Chapter 219

"I need to talk to you—more precisely, to both of you," Malfoy said. "Before Parkinson comes to you, Harry."

"We need a quiet and absolutely secret place," he said. "Can you open the Chamber of Secrets?"

Needless to say, Harry knew that Elena and Zhang Qiu were probably inside the Chamber, enthusiastically playing Red White Machine.

"That won't do," Harry said. "Let's find an empty classroom."

"I'd prefer somewhere more discreet," Malfoy shook his head. "I feel this isn't simple—perhaps someone overheard our last conversation. Otherwise, why did Eve's bloodline issue appear in the papers so quickly?"

Malfoy seemed to suspect someone in the Silver Blood family was moving against him, and that person had influenced the press. Harry knew the true instigator was Renata, but he reconsidered: perhaps Renata hadn't deduced the full plan through careful reasoning; maybe she'd learned of Malfoy's actions through a spy or traitor—then the situation changed entirely.

Yet Harry had no intention of revealing the Room of Requirement's secret to Malfoy, so finding a truly hidden place within the school became a problem.

Suddenly, a memory flashed through Harry's mind: in first year, Dumbledore had claimed the door at the end of the third-floor corridor concealed "a terrible death," when in truth, it held the obstacle course he'd prepared for himself.

"Come on," he said. "I've thought of a place."

After the three-headed dog had been moved, the door at the end of the third-floor corridor held nothing but debris. Harry, relying on memory, found the trapdoor on the floor and used Alohomora to open it.

Descending again through the trapdoor, Harry found it was merely an ordinary cellar—nowhere near as spacious as it had been in first year, and far too small to hold all those trials. Clearly, Dumbledore had once expanded it with magic.

In the dim cellar, the three sat cross-legged, facing each other.

"I'm deeply conflicted," Malfoy said. "So I want to know what you two think."

"What thoughts?" Harry asked.

"I'm fine with it, Draco," Eve said, her tone indifferent. "If Harry believes our marriage would serve a purpose, I won't oppose it—even feel a quiet anticipation."

"Alright," Malfoy's voice carried a hint of disappointment. "So this is how noble love operates."

"But I have no such plan," Harry shook his head. "I want Eve to choose her own happiness."

"You shouldn't shirk responsibility, Harry," Eve said calmly. "Whether as the Savior of the Wizarding World or simply as Lord Grantham, you owe it to your female relatives to carefully consider and select a suitable husband—not leave everything to reckless romance."

"Look at Cassandra—the bitter lesson of free love," Eve shook her head. "Do you want me to get pregnant by some random boy—like Krum—and come crying to you asking what to do?"

"Calling Krum a 'random boy' is hardly polite," Harry deflected, easing the tension slightly. "What's your view, Lord Malfoy?"

"My father's stance remains unclear," Malfoy paused. "From an adult perspective, we stand on opposing sides. Whether Eve becomes a bridge to peace or a catalyst for tragedy—still uncertain."

"But setting that aside," he said sincerely, "I prefer Eve over Parkinson."

"Is that love? You're just lusting after her beauty!" Harry snapped. "You're despicable!"

Malfoy fell silent. After a brief pause, Eve spoke: "Indeed, beyond looks, I don't think I'm much better than Parkinson."

"But if you opposed this, you wouldn't have let this conversation happen," Malfoy said.

"True," Harry sighed. "If Eve felt nothing for you, it'd be easier. Now I'm torn—strategically, I shouldn't agree; emotionally, I can't oppose it."

"What's the 'strategy,' Harry?" Malfoy leaned forward, fingers steepled. "Did you plan to follow Dumbledore's path—take up the Order, stand firm against the Dark Lord?"

"Or do you imagine you'll become political rivals, yet live separate lives?" he suggested.

Another silence fell. Finally, Harry drew a deep breath and spoke his decision.

"Don't dream of peace," Harry said, revealing his true thoughts before the two who cared for each other. "My conflict with the Dark Lord has long passed the point of no return. Before this year ends, that duel will settle everything."

"By then, either Draco, as the only Malfoy loyal to the light, will marry Lady Crawley—or the lone Romanov Princess will have no choice but to turn to the Malfoys." Harry subtly described two bloody outcomes.

"I think the opposite is true—that's the foundation of peace," Malfoy said, outlining his plan. "Do you hate the entire pure-blood aristocracy, or only the Dark Lord himself? After the Dark Lord falls, Eve and I can become the bridge between the Order and the Death Eaters."

"Let the Order stop hating all dark magic, and the Death Eaters stop hating all Muggles," Malfoy said calmly. "Frankly, I think they're equally extreme."

Harry propped himself up, admitting Malfoy had thought deeply—and from his perspective, he truly looked forward to the era after Voldemort's fall. But this was likely based on the unverified assumption that Eve was a noble pure-blood. If Eve were merely a common Muggle-born with no noble blood, Malfoy would despise her—and never waste a thought on what came after Voldemort's fall.

If winning Malfoy's loyalty required sacrificing Eve's lifelong happiness, Harry would have to weigh it carefully. But now, first, Eve clearly had feelings for him; second, all Harry needed to do was offer Malfoy a sliver of hope—until they reached marriageable age, he only needed to issue a blank promise.

"Then it's settled," Harry said. "Your feelings may develop freely, but all other matters follow my orders. We cannot afford a single misstep—otherwise, no one will come out unscathed."

"Why?" Eve asked. "Isn't our only problem Parkinson? Just appease her."

"It's far more complicated," Harry said, his tone edged with warning. "Myself or Dumbledore might be manageable—but Malfoy, if the Dark Lord suspects you're disloyal, there will be no recovery."

"And don't think this is distant," Harry continued. "Once Parkinson decides to appeal to her parents, it's effectively her appealing to the Dark Lord."

"In fact, I believe you've wronged Parkinson, Lord Malfoy," Harry's tone turned accusatory. Indeed, if Malfoy could betray Parkinson today for any reason, who could say he wouldn't betray Eve tomorrow for another?

"It's worse than that," Malfoy said, pained. "Even Crabbe and Goyle think I'm wrong—they keep urging me to reconsider. I told them to leave me alone and came out."

"But have I truly done wrong?" he asked feigning innocence. "Is seeking love wrong?"

Harry took a deep breath. Malfoy was convinced. Eve would follow his lead. The mess was cleaned up. Now came the next move.

How to plan the next move? First, continue using Malfoy to restrain and gather pure-blood children, tricking them into accepting the Muggle-Blood Noble Movement—even if only as political theater. This was vital: among adults, even performative actions could severely hinder their progress. More crucially, these youths would be led by Malfoy to defend Hogwarts, fighting Death Eaters firsthand, deepening internal fractures within the Death Eaters—a major gain. When the children grew too rebellious, and their numbers swelled, it would pressure Voldemort himself—he'd have headaches enough.

But for Malfoy to control the pure-blood families, the Torchwood network must remain intact, so he could leverage his connections to build prestige. Yet this required resolving the conflict between Eve and Parkinson, forcing them into genuine cooperation—something Harry deemed urgent.

Second, seize this opportunity to reshuffle. The girls' societies had grown too lax. Eve must devote serious effort to them—not bicker with Neville. Neville could support Hannah; whoever backed Ernie needed Malfoy to suppress them, restoring Hufflepuff's rightful steadiness and simplicity.

As for Ravenclaw, Harry believed maintaining the status quo was best. Even Cui Ge, still active in the Muggle-Blood Noble Movement, and Luna were on the right path. He trusted they needed no intervention.

"Yes, you're not wrong," Harry picked up Malfoy's thread. "I'll soothe Parkinson—tell her Eve's true origins, and pretend I'm planning to betroth her to Ron."

"Honestly, I wouldn't oppose that," Eve shrugged.

"Then, next—the most critical part—you must continue dating Parkinson," Harry said seriously. "Let everything return to how it was—until the duel outside school decides the outcome."

"And you, Eve—use this time to reorganize the girls' societies and secure enough support within them. Malfoy will distract Parkinson with dates; you must use this chance to sideline her." Harry spoke coldly. "When the day of reckoning comes, Parkinson will find herself with no cards left to play."