While diligently grooming the model student Jane Yu in the dungeons, Severus Snape unexpectedly received a package from the Malfoy family.
Inside, he found a bizarrely shaped rope and a heartfelt letter. The letter expressed the parents' earnest hopes for their son to become a shining star, their deep love practically dripping from every line. Anyone reading it would have to commend the Malfoys for their dedication as model parents — though, unfortunately, the "heartfelt" part was quite literal.
Thus, Draco was promptly apprehended by his Head of House and dragged into the dungeons. In front of Snape and Jane, the rope began to writhe as if alive. With the precision of a spellbound artifact, it shot toward Draco like an arrow, coiling tightly around him the moment it made contact with his skin. It swiftly tied intricate knots with practiced ease, while the other end soared to the ceiling and secured itself to a light fixture.
This left Draco dangling upside down, head down and feet up, creating the peculiar image of a human bell.
"Help—!" Draco's panicked cries echoed as he spun in midair, struggling desperately, but the rope only tightened its grip.
"I shouldn't have let you take up my research time," Snape said, his brow furrowed as he leaned against the wall, his gaze cold and indifferent as he watched Draco gradually cease his futile struggles. "But your doting father went so far as to invoke our old school ties just to ensure you received a proper lesson."
Despairing, Draco covered his face with his hands, his cheeks flushed either from shame or the blood rushing to his head. He twisted his body to turn his back toward Jane, as if that could shield him from her gaze. "Just let me die," was the only thought occupying his mind.
This scene was so absurd that Jane couldn't help but pause her potion brewing, her eyes wide as she watched the bizarre spectacle unfold. Memories of Draco's bold declarations from days ago flashed through her mind... atop Hogwarts' towers... at the gates of Malfoy Manor... Could it really be such a coincidence?
It seemed fate had indeed aligned so. Snape unfolded the letter and began to read aloud with dramatic emphasis: "Dear Severus: We are deeply concerned about Draco's entrepreneurial activities at school... His mind has been corrupted by Umbridge, and his behavior has become increasingly perplexing... Unfortunately, given the current circumstances, we cannot bring him home for (hanging at the gates of Malfoy Manor) (crossed out) strict discipline... Your former classmate earnestly seeks your help to guide Draco back to the right path. Narcissa and I both agree that (atop Hogwarts' towers) (crossed out) your dungeons would be an excellent choice. We hope you can tutor him to achieve respectable grades... Please also convey our regards to Jane, and hope she can persuade Draco to focus on his studies..."
Though the content in parentheses had been crossed out, Snape read it aloud nonetheless.
Draco emitted a strangled groan, a sound of vocal cords under pressure, as he dangled in mortified silence.
"Hanging at the gates of Malfoy Manor... atop Hogwarts' towers... Your father applied considerable force; the pen strokes even pierced the paper," Snape remarked with a chilling smirk. "I imagine your mother doesn't want you to become one of those wastrels we often see. So tell me, how much did you squander on that foolish Baruffio's Brain Elixir business of yours?"
The image of Kreacher cursing Sirius briefly flashed through Jane's mind, leading her to suspect Snape might be venting some personal grievances.
Draco remained silent, looking as though his soul had vacated his body.
"In other words, how much did you lose in Galleons?" Snape's patience began to wear thin. "Are we talking tens? Hundreds? Thousands?"
Draco's barely audible response came as a whisper: "Thousands..."
The air in the dungeon grew heavy. Snape inhaled deeply, his expression unreadable, while Jane wrinkled her nose in disdain as she stared at Draco.
This foolish child's level of extravagance was truly exceptional. To transform a business into a charity required a unique kind of talent.
"Very well. With young Master Malfoy's noble gesture, we could even sponsor a few more Triwizard Tournaments," Snape quipped, finally understanding why his old friend was so incensed. That figure would cause any parent to have a stroke.
He decisively declared Draco's bankruptcy and reluctantly agreed to help his old friend clean up the mess, hoping to salvage some Galleons: "As your Head of House, I must revoke your license to sell Baruffio's Brain Elixir at school. All your stock and cauldrons must be sold off. I'll buy back the leftover ingredients at cost... Any students who haven't paid, make a list, and the Heads of House will track them down..."
Sometimes, he truly felt weary dealing with this family.
"And as for you, young Master Malfoy, I must assign you a semester of detention to grow some wisdom in that foolish brain of yours before the O.W.L. exams. We can't have you becoming the first Malfoy to disgrace the family name with poor grades."
Snape delivered the final punishment on behalf of the Malfoys, his tone icy as he asked, "Before you're hung at the gates of Malfoy Manor or atop Hogwarts' towers, do you have any last words?"
The way he phrased it, it sounded more like he was asking if Draco had any dying wishes. The question sent a chill down Draco's spine.
Perhaps it was the upside-down position causing his blood-filled brain to dull, but Draco felt he couldn't quite process Snape's words. However, before his blood pressure spiked, he managed to catch the keywords "Malfoy Manor" and "towers."
This triggered something deep within him — Jane watched as the half-dead Draco suddenly began to struggle again!
Slowly, with trembling hands, he pulled a money pouch from the folds of his robes, which had been covering his face, and extended it toward her. The pouch was half-filled with Galleons. His arm trembled as he whispered, his voice faint but resolute: "Whether it's atop Hogwarts' towers... or at the gates of Malfoy Manor... I won't shortchange you a single Knut..."
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