Parent-Teacher Discussion

"Lucius, believe me, this matter isn't that serious."

Lucius grew angry at Dumbledore's unmoved expression, so he did not mince words. "Dumbledore, hand over the one who injured Draco, or this matter will absolutely not end here!"

Both Dumbledore and Snape naturally understood the meaning behind Lucius's words, and their expressions turned solemn.

However, Dumbledore did not speak immediately. Instead, Snape spoke first. "Lucius, Sean and Draco held a Pureblood Duel. I think you should know what a Pureblood Duel means. You graduated from Slytherin as well, so you should know what a Pureblood Duel represents and what consequences it carries, shouldn't you?"

At that moment, Lucius's expression also became serious.

He truly had not known that Sean and Draco had held a Pureblood Duel. Now that he had learned of it from Snape, Lucius immediately looked at him. "Snape, why did Draco engage in a Pureblood Duel with someone?"

"Sean Bulstrode challenged Draco. The reason was that Draco had arranged a duel with Harry Potter, yet not only deliberately failed to show up, but also had someone find Filch in an attempt to frame Harry Potter. Sean Bulstrode believed Draco's actions were too despicable and had tarnished Slytherin's honor and the pride of purebloods. Thus, he challenged Draco to a Pureblood Duel and won. That is the full story."

Lucius's face darkened. Looking at Snape, he said, "Snape, you seem rather protective of this Sean Bulstrode?"

"I am merely stating the facts."

Lucius and Snape had been friends for many years. Though, calling them friends was not entirely accurate. Back when they were at school, they could indeed be considered friends, and Snape had also been someone Lucius invested in. Later, Snape and Lucius had become Death Eaters together, so by all rights, their relationship should have grown even closer.

But after Voldemort's death, the Death Eaters scattered like birds and beasts. Though Snape remained friends with the Malfoy family, it would be an exaggeration to say that he and Lucius were particularly close.

Seeing Snape's empty eyes devoid of emotion, Lucius did not press him further. Instead, he turned to Dumbledore. "Dumbledore, that Sean Bulstrode must pay the price. Otherwise, I can only convene the Board of Governors to consider replacing the headmaster."

As Lucius finished speaking, Dumbledore remained utterly unmoved, while Snape stood quietly to one side. Just as Lucius was about to say something else, a fourth voice suddenly sounded from the doorway of the Headmaster's Office.

"Lucius, it is already so late. You should not be getting so angry."

Lucius knew that voice well. He turned to look at the speaker and gave a slight nod, the aggressiveness on his face immediately diminishing considerably. "So it is Mr. Bulstrode. You..."

Before he could finish, Lucius looked at the other man in realization. He understood why he had come.

Seeing that Lucius had guessed his purpose, Gavin smiled, plopped down into the chair opposite Dumbledore, and asked, "Dumbledore, the weather has been getting colder lately. It is not easy for old fellows like us."

Dumbledore nodded with a smile. "Mr. Bulstrode is right. Would you like some hot chocolate to warm yourself up?"

"I will pass on the hot chocolate. It is a little too sweet for me. Give me a cup of hot Pumpkin Juice instead."

"Of course!"

Dumbledore lightly tapped the table, and four hot drinks immediately appeared on it. One was a hot chocolate loaded with sugar for Dumbledore himself, another was hot Pumpkin Juice for Gavin, while Lucius and Snape had cups containing hot coffee and the like.

Unfortunately, neither Lucius nor Snape touched their drinks. Snape was simply that sort of person, while Lucius had no mood for it. Looking at the newly arrived Gavin, he slowly said, "Everyone says that Mr. Bulstrode is very fond of this grandson who returned to the family. I had thought the rumor was nonsense, but it seems rumors are not always wrong."

"Since he bears the Bulstrode name, he is naturally a member of our Bulstrode family. It is only that, due to the family's rules, some things had to be done. In truth, although my second son is a Squib, my wife and I have always cared for him. Now that our grandson has run into trouble, naturally I, as his grandfather, must step forward."

"You wish to step forward..." Lucius looked at Gavin, a faintly mocking smile appearing on his face. "Since you wish to step forward, how do you intend to compensate me? To compensate my son Draco?"

"If you want financial compensation, how about a shop in the central district of Hogsmeade?"

The Malfoy family could be called the wealthiest not only because their ancestors had left them vast riches, but also because their family possessed unparalleled business acumen. Hogsmeade was the village beside Hogwarts, filled with many shops catering to Hogwarts students in their third year and above.

As everyone knew, students were the easiest customers to profit from, and Hogsmeade was indeed a place where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold. A shop in its central district was truly of considerable value.

Malfoy looked at Gavin and saw that he was not joking. He immediately felt that Draco's injuries were not so unacceptable after all. What was wrong with a boy suffering a few injuries? He could simply recover. Draco needed such an experience to mature as quickly as possible.

"I am very satisfied with this compensation. I can accept it."

They were all Pureblood Nobles. It was best to avoid haggling whenever possible, lest it seem somewhat undignified.

Seeing Lucius accept his compensation, Gavin continued with a smile, "Now that we have settled the compensation, we should discuss other matters."

"Other matters?"

Lucius slightly raised his brows, suddenly sensing that something was amiss.

Gavin looked at Lucius and slowly said, "According to the rules of a Pureblood Duel, the loser must either keep his distance from the winner from then on, or become the winner's follower during his time at Hogwarts. I wonder which option the Malfoy family's only son intends to choose?"

As Gavin's words fell, Lucius's expression gradually darkened. He glared at Gavin and demanded harshly, "Is your Bulstrode family challenging my Malfoy family?"

"Where did that come from?" Gavin looked baffled. "You demanded compensation for the injury, and I gave it. Now I want the victor's rights that belong to my grandson. How can that be called a provocation against the Malfoy family?"

Wishing everyone great fortune in the Year of the Tiger, success in all things, good health, and overnight wealth.