"Have you heard? Malfoy didn't go to class this afternoon."
"It was like he vanished into thin air. Professor Snape seemed very concerned about him and specifically sent people to look for him."
Ron sat across from Harry and spoke in a low voice.
Harry was surprised when he heard that and immediately asked, "How did you find out?"
Malfoy had actually disappeared?
That was very strange. After all, Malfoy had become a Lightning Magic prodigy today and obtained the powerful Magic Device, the Thunder Wand.
Given the talent Malfoy had displayed, the school would definitely take him seriously. It should have caused quite a stir as well.
"I heard Goyle and Crabbe talking when I went to the bathroom."
"They were looking for Malfoy, but they couldn't find him!"
"Did you notice? Argus Filch isn't at the professors' table. Neither is Snape, nor... Professor Kate and Headmaster Dumbledore."
As Ron spoke, he looked toward the professors' table.
Harry looked over as well and found that they really were gone.
"Do you think someone wanted Malfoy's Thunder Wand, so they kidnapped him and stole his wand?" Ron said excitedly. "Oh, right, and his Nimbus 2000."
"Harry, I have a feeling that it might have been people from the Ministry of Magic. Maybe they came back secretly, took Malfoy away to reclaim their broom, and stole the Thunder Wand while they were at it."
"Harry, you might be in trouble."
Harry frowned slightly and said, "Maybe. Or maybe Malfoy hid himself away because he wanted to test how powerful the Thunder Wand was?"
Ron thought it over and said, "That's possible, but I'd rather believe that irritating bloke Malfoy was kidnapped and had his wand stolen. Otherwise, he'd definitely be showing off in front of me."
"Hey, what are you talking about?" Hermione asked with a smile as she walked over in high spirits and sat across from Harry.
Ron immediately shared what he knew with Hermione.
Hermione's eyes widened when she heard it. "Maybe he really was kidnapped. Someone has their eye on his Thunder Wand."
Hearing Hermione's words, Ron grinned at Harry. "See? Even clever Hermione agrees with me."
Harry merely smiled without saying anything.
"Harry, Ron, the things Professor Kate rewarded us with are far from ordinary," Hermione said seriously.
"Do you know where I just went?" Hermione asked again.
"That's right, you were called away during class. Where did you go?" Ron remembered and asked curiously.
"I went to St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries," Hermione replied.
"What? What happened to you? Were you hurt?" Ron asked anxiously.
"No! I'm fine!" Hermione smiled faintly, then said excitedly, "I went because Madam Pomfrey asked for me and tested the Water Spirit Pearl. With it, I can easily cast a Healing Spell."
"Oh, Hermione, you actually learned a Healing Spell?" Harry cried out in shock.
"Of course!" Hermione said proudly. "Madam Pomfrey even personally invited me to become a healer."
"You agreed?" Harry and Ron asked in unison.
"No!" Hermione laughed at their expressions.
"Whew, you scared me to death." Ron let out a breath and laughed. "I can say with absolute certainty that becoming a healer would be a complete waste of your talent."
"Medical staff at St Mungo's must undergo rigorous training and master extensive knowledge related to magical medicine and magical injuries. I don't think that would be difficult for Hermione," Harry said beside her.
Hermione nodded in satisfaction and agreement at Harry's words. She looked especially adorable.
At the same time, Hermione was completely confident that she could do a fine job.
"So, Malfoy must have run into trouble," Hermione said seriously.
"Then I should celebrate. I finally won't have to see him anymore." Ron excitedly took a bite of grilled sausage and laughed.
Just then, a small commotion arose at the entrance, catching Harry's attention.
He then saw Malfoy in a miserable, disheveled state, throwing himself onto a table and shoving every bit of food in front of him into his mouth. He looked like a starving ghost.
Harry patted Ron and laughed. "Hey, Ron, looks like your wish won't come true."
Ron looked over and saw Malfoy looking like a beggar. The food in his mouth immediately sprayed out.
"Ron, you bastard!"
"Go to hell!"
Hermione's scream rang out. Ron looked at Hermione, his face going pale.
He simply hadn't expected Malfoy to be in such a miserable state. It shocked him, but he also found it incredibly funny.
So he couldn't help spitting out his food.
But he had accidentally sprayed all of it across Hermione's face. At that moment, Hermione felt utterly disgusted and despairing.
Furious, Hermione grabbed the plate in front of her and hurled it at Ron.
Ron hurriedly dodged in fright. Just as he was about to apologize, Hermione had already stormed off.
"Harry Potter!"
Malfoy was drawn over by Hermione's scream. When he spotted Harry Potter, he grabbed a piece of bread and came over while eating, calling out in a deep voice.
Harry looked at Malfoy standing before him and frowned slightly, but still said, "Malfoy, you look terrible. I heard you were kidnapped?"
Malfoy froze slightly when he heard that. How had I been kidnapped?
However, Malfoy quickly understood. He had been tormented all afternoon and had missed class, so it had already caused a commotion.
"Harry, I will become even stronger and defeat you completely."
"I will make everyone understand that even if you possess dual-element magic, I, Draco Malfoy, can still defeat you."
"I will make everyone understand that I am more of a genius than you!"
Malfoy's voice was rather loud, and it seemed to carry a certain fury.
All the students dining in the Great Hall, as well as the professors who had arrived, heard Malfoy's declaration.
Snape's gaze swept over Harry and Malfoy. The look beneath his dark circles was filled with confusion.
On the other side, Professor Quirrell watched the scene before him with great interest. The smile on his face seemed utterly out of place among the professors and students.
However, no one noticed the change in his expression.
"Mr Draco, come with me!" After a moment of surprise, Professor McGonagall stepped forward and called Draco over, her expression stern.
Malfoy withdrew his gaze from Harry and looked at Professor McGonagall. "Yes, Professor!"
Snape, who had been preparing to leave, stopped when he heard Malfoy's words and looked at Malfoy as he passed by.
Malfoy's bearing seemed to have changed somewhat.
What had he experienced?
Why did it feel as though he had become a completely different person? Snape gave Malfoy a long look before following after him.
Before you continue