Harry Potter and the Candy Factory

“Charlie…”

“……”

“Charlie?”

“……”

“Charlie!”

Charlie was startled from his thoughts at the dining table, abruptly raising his head as his mind snapped back to reality.

Following the direction of the voice, he saw his sister Narcissa, who was looking at him with a worried expression, holding a silver platter of food in her hand.

“Sorry, I spaced out just now.”

Shaking his head, Charlie stood up and carefully took the silver platter from Narcissa, placing it on the table, while speaking with a hint of apology.

“I’ve never seen you space out before… What were you thinking about?”

Narcissa raised her elegant eyebrows, looking somewhat surprised, and then asked.

“It’s some things at the factory… You know, since the factory’s business is getting bigger and bigger, there are more things to consider… After all, I have to support such a large family, so I have to be responsible.”

Narcissa frowned as she listened to her brother's words.

She opened her mouth, hesitated for a moment, but finally couldn't help but say,

“You’re too kind to those house-elves… Perhaps they are indeed a powerful force, but you should also be aware of your status… As the heir to the noble Black family, you were born noble. How can you fraternize with those things?”

Charlie smiled, shook his head, but didn't respond to Narcissa's words.

In fact, Narcissa's view now implicitly represents the opinion of most wizards regarding Charlie's establishment of the candy factory.

But Charlie hadn't tried to explain anything for a long time. Because he was very clear about what he wanted to do.

And he was surprised to discover a truth. That is, as long as you are strong enough, even if what you do is shocking, it will eventually be accepted by the world.

For example, with Charlie's Candy Factory now, the first thing everyone thinks of when they mention it is its candy and the vast wealth it has accumulated… As for the house-elves living there with free status, they are intentionally or unintentionally ignored by those who discuss it.

It seems that everyone has collectively forgotten that the predecessor of this candy factory was actually the once-famous House-Elf Liberation Front.

And he rarely heard the words Narcissa said from other people's mouths…

“I’m going to check on Draco. He’s been practicing there by himself for a while.”

Charlie turned his head and looked out the window at Malfoy, who was still waving his wand in the same spot as yesterday. As he spoke, he moved his chair back and walked towards the door.

“Sigh…”

Narcissa didn't say much, just sighed.

She was very clear that her brother, herself, Lucius, and even Draco didn't belong to the same kind of people.

He was more like Andromeda, the woman whose name was removed by their father.

But compared to Andromeda, Charlie's personality had more complexity and sophistication.

His heart was full of weariness towards the Black family's ways, but he didn't choose to hysterically break with the family. Instead, he used the family's facade to do what he really wanted to do.

Although it was difficult to accept… this was undoubtedly the best result for both sides.

He obtained the vast resources of the pure-blood family, and the Black family, because of him, retained sufficient dignity…

In fact, looking at her brother, sometimes she couldn't help but feel a little dazed, infected by the innate confidence and persistence emanating from him…

She had even secretly asked herself in the dead of night whether the pride and reserve of the so-called pure-blood family were really just a kind of decaying groan that should be abandoned?

But this would not bring her any results.

Because she was Narcissa, like her namesake, the narcissus… Regarding the faith she had adhered to all her life, her pride and reserve did not allow any doubt to arise.

However… when she really started to think about this question, wasn't that also a kind of doubt?

In the courtyard,

To facilitate the arm movements when casting spells, Draco had not chosen the usual upright and elaborate British aristocratic dress today, but instead put on a lighter shirt and vest.

Since successfully turning a leaf into a needle yesterday, perhaps because he had received his father's praise.

Draco worked even harder.

Early this morning, Charlie had just woken up from his sleep, walking lazily down the stairs, when he saw Draco, who had been up for who knows how long, already starting to practice alone.

After simply receiving a few instructions from Charlie, he practiced continuously until noon.

“Stop for a bit, Draco.”

Charlie opened the mansion door, walked out slowly, and called out to Draco.

Hearing Charlie's voice from afar, Draco paused his movements.

He subconsciously turned his head and smiled at Charlie, who was walking slowly towards him.

“Uncle, I wasn’t slacking off!”

Charlie also smiled.

He stood in front of Draco, reached out and smoothed Draco's hair that was soaked with sweat and stuck to his forehead, his expression full of gratification.

“Of course… I can see how hard you’ve been working.”

After speaking, Charlie paused, pulled him under the shade of a tree, and sat down leaning against the tree.

Then he waved his wand casually, conjuring a round teapot and two delicate little cups out of thin air.

Unrushed, he picked up the teapot, poured water into the cups, and continued,

“But you’d better combine work and rest… otherwise, if you really get exhausted before school starts, I’m afraid Narcissa will come and fight me.”

Draco casually placed his wand on the lawn, and then simply pulled up his shirt sleeves and wiped the sweat from his face with a nonchalant expression.

“Don’t worry, Uncle…”

As he spoke, he picked up the cup and drank the water in it in one gulp.

With a cup of ice water down his throat, the drowsiness in his mind was immediately dispelled.

“Ah…”

Feeling the coolness rolling from his throat into his internal organs, and then permeating his whole body, Draco couldn't help but let out a deep breath.

“For the first time, I feel like ice water is so delicious.” After casually exclaiming, he put down the cup and continued,

“I know how good I have it now… As a child of the Malfoy family, I have to work hard to become an even better person.”

As he spoke, Draco's eyes showed a determination that didn't match his age.

“I hope to be able to do better before school starts.”

He carefully took out a handkerchief from his pocket.

Opening the handkerchief, inside was the needle from yesterday.

“Not just to the point of conjuring a needle…”