By the platform, the front of the crimson steamer suddenly chirped, a reminder that it was time to board the train.

"Just a moment, are you all right? Why the sudden frown?"

The three were about to turn back to say goodbye to their parents when Pansy suddenly saw Draco change her expression.

"It's nothing," Draco shook her head and squeezed out a smile.

The three young girls walked back to their parents and curtsied to Mrs. Crabbe and Mrs. Goyle who had come to their side, greeting Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle, who were the same age.

"Miss Draco! Don't worry about anyone at school daring to bully you."

"Vincent will protect you well."

"So will Gregory, right? Boy, be a good bodyguard!"

Mr. Crabbe and Mr. Goyle spoke gruffly.

"Thank you, Mr. Crabbe, Mr. Goyle."

Draco could vaguely sense that her mother was not interested in the words of the two male wizards.

"But it's not necessary, Vincent and Gregory will need to have their own friends." Narcissa smiled sweetly, giving thanks while politely returning the kindness in her reply. Her hand patted her daughter's back with slight approval.

The siren sounded again, and Draco gently stood on her tiptoes and kissed both of her parents on the cheeks after embracing Lucius and Narcissa.

"Be careful on the road and take care of yourself, Draco."

"Let Severus know anytime you feel homesick, you can use the fireplace in his office ..."

Mothers and fathers had different instructions, and it was clear that Lucius had a harder time letting go of his beloved daughter who was away from home.

Draco nodded, her heart rising slightly with apprehension and melancholy while her excitement was hard to hide.

With Vincent and Gregory opening the way, she walked onto the train with Pansy and Daphne.

It was only then that they realized that their luggage had already been brought on board by arrangement with their parents, and also occupied two compartments.

Without a word, Vincent and Gregory got into one of the smaller compartments, leaving the one with a clear view of the platform to the girls.

"So? What the hell just happened to you?" Before they could sit down, Pansy finally pressed on, asking after Draco.

It made Daphne look deeply interested as well.

"That bloke, he seems to be haunted by a family of redheads."

"You care about him, yeah!" Pansy joked.

"Redheads? Is that the Weasley family?"

Draco didn't pay any attention to Pansy's kidding, nodding her head toward Daphne's question, her eyebrows furrowing.

Despite not knowing any of the Weasleys, she had heard her father mention that the Weasleys, once a respected family of pureblood wizards, had fallen into the category of "traitors to the purebloods" as they abandoned their wizarding principles.

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After wizards were oppressed by Muggles and forced to hide their identities, such a family still did not let go of their bond with their Muggle heritage.

In addition to sympathizing with Muggles, they have always believed that the wizarding community will eventually coexist peacefully with Muggles.

Even if it meant that wizards would have to live a closed and inconvenient life for a long time.

They had even helped the Muggles with their own financial resources many times and was happy to do so even when their family's money was gone.

In Draco's young mind, the Weasley clan was synonymous with self-indulgence.

When she saw the dark-haired boy board the train surrounded by the Weasley family, she was secretly unhappy for no reason.

First the rude gamekeeper, then the fallen family.

Why did this know-nothing orphan love to mess with these people who were harmful to the growth of his mind?

Draco thought to herself, no wonder her parents are so proud of their family background. A good family upbringing hardly guaranteed anything, but at least it drastically reduced the likelihood of making the wrong kind of friends.

Regardless of the identity of the dark-haired boy, as one of the few remaining members of the Malfoy family in the wizarding world, she naturally couldn't bear to see the wizard she had met fall into a state of despair.

Not to mention, if the boy really was Harry Potter—as a noble responsibility, how could we let the hero in the wizarding world take the wrong path?

After the train departed, Draco's mind went back and forth, never able to get away from these worries.

Until a soft knock on the compartment door, hidden by the curtained glass window, interrupted her thoughts.

"Excuse me."

A female voice with authority came and gently pulled the compartment door open. Draco, Pansy, and Daphne stood up in a hurry.

Behind the compartment door, a serious young girl with long brown hair, pale face, and glasses stood in front of them.

Behind the young girl was a group of upperclassmen.

Some had already changed into robes, and it could be seen that all were Slytherin students.

The students were full of curiosity, but they couldn't help retreating after seeing the three silhouettes in the compartment.

The young girl in the lead was obviously a little impatient, and after a soft tsk, she curtsied towards the three.

"Miss Malfoy. I am Slytherin's Prefect, Gemma Farley."

"Although we haven't gone through the Hogwarts Sorting yet, as Slytherin's Prefect,"

"The Malfoy family has always had a lot of support for Hogwarts, and we would like to welcome Miss Malfoy to Hogwarts in advance."

Listening to Farley's words, Draco secretly chuckled and exchanged quiet glances with Pansy and Daphne.

Similar scenes had long been commonplace for the trio.

The ancestor of the Malfoy family, Armand Malfoy, was indeed a hereditary noble who was divided by William.

This gave the Malfoy family a special status even amongst the pureblood gentry.

Not to mention that the head of the Malfoy family for several generations had always been an important advisor to the Ministry of Magic and a member of the Hogwarts Board of Directors.

The members of the Malfoy family, as a result, in addition to being regular readers of the Daily Prophet, were also always the focus of conversation in the gossip tabloids.

This was especially true after the split marriage between the Malfoys and the Blacks.

To young wizards growing up in the wizarding world, the appearance of a member of the Malfoy family was often comparable to a Muggle in life, meeting royalty, even if it was only a distant relative of the royal family.

"You're more than welcome, Miss Farley, and everyone from Slytherin. These two are Miss Parkinson and Miss Greengrass, respectively."

"It is our sincere hope that in a few hours, we will have the honor of joining Slytherin. To join you all in continuing the glorious tradition of Slytherin."

Draco hastily returned the salute while introducing the two best friends.

This boosted the morale of the Slytherin students.

Whispered cheers came from the walkway outside the compartment.

The Prefect, Farley, nodded in satisfaction, seeming quite pleased with her socializing tactics.

Before leading the group away, Farley turned her head towards Draco.

"Have you seen Harry Potter? I heard he's sitting in the compartment in the next carriage."

Seeing some hesitation from Draco, Farley spoke fervently.

"The Prefects are arguing that this is an important year. There are quite a few children of the Sacred Twenty-Eight enrolled, such as Miss Malfoy."

"In addition, also Harry Potter."

"Having these new students on board will help immensely in the race for the House Cup."

Farley finished, tugging at the collar of her robes and sounding rather proud.

"Slytherin has been champions for six years in a row."

"If we can get Miss Malfoy, Miss Greengrass, and Miss Parkinson."

"Even if we don't get Harry Potter, we'll still take this year's championship."