Young Men and Women in the VIP Compartment

Madara sat down on the central sofa, his back naturally straight as he closed his eyes to rest.

On the perch beside him, the Magical Pet Raven crouched quietly, its feathers shimmering with a dark purple sheen beneath the lights. Its crimson eyes swept the surroundings, sensing the subtle flow of magic nearby.

The train started with a long whistle, and the scenery of London's outskirts began to race backward beyond the window.

A moment later, there was a gentle knock on the compartment door.

"My lord, the family prepared some refreshments for you. Would you like them now?" a girl's playful voice called from outside.

"Yes." Madara did not open his eyes.

The door swung open, bringing in a fresh, slightly damp breeze that dispelled the stagnant air in the compartment.

A girl pushed an exquisite silver serving cart inside.

She looked to be around Madara's age, perhaps eleven or twelve. She had not yet reached her full height, but she already carried herself with elegance.

She was Daphne Greengrass, the daughter of this generation of the Greengrass Family, one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight pure-blood families.

Her long hair, like a pale golden waterfall, was not entirely loose. A dark green velvet ribbon tied part of it back, while the rest draped softly over her shoulders and down her back. The ends swayed lightly with her movements, gleaming with a gentle luster.

Her features were lovely, with a slightly pointed chin. Her gray-blue eyes resembled a mist-covered lake, clear and bright.

Most striking of all was her exceptionally refined outfit, blending wizarding and Muggle styles.

Unlike most of the first-years on this train, she had not wrapped herself in an oversized, plain Hogwarts robe.

Instead, she merely draped the school robe over her shoulders like a cape. The collar was not fully fastened and hung naturally open, revealing the exquisite ensemble beneath.

It was a classic British school-style outfit. Underneath was a deep blue V-neck wool sweater of excellent texture. Its subdued color accentuated her slender neck and fair skin. The knit was delicate, and the V-neck was edged in fine ribbing of the same shade, making it look simple yet refined.

Beneath the sweater, a crisp white shirt collar and an impeccably tied dark green striped tie were visible—

Clearly, this had either been permitted or altered privately. It was not the standard Hogwarts design, subtly displaying the preferences of the young lady of the Greengrass Family.

Below the sweater was a knee-length dark gray plaid pleated skirt. The pattern intertwined dark gray, deep green, and narrow silver lines. It was classic without being ostentatious, and its sharp, straight pleats swayed gently with her light steps, tracing elegant arcs.

Below the skirt were two straight, slender legs wrapped in black knee-high socks. The fine fabric outlined the shape of her calves just so, tightening beneath her knees and leaving a stretch of skin between the socks and skirt that invited imagination.

On her feet were a pair of gleaming black Mary Jane shoes. Their rounded toes gave them a faintly childish look, and their straps were neatly buckled. Every step made a soft, crisp sound.

She briskly parked the cart in the corner, then chose the single sofa farthest from Madara. Resting her elbow on the armrest, she quietly observed the black-haired boy with his eyes closed, her curiosity and caution difficult to conceal.

She could sense that although this compartment was quiet, it was the absolute focus of attention and discussion on the entire Hogwarts Express.

And her choice to take on the task of serving him and come inside already represented a certain... attitude from the Greengrass Family—or perhaps from Daphne herself—toward this suddenly risen, powerful, and mysterious Uchiha heir.

As the train traveled on, the scenery outside unfolded like a painting. Lush forests, winding rivers, ancient villages... everything swiftly receded, as though time itself had accelerated.

Daphne could not help but wonder what kind of inner world this seemingly cold boy possessed. And why did he have such overwhelming power and presence? Just as she became lost in thought and did not know how to begin, Uchiha Madara suddenly opened his eyes.

His gaze was like a sharp blade. Daphne startled and instinctively shrank back, but she quickly straightened her back again and bravely met his eyes.

Madara smiled faintly, his expression filled with amusement. "Daphne Greengrass, correct?" he said slowly. "I heard that you are the most promising girl of the new generation in the Greengrass Family."

Daphne's heart tightened. She had no idea what this legendary boy intended.

Still, she tried to remain calm. She picked up a cream puff from the cart and held it out to him, attempting to feed him as she nodded and replied, "Yes, I'm the genius girl Daphne. Would you like to try this soft, fragrant cream puff? It's delicious."

Seeing the childish tone she used as though coaxing a child, Madara's lips curved slightly. He lifted his head. Though he was shorter than her, Daphne felt as if he were looking down on her. "Remember this, Daphne. In the wizarding world, power is everything. Only with sufficient power can you fulfill your ambitions and ideals, and protect your family and loved ones."

Hearing that, Daphne lowered the cake in her hand. She raised her head and bravely met Uchiha Madara's gaze. "Really? Uchiha boy, even if you say so, I still believe there are things more important than power. Such as friendship, courage, and love."

Uchiha Madara paused slightly. He had not expected this girl to dare refute him so boldly.

He narrowed his eyes a little and looked her up and down with interest, as though he were examining some magical creature.

After a moment, he smiled. That smile carried complicated meaning. "An interesting girl. I hope you can continue to preserve that innocence and courage."

With that, he turned and sat back on the sofa, closing his eyes and saying no more.

However, the deliberately created silence did not last long before it was broken by a somewhat hurried knock, one that nevertheless tried to remain restrained.

Before anyone could answer, the door was pushed open.

Draco Malfoy stood in the doorway.

His conspicuous platinum-blond hair had been meticulously groomed, slicked flat against his scalp with pomade and gleaming beneath the compartment lights.

He forced a smile onto his face—what he believed to be his friendliest, most proper smile, even carrying a hint of familiarity. On the usually haughty young master of the Malfoy Family, the expression looked particularly jarring.

Behind him stood Crabbe and Goyle as usual, two mountains of flesh. They still wore their blank, sluggish expressions, merely instinctively imitating Draco and trying to straighten their backs, only to look even more awkward.

When Draco saw Madara resting with his eyes closed on the sofa and Daphne sitting quietly nearby, he visibly paused, but quickly adjusted his expression.

He stepped forward and did something that made Daphne's eyelids twitch slightly—he bowed in Madara's direction, the motion clear and the posture precise.

It was not his usual reserved nod. It was a gesture of obvious respect, his upper body inclining forward by at least fifteen degrees.

"Lord Madara," Draco said. His voice was even lower than usual, ensuring that it was clear without sounding offensive. "Good afternoon. I am Draco Malfoy. Do you... do you remember me? About a month ago, we met in Diagon Alley."

He chose his words carefully, never mentioning any possible discourtesy or conflict from that time, only emphasizing the fact that they had "met."

His gray-blue eyes darted quickly toward Madara, who still had his eyes closed as though he had not heard.

Draco then swallowed and continued in a tone striving for generosity and propriety. "I heard that you had boarded the train, so I came specifically to visit. I hope I have not disturbed you."

He paused, seemingly considering his next words, then added with an almost devout expectation, "I sincerely hope I might be fortunate enough to be sorted into the same house as you—Slytherin. That is the only place truly suited for... someone like you."

Daphne Greengrass sat in the corner, her gray-blue eyes widening slightly, unable to hide the surprise on her face.

Draco's words differed not only from his usual "my father..." manner, but even his deliberately lowered posture and nearly ingratiating tone were utterly unlike his customary arrogance.

She knew Draco Malfoy far too well. As fellow members of the pure-blood circle, she knew exactly what the Malfoy Family's only son was like—proud, conceited, eager to carve the name "Malfoy" onto his face, and always looking down his nose at non-pure-blood families.

They had met in Diagon Alley a month ago?

What on earth had happened to cause such a drastic change in Draco Malfoy?

[Mouse plans to build up some chapters before applying for recommendations. Updates are now a steady ten thousand words a day, so please add the book to your shelves and tap the urge-update button, esteemed wizards!]