20demayo Chapter 136 This is for you
Chapter 136 This is for you
The sun rises and sets, the moon changes from bright and round to looking like a pie with a piece bitten off, and the stars are arranged in regular patterns in the sky...
Even among Hogwarts students, few pay much attention to the changes in the sun, moon, and stars after their weekly astronomy class.
Of course, the fact that few people notice it doesn't mean that no one notices it.
For example, some young wizards returning to their dormitories from the library at night would occasionally look up at the bright moon or the twinkling stars overhead and marvel at the beauty of the night sky.
For example, a mischievous child who sneaks out at midnight might stare blankly at the night sky in the quiet of the night, contemplating the vastness of the universe and his own insignificance.
It's midnight on Friday, or more accurately, early morning on Saturday.
Draco Malfoy was just such a person, sitting under an oak tree, gazing at the stars in a daze.
He figured he was probably the only person at Hogwarts looking at the stars right now. After all, Filch, who patrolled the night, probably didn't have time to look at the stars; his eyes were always fixed on dark corners, looking for a student who had violated the rules so he could deduct points from that house.
Oh, Filch is looking for me, and I've already escaped. Malfoy thought to himself.
He had been waiting for a week, and he felt he could give up on this fruitless wait.
It would be impossible for him not to harbor any resentment towards that mysterious person, but he also knew that in the other person's eyes he was probably just an insignificant nobody, someone who was just being teased.
I waited foolishly for a week, and the only thing I gained was realizing that I am a weak, helpless person who is ignored by everyone.
It seems that from now on, I'll be at Harry Potter's mercy at Hogwarts. Malfoy came to this sad conclusion once again.
After a week of adjustment, he found that he could perhaps accept the current situation, instead of feeling so desperate as he had a few days ago that he wanted to escape.
"Does this count as me growing up?" Malfoy scratched his chin, muttering somewhat uncertainly.
However, no one answered him; only the sound of the wind could be heard.
And the rustling of leaves.
Leaves?
"Ok?"
Malfoy instinctively let out a sound of surprise and uncertainty.
Then he saw the fallen leaves under the oak tree fluttering and swirling, as if being swept up by a small tornado.
The leaf tornado flew away into the distance, spinning faster and faster until it gradually turned into a dark shadow.
In a daze, the dark shadow revealed the outline of a human figure.
Immediately, the tornado subsided, leaves fluttered down, and a tall figure stood there.
Malfoy was stunned for a moment, then rubbed his eyes vigorously and saw the person who had suddenly appeared by the starlight.
The man was wearing a black hooded robe and a black metal mask, making it impossible to discern his age or physical features.
It was him?! That mysterious person?!
Malfoy thought of a possibility, his eyes widened, and he quickly stood up, about to ask a question.
To everyone's surprise, the other person spoke first: "Not bad, you have passed the test."
"A test?" Malfoy couldn't help but repeat the word, his voice filled with doubt and excitement.
Although he didn't know what the test was, if he wasn't mistaken, passing the test meant there would be a reward.
Sure enough, the man nodded and said, "Yes, this is a test for you, a test of your patience. And I am satisfied that you are still here waiting for me today, and I have decided to keep my promise."
That person's previous promise was to make him stronger, strong enough that he wouldn't be bullied by Harry Potter or even Qin!
So, is this the promise that needs to be fulfilled now?
The week-long wait was worth it!
Malfoy could no longer hide his elation; a smile spread across his face. He asked excitedly, "Can you really make me stronger? What should I do?"
"Of course, as long as you have enough perseverance and are mentally prepared to become stronger!" the man said calmly.
“I do, I have the willpower! And I’m ready!” Malfoy nodded vigorously.
However, after saying that, he felt inexplicably uneasy.
After all, in the magical world, methods that can make people stronger quickly are often evil.
But is he, as a pure-blooded wizard descendant of the Twenty-Eight Holy Families, truly destined to choose the path of evil?
He was torn by this decision.
"Snapped!"
Just as he was stunned, a thick book-like object fell to the ground in front of him, stirring up a clump of grass clippings and a few withered leaves.
"This is for you," the man said casually.
"Thank you, thank you so much!"
Malfoy thanked him repeatedly, rushed forward, picked up the book, and hugged it to his chest.
It was an old-fashioned book made of parchment, and it was quite heavy when held in my arms.
"This must be a book that records mysterious magic," Malfoy thought to himself.
He could barely make out the words on the cover by the starlight, but he read out a very strange title: The Complete Guide to First Year Magic at Hogwarts.
what is this?
He looked up blankly at the mysterious masked man, and a strange thought popped into his head: Could this really be a complete guide to first-year magic knowledge, just like the title suggests?
"What, are you confused?" The man's tone was clearly mocking.
“No, I just…” Malfoy didn’t know what to say.
He wasn't confused; he was rather bewildered.
“Child, you lack the necessary reverence for knowledge,” the man said in a disappointed tone.
"...I just find the knowledge in school too dry and boring," Malfoy said, revealing his true feelings.
"Knowledge is never meant to please you. If you want to become powerful, you must have enough respect and awe for it." The man changed to a detached yet serious tone.
Malfoy listened, seemingly understanding but not quite, but that didn't stop him from thinking that what the mysterious masked man said made a lot of sense.
"It seems the test I gave you wasn't enough. If you still have the desire to become stronger, then read through this notebook. I'll be back next Friday at this time."
After saying this, the mysterious masked man disappeared from the spot before Malfoy could respond.
Malfoy stood frozen under the oak tree, holding the thick notebook, momentarily at a loss for what to do.
After a while, he flipped through the book "Hogwarts First Year Knowledge Guide" and found a line of small print on the title page, but it was too dark to read.
He couldn't resist taking a small glowing ball out of his pocket and illuminating the words on it. It read in red ink: "Read this at your own discretion, do not share it with others!"
Does red represent a warning?
Thinking of this, Malfoy's heart skipped a beat.
At the same time, I felt a bit excited.
Since it's forbidden to share it with others, it must mean that the contents of this notebook are very valuable, right?
The masked man certainly wouldn't just hand me an ordinary notebook; I must cherish this opportunity!
He said this was another test, so I must read this notebook carefully!
If I pass this test, he will definitely teach me even more powerful magic, and then I will definitely become very strong!
Malfoy clutched the notebook to his chest, growing more and more excited as he thought about it. His steps became lighter and lighter, and he soon disappeared into the depths of the path leading to the castle.
……
As Malfoy's figure disappeared into the night, a tall figure reappeared under the oak tree; it was the masked man in the black robe who had just vanished.
The man muttered, "Tutoring a child has to be done in such a secretive way. This brat is really hard to manage."
After saying this, he also started walking towards the castle.
As he walked, he took off his mask, revealing that his originally tall figure had become slightly shorter, making it clear at a glance that he was a boy whose height had not yet fully developed.
"Masks are really useful...I kind of miss Swinton..."
The boy's voice was lost in the night wind, yet it seemed to travel far, far away on the wind.