章節 16: Chapter 12: A Delicate Correspondence
The weight of Voldemort's parting words lingered in the air long after he left Malfoy Manor. Draco remained in the drawing room, his fingers tracing the edges of the parchment on which Saber's letter had been written. It was strange, almost surreal, to think that Harry Potter—now **Saber Howler**—had written to him with such honesty.
Draco exhaled slowly, feeling the weight of expectation pressing down on him. Snape's warning echoed in his mind: **Saber will be testing your sincerity.** Draco knew this next step was crucial. He couldn't afford to rush it, nor could he afford to make a mistake. If he wanted any hope of truly building a relationship with Saber, he needed to tread carefully.
Lucius, still seated by the fireplace, watched his son in silence. His sharp eyes betrayed none of the thoughts swirling in his mind, though Draco knew his father was considering every angle. Narcissa, ever the nurturing one, approached Draco, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Take your time, Draco," she said softly, her voice full of quiet support. "This letter is important, but there's no need to rush. Saber has opened a door—you simply need to step through carefully."
Draco nodded, appreciating his mother's calm guidance. "I know. But with the Dark Lord watching, every step feels like a test."
Narcissa's lips pressed into a thin line. "You're right. But this is not just a test for Voldemort—it's about family. He may have his own expectations, but you must focus on building a genuine connection with Saber. That is what matters."
Lucius finally spoke, his voice low and measured. "Your mother is correct. Saber may be under Voldemort's scrutiny, but you must think beyond that. If he truly is our godson, and if he chooses to align with us, it must be out of trust—not coercion."
Draco let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding. His father's words, though pragmatic, gave him a sense of clarity. This was about more than just pleasing the Dark Lord—it was about securing Saber's loyalty in a way that would last.
Snape, who had been leaning against the wall in silence, stepped forward. His sharp gaze fixed on Draco, and his voice was cool but not unkind. "You must be honest in your response, Draco. Saber is no fool—he will see through any attempt at manipulation. Your words must reflect sincerity and understanding."
Draco nodded, feeling the pressure mount even more. "I'll be careful, Professor."
With that, he left the drawing room, the weight of everyone's expectations hanging over him. He made his way to his own room, closing the door behind him and sitting down at his desk. Hedwig, still perched on the windowsill, ruffled her feathers and watched him with quiet curiosity.
Draco stared at the blank parchment in front of him, his quill hovering over the page. This letter would have to be perfect. It had to show Saber that he was serious about building a relationship, but it also had to be cautious enough not to push too hard. Snape's advice rang in his ears—**honesty**. But how could he be honest when so much of his life had been built on lies?
After what felt like an eternity, Draco dipped his quill into the ink and began to write.
---
#### **Draco's Letter to Saber**
**Saber,**
I can't tell you how relieved I was to receive your letter. To be honest, I wasn't sure if you'd respond at all, so seeing your words meant more than I can express.
I understand what you're going through right now. Discovering that your entire life has been shaped by other people's decisions—that everything you thought you knew was a lie—it's overwhelming. I can't imagine how difficult it must be to process all of that. But I want you to know that you're not alone. You have family, and you have people who care about you.
I've been thinking a lot about what you said, about not letting the past define the future. I agree. The rivalry we had at Hogwarts feels distant now—almost like it belonged to a different life. I'm not the same person I was then, and I can tell you're not either. I'm willing to leave that behind if you are.
I'm not going to lie—things are complicated here in Britain. The war is still brewing, and the choices we make now will shape the future of the wizarding world. But for now, all I care about is trying to build a connection with you. Whether you decide to come back or stay in the United States, I just want you to know that I'm here. You're my godbrother, and that means something to me.
Please take as much time as you need. There's no rush to figure everything out. But if you ever need to talk, you know where to find me.
**Draco**
---
Draco stared at the letter for a long time after finishing it. The words felt right—cautious, but sincere. He didn't want to push Saber too hard, but he also wanted him to know that the door was open.
With a deep breath, Draco folded the letter carefully and tied it to Hedwig's leg. The owl nipped at his fingers gently, as if sensing the importance of her task.
"Take this to Saber," Draco said softly, stroking her feathers. "And be safe."
Hedwig let out a soft hoot before taking flight, her snowy white wings catching the sunlight as she disappeared into the distance. Draco watched her go, a mixture of hope and anxiety swirling in his chest.
---
Meanwhile, back in the drawing room, Lucius, Narcissa, and Snape were discussing the potential implications of Draco's correspondence with Saber. They spoke in low voices, their conversation interrupted only by the occasional crackle of the fire.
"It's clear that Saber is distancing himself from both sides of the conflict," Lucius said thoughtfully, his fingers steepled beneath his chin. "But that doesn't mean he won't eventually choose. We must make sure that when he does, he chooses wisely."
Snape nodded, his expression unreadable. "Saber has been manipulated his entire life. If he senses that he is being used again, he will pull away. Draco must continue to approach this delicately."
Narcissa, seated beside her husband, frowned slightly. "And what of Voldemort? He's already expressed interest in Saber's potential. If he pushes too hard, it could drive him away."
Lucius glanced at his wife, his eyes narrowing slightly. "That is why we must control the narrative. Saber must feel that he is making his own choices, not being forced into them."
Narcissa sighed, her gaze drifting toward the window. "I just hope Draco can handle this. He's carrying a great deal of responsibility."
"Draco will be fine," Snape interjected, his voice firm. "He has been preparing for this his entire life. The key is patience."
Lucius nodded in agreement, though there was a hint of unease in his eyes. "Indeed. But Voldemort is not known for his patience. We must ensure that Draco's efforts are not in vain."
Narcissa reached out to place a hand on Lucius's arm. "We must trust our son."
Silence fell over the room once more as they each contemplated the path ahead. The stakes had never been higher, and Draco's next steps would determine not only his relationship with Saber, but the future of their family—and the wizarding world.
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票