Learning magic, training two dim-witted subordinates, occasionally gaining Pansy's favor with stories, and sometimes traveling with his parents—Draco's days were quite fulfilling.
However, these days were broken by a letter brought by an owl.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore.
(Supreme Mugwump, International Confederation of Wizards; Chief Warlock, Wizengamot; First Class Sorcerer, Order of Merlin)
Dear Mr. Malfoy,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1st. We await your owl by July 31st.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
[School Uniform]
First-year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat for daytime wear (black)
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar material)
4. One winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)
Please note: All student clothes must carry name tags.
[Books]
All students are required to have the following books:
"The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1" by Miranda Goshawk
"A History of Magic" by Bathilda Bagshot
"Magical Theory" by Adalbert Waffling
"A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration" by Emeric Switch
"One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi" by Phyllida Spore
"Magical Drafts and Potions" by Arsenius Jigger
"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" by Newt Scamander
"Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection" by Quentin Trimble
[Other Equipment]
One wand
One cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
One set of glass or crystal phials
One telescope
One brass set of scales
Students may also bring an owl, a cat, or a toad.
Please note: First-year students are not allowed their own broomsticks.
"I still think Durmstrang is more suitable for him." After seeing the letter, Lucius made a final attempt. After all, research into dark magic was less restricted there, and he wouldn't have to live with non-pureblood students. Lucius believed Draco would receive a better education there.
"Are you really willing to send our precious son to such a distant place? And it's an island, how inconvenient would that be!" Narcissa still insisted on her opinion, wanting to send Draco to Hogwarts, which was closer to home. "You're a school governor here; maybe you could even look after him."
"You know that old white-bearded man, and I don't get along." Lucius's expression was a little grim.
"I've decided to go to Hogwarts." Draco calmly stated his decision.
What a joke, how could he abandon the little loli he'd been building affection with for so long?
After several years of somewhat childhood-sweetheart-like interactions, Pansy, apart from still maintaining a bit of verbal tsundere, had already established a very deep friendship with Draco.
What's more, he might even be able to play the role of a prophet at Hogwarts. If he went to that island, he'd be completely in the dark. The only person he knew who had participated in the Triwizard Tournament was Viktor, which was meaningless.
"Did you hear that? Our precious son also can't bear to leave us." With that, Narcissa kissed Draco's forehead again with a fierce peck.
"Alright then." Lucius shrugged helplessly. Faced with the unanimous opinion of mother and son, even Lucius, as the head of the family, could only compromise.
"Oh! By the way, I think you two need to go to Diagon Alley. I can't wait to see our little Draco in his new wizard robes," Narcissa said excitedly. "Oh, and you'll definitely need a wand. Make sure Ollivander picks the one that suits you best."
"Got it." Draco wasn't particularly eager for a wand; as long as it worked, it was fine. If he were to pursue one, it would have to be something as heaven-defying as the Elder Wand. Of course, Draco wasn't interested in that either, as anyone who picked it up was basically assumed to have an aura of misfortune. Never lose a direct duel? Fine, but assassination would still work.
Personal strength was the only true foundation. If you gave Voldemort and Dumbledore the most ordinary wands, would their power be greatly diminished? More skilled wizards could even master wandless and even nonverbal magic. So, a wand was just an aid; it could add wings to a tiger, or icing to a cake, but it couldn't turn a nobody into somebody. Draco saw this very clearly.
"No time like the present. I think we can go early; in a few days, it will definitely be crowded, and I think we all dislike the feeling of being squeezed," Lucius said to Draco.
"I think that's a good idea." Draco was actually a little impatient. Although he wasn't particularly eager for a wand, he was full of curiosity about other places in Diagon Alley, such as the wizarding world's Wall Street—Gringotts? Or Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes? Perhaps it hadn't opened yet.
Lucius and Draco then went to the living room fireplace.
"Be careful not to say the wrong destination," Lucius reminded him.
"Don't worry, Father." Draco was well aware of the consequences of saying the wrong thing, and since it was his first time using the Floo Network, he was naturally on high alert.
"Diagon Alley!" Draco and Lucius, holding hands, stepped into the fireplace, simultaneously shouted the destination, and then threw a handful of Floo powder—a shimmering powder used for teleportation—into it.
Green flames suddenly shot up, flickering with an eerie glow.
Clearly, the Floo Network had begun to work.
A tearing sensation surged over Draco; he felt as if he was being sucked into a giant vortex, making him feel dizzy, constantly spinning and spinning. However, this feeling didn't last long, and Draco soon felt himself standing on cold, flat ground again.
"I think we can find a place to rest first." It was normal for the first use of Floo powder to be uncomfortable. So Lucius decided to take Draco to relax elsewhere for a while.
"I think so too." Draco breathed slightly, still trying to recover his physical condition.
"I think we can go to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour and try their new licorice ice cream." Although Lucius was usually a bit gloomy, now he was like many ordinary fathers, hoping to see his child smile happily.
It must be said that in any world, the healing power of sweets is very strong. After eating an entire ice cream, Draco felt much better.
"I think the ice cream will bring us good luck." Lucius, for once, said something playful. "Come on, Draco, let's go to Ollivanders' wand shop. I think you'll definitely get a satisfactory wand."
The two walked for a while, and a small, shabby shop appeared before Draco and his father. A single wand lay forlornly on a faded purple cushion in the window, and the gilded lettering over the shop door was peeling, reading: "Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C."
As soon as they entered the shop, Draco and his father heard a tinkling sound. Inside, there was nothing but a long chair and an old man.
"Good afternoon." A soft voice came, and it was clear that the owner of the voice was naturally the owner of the shop—Garrick Ollivander, one of Europe's three great wandmakers.
Ollivander's appearance was very ordinary, but his silver-white eyes always made people feel the wisdom of having seen much of the world, like two shining moons.
"Indeed, anyone who excels in any field is not ordinary." Draco even felt a similar aura from him.
"Oh, it's Mr. Lucius. Our last meeting feels like it was just yesterday."
"Yes, yes, you remember every wand you've sold; you say that to everyone. Although I know you genuinely remember, I don't need the extra words." However, Lucius was not impressed by his politeness.
"What a handsome young man. What's that Muggle word? Ah, yes! Genes. I imagine this child must have inherited quite a few of your genes." Ollivander's gaze shifted to Draco. As a businessman, he could easily deduce the relationship between the two. "What's his name?"
"Draco Draco," Draco replied.
"What a good name."
Ollivander scrutinized Draco.
"Come this way," Ollivander led Draco to the counter.
"Which hand do you intend to use your wand with?"
"I think my right hand would be more convenient." Most people in the world are right-handed.
At the same time, a tape measure with silver markings began to automatically take Draco's measurements.
Just as Ollivander was about to retrieve a wand for Draco to try, Draco suddenly spoke.
"Mr. Ollivander, I think this one is quite good," Draco said, pointing to a wand.
"Hmm…" Ollivander mused. "I think it's better if you listen to a professional's advice. After all, a wand might accompany you for your entire life, barring any accidents."
"I think I'd still like to hear my son's suggestion first."
"Alright," Ollivander shrugged helplessly, then turned to retrieve the wand Draco had indicated.
"Hawthorn wood, unicorn hair, exactly ten inches. Try it out." Ollivander's expression was not good; anyone whose expertise is questioned in their own field would likely not be in a good mood.
"Lumos!" Draco, having taken the wand, quickly used the spell he was most familiar with so far.
A dazzling light suddenly erupted from the tip of the wand, so brilliant that Lucius and Ollivander could barely keep their eyes open.
"It seems I'm going to be out of a job," Ollivander said with a self-deprecating laugh, clearly seeing that this wand was a perfect match for Draco.
"I just didn't want to waste time," Draco thought to himself.
"How much?" Lucius was ready to pay.
"Twelve Galleons." Ollivander's voice was somewhat weak, seemingly having suffered a considerable blow.
"I believe your child will surely become an extraordinary wizard," Ollivander said, seeing the Draco father and son out the door, bowing, and speaking a heartfelt sentiment rather than a compliment.
"Thank you for your kind words." Lucius was also in a good mood, though this good mood would soon be broken.
Stepping out of Ollivanders, Diagon Alley was bustling with people. Many parents were already bringing their children to buy school supplies. At this moment, Lucius saw someone he could truly call his most disliked person.
"My dear son, I hope you remember the glory of our bloodline and do not tarnish our honor like others," Lucius suddenly said to Draco.
"Yes, Father, the glory of the Malfoy family will be immortal." Draco was a little puzzled as to why Lucius had suddenly said such a thing to him out of nowhere. But Draco soon understood.
Lucius led Draco directly towards a father and son who were picking out items.
"I think I understand now." Looking at the fiery red hair on the heads of those two, Draco knew instantly.
"Unbelievable, Arthur, that you would actually be here. I thought the Weasleys never used new things. Oh, right, wands, one for each person, they can't be old, can they? I was inconsiderate." Lucius mocked them venomously.
Unfortunately, Lucius was still wrong; Ron was using Charlie's old wand.
"I wonder when the Draco family became so fond of meddling," Arthur, as Lucius called him, responded coldly.
In the wizarding world, only one family possesses such distinctive features—the Weasley family. The identities of the two men were, of course, obvious—Arthur Weasley and Ron Weasley.
Ron's face was flushed at this moment, clearly bothered by Lucius's words.
"I merely hope that certain people don't disgrace our families, and I'm offering some kind reminders," Lucius explained, though it was less an explanation and more an intensified taunt.
"Let's go," Arthur said, dragging Ron away quickly, clearly not wanting to argue with Lucius there.
"First meeting, and it seems things aren't going so well," Draco thought.
As pure-blood families in the wizarding world, the Malfoys and Weasleys could be considered two extremes. One extreme advocated pure-blood theory, hoping to prove its superiority and expressing disdain for Muggles. The other was very interested in and friendly towards Muggles, even drafting the "Muggle Protection Act" to safeguard Muggle interests. The former naturally found the latter's actions very difficult to understand, believing they tarnished the glory of pure blood. The latter also found the former's advocacy of bloodlines unacceptable, considering them a bunch of out-and-out lunatics.
Differences in ideology were enough to make their relationship tense. Looking at the reality, one can understand that a legitimate title is enough to spark a war.
In public, Lucius also couldn't be too ostentatious, so he chose to attack another soft spot of the Weasley family: their economic situation. Perhaps Arthur was too upright; as the head of the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office in the Ministry of Magic, he should theoretically have been able to make a lot of money, but the Weasleys still lived a very tight life. This was evident from the fact that most of Ron's items were hand-me-downs from his older brother.
Lucius, on the other hand, used his family's influence to amass wealth, and the various furnishings in their manor showed the astonishing financial power of the Draco family today. A small glimpse reveals a larger picture.
"As beneficiaries, who can immediately abandon everything before them?" For someone who had received a good education in the 21st century, such discriminatory views should have long been swept into the dustbin of history. But who could give up their current comfortable life? Draco was no saint, and naturally had his own selfish motives.
To use an inappropriate analogy, if you transmigrated to become a slave owner of black slaves, would you immediately follow Lincoln's example and emancipate them?
"I can only try to change things slowly." In fact, Draco himself was more aware that there were already many people in the Draco family tree who had intermarried with Muggles. Even much of the family's current wealth was due to this. If it were exposed one day, it might be a devastating blow to their family. Changing outdated notions might also be helping himself.
"Remember the red hair of that family; it is a disgrace among us pure-blood wizards." Seeing Arthur "retreat," Lucius couldn't help but be smug, continuing to instill his views in Draco.
"Father, I think I remember."
"That's good." A hint of a smile appeared on Lucius's pale face.
"I think we need to go to Gringotts now," Lucius said after a moment's thought.
"Father, I think the money we brought this time should be enough to buy robes and school books," Draco reminded him.
"My dear child, don't you want to own your own flying broomstick? This little money isn't enough."
"Uh, I think, Father, you probably didn't read the letter carefully."
Lucius chuckled, "I think as a school governor, I can still give my son a little special privilege in this regard."
"That's truly wonderful." At this, Draco couldn't help but feel a thrill. Flying—one of humanity's ultimate dreams.
"But you have to promise me one condition."
"What?"
"Don't tell your mother. You know, your mother hates it when you do things she considers a bit dangerous." Lucius gave an understanding smile.
"Of course, Father." Draco nodded, appearing somewhat impatient. But he thought to himself, "The original character in the novel was indeed spoiled into that kind of personality for a reason."
"Then let's go now." Lucius stroked Draco's head.
It must be said that Lucius might have had personal moral failings, but when it came to his own family, he was beyond reproach.
As dusk approached, Lucius and Draco returned laden with goods, disappearing into the entrance of Diagon Alley, concluding their day's outing.
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