Draco's words caused an even greater uproar in the already tense Great Hall.
Exclamations and murmurs blended into a cacophony of noise.
"Does Malfoy want to emulate Granger?"
"Like her? Relying on herself, not on her family?"
Was he serious when he said that, or was he up to something again?
Countless gazes were focused on Draco, and many people wore extremely strange expressions.
Some people frowned, convinced that this was definitely a new trick by Malfoy, a stopgap measure to gain sympathy and Confundus Charm.
Another group of people looked at Draco's calm and expressionless face, and when they thought about his situation of being abandoned by his family, a slight wavering arose in their hearts.
Perhaps this boy, bearing the Malfoy surname, truly wants to turn over a new leaf and forge a path completely different from his father's?
The expressions on the Weasley Twins' faces were as colorful as a spilled palette.
Their faces were filled with a mixture of absurdity and amazement.
"This works?" George's eyes widened, as if he had heard the most outlandish magic tale of the century.
Fred was also amazed. " Merlin's beard... This kid has completely turned the tide! One moment they were at each other's throats, and the next moment the situation has completely reversed."
"From 'personal attack' to 'I want to be you'... that's a twist of fate that even the fastest flying broomstick couldn't catch up with!" George exclaimed in amazement.
Fred slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! That feint of retreating to advance was brilliantly executed!"
The two brothers, one after the other, practically lauded Draco as the greatest strategist in Hogwarts ' history.
Compared to the twins' undisguised praise, Lavender and Parvati had already completely transformed into Draco's loyal supporters, and the romantic little drama in their minds had reached its climax.
Lavender said, "He admitted it! He must have been deeply attracted to her because he saw her strength and that loneliness that no one understood!"
He wanted to be someone who could stand shoulder to shoulder with her!
"This isn't an attack, this is... this is a twisted confession!"
It's the resonance of two lonely souls!
On the road to fighting against the whole world, they will eventually become each other's light!
Parvati also expressed his aspirations:
"My God... from initial resistance, to later understanding, and now... longing!"
This is a thousand times more profound than a straightforward declaration of love!
He wanted to be as good as her, to possess her resilience and wisdom...
" Merlin's stockings! This is simply epic romance!"
They completely ignored Hermione's suppressed anger and disregarded Draco's true intentions.
Based solely on his own imagination, he wove Draco's single sentence into a deeply moving and logically consistent story.
The two of them had learned their lesson and only dared to huddle together and whisper.
They were afraid of angering Hermione again and getting them kicked out of the Great Hall, in which case they would never see the rest of this "episode of the century".
"Do you think you can avoid the problem by saying that, Malfoy?"
Hermione's question was still forceful, but her tense voice lacked its former power.
She suppressed the surging emotions in her heart and finally asked the last question.
"If, as you say, you have already decided to follow this path of 'not relying on others,' and have enough 'confidence' in it."
"So, at the very moment your father arrived at the school and explicitly demanded that you leave Hogwarts, why did you still need Headmaster Dumbledore's 'intervention' and 'insistence' to ultimately stay here?"
This question is like a fatal blow, instantly drawing everyone's attention back to the most crucial point of doubt.
As Draco met the expectant gazes of the crowd, a faint smile slowly curved his lips.
"You seem to have misunderstood the truth. But since it was something I promised Miss Granger, I won't tell you. I'll discuss it with Miss Granger privately."
"... What?"
Hermione looked up abruptly, her eyes filled with utter bewilderment.
This is not a question, but an instinctive reaction that arises when caught off guard and unable to cope.
The next moment, a more complex light flashed in her eyes, a mixture of shock, wariness, and disbelief.
There was still a sliver of fragile clarity, forcibly pulled back from the brink of collapse.
At its deepest level lies an uncontrollable, overwhelming curiosity about the "truth" itself.
This curiosity grew wildly like vines, coiling around her heart.
Draco's words were like a thunderbolt, shaking her to her core.
This means that the previous four questions seem to have been futile.
He firmly held the true core in his grasp.
Hermione stiffened her back, but two unnatural blushes rose on her cheeks.
Her brain was screaming "Danger!"
This is a trap! We absolutely cannot agree!
But another part, the instinct to pursue logic, truth, and knowledge, is hysterically screaming, "Say yes!"
Listen to what he has to say! That's the key to unraveling all the mysteries!
Reason and instinct engaged in a fierce battle in her mind, plunging her into an extreme struggle.
While Hermione was struggling with her inner turmoil, the wizards in the Great Hall were in complete uproar!
This time, the uproar was no longer an open clamor.
Instead, it was a suppressed buzzing sound, filled with shock, speculation, and extreme curiosity.
The sound was like the buzzing of countless bees, stirring up restlessness throughout the space.
"Speak in private?! He wants to speak with Granger in private?!"
Why should she be the only one told this? What is the truth?
What exactly happened between them? Is there some untold secret?
Countless gazes swept back and forth between Draco and Hermione, their curiosity almost engulfing the two.
The Weasley Twins ' expressions also became more serious and playful than ever before.
After exchanging a glance, there was no doubt that they both saw amazement in each other's eyes.
"In private... with Granger?" Fred's tone was full of mockery. " Merlin's lace panties... that kid, he's really going all out."
George clicked his tongue in admiration. "From public confrontation to private talks... this kid not only won the debate, but also took the only 'prize' away alone."
"That was an amazing move... absolutely brilliant! A stroke of genius!"
Lavender and Parvati were so excited they almost fainted, covering their mouths, staring at the two of them with fascination, and whispering wildly.
"In private...? He only needs to tell her?" Lavender asked, full of anticipation.
"Oh! This is destiny! This is a secret that only the two of them can share! This is a bond that belongs only to them!"
Parvati's eyes sparkled with romance as she said enviously, "To make a private promise in front of everyone... shutting out all the noise and leaving only the two of you... that's so... so romantic!"
"It's so full of destiny! Merlin! This is simply the most moving story I've ever heard!"
Draco heard everything but paid no attention, simply turning his gaze back to Hermione.
His smile deepened, and he invited, "What do you think, Miss Granger? It's not time for afternoon classes yet, so let's find a quiet place and have a good chat?"