In short.
The badge in Draco's hand had the function of the Dark Mark, but without those terrifying, spine-chilling effects.
Nor did it come with the drawback of being impossible to remove once it had been branded on.
Come to think of it, perhaps this magical item could also be called a Dragon Mark?
As mentioned before.
This magical item had mainly been created after Hermione learned about the existence and effects of the Dark Mark. She had researched it, successfully put it into practice, and even improved it by miniaturizing it.
Although there was always the possibility of accidentally losing it.
It was worth mentioning.
Most of the people who received a Dragon Mark actually did not know one thing.
In truth, the reason Hermione had come up with this idea and turned it into something real was mostly because of that... House-elf Rights Promotion Association of hers.
In fact.
From the very beginning, Hermione had created this magical item for the sake of that so-called House-elf Association.
To be precise, she had originally intended to use this little thing as a benefit for the association's members.
It was only through a twist of circumstance that it ended up being used by the Draco Constellation and handed over to the organization's members.
Hermione had actually been somewhat resentful about that.
But it had to be admitted.
Hermione's talent in this area was truly astonishing, and she had plenty of creativity that could break free from the usual framework of wizards.
Perhaps that was also her advantage as a Muggle?
After all, before Hermione had even graduated, she had already created a new and rather practical magical item.
...
Draco tightened his grip around the Dragon Mark in his hand.
Feeling the faint heat it gave off, and after confirming that there was nothing wrong with the magical item, Draco slowly put it away again.
Because this meant that another badge was gradually approaching this place.
It could sense the owner of another badge.
That was one of the Dragon Mark's functions.
As for the Dragon Mark's effects.
Back when Draco had Hermione summon and notify everyone, the badge in Draco's hand had already heated up once.
And the person using it had been none other than Miss Hermione Granger.
Because aside from the effect mentioned earlier, there was another way to use it.
When magic was infused into the badge, depending on the amount of magic used, it would cause the Dragon Marks scattered in different places to glow.
That meant everyone was to return to the Draco Constellation's base as quickly as possible.
Likewise, just like the Dark Mark, this badge reacted more strongly the closer the distance was.
Of course, that was also related to the amount of magic infused into it.
In other words, the more intense the reaction, the more urgent the situation.
And judging from the reaction of the badge in Draco's hand, the person he was waiting for was already nearby.
Just then.
A faint sound reached his ears.
It was the rustle of grass being brushed aside, along with the soft crunch of leaves underfoot.
Beyond that, Draco also saw a dark figure shifting in the forest before him.
Draco did not reveal himself immediately. He only murmured, "Are they here?"
The words had barely left his mouth.
Draco saw a graceful figure stepping out of the forest, followed by a small figure appearing with her.
These two figures, one tall and one short, were exactly the people Draco had come here today to wait for.
As Draco turned and walked out, the short figure was the first to cry out in excitement. "Young Master!"
The two figures that appeared one after the other before Draco were not unfamiliar to him at all.
Among them, the small figure whose height only reached around Draco's thigh was someone Draco knew especially well.
Rather, the moment that "Young Master" was spoken, the visitor's identity had already been made clear.
And that figure, so familiar to Draco, was naturally the House-elf with a pair of enormous ears, huge eyes, and clothes that did not fit him at all. Dobby.
...
Speaking of Dobby, whom he had not seen in a very long time.
Ever since Draco realized that Voldemort seemed to be showing signs of interfering with Hogwarts, Dobby had actually been assigned an important task by Draco, one that was not limited to staying by Draco's side and protecting his safety.
On that point, it had to be said that Draco had gone to considerable effort to make sure Dobby accepted the task willingly, rather than doing it only because Draco had ordered him to.
The main reason Draco had gone to such trouble was to stop Dobby from doing anything unnecessary.
Seeing Dobby come before him, Draco was in a fairly good mood. "It's been a long time, Dobby."
"Yes... sob... sob... It is so good to see Young Master safe..."
He was exactly the Dobby Draco knew.
Apart from bursting into tears the moment he saw him, he still had no idea how to speak properly.
Anyone who heard Dobby's words without knowing the situation might think Draco had nearly died.
Not knowing what to say, Draco sighed. Only then did he turn his gaze to the witch standing at the side, watching them with a smile.
As for her identity?
As the other party walked closer, Draco smiled at the witch who had come before him. "Did the trip go smoothly?"
"Mm... Although those Death Eaters have indeed taken control of the area around Hogwarts, they probably overlooked the fact that House-elf magic can't be detected by simple means."
After saying that, the witch suddenly shook her little head. "...Actually, aside from you, Draco, there probably isn't any wizard who could do something like that."
There was a reason for those words.
Aside from the fact that House-elves themselves did have their own issues.
It was also because their Dark Lord was far too conceited and arrogant.
As the saying went, those below followed the example of those above.
The soldiers became like their general.
Clearly, Voldemort, who saw himself as a pure-blood and looked down on all magical creatures, had influenced the Death Eaters under him, to say nothing of those brainless dark creatures.
Therefore, the Dark Lord and his subordinates, who despised and looked down on those inferior creatures, naturally would never have imagined that these House-elves would actually help Draco and the others, or that there was another possible way into Hogwarts.
That was what gave Draco an opportunity and a method he could use.
Otherwise, this matter never would have gone so smoothly.