Hermione met his gaze without hesitation. "I believe it was made quite clear at the beginning of the term that years one through four fall under the jurisdiction of our Disciplinary Squad. This is not something a Ravenclaw prefect should interfere with."
Her refusal to back down was a blatant challenge. The young wizards who were originally preparing to disperse, sensing that the real show was about to begin, immediately stopped. They found comfortable spots, some even looking like they were ready for popcorn. In any world, a good commotion was prime entertainment.
"So, you're not taking me, a prefect, seriously?" A dangerous glint flashed in Alec's eyes.
The appearance of the Disciplinary Squad had made the prefects very unhappy. No one wanted a new authority managing them. The taste of power, once experienced, is something few can escape. Several prefects were already planning to teach the Disciplinary Squad a lesson. Of course, the Slytherin prefects were not among them. To become a Slytherin prefect, one was already a powerful figure, and they understood where the new lines of power were being drawn.
Hermione just looked at him quietly, her silence a clear answer.
Alec laughed, a very arrogant sound. He pulled out his wand and pointed it at Hermione. "Very well. It seems I should teach Miss Granger a good lesson."
"Respect your seniors, revere the strong."
If that Dursley were here, he might be a little worried, but Granger was just a Muggle-born witch. Even if she made a move, so what? Alec looked at Hermione, his eyes full of contempt. At most, he would be punished by a professor, but it would be difficult for the Disciplinary Squad to manage people again. Power would ultimately return to the hands of the prefects.
If it weren't for that bunch of Slytherin cowards collectively staying silent, there would have been no need for them, Ravenclaw, to step in. As for losing a fight, that was not even in his consideration. He was a sixth-year, while she was just a second-year.
In a certain room in the Slytherin dungeons, two figures sat face-to-face.
The bullying incident concerning Luna was deliberately handed over to Hermione and the others by Dudley to train their abilities. He would only step in if they couldn't handle it. However, Harry was called away on the road by Lockhart under the pretext of needing help, and Malfoy, who was originally supposed to be with Hermione and the others, was temporarily stopped by someone else.
That person was his father, Lucius Malfoy.
At this time, next to Lucius was a row of seven brooms, all the latest model: the Nimbus 2001. Don't be fooled by the fact that the Nimbus 2000 and 2001 are only one number apart. The price between the two had more than doubled, and there was a huge difference in performance.
"Father, I don't think I need these things," Draco said, not even glancing at the seven brooms during the entire process.
His father had sought him out today and expressed his intention to get him on the Slytherin Quidditch team by donating the flying brooms. Going through the back door? This was common in Slytherin, but the current Malfoy deeply detested this practice. He believed that with his own abilities, he didn't need to join any Quidditch team.
"Draco, joining the Quidditch team is just the first step. Then become captain, then prefect, and finally Head Boy."
"Honor and power. You will obtain them all."
Lucius tried to entice Draco, painting a grand picture for him, and said with great pride, "Our Malfoy family has had prefects for generations... believe me, this record will benefit you in the future."
He understood his son. Draco was taught by him from a young age. Like himself, he loved honor.
"I told you, Father, I don't need to use such methods."
Draco looked at his father seriously and said, "And I have no interest in being a prefect."
"Even if you donate the brooms, I won't join the Slytherin Quidditch team. I've already joined the Disciplinary Squad."
"Hmph, what Disciplinary Squad? That's just a child's game. I hope you'll wake up a little, Draco." Lucius sneered, his words undisguisedly filled with contempt and arrogance. "Dumbledore must be mad to have agreed to it."
"Father, you're wrong... that's not a child's game." Draco shook his head, walked to the windowsill, looked at the deep lake bottom outside, and said slowly in a tone Lucius couldn't understand, "Big D taught me many things, many things that can't be learned at home."
"I really don't know what kind of potion he's given you to make you trust him so completely."
As a father, seeing his son hold someone else in such high regard, Lucius's anger rose from his heart.
"Dursley? Just a Mudblood."
"Father!" Malfoy's face changed dramatically. His already pale face now had no trace of color. He looked at his father with unprecedented seriousness and said sharply, "This time, I can pretend I didn't hear it. But I hope there won't be a next time."
That unquestionable tone and serious demeanor were things Lucius had never seen. It was as if he was being lectured. A son lecturing his father? This was outrageous!
Lucius's anger flared. He really couldn't understand why, in just one year, his originally very obedient son, who always imitated him and looked up to him as a role model, had changed so much.
It's all because of that Dursley! The Carrow family too, they must be mad to get mixed up with a Mudblood like him! A bunch of brats, a bunch of brats who can't see reality... they'll regret it in the future.
He absolutely could not let Draco continue like this. He is a pureblood, a noble pureblood Malfoy! Not a degenerate Weasley!
Draco looked at his father and knew he hadn't listened to his words. But he absolutely could not let his father say such things again. His dream, Draco's dream, his ambition, Draco's ambition, would be realized alongside Big D.
He made a decision in his heart.
Turning his head to look at his father, he asked, "My father, I remember you also followed someone when you were young, didn't you?"
Then Draco slowly uttered a name.
"Voldemort."
When Draco spoke that name, the anger in Lucius's heart was instantly extinguished. At the same time, as if plunged into an ice cellar, he couldn't help but shiver... his eyes widened, looking at his son in disbelief.
How could he dare? How could he dare to speak that name?
"Madness... chaos... bloodlust..."
Listening to Draco's words, Lucius felt a certain mark on his arm begin to ache faintly.
"Most importantly... you and his followers, as well as he himself, all failed."
"That means, Father, your choice was wrong. The Malfoy family was almost wiped out because of it."
"And I will not walk your old path."
"Malfoy will not fail. I, Draco, will not fail. And Mr. Dursley will absolutely not fail."