The moment Leo emerged from the cave manor, his gaze immediately snapped toward Draco's bed.
Right then—
Draco rolled over.
Leo's heart nearly stopped.
For a split second, he almost reached for his wand and cast a Sleeping Charm.
Fortunately, after several agonizing seconds, he realized Draco remained fast asleep.
Quietly, Leo let out a breath of relief.
Finding Kuroshi came first.
As he searched around the dormitory, countless thoughts raced through his mind.
If the crow wasn't somewhere inside the Slytherin common room, he would have to search the entire castle.
And above all else—
He absolutely could not allow Dumbledore to discover anything suspicious.
Otherwise, he would need to create the perfect explanation.
No.
Not even an explanation.
Complete denial.
What crow?
I've never seen any crow.
Then suddenly—
His spiritual sense detected something beneath his bed.
Leo immediately knelt down and reached underneath.
"Kuroshi?!"
He pulled out the black raven.
The bird looked miserable.
Its feathers were disheveled.
Its body hung limply.
Thankfully, it was still breathing.
Leo's expression changed immediately as he hurriedly examined it.
Then—
"Mm…"
Draco suddenly sat up.
Leo's pupils contracted.
Without hesitation, he stuffed Kuroshi directly into his spatial pouch.
Draco rubbed his eyes sleepily.
"Leo... you're already awake?"
Then he noticed Leo standing beside the bed. For a brief moment, it looked as though he had been holding some kind of bird.
Before Draco could ask any questions, Leo smoothly seized control of the conversation.
"You're awake already?"
He glanced toward the window.
"I was debating whether I should wake you. It's almost eight."
As he spoke casually, Leo flicked his wand.
The stool beside his bed instantly transformed into a simple wooden washstand with three legs and a basin mounted on top.
Another spell followed.
Water immediately gathered inside.
Leo calmly pulled a toothbrush and toothpaste from his pouch and began washing up.
Meanwhile—
Draco's remaining sleepiness vanished completely.
His eyes widened.
Magic...
Could be used like this?
Leo squeezed toothpaste onto the brush before noticing Draco staring.
"What?"
"You planning to keep sleeping?"
Draco immediately snapped out of his daze.
"No! I mean—"
He hesitated awkwardly.
"Could you maybe... help me too?"
As a proper pure-blood gentleman, Draco believed strongly in discipline.
But honestly—
Being able to wash up without leaving the dormitory looked unbelievably convenient.
"Oh."
Leo shrugged.
"Sure."
With another flick of his wand, a second stool transformed.
Another basin appeared.
Water filled it immediately.
"There."
Draco didn't hesitate.
He grabbed his toiletries and started washing up at once.
A true friend indeed.
One day, when he became powerful enough, he would definitely repay Leo.
Or at the very least, share his future glory.
After finishing, Draco suddenly remembered something.
"...Wait."
He looked at Leo strangely.
"Don't we only have two classes today?"
"And Herbology doesn't start until ten."
Leo froze for half a second.
Right.
He had completely forgotten.
His mind had been occupied entirely by Kuroshi and the Yang Spirit.
Outwardly, however, he remained perfectly calm.
"Ahem."
"I get up early to study."
He adjusted his glasses with complete seriousness.
"To surpass everyone else."
"To become the top student in Slytherin."
Draco blinked.
Before he could respond, Leo continued.
"Draco."
"You want to become the leader of our year, don't you?"
"...Leader?"
Draco repeated instinctively.
Leo nodded solemnly.
"Think about it."
"When everyone else is sleeping, you're studying."
"When everyone else is studying, you're working harder."
"Gradually, people will begin relying on you."
"And after what you said in the Great Hall yesterday..."
Leo patted him on the shoulder.
"Prefect Flint will definitely notice you."
"If you earn the respect of enough Slytherins, then by the end of first year, you'll practically be the unofficial prefect of your class."
Draco's breathing unconsciously slowed.
Every word struck directly at his ambitions.
A first-year leader.
No—
Something greater.
Then Leo delivered the finishing blow.
"And eventually..."
"You'll become Head Boy."
"The legendary Slytherin who dominates Hogwarts from first year all the way to graduation."
Draco's heart began pounding violently.
The image instantly formed inside his mind.
Power.
Prestige.
Authority.
Recognition.
Then suddenly—
Draco narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"...Wait."
"Aren't you forgetting something?"
"You're stronger than I am."
"You can cast spells silently."
"You're obviously more qualified for that role."
"So why don't you want it?"
Leo nearly choked internally.
Because I invented this entire speech thirty seconds ago.
Outwardly, however, he sighed deeply.
"Draco."
"I genuinely hate trouble."
"I'm lazy."
"Even if someone handed me the position, I wouldn't want it."
Then his expression became unusually sincere.
"But you're different."
"You're talented."
"You're ambitious."
"You're Draco Malfoy."
"You shouldn't underestimate yourself."
Leo extended his hand.
"And besides..."
"Even if I don't want that position..."
"I'll support you."
Draco stared silently at him.
Something tightened inside his chest.
Leo was willingly stepping aside.
Giving him the opportunity.
Because they were friends.
Draco slowly clenched his fist.
"...I can do it."
"Because I'm Draco Malfoy."
Leo immediately nodded approvingly and extended his fist.
"Come on."
"Fist bump for luck."
Draco looked confused for a moment but still bumped fists with him.
"Success."
Leo immediately stood.
"Let's go get breakfast."
"The first step toward your glorious future starts today."
Draco followed him out of the dormitory feeling strangely energized.
Meanwhile, Leo was silently congratulating himself for successfully distracting Draco from asking questions about Kuroshi.
Honestly—
By the end, he had almost believed his own nonsense.
Still...
If Draco actually changed Slytherin little by little...
That might become surprisingly interesting.
The two boys left the Slytherin common room carrying completely different thoughts.
Draco was seriously contemplating his future as the unofficial leader of his year.
Meanwhile, Leo's thoughts remained focused entirely on Kuroshi.
At breakfast, he barely tasted a single bite.
His mind continuously replayed the raven's damaged condition.
What had happened to it?
Why had it ended up like that?
And most importantly—
How exactly was he supposed to explain any of this if someone discovered it?
....
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