A Letter from Malfoy Manor

Thanks to the esteemed reader "Jiujiu Lin" for the capsule! One bonus chapter!!

The third day after the Glenmore Lake incident was closed.

Tuesday morning.

Zhang Wen was writing the incident summary report in his office—Dumbledore had requested a formal document be submitted to the Ministry of Magic for the record. Old Nott's case had entered Wizengamot proceedings; with Alastor Moody's on-site evidence and tracking data, conviction was practically a certainty.

Zhang Wen paused when he reached the section labeled "Personnel Involved."

"Line B Personnel: Zhang Wen (Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor), Artoria Pendragon (Teaching Assistant)."

He looked at the words "Teaching Assistant."

There was something absurdly amusing about applying that title to a King of Knights who had once ruled Britain.

"What are you laughing at?" Artoria approached with tea in hand.

"Nothing. I was thinking about your title."

"Teaching Assistant. What's wrong with it?"

"Nothing. It's very accurate. You do teach. And you do assist."

Artoria gave him a look but did not press further. She set the tea beside him—the placement accurate to the millimeter, exactly where his right hand would not bump it while writing.

After two months, she had completely mastered his desk habits.

Zhang Wen picked up the tea and took a sip. Two spoonfuls of sugar. Just the right temperature.

Routine.

He had discovered that he was beginning to like that word.

At ten in the morning, a gray eagle owl flew through the office window.

The owl was an expensive breed—an eagle owl, commonly used as a messenger by pure-blood families. A letter was tied to its leg, sealed with dark green wax.

The seal bore the image of a snake and the letter M.

The Malfoy Family crest.

Zhang Wen removed the envelope. The eagle owl perched at the corner of the desk, clearly waiting for a reply.

There were two sheets of parchment inside.

The first was a formal invitation, written in handwriting so neat it was almost printed:

"Dear Professor Zhang, Miss Pendragon:

"First, please allow me to express my sincere admiration for your successful resolution of the Glenmore Lake incident. Headmaster Dumbledore has informed me of the events in full. As a member of the school board, I have the right to know of significant matters involving school safety. Professor Zhang's command and coordination, as well as Miss Pendragon's combat ability, were most impressive.

"For that reason, I hope to seek your assistance with a private matter.

"In the basement of Malfoy Manor, there is a Dark magical artifact. It was collected by my grandfather, Abraxas Malfoy, during his lifetime, though its exact origins are unknown. Over the past two months, it has begun displaying abnormal reactions—it emits a low-frequency hum and releases trace amounts of Dark magical energy, causing cracks to appear in the walls around the basement.

"I have attempted to handle it myself, but the artifact's layers of Shield Charms are exceptionally complex, far beyond my capabilities. The Ministry of Magic's Dangerous Magical Artifact Disposal Office is inefficient, and its personnel cannot be trusted—I do not wish outsiders entering the private areas of Malfoy Manor.

"In view of your outstanding performance in handling Dark magical matters—the use of a Basilisk Fang to destroy the cursed stone was particularly ingenious—I sincerely invite Professor Zhang and Miss Pendragon to Malfoy Manor for a preliminary assessment of the artifact. To be frank, Miss Pendragon's presence would put me further at ease—her performance in the Chamber of Secrets Incident caused the entire board to reassess Hogwarts' security capabilities.

"If you are willing, please travel by Floo Powder at your convenience. Malfoy Manor's fireplace network has been opened to both of you.

"Yours sincerely,

"Lucius Malfoy"

The second sheet of parchment contained a brief description of the item—a hand-drawn sketch showed a black metal cabinet roughly thirty centimeters tall, its surface engraved with runes.

Zhang Wen read the letter twice.

Then he handed it to Artoria.

After reading it, Artoria set the parchment down. Her gaze lingered for one extra second on the sentence, "Miss Pendragon's presence would put me further at ease."

"Lucius Malfoy specifically invited me," she said.

"He's clever. He knows you and I are partners. Inviting only me would make him seem insufficiently sincere."

"What do you think?"

"There are two possibilities. First, he genuinely has a Dark magical artifact he cannot handle and needs help with. Second, it's a trap."

"Which do you think is more likely?"

"The first. After the Chamber of Secrets Incident, Lucius has been trying to repair his relationship with the school. His son trains under you. He currently has no motive to set us up—if anything, he has every motive to build a good relationship with us."

"I agree. But you have other thoughts."

Artoria knew him too well.

"He's investing." Zhang Wen leaned back in his chair. "Lucius Malfoy does everything with a purpose. Inviting us to deal with a Dark magical artifact—on the surface, it's a request for help, but in truth, he's creating a debt of gratitude. He opens the doors of his manor and makes us owe him a favor. At some point in the future, he'll trade that favor for something he needs. And he invited you—"

"He's showing goodwill toward me," Artoria continued. "The person who defeated the Basilisk. He wants to establish a direct connection with me, not merely use you as an intermediary."

"Lucius's social strategy has always been to place bets in multiple directions. He won't put all his chips on one person."

"Political maneuvering."

"The standard pure-blood social model. Owe each other favors, use each other."

"So, are we going?"

Zhang Wen looked at her.

"Do you want to go?"

"If you go, I'll go."

She said it with complete naturalness. As naturally as breathing.

Zhang Wen took a second to process it, then cleared his throat.

"We'll go. There are three reasons. First, if there really is a Dark magical artifact in the manor beginning to lose control, leaving it alone would be a safety hazard. Second, I want to see just how much is hidden in Malfoy Manor's basement—Lucius is willing to open his doors, which means he has at least cleared out the things he most wants to hide, but what remains may still be valuable. Third—"

"Third?"

"Draco." Zhang Wen said, "He did well when he trained with us in the Scottish Highlands. He's changing. But his family environment has not changed. Lucius is still Lucius. If we can establish a relatively normal channel of communication with Lucius—even one based on mutual use—it would be good for Draco."

Artoria thought for several seconds.

"Reasonable."

"And I plan to bring two students."

"Who?"

"Draco and Harry."

Artoria looked at him for three seconds.

"You want to take Harry Potter to Malfoy Manor."

"Yes."

"The home of Lucius Malfoy—the man who shoved Voldemort's Diary into Ginny Weasley's cauldron last year."

"Yes."

"You're taking Harry Potter there."

"Yes."

"Your reason?"

"Harry and Draco's relationship improved subtly after the Scotland trip. But the root of their hostility lies at the family level—the Potters' prejudice against the Malfoys, and the Malfoys' prejudice against the Potters. If Harry can see Malfoy Manor for what it really is—see Lucius willingly taking the initiative to deal with a Dark magical artifact—his perception of the name 'Malfoy' may change."

"And the reverse is true as well." Artoria followed his logic. "If Draco sees his father sitting in the same room as Harry Potter and speaking to him normally—his attitude toward 'Potter' may soften too."

"Let the two children see that hostility can be set aside. Even if only temporarily."

Artoria's expression shifted slightly. It was not a smile, but a softness that was difficult to describe—it lasted for about a second before returning to normal.

"You're always thinking about your students."

"I'm a professor."

"You go beyond a professor's duties."

"Maybe." Zhang Wen picked up his pen and began writing his reply—carefully phrasing Artoria as "we." "Miss Pendragon and I gladly accept the invitation and will arrive this Saturday morning. We will also bring two students as part of a field lesson—Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter. I hope Mr. Lucius will take note."

He handed the reply to Artoria for review.

Artoria read it once, then nodded.

"The wording is appropriate. Using 'field lesson' to justify bringing students makes it difficult for Lucius to refuse. Draco is his son, after all."

"Do you think he'll agree to Harry coming?"

"He will," Artoria said. "He displayed sincerity in the letter—specifically inviting me is proof. At this stage, he won't damage a newly established channel of communication over a thirteen-year-old boy."

Zhang Wen tied the reply to the eagle owl's leg, and it spread its wings and flew away.

After sending the reply, Zhang Wen went to find Draco and Harry.

Draco was in the Slytherin common room.

When Zhang Wen arrived, Draco was playing wizard's chess with Blaise Zabini. Nott sat nearby watching—the quiet boy had recently grown closer to Draco. Since news of Old Nott's arrest had spread, Theodore's position within Slytherin had become delicate. Some students had begun distancing themselves from him. Draco—much to Zhang Wen's surprise—had chosen to move closer.

"Mr. Malfoy, I need to discuss something with you."

Draco looked up. On the chessboard, his knight was about to capture Zabini's bishop.

"Now?"

"You can finish taking that piece first."

Draco ordered his knight to capture the bishop, then rose and followed Zhang Wen to a corner.

"What is it?"

"Your father invited Miss Pendragon and me to Malfoy Manor. There's a Dark magical artifact in the basement that needs handling."

Draco's expression changed.

"The black cabinet in the basement?"

"You know about it?"

"I snuck in once when I was little." Draco said, "It scared me so badly I didn't dare walk alone at night for three days. That cabinet hums. My father said it was an old antique and told me not to touch it."

"Now it does more than hum. Your father says it has begun releasing Dark magical energy, and the walls are cracking."

Draco's face did not look good.

"I plan to go take a look this weekend," Zhang Wen said. "I want to bring you with me."

"Why?"

"It's your home. You have the right to know what is hidden in your family's basement. And—if it requires long-term handling, there are many things you can help me with in the manor. You know the layout better than anyone."

Draco thought about it. His expression changed from unease to seriousness.

"Fine. I'll go. Is Miss Pendragon going too?"

"Your father specifically invited her."

The tension in Draco's expression eased subtly. Zhang Wen could tell—Artoria's presence reassured him. The woman who had defeated the Basilisk. If the thing in the basement truly went out of control, she could keep the situation under control.

"There's one more thing," Zhang Wen said. "I also plan to bring Potter."

Draco's face fell instantly.

"Potter? To my house?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because he's my student, he has field investigation experience, and—I think the two of you should learn to coexist normally in the same space."

Draco's mouth twitched.

"Potter and I can coexist normally. As long as he doesn't open his mouth."

"Mr. Malfoy."

"...Fine. But if he touches my things—"

"He won't touch your things."

"If he laughs at my family's decorating style—"

"He won't. Your family's decorating style is probably worth ten times his entire fortune. No one laughs at something more expensive than themselves."

Draco appeared satisfied with this reasoning.

Things did not go as smoothly with Harry.

"Malfoy Manor." Harry repeated it, his voice as flat as the surface of the Black Lake. "Lucius Malfoy's home."

"Yes."

"The Lucius Malfoy who shoved the Diary into Ginny's cauldron last year."

"Yes."

"Professor Zhang, with all due respect—have you lost your mind?"

"My mental state has been certified by Madam Pomfrey as entirely normal."

Harry glared at him. His green eyes were full of I don't believe you.

"Listen to me." Zhang Wen sat across from Harry. "Lucius has done many things wrong. He truly cannot escape blame for the Diary. But he is trying to do some things right—taking the initiative to handle the Dark magical artifact in his house is one of them."

"Or maybe he's just afraid the thing will explode and destroy his manor."

"The motive doesn't matter. The result does. If that Dark magical artifact really goes out of control, the affected area may extend beyond Malfoy Manor."

Harry fell silent.

"And Miss Pendragon will be going too. Lucius specifically invited her," Zhang Wen added.

Harry's expression softened a little. With Artoria present, at least there was no need to worry about safety.

"Draco will be going too," Zhang Wen said.

"...That makes me want to go even less."

"Mr. Potter. You and Malfoy worked very well together in the Scottish Highlands. You admitted that yourself."

Harry's mouth moved. He probably wanted to say, "That was outdoors, not at his house," but in the end, he did not say it.

"I'll go," he said. "But if Lucius makes snide remarks at me—"

"He won't. In his own home, he has to preserve the dignity of a host. Pure-blood social etiquette does not allow him to insult guests on his own territory. Besides, he invited Miss Pendragon—he'll act like a gentleman in front of her."

"Why would he behave himself just because Miss Pendragon is there?"

"Because he saw her storm into the Chamber of Secrets carrying a sword. Would you misbehave in front of someone who can fight a Basilisk one-on-one?"

Harry thought about it.

"No."

"Lucius Malfoy wouldn't either."

Harry's expression showed that he had finally grasped the concept that combat strength was social capital.

"Saturday?"

"Saturday morning."

"Fine."

Wednesday night.

Zhang Wen sorted through materials related to Malfoy Manor in his office.

Artoria returned after training Neville Longbottom and went to take a shower first—the training had intensified recently, Neville Longbottom was lasting more and more rounds, and Artoria had to take it more seriously as well.

When she emerged from the inner room, her hair was still half damp. Golden strands rested on her shoulders, carrying the warmth of the hot water's steam.

Zhang Wen looked up at her.

Then lowered his head and continued reading.

Then looked up at her again.

Artoria walked to the desk and sat down, beginning to dry her hair with a towel.

"What does your research say?" she asked.

"The history of the Malfoy family. Abraxas Malfoy—Lucius Malfoy's father—was a famous collector of Dark Magical artifacts in the early twentieth century. He was from the same era as Corban Nott, Old Nott's great-grandfather."

"Did they have dealings with each other?"

"Possibly. The pure-blood circle is small. People who collect the same kind of things tend to know one another."

Artoria nodded. Once she had finished drying her hair, she draped the towel over the back of her chair.

"You've been looking at me," she suddenly said.

Zhang Wen's fingers paused for a beat as he turned the page.

"Your hair isn't dry yet. You'll catch a cold."

"I won't catch a cold."

"Last week, you said you weren't cold, and then your ears turned red."

"That was because of the fireplace temperature—"

"The fireplace's heat distribution was uneven. You used that excuse last time."

Artoria closed her mouth.

Zhang Wen picked up his wand from the desk and cast a Warm Wind Charm on her hair. A warm breeze blew from the wand's tip, gently brushing through her golden hair.

Artoria sat still.

As the Warm Wind Charm passed through her hair, the golden strands lifted softly in the airflow. She closed her eyes slightly.

"Comfortable?" Zhang Wen asked.

"...Acceptable."

"What does 'acceptable' mean in your rating system?"

"It means very comfortable."

Zhang Wen smiled.

He continued for around three minutes. Her hair went from half damp to eighty percent dry, its feel changing from wet and cool to fluffy and warm.

"There."

He lowered his wand.

Artoria opened her eyes. She reached up and touched her hair.

"You control the Warm Wind Charm very well. Both the temperature and force are even."

"I practiced."

"You specifically practiced a Warm Wind Charm for drying other people's hair?"

"...I picked up the technique while drying my own hair."

"Your hair is very short. You don't need a Warm Wind Charm."

Zhang Wen decided not to answer that question.

Artoria did not press him further either. She picked up her teacup and took a sip, turning her gaze toward the window.

But Zhang Wen noticed that before drinking, she tucked her hair behind her shoulders. The movement was light. Then her fingers lingered at the ends of her hair for a second—as if feeling the warmth left behind by the Warm Wind Charm.

"About Malfoy Manor." Artoria returned to the subject. "What is your preliminary judgment on that black cabinet?"

"Too little information. We'll need to see it in person before we can judge. But based on the description—black metal, engraved runes, energy starting to leak—it may be some kind of sealing container. Something is locked inside, and the seal is aging and failing."

"What is sealed inside?"

"I don't know. Abraxas Malfoy's taste in collectibles covered a broad range. It could be a cursed artifact, some kind of sealed Dark Magical Creature, or—"

"A Horcrux?" Artoria lowered her voice.

Zhang Wen fell silent for two seconds.

"We can't rule it out. But it isn't very likely. Voldemort's Horcruxes have specific methods of creation and characteristics. An ordinary collectible is unlikely to be a Horcrux."

"But the Malfoy family has deep ties to Voldemort."

"That's why we have to see it ourselves."

Artoria lightly tapped the rim of her teacup with one finger.

"Lucius Malfoy specifically invited me in his letter. There is one advantage to that—I can bring Excalibur into Malfoy Manor openly. If anyone questions why I entered a private residence armed, my answer will be, 'The owner invited me.'"

"You always see things from a tactical perspective."

"When a knight enters someone else's territory, being armed is part of etiquette. A knight who accepts an invitation attends with a sword at their side as a sign of respect to the host—it shows that you consider the occasion worthy of appearing fully armed."

"Pure-bloods and knights have something in common when it comes to social etiquette."

"The rules of the ruling class are always similar."

Thursday.

At the staff meeting, Zhang Wen briefly reported on the conclusion of the Glenmore Lake Incident.

Professor McGonagall, Professor Filius Flitwick, and Snape were all present.

"Old Nott's trial is expected to take place in mid-December," Zhang Wen said. "The physical evidence submitted by Alastor Moody is enough to secure a conviction."

"What about Theodore?" Snape asked.

The room fell silent.

"After Old Nott's arrest, Theodore's guardianship was temporarily transferred to the Ministry of Magic's child protection department," Zhang Wen said. "But the Ministry will most likely send him to live with some distant relatives—other branches of the Nott Family."

"Those branches are no different from Old Nott." Snape's tone was cold.

"I know. That's why I've already spoken to Dumbledore. Theodore can stay at Hogwarts during the winter break. We'll work out a long-term arrangement next year."

Snape looked at Zhang Wen. There was something in that look that he rarely showed anyone—approval.

"One more thing," Zhang Wen said. "This weekend, Assistant Professor Pendragon and I are going to Malfoy Manor to handle a Dark Magical object. Lucius Malfoy invited both of us."

McGonagall's eyebrows rose two centimeters.

"Lucius Malfoy invited you to his home of his own accord?"

"To deal with an out-of-control collectible in his basement. He specifically mentioned Assistant Professor Pendragon in the letter—the Chamber of Secrets Incident gave him a full understanding of her abilities."

"You trust him?" McGonagall glanced at Artoria.

"I trust that he has enough reason to want that thing dealt with," Zhang Wen said.

"I trust that my sword can handle any unexpected situation," Artoria said.

The corner of McGonagall's mouth twitched—she probably wanted to laugh, but held it in.

"What support do you need from the school?"

"None for now. It's only a preliminary assessment. If the situation is complicated, we'll discuss it afterward."

Filius Flitwick raised his small hand.

"Professor Zhang, if the runes on that object are complicated, you may need professional rune analysis. I can help."

"Thank you, Professor Flitwick. I'll bring back rubbings of the runes for you to examine."

Filius Flitwick lowered his hand with satisfaction.

After the meeting, Snape stopped Zhang Wen in the corridor.

"When you go to Malfoy Manor—keep your eyes open."

"What do you mean?"

"That house contains far more secrets than Lucius Malfoy is willing to show you. What he lets you see is what he wants you to see. What he does not let you see—that is what truly matters."

Zhang Wen nodded.

"And—" Snape hesitated for a second. "With Pendragon present, Lucius Malfoy will restrain himself considerably. But don't lower your guard just because he does. The more polite he is, the more it means he is plotting something."

"I'll be careful."

"And—" Snape paused again. "Thank you. About Theodore."

"You're welcome."

Snape turned and left. His black robes stirred up a gust of wind in the corridor.

Friday night.

The final night before departure.

Zhang Wen and Artoria confirmed the arrangements for tomorrow in the office.

"The process is simple. We arrive at Malfoy Manor at nine in the morning. Assess the object. Make rune rubbings. If we can deal with it on the spot, we do so. If not, we bring back the data to study. Then we return to Hogwarts in the afternoon."

"Equipment?"

"I'll bring a Basilisk Fang, just in case. You bring Excalibur—though you carry it everywhere anyway."

"Of course."

"Do you have a plan for the possible conflict between Harry Potter and Malfoy?"

"Make them stand on opposite sides of us. You handle Harry Potter, I handle Malfoy. Physical separation and personnel assignment."

The corner of Artoria's mouth shifted.

"You treat taking students out like a kindergarten field trip."

"Two thirteen-year-old boys in an enclosed space—that is about the same risk level as a kindergarten field trip."

"I managed knights in Camelot who were harder to handle than this. Mordred and Gawain had a worse relationship than Harry Potter and Malfoy."

"How did you deal with it?"

"I made them carry out missions together. When facing external pressure together, internal conflicts are temporarily set aside."

"Same as my method."

"Effective methods are always similar."

Artoria reached over and helped him straighten the scattered parchment on the desk. As her fingers passed in front of him, Zhang Wen caught a familiar scent—the mixed fragrance of tea leaves and dried hair.

Ever since he had dried her hair yesterday, that scent had been circling in his mind.

"You're spacing out," Artoria said.

"I'm thinking."

"About what?"

"The basement layout of Malfoy Manor."

Artoria looked at him for two seconds.

Her eyes clearly said, "What you were thinking about just now had nothing to do with the basement."

But she did not expose him.

"Go to bed early." She stood up.

"You too."

"I'll patrol first. I'll be back at midnight."

"Be careful."

"What danger is there to watch out for while patrolling Hogwarts?"

"Peeves."

"The last time Peeves tried to pour an inkwell over my head, I knocked his inkwell into the wall. Now he takes a detour whenever he sees me."

"...I sympathize with Peeves."

Artoria walked to the door, then paused.

"Zhang Wen."

"Yes?"

"Tomorrow at Malfoy Manor—no matter what is in that basement—we handle it together."

"Of course. If you go, I go."

The words slipped out.

Zhang Wen realized they were exactly the same as what Artoria had said that morning: "If you go, I go."

The two of them fell silent for roughly two seconds.

"...You said it first," Zhang Wen tried to salvage the situation.

"I said, 'If you go, I go.' You said, 'If you go, I go.'" Artoria's tone was completely calm. "The same words. It means our patterns of thought are converging."

"Partner chemistry."

"Partner chemistry," she repeated.

The door closed.

Zhang Wen sat alone in the office for a while.

He found that the words "partner chemistry" increasingly felt like a fig leaf.

The two of them were using it to cover up words that were more accurate, but more dangerous.

For example—

Zhang Wen shook his head and drank the last mouthful of cold tea.

Tomorrow. Malfoy Manor. A black cabinet. Two students who might start fighting each other. A smiling, scheming pure-blood patriarch.

And a King of Knights whose presence was becoming harder and harder for him to ignore.

Life was really full.