There were not too many people in the auditorium, but not too few either.
Students who have no classes and like to have fun usually choose to watch the excitement here. There aren't many of them who can help like Luke, but it's okay to be an atmosphere team.
The movement on Malfoy's side was not small, so it naturally attracted the attention of most people.
Luke was not surprised by Malfoy's words. Such an invitation was not unexpected. After all, it has been about four months since he first appeared in the public eye, and none of the invitations and visit requests during this period were approved.
This time he still received many invitations, and he declined every one of them by letter. Because I really have something to do.
When he wrote back to the Ollivander family, he also specifically praised his wand. Although he has not yet figured out what is unique about this wand, it seems that this wand uses a new core material and is special. There is nothing wrong with the wand making method.
This also means that the family that makes wands has a new formula and method of making wands.
It can be said that both sides get what they need.
As for the special features, we have to figure it out slowly.
In addition to Malfoy who spoke today, Luke had received invitations from Marcus and Pansy Parkinson in the past few days. When this noble lady invited Luke, it was probably the first time she treated someone so carefully, and it was almost visible to the naked eye.
But Luke refused.
The same goes for the invitation from the Malfoy family. He would not be too close to a certain family now. It's one thing to have a good relationship with the next generation, but it's another thing to visit them directly at their home.
Not even as a friend.
He had just sorted out some of the current relationships in the aristocratic circle. Now was not the time to have formal conversations with others.
So even after Malfoy made a junior salute in front of him that made both of them a little embarrassed, and issued a very formal invitation, he still got a negative answer.
Luke looked at Malfoy, who was crouching and stroking his chest, feeling helpless for a moment.
"Even so, Draco, I'm sorry, but I still can't keep the appointment."
Luke accepted this gift very calmly. He is the head of the Gaunt family. When meeting on the right occasion, not to mention Malfoy, who is the same age, even Marcus, who is many years older than him, has to salute him.
Although it is not a big gift, there is always a standard gift for juniors.
Knowledgeable people, including Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick, were quite moved by the sight before them.
Everyone said that the nobility had begun to decline. They all began to decline for who knows how many years. But whenever people see similar etiquette appearing, their first reaction is not funny, but solemn, which in itself is enough to explain the problem.
Everyone is criticizing aristocrats, and everyone wants to be aristocrats.
Malfoy showed no awkwardness in the salute. He had developed muscle memory for such etiquette. After all, even if his father takes him out, as long as it is a formal occasion, he will be required to salute.
Saluting Luke, although it felt a little awkward to stand up, there was nothing unacceptable.
"It doesn't matter, my father said, if you don't agree, let me give this to you."
With that said, Malfoy took out a small box from his pocket, and then in full view of everyone, he pulled out a piece of paper from the small box that was obviously much larger than the box.
Everyone's first reaction was not what the piece of paper was, but that Draco was really rich!
Although the Infinite Expansion Spell is not a very rare spell, it looks very 'antique' at first glance.
Looks like something they can't afford.
Luke didn't pay attention to the small box that looked very historical.
Instead, he was more concerned about the piece of paper handed to him. Taking the piece of paper, Luke didn't see the words on it. On the black piece of paper, there was only a gilded coat of arms on the edge.
There are flying dragon patterns on both sides, and two green snakes coiled around a spear at the top. There is a silver ribbon underneath. In the middle is a classic four-frame shield, but it is not divided into normal crosses, but divided into inverted V and vertical lines. On the shield pattern, the most conspicuous thing is naturally the big golden 'M'.
This is the coat of arms of the Malfoy family. Luke has seen it before, but he has never come into contact with it personally.
Compared with the Gaunt family's coat of arms with snakes as the main body, the Malfoy family's coat of arms is obviously more conventional.
Luke didn't know the reason, but if he thought about it, it wouldn't necessarily have any profound meaning.
The most likely possibility is that the ancestor of the Gaunt family hit the second one. Like to break the rules.
In other words, this is quite in line with the tradition of the Gunter family.
Starting with Salazar Slytherin, they didn't have many heirs to worry about.
"My father said this is an invitation. It will tell you the time and place of the party at the scheduled time."
Malfoy saw that Luke was looking at the invitation in a daze, so he explained.
"And my father also asked me to tell you that this invitation is not just for you. Basically every family has one. It's just that some people won't come."
When he said this, Malfoy did not look at anyone else, but looked at Ron. Ron was a little confused and confused.
But everyone else basically understands. The family that didn't accept the invitation was naturally the 'pure-blood traitor' Weiss.
"Has it always been held at your house?"
Luke suddenly asked a seemingly irrelevant question. But it could be seen from his indifferent eyes that Luke was somewhat concerned about this matter. I just don't know what I care about.
Malfoy said without any panic: "It's only in these years, not when I was a child. It was hosted by the MacMillan family before."
Obviously, this is also the answer of someone who has been vaccinated in advance.
Luke looked at Draco meaningfully. There was no timidity on Draco's face, but an almost perfect smile.
Although Luke's eyes made him feel inexplicably uncomfortable, at this moment, showing timidity was the most incompetent expression.
"Okay, I understand. I will go to the appointment on time."
Luke put the invitation into his pocket, then nodded to Malfoy with a slight smile.
Malfoy maintained his composure and bowed to Luke again. Then he stood up and said with an aggrieved look: "Luke! Your expression just now was too scary."
The people around him didn't seem to notice it, but Malfoy just now really felt like he was being stared at by a snake coiling in the open.
Even he rarely encountered such scrutinizing eyes.
The last time I met him, he was looked at like this by the old guy from the Ollivander family. But even old Ollivander is not as scary as Luke.
After the salute, the two of them returned to being friends again, so naturally he dared to complain to Luke.
And he didn't mean to blame Luke. This is a normal rule in itself.
Luke laughed and said, "But you did a good job, Draco! You didn't embarrass your family!"
Luke patted Malfoy's shoulder vigorously like an elder. Malfoy was delighted at first, then suddenly reacted and pushed Luke's hand away angrily.
"Stop talking, I'm leaving first."
After that, without saying anything else, he walked towards the other side, where Goyle and Crabbe were.
After hanging out with Luke, Malfoy spent less time conjoined with the two younger brothers. But this does not mean that Goyle and Crabbe are not Malfoy's younger brothers.
This was not decided by the two of them at all. Unless these three families turn against each other, Goyle and Crabbe can only be Malfoy's younger brothers.
Luke watched the three people leave, and then looked at the professors on the other side.
"I've finished packing Professor, I'm going to pack some luggage."
Luke stepped forward and spoke to Professor McGonagall.
Professor McGonagall looked at Luke, nodded, and then said: "Okay, you go back first. Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas, Professor."
Luke smiled and walked towards the Slytherin lounge.
He came to the Great Hall just to see Taylor and Hermione.
He thought Taylor might follow him back to Gunter's Cabin.
But the current situation is also a good thing. Although in negotiations, Gemma lacks a helper who can read the other party's thoughts and tell her without being noticed.
But this is a good opportunity to exercise Gemma's abilities!
As for whether Gemma would mind... As long as he doesn't tell Gemma, she won't have any expectations. If she doesn't have any expectations, she won't mind.
Thinking about it this way, Luke really felt that he was...a little shameless.
But this idea is just a thought. Really let Luke negotiate on his own...he doesn't have the time. When it comes to making money, he really has no motivation. But he needs a tool that can help him leverage the situation.
A strong business organization is obviously capable of fulfilling the responsibilities of this tool.
Luke, who only knew a little bit about business and was not interested, decided to be his own boss and financial backer.
For the rest, it’s better to leave it to a professional.
…
The next day, at the station.
When Hermione and Taylor arrived at the station, they saw Luke and Gemma waiting there.
There are many people around, and everyone is waiting for the Hogwarts Express to arrive and take everyone home.
This time they didn't need to go straight to King's Cross Station. On the way, this express will pass through many stops, some of which are near the students' homes.
"It's really a lot more convenient this year! I know I can get off at Anorn Station, and I can even fly home on my own on a broomstick. Anyway, there aren't any Muggle-inhabited places along the way."
An unknown senior student said to his friends next to him.
"You don't have to think about flying home on a broomstick. I remember the new rule is that a parent must come to pick you up, otherwise you won't even be able to get out of the platform."
His friend reminded him with a smile.
The student who heard this suddenly looked a little weird and said, "Tell me, will some parents forget to pick up their children, and then the children will not be able to go home?"
The smile on his friend's face ended abruptly. It's like I thought of something terrible.
Discussions like this happened almost everywhere in the station.
Listening to this discussion, Gemma looked at the little guy who was temporarily much shorter than herself.
"Is this the first thing you do after taking office as school director?"
Gemma asked curiously.
"It's just a suggestion. To be honest, I didn't expect it to pass, and I didn't expect that a group of school directors would renovate each station to save face."
Luke said with emotion. He only found out about this news a few days ago.
Apparently, Luke was told after the matter was done.
And judging from the looks that the people around him looked at Luke from time to time, the school directors did not take the credit, but put all the credit on Luke.
To Luke, it wasn't much of a favor. The investment in this matter itself is actually not that much, just one more confinement magic and one more communication magic at each station.
Even if it is fixed for a long time, it will not cost a lot of money.
In comparison, leaving a good impression on Luke is undoubtedly what they value more.
After hearing this, Gemma also looked at Luke deeply. Finally, I have a full understanding of the energy behind the surname 'Gaunt'.
A group of high-ranking school directors rushed to give face to an eleven-year-old student, even though this student was also a school director. This itself sounds magical.
Before meeting Luke, Gemma didn't dare to think about such a thing.
For Luke, this situation can only be said to be ordinary.
Looking at Gemma's expression, Luke smiled and said: "Senior sister, you may have to adapt in advance. There will still be many such situations."
Gemma looked at Luke, who didn't have any pride on his face and was just stating a fact, with a somewhat strange emotion.
Luke really doesn't look like he's bragging, which means... is the person she needs to communicate with in her job of such a high standard?
Not far away, Hermione and Tyler also came to Luke's side. Everyone was generally very happy. After all, being away from home for so many days was fine for the senior students, but it must have been quite exciting for the junior students.
"Senior, aren't you going home?"
Hermione asked the question she wanted to ask yesterday the first time she saw Gemma.
Although Taylor had guessed something, she still didn't want to miss this opportunity to explore this possible companion a little bit.
Gemma was silent for a few seconds, and then said with a smile: "It doesn't matter, I don't have to go home. After all, this is a critical time to find a job. My dad will support me."
She said it very lightheartedly, but even Hermione, who was the least sensitive to emotions among the few people, could tell that something was wrong with her senior sister.
"Really...that's good."
I can’t ask any more questions, and I can only let this topic go as it is.
It's not a bad thing after all.
At this moment, a whistle sounded in the distance.
The train pulled into the station and it was time for them to set off.
