Malfoy got up very early today and stood by the window with his hands behind his back, leaving behind a melancholy figure.
The subtle light and shadow reflected on his face made his complexion appear even paler.
Goyle and Crabbe stood behind Malfoy, looking at him with concern.
They knew Malfoy was in a bad mood.
Just these past few days, news has spread that his father has been expelled from the Board of Governors, and the family's House-elf has mysteriously disappeared.
In the past, Malfoy would have been furious.
But he was unusually quiet today, though he looked somewhat melancholy.
In fact, Goyle and Crabbe discovered that Malfoy had changed a lot since he recovered from his petrified state.
He devoted more time to his studies and paid much more attention in class than before.
He often scribbled on his desk with a quill pen, muttering phrases like "grand plan."
They found it strange, but didn't dare ask any further questions.
"Well..."
The melancholy Malfoy let out a melancholy sigh.
"Go ask him." Crabbe nudged Goyle with his elbow.
"Why aren't you going?" Goyle shrank back. "Malfoy seems to be in a bad mood."
"I only asked you to ask because I knew he was in a bad mood." Crabbe shifted slightly to the side. "I did it last time, now it's your turn."
After saying that, Crabbe gestured with his chin toward Malfoy, urging Goyle to hurry up and go.
The two of them had a private agreement to take turns resolving troublesome matters.
This time it was Goyle's turn.
Goyle scooped a spoonful of Cake from the table next to him, stuffed it into his mouth, and only after swallowing it completely did he force himself to speak.
"Don't worry, Malfoy."
"I think your father will soon regain his seat on the School Governor; he has a lot of influence in the Ministry of Magic."
Malfoy shook his head, turned around, and looked calmly at Goyle and Crabbe.
Do you think I must be filled with unbearable sorrow at this moment? Do you think I have unspeakable regrets?
"No!"
Malfoy turned to the side, raised his chin, and looked up at the ceiling at a 45-degree angle, letting the light streaming through the window fall on his face.
He closed his eyes and slowly said, "It is precisely at times like these that I must shoulder the honor of the Malfoy family."
There's no time for sadness.
Malfoy opened his eyes, his gaze resolute. "I will expand our organization!"
"Once we rule Hogwarts, all the glory we have lost today will be returned a hundredfold."
Goyle and Crabbe were moved to tears.
As expected of Lord Malfoy, he's truly strong!
He's a born king!
The proud Malfoy held his head high and strode out of the dormitory.
The year-end banquet has begun.
The Great Hall was newly decorated in gold and red, the colors representing Gryffindor, to celebrate their victory in the previous year's House Cup.
On the wall behind the High Table hung a huge banner depicting the Gryffindor Lion.
Malfoy walked into the Great Hall with his head held high.
As he passed the Slytherin table, he overheard the students excitedly discussing where they would go for summer vacation, what they wanted their parents to buy them, and some were worried about their exam results.
Malfoy simply gave a wry smile.
A bunch of frivolous fools.
I've already made a strict summer vacation plan! I'm going to secretly work hard during this time and surpass everyone!
Walking to an empty seat, Malfoy looked up at the Gryffindor table, his gaze sweeping over Harry and Ron before finally settling on Silan.
I, Malfoy, am the strongest!
After sitting down, Malfoy was still thinking about his grand summer vacation plans, oblivious to the noise in the Great Hall.
After a while, Dumbledore arrived, and the noise in the Great Hall gradually subsided.
Another year has passed.
Dumbledore and said cheerfully, "I'm so glad to see you all alive and kicking, and not one of you is missing an arm or a leg."
"It's been a tough year. But thankfully, we've made it through."
"Before you enjoy these delicious dishes, I think we should hold an awards ceremony first."
Dumbledore held up a piece of Parchment and slowly read aloud, "First, the House Cup."
"The specific scores for each house are..." Dumbledore adjusted his glasses. "Oh... let me see..."
"4th place, Hufflepuff, 406 points. 3rd place, Ravenclaw, 437 points."
"I'm pleased to see that scores have all increased this year. Here's Slytherin, 451 points."
"First place..." Dumbledore's voice hesitated, "Gryffindor?"
He looked surprised, took off his glasses, wiped them, and put them back on.
After examining the Parchment again carefully, Dumbledore, "Gryffindor, 480 points!"
"How is this possible?" a sudden voice shouted.
After a moment of silence in the Great Hall, a thunderous cheer erupted from the Gryffindor tables.
The students were banging their cups or the short handles of their knives and forks on the table.
"Gryffindor!" they shouted.
Professor McGonagall was both surprised and delighted; a slight smile involuntarily crept onto her tightly pursed lips.
Snape was also surprised and couldn't help but turn to look at the Parchment Dumbledore was holding.
Could you have remembered it wrong?
The Gryffindor students were even more surprised.
They all knew that Gryffindor didn't actually have many points, and winning the House Cup last year was already quite an achievement.
Is it happening again this year?
"Fred, what do you think is going on?" George asked, clapping his hands.
"I don't know either!"
The surrounding noise was so intense that Fred had to shout at the top of his lungs.
Hermione remembered the huge piles of Galleon they had spilled on the table and looked at them in sudden realization.
She understood everything.
It's probably because the two of them have been busy selling quill pens to make money this year that they've been playing fewer pranks.
This is why Gryffindor loses fewer points.
Without those two key score-deductors, it's not impossible for Gryffindor to surge to first place.
"Alright, quiet down." Dumbledore gestured to the students. "This really surprises me, Gryffindor."
"However, there are some additional situations we must consider; I have some extra points here..."
Everyone fell silent.
Extra points?
For whom?