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**Chapter 2. A Visitor at Malfoy Manor**
The next morning, Draco studied in his private room as usual. After three measured knocks, the old butler spoke from outside.
"Young Master, the Parkinson family has arrived. The Master asks that you come greet them."
"Alright. I will be there," Draco said.
He closed his book, slow and deliberate, then walked toward the main hall. From a distance he saw two figures, one tall and one small. The Parkinsons.
"Hector, it has been too long. You have not changed," Lucius said with a rare smile. It was hard to tell how much of it was real.
"It has been a while, Lucius," Hector replied with equal politeness.
"Draco. Come here." Lucius motioned him forward. "This is your Uncle Hector. A friend of mine for many years."
"Hello, Uncle Hector," Draco said with a small bow.
Before anything else could be said, a sharp voice cut the air.
"I heard you are a dud."
Draco did not need to look to know who it was. Pansy Parkinson. His so-called future match.
Her personality is exactly what I expected, Draco thought. He eyed her for a moment. Chestnut hair cut short at the chin, uneven bangs nearly covering half her forehead, black pleated dress with a Gothic touch, and a permanent expression that said she was born to command. She looked every bit the pampered little princess of the Parkinsons. Too bad her mouth ruined the image instantly.
"Pansy. Is this the etiquette I taught you?" Hector's face darkened. "Apologize to Lucius and Young Master Malfoy. Now."
"Hmph." She turned away without a word.
"The child speaks without thinking. Do not mind it," Lucius said smoothly. He acted as if the insult had never happened. "Draco, show Pansy around the manor. Hector and I have things to discuss."
"Yes, Father."
"Pansy. Go with Draco. And apologize," Hector warned.
"I do not want to follow a dud," she muttered.
"Pansy," Hector barked.
Draco stepped in with an easy bow. "This way, Miss Parkinson. Our fathers clearly have important matters to handle. We should give them space."
Hector let out a quiet breath. "What a gentleman. Lucius, your education has done wonders. Unlike my Pansy. Spoiled since birth. She says whatever she thinks."
Lucius gave a polite laugh. "Children are lively. It is fine. Let them spend time together."
The two men went upstairs, and silence fell over the children until Draco broke it.
"If you dislike me, that is fine. But standing here doing nothing is far more boring. Maybe you will find something in the manor worth your attention."
He saw no point arguing with a little girl, even if she was rude.
Pansy thought about it, then nodded. "Fine. I will be merciful and let you be my guide."
"I am honored," Draco said.
He thought privately, Little girls are impossible to deal with. Figures I was single in my last life.
They walked through long grey corridors lit by soft lamps. The walls carried the weight of age. Every so often they passed a portrait of a Malfoy ancestor or a rare piece of art no one outside the manor had seen in centuries.
"Follow me closely. It is easy to get lost here," Draco said.
"You told me that three times already. Stop nagging, little mute. Where is the interesting part? Do not tell me it is these boring paintings."
Draco sighed inwardly. What a troublesome girl.
He tried to decide how best to keep her entertained, but before he could speak, her voice sounded behind him.
"This room looks special."
Draco turned. Pansy stood before a stone door carved with strange symbols.
A cold feeling hit him at once.
Those markings… ancient magic.
"Pansy, do not go in," Draco shouted.
Too late. She pushed the door open with surprising ease and stepped inside. The heavy stone slid shut behind her. She did not even notice.
Draco dove in just before the door sealed with a heavy thud.
Darkness dropped over them like a curtain.
He scanned the room by memory of what he had seen in the brief moment of light. Scattered ingredients, broken wands, old tomes.
Great. Father's private workshop for dark magic experiments. And the door barely locks. Brilliant.
Pansy was silent for a moment, then her bravado cracked.
"What is this place? Why is it so dark? Does your rich family not believe in using lights? My house does not have anything this creepy."
Draco ignored the insult.
He had decided to teach her a small lesson.
"Say something. Are you scared?" she snapped.
Draco stayed silent.
After a minute: "Dud? Are you still there? Answer me or I will tell Uncle Lucius you bullied me."
Still nothing.
More time passed.
"Malfoy? I am not calling you a dud. Just… say something."
Her voice shrank smaller and smaller. Fear and loneliness crept in, breaking her earlier arrogance.
Even purebloods feared dark magic. And Pansy was still only a child.
Draco sighed. Enough teasing.
He remembered a working wand on a shelf. After a bit of groping in the dark, he found it.
He cast the simplest spell he knew. "Lumos."
Light filled the room.
Pansy flinched and looked up. Her eyes were red. Tear tracks shimmered faintly on her cheeks. She had fought hard not to cry.
This was not how Draco planned things. He felt a small sting of guilt.
"Do not blame me," he said quietly. "You called me a dud many times. Consider us even."
Pansy did not answer at first. The room was quiet except for their breathing. Even lit, the place still felt heavy and old.
The silence broke when the stone door opened with a scrape.
Lucius strode in, Hector right behind him. One look at Pansy's tearful eyes and Hector's face turned stormy.
If they were older, Draco suspected Hector might have tried to hex him on the spot.
Lucius's voice cut through the tension. "Why did you bring Pansy here?"
Draco opened his mouth to explain, but Pansy spoke first.
"I walked in by accident. Draco followed to protect me. When I got scared, he used magic so I could see. I am sorry for worrying you."
Her voice was soft and steady. Nothing like the girl who had sneered earlier.
Hector relaxed a little. "Then thank him."
She lowered her head. "Thank you, Draco. I was rude earlier. You were patient with me."
Draco had no idea what she was playing at, but he answered politely. "It is fine. I should have looked after you better."
Hector sighed. "If that is the case, you are not to blame. Thank you, Draco."
After more talking, Hector prepared to leave. Before departing he turned to Lucius and said, "Take care of what needs to be removed. The Ministry does not need another pureblood family locked away."
Lucius gave a stiff smile. "Of course."
Draco and Lucius walked them to the gate.
But just as they were about to part, Pansy slipped free of her father's hand, rushed to Draco, stood on her toes, and whispered, "Thank you."
Then she kissed his forehead.
Draco froze.
What is happening. Did she fall for me after all that. This is insane.
The adults stared. Hector recovered first.
"Looks like your boy is stealing my princess," he laughed.
"Children are impulsive," Lucius said, though pride showed on his face.
Pansy hid behind her father, blushing hard. If anyone looked closely, they would notice the little fox-like smile she tried to hide.
Hector groaned. "Alright, Lucius. My little princess is dragging me away. Looks like we will be visiting again soon."
"You are welcome anytime," Lucius replied.
When they finally left, Draco let out a long breath. He had lost half a day to this mess. He still had curses and theory to finish. He would need to work late tonight.
Finally, peace.
He returned inside with one thought:
Back to the plan.
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