HP North Star's Radiance

Prareas once said that before making the soul solid, it must first be stabilized. Urged on by Voldemort, this goal has been prematurely achieved.

She navigated this hurdle smoothly and used the opportunity to explore the possibilities, but the price she paid was that she was not allowed to continue her experiments at Hogwarts.

Taking leave, taking leave, and taking leave again... With the NEWT exam approaching, Praris repeatedly skipped classes, and no one knew where she went or what she did.

It's obvious that Voldemort wouldn't support her actions. He'd much rather Prarees stay quietly at Malfoy Manor until the final research results are achieved.

As everyone knows, Slytherins are all about deception. Voldemort tricked witches, and Snape and Pramanix were no less adept at it.

“Master, the subsequent research is more difficult than we imagined. The experiment cannot be conducted without Professor Snape’s supervision and assistance. But if Professor Snape were to travel between the school and the manor in my place, it would undoubtedly weaken our control over Hogwarts. Those resistance organizations… are very good at finding opportunities to exploit loopholes.”

This wasn't summer vacation, so it wasn't possible to just casually announce a change of headmaster. But if Prader didn't run back and forth, Snape would have to do it for her.

"If I disappear from the school, it will inevitably attract the attention of those with ulterior motives. The Easter holidays are approaching, and who knows if they will spread the news of my disappearance and attract the attention of external resistance organizations—called the Order of the Phoenix, right? But as long as I am still at Hogwarts, what I do will not be of much importance in their eyes. How could the Order of the Phoenix believe that a student can cause any trouble?"

This is crucial. Voldemort wanted Prareth to stay at Malfoy Manor because he didn't want the secret of his soul repair to be exposed before it was restored, so that those fools who thought they had destroyed his Horcruxes would waste their efforts.

From Voldemort's perspective, if Snape had been conducting the experiments, the Order of the Phoenix would certainly not have taken it lightly. But the one who actually accomplished all of this for him was merely a young student. Even Voldemort himself didn't have high expectations for Prader at first.

Beyond these two points, Prarese also skillfully used the art of language to emphasize the important role of the Hogwarts Library in providing references, and stated that she is more accustomed to resting in a familiar environment, and that changing accommodations would easily affect her work performance.

Finally, Prarese added that with Snape and Carole watching over her at school and Voldemort overseeing the manor, she could be "protected" in every way, and all she needed to do was make an excuse that she was working for Snape as before.

For Voldemort, Prarese's reasoning was not perfect and could not completely convince him, but it did show that he was somewhat considering Voldemort's interests.

Voldemort wouldn't easily grant his subordinates' requests, but he also wouldn't readily refuse Praris, who was currently serving him with utmost devotion. So, relying on his usual method, he once again used Legilimency to probe Praris's "secret intentions."

At this moment, Prass finally showed a bit of a student's temperament—inspired by Voldemort's great mission, she actually thought about completing the damn NEWT test!

This seemed utterly absurd to Voldemort. Even Draco, in his fifth year, knew that after Voldemort came to power, the Dark Lord's favor was more important than NEWT!

Besides, the witch also felt a certain fondness for her Slytherin bed, the food at Hogwarts, and the female classmates she would occasionally chat and laugh with.

Before this, Voldemort felt that this witch was mature beyond her years. It turned out, however, that she simply hadn't yet revealed her youthful side.

Voldemort was too far removed from his student days. Even if he weren't, he wouldn't fully understand the witches' thoughts—even though he used to be able to use sweet words to deceive them.

Such a simple reason, which did not involve any interests, was rare and bizarre, but Voldemort still pretended to be tolerant and agreed.

Leaving aside the two more practical reasons mentioned at the beginning, Voldemort discovered the Horcruxes in the Forbidden Library, which changed his destiny. Therefore, he understood better than anyone how powerful the knowledge hidden in the Forbidden Library was.

Most importantly, we must not push Praris too far. When necessary, we should show leniency in some insignificant areas, which may be dispensable to him but meaningful to his valuable subordinates.

Winnie has already taught him a lesson! You can't leave a genius like this unchallenged, but you also can't push him too far. Just get him what he wants; don't force these crazy women to do pointless things.

Don't sleep with the enemy.

No matter how much pressure you put on Praris, she can't bring herself to sleep peacefully at Malfoy Manor.

Praliss had incredibly sharp senses and was a worrier to the point of being overly anxious. Just thinking about how that manor was full of Death Eaters, and maybe even Voldemort... she'd probably develop a sleep disorder at Malfoy Manor.

The pressure of the mission was already immense! And now, with sleep deprivation, she had to be on high alert, ready to face Voldemort's sudden appearance and legionization at any moment? That was like walking a tightrope over a cliff! She didn't want to know the limits of her abilities yet—

"where are you going?"

Draco stood on the stairs leading to the ground, sunlight streaming in from behind him, casting a fuzzy halo around him.

Praris looked up at him, tilted his head, and said softly, "What?"

His lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but then he swallowed hard, his eyes darting around as he swallowed it back down. He changed his words and said, "The next class... is Defense Against the Dark Arts. I'll go with you!"

“I’m not going, Draco,” Prarese said calmly. “Headmaster Snape needs me to serve him.”

Is it really going to the principal's office?

Is it really to serve Headmaster Snape?

Although Draco didn't always walk with Praris—that was Burst and Pansy's hobby—he had long been accustomed to spotting her and letting his eyes follow her movements.

In Charms class, I watched her effortlessly cast spells. In Herbalism class, I watched her crisp and efficient movements. In the cafeteria, I watched her eat with such relish... How come this woman loves to eat everything? In Potions class, I watched her confidently operate, her face calm yet full of vigor.

Draco usually didn't look directly at her; he always glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. This stemmed from a pride he was unwilling to relinquish, but it didn't mean he looked down on Praris—how could he? It was simply because he knew Praris knew he was watching her. This tacit understanding made the corner of his eye a secret between the two of them, with everyone else merely background noise.

Therefore, everyone knew that Praris's whereabouts had been unpredictable lately. He had a vague guess as to where she might be, but he dared not think about it.

Praris should be a lonely star, high in the sky, never to fall. How could he have fallen to become someone like him?

Yes, Draco called it a fall from grace.

Draco knew better than anyone else, but he couldn't admit it. Did he really have to tear off his veneer of pride and arrogance, and starkly admit that his life was actually going downhill, that he wasn't doing so well? He couldn't do it!

Please—

Praris was stunned, somewhat unable to believe what he had just heard.

“I’m begging you,” Draco said in a low voice, his head bowed. “Think again… You’re incredibly clever, there must be other ways… Can’t you refuse? Is there no room for negotiation? Or is this your choice—that’s not what you told me.”

It seems he can do it.

Based on Draco's understanding of Praris, he absolutely did not believe that Praris would act without leaving himself an escape route. But thinking about it carefully, was becoming a Death Eater really something Praris would do?

Draco suddenly realized that he didn't actually know Pralis that well... The girl he liked was gradually becoming a stranger to him.

Is she really that thin?

Was her face that pale?

She had never looked so tired before.

Pralis couldn't look Draco in the eye anymore; she couldn't bear to see him like this... it hurt her.

"Don't stand here," she said gently. "Could we talk somewhere else?"

Logically, Praris shouldn't be arguing with Draco here; he should be heading to Malfoy Manor to continue his work.

That's what reason says, but love is the exception.

Prarese and Draco walked together to the lawn. She looked up at the castle, making sure Professor Snape could see through the window where she had died.

Just as Praris looked up, Draco suddenly reached out and grabbed her left arm, then remained motionless.

"is it?"

"Yes."

Draco said in a hoarse voice, “Coming uninvited—that’s not very nice, is it? I don’t think I invited you to my house.”

Okay, well said!

The premise is that your home still has to be your home.

"Don't you welcome me?" Praris said softly.

Draco's eyes reddened: "Not welcome."

Silence is like a spiral, drawing in both people holding hands and pulverizing them. What's shattered isn't the person, but the heart.

"Don't be sad, Draco." Praris seemed relaxed and cheerful, showing no signs of unhappiness. "At least we're the same now."

That's absolutely infuriating!

Draco was furious. He said sarcastically, "Is this what you call being able to handle things?"

“Indeed,” Prare said frankly, “because I am no different now than I was then—I said I wouldn’t lie to you.”

Anger turns to laughter; when things reach an extreme, a rebound is inevitable. Surprisingly, Draco, upon learning the truth, no longer felt pain or anger.

He sneered and said, "You're sure I won't hate you."

Praris was someone he both loved and hated—he loved her, and hated himself for loving her. Why did he have to fall for this scoundrel of all people!

“I know you won’t hate me.” Praris’s smile was gentle yet firm, as if nothing could shake her. “Because you love me.”

"Draco, what's done is done. There's no point in regretting the past. The right thing to do is to face the problems that need to be solved in the future."

“Look—I’m still standing right in front of you, perfectly fine, without any real suffering. That’s what I promised you. I said I could handle it.”

Draco felt somewhat powerless.

Prareas is always so calm and strong. Does she really need me? Even without me, she'd probably be better off than anyone else. But I can't accept the possibility of Prareas leaving. I need her help in every moment of emotional vulnerability.

This is unequal.

Draco didn't feel he was unworthy of anything; he was born, naturally, and rightfully always receiving love and wealth. In his eyes, there was no question of how to deserve love. He just needed to be himself—and love would come to him.

But he's not blind! Can't he see who's been taking and who's been giving?

"Aren't you sad at all?" Draco asked a very stupid question.

Praris paused for a moment, then said frankly, "I'm not sad, but I'm very tired. I don't want to run around at all, and I don't want to work in such a stressful environment."

She clearly distinguishes between facts and emotions. Sadness is an emotion, exhaustion is a fact. She is genuinely very tired, both physically and mentally.

Draco glanced to the side and said stubbornly, "Then I'll reluctantly allow you to hug me."

Praliss was genuinely surprised by Draco's move, and she couldn't help but chuckle: "Oh? So generous?"

"Are you going to hug me or not?!" Draco's ears started to turn red.

Praris laughed and teased Draco, "Free? I don't want anything that's paid for! I'm not some rich Malfoy with a mansion!"

"No charge, okay?" Draco took two seconds to react. "Wait, what do you mean? Do you mean I'm a prostitute...?"

Before Draco could finish speaking, Praris reached out and hugged him, burying her head in his chest.

The wind stopped, the grass stopped swaying, and the clouds remained still in place; time seemed to stand still at this moment.

Snape stood by the window, looking at the two people on the grass, then glanced at the clock in the headmaster's office, his expression calm.

Draco is Lucius's son, and someone Snape watched grow up; Snape himself openly favored Draco. Nevertheless, Snape didn't think highly of Draco—the boy was far too different from Prader, they were completely different kinds of people.

But Snape respected Prasace's choice, just as Prasace had always respected his past and choices. He knew perfectly well that Prasace was a discerning adult, not a foolish little girl blinded by emotion.

While there was a bond of affection between Snape and the boy, they also maintained clear boundaries, which made them seem less like family. But that was simply how they interacted.

Chapter 283 A Flash of Inspiration

If I can't stop these thoughts

If this is the presupposition of my belief,

Is my lament unjustified?

What have people turned into?

—"Made in Early Spring"*