Draco left his father's study, and around the corner, he saw Dobby.
The House-elf was huddled in the shadows, its ears drooping, its eyes wide open, looking like a frightened little bird.
" Dobby heard it!" Dobby said in a high-pitched, low voice, " Dobby didn't mean to eavesdrop, but the walls are talking, and the floor is shaking!"
Draco stopped and looked at it, his eyes unusually calm.
"The ancient magical buildings react when something big happens at home. It's not your fault. You sensed it, it's not your fault," Draco reassured him.
After a brief pause, Draco continued, "But now that you know, you have new responsibilities."
Dobby was stunned, his ears perking up slightly.
"Your responsibility is to safeguard what you hear and feel," Draco explained. "Like you safeguard silverware, polish it, and then lock it away in the safest drawer of your mind, never to be opened by anyone."
" Dobby understands!" Dobby's voice was no longer sharp and panicked, but solemn. " Dobby has a new responsibility! The quietest, most secret responsibility!"
It clenched its right fist and gently pressed it against its thin chest, ready to make Unbreakable Vow.
"No need for oaths," Draco stopped it. "I believe you. Take the young master back to Hogwarts first."
"Young Master Dobby is going back!" Dobby panicked again. "Back to that... that terrible place where the Sorting Hat made such a terrible mistake!"
Draco's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile, "Young Master isn't someone to be trifled with, don't worry. But Dobby, while you were at home, did Father give you any trouble?"
"To... to Dobby?" Dobby a shrill voice, his ears flapping in confusion.
"Oh no! Good master didn't! Good master just... just wanted to make the walls quieter and the floor quieter! Dobby was very careful; Dobby didn't make a sound when wiping the chandelier, so good master wouldn't notice that Dobby was listening!"
"That's good." Draco nodded. "Take me back first."
Dobby gave a perfect bow. "Yes, young master Dobby!"
He darted to the door first, swiftly and deftly opening the heavy manor gate with his slender fingers, and respectfully stepped aside.
" Dobby," Draco stepped onto the stairs, then suddenly turned back, "Don't we need to Apparition?"
" Apparition isn't very friendly to young wizards," Dobby said seriously.
"Young Master isn't just anyone," Draco raised an eyebrow. "Going to Hogwarts by carriage would take until evening, wouldn't it? We'll just use Apparition."
Dobby a moment. "Then, young master, where should we locate?"
" Dumbledore's office will do," Draco said casually.
Dobby blinked, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he just nodded emphatically. "Yes, young master."
The next second, the world twisted and spun before my eyes, the outline of the manor was stretched into streaks of light, and then vanished in an instant.
The familiar spiral staircase, the familiar walls, the familiar Phoenix Feather brushing against my cheek with a slight tickle.
Draco stood in the center of Dumbledore's office, with Dobby standing respectfully behind him.
" Dobby, go back first," Draco said.
"Yes, young master." Dobby bowed deeply, then vanished in a flash.
Only Draco and Dumbledore remained in the office.
Dumbledore's gaze briefly fell on Draco's casual clothes without the House insignia, before meeting Draco's eyes.
His eyes were perfectly calm, as if he had known all along that he would return.
" Mr. Malfoy," Dumbledore said with a smile, "It seems you've decided to return and complete your studies with us."
Draco raised an eyebrow. " Old Dumbledore, you don't seem surprised by my return?"
Dumbledore's gaze suddenly underwent a very subtle change.
That gentle observation seemed to sharpen in an instant, as if it could pierce through all pretense and reach the core.
However, he concealed this sharpness very well; it was almost imperceptible unless one looked closely.
"My child," Dumbledore began slowly, " Hogwarts ' duty is to welcome every student who wishes to learn here, regardless of how or in what state of mind they return."
"As for whether I 'know'..." he paused, "I tend to believe that it is the castle itself that possesses a peculiar... attraction" for those who truly need it and are needed by it. It calls them back, no matter how winding the path may be."
"So, welcome back, Mr. Malfoy."
Draco chuckled. " Old Dumbledore, you seem to have a very open mind about everything. Aren't you curious why I Gryffindor?"
"Inclusivity, Mr. Malfoy," Dumbledore, "Stems from respect for the choice itself and understanding of the unknown journey of the one who makes that choice."
His voice was gentle yet deep. "Of course I'm curious. But I'm not curious about what you were thinking the moment you sat under that hat—that's your secret."
Dumbledore leaned forward slightly, his gaze seemingly piercing through to the heart. "What I'm truly curious about is..."
How will you treat the opportunity Gryffindor has given you?
How to get along with your new classmates?
What unexpected qualities will you discover about yourself during this unexpected journey?
Draco couldn't help but chuckle.
This is so Dumbledore.
"Actually," Draco said slowly, "Our goals are the same."
These words caused, for the first time, an extremely subtle change in the eternally gentle expression on Dumbledore's face.
It wasn't surprise, but rather complete absorption.
"That's quite an intriguing statement, Mr. Malfoy," Dumbledore said softly.
"The 'unity' you speak of—is it a desire for Hogwarts to remain peaceful? A desire for certain individuals to be protected? Or... a desire for everyone to have the freedom and safety to make truly their own choices?"
Draco looked at him, his tone suddenly becoming serious. "You are dedicated to the fight against Voldemort and oppose the idea of Pure-blood, as am I."
The air seemed to have been sucked out in that instant.
Dumbledore entered a state of absolute stillness, his body seemingly radiating an invisible pressure.
After a long, suffocating silence, Dumbledore finally moved.
He shook his head.
"Struggle, Mr. Malfoy," he said slowly, "Is not a state to be 'joined' lightly. It is a decision to be made every day in fear and despair."
You said 'Me too.' Then please answer--
"When your surname, your bloodline, everything you know is on the opposite side..."
"When fighting might mean being completely abandoned by your world..."
"When and at what cost are you prepared to turn it into the first irreversible action?"
His gaze at that moment seemed to both soothe wounds and pierce the soul. "I oppose Tom Riddle because I have witnessed the concrete suffering his path brought. I oppose the Pure-blood ideology because I have seen how it destroys lives."
"So, until you can clearly describe to me—to yourself—how your 'struggle' will specifically protect someone, resist some kind of shackle..."
"We may not be on the same battlefield, or even talking about the same war."
Hogwarts can be a safe haven for practicing small choices. But the real struggle...
He sighed softly, "It begins in a moment far heavier and lonelier than words can express."
"When you find that moment and make the choice, you will naturally know. At that time, you may find that you don't need to say 'Me too' to anyone. Because your actions will become your own language."
Draco remained silent for a moment.
Then, he suddenly laughed, "Alright, Old Dumbledore, I'm not going to beat around the bush with you. Let's get down to business."
Dumbledore imperceptibly.
I'm a little surprised.
It was surprising that Draco, in such a state of mind, could still try to steer the conversation in a different direction.
"Of course, Mr. Malfoy," Dumbledore smile, "'Major matters' are always worth discussing first. Please tell me, what are you referring to as 'major matters'?"
He nodded slightly and made an elegant gesture of "please go ahead."
Draco looked at him, his gaze suddenly becoming serious and calm.
" Old Dumbledore," Draco began slowly, "What if I said Sirius was innocent?"
This statement, like a boulder, was thrown into the once calm lake.
The gentle, attentive atmosphere surrounding Dumbledore vanished instantly.
His eyes instantly focused, becoming like the coldest ice crystals, yet burning with a flame capable of piercing through all fog.
The air in the office seemed to freeze at that moment.