Early in the morning, before the sun had even risen, a miserable scream echoed through the Slytherin dormitories.
Draco had merely turned over in his sleep a little too dramatically—
And disaster descended from the heavens.
Something sticky and horrifying splattered all over him.
Worse—
The smell was absolutely overwhelming.
“SHET!!!”
After frantically switching on the lights, Draco finally realized what had coated his body.
Those things, created by mixing several magical prank items together, had perfectly replicated Dungbombs in both appearance and smell.
“What’s that smell?”
Crabbe and Goyle groggily opened their eyes.
Who exactly was this figure standing in their dormitory covered head to toe in brownish-yellow filth?
A thief?
A visitor?
Their boss’s room was full of antiques.
Every single thing was valuable.
“Idiots!”
Draco wiped his face furiously.
“Get me the blankets!”
Wrapped in two thick blankets, he charged toward the showers.
Luckily most people were still asleep.
He needed to clean himself before anyone found out.
“Who…
exactly…”
While showering for the twentieth time, Young Master Malfoy finally exploded into a hysterical roar.
Meanwhile—
Gryffindor boys’ dormitory.
Vincent stretched lazily after waking up.
“Ah…
this environment is much better.”
Warm sunlight poured in through the windows, driving away the cold dampness still lingering from yesterday.
As for Slytherin’s dungeon…
He never wanted to enter that place again for the rest of his life.
“Morning…”
Neville got out of bed with his eyes still closed.
THUD.
Without surprise, he fell straight off.
While their two roommates burst into laughter, Neville calmly stood back up as if nothing had happened.
“Neville, did you sleep badly?”
“No.”
He shook his head seriously.
“I’ve always been like this.”
Vincent suddenly wondered whether Neville’s absurd bad luck was actually some rare magical talent.
If good luck existed—
Bad luck should too, right?
“Stay strong.”
Vincent patted his shoulder.
“I’ll share some of my luck with you.”
Neville nodded sincerely.
“Thank you.”
“I’ll do my best not to spread my bad luck to everyone.”
“Hahahaha!”
All four boys in the dormitory immediately clutched their stomachs laughing.
Alfred Jensen and James Walker completely changed their opinions of Neville.
Originally they’d assumed the timid-looking boy would be awkward and antisocial.
But with Vincent around—
Someone who could completely ignore his image and fool around freely—
This dormitory would probably get along very well.
Reality quickly proved that true.
By breakfast time, the four had already become friends.
“My father’s a Muggle and my mother’s a witch.”
James, who was rather short, started telling a family story.
“After they got married, my dad nearly ran straight to Number Ten Downing Street.”
Alfred looked confused.
“Some kind of Muggle anti-wizard organization?”
“No, no.”
Vincent drank some warm milk.
“It’s a place specifically for professional bragging.”
“Bragging?”
James froze.
Technically…
That wasn’t wrong.
Compared to the Ministry of Magic, Neville and Alfred immediately understood.
Whether Muggles or wizards—
Great Britain truly got worse every year.
What was the Minister of Magic best at?
Besides giving himself medals—
Publicly praising himself in newspapers.
“Gugu!”
A round brown fluffball suddenly descended from the sky and landed directly in front of Vincent.
Vincent held him with slight disgust.
“Professor McGonagall still hasn’t started your weight-loss plan?”
“GUGU!!”
“Alright, alright.”
“You’re Hogwarts’ most noble owl.”
“You deserve special treatment.”
Neville leaned closer.
“You can actually understand owl language?”
“No.”
Vincent fed Gugu a slice of ham from his sandwich.
“I just kind of understand what he means through instinct.”
“Wow…”
“That’s incredible!”
Not long after the three finished marveling—
A large flock of owls flew into the Great Hall.
One of them landed before Neville.
Tilting its head, it seemed to indicate something.
“I think it wants milk.”
Neville pushed over his cup before unfolding today’s newspaper.
“Vincent!”
“You’re in the paper!”
Excitedly, he began reading:
“Mr.
Vincent Wayne, who enrolled yesterday, successfully created new Hogwarts history…”
James immediately looked jealous.
“This reputation is almost Harry-level.”
“Not even close.”
Vincent lifted another sandwich.
“Give it ten days.”
“People will forget who I am.”
“I envy your mentality.”
Alfred pushed his own milk toward the owl.
“This reporter seems interesting.”
Neville pointed at the article’s signature.
“Cute Little Beetle.”
Could that mean Rita?
No matter how secure Hogwarts looked—
There were definitely many tiny holes through which information leaked.
After setting down the paper, Neville suddenly narrowed his eyes and looked around.
“I feel like something’s missing…”
Vincent patted Gugu’s giant belly.
“Trevor, probably.”
“I haven’t seen him since last night.”
“NO!
TREVOR!”
Neville’s miserable cry happened at exactly the moment Draco entered the Great Hall.
He swaggered forward with Crabbe and Goyle while arrogantly raising his head beneath countless unfriendly stares.
“That ugly toad is just as stupid as you, Longbottom.”
Before Vincent even stood up—
The twins had already squeezed over.
“Wow~”
“As expected of Young Master Malfoy.”
George dramatically sniffed the air.
“What premium perfume!”
“Ah yes…”
George closed his eyes.
“The fragrance of Galleons~”
Hermione, who had quietly been eating in a corner, completely lost it.
She instantly choked and began coughing violently.
Vincent glanced toward her.
She was sitting alone.
Looks like things among the girls weren’t as harmonious as the boys’ side.
Just as Vincent was about to go say hello—
Draco walked around the twins and stopped beside Harry.
“See, Potter?”
“They’re all hopeless idiots.”
“If you don’t want to stay with people like them…”
“I can ask my father to use his authority as a school governor and transfer you into Slytherin.”
Harry looked deeply uncomfortable.
Just as he prepared to refuse—
A tall figure suddenly appeared beside him.
“Mr.
Malfoy.”
Vincent smiled.
“I believe your seat isn’t here~”
Draco turned.
The moment he saw who it was, his face nearly cracked.
“You again, Wayne!”
Ever since yesterday—
Draco Malfoy, the noble and pure heir of House Malfoy—
Had experienced nothing but disaster.
Thinking carefully…
Everything began on that train.
He’d even specifically chosen a front compartment far away from prefects.
Planning to invite Harry to enjoy a wonderful journey together.
And the root of all his suffering—
Was one ugly, stupid toad.
Draco smiled.
A terrifying smile.
“Duel, Wayne!”
He stared directly into Vincent’s blue eyes.
“A wizard duel.”
“We settle everything with magic!”
Vincent curled his lip.
“That breaks school rules.”
“And besides…”
“What if you don’t show up?”
Fred and George instantly led Gryffindor into explosive laughter.
Draco’s face reddened.
He swung his arm dramatically.
“Ridiculous!”
“The Malfoy family never runs away!”
Even Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs secretly watching nearby couldn’t stop laughing.
…
…
THNN
(End of this chapter)