Struggling to survive at Hogwarts

Thea arrived at Malfoy Manor using a "port key".

Because of her lack of experience, she almost fell when she landed, but fortunately Narcissa held Thea's wrist tightly the whole time, so she didn't fall.

Thea, are you alright?

Narcissa patted Thea's back with some concern, while Lucius, standing beside her, also cast a worried glance at Thea.

"I'm fine, Aunt Narcissa and Uncle Lucius," Thea said after a moment's pause. Recalling the feeling of her belly button being hooked, Thea thought to herself: Why does the wizarding world have such an inhumane way of traveling!

Before she could continue complaining, Narcissa led Thea into the manor. Thea noticed that they were now next to a fountain, which was still diligently spraying water despite it being winter.

Thea surveyed the scene without making a sound. The foyer was spacious, with portraits hanging in the long corridors, and almost everything in sight was covered with luxurious carpets.

The interior of the manor is extremely luxurious, with opulent furniture, marble fireplaces, and gilded mirrors. The living room features purple wallpaper and a large chandelier.

"This place is so beautiful," Thea exclaimed.

“I’m glad you’re happy. Are you hungry? I’ll have them prepare dinner. Is there anything you’d like to eat?” Narcissa greeted Thea warmly.

Thea nodded honestly, looking at the girl's obedient appearance.

Narcissa couldn't resist reaching out and gently pinching the girl's cheek, a gesture that drew a complaint from the girl, and the two laughed and joked around.

Back at his manor, Lucius visibly relaxed. He leaned back on the sofa in a completely relaxed posture, looking at the two people on the opposite sofa with the eyes of a dragon looking at its treasure cave, a slight smile playing on his lips.

After dinner, Narcissa, thinking that Thea might be exhausted, took Thea upstairs to rest—which was clearly not in accordance with aristocratic etiquette.

Lucius tried to defy her with his eyes, but Narcissa showed through her actions that she would not compromise.

So Lucius could only pretend not to see them and let the two go upstairs.

Thea obediently let Narcissa lead her, until Narcissa stopped in front of a door on the second floor. She pushed open the door and said, "Thea, this is your room."

Seeing the undisguised joy on Thea's face, Narcissa couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache: Merlin! This is the heir of the Black family! My own niece!

She's actually so happy about having a room all to herself! Those useless things couldn't even protect a child...

While Thea was observing the room, Narcissa continued, "Auntie didn't know what you liked, so I just added a few pieces of furniture. You can arrange it however you like."

Upon hearing Narcissa's words, Thea hugged Narcissa tightly, and Narcissa hugged Thea back.

"Thank you, Auntie. You're so kind to me."

"Silly child, no need to thank me, it's what I should do." After saying that, Narcissa kissed Thea's forehead. Afraid that staying any longer would disturb Thea's rest, she said goodnight to Thea and carefully closed the door as she left.

Only when the footsteps outside the door gradually faded away did Thea take a good look at the room: unlike the deep purple wallpaper in the hall, Narcissa had obviously taken into account a girl's aesthetic.

So the wallpaper in the room was changed to off-white, but the room's decorating style followed the owner's luxurious habits. The sofa, armchairs, round table and wardrobe were all elegant pure white, with light gold trim around the edges, making it noble yet graceful.

Every corner of the room was carefully decorated with blooming flowers, making the room look vibrant and full of life.

Despite feeling overwhelmed by physical exhaustion, Thea persisted in recording her day's events in her notebook before finally drifting off to sleep.

"I need to get a new laptop tomorrow." That was Thea's last thought before she fell asleep.

When Thea opened her eyes again, it was already bright daylight. Thea recalled what had happened yesterday and, somewhat childishly, ran barefoot to the window. She suddenly pulled open the curtains, and the sunlight gently shone on her face, making her look like a god bathed in holy light.

Thea laughed at her own analogy. Realizing the time, she quickly changed into a silver-green tie shirt and matching plaid pleated skirt, along with a pair of white leather shoes, following the guidance of the full-length mirror. She carefully smoothed the clothes over herself to make sure they were wrinkle-free.

Thea then slowly walked down the stairs.

Narcissa heard footsteps coming from the stairs. As soon as she looked up, she saw the girl slowly walking down the stairs, her steps unhurried, as if she had always lived there.

When Thea met Narcissa's gaze, her smile widened instantly. She quickly walked down the stairs and gave Narcissa a sweet kiss on the cheek.

She also greeted Lucius: "Good morning, Aunt Narcissa, Uncle Lucius."

Seeing the satisfaction in Narcissa and Lucius's eyes, Thea felt a little relieved.

She glanced at the empty dining table and asked curiously, "Is Draco coming back today?"

Narcissa was somewhat surprised, then praised, "Yes, Thea is so smart, Draco came back this morning."

Where did he go?

“He went to Gore’s house,” Lucius said, putting down his newspaper.

“Gow’s father and I were colleagues at the Ministry of Magic,” Lucius added, worried that Thea might not understand.

"Is that one of Draco's henchmen from the original story?" Thea knew.

After resolving her doubts, Thea moved closer to Narcissa to discuss the decorations in her room, while Lucius continued reading his newspaper.

This is what Draco saw when he entered the room: his father was still sitting on the sofa, "focused" on reading the newspaper, while his mother was talking intimately with a "strange" girl, occasionally letting out a soft laugh. The scene looked unusually harmonious, as if he were the "uninvited guest."

Draco chuckled at his own thought, and his footsteps unconsciously became heavier.

"Draco!" Narcissa called out gently, yet with a hint of excitement, and beckoned her son over.

Even though Draco still felt a little wronged, his pace quickened unconsciously.

"Mom!" Draco rushed into Narcissa's arms, and realizing what he had done, the young master's face involuntarily turned red.

Narcissa was also somewhat surprised by her son's actions. Thinking of his "aggressive" demeanor just now, the corners of her mouth turned up even wider, and she barely managed to suppress a laugh as she said, "Draco, this is Dorothea Black, your cousin."

Seeing that Draco remained silent, and even when Narcissa patted him on the shoulder, he didn't react, Lucius's expression gradually turned cold.

"Hello, Draco, I'm Dorothea." Thea greeted Draco warmly with a sweet smile.

Draco was already feeling wronged, and even though his parents had written to him in advance to tell him that there would be a new member in the family, Draco still couldn't accept it.

What he wanted was a younger sister like Astoria was to Daphne, not an older sister his own age!

Draco felt incredibly wronged!

But seeing his father's expression, as if he wanted to smash his head in the next second, Draco immediately looked to his mother for help, but his mother also said that she couldn't help him.

He changed his approach and decided to start with Thea. He stared intently at Thea, hoping to find any irregularity in her and use it as a reason to prove to his parents that he was their best son!

But Draco was ultimately disappointed.

After hesitating for a long time, Draco slowly said:

"Hello, Thea, I am Draco, Draco Malfoy."

Thea found this morning quite amusing. First, she witnessed the young master's "fierce" entrance (though it looked more like a bullied kitten waving its fists), followed by the famous scene of the young master instantly backing down.

Now, hearing the young master's affectedly mature, drawn-out tone, he thought he had concealed his emotions well, but the grievances in his voice were almost overflowing.

Thea couldn't help but say, "Draco, you're so cute."