If Muggles' understanding of the wizarding world was little more than a blur, then it was equally true that not all wizards were ignorant of Muggle affairs.
Across the long history of the wizarding world, there had always been wizards willing to set aside their pride, and there was certainly no lack of new witches and wizards born into Muggle families.
Take a half-blood witch like Hermione, for example.
In fact, compared to most Muggles who knew nothing at all, the wizarding world maintained entire departments dedicated to handling Muggle-related matters. Even while attending school, students could take a course called Muggle Studies.
Within the Ministry of Magic, the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes existed specifically to deal with issues involving Muggles and to manage communication between the two worlds.
Speaking of the relationship between the two, in much earlier times, the boundary between wizards and Muggles had not been constrained by so many rules and restrictions.
Or rather, back when Muggles were not yet considered worth protecting.
Wizards treated teasing Muggles as a form of entertainment. When they were in a good mood, they granted what were called "miracles." When they were not, they used spells to unleash so-called "divine punishment," bringing devastation in their wake.
To Muggles, these incomprehensible beings inspired both fear and reverence.
And that was precisely where the wizarding world's sense of superiority toward Muggles came from.
However, with the rise of the Dark Lord and the emergence of voices calling for wizards to replace Muggles as the true rulers of the world, the wizarding world finally began to consciously protect them.
From that point on, it became increasingly apparent that the number of Muggle-born wizards was steadily rising.
This was the history Draco knew.
...
Muggle life felt entirely new to Draco.
He wore clothes fashionable in the Muggle world, practiced what he understood to be proper Muggle etiquette, and even attempted to comprehend the so-called magic known as technology.
As Draco stepped into the Granger home, his thoughts drifted back to the contents of the book he had read.
"So this is a Muggle home? Technology… maybe it isn't completely useless after all."
Come to think of it, Draco was probably the least stereotypical pure-blood wizard imaginable. No one would have guessed that he would seek out Hermione in a Muggle way, much less step into a place completely devoid of any magical presence.
On the other hand,
Mrs. Granger, who had never once had a wizard visit her home, felt a strong sense of surprise, but even more curiosity toward Draco Malfoy.
She could tell at a glance that Hermione's friend did not look down on her with the aloof superiority common to other wizards.
That slightly formal etiquette, however, made her look at him a little strangely.
It was clearly not something used in this era at all, perhaps something he had picked up from an old book.
All in all, under the current circumstances, the Grangers' impression of Draco was positive and full of goodwill.
I, Mrs. Granger, head of this household, approve of Hermione's friend!
That was the message written plainly across Mrs. Granger's face as Mr. Granger saw it while they walked into the dining room.
...
The Granger household.
Compared to Mr. Granger's assessing gaze, his wife was far warmer and more enthusiastic.
"Try some of the apple pie I just baked. It's hundreds of times better than anything you'd buy outside."
"…"
"Don't be shy. You can eat breakfast while waiting for Hermione to come down. Oh! I'll go warm up some milk."
Mrs. Granger's enthusiasm caught Draco off guard, making him briefly wonder whether all Muggles were this hospitable and trusting.
But after the series of questions Mr. Granger asked next, Draco was no longer quite so sure.
"You're a wizard, aren't you? I mean, your family background is different from ours, right?"
"If you mean pure-blood status… then yes, there is a difference."
"I thought so. I could tell from the way you carry yourself, and from how you reacted when you came in."
Although Draco was not wearing wizarding robes for this visit, those garments already belonged to an older generation, and that alone showed how unfamiliar he was with modern Muggles.
Even dressed like someone who had stepped straight out of an old film, Draco still could not hide the distinctive air about him, something no ordinary family could ever cultivate.
Calm, courteous, and carrying a faint but undeniable sense of authority.
Though Mr. Granger spoke with a rigid expression, Draco could still catch a trace of appreciation in his eyes.
But in the very next moment, the handsome middle-aged man's expression turned serious.
"Although we have heard your name mentioned by Hermione, what I'd like to know is why a wizard like you would be friends with my daughter."
"..."
So that was it.
That was why he had been accepted so quickly?
Draco finally understood. It wasn't that the Grangers lacked a sense of caution. It was because he had given his name when he visited, and because of whatever Hermione had said to them.
But…
Friends?
Well… in a way, the relationship between him and Hermione could hardly be called friendship anymore.
It was something closer. Something far more intimate. The kind of closeness that made his heart race and his face heat up.
With that thought, Draco looked up at the man across from him, Mr. Granger, who was watching him closely. For some reason, Draco's expression turned a little strange.
Should he be honest?
He glanced at Mr. Granger's face, so serious and solemn, and in the end, Draco decided not to court disaster by saying something like that out loud.
Without interrupting the boy's thoughts, Mr. Granger poured him a cup of coffee and slid it across the table. He appreciated Draco's composure and the care with which he was thinking things through.
The fact that he was taking the question seriously meant that he really did regard his daughter as a friend.
Mm… if he knew what Draco was actually thinking right now, he would probably cut him off on the spot.
Or, more realistically, he'd throw Draco straight out of the house.
Just then.
Footsteps came from the staircase leading up to the second floor.
"Mmm… good morning. What's for breakfast toda—huh? Am I still asleep?"
The two men turned at the sound. When he saw who it was, Mr. Granger's expression shifted into weary resignation, just as he was about to say something.
Draco, eyes full of amusement, beat him to it.
"Good morning, Hermione. And no… this isn't a dream."
"..."
"..."
Hermione froze, one hand clutching her already messy hair, eyes going wide. She stared incredulously at her long-suffering father before slowly turning to look at Draco, who was smiling far too brightly.
And in that quiet neighborhood, a scream filled with existential despair rang out, announcing the start of the day…