Now, Draco had become increasingly accustomed to providing some extra help for the Potter trio's adventures.
He could not help but want to help. He could never forget the helping hand Potter had extended to him, nor could he forget that Potter might be his greatest hope in defeating the Dark Lord.
Moreover, once one showed goodwill to Potter, it became difficult to hate him anymore.
Although Gryffindors could sometimes be as intelligent as trolls and act too recklessly and impulsively, their sincerity, enthusiasm, and wholehearted trust still exceeded a Slytherin's expectations.
In his previous life, his circle of friends had been limited to Slytherin. He only knew the Slytherin way of making friends, relying on hierarchy, command, and submission, and adhering to the concept of eternal interests. Obviously, this approach never applied to other houses, especially Gryffindor.
Upon returning to Hogwarts, he humbled himself and attempted to be polite and courteous to Potter, not because he had suddenly changed his personality and fallen in love with Gryffindor's way of making friends. In this life, he remained quite indifferent to those who were not related to him. But because it was profitable to do so.
However, Potter and his friends clearly did not think that way. They brought out something that seemed genuine.
What should I do? How should I respond? Slytherins have never been this open and honest. No one has ever taught me how to handle this sort of situation!
Draco often felt fearful, flustered, and at a loss when facing them.
The way Gryffindors make friends is just too shocking.
There is no roundabout probing, no covert observation, and no scheming tactics.
They are direct, proactive, and enthusiastic.
Especially Hermione Granger.
He had originally intended to be merely friends with her. He would be content as long as they did not hate each other or remain indifferent.
To his surprise, she approached him, hugged him, and smiled at him.
She was becoming more and more irresistible to him.
Draco admitted that if she encountered any problems and sought solutions, he could not help but offer her hints. He could not bear to see her distressed and trapped in her own mental blind spots.
If she came to talk to him and discuss academic issues, he could not refuse her. One would be hard pressed to find someone her age who was more intelligent than her, and no one suited his taste better.
If she could not find a classmate and stood timidly before him, or could not find a comfortable seat in the library, he could not bear to watch her suffer such injustice.
She was merely a young girl, and he could not help but want to take care of her.
His body always reacted faster than his brain. His mouth always reacted faster than his brain. His smile always reacted faster than his brain. His uncontrollable fondness always outpaced... Sigh! Draco sighed softly.
Whenever he realized that she was fine and did not need anyone's help, he wanted to leave her and return to a safe distance.
A safe distance that had nothing to do with danger.
But she would take the initiative to find him.
Ignoring his cold face, she stood before him again and again, smiling slightly at him, and came to ask him to be her partner.
Sometimes she would look at him with sparkling eyes, as though he were someone she could trust.
How precious that look is! Who could resist its power?
She is innocently trying to pry open my frozen heart, regardless of whether I will struggle or suffer as a result, or whether I will be heartbroken.
Hermione Granger, do you know that there is no light in my life?
I am the mire, the night dew, the hollow tree. I am filth, heaviness, and utter fragility.
You are fiery and unrestrained, radiant and brilliant. I am not worthy of your passionate treatment.
My life is nothing but the coldness of snow, nothing but the desolate emptiness of death.
I am doing something extremely dangerous. I am an extremely dangerous person. I do not want you to get involved in any danger.
Having been given a second chance at life, I am keenly aware of my grave sins, and I dare not hope for anything more.
All I ask is to watch you from a safe distance.
I only ask that you be happy, that no harm can hurt you in the slightest. He felt bitter inside, his head hanging low, not daring to look at her, pretending to adjust the bottles and jars.
"Draco..." she called him again, so affectionately.
Hermione Granger, do not come any closer. I will destroy you. I will hurt you. Draco thought desperately, stealing a glance at her.
She was lost in thought, tiptoeing to peer into the cauldron, her eyes sparkling.
Hermione, what am I going to do with you? He sighed, full of worry.
"Draco, come quick, look at the color of this potion!" She beckoned to him with a hint of doubt in her voice.
She seems to be in trouble.
So he could no longer ignore her.
He could finally respond to her with a clear conscience. "I am here."
I merely want to help her, to make her feel somewhat better. Nothing more. Draco told himself, and unconsciously walked toward her.