Chapter 28: End of Semester & Plan for Summer

The final exam results had been released, indicating that the school year was coming to an end.

In the Slytherin lounge, the fireplace by the wall had stopped working due to the summer vacation and the warm weather.

Crabbe and Goyle were congratulating Draco on having the highest grades in the year, but Draco was not impressed.

"Crabbe, Goyle, enough," Draco said, making a stop gesture with his hands.

"An exam like this doesn't mean anything, and you don't have to compliment me for it."

He paused, then looked at Gore and said, "Your grades should be released by Mr. Dean soon. Good luck."

Gall didn't seem to understand Malfoy's meaning.

"What's the point of being first? The Hous e hasn't been won yet," Pansy said, still thinking about the lost Academy Cup.

"Come on, look at it this way. Even if I managed to score 20 points more than anyone else, Dumbledore would find a way to give more points to someone else," Malfoy said, trying to explain.

"Cunning old man," Pansy said.

"Okay, let's not worry about this anymore. You should start planning how to enjoy the upcoming vacation," Draco said, changing the subject.

"Isn't that something you should be considering?" Pansy asked, surprised.

"It's over," Draco said, feeling like he had chosen the wrong topic.

"I have a lot of practical work to do over the summer, whether it's magic or real life stuff. You know my father is always strict with me. I don't want to have to sponsor brooms for the team next school year. I might have to go to work over the summer to prove something, even though it's just his crap. It still makes sense, though."

"Can't we see each other over the whole summer?" Pansy asked, looking a little shaken.

"Of course not. I need time to rest, not to mention that I may not have a day off?" Draco said, shaking his head decisively. But he thought to himself, 'I might not give myself a holiday, though.'

"Well, then," Pansy said, nodding reluctantly.

"Remember to bring me a gift." She whispered.

"Of course," Draco said, readily agreeing.

The next day, the students boarded the train to go home for the summer.

They had packed their luggage and received a notice warning them not to use magic during the holidays. Draco sat in an ordinary carriage with the others.

A great man of the past had once said, "We come from the masses, and we have to return to the masses."

Draco didn't really like being alone and preferred to be surrounded by people on the way home.

The three people in the Iron Triangle were sitting a few places away from them.

"You have to come to our house to play this summer," Ron said.

"Both of you come - I'll send owls to invite you."

"Thank you," Harry said.

"I really want need to see your house and your family but I can't go without permission of my Aunt and Uncle"

"Your relatives in that family are too much," Ron said, looking a little uneasy.

"I'm used to it, actually," Harry said.

"I might have a good time this holiday, right?"

"Why, have they changed?" Ron asked.

"I think the logic of our Muggle society is very suitable for you, Ron," Hermione, who had been quiet until now, said. "Harry, you must have told them that students aren't allowed to use magic outside of school?"

"Your cousin won't dare bully you now, Harry. That's a great idea," Ron exclaimed. He turned to Hermione and said, "Don't worry, our house is first in this school year"

At this point, he noticed that Hermione was holding a magazine titled "Transfiguration Today." "I can't believe you're studying on the way home. What about that snuff box transformation? Anyway, someone who's too perfect isn't good for their house, right?"

"Ron, whisper," Harry whispered.

Hermione closed the book and looked up at Ron. "The House Cup is a collective honor, and I'm not giving up just because I can't win individually. We can add points with the help of others."

"Yeah, the principal, Professor McGonagall, and even Professor Dumbledore helped us. But they're all principals and teachers, they can't add points to their houses. Let them helped us, ha ha," Ron chuckled, trying to make a joke.

Hermione's eyes dimmed as she ignored Ron and continued reading.

"Ron, sometimes I have to tell you, try to use as few words as possible," Harry reminded him.

"Yeah, I guess you're right," Ron replied, covering his mouth and feeling like he had said something wrong, but not knowing what.

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Meanwhile, Draco was playing cards with Pansy and his friends (or followers?) to pass the time on the empty train ride.But it didn't seem very interesting, as the games he always won couldn't be fun to play.

If they were gambling, Crabbe and Gower should have lost their underwear by now.

"I can understand why you stay away from them. It must be so boring," Pansy said as she played a heart of K. She seemed to be ignoring the two followers.

"I think we should change the game," Draco snapped his fingers and the cards on the table disappeared, replaced by a pile of small cubes made of unknown material.

"What is this?" Pansy asked.

"It's a game from the mysterious kingdom of the East. I think the rules are relatively simple," Draco explained, and everyone could guess what game it was.

"Oriental again, you seem to really like their culture. Even those stories that were originally from there and now this game. Are you interested in Ravenclaw girl because she's Oriental? Was the hero's rescue from last time planned out long ago? I know you two will have a lot to talk about," Pansy said, her tone a little sour.

Draco could only sigh. 'Don't underestimate a woman's ability to make things up.'

He continued helplessly, "Let's just pass the time for now. The rule is..."

This game ended up being a hit with everyone, even Crabbe and Gower had fun.

Pansy's focus was no longer on jealousy but on the dozens of small, long squares she was transferring.

"Your game isn't fun at all," Pansy pouted after losing a few hands.

" You keep losing, you say it's boring. They're lucky, you think it's not fun again," Draco said, feeling a headache.

"So you have to help me win the next game," Pansy threatened fiercely.

As a result, the scene at the table became a one-sided slaughter.

"I won again!" Pansy exclaimed, pushing down the cards in front of her. But suddenly, they disappeared.

"Pansy, I'm sorry to interrupt your fun, but we have arrived," Draco said, clapping his hands and drawing the attention of several people.

The train had stopped.

"Fine," Pansy pouted, reluctantly accepting the reality.

She clearly hadn't recovered from the poker game.

"Next time we meet, I'll bring something more fun," Draco said, ruffling Pansy's hair.

"Let go," Pansy hurriedly brushed his hand away, her face red and seeming a little embarrassed.

These intimate actions were usually only done when no one else was around, which made her comfortable.

Then Draco helped Pansy off the train with her luggage.

Though he didn't say anything, he could tell from Pansy's eyes that she was reluctant to leave him. "But I'm really busy this holiday,"

Draco thought to himself, feeling torn. "Forget it, take things one step at a time."

After getting off the train, Draco saw the Lucius couple on the platform, waving to him.

He strode towards them.

"Pansy, I see you've grown a lot in the past year," Narcissa said, clearly focusing on the girl beside Draco.

"How has Draco been treating you at school? If he's bullied you, tell me and I'll help you clean him up." Narcissa was very protective of her son and seemed satisfied with Pansy as well.

She was pure-blooded, had the approval of her parents, and seemed obedient.

"He's been very kind to me," Pansy said, looking down and blushing.

"Of course, gentlemen are inherited," Lucius added beside her.

"Would you like to come to our house as a guest first, Pansy?" Narcissa invited.

"No, thank you for the invitation, but my father is here to pick me up," Pansy said, pointing to Hector who was still waiting on the other side.

"Well, I won't force it then. We'll have plenty of time during the summer vacation," Narcissa said, not insisting.

"Go on, don't make your father wait. He might worry that his daughter has been abducted," she teased Pansy.

Hector and Lucius greeted each other politely and then took their children back to their homes.

There was a disorienting feeling as the Malfoy family stepped out of the fireplace and looked at the familiar layout of their home, with the gorgeous carpet under their feet.

Draco knew he was home, which also meant his vacation plans had officially started.

"The first task is of course you," Draco whispered to himself, clutching a small bottle in his pocket.