Pansy and Daphne, respectively, were the only daughter of the Parkinson family and the eldest daughter of the Greengrass family.
Also from the Holy 28th Surname of the Purebloods, the two, who were the same age as Draco, had become close girlfriends since they first met five years ago.
Although their friendship was genuine, they were young enough to argue.
In particular, Pansy, who had always been a lively girl, could not help but tease Draco, who was high-minded and a little too serious for her own good.
When the two of them did argue, they always relied on Daphne to moderate the situation.
Even though it was only a month or so ago that they got together, the three of them were still excited and happy.
After some small talk, they returned to the armchairs by the floor-to-ceiling windows and sat down separately.
Outside the floor-to-ceiling window, Malfoy Manor's fountain flowed, the sunlight penetrated into the water mist, scattering a rainbow.
The three of them had just taken their seats when there was a soft popping sound and the elf who was nowhere to be seen brought in black tea with the scent of bergamot and a few pastries.
Draco, Pansy and Daphne's soulful eyes were suddenly filled with happiness.
It was the only time Narcissa Malfoy would make a rare exception when the three of them were together. Malfoy would make a rare exception and allow the girls the luxury.
Normally, enjoying the wrong kind of tea at the wrong time would be a violation of gentry etiquette.
Pouring their teacups half-full, each of the three took out the wax-sealed envelopes before their fingertips became stained with crumbs of pastry.
In unison, they looked down at the four corners of the Lion, Snake, Badger and Eagle's coat of arms.
The Goethean script of ‘h’was emblazoned in the centre of the shield, with the Radian inscription below it, as if it would sway with the banner.
‘Draco dormiens Nunquam titilandus’.
Looking up and smiling at each other, they went to a low cabinet and took their letter openers to scratch the emblematic seal.
‘No wonder Aunt Narcissa keeps you in bed.’
As she walked back to her armchair, Pansy suddenly spoke without a thought, a sneaky grin on her face.
Draco and Daphne froze and looked at each other, suddenly understanding.
‘Told you, never disturb Draco in her sleep!’Pansy said.
Seeing Draco's willowy eyebrows raised and coming towards her, she hastily dodged behind Daphne.
‘Miss Malfoy! Where are your manners?’
‘Get over here for this lady!’
‘Both of you ......’
There was another fit of giggles before they managed to remove the letterhead.
Though not doubting her eligibility for admission, Draco felt a few unreal leaps of joy in her heart at the moment as she looked at the elegant handwriting in her hands.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Headmaster - Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore
(President of the International Confederation of Wizards and Chief Wizard of the Order of Wizengamot)
Dear Miss Malfoy.
We are honoured to inform you that you have been granted permission to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Enclosed you will find a list of the books, implements and equipment you will need for the new term.
The new term will begin on 1 September. We will be expecting your owl by the 31st of July to bring you back.
Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.
Vice-Chancellor.
Yours sincerely, Professor Minerva McGonagall
Turning over the first page of letterhead, she unfolded the stack of instructions and read voraciously.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
〈Uniform〉
Required for first year students-
1 Three plain coloured robes (black)
2 One plain wizard's hat (black)
3 A pair of protective gloves (made of dragon skin or similar material)
4 A winter cloak (black with silver buttons)
＊Robes and cloak must have the student's name woven on them.
(Textbook)
Required for all year-round students-
Standard Spells (Elementary)
History of Magic.
Theory of Magic.
‘Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration
A Thousand Magical Herbs and Tums.
Magic Potions and Potions.
Where the Magical Animals Are.
Black Magic: A Guide to Self-Defence.
Other Essentials
One wand.
One crucible (tin-plated, standard size two)
A set of glass or crystal vials
One telescope.
One brass scale.
--
After reading the long list over and over again, the trio looked up and simultaneously asked the question that mattered most to them.
‘Where do you guys want to go for robes?’
‘Why is it only black?’
‘I wonder if I can order my own?’
Unable to help but puff out a laugh.
The trio clearly cared more about being forced to specify the colour of their robes than the flying brooms that were explicitly forbidden.
‘I might, after all, visit Mrs Morkin's.’Daphne spoke up.
Pansy, however, frowned a little unhappily, ‘But their clothes are plain.’
Draco echoed Pansy with a noncommittal nod, ‘It's all been prescribed in colour, so at least would expect the fabric and cut to be better.’
Daphne smiled and explained softly, ‘I think so. But it's all going to Diagon Alley, so I'll still want to stop by and do some shopping.’
‘When are you guys going?’Draco couldn't help but ask at the mention of Diagon Alley.
‘Tomorrow! Day!’Pansy snapped back quickly.’Want to come along!’
‘I'll ask Mum and Dad, if I don't have to go back to the hospital for a check up, I should be able to go.’
Hearing Daphne's answer, Draco and Pansy exchanged glances and took her hand.
With concern and reluctance, but also silent encouragement.
For some unknown reason, Daphne's body had been a little weak since she was a child.
Draco had asked Lucius and Narcissa about it once, but the two had never been willing to reveal why.
Even Severus Snape, a close friend of her father, who had always treated Draco as his daughter, had been unable to find out.
Professor Snape, couldn't get a clue either. He would only narrow his dark eyes and say in an inscrutable manner, ‘You're too young. I'll tell you when you're older.’’
Don't worry. I haven't felt sick in a long time.’
After a short silence, Daphne patted the backs of her two girlfriends' hands.
‘What about you Draco? If it's okay with Daphne, can you join us?’
This time, it was Draco's turn to be quiet.
There was a pause before she spoke softly, ‘I'd like to wait until Dad is free, then I'll go with Mum and Dad.’
It was expected that her answer would provoke ridicule. Instead, Pansy and Daphne just agreed with themselves.
‘Uncle Lucius wouldn't want to miss it.’Daphne called back, her words gentle.
The trio's conversation quickly returned to Hogwarts, finding each other wishing that the
to be able to enter Slytherin together as the family passed on.
Even Daphne's smooth tone was inevitably impassioned in the excited conversation.
There was even a rare retort when Pansy taunted.
‘It would feel great to be in the same house!’
‘Maybe you'll get sorted into Hufflepuff ooh, Daphne dear.’
‘Don't even think about it, you'd probably get sorted into Gryffindor.’
‘No, just because Gryffindor values courage doesn't mean they like blunt idiots.’
‘Most likely to go to Hufflepuff would be Pansy.’
‘How dare you two join forces! It's an abomination!’
‘Parkinson!’
‘Pansy!’
‘‘It can't be!’’
And so the fun went on until evening, and before Pansy and Daphne left, Pansy suddenly turned her head and spoke in a mysterious voice.
‘By the way, have you guys heard?’
‘That Harry Potter, I think he's enrolling this year too yay.’
While Daphne nodded, Draco was, for the first time since the summer holidays, reminded of the news.
--
‘Dad's having dinner with the school board tonight.’Narcissa said with a smile only after Pansy and Daphne had gone home.
Dinner was shared with her mother and came into the sitting room.
While her mother quietly flipped through her books, Draco remained frozen staring at the folding fan in her hand.
‘What's wrong, Draco?’
‘Nothing oooh, just thinking.’
Draco shook her head and smiled faintly at Narcissa.
Narcissa froze at the word ‘thinking’.
She looked at her beautiful young daughter with the thoughtful look of a young adult.
With a stirring in her heart, she stood up, walked over to Draco, and kissed her daughter's soft hair deeply.
Draco leaned over gently, her mind racing as she pampered herself in her mother's arms.
It was always centred around the name Pansy had mentioned before she left.
Harry Potter.
All but forgetting that the heroic figure who had ended the Dark Lord and taken the wizarding world by storm was just a child the same age as herself.
Though her father had only mentioned it occasionally, Draco's keen mind could vaguely detect that
This hero, too, was a calamity that had once made her parents' lives all the more difficult.
Why was Harry Potter the same age as herself, yet he was already famous?
At the same time, the heir of the Malfoy family felt the pride of an ancient family rise up in her heart.
In the bottom of her heart, she had a hidden plan.
With her reputation, it would be worthwhile to draw Harry Potter in as an ally of the Malfoy family.
The ideal development, of course, would be for Harry Potter to become a general presence attached to the house.
Just as Goyle was to the Crabbe's as far as her father was concerned.
Even if it didn't work out, at the very least, being close to Harry Potter would ensure that he didn't do anything bad.
In any case, this boy, Harry Potter, must not be allowed to disrupt my school life, with the credibility and honour of the Malfoy family.
Unbeknownst to her, sheer curiosity was also creeping into her calculations.
What would the legendary Harry Potter be like?