"Real people never need to boast. Having someone like this by your side is enough, isn't it?"
"You're so vain, one of you is enough for me..." Hearing his words, Hermione's cheeks instantly flushed again.
The disappointment I felt because of Lockhart was instantly washed away.
Draco smiled and took her hand in his palm, never bringing up those unpleasant topics again, and simply stayed quietly with her in the library until sunset.
The next day, the two got ready and went to Diagon Alley to buy second-grade textbooks.
The Hogwarts reading list actually only includes Gilderoy Lockhart's set of books, which requires a special trip to Flourish and Blotts.
There were seven books in total, with gaudy covers featuring his own smiling face, which was quite jarring.
Draco was speechless as he approached the bookstore. "I suspect this isn't a textbook, it's his personal photo album."
Hermione suppressed a laugh and pulled him inside, saying, "Stop complaining, let's finish shopping first."
I had only taken a few steps inside when I heard a lively and familiar sound.
The Weasley family stood neatly in front of the bookshelf.
Ron turned around and saw them, immediately waving at them. " Hermione! Draco!"
"Hey-- Young Master Malfoy is personally accompanying his girlfriend to buy books?" George and Fred teased, coming over to join in.
"Now the entire Wizarding World knows, you two no longer need to hide."
George and Fred immediately crowded around, their faces full of gossip. "Oh-- Young Master Malfoy is personally accompanying his girlfriend to buy books?"
"Now the entire Wizarding World knows, you two no longer need to hide."
Draco raised an eyebrow, looking nonchalant. "Is that so?"
"You didn't know?" Ron asked in surprise.
"I can't be bothered with it," Draco said nonchalantly. "Either I'm at the manor, or I'm in the Muggle world with Hermione. Who has time for that stuff?"
"Then you're missing out on a real spectacle. The Daily Prophet is practically overflowing with articles about you— the Malfoy heir has fallen for Muggle-born witch," George said.
Fred chimed in, "And the rumors are getting more and more outrageous."
"Some say you broke with the entire Pure-blood world for Hermione, some say you've already pledged your lives to each other, and some even say... the Malfoy family is preparing a grand wedding for you."
"What is this all about?!" Hermione was incredibly embarrassed.
Draco glanced down at her flushed face, a smirk creeping onto his lips. He turned to the twins and gave a soft sneer.
"These media people have so much free time. They should spend that time reporting on Lockhart instead."
Ron slapped his thigh. "You know what, they really did it! Lockhart's in the news more than anyone else right now, even my mom and my sister..."
Ron was halfway through his sentence when he suddenly glanced at Mrs. Weasley and Ginny not far behind him, and swallowed the rest of his words.
The laughter and chatter of the group quickly attracted the attention of the rest of the Weasley family, who had been scattered around the bookshelves.
Percy adjusted his glasses and stood a short distance away, maintaining his usual serious and neutral demeanor. He simply nodded slightly as a greeting.
He was still a little wary of Draco, but knowing that Draco had helped others with many matters in the grade this semester, he didn't give him a hard time.
The first people to formally meet Draco were Mr. Weasley, Mrs. Weasley, and Ginny.
When Ginny saw Draco, her face flushed slightly, and she instinctively hid behind Molly.
She had only heard the legend that " Malfoy was a big bad guy" before, but now that she saw him in person, she found that he was really good-looking, and she was a little overwhelmed.
Ron introduced his family to Hermione with practiced ease, " Hermione, these are my parents, Arthur Weasley and Molly Weasley, and this is my sister Ginny."
Mr. Weasley immediately smiled warmly and extended his hand to Hermione:
"It's so nice to see you, darling. Ron always talks about you at home."
When his gaze swept over Draco, there was no hostility whatsoever; instead, it carried a hint of research-oriented friendliness.
Mrs. Weasley, on the other hand, appeared much more reserved. She gave Draco a quick once-over, her eyes carrying a hint of barely perceptible wariness.
But when he met Hermione's sweet and polite smile, his tone softened, and he nodded gently. "You must be Hermione. I've often heard Ron talk about you."
She didn't initiate a conversation with Draco, nor did she show the same disgust she did with other Death Eaters family members; she simply maintained a polite distance.
Ginny hid behind her mother, only daring to peek out half her face to steal a glance at Draco before quickly lowering her head again.
Ron was about to say something when Mrs. Weasley suddenly seemed to remember something, her eyes lit up, and she immediately turned to the display case filled with Lockhart sets.
"Oh dear, we must hurry and buy Professor Lockhart's book; he's the most remarkable wizard of our time!"
Her tone instantly became excited and admiring.
Ginny nodded vigorously in agreement, completely forgetting how she had just been shyly peeking at Draco.
"See that? A massive scam." Draco grinned.
Hermione suppressed a laugh and gently pinched the back of his hand, signaling him to be quiet.
George listened and asked in a low voice, "What, is there something wrong with this guy?"
Draco simply replied, "You'll see for yourselves when he starts class."
This tone really piqued everyone's interest.
Fred draped his arm over George's shoulder, looking on with amusement. "Oh? Sounds like Young Master Malfoy has some exclusive gossip?"
"Could it be that he secretly put a curse on Lockhart?" George chimed in with wild speculation.
Draco, too lazy to expose them, merely glanced at them listlessly. "Much more interesting than spells."
Hermione gently tugged at his sleeve, whispering a reminder, "Don't talk nonsense, what if Mrs. Weasley hears you..."
She had barely finished speaking when Mrs. Weasley, not far away, turned back, clutching a thick stack of Lockhart's books, her face filled with rapt admiration.
"Are you talking about Professor Lockhart? He's absolutely brilliant, handsome, and brave; the stories he writes are simply breathtaking!"
Ginny, clutching a copy of " Voyages with Vampires," blushed and nodded vigorously. " Professor Lockhart is amazing! I've collected all his cards!"
Ron's lips twitched, and he secretly rolled his eyes at Draco and Hermione, muttering under his breath:
"My mom and sister are beyond saving. They're not even as effective as Lockhart at speaking to the Minister for Magic."
He suddenly looked at Hermione, a puzzled expression on his face:
"Speaking of which, Hermione, aren't you a die-hard Lockhart fan? I thought you'd get as excited as they are... after all, most girls fall for his thing."
Hermione's expression froze instantly, her eyes darted around, and she coughed awkwardly.