Fail Demon King

— This is a complete tragedy.

After recovering from the malicious stimulation of the overlong cloak, Owen followed Tom out of the office on the third floor.All the students saw was their stern Defense Against the Dark Arts professor striding down the corridors, into the foyer, and out of the heavy oak doors, followed by a fair number of eyes of adoration or fear.

Of course, it's not unusual for a professor to leave campus alone on a Friday night: he's probably heading to Hogsmeade for a drink and a weekend away.It's just that on such a snowy night, walking to Hogsmeade alone doesn't seem like such a pleasant thing.

No one saw Owen.The invisibility cloak is of course the most convenient method of invisibility, but for a powerful wizard, he does not necessarily have to rely on the invisibility cloak if he wants someone to disappear.

They didn't use floo powder, which didn't seem surprising to Owen.

——Recently, the situation in the magic world is still tense. Dumbledore was nominated to succeed Barnold as Minister of Magic, and he was nominated at the same time: Tom.Both men, however, turned down the high position at the same time, as if neither of them had any interest in the profession - what great pleasures teaching at Hogwarts might have been a constant source of speculation like a secret, but no one has ever found out.The two main forces are at loggerheads, and some partisans of each faction are more irresistible than their leaders.

It was Merlin's miracle that Hogwarts seemed at this moment an isolated and quiet island, only a discerning eye could see that it was in jeopardy.At such a sensitive moment, since he was still teaching at the school, there was no need for the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor to trouble himself by blatantly leading a student into the Floo network on a dark winter night.

However, Owen soon began to wonder if he was thinking too much, because Tom seemed to want to take a walk on such a night.

They didn't walk fast, and the smell of burning firewood wafted from the edge of the Forbidden Forest, and light blue snowflakes fell rustlingly. Owen had to use the clearing spell almost continuously to prevent the snow from accumulating on his shoulders and his shoulders. The top of the head—he is transparent, and the shape of the shoulders and the top of the head outlined by snowflakes is quite a strange thing in the dark.Of course, the people around him had to clean up the footprints he left in the snow in time.Fortunately, there was no one on the desolate path leading to Hogsmeade, only he and Tom walked quietly.

The twilight was heavy, and the snow-covered wind howled.The unique cold air in the cold winter poured into the nostrils, and all the exposed skin seemed to be cut by the cold wind like a serrated blade.After leaving the warm room, his fingers and toes soon began to numb from the cold. Owen twitched his frozen nose, and was about to cast a warming spell on the two of them, but someone grabbed his hand.

Tom's palms were warm and dry, and he took Owen's hand, tucked it under his cloak, and twisted his wrist.Naturally, they clasped their fingers together.

"Of course, I don't think it's more effective than a warming spell - if you must cast it, then do so." The tall man looked straight ahead, as if Owen was really completely transparent to him Same, "I sometimes use it on long walks on winter nights, after all."

"...Do you often travel long distances in winter nights?"

"Not often," said Tom quietly, the snowflakes falling on the top of his head, standing out on the ends of his black hair, "only a few times when we came to Hogwarts when it snowed. If it was too cold, I Will have a drink when we get back to Hogsmeade."

Owen blinked quickly, and said narrowly, "Someone is waiting to pay for you at the bar?"

A thick layer of snow had accumulated under their feet, and there was a creaking sound when they walked. They walked in the snow with one deep foot and one shallow foot.Tom, who used to walk very fast, slowed down a little now.

"Yeah, of course Voldemort doesn't have to pay for it himself, does he? Not only that," Owen heard Tom drawl, "There are people trekking with me on snowy nights - willingly." Tom raised the corners of his mouth and looked aside Smiling, Owen was sure those piercing black eyes meant nothing to anyone else but a cloud of dark air and a snow-covered pine tree beside the road in that direction. Staring at him deviantly.

"Oh." Owen was stunned for a moment, he licked his lips without knowing what to say, and lowered his head in a strange mood, "Of course, there will certainly be many people following you—"

But Tom cut him off bluntly: "But I've never let anyone walk beside me, let alone—" He squeezed Owen's hand tightly, paused, and said, "From Hogg I am more used to walking alone when Maud arrives at Hogwarts," he sneered, and looked at the invisible man beside him, "except that no one talks, it is actually the same as now."

Owen felt his heart stop suddenly. He watched Tom open his mouth, but he could barely make some funny little sounds from his throat.

"Come on, Billy, the long road is not as difficult as you think, you just have to take a step forward." Tom continued in a soft, casual voice, "—concentrate on your feet so that you can forget about the long hours."

"...When will you get rid of the habit of calling Billy and Owen mixed up?" Owen was finally able to control his voice, he murmured something in a low voice, unconsciously stroking Tom's round fingertips, and suddenly felt sorry for what he missed Frustrating 20 years, "...I don't remember us ever going this far before."

"Ah."

"—I have never caught up with such a heavy snow."

"Ah."

"But the weather seems to be fine in winter, and I think the fire in the Three Broomsticks should be quite warm."

"--what do you want to say in the end?"

"I want to buy you a drink," Owen pinched the slender fingers between his fingers, but his little rebellion was quickly controlled by Tom.He let that person hold his hand tightly, and continued without thinking, "I will pay you this time. Stop oppressing your subordinates, if you agree," he shrugged, "In the future you I'll pay for all the drinks, so you can drink whatever you want."

Tom turned to look at Owen.This tall man was wearing a long black cloak, his face was as white as the snow falling on his shoulders, he didn't smile or even express, he just pressed his lips tightly, his eyes were shining like stars in this hazy snowy night.

"Good idea." After a while, he turned his gaze back, and finally couldn't help but raise the corner of his mouth slightly, "It's just that I want to change the day, what a pity—this time my regret is sincere—but I I can guarantee that today will not be a dull Friday night."

They continued walking side by side, neither of them let go of holding each other's hand.A drunk who staggered up this path from Hogsmeade would probably find this rather strange—how could a tall man in a black cloak walk like that on such a cold winter night? Lighthearted, as if his mood was happier than walking under a clear starry sky.

At the end of the main road, there was a hazy orange light in the windows of some faintly visible shops.

72 A Miracle of Merlin

The street market was shrouded in a dreamlike hazy orange light, the ancient stone road was covered with snow, and there was a kind of wet dark stain in the cracks between the bricks.In this wet and cold night, even the breath of mist was chilling, but the lights in Hogsmeade's shop seemed so warm.At the door of the Three Broomsticks, a very shabby-looking wizard looked inside longingly.

But of course Mrs. Rostammer would not let him in: "Don't come in," she said loudly to the sleazy wizard as she opened the door a little, "or you could tidy yourself up a little and then you could come in and have a drink. Wanted the mint Dutch schnapps... oh-" The poor wizard walked away disappointed.

Rostamer looked away, and was visibly stunned in disbelief when he saw a tall, thin, dark-haired man standing in the doorway.But she quickly reacted, showing a polite yet charming smile, lowered her eyes and said, "Merlin, I didn't expect——you came from Hogwarts? Please come in... the weather is so terrible. Enough, it must be cold, right?"

"It's okay." That handsome and pale face was no different from the ice and snow outside, and his tone was the same. The Dark Lord's demeanor was not softened by the beauty of the witch in front of him, "Good evening, Rostamer , I’m here to get the things I deposited with you two days ago.”

Owen was standing next to Tom, and their hands were still secretly clasped under the cover of a large cloak.

—Tom deposited something here?He frowned suspiciously and began to wonder what that might be.But since it's stored here, whatever it is, probably won't be extremely valuable or extremely dangerous-this doesn't quite match Tom's usual taste and style.

Rostamer said yes, and hurried back behind the bar.Her wine red high-heeled shoes squeaked, and the warm smell of the room came out with the smell of wine. Owen couldn't help looking inside, thinking that the expression on his face must be the same as that sloppy one standing at the door just now. Wizards are very similar.

Owen squeezed Tom's hand, and asked him with his eyes - what did you deposit here?

What responded to him was a flirtatious and nasty smile—your curiosity is really everywhere, so restrain yourself a bit.

Rostamer is back soon.To Owen's surprise, she handed out a brightly colored small box with both hands, and her expression was obviously as curious as Owen's: "Why don't you go directly to Honeydukes—" She immediately said warily after seeing the face of the man in front of her. Shut up and stop, I have to say that she is much better than Owen in terms of restraint, "So—" she asked cautiously, "You don't need to come in and sit down and have a drink or two?"

"No need—" the man said flatly.His deep black gaze penetrated the foggy glass of the bar, and the two tables seated there stood up abruptly as if pierced by his eyes, and Owen caught a glimpse of two of them already putting their hands in. Robe, which seems to hold a wand.

After hearing the Dark Lord's answer, Rostamer was almost relieved.Unfortunately, the man in front of her backtracked quickly: "I'm not going in. But get me a hot chocolate punch."

"..."

Rostamer went to the bartender with a rather odd expression—as if he had never imagined that this person would drink such a drink.Fortunately, her movements were quite nimble. After the long black cloak shook off the snowflakes, drawing a black shadow like a raised devil's wings, and finally disappeared into the dark street corner, she finally shook her head with confidence and closed her eyes tightly. door of the bar.

"This is—" In a deserted alleyway, Owen shook the box and sniffled lightly, then he looked at the tall man with an expressionless face beside him in disbelief, "Candied pineapple! "

Tom snorted without answering.

Merlin, this is unbelievable!Owen opened his mouth - what is certain is that the destination of their trip is by no means just Hogsmeade.

"Are you going to take me to meet... her?" he asked softly, looking at the colorful box with a complicated expression, "I didn't expect you to know that she also likes this—and loves to be eaten by the special food in the Three Broomsticks bar. This one pickled in pineapple liqueur."

"After all, she shed a lot of tears for you at that time, although I think it was really unnecessary." Tom said without any ups and downs, and he glanced at the box in Owen's hand with some disgust, "Remember this is you Bought it. Alright—drink your drink quickly," he raised his eyebrows mockingly, "as for the drink, you owe me this drink."

"You drank it yourself, although it was at my strong request..." Owen muttered softly, but according to their agreement, of course he should pay for it, "Well, it's only fourteen Sickles anyway."

"Great," said Tom, with a sideways glance at him. "Looks like this isn't the time to try to figure out a discount for two boxes of sweets and quills."

"..."

Owen gritted his teeth and downed the last two sips of piping hot punch, and Merlin, bless him, felt much warmer, thanks to his sometimes caring and mean lover.The street was dark and empty, except for the cold wind mixed with snowflakes passing through the alleys.There was no one around, but he lowered his voice just to be cautious: "We're going to Apparate until—"

"No, I'll take you away."

Owen looked up at him: "I can—"

"You can't. Come closer and hold on to me."

"..."

"You know what you are. It's not just your wand that's going wrong," said Tom suddenly sternly. "Keep an eye on your body, Owen Scholl, and I won't allow any more accidents." .Don't take it on deaf ears."

Owen admitted that Tom was right, that they couldn't tolerate another separation, but this had nothing to do with his slight irritation: "But I'm not as weak as you think—"

That one turned a deaf ear at all: "Be quiet now, hold on to me."

Owen said dryly: "...you don't have to pull it too tight at all. If I let you take me, I just need to put my hand on your arm and—"

Before he could finish his sentence, he was suddenly dragged into the arms of the man who had finally lost his patience.Those cold silver buttons were so painful, and the snowflakes on Tom's shoulders that rustled down Owen's cheeks.

"I hope you're really stupid and not pretending to be," Owen heard Tom's threatening sarcasm ringing above his head, "—and I feel a little better that way."

Owen was about to speak, but a terrifying whirl swept over him immediately.

The suffocating feeling oppressed every part of him from head to toe, and even the internal organs seemed to be churning upwards along his throat.He hugged Tom's waist tightly, feeling that only what surrounded him and what he embraced was the most reliable truth.

—when the almost unbearable pain was gone, there appeared the wrought-iron gates, the neatly trimmed hedges, and a respectable mansion.The fountain in the garden was murmuring, and at the end of the long gravel road, the tall building was brightly lit.

Walking into the luxurious and spacious foyer, a heavy wooden door opened automatically.A not-so-short man stood behind. He was wearing an elegant dark gray robe, and his platinum-blond hair was even more dazzling in the brilliant lights.

Abraxas Malfoy bowed slightly to the haughty black-haired man in front of him, his voice was much lower than it was 20 years ago, but there was still a bit of laziness that couldn't be removed: "Please forgive me My disrespect, my lord, out of the secrecy of your night visit, I did not greet you at the door—”

"It's not your fault," Owen heard Tom say curtly, "Besides, I was twenty minutes early."

Abraxas smiled quickly, and together they walked across the thick, soft carpet as the door to another room opened.

The proud and indifferent Mrs. Malfoy stood quietly in front of the fireplace, and when she heard the voice behind her, she turned around and nodded slowly - Owen bet that this was definitely the most submissive Lucretia could show Posture.

"Welcome to visit, sir." She said elegantly and politely, but at the same time raised her beautiful eyebrows reservedly, "but please forgive me, I really don't understand why you asked to see me in particular, I thought Abraxas was enough I have done you a favor. I would be very grateful if you would explain a little."

"It's not that I'm coming," the Dark Lord replied with the same nonchalance, "it's that someone else is coming to see you."

The black-haired man moved aside slightly, and the next moment, a boy with brown hair and blue eyes appeared out of nowhere beside him.The light blue eyes of the Scott family's logo flashed. The boy was wearing a black cloak that was too long, and looked a little embarrassed. However, he touched his nose that was red from the cold, and soon showed a calm smile .

Both the Malfoys looked a little surprised, but this surprise was expressed very restrained, especially the lady, she blinked a few times at best.

"—Good evening." Lucretia still had the same faint expression, "Although I don't know what's going on with you, it must be very hard to drive on a snowy night. I think you'd better come and warm yourself by the fire, Owen."

"He's not Owen Scotch," said Tom suddenly, "at least not the Owen Scotch you used to know, Mrs. Malfoy."

— Mrs. Malfoy?Owen couldn't help twitching the corners of his mouth. The name came out of Tom's mouth, which was so awkward that it could be called a horror.

Owen looked at Lucretia, and Lucretia was looking at him.

After hearing Tom's words, the smartest Slytherin girl in Owen's impression at that time was obviously keenly aware of something, and her lips suddenly turned pale.The indifferent Mrs. Malfoy just now disappeared, Lucretia stared straight at Owen, and asked almost sternly: "So——who are you?"

"I think it's going to be a long story if you take it seriously," Owen said slowly, grinning uncontrollably as Lucretia walked towards him step by step from the ornately carved fireplace, "But I happen to have some candied pineapple here, and I think they'll make my story less boring—"

Lucretia's lips were trembling slightly, and Owen hurriedly strode towards her.He originally wanted to reach out to give her a big hug, but behind him, two eyes stuck to his back like a burning spell.He coughed dryly twice, and took out the colorful box from his robe pocket: "Come and see Merlin's miracle: it's rare that someone kindly prepared this—it's even rarer than a dragon and a manticore dancing together. Hey , Luti, I kind of miss when we watched Quidditch together—"

— Before Owen could finish speaking, Lucretia suddenly hugged him tightly!Owen could feel her long, thick, curly hair piled against his neck, her shoulders trembling, and she was clearly sobbing slightly.

From the ornate gilded mirror on the fireplace, Owen could easily see the somewhat ugly faces of the two men behind him, but—whatever they were, he hugged him tightly without hesitation. Lucretia's shoulder: "Okay, old man—"

"...for Merlin's sake," said a choked, sullen voice over his shoulder, "please don't call me that. Oh, Billy Stubbs, thank Merlin...he found you ..."

"—yes, that's right...thanks Merlin," Owen stroked her long hair reassuringly—although it was almost brazen, "it's good to see you. Sorry, I didn't go to Madam Malkin's robe shop recognized you..."

Tom snorted coldly behind Owen, Abraxas had never stood so straight in his life.

But that was pretty hopeless - two of the Slytherins in the room had lost their self-control, and the remaining two didn't seem to have any fruitful solutions to it.

All we can do is wait for those two to calm down—Merlin bless, at least the traits they are proud of make this matter not be delayed for too long.

73 A Warm Conversation

In the well-decorated and luxurious living room, tall marble columns support the arched partition.Tom and Abraxas were warming in carved armchairs by the fireplace, and Owen sat side by side with Lucretia on the wide sofa.The flames in the gorgeous fireplace burn tirelessly, and looking out from the diamond-shaped windows, you can see large flakes of snow falling faintly in the dark night.

—The conversation quickly split into two groups.

"It's not surprising at all, let them talk about it." Glancing at Tom and Abraxas who were talking in a low voice over the fireplace, Lucretia turned her gaze back indifferently, "Since they were students, they have There are countless secrets."

Owen chuckled shortly: "It seems to them that I am the same as you."

"It's not fair that they are the only ones who have secrets all these years after graduation," Lucretia snorted, her eye circles still slightly red, but the haughty and sullen look returned, The reason why I miss you so much — nothing else."

"Of course," Owen smiled knowingly, "Of course."

Lucretia called for Chris, the house-elf butler, and the obliging old Malfoy servant was quick with some liqueur. "No more snacks and coffee," Lucretia said. She glanced at the colorful box that Owen brought on the round table beside her, and finally smiled faintly. "Thanks, Chris."

The elf bowed, and then disappeared with a bang.

The voices of Tom and Abraxas were extremely low, and their profiles were reflected in the crackling fire, which made them look extremely pale, and the crackling sound of the flames completely covered their voices.One of the two men was quiet and thoughtful, while the other frowned solemnly.Only when they raised their eyes towards the sofa did they reveal similar smiles that were almost invisible.

On the other hand, Owen has almost finished telling Lucretia about the bizarre magical accident.Of course, he's still hiding his part from the future.

"I didn't expect you to believe it so quickly," Owen touched his nose, and then gestured to his face, "Look, after all, I look completely different from before—"

Lucretia pondered for a long time: "Don't be stupid," she said, "When he just came in, he said 'there is someone' in that tone, and the expression on his whole face was different from usual. If he wasn't inside Del, I’m afraid he flew up long ago. And the look in his eyes when he looked at you, how many years have I not seen him look at a person with that kind of eyes—Merlin, what else can’t you guess?”

"Thank you - I noticed, you still call him Riddle?" Owen hurriedly stopped her and changed the subject at the same time.He felt his ears "boo" burning.There was no doubt that Lucretia had seen through his relationship with Tom, but that was a different matter from her speaking so bluntly and bluntly about it.Owen's eyes drifted involuntarily to the fireplace, and Tom happened to look at him too.

You came yourself--said the black eyes gloatingly.

Forget it—Owen looked back helplessly.

"There are some things about boyhood that never change in my opinion. What else should I call him when we're chatting with you?" Lucretia said flatly, "—My lord? The Dark Lord? Or— —" She sneered coldly, but Owen understood that she was still kind, "Your one?"

"...I haven't seen you for so many years," Owen twitched the corner of his mouth, and he forced out the words dryly, "Liu Di, you really haven't changed at all..."

"You're wrong." Lucretia said calmly, "Objectively speaking, I've become more and more mean. You know—" She suddenly raised her eyes and glanced at Abu who was lazily resting his elbow on his chin in the carved armchair Laxus, who didn't know why, immediately straightened his body, "With a husband like this, I must be tough. He can't destroy Lucius."

"..."

It was such a comforting good time.On Friday night, sitting in a warm room with old friends to catch up, the burning fireplace emits a unique aroma, drinks some slightly intoxicating liqueur, and the heavy snow outside the window is still falling.The only flaw was that the pineapple compote seemed too cloying, but it seemed just right for Lucretia's sweet tooth.

Just when Owen was about to drink the wine in his glass, Lucretia suddenly put down the glass: "...Have you seen it?" She seemed to hesitate a little, but finally said it softly , "That Benjamin?"

Owen was taken aback for a moment, but he still calmly swallowed the last sip of the alcoholic drink.Fortunately, the two conversations in front of the fireplace and between the sofa were parallel, and no one was looking this way.

"Of course I have." He replied in a low voice, and smiled self-deprecatingly, "He was a teaching assistant for a while. You——Liu Di, do you know who he is?"

"I don't know." Lucretia answered honestly, and she frowned, "I'm sorry to disappoint you, Billy, but after all, this society is not Hogwarts back then, and I have no information to let me know the identity of that person ’” She raised her jaw at Tom calmly, “Didn’t he tell you?”

"No. But I got a promise that I will always be told." Owen said in a deep voice, "You know—" He couldn't help but glanced at the fireplace, "There are some things he rarely let me know ——It’s been like this since I was a child. I know I missed a lot, and there is no doubt that he should have a big plan in the near future—” He took a long breath and smiled bitterly, “But obviously he didn’t intend to tell me. It’s useless to ask, I can only guess as best I can.”

"But I'm afraid you won't be able to figure it out. It's like a mystery . . . that man appeared out of nowhere," said Lucretia, brushing her thick black hair by her ear. I was shocked, it was so similar-it was almost made in your image. But soon no one dared to say anything... To be honest, people who watched with cold eyes will definitely find that the entire wizarding world is getting more and more serious. It's getting more and more like a mystery..."

Owen groaned in his heart, but he didn't say anything.

"...The current situation is very bad, as you have seen, because of the issue of bloodlines, the entire wizarding world is almost split into two camps that are incompatible. There are also some mixed-bloodists who mediate in the middle under the banner of false harmony. In fact, they want to divide A piece of pie. You know I'm not a fanatical pure-blood, but I have to say, it's not easy to defend the interests of pure-blood," Lucretia said in a low voice, "Differences and disputes don't happen overnight—"

"I know," Owen took her words, he breathed a sigh of relief, "—I know. The number of pure blood is decreasing, and more fresh blood needs to be renewed. Muggle-born wizards should be recognized and respected. Proper maintenance—it is true that this is an inevitable trend, but for a considerable number of noble families, the dilution and mixing of bloodlines is an intolerable betrayal. The evil has been accumulated for a long time, and when it is about to explode..."

His fists on his knees were clenched silently, and such worries had tormented him silently for many nights—what will the situation turn out to be, and what will the future be like?Decades later, the magic world seems to have finally reconciled, but in fact it has only reached a delicate balance, and even this balance has to go through bloody battles. Owen seems to know it better than anyone, but he is also better than anyone. all more confused.

"So," Owen was silent for a long time, and finally continued, "I decided to give up looking for the answer to the mystery about Benjamin. After all, there are other more important things in front of us."

"Do you believe that one day you will know the answer?" Lucretia chuckled lightly, slowly stroking the exquisite wine glass in her hand with her index finger, "You must know 'your one'—" she added the accent deliberately, "I have always regarded silence as a virtue."

"——I choose to believe." After sitting for too long, Owen straightened his waist on the sofa, and he responded to Lucretia casually, "When it comes to the habit of keeping silent, who among us is not? Like him I have never said that to me—” He paused, and smiled with an unclear meaning, “Of course, to be fair, I have never said that to him—but there is no doubt that we know each other’s intentions clearly ...I think that's enough."

Lucretia raised her eyebrows. She blinked quickly and looked at Owen in silence for a while.

"—Of course, who's to say otherwise. Well," she paused for a moment, then smiled suddenly.As if on purpose, Lucretia raised her glass to the fireplace, then turned back to Owen, "I think you should take a look there now—obviously, someone is looking for your gaze."

Owen gave her a helpless look, and without thinking he could tell from the heat on his ears that they must be red again.He really did what Lucretia said, and he really met Tom's deep eyes.It was only for a moment, and they tacitly looked away at the same time, but Owen's fist on his knee was slightly stretched.

"Come on," Lucretia's voice of flicking the cup brought Owen's attention back, she sat up gracefully, looking quite happy, "you are talking to me now, concentrate, we can change to a more relaxed topic of."

Owen looked at her hesitantly, and suddenly an ominous premonition rose in his heart——

"—I have to talk to you about Lucius," said Lucretia without hesitation, and she smiled meaningfully. "If I remember correctly, he should live with you, shouldn't he?"

"..."

The heavy snow that had been falling all day finally stopped.

The cold wind is still howling, but the moonlight reflects the snow, and the night sky looks extraordinarily clear.It was easy to see, against the dark blue sky, the bright morning star shining brightly.

A tall man in a black traveling cloak emerged from a stately mansion along a wide gravel drive.There were no other figures around, no sound of wind and snow, and the night was silent.This man is like a ghost walking in the void, his steps are slow and unhurried, and there is only a slight creaking sound when he steps on the snow.

The man turned into a hidden narrow alley.The moonlight shone on his pale face, making his handsome features rare and soft.His left hand was concealed in his cloak, and his right was carelessly twisting a silver button at the collar of his cloak.Suddenly, he whispered to the completely transparent air around him: "I didn't hear what you said to Lucretia."

The silent night was broken.

A small voice sounded beside the black-haired man—but there was clearly only a clump of thorns there—if someone really spoke there, then this person sounded rather helpless: "...if you don't Come on, Tom, I'd have no doubts about it. But I can pretend I didn't hear what you just said."

Subtly, the dark-haired man smiled.He raised his head to look towards the sky, and then slightly moved his left hand hidden in the cloak.

The funny little voice sounded again, and the transparent man seemed to mutter something: "I didn't want to let go, but my palms were sweating... What are you looking at?"

"It's nothing." After a pause, "We should go. Hold on to me."

"For Merlin's sake, please, I can really—"

"I won't say it a second time."

"...Well, if you insist." The voice really gritted his teeth, "...it's really my honor..."

There seemed to be something rustling in the night, probably the sound of snow falling from the branches.The air must have trembled slightly, otherwise the tall man could not have disappeared inexplicably like this, and suddenly disappeared into the invisible nothingness.

This night, the starry sky is bright after the snow.Around the bright Orion, countless constellations are looming, almost connected into a brilliant silver map.

74 An Unlucky Informer

Life hasn't been going well for the Slytherin prefects lately.

Of course, the current prefect is none other than Lucius Malfoy who has always been at Hogwarts.