HP: I beat the otome game at Hogwarts

Lyra White's luck is really bad tonight.

She was already thinking that the anti-aging agent had worn off and she wouldn't be able to complete the editor's task of making more public appearances to promote her work (Theodore Nott: I've never seen anyone attend a party and only show up in the dessert area), so she figured she might as well leave this dangerous party as soon as possible. She felt like she might have a heart attack if she ran into any acquaintances again.

Leaving went smoothly; with Theodore Nott acting as a shield, she only needed to fake a smile and play the role of a decorative vase for everyone who looked over.

Theodore Nott was only there to make an appearance at the industry party because his family owned a publishing house, and now that he saw Lyra trying to slip away early, he took the opportunity to leave as well.

Leila watched her tall dog friend fly away in his carriage, feeling incredibly envious. When would she ever be rich enough to ride in a carriage drawn by four flying horses?

The Pegasus were pure white from head to toe, without a single stray hair. Each one was majestic and upright, with an arrogant posture. The way they ran through the air with their wings spread and hooves raised was like a dance of the wind.

Lyra stood there, mesmerized, at the boarding and alighting area, her entire being seemingly captivated by the magnificent Pegasus. Perhaps her drooling, envious gaze was too conspicuous, for Draco Malfoy, who had come to the party with his father, immediately noticed her.

"What are you doing here?" Draco looked at Lyra's little dress suspiciously. The dress, which was originally silver and sequined, had been turned black, but her beautiful and ethereal face was still dazzling and outstanding even if she were covered with a rag like a house-elf.

"!" Leila groaned inwardly. She was about to leave when she bumped into an acquaintance at the door. What incredible luck!

Seeing that she didn't answer his question, and with all the male wizards around him stealing glances at the beautiful black-haired girl, the platinum-haired young master couldn't help but imagine more and more scenarios, and his anger rose steadily—

"Come with me!"

Draco Malfoy roughly grabbed the dark-haired girl's arm and forcefully pulled her into the vicinity of the party's restrooms.

Wait, isn't this the place Theodore Nott and I just left? How did we end up back here?

Lyra was on the verge of tears. She was just shocked to run into someone she knew again, and before she could react, the bad-tempered platinum boy grabbed her and pulled her away.

Why did you come here?

As soon as they reached a secluded spot, the young master of Platinum couldn't wait to ask a question.

Of course, it's because the editor practically dragged me here.

But this reason couldn't be stated directly, so Leila had no choice but to remain silent.

Seeing the dark-haired girl remain silent, yet appear so dazzlingly at this high-society party, Draco Malfoy's thoughts began to wander, and he asked her in a somber tone—

"Are you trying to curry favor with the powerful and influential at this event?"

"?" Leila was completely bewildered. What nonsense was this platinum young master talking about? If she could just stay home and cuddle with her dog, who would want to come to this place where she had to wear heavy makeup, a tight-fitting dress, and high heels to suffer?

However, as a rising popular author, the editor's ulterior motive in inviting her to the industry party was indeed to gain the boss's appreciation and promote her novel more.

Sigh, it's all about earning more Galleons; in essence, it's no different from climbing the social ladder.

Thinking about this, Lyra felt a little guilty about refuting him, and she didn't want to tell him that she was a writer. So she decided to leave it at that, as Lyra felt there was nothing to explain.

Seeing that the dark-haired girl remained silent, Draco Malfoy felt as if a monster was pressing down on his chest. He wanted to shout at her for her shamelessness, and he also wanted to scorn her for her vanity, but then he remembered that she was an orphan who had lost both her parents, and perhaps she had suffered a lot and had no other choice...

Draco Malfoy didn't realize he was making excuses for the dark-haired girl, but he did think about the struggling half-bloods and impoverished pure-bloods in Slytherin—those people were indeed having a hard time...

He could hardly imagine that this girl with black hair and gray eyes had also endured the hardships of life like these lowly marginalized people. He completely forgot that he himself had once been one of those who bullied and looked down on these poor and down-on-their-luck classmates.

Draco Malfoy knew that Lyra White had previously been nothing more than a pretty girl with some special qualities in his eyes, and liking her was no different from liking rare flowers.

But ever since she risked her life to save him from the basilisk, he knew in his heart that this black-haired girl had gone from "catching his eye" to "entering his heart," and had truly taken up residence in his heart.

Draco Malfoy gazed into Lyra's clear, bright eyes, which held an indescribable allure.

His heart trembled. He couldn't accept her being a caged canary like other girls who climbed the social ladder; nor could he accept her suffering the hardships of life like a down-on-his-luck, lowly wizard.

If you really want to climb the social ladder, you should choose me...

Draco Malfoy almost blurted it out.

He didn't say anything in the end, but simply looked away from those big, wet eyes, not daring to look any longer. Those eyes were so cold yet alluring, and he was afraid he would say something he shouldn't.

Draco Malfoy steadied himself, lowered his eyes, and said in a deep voice—

"This is not a place for you. I'll send you away."

"..." Leila was speechless, completely baffled by the platinum young master's thought process.

Tsk, after all, she saved him from the basilisk at the end of last semester. Has she forgotten all about it in less than a month?

What a heartless young nobleman! Compared to him, the tall, sarcastic dog friend is much better. Both are pure-blooded nobles, but at least the dog friend's thought process is relatively normal.

Besides, she was already standing at the door about to leave. If this platinum young master hadn't suddenly appeared and pulled her away, she would have been home with her dog by now.

*

Harry shook hands with Fudge, the Minister of Magic, and watched him leave, still somewhat bewildered.

He felt like he was dreaming. He had violated the law that minors were not allowed to use magic outside of school, inflated a Muggle, and tried to escape. Not only was he not punished by the Minister of Magic, but he was even able to live in the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley until the start of the school year.

Harry quickly pinched his thigh hard.

Ouch, that hurts. It seems this is real, not a dream. So my luck has finally turned after a night of bad luck...

As Harry stood grinning at the entrance of the Leaky Cauldron, he saw a familiar dark-haired girl in a little black dress, looking as beautiful as a fairy of the night appear before him.

only--

Why is there a house-elf next to her, and the pillowcase she's wearing has the Malfoy name embroidered on it?