HP: She married Malfoy after becoming an exchange student.

Pansy Parkinson had actually seen the unfamiliar girl in the hallway a long time ago.

As she turned out of the library, she saw three first-graders surrounding a girl, chattering incessantly. The girl had her back to her, her long platinum blonde hair reaching her waist, her figure slender, and she wore a large, dark green robe.

Pansy hadn't originally intended to interfere; so many people came and went from Slytherin, and she wasn't a prefect. But the more she looked at the girl's back, the more something seemed off.

Then the girl turned around, revealing gray-blue eyes, a delicate chin, and crimson lips—a beautiful yet unfamiliar face.

Pansy was initially taken aback by the face, but then she realized something was wrong; the problem lay with her outer robe. The cuffs were embroidered with emblems, the fabric was exquisite, and the cut was impeccable—it was clearly expensive.

But that was Elias Reinhardt's robe.

Pansy had seen this robe countless times. Elias always wore it, his long, silver-grey hair cascading over his shoulders, his back ramrod straight, moving about Hogwarts. And now, this robe was draped over a strange young girl.

"You guys," Pansy said to the three first-year students, "go back to the common room, don't block the way here."

The three little snakes nodded hurriedly, grabbed their textbooks, and trotted away. As they passed Draco, the girl glanced back at him and whispered, "Goodbye, senior."

Only Pansy, Daphne, and Draco remained in the corridor.

Draco stood there, clutching the collar of his robe, his silver-grey eyes lowered, not daring to look at the two of them.

"Are you a new transfer student?" Pansy asked, her voice scrutinizing.

Draco nodded.

"From... Durmstrang?"

Draco nodded again.

"And your robes..." Pansy took a step forward, her gaze falling on the silver runes on the cuffs, "Why are they from the Reinhardt family?"

Draco opened his mouth, but his mind went completely blank.

Having no other choice, Draco resorted to that ridiculous excuse again: "I borrowed it."

"You borrowed it?" Pansy repeated, a meaningful smile curving her lips. "Elijas Reinhardt's undergarment, you borrowed it?"

Daphne covered her mouth, her eyes wide with surprise.

"New student, what's your name?"

"De...De Lucy."

"Dlucie." Pansy rolled the name on her tongue, a sweet smile spreading across her face. "Welcome to Slytherin, Dlucie."

She pulled Daphne and turned to leave.

Draco stood still, listening to the footsteps of the two men gradually fade into the distance, and slowly squatted down.

……

When Elias returned, he saw Draco sitting on the carpet, leaning against the stone door, his eyes glazed over. His long, platinum-blonde hair was spread out on the floor like a crumpled piece of silk.

"What's wrong?" Elias crouched down.

Draco looked as if his soul had been drained, his face filled with utter despair, and called out to him, "Elijas."

"Um?"

Elias leaned closer to him, but Draco unexpectedly buried his face in his chest and began to complain, "Why did you take so long to come back! I was seen going out! I even ran into Pansy and Daphne, and they recognized your robes and thought I was with you, with you..."

Draco couldn't continue, his voice starting to weaken: "What should we do..."

Elias smiled and reached out to smooth his frizzy hair.

"Are you hungry?" Elias asked.

Draco looked up, revealing one wet eye, and glared at him: "...I'm hungry."

Elias pulled Draco up, took the sandwich he had brought back from the desk, and handed it to him.

Draco took the sandwich, took a bite, and the bread was a little cold.

"You tell me," Draco said, his voice muffled by food in his mouth, "won't they gossip about it?"

Elias looked at him, his pupils reflecting Draco's round, chubby cheeks, puffed up from food. "Whatever."

Draco was taken aback by his nonchalant tone: "Aren't you afraid they'll spread rumors about you and other girls?"

"You said it yourself, it's a rumor."

Draco was relieved: "Alright, it's good that you're not afraid." He had been worried that Elias would be angry, but he was so generous. Hehe.

……

The next morning, Draco jumped out of bed and rushed to the decorative mirror.

He saw himself in the mirror. Hazy gray-blue eyes, messy short blond hair, pale and fragile skin, and a sharp jawline—this was the real Draco Malfoy.

Draco even spun around in front of the mirror, staring intently at himself, his lips slowly curving into a smug smile.

"It really has changed back," he said softly.

Elias also woke up, leaning against the bedpost, squinting as he watched Draco spin around.

"Elijas, I'm back to normal! Let's go have breakfast together later!"

"Um."