Malfoy's Declaration of War

"Have you heard? Malfoy didn't go to class this afternoon."

"That guy seems to have vanished into thin air. Professor Snape seems quite concerned about him and specifically had people go look for him."

Ron Weasley sat across from Harry and spoke in a low voice.

Harry was surprised when he heard that and asked, "How did you know?"

Malfoy had actually disappeared?

That was very strange. Malfoy had become a prodigy of lightning magic today and obtained the powerful magical artifact, the Thunder Wand.

With the talent Malfoy had displayed, the school would surely value him greatly, and it should have caused quite a stir.

"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 Severus 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 were indeed absent.

"Do you think someone set their sights on 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 maybe someone from the Ministry of Magic secretly came back and took Malfoy away to reclaim their broom, while taking the Thunder Wand too."

"Harry, you might be in trouble."

Harry frowned slightly and said, "Maybe. Or perhaps Malfoy hid somewhere to test how powerful the Thunder Wand is?"

Ron thought about it and said, "That's possible, but I'd rather believe that annoying Malfoy got kidnapped and had his wand stolen. Otherwise, he'd definitely be showing off in front of me."

"Hey, what are you two talking about?" Hermione Granger approached in a good mood, sat across from Harry, and smiled.

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 smiled at Harry. "See? Even clever Hermione agrees with me."

Harry smiled but said nothing.

"Harry, Ron, the things Professor Kate rewarded us with are anything but ordinary," Hermione said seriously.

"Do you know where I just went?" Hermione continued.

"That's right, you were called away during class. Where did you go?" Ron recalled 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 slightly, then said excitedly, "I went there because Madam Pomfrey summoned me and tested the Water Spirit Pearl. With it, I can easily cast the 'Healing Spell.'"

"Oh, Hermione, you actually learned the Healing Spell?" Harry cried out in surprise.

"Of course!" Hermione said proudly. "Madam Pomfrey even specifically invited me, hoping that I could 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 smiled. "I can say with absolute certainty that if you became a healer, it would be a complete waste of your talent."

"Medical personnel working at St Mungo's must undergo rigorous training and master a wide range of knowledge related to magical medicine and magical injuries. I don't think that would be difficult for Hermione," Harry said from beside her.

Hearing Harry's words, Hermione nodded in satisfaction and agreement. She looked very cute.

At the same time, Hermione was certain that she could do very well.

"So, Malfoy must be in trouble," Hermione said seriously.

"Then I should celebrate. I finally don't have to see him anymore." Ron excitedly took a bite of grilled sausage and laughed.

Just then, a small commotion broke out at the entrance, catching Harry's attention.

He then saw Malfoy collapse miserably onto a table, grabbing whatever food lay before him and stuffing it relentlessly into his mouth. He looked exactly like a starving ghost.

Harry patted Ron and smiled. "Hey, Ron, your wish won't come true."

Ron heard that and saw Malfoy looking like a beggar. At once, the food in his mouth sprayed out.

"Ron, you bastard!"

"Go to hell!"

Hermione's scream rang out. Ron looked at Hermione, his face turning deathly pale.

He simply had not expected Malfoy to look so miserable. It shocked him, but he also found it incredibly funny.

So, he had lost control and spat it out.

But he had accidentally sprayed all the food onto Hermione's face. At that moment, Hermione felt utterly horrified and disgusted.

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 to Hermione, she had already stormed away.

"Harry Potter!"

Malfoy was drawn by Hermione's voice. When he saw Harry Potter, he grabbed a piece of bread, ate as he walked over to Harry, and spoke in a low 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 upon hearing that. How had I been kidnapped?

However, Malfoy quickly understood. He had been tormented for an entire afternoon and had not gone to class, so it had already caused a disturbance.

"Harry, I will become even stronger, and then I will 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 eating in the dining hall, as well as the professors who had arrived, heard Malfoy's declaration.

Severus Snape's gaze swept over Harry and Malfoy. Beneath those dark-rimmed eyes, his gaze revealed even greater confusion.

On the other side, Professor Quirrell was greatly interested in the scene before him. The smile on his face seemed utterly out of place among the professors and students.

But no one noticed the change in his expression.

"Mr. Draco, come with me!" After a moment of surprise, Professor McGonagall stepped forward, stopped Draco, and spoke sternly.

Malfoy withdrew his gaze from Harry, then looked at Professor McGonagall. "All right, Professor!"

Severus Snape, who had been preparing to leave, stopped when he heard Malfoy's words and looked at the passing Malfoy.

Malfoy's temperament seemed to have changed somewhat.

What had he experienced?

Why did he feel like a completely different person?

Severus Snape gave Malfoy a long look before following after him.