HP North Star's Radiance

“Those old fogies… are too conservative.” Stella sneered. “They want me to preside over your hearing, to question you, to publicly ‘sever ties’ with you, to pull off a whole ‘righteous’ act of betraying a family member. They also want me to put in a good word for you, to let me control the hearing process, to ensure things don’t get out of control, and that you don’t receive a severe sentence.”

Prasris fully understood these Slytherins' choices: they wanted both. They wanted to keep Stella's position, having used Prasris's post-war prestige, yet now publicly distancing themselves from him so that even if Prasris fell, Stella wouldn't be implicated. At the same time, they wanted to appease and retain Prasris as a valuable asset, hoping to have Stella negotiate, saying, "Oh, we don't want to give you up either, but the situation forces us to."

—This is Slytherin, Praris knows it all too well.

Of course, Stella was also one of these Slytherins, albeit with an added layer of personal connection. Her presence here today represented both herself and the Slytherin interest group behind her.

Stella's mockery of the Slytherins was merely a way of showing that she was different from them and that her heart was with Prasris. But this didn't mean she would go against the collective decision of the interest group behind them. On the contrary, it was precisely because she needed to carry out these decisions that she came to Prasris to inform her in advance.

“I understand,” Praris smiled calmly. “You’ve had it tough too.”

Stella secretly breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Praris's words.

“I won’t let you be locked up no matter what,” Stella shrugged, speaking in a joking tone. “At worst, I’ll steer the conversation toward Dumbledore and get those reckless Gryffindors to fight for you… Who can deny your sincere desire to save Dumbledore?”

Later, in the side story, Praris 3

Due to the controversy surrounding Dumbledore's treatment, Prarese and Alexander were both temporarily suspended until Wizengamot gave a final decision, in order to avoid disrupting the order of St. Mungo's Hospital.

“You should go over to Draco’s side,” Winnie advised, “to make it easier for you Slytherins to discuss strategy. Running around all day might get you caught by reporters.”

"You're chasing me away!" Praris exclaimed, feigning surprise. "Mom—look at Winnie!"

Ms. Priscilla, who was busy making new products, smiled helplessly and said in a cooperative tone, "Oh dear, how can you rush the child like that!"

“That’s outrageous!” Praris said.

Ms. Priscilla nodded: "That's really too much!"

Winnie rolled her eyes and flopped onto the sofa: "I'm so lucky to have you guys! Prim, you spoil the kids!"

"Don't you love it?" Ms. Priscilla asked softly.

“Winnie doesn’t love me!” Praris shook her head dramatically. “Mom—look at Winnie!”

Winnie sprang to her feet in despair and fled upstairs: "Help! There's no place for me in this house anymore! Mama Prim and her sweetbaby are persecuting my innocence!"

Praris and Ms. Prie burst into laughter, and Sweetbaby had to remind her good mom that her hands were shaking and she had added too much water.

"Just add more ingredients if there's too much water." Ms. Prie shook her head with a smile. "Making more won't hurt."

Bullying Winnie is one thing, but Prarese should stay at Malfoy Manor for the time being.

On the one hand, the suspension period before the hearing was a deliberate arrangement by the old Slytherins—a period that appeared to be punishment but was actually a respite. Prader's active defense and Harry's statements had been reported, and public opinion began to shift in their favor, giving the Slytherins time and space to continue their maneuvering.

On the other hand, the persistent reporters were still too annoying, and Prarese didn't want to affect Priscilla's business, which had already been closed for several days for her Sweetbaby. Although she claimed that she wanted to develop new products herself, Prarese wouldn't play dumb and simply enjoy the fruits of others' labor.

At Malfoy Manor, it's quite a walk from the gate to the house, and even with a long neck, the reporter couldn't see anything. So, with a handful of Floo Powder, Praris ran into Malfoy Manor.

“That’s not a big problem,” Draco said slowly, stroking his chin. “Which Slytherin isn’t controversial? That doesn’t prevent us from still having power and status.”

Praris tapped the table and said, “This isn’t a crisis, Draco. Quite the opposite, it’s a golden opportunity. What Slytherin needs most right now is an opportunity… This is wonderful.”

She was referring to Draco's works.

After the Astronomy Tower incident, Draco lost interest in creation alchemy. He preferred transmutation, a preference that remained unchanged even after Dumbledore's near-death experience, much like his views on pure-blood cult and Voldemort.

After The Book of Secrets, Draco began to study the most expensive aspect of Arabic alchemy—gem alchemy.

“Arabian alchemy was influenced by both Chinese and Egyptian alchemy.” Draco stared intently at the gem before him, his light-colored eyes reflecting the light refracted by the gem. “Different magical disciplines are interconnected. Divination linked gems to the stars in the sky, and alchemists discovered the relationship between gems and destiny. And destiny itself is an extraordinary power, so gem alchemy combines destiny and power.”

In Draco's hand was a magnificent gemstone necklace. Its chain and gemstone base were made of silver, and the main body was set with yellow oval gemstones and red round gemstones. Two small ruby ​​pendants and an emerald butterfly were linked by a gold chain at the bottom, interspersed with small green gemstone decorations. It sparkled beautifully in the candlelight.

Draco stroked the sapphire and said, "Ancient Greek sorcerers believed that butterflies were related to the soul."

Praris rested his chin on his hand, his gaze shifting from the gemstone necklace to Draco's face: "A soul?"

Draco is more charming when he's focused.

“Not bad.” Draco blinked and said softly, “Soul.”

"The ultimate goal of gem alchemy remains the Philosopher's Stone, capable of achieving soul ascension and immortality. But for ordinary alchemists, we can unleash the power of the gem itself... Praris, do you like it?"

Pralis was gazing intently at Draco's focused face when his name was called, and he was startled, as if he were suddenly transported back to the day when Professor Snape called his name.

“I like it.” Praris’s sweet words came out without hesitation. “I like everything you do. You—I like you too.”

Draco thought Prares was fooling him, but he had no proof, and he couldn't help but savor the memory. He really couldn't understand why Prares didn't seem shy at all when she said those sweet words; on the contrary, it was Draco who felt his ears burning as he listened to them.

“I… cough, I’ll put it on you.” Draco coughed softly and reached out to put the necklace around Praris’s neck.

The way he put the necklace on her resembled an embrace, creating a somewhat ambiguous atmosphere. Draco admitted that he was somewhat reminiscing about the feeling of putting a lucky charm on Pralis years ago, so he deliberately made a gemstone necklace instead of something else.

Draco thought Prares deserved more necklaces. Her defined collarbones and fair skin made the necklaces look even more beautiful—of course, Prares was already beautiful enough and didn't need any necklaces to complement her, so it was an honor for the necklaces.

These thoughts must not be known to Theodore, the loner who single-handedly ostracized Pansy and Draco, vowing to drive out all those with romantic minds.

"You should date, Theo!" Pansy, still harboring mischievous intentions, egged on her childhood friend. "It'll help improve your temper and help you discover the beauty of the world... Don't rush me, I can walk by myself! Be a gentleman, you'll never find a girlfriend if you're this unruly!"

Draco snapped Theodore out of his head, put on the necklace, and sat down awkwardly.

"So, what is their power?" Praris asked with a smile.

“Ahem, power.” Draco snapped out of his reverie, a smug smirk creeping onto his face. “That’s right, they have special powers—I did it myself. It all started when you took me to Mama Priscilla’s shop, and Winnie taught me the magic of projecting thoughts.”

Della taught Praris to call her "Mama Prie" and "Winnie".

Praris couldn't help but think to himself that Winnie really relied on one trick to get by, using the same old trick to amuse the young wizard on everyone.

“I got the inspiration from this and thought I could connect emotions with gem alchemy… You remember, I made an emotion pocket watch, which wasn’t difficult for me.” Draco also seemed calm and confident when talking about his area of ​​expertise. “This gem necklace has the ability to subtly influence people’s emotions. Sapphires bring peace, rubies bring happiness, topaz brings relaxation, and emeralds have the ability to heal the soul. It is also a symbol of love and life.”

Influencing a person's inner thoughts, at a deeper level, is about stimulating their inner desires; in essence, the power possessed by the Ravenclaw tiara is similar. Praris never imagined that Draco, driven by mere interest, had already successfully grasped the true essence of alchemy.

Ultimately, Draco was making a gemstone necklace for his girlfriend, not creating a powerful magical artifact. The power of these gems was rather weak, like a bar of soap that could freshen the air in a room but couldn't completely change a person's scent.

Under such circumstances, this is a remarkable achievement for an enthusiast who has taken an alchemy course for a year and been exposed to gem alchemy for half a year.

“You’re amazing, Draco!” Praris rested his chin on his hand, looking at Draco with a smile that crinkled his eyes. “You haven’t been studying Arabic alchemy for very long, have you? I don’t think anyone has a better understanding than you.”

A recognized Potions genius who fits the description of a Potions Master in every way except for age, she sincerely praised Draco for his excellence—Draco was very pleased.

Except during Voldemort's reign, Draco was generally highly confident in his abilities. Prasris, however, was different; she was generous with her praise, but always with reason and evidence.

“The most important thing is interest,” Draco said seriously. “This is what I like to do, it’s a vehicle that fits my aesthetic, and I give it to what I like…you understand.”

“I don’t understand,” Praris said with a smile. “You could explain it more clearly.”

Draco knew Praris was playing tricks on him again, but this time he wouldn't let the wicked witch succeed! He wanted to take the initiative, appear completely at ease, and make Praris feel embarrassed!

“Then I can tell you plainly.” Draco lowered his voice, leaned closer to Praris, and said slowly in a deep voice, “This is for my beloved, do you understand? Hmm?”

Prareas raised an eyebrow.

At such close range, she would be letting everyone down if she didn't make a move!

In the blink of an eye, Praris tilted his head, found the right angle, and kissed him.

The kiss lasted less than a second; she gave it a light peck and then let go, a strange thought popping into her head: the curves of her upper and lower lips each looked just like half a butterfly! When one person kisses another, their upper lips together form two butterflies.

Does it look similar? She wasn't sure.

People in love often have overly vivid imaginations.

Praris was lost in thought, while Draco froze on the spot. He stood up straight with his eyes wide open, his right hand awkwardly covering his mouth.

They kissed, they kissed... they really kissed!

"What, aren't lovers meant to be kissed?" Praris looked up at him and said with a smile, "If you're not satisfied, I'll let you kiss me back—I'm very easy to talk to."

Draco's pale face flushed pink, but his lips remained stubborn: "Not satisfied... I, of course I'm not satisfied! It's my turn to kiss you!"

“Then you do it,” Praris said.

"I'm not ready!" Draco yelled. "Next time—next time!"

After experiencing so much, Draco's mind has become much stronger, but when facing Praris, he is still as tough on the outside but weak on the inside, and when teased, he is as cute as a little panda baring its teeth and claws.

To be honest, Praris was also surprised. She thought Draco would be too frightened to see after the war, but he was not flustered at all when he hugged his parents. On the contrary, Narcissa looked like she was still in shock.

Prarese watched Draco's research.

Draco wouldn't let his girlfriend just watch; he gave Pralis some oddly shaped stones to play with, to increase her sense of involvement.

Some stones look like fish, with eyes already carved out. Some stones are conical, resembling the Sorting Hat. Some stones look remarkably like Russian nesting dolls, with a rounded pattern on one of their blunt corners, perfectly resembling the face of a nesting doll.

Prarese then tried placing the Sorting Hat stone on the head of the Russian nesting doll, muttering, "Slytherin!"

Draco couldn't help but glance at him: "What are you doing?"

“It’s obvious,” Praris said, “the Sorting House.”

"Who else is assigned to a department so quickly?"

“You!” Praris said, “You became a Slytherin before the Sorting Hat even touched your head!”

Draco pointed at the "Russian nesting dolls" in surprise: "So...this is me?"

“Uh—” Praris’s gaze darted around, “I heard that Stella’s sorting process was also quite fast!”

Draco was surprisingly hard to fool: "Have you seen her sorting house before?"

After Draco's stern protest, the "Russian nesting doll" was forced to become Stella and placed separately on the bookshelf—since she's now an upperclassman, we can't really refine her, can we?

Praliss, having had "Stella" and the "Sorting Hat" confiscated, finally began to seriously study Draco's research. She was surprised to discover that pearls were also within the realm of gem alchemy, and had a wide range of applications.

“How strange,” Praris said, rummaging through the pearls in the box. “I thought gemstones were all minerals mined from the ground!”

“And then there are ‘living gems,’” Draco said without looking up. “Besides pearls, there’s amber…you know, pearls are grown from living shells, and amber comes from resin.”

Prarese's filter was too thick; she said, "Draco, if you were a teacher, you would definitely be a good one."

Look how patient Draco is when he explains it to her!

He even explained it in a way she could understand!

Draco, however, was quite self-aware: "You're wrong! Perhaps... it's because you're my student that I'm happy to be a good teacher."

What kind of student is it?

She wanted to receive the same treatment as Praris in front of him!

When their daily alchemy session ended, Draco and Praris went up to the second-floor balcony together.

Delacroix's gentle, spring-like "The Lark Ascending".

"Muggle music?" Praris asked. "Didn't Narcissa and Lucius speak to you?"