The final exam results were out, which meant that the semester was really coming to an end.
In Slythrin's lounge, the fireplace by the wall had stopped working for a long time. Summer vacation was coming, and the weather was getting hotter. Crabbe and Gower were flattering Malfoy because he was first in the grade, but it was obvious that he did not enjoy it.
"Crabbe, Gower, okay, you can stop now." Malfoy lowered his hands and made a stop gesture. "This kind of exam is meaningless. You don't have to spend time flattering me." He paused, then looked at Gower and said, "Your results should be because our dean went easy on you. You won't be so lucky next time."
Gower could only agree obediently. Of course, only God knew if he understood what Malfoy meant.
"What's the use of being first? The School Championship Cup is gone," Pansy said in a strange tone. She was obviously still upset about losing the School Championship Cup.
"Uh, look on the bright side. Even if I get 20 points for being first, Dumbledore can easily find an excuse to give more points to the others," Malfoy comforted.
"Sly old man."
"Okay, let's not dwell on these things. You should now plan how to enjoy the upcoming holiday." Malfoy chose to change the topic.
"Isn't this something you should be thinking about?" Pansy asked in surprise.
"It's over." Malfoy felt that he seemed to have found the wrong topic, but he could only say, "Uh … I need to do a lot of practical work during this holiday, whether it's magic or life." He shrugged and continued, "You know, my father is always very strict with me. Next school year, I'm going to sponsor some brooms to the team. Maybe I should do some work during this holiday to prove something, right?" Of course, this was his nonsense, but it sounded very reasonable.
"Then we won't be able to see each other during the holiday?" Pansy was a little shaken, but she still asked.
"Of course not. Even adults have time to rest, not to mention a child worker like me, right?" Malfoy shook his head decisively, but he thought to himself, But I might not give myself a holiday.
"Okay then." Pansy nodded reluctantly. "Remember to bring me a gift," she whispered.
"Of course." Malfoy readily agreed.
The next day, the students boarded the train to go home. Their luggage had been packed, and a notice had been sent to every student, warning them not to use magic during the holidays. Malfoy and the others sat in the ordinary carriage. A great man in his past life once said, "We came from the crowd, and we must return to the crowd." He did not like to be alone, and it was better to have a lively journey home.
The three members of the Iron Triangle were a few seats away from them. "You must come to our house this summer vacation," Ron said. "Both of you — I'll send an owl to invite you."
"Thanks," said Harry. "I do need something to look forward to."
"That family of yours is really too much." Ron seemed a little indignant.
"Actually, I'm used to it, and I might have a good holiday, right?" Harry said.
"What, have they changed?" Ron asked.
"I really think that the logic of our Muggle society is very suitable for you, Ron." Hermione, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke up. "Harry, you must not have told them that students can't use magic outside the school, right?"
"Then your cousin won't dare to bully you. That's a wonderful idea." Ron cheered. Then, he turned to Hermione and said, "Please relax a little, our school is number one." At this moment, he saw Hermione holding a magazine in her hand — Transfiguration Today. "I really can't imagine that you're also studying on the way home. So what if there are a few hairs on that snuff box? Anyway, no matter how perfect someone becomes, it's not their School Championship Competition, right? Harry. "He tilted his head toward Harry again.
"Ron, lower your voice," Harry said in a low voice.
Hermione closed the book and looked up at Ron. "The School Championship Competition is a collective honor, and I won't give up what I can fight for individually. We were able to get so many points because of the help of others."
"Okay, okay, okay. Principal, Professor Mag, and even that annoying old bat all helped us, but they are all principals and teachers. We can't give their school extra points because of that. There can't be a certain Slythrin who helped us, right? Haha." Ron laughed first when he realized that he had made a joke.
Hermione's eyes dimmed. She ignored Ron and continued to read with her head lowered.
"Oh, Ron, sometimes I have to say, you can keep your words to yourself," Harry reminded him.
"I think so too." Ron covered his mouth. He felt that he had said something wrong again, but he didn't know what it was.
As for Malfoy, he, Pansy, and his friends (lackeys?) Started to play cards to pass the time of the empty journey. However, it didn't seem very interesting. After all, there shouldn't be any point in playing a game that could be won all the time. If it was gambling, Crabbe and Gore would have lost their underwear by now.
"I finally understand why you've been staying away from the two of them. It's really boring," Pansy said as he played a King of Hearts. Clearly, he was disdainful of these two lackeys.
"I think we can change to another game." Malfoy snapped his fingers, and the cards on the table disappeared. They were replaced by a pile of small rectangles made of unknown materials.
"What is this?" Pansy asked.
"A game from a mysterious country in the East. I think the rules should be relatively simple," Malfoy said. As for what game it was, everyone should be able to guess.
"It's the East again. It seems like you really like the culture there. Even the stories you told before were from there, and now you've changed it into a game." Pan Xi's tone was a little sour. Malfoy sharply sensed that something was wrong with her tone.
The latter part of her words made him realize that someone was starting to get jealous again.
"So, are you interested in that Ravenclaw because she's from the East? Did you plan to save the damsel in distress last time? I know that the two of you will definitely have a lot in common, "Pansy continued.
Malfoy could only sigh. "Don't underestimate a woman's associative ability." He then said helplessly, "Now, let's kill some time. The rules are …"
It had to be said that there was a reason why this game had lasted so long in the Celestial Empire. Not long after, even Crabbe and Gower were having a great time playing it. Pan Xi's attention was no longer on jealousy, but on the dozens of small cubes.
"This game of yours is not fun at all." After losing a few rounds, Pansy puffed out her cheeks.
"They keep losing, and you say it's boring. When they get lucky, you say it's not fun." Malfoy felt a headache coming on.
"So, you have to help me in the next round," Pansy threatened fiercely.
Soon, the scene on the table turned into a one-sided massacre.
"I won again!" Pansy excitedly pushed the cards in front of her to the ground. Suddenly, she realized that they had disappeared.
"Dear Pansy, although I may have interrupted your fun, I want to say that we've arrived." Malfoy clapped his hands to attract everyone's attention. Only then did they realize that the train had stopped.
"Okay." Pansy pursed her lips and reluctantly accepted this reality. Clearly, she had yet to recover from the massacre on the table.
"Okay, I'll bring you something more fun the next time we meet." Malfoy rubbed Pansy's head affectionately.
"Let go." Pansy hurriedly slapped his hand away. Her face was a little red as if she was embarrassed. Usually, such intimate actions were only done when there was no one around. She was not used to it.
Malfoy then helped Pansy carry her luggage and got off the train. Although he did not say anything, he knew from Pansy's eyes that she was reluctant to part with him. "But I'm really busy this holiday." Malfoy was actually a little conflicted. "Forget it. I'll take it one step at a time," he said to himself.
As soon as he got off the train, Malfoy saw Lucius and his wife on the platform. The two of them were waving at Malfoy. Malfoy strode toward them.
"Pansy, I haven't seen you in a year. You've grown a lot." Narcissa's attention was obviously on the girl beside Malfoy. "How is it? Did little Draco bully you in school? If he bullies you, tell me. I'll help you take care of him. " Narcissa was very enthusiastic about matchmaking for her son. As for Pansy, she was very satisfied. She was a pureblood and had a relationship with her father. She also seemed very obedient, didn't she?
"He's very good to me." Pansy lowered her head and blushed.
"Of course, being a gentleman is hereditary," Lucius added on.
"How about it? Do you want to come over to our house as a guest, little Pansy?" Narcissa extended her invitation.
"No, thank you for the invitation, but my father is here to pick me up." Pansy shook her head and pointed at Hector, who was still looking around.
"Then I won't force you. Anyway, there should be enough time during the holiday." Narcissa did not insist. She continued, "Hurry up and go. Don't let your father wait too long. If he waits any longer, I'm afraid he'll think that his daughter has been kidnapped by someone." Narcissa teased her.
After that, Hector and Lucius naturally met again. After some polite greetings, they took their children back to their respective homes.
Malfoy and his family walked out of the fireplace. Looking at the familiar layout of the house and the gorgeous carpet under his feet, Malfoy knew that he was home. This also meant that his holiday plans had officially begun.
"The first task is naturally you." Malfoy clenched a small bottle in his pocket and whispered to himself.