The Mr. and Mrs. Granger reacted rather violently, letting go of each other's hands the moment they landed. They staggered back a few steps, barely managing to steady themselves by leaning against the wall.
Mrs. Granger clutched her chest, gasping for breath, her face slightly pale, and said, still shaken:
"Oh my god... it's unbelievable! We arrived in no time, and that feeling of weightlessness was so strange, I didn't even dare to open my eyes!"
Mr. Granger also leaned against the wall, shook his head, and after a long pause, spoke, his voice still trembling slightly:
"I was completely unprepared, but surprisingly, it wasn't bumpy at all, though my head is still a little fuzzy."
After a moment of shock and admiration, the two looked at Draco, and Mr. Granger patted Draco on the shoulder.
He exclaimed sincerely, " Draco, you're amazing! Your magic is so skillful; we didn't feel uncomfortable at all. We were just scaring ourselves."
Mrs. Granger nodded repeatedly, agreeing, "Yes, that's very steady, much better than we expected. You're so young, yet your magical skills are so solid."
Draco, praised by the Mr. and Mrs. Granger, didn't show excessive pride. "You flatter me."
Narcissa smiled gently and took a half step forward, softly replying, "The children have grown up, and their magical skills have become quite solid. Please forgive their poor performance."
After delivering the Mr. and Mrs. Granger, Draco and his parents Apparition back to the Malfoy Manor.
Draco and Hermione planned to rest for a day and then go to Diagon Alley the next day to buy their third-year school supplies.
Draco returned to the Malfoy Manor and, as soon as he entered the foyer, saw Dobby standing on tiptoe, carefully arranging the ornaments on the fireplace.
He stepped forward and handed over a heavy money bag. " Dobby, this is your wages for the past few days."
Dobby stopped what he was doing, turned around to look at the money bag, didn't take it immediately, stood up straight, and shook his head:
" Dobby, no, young master. For Dobby, being able to follow you and guard the Malfoy Manor, whether he gets paid or not, is completely unimportant."
Upon hearing this, Draco pushed the money pouch towards him again, saying in a tone that brooked no refusal:
"Take it. It's not like you're going to spend it right away. Save it. When you want to retire someday, you can buy your own little place, where you can eat whatever you want, do whatever you want, and not have to worry about anyone else."
Dobby's eyes lit up for a moment, then quickly dimmed again. He carefully took the money bag, but counted out some gold coins and handed them back to Draco.
" Dobby, this is enough, young master. The Malfoy family needs funds more right now. The purchase of magical supplies will cost money. This money should be left for the family."
These words were like a warm current flowing into Draco's heart. He stood there stunned, and the surprise in his eyes gradually turned into emotion.
He initially paid Dobby only as a way to keep the stubborn House-elf in check.
He told it to stop acting recklessly based on its own whims, never imagining that Dobby would genuinely care about the Malfoy family.
Seeing Dobby holding a small amount of gold coins, his eyes full of sincerity, Draco's pretentious calculations vanished.
At this moment, he actually developed a genuine fondness and appreciation for this House-elf:
"Foolish fellow, family matters are none of your concern. Take it all, it's your due. Malfoy isn't so destitute that he has to rely on the House-elf to save money for a living."
He then added, "From now on, you're Malfoy Manor's personal House-elf. Don't worry about anything else. Just stay here. With me here, no one will mistreat you."
Dobby's little body stiffened abruptly, and his big eyes instantly filled with tears—not of sadness, but of joy.
Holding the gold coin, its nose twitched slightly, and its voice choked with emotion. "Young Master... Dobby touched! Dobby will guard the manor well and take good care of you!"
Hearing Draco say that it could stay in the manor without worry, Dobby nodded vigorously, tears streaming down its face, but it grinned happily.
Dobby could calm down, Draco reached into his pocket and pulled out a House-elf -shaped doll.
The doll has eyes as big as Dobby's, and even its pointed ears are made to look incredibly lifelike; it's small and adorable.
He handed the doll to Dobby, saying without batting an eye, "This is a gift I brought back for you from my trip to France. It looks a lot like you, so I bought it."
In fact, he had just redeemed this from the system because he was moved by Dobby.
Dobby's gaze instantly locked onto the doll, his eyes wide open, tears still clinging to his cheeks.
It forgot to wipe it clean, carefully reached out its little hand, took the doll and gently held it in its palm, then gently rubbed its forehead against the doll, and exclaimed joyfully:
"So cute! He Dobby! Thank you, young master! This is the best gift Dobby received!"
It held the doll's little hand tightly, then hopped and skipped around in a circle.
On the evening of his return from his trip to Beauxbatons, France, Draco took a break during dinner.
He recounted the entire trip to Lucius and Narcissa, including his meeting with Madame Maxime, the details of communicating entirely in French, his precise flattery, and how he won her complete trust and favor.
Lucius listened calmly throughout; Narcissa also listened very attentively.
When Draco spoke of how he flattered Madame Maxime in fluent, authentic Paris French, going over every detail from the silk curtains and marble floors to the scent of her perfume, calling her "the most elegant headmistress in Europe," he was quite taken aback.
Narcissa's gentle eyes lit up with a proud smile as she praised, "I knew it, my Draco never makes a mistake."
"French is a compulsory subject in the Malfoy family. You not only learned it well, but you also know how to use aristocratic etiquette and manners to the fullest."
"The fact that you could win over someone as proud and discerning as Madame Maxime proves that you are mature enough to know how to deal with Europe's top wizarding elites."
When Draco heard how perfectly he had flattered Madame Maxime, winning her favor and even bringing up Malfoy Manor to extend an invitation to visit and collect her collection, she was deeply moved.
Lucius's previously indifferent gaze suddenly brightened with a sharp and satisfied light.
He put down his glass, his tone carrying a rare hint of affirmation and appreciation. "Well done, Draco. Even better than I expected."
" Madame Maxime is not someone who is easily swayed. She despises vulgarity and is obsessed with elegance and status. You have precisely hit the nail on the head regarding what she values most."
"Taste, respect, and recognition as equals to the nobility."
"Your trip not only allowed you to visit Beauxbatons, but also paved an extremely useful path for the Malfoy family in the France Wizarding World and among the Europe aristocratic wizarding circles."
" Madame Maxime's connections and influence extend far beyond just one school. You did a great job doing her a favor," Lucius acknowledged.
As he spoke, a Malfoy -esque smug smirk curled at the corner of his mouth. "Compared to those Britain idiots who don't even know basic manners, my son knows how to conquer Europe's most discerning headmaster with elegance and language."