Harry Potter and the Secret Treasures

Malfoy hadn’t done anything good since becoming prefect last term.

Not only did he serve the Inquisitorial Squad and cause trouble for Gryffindor, but he also frequently bullied first-year students.

Especially at the beginning of the term, Malfoy led Goyle and Crabbe around the castle, looking for students who violated discipline or deducted points for any reason, or even gave other punishments, excessively using the power of the prefect.

He enjoyed it, proudly displaying his prefect badge at every opportunity. But now, he was voluntarily giving up his prefect position…

“You know, Harry, I kind of agree with you. Malfoy’s really suspicious. It’s not like him to pass up the chance to demonstrate his power as prefect. He was showing off his power last term,” said Ron, demonstrating the rude hand gesture again. “I have a plan. Why don’t we strip him naked and see if he has the Dark Mark on him?”

He brought up the plan that had been rejected by Evan and Hermione earlier, hoping to get Harry’s support.

“Stop mentioning that ridiculous idea. If Malfoy isn’t a Death Eater, you two will be in big trouble. Why can’t we come up with a safer plan?” said Hermione. “Even if he’s really a Death Eater, he can’t do anything in school.”

“You’re too optimistic, Hermione. Don’t underestimate Malfoy,” said Ron, still looking at Harry. “What do you think?”

“We could consider this idea as a last resort,” said Harry, his mind racing.

The speculation about Malfoy’s suspicious behavior in Knockturn Alley came back to Harry’s mind, like a slideshow, replaying scene after scene.

Before the train started, he had talked to Mr. Weasley about this, but Mr. Weasley was unwilling to believe him. Various signs showed that Malfoy’s behavior was suspicious, but they lacked sufficient evidence. Could they really do what Ron suggested…

“Come on, you two are overestimating Malfoy. Elaine just said she doesn’t know of any connection between Malfoy and the werewolves. We didn’t even see where he went that day. It was all based on what that last werewolf was babbling about,” said Hermione. “I think it’s smart of him to give up being a prefect. He knows that if he stays in the role, he’ll have to take orders from Evan and won’t —”

Before she finished speaking, the compartment door slid open and a breathless third-year girl stepped inside.

“I’m supposed to deliver these to Neville Longbottom, Harry P-Potter, Elaine Slytherin, Hermione Granger and Evan Mason,” she faltered, as her eyes met Harry’s and she turned scarlet. She seemed to have a crush on Harry.

She was holding out five scrolls of parchment tied with violet ribbon, with their names written on them.

Evan and the others took the scroll addressed to each of them and the girl stumbled back out of the compartment.

“What is it?” Ron asked curiously, staring at the scrolls in their hands.

“An invitation,” said Harry.

“It’s from Professor Slughorn,” said Evan, tossing the scroll aside without even looking at it. He knew what was inside.

Dumbledore had previously said that Slughorn might be wary of his strength and that he would need to observe for a while before deciding whether to win him over. Now it seemed that Slughorn had made up his mind at an astonishing speed.

For sure, he would not let Evan go and would definitely try to get him to join his club.

“He’s inviting us to lunch in compartment C,” said Hermione, reading the scroll.

“Sounds nice, free food. But will what he’s prepared suit our tastes?” Elaine asked doubtfully.

“Wait, who’s Professor Slughorn?” asked Neville, looking perplexedly at his own invitation.

“New teacher,” said Harry. “Well, I suppose we’ll have to go, won’t we?”  

“Yes, it’s very rude to directly reject a professor’s invitation,” said Evan. “But if it gets boring, we can leave early, which should not be considered rude.”

He didn’t dislike Slughorn, nor was he against the club, he just didn’t want to be asked those awkward questions.

“But what does he want me for?” asked Neville nervously, as though he was expecting detention.

“We’ll know when we get there. It’s not a bad thing,” Harry reassured him. Suddenly, an idea flashed in his mind. “We could go under the Invisibility Cloak, then we might get a good look at Malfoy on the way, see what he’s up to.”

“Are you sure?”

The corridors, which were packed with people on the lookout for the lunch trolley, were impossible to negotiate while wearing the cloak.

Despite that, Harry stuffed his Invisibility Cloak into his bag.

“Harry, don’t do anything stupid,” said Hermione worriedly.

“I’m just bringing it, just in case,” Harry mumbled, following the group out of the compartment.

The carriage was packed with students. When they came out, everyone stared at Evan and Harry with curiosity in their eyes.

Some students would even hurtle out of their compartments just to get a better look at them.

This phenomenon had been going on for a while, ever since the news of Voldemort’s resurrection was confirmed.

But it must be admitted that the series of events that happened during the summer vacation and the panic of their families made the students truly realize how serious the situation was. They were always slow to realize such things, so their glares now had become more unbearable.

Evan had experienced this feeling when he was on patrol in the morning, and many people were staring at Elaine.

For Harry, it was the first time he had left his compartment, and now he wished he could throw on the Invisibility Cloak and disappear from sight.

Everyone was pointing and whispering about them. The exception was Cho Chang, who darted into her compartment when she saw Harry coming.

As they passed the window, they saw her deep in determined conversation with her friends.

Ever since Gryffindor defeated Ravenclaw in the final Quidditch match of last term, Harry and Cho’s relationship came to an end, as did Ginny and Michael’s. As a result, many Ravenclaw students also withdrew from D.A. activities.

When they reached compartment C, it was already full of people. Slughorn had invited more than just the five of them.

You had to give him credit — despite his age, in such a short time, he had managed to comb through all the student records at Hogwarts and identify his targets, although judging by the enthusiasm of Slughorn’s welcome, it was clear that Evan, Harry, and the others were the most warmly anticipated.

Especially Evan, Harry and Elaine. When Slughorn saw the three of them, his eyes practically sparkled with excitement.

“Oh, my dear children, I am so glad to see you,” he said, jumping up at the sight of them so that his great velvet-covered belly seemed to fill all the remaining space in the compartment. His shiny bald head and great silvery mustache gleamed as brightly in the sunlight as the golden buttons on his waistcoat.

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