Chapter 471: Haggard Malfoy (for all readers who tipped)

The atmosphere was quiet for a second.

Then, the whole auditorium erupted in thunderous laughter. Some people laughed so hard that they pounded the table, some laughed so hard that they sprayed their drinks, some were busy covering their noses, and some were imitating Sebastian and putting on the Bubble Head Curse.

Even the usually serious Professor McGonagall couldn't help but gently cover her lips.

Umbridge's face turned red instantly. She no longer cared to maintain her composure and staggered out of the hall.

"Merlin! Is this some special form of performance?" George laughed so hard that he couldn't straighten his back.

"It's a tune I practiced specially," Fred added, with tears in his eyes.

"I see," Ron laughed loudly, "This must be the nitrogen acceleration we learned about in Muggle Studies class. Look how fast she runs."

Amidst laughter, Dumbledore stepped onto the podium again, briefly explained a few points of attention, and then announced the end of the dinner.

The students left in twos and threes and walked towards their respective common rooms. Sebastian was not in a hurry. He took a sip of Coke from his cup and waited until the crowd had dispersed before he stood up and walked towards the office with Mia.

After eating and drinking, he now only wanted to return to Swann Manor through the fireplace as soon as possible and enjoy a good night's sleep.

However, to his surprise, there was a figure waiting at the office door.

"Professor, can I take up a moment of your time and talk to you?"

Malfoy turned around, his face looked extremely pale under the light, with thick dark circles under his eyes, leaving no doubt that he had not had a good night's sleep for a long time.

"No problem, come in." Sebastian opened the door of the office, motioned Malfoy in, and guided him to sit on the sofa.

Then, he turned to look at Mia and gently instructed: "Don't wait for me when you go back, go to bed early."

"It's okay, you guys take your time chatting." Mia nodded and walked into the fireplace. Accompanied by the green flames, she disappeared directly into the office.

"How does it feel to be a prefect?" Sebastian sat down across from Malfoy. "What would you like to drink? How about a butterbeer?"

"No, Professor, I don't want anything to drink."

Malfoy shook his head stiffly, his eyes lowered, staring at the ground, as if he was avoiding something.

"As for the prefect... it's just so-so, nothing special."

He really wanted to skip the small talk and directly express his distress, but when the words came to his lips, he couldn't say them.

He also wanted to directly release the brain blockade and let the professor see the thoughts in his mind, but he didn't want the other party to see all the vulnerability he had shown in the past two months.

hateful!

It was clearly me who took the initiative to find Professor Swann, so why did I back off when the time came?

This guy has a broken mouth and fails at critical moments, but he is usually quite talkative.

Malfoy lowered his hands and unconsciously buttoned the pattern on his robe, as if trying to hide his inner irritation.

As if realizing that it was impolite to keep his head down, he forced himself to raise his head, and after meeting Sebastian's gentle gaze, he mustered up the courage to speak with red eyes.

"I'm sorry, Professor... I've been in a bad mental state recently. I... I'm really too tired. I've been forcing myself to act for the past two months. Now that I see you, I... I really don't want to act anymore."

Sebastian did not seem impatient with his gaffe, but instead his tone became softer.

"No need to apologize, Draco. You don't need to pretend or be strong with me. Just be yourself."

Hearing this, Malfoy's eyes flickered, and then he slowly closed his eyes. He took a deep breath, but he couldn't suppress the emotions surging in his chest.

Be yourself?

It's a simple sentence, but it's so difficult to do.

Only two months have passed, how come I can hardly tell what I am like now?

Is it the high spirits in the competition?

Is it the pride of winning the championship?

Or are you just being timid in the face of that person?

Which one is the real me?

After a few seconds, Malfoy seemed to have given up resistance and buried his face between his hands. Tears slipped through his fingers and dripped onto his black robe.

He didn't make a sound, just sobbed silently.

Sebastian watched all this quietly, without rushing to speak. At this moment, all verbal comfort was pale and unnecessary, it would be better to let the boy cry and let this tired boy release his repressed emotions.

However, he did not just sit there, but gently shook his wand, using emotional magic to slowly regulate Malfoy's chaotic emotions in a subtle and silent way.

To be honest, Sebastian could imagine what kind of distress the young man was feeling.

Voldemort occupied Malfoy Manor, like a poisonous snake lurking in the house, making every inch of space suffocating.

In such an environment, not only was Malfoy unable to confide in his parents, he even had no freedom of his own.

Even after arriving at Hogwarts, he was still lonely and helpless. He could not contact his only friend Harry, and he was even more unwilling to drag his girlfriend into the quagmire. He felt as if he was trapped in a huge cage, and even had to breathe cautiously.

Thinking of this, Sebastian sighed inwardly. The pressure was indeed too great for a teenager.

Then, he couldn't help but secretly feel lucky that he had won the title of emotional master among the young wizards last year, letting these children know that here, there are people who are willing to listen and understand. Otherwise, this little guy would have no idea how long he would have kept his inner thoughts to himself.

Sebastian did not think Malfoy was fragile. On the contrary, after spending two months with the mysterious man, the young man was able to maintain a complete collapse. His mental strength was far beyond that of an ordinary person.

Under his care, Malfoy gradually relaxed, his hands loosened, revealing a tear-stained face, his red and swollen eyes hiding shame, helplessness, and a hint of desire.

"Professor...thank you." His voice was hoarse, but with a hint of relief, as if the huge rock pressing on his heart had finally been removed.

Sebastian smiled and nodded, without saying anything more, but handed over a pack of clean tissues.

Malfoy took the tissue and carefully wiped the tears from his face. Then he raised his head and looked at Sebastian with a serious look.

"Professor, I have decided to take on the responsibility of being the heir of the Malfoy family and find a way out for the Malfoy family!"

(Thanks to all the readers for their tips. Up to now, the tips have been enough to cover two additional chapters.

So, I present both chapters together, let’s be happy together~~)