In the early morning after Christmas, Malfoy Manor was very quiet.
Fireplace is burning vigorously, and the silver tableware is neatly placed beside the table.
There was a thin layer of snow outside the window, and House-elf was sweeping along the path in the courtyard. As Broomstick passed by, the dark stone bricks underneath were exposed.
Draco was sitting at the dining table, cutting the omelette in front of him.
Breakfast was very good.
Mom also specially asked the kitchen to prepare her favorite shortbread, and the hot drink next to it was also at the right temperature.
But after taking a few bites, she turned her attention to the book at hand.
She has already tried the Charms exercise equipment that she took apart yesterday. The new protective gear is also very easy to use. The buckles that her father adjusted for her fit just right.
No matter how you look at it, it should be a satisfying holiday.
The girl turned a page, didn't read it, and turned it back again.
How strange.
Usually at school, I always feel that one whole day is not enough.
After class, I still have to write papers and practice Charms. Occasionally, I will be asked by that idiot to practice or watch some weird things.
Now that I finally have some free time, I can't even read a book.
Could it be that this lady is already used to those noisy guys at Gryffindor?
Draco frowned.
Impossible.
It's just that she hasn't had a good rest for a long time.
What if Potter secretly learned something new Charms while he was on vacation, and then showed it off when school started, wouldn't he be at a disadvantage?
The girl sat up straight again and felt that this issue... was indeed worthy of serious consideration.
"Breakfast not to your liking?"
Narcissa pushed the shortbread closer for her.
"No, Mom, it's delicious."
Draco immediately picked up the fork. Just at that moment, a gentle voice came from the door saying that the hostess needed to see some of the post-holiday gifts.
Narcissa stood up and left, leaving only the father and daughter at the dining table.
Lucius raised his eyes from the newspaper.
"Draco, you have looked out the window several times today."
"Miss... I'm just thinking about something, Dad."
"What happened?"
The girl hesitated for a moment and finally closed the book. "I want to go back to Hogwarts in advance."
Lucius didn't answer immediately. He folded the newspaper, put it aside, and looked at his daughter.
"Christmas just passed yesterday."
"I know." Draco raised his chin and tried to make his reasons sound more solid. "So, I can practice seriously next Magic. The school's practice ground is more convenient, and there are people who can practice with me."
"The target film at home doesn't work well?"
"It works great." She paused and added, "But the target doesn't cast a spell on me."
Lucius had a little smile on his lips. "This is a good reason."
Draco was about to continue speaking when his finger tapped the newspaper lightly.
"Speaking of your friend, a lot of people are talking about him recently."
The girl's eyes immediately followed him.
"Potter?"
The answer was too quick. She quickly picked up the cup and pretended to just ask in passing.
Lucius didn't expose it and pushed the newspaper a little towards her.
It's still the same Quidditch Match.
In addition to flying, there are also people discussing the Magic used by Harry at the time, and the judgment made when facing danger.
Some people have even begun to speculate where this child will be in the future.
Draco looked at the words above, and the corners of his mouth gradually raised.
"Of course."
Lucius looked at her.
"Of course what?"
"Potter is indeed very talented." The girl said it matter-of-factly, but then she felt that she seemed to be exaggerating too much. "But at least when it comes to flying, he has to continue to work hard."
"It seems that you are very confident in yourself."
"Of course!"
Lucius smiled and picked up the teacup again.
"So, what about besides talent?"
Draco looks up.
"What?"
"You wrote a lot about him in your last letter." Her father looked at her, "Today, I want to talk again. Putting aside fame and talent, what kind of person do you think Potter is?"
Here's the problem again.
The girl couldn't help but think of the Parchment that filled the entire page.
As soon as the corners of her mouth curled up, she quickly stopped them.
"He's an idiot."
"Idiot?"
"That's right." Draco found a familiar topic and spoke much more smoothly, "Sometimes I'm annoyingly confident, and sometimes I'm incredibly slow. I always like to decide things by myself, without even thinking about whether others will worry."
At the end of her words, she suddenly stopped.
Lucius didn't ask further questions, just put down the tea cup. "But you still think he is worth getting to know."
Draco looked at his father. "Of course, he... is my friend."
Lucius nodded lightly. "Then, you should understand that this is a relationship worth cherishing."
Draco originally thought so too.
But what her father said next gradually made her unable to listen.
"The people who are paying attention to Potter now are not just Hogwarts's professors." Lucius said, "Some people appreciate his talent, and some value the influence of his name. A few days ago, some people even hoped to use your relationship to invite him to participate in some activities."
The girl frowned.
"Why are you looking for me?"
"Because you are friends." Lucius answered very naturally. "Others don't know how much your opinions will make them care. But they have already begun to consider this matter."
Draco looked at him and did not answer.
Her father's tone was still gentle, no different from when he taught her how to identify guests' attitudes.
"Knowing a person does not mean having his trust."
"What really matters is whether he is willing to listen to your opinion when he needs to make a choice."
"If Potter continues to grow like this, some of his decisions may affect many people in the future."
Lucius stopped.
"And you, Draco. Malfoy. are his... good friends now."
Draco Put down the cup.
"So?"
"You can keep this trust going." Her father looked at her, "When he needs to make some important decisions in the future... he is at least willing to listen to the opinions of Malfoy."
The fork was still placed beside the plate.
Draco looked down and suddenly lost the mood to continue eating breakfast.
She has actually heard of these principles.
Her father would always tell her which people are worth dealing with and which words should not be easily believed.
Malfoy family You need to think about the future, and it is never a bad thing to make friends with good people.
She always felt that her father knew a lot.
But why does it sound so uncomfortable when it comes to Potter?
When she picked the Brooch, she thought that the feathers suited his personality very well, and the green gemstone suited his eyes very well.
I want to practice Magic with him because it is more interesting for two people to think about it together than to face the target alone.
As for wanting to win against him... of course it's because I haven't won enough yet!
When had she ever considered whether he would become some great big shot in the future?
"Dad." The girl raised her head. "You want me to continue to be friends with Potter because he can help Malfoy family in the future?"
Lucius frowned slightly. "I didn't say that."
"But you just kept talking about what he can do in the future." Draco's voice came faster than he expected. "Also, how should we make him willing to listen to Malfoy family's opinions."
"There is no conflict between these two things." Lucius said, "I didn't ask you to deceive him, nor did I ask you to do anything you didn't want to do."
"I know, but--"
The girl paused for a moment. She rarely interrupted her father like this.
Growing up, whenever her father spoke, she always felt that she should listen carefully.
But this time, those words had already reached my lips, and I was unwilling to swallow them back.
"But when I was friends with him, I never thought about this at all." Draco spoke faster and faster. "I gave him gifts because I wanted to. Even if he doesn't become the kind of person mentioned in the newspaper, it will still be the same."
"Draco."
Her father called her.
She stopped and felt panicked.
But after waiting for a moment, she still didn't lower her head.
"I know you are thinking about your family." The girl's voice was softer, but still serious, "I remember everything you taught me before."
"But I don't want to think about what he can bring to us every time I'm with Potter."
The restaurant became quiet.
Draco looked at his father's expression and suddenly regretted whether he had spoken too hastily just now.
But she was unwilling to take it back.
If Potter knew that even being friends with him, he would have to figure out what the use would be in the future...
The girl pursed her lips gently.
She doesn't like this.
Don't like it at all.
"Lucius." Mother's voice came from the door.
Narcissa pushed the door open and walked in, putting aside the gift list in his hand.
She did not sit down immediately, but walked to her daughter first and held her hand on the table.
Draco looked up and suddenly felt a little aggrieved.
When she faced her father just now, she could still try to speak clearly. But when her mother came over, she didn't know what to say.
Narcissa patted her gently and then looked at her husband.
"I think you should still remember what you said at that dinner."
Lucius was silent for a moment.
Narcissa said it for him. "Expectations do not mean that we can decide his life for him."
"I remember."
"You also promised me that Draco has the future she wants."
Lucius looked at her daughter.
"I didn't make the decision for her. I just reminded her that an important relationship is often more than just the things in front of you."
"I know." Narcissa's voice was still gentle, "You can teach her these principles, or you can remind her how people outside will view her relationship with Potter."
She paused.
"But she can decide for herself how to treat this friend."
"I never stopped her."
"Then, let her follow her own ideas." Narcissa glanced down at her daughter, then looked back at her husband. "Let her make a good friend first, Lucius."
The father did not speak immediately.
Draco looked at him, the panic in his heart still hadn't passed.
She didn't want to disappoint her father, and she didn't want this holiday to end up in an unpleasant quarrel.
But her father looked at her for a while and finally leaned back in his chair.
"Okay." He closed the newspaper again. "Maybe I said it too early."
Draco raised his head.
Lucius looked at her. "Do you still want to go back early?"
"Think."
After the girl answered, she added seriously.
"I will remember what you taught me, Dad. But I want to make my own decision regarding Potter and me."
"As for the future..." She hesitated. "When I grow up, I will figure it out myself."
Lucius After listening for a while, he finally nodded.
"Then, go and pack your things. I'll have the carriage ready."
The girl's eyes brightened a little, and when she got up, she didn't run out immediately like usual.
"Thank you dad."
Lucius looked at her, his expression softened a little.
"When you get to school, remember to write a letter."
"I will."
Draco's luggage is much more than when he came back.
New protective gear, practice equipment, and gifts from friends were all carefully put into boxes by her.
Snow Globe is still placed in the original box, and the soft cloth underneath has been padded again.
Narcissa sent her outside and arranged her daughter's collar.
"Have you brought everything?"
"Of course, Mom."
"Where are the textbooks?"
"Bring it."
"So, what about a regular Christmas gift?"
Draco paused for a moment, then Narcissa looked at her with a smile in his eyes.
"I brought it too."
The girl moved the bag in front of her, but her mother did not continue to ask questions. She just bent down and gave her a hug.
"Go ahead."
Narcissa whispered in her ear, "Go and meet the person you want to see."
Draco's face suddenly turned red.
"Mom!"
"Huh?"
"I'm just going back to practice Magic!"
"I know."
Narcissa agreed too quickly, which actually made the girl feel that she should explain a few more words.
"Potter has made rapid progress recently. If I relax, after school starts--"
"The carriage is waiting for you, my dear."
Draco Looking at the smile on her mother's face, she finally realized that it would be useless to explain further.
She had no choice but to hum softly and get into the car with her bag.
Huh! What this lady said is obviously true!
Back at school, there is a practice field, a library, and people with whom we can discuss Charms.
Of course, there are also idiots Potter.
But is there anything worth mentioning in particular?
As the carriage drove out of the manor, the girl waved out the window again. It wasn't until her mother's figure gradually faded away that she sat down again.
Draco lowered his head and touched the red knot. The smile on his lips finally no longer needed to be hidden.
"Idiot Potter."
She hummed softly. "Just wait, I will be back soon."
Lucius stood by the window and watched the carriage drive out of the gate.
When Narcissa came back, he still didn't leave.
"She has never contradicted me like this before."
"Are you sad about this?"
"I'm just stating the facts." Lucius straightened his sleeves, his tone still calm. "In the past, she would at least listen to what I said first."
Narcissa couldn't help but laugh.
"She's been listening to it for a long time today."
Lucius looked at his wife, as if he wanted to defend himself, but in the end he just sighed softly.
The little girl who always raised her head and listened carefully to what she said was now able to stand in front of him and tell him that she had her own thoughts.
It's really a bit uncomfortable.
But the seriousness with which she talked about her friends just now made him unable to just feel disappointed.
At least, Draco knows what he is insisting on.
Narcissa walked to him and looked out the window.
"Lucius, you are very smart. But sometimes, you can be really stupid."
Lucius immediately turned his head.
"Cissy?"
"You can hear what is hidden behind every sentence of those Pure-blood families, and you also know what Ministry of Magic people want to get from you."
"But your daughter just wants to get along well with her friends, but you have to teach her what to do next."
"I wish she would think more about it."
"She's already thinking about it." Narcissa reminded with a smile. "And she's thinking about it differently from you."
Lucius was silent for a moment, and finally showed a helpless smile.
"You do have confidence in her."
"Of course." Narcissa answered naturally.
"She is smart, beautiful, and talented. Although her personality is a bit proud and a little... well, awkward, she is quite cute, isn't she?"
"The people who were bullied by her would not feel that way."
"I believe I'm not the only one who thinks she's cute." Narcissa looked at her husband and smiled a little deeper. "At least, I haven't met a few people who can really reject her."
Lucius raised his eyebrows. "Are you talking about me?"
"Isn't the carriage ready?"
He looked at his wife for a long time, and finally smiled and shook his head.
On the path outside the window, the marks left by the wheels were slowly being covered by the newly fallen snow.
Narcissa looked at the gate of the manor and his voice softened.
"That's our daughter."
"My everything."