When it came to being a spy, who could possibly be more naturally gifted than a Slytherin?
Esther forcibly swallowed the sarcastic remark that was about to escape her lips and instead spoke timidly, her voice soft and hesitant.
"I..I don't know how to be a spy. I'm very stupid, and I scare easily. I'll definitely mess it up."
As she spoke, her eyes filled with glistening tears, making her look pitiful and helpless.
She had come to Hogwarts fully aware of the future, but she was here to study, not to play house with spies and conspiracies alongside this group of protagonists and supporting characters. They were protected by plot armor, so even in the darkest moments, nothing would truly happen to them. People like her, the kind who would be summarized in a single sentence and then forgotten, were the ones who actually faced danger.
Draco looked at Esther, who seemed on the verge of tears, with unconcealed disdain.
"Is your courage really that small? And I am not asking you to be a spy. I'm asking you to get close to them and report whatever information you learn to me."
Isn't that… exactly what a spy is?
Esther wiped her tears, bit her lip, and said with visible difficulty,
"But I do not even know Harry Potter and the others. How am I supposed to get close to them?"
Draco, on the other hand, was brimming with confidence.
"That group of stupid lions is extremely easy to fool. And you look so… harmless. They definitely will not suspect you. As long as you suggest becoming friends with them, they will happily agree."
Please clarify what word you were about to say during that pause just now.
Was it another derogatory adjective?
What was wrong with how she looked? She was obviously very pretty, far better than this self-important little brat.
In Esther's mind, a tiny version of herself stood with hands on her hips, loudly scolding him. On the surface, however, she continued to ask carefully,
"And what if they do not want to be friends with me?"
Draco raised an eyebrow and looked directly at her.
"They will. With how stupid they are, I know them better than they know themselves."
Sometimes, the person who understands you best… is your enemy.
Please forgive Esther for mentally shipping Draco and Harry for one brief second.
After speaking, Draco continued patiently, as if coaxing a child.
"Relax. As long as you agree to help me keep an eye on them, I will protect you in the future. At the very least, Slytherin students will no longer bully you. If students from other houses dare to trouble you, I can secretly teach them a lesson as well. This deal is guaranteed to be profitable for you."
Whatever.
Esther was already starting to feel sleepy.
Acting also consumed a great deal of energy.
She pretended to think it over with great difficulty, then nodded reluctantly.
"Alright. I'll agree. But if I don't do well… you won't blame me, right?"
She clasped her hands together in a pleading gesture and looked at him with pitiful eyes.
Draco's eyes shifted awkwardly for a moment before he looked past her shoulder and took a step back. Still crossing his arms, he said haughtily,
"No. If you fail, then you'll owe me one favor forever."
Esther cursed loudly in her heart. As expected of a Malfoy, profit always came first. Even when she had already put on such a pitiful act, he still refused to give an inch.
Fine. He was impressive. He was not swayed by appearances and could stick to his principles.
She admitted defeat.
"Alright."
She answered listlessly, now only wanting to go back as soon as possible and unwilling to waste another second here.
Even after she had conceded this much, Draco was still dissatisfied.
"What is that expression? Why do I feel like you are just brushing me off?"
Esther immediately retorted,
"No, not at all. I am just hungry."
So please let her go quickly. If she did not leave soon, she might actually hit someone.
Draco frowned and made an indescribable expression.
"You really are a textbook Hufflepuff."
"Thank you for the compliment."
Esther smiled politely and continued,
"So can I go now? I am really hungry. I feel like I can barely stand."
Draco's expression became even harder to describe.
"That wasn't a compliment… forget it. Go. Don't faint again and blame me for it."
He stepped aside and made room for her.
Esther did not hesitate for a second and immediately walked away.
"Wait."
She had only taken two steps when the boy's voice rang out behind her again.
Her body stiffened. She turned back with great effort.
"Is there anything else, Malfoy?"
As she spoke, she tightly gripped the textbook in her hands, thinking that if this little menace dared to make another unreasonable demand, she would knock him out with it.
Draco took out a small glass bottle from his pocket and handed it to her.
"Take this. Consider it an advance payment for your work. Remember to complete my task properly."
Esther was speechless.
Advance payment? Did he really think she was one of his subordinates?
She silently accepted the small bottle and discovered that it contained colorful candies. They looked pretty, but she did not dare to eat them.
"Thank you," she said softly, then turned and ran.
She swore that even if Professor Snape shouted after her now, she would not stop.
She ran all the way to the entrance of the Hufflepuff common room in one breath.
Unlike the other houses, Hufflepuff did not use passwords. Instead, one had to tap the barrel in a specific rhythm and sequence. Any mistake would result in being drenched in vinegar.
When she arrived, she saw Ernie pacing anxiously outside.
"Thank goodness you are finally back!"
Seeing her, Ernie's eyes lit up.
"Curfew is almost here. If you had not returned soon, I was going to go look for you."
Esther asked in confusion,
"Were you waiting here for me?"
Ernie glared at her and complained,
"Of course. You just started school, and I was worried you might forget the correct rhythm. Getting soaked in vinegar is one thing, but what if you could not get in at night?"
Esther was deeply touched and immediately hugged him tightly.
"Thank you, Ernie. You really are the best brother. I am so moved."
Ernie always fell for this. No matter how many times Esther praised him, he would feel overjoyed every single time.
Unfortunately, today's happiness did not last long, because after she let go of him, she asked a heart-piercing question.
"Are you… kind of short?"
Ernie froze.
"What?"
He jumped up immediately.
"I am not short. I am just younger!"
As expected, men of any age could not tolerate being told they were short.
Twelve-year-old Ernie was about the same height as eleven-year-old Esther.
Esther said nothing, but her expression completely betrayed her thoughts.
Ernie hurriedly defended himself.
"My mum said that girls always grow taller earlier than boys, and they stop growing earlier too. I will definitely grow taller than you."
Although that was technically true, Esther could not resist teasing him again.
"But the boys I see who are the same age as you are all taller than you."
"Who is taller than me? Justin? He is only a little bit taller. Just wait. One day I will be taller than all of you!"
Ernie declared indignantly.
Esther silently thought that this might be difficult, considering that neither her uncle nor her aunt was particularly tall.
***
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