HP: She married Malfoy after becoming an exchange student.

The unsettling atmosphere between Draco and Elias persisted until dinner time.

The Great Hall of Hogwarts was bustling with noise, but an invisible barrier seemed to separate the Slytherin table.

Elias Reinhardt quietly enjoyed his dinner, his movements as elegant as ever, like a meticulously painted court painting. He carefully sliced ​​the grilled steak on his plate, as if each cut required precise calculation.

Draco, unusually, didn't sit with Elias but instead sat next to Blaise, gesturing excitedly as he said, "...So, the improved fireworks exploded with a 'bang,' forming a giant silver water snake that circled the tower of Malfoy Manor three times before disappearing! My dad said the idea was pretty good..."

Pansy and Daphne exchanged a knowing glance. Ever since they heard on the train that Draco had stood Elias up for the dinner party, they had been waiting to see what would happen.

Elias raised his wine glass, and Pansy nudged Daphne.

The two watched with bated breath as his slender fingers gently traced a circle on the stem of the cup before he slowly took a sip of pumpkin juice. The cup fell back onto the table with a soft "tap."

Draco seemed oblivious to the subtle sound and continued his conversation.

Elias's gaze swept lightly over Draco's radiant face before settling on the side dishes on his plate.

The silver-haired boy picked up a silver fork and began to separate the roasted carrots and broccoli one by one, arranging them in an exceptionally neat and clearly defined area on one side of the plate, with the green ones in green and the orange ones in orange, meticulously.

"...Later, my mother said that next time we could try using the eggs of the chameleon fire snake, maybe we could make a rainbow-colored one..." Draco's voice was still loud.

Theodore suddenly spoke, his voice calm yet precisely hitting the nail on the head: "I heard that the Black Forest in Germany has had a lot of snow this year, perfect for Thestrals." His gaze shifted between Draco and Elias.

Draco's eyes began to dart away uncomfortably, his fingers unconsciously twirling the edge of his napkin. "Oh...maybe."

Elias then put down his silver fork, turned to Theodore, and gave him a perfectly standard, yet utterly cold, commercial smile. His voice was steady as he replied, “Indeed. However, Thestrals sleds require professional riders, otherwise they may easily disturb the moon deer in the forest. If Mr. Nott is interested, I can recommend a few reliable providers.”

With a few words, he skillfully steered the conversation from "Draco and him going to Germany" to purely business advice, thus extricating Draco from the awkward situation.

Draco seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, but for some reason felt that Elias's words sounded a bit... too polite? He looked at Elias, only to meet those calm, light silver eyes.

"Have you finished eating?" Elias's voice was as gentle as ever, even considerate.

Draco nodded blankly.

Elias then rose gracefully and picked up the book placed to the side. "Well then, excuse me. I have a few documents regarding changes in international magical ore tax rates that I need to review tonight." He nodded slightly, turned and left, his long silver-gray hair tracing a cold, clean arc in the candlelight, without a trace of lingering affection.

Draco stared, mouth agape, at the disappearing figure, a void settling in his heart. Had he... said something wrong again? He hadn't done anything!

Pansy finally couldn't hold back any longer and whispered excitedly in Daphne's ear, "Did you see that? Did you see that?! Reinhardt was just fiddling with the glass! And cutting the food! He's absolutely furious! But that monster Malfoy is still talking about his fireworks!"

Blaise wiped his mouth elegantly: "I suggest you don't go back to your dorm tonight, Malfoy. You might be buried under a business contract."

Draco glared at them, his platinum-blonde eyebrows furrowed. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Draco frowned, his platinum blonde hair seeming to dim slightly under the light. He completely lost interest in showing off, feeling that this dinner had been... inexplicably frustrating!

This subtle feeling of being unable to grasp something yet unable to shake it off caused Draco to experience a perplexing mix of dread and strange excitement when facing Elias for the first time.

With a mix of unease and uncertainty, Draco practically fled the Great Hall under the knowing gazes of Pansy, Blaise, and the others.

Draco lingered at the door of the common room for a while, taking a deep breath of the cold, damp air from the cellar before finally bracing himself and pushing open the bedroom door.