end. The Ministry of Magic personally awarded you a medal. In Hogwarts, who can compare to you in such a resume?"

Morrie nodded and added, "And the choice of the male Head Boy... to be honest, that's what's truly surprising."

"Edgar Podmore of Gryffindor." Susan frowned. "I've almost never heard of that name before."

"An unknown kid," Daphne said calmly, but her words hit the nail on the head. "Average grades, cautious personality, no obvious factional affiliation. For the school, someone like that is actually safer."

Edgar Podmore was indeed an unknown figure at Hogwarts, but what they didn't know was that his distant uncle, Sturgis Podmore, had been a member of the Order of the Phoenix. Last year, he was imprisoned for working for the Order of the Phoenix and died mysteriously in prison.

Cho Chang said softly, "Everyone originally thought it would be Rolf Scamander of Hufflepuff."

"Almost everyone thinks so," Morrie said softly.

Luna gently swung her feet, as if watching the receding mist outside the window, and suddenly said in her usual innocent yet enigmatic tone, "Hmm... some people really aren't suited to standing in such a conspicuous position."

She paused, as if seriously considering something. "In bright places, lines become much more visible, don't they?"

Morrie paused for a moment, not quite understanding, and assumed it was just Luna's usual strange talk.

Daphne glanced at her, her gaze lingering briefly in the air before she casually continued, "The House of Scamander experienced a major incident during the summer holidays."

The private room fell silent immediately.

"The patriarchal family gathered at the Scamander Manor was subjected to a mysterious attack," Daphne continued. "The timing, location, and method were all extremely clean and efficient; it could almost be described as a purge. Very few survived, and even the family's secret 'Bluebird Secret Art' was stolen."

After speaking, Daphne rested her chin on her hands, her brows furrowing slightly. Although she had no evidence, and Skylar hadn't told her, her intuition told her that Skylar was likely involved in this matter...

Susan gasped, "The Bluebird Secret Art... that's the foundation of the Scamander family's reputation..."

"So now, Theseus Scamander, from a branch family, has been appointed to take over Patriarchal position in this time of crisis," Daphne said calmly. "But no matter how you look at it, a Half-blood family that was originally considered above average has now completely declined."

Cho Chang sighed softly, "That might be why Rolf didn't become the Head Boy."

"Politics never shows sympathy," Daphne said calmly, "Not even at school."

After a brief silence, the conversation naturally veered towards the interior of Slytherin.

"There's one more thing," Astoria blinked, "It seems Slytherin didn't elect a new Prefect this year?"

Daphne shrugged, seemingly casually saying, "The school hasn't publicly announced Skylar's withdrawal, so let's just consider it a gap year, with the Prefect position vacant. Anyway, nobody dares to mention it."

Cho Chang clicked his tongue and said with a half-smile, "It's more accurate to say that no one has the right to 'legitimately' replace Skylar."

"So, nominally," Morrie interjected, "Skylar remains the Prefect of Slytherin."

"That's right." Daphne's lips curled into a faint smile. "This is also the safest course of action the school can take right now."

Just then, the door to the private room was pushed open again.

Draco Malfoy walked in first, his silver-grey eyes gleaming with excitement, followed closely by Pansy, whose expression carried her usual shrewdness and smugness.

"You'd never guess what I just heard," Draco said almost impatiently.

Pansy chuckled and added, "Harry Potter became the captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team."

Several low murmurs of reaction immediately rang out from inside the private room.

"Oh?" Daphne raised an eyebrow. "It seems Professor McGonagall is really going to bet everything on him."

Draco sneered, his fist clenched in his palm. "Perfect. I've been waiting for this day for a long time. Slytherin will crush him head-on on the pitch—not by accident, not by luck."

"It sounds like you're already itching to get started," Cho Chang said softly.

"Of course." Draco raised his chin, his eyes sharp. "I want all of Hogwarts to see clearly who truly deserves the title of 'Captain'."

Pansy seemed to suddenly remember something. "Oh, right, there's one more thing. Professor Slughorn— "

"He held his first party of the year on the train," Morrie nodded knowingly.

"That's right." Pansy glanced around. "I saw all of your names on the invitee list."

"Then it's inevitable," Daphne said calmly. "You'll probably run into Harry there, and Neville Longbottom too."

Draco snorted but didn't refute.

As evening fell, Professor Slughorn's compartment on the train was brightly lit, and the air was filled with the aroma of fine chocolate and aged wine.

Daphne led the girls in one after another.

Harry Potter, Ginny Weasley, Neville Longbottom are already in it.

Harry saw them, his expression complicated, but he still nodded politely. Ginny waved to Cho Chang, Neville gave an awkward smile.

Slughorn, beaming, raised his champagne glass in welcome. "Ah! Miss Greengrass, Miss Zhang, Miss MacDougal, Miss Lovegood... Welcome, welcome! Tonight is a wonderful night!"

Halfway through the party, the train began to slow down noticeably, and the view outside the window gradually changed from wilderness to the familiar outline of the station.

The long, drawn-out whistle rang out, and the Hogwarts Express pulled into its final destination.