Ever since that conversation, it was as though Lucius's words were being proven true.
Only a day later, an owl from Hogwarts arrived with this year's book list, along with the magical tools and other items each student was required to bring.
It was hard not to suspect that all of this had been arranged in advance.
But that also meant that everything they had said last time had not been a lie meant to placate Draco.
Of course, Draco had never doubted his father to begin with...
That was not the only thing that surprised him, either.
Information that had once been kept from him was no longer secret now that Dobby had been assigned to his side. As long as he asked Dobby, he could learn everything happening outside, as well as what Lucius and the others were doing.
Most of it was not particularly important, but for Draco, that was already enough.
Because it indirectly showed the Malfoy family's attitude toward him, and how those under Lucius felt about this decision.
Just as Draco had suspected before.
His father... no, the entire Malfoy family, was building a banner called Draco.
"How many days are left before school starts?"
"Young Master, Dobby has already prepared everything needed for school. If you wish, we can leave at any time. When the time comes, Dobby will go to Hogwarts with Young Master."
"You are going too? So it has already been arranged?"
"Yes, Young Master. According to the earlier decision, Dobby will go straight to work in the kitchen."
"Oh."
"Um... when Dobby gets his first wages, Dobby hopes to treat Young Master and his friends to a meal. Dobby heard Miss Granger say that this is how friends spend time with one another."
Dobby's voice was full of anticipation and excitement.
It was probably because he was about to have a job, instead of simply being ordered about by Lucius like a slave.
Those round eyes were fixed on Draco expectantly, as though treating him to a meal was something of tremendous importance.
There was no such custom in the wizarding world, but Draco did not think it was a difficult request, so he nodded without hesitation. "When the time comes, I will bring Pansy and the others with me."
"That is wonderful. Dobby cannot wait!"
Perhaps in essence, Dobby was still the Malfoy family's house elf, but for Dobby, this seemed to count as a good beginning.
Seeing that a single sentence had nearly moved Dobby to tears, Draco reminded him helplessly, "Do not forget. You are not really going there to work."
"Do not worry, Young Master. Dobby will never let anyone hurt you!"
That was right.
This so called job was only a convenient excuse.
In truth, Dobby had been given work in the Hogwarts kitchens so he could protect Draco's safety while he was at Hogwarts.
For Dobby, who was not restricted by wizard magic at all, that was practically the same as acting as Draco's personal guard.
And with Lucius's status as a Hogwarts governor, arranging for an insignificant house elf, one wizards treated as little better than a slave, to enter Hogwarts was not difficult for him at all.
Only this way could Narcissa truly feel at ease about Draco's safety.
As for the strength of a house elf, there was no need to doubt it in the slightest...
...
By now, Voldemort's return was no longer any kind of secret that needed to be hidden, nor was it something that could be concealed for long.
The Dark Lord's resurrection had already begun to affect the everyday lives of wizards.
If Lucius's faction had not been there to keep pulling against the tide and maintain this fragile balance, the Second Wizarding War might already have begun outright.
To be precise, even if the arrogant and crazed Voldemort wanted to start fighting, Dumbledore, who was plotting something of his own, would not agree so easily either.
Simply put.
The current peace was nothing more than the dawn before the coming storm...
"Compared to the outside world, Hogwarts has actually become the safest place now?"
"And tell me, what is Voldemort thinking? Why not just take Hogwarts directly?"
The voice speaking by Draco's ear belonged to Fleur Delacour, who had appeared from who knew where yet again.
Compared to the young wizards of Britain, Fleur, who came from a country famous for romance and love, naturally did not feel much awe or fear toward Voldemort, the Dark Lord.
After all, Fleur had not grown up with adults constantly drilling into her how terrifying Voldemort was.
And probably only Draco could still remain calm and composed when hearing the name Voldemort...
In response to Fleur's question, Draco, who was in a fairly good mood, unusually chose not to ignore the beautiful girl. "Probably because of some complicated feelings he cannot make sense of himself. Of course, it is more likely that he is wary of Dumbledore."
Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.
As someone Voldemort had taken an interest in, Draco naturally needed to understand everything about him.
So it was only natural that Draco, who could practically be called a Voldemort scholar, had long since formed his own views on the matter.
Fleur had not expected Draco to answer her, so along with her delight came a trace of confusion...
"I will not ask about the first reason, but you are saying he is wary of Dumbledore? But is he not injured? I heard it was because of a Horcrux."
Injured.
Horcrux.
That was not some secret.
Or rather, the moment Dumbledore was injured, it ceased to be something that could easily be hidden, much less kept secret.
Who had injured the man who could be called the strongest wizard of the current age?
That question alone was enough to make people dig into the matter relentlessly.
Whether ally or enemy, their curiosity would not rest until they found the answer.
And clearly, it would not be easy to keep it concealed...
Draco shrugged at Fleur's question. "Dumbledore is only part of the reason. If it were you, would you really think Hogwarts, with a thousand years of history behind it, has no means of defending itself at all?"
"Well, perhaps you are right."
Fleur pouted slightly. She looked a little displeased, but the gentle swing of her little feet gave away how good her mood really was.
Her pale calves gleamed in the sunlight like white jade.
Unfortunately, Draco's attention was not there.
His mind was on the Horcrux Dumbledore had failed to destroy.
Although he already knew why Dumbledore had been injured, many of the details were still unknown.
The Dark Lord's Horcruxes...
It seemed there were far more than just two.