Charlie sighed involuntarily as he watched this scene.
It must be said that House-elves truly have no rights; in the minds of most Wizards, House-elves are private property that can be insulted and oppressed at will.
But Charlie wasn't interested in bullying a House-elf who wouldn't fight back; he preferred those who resisted.
"When did I say I was going to punish you?"
Winky was stunned and looked up at Charlie.
"Do you know Dobby?"
"Dobby is Winky's good friend, although we seldom meet." Winky whispered.
Charlie nodded.
"Then go find Dobby and play."
Winky's eyes immediately lit up.
"Really, Master?"
"Go."
Lucius stared at Dobby, his brows tightly furrowed.
He suddenly realized something.
Charlie's attitude toward House-elves was completely different from that of other Pure-blood Families.
He neither beat nor scolded them, and even allowed them freedom of movement.
Whether he beat Dobby now didn't matter to Lucius, but if beating Dobby displeased Charlie, it would be a huge loss.
A smile instantly spread across Lucius's face.
"Dobby." His voice also became gentle.
"Go ahead, go play with Winky."
Dobby could hardly believe his ears.
It stood dumbfounded, its eyes wide as saucers.
"Master... what did Master say?"
"I said, go play." Lucius's smile was a bit stiff.
"Don't keep Winky waiting too long."
Dobby's tears instantly burst forth.
"Master is too kind to Dobby! Dobby is unworthy! Dobby..."
"Enough, hurry up and go." Lucius interrupted it.
Dobby wiped its tears and scurried off after Winky.
Lucius led Charlie to sit on the sofa, and an Owl flew in, dropping four brand-new copies of The Daily Prophet.
It must be said that the Malfoy Family's attention to detail was impeccable; four people meant exactly four newspapers.
He casually picked up the one in front of him, and the headline caught his eye.
"Ministry of Magic Panics, Security Slack, Dark Wizards Run Free, Bringing Shame to the Nation."
The article criticized the Ministry of Magic for incompetence, stating that when tourists needed them, they were nowhere to be seen, resulting in multiple tourist deaths.
Charlie highly suspected this was slander; he had heard Mr. Weasley say yesterday that no one had died.
So Charlie glanced at the byline: Rita Skeeter.
That explained it.
But looking further down, the outrageous content appeared.
If it weren't for the great Mr. Charlie White stepping forward, who knows how great the losses would have been.
The accompanying picture showed Charlie levitating in mid-air last night, flames surging behind him, his entire being exuding an oppressive aura.
It seemed that after slandering Charlie last time, she had developed a psychological complex.
Lucius had clearly finished reading the newspaper too, and the smile on his face deepened slightly.
"Mr. Charlie's performance last night certainly deserves such praise."
At this moment, Narcissa elegantly set down her teacup and stood up, saying:
"Please excuse me, I need to go order Draco's Formal Robes."
"Formal Robes?" Charlie looked up.
"The shopping list sent by Hogwarts stated that they would be needed for a formal event next term." Narcissa took out a letter and handed it to Charlie.
"You should have received one too, right?"
Charlie glanced at the contents of the letter and understood.
The letter was probably sent to the Orphanage, and he missed it because he was watching the Quidditch World Cup.
"I haven't prepared any of my things yet," Charlie said.
Narcissa smiled elegantly.
"Perfect then. Since you're staying at the Manor, why don't I take care of your wardrobe and shopping?" She paused, a hint of pride in her tone.
"The Malfoy Family has exclusive high-end custom tailoring channels, which Madam Malkin's ready-to-wear shop cannot compare to."
Lucius also nodded.
"The Malfoy Family's tailoring skills are renowned throughout the British Wizarding World. Except for Draco's student uniform, which must be bought at Madam Malkin's, Formal Robes are made by us."
Charlie thought about it and didn't refuse. It was just one set of formal robes, and the Potions he sold in cooperation with the Malfoy Family could buy countless clothes.
"Then I will trouble Madam Narcissa."
"It's no trouble." Narcissa smiled.
"It's a good chance to take you and Draco together today and purchase the rest of your school supplies."
...Charlie stayed at Malfoy Manor for a few days, and he had to admit that the life of the wealthy was indeed comfortable.
Fire the landlords' sugar-coated cannonballs at me!
However, Charlie remained cautious and wrote a letter to Grandma White, telling her he would return a few days late, as Charlie didn't want to get scolded again.
Over the past few days, Narcissa had prepared everything Charlie and Draco needed for the next term.
Besides textbooks and Potion ingredients, Charlie also received three sets of custom-made Formal Robes.
All were Black base, with different golden patterns spreading along the collars and cuffs, looking luxurious and textured.
"This robe is woven from Acromantula silk, and it will never get dirty."
Narcissa said this while taking measurements.
Charlie touched the fabric; it was indeed much better than the ready-to-wear clothes in Madam Malkin's shop.
Seeing that only a few days remained until school started, Charlie took Winky back to the Orphanage.
He left Winky at the Orphanage specifically to look after Grandma White's daily needs.
Since Billy was at Hogwarts, there was no need for Winky to go along.
Grandma White was startled when she first saw Winky, but after getting used to it, she grew fond of Winky, praising its diligence and good sense.
At night, Charlie went to the alley next to the Orphanage.
Sirius and Lupin appeared on time.
Sirius looked significantly better than before; his hair was neatly combed, and he no longer looked like a fugitive.
"Did you find a place to stay?" Charlie asked.
"We found one." Sirius pointed to the end of the alley.
"It's the yard next to the Orphanage, a two-story building, quite spacious."
Professor Lupin added, "I helped him clean it up. At least now it's habitable."
Charlie nodded.
"You two stay here and protect the Orphanage. If any suspicious people approach, deal with them."
"Don't worry, leave it to me." Sirius patted his chest.
Charlie turned his head to look at Lupin.
"Professor Lupin, how is the inventory of the Black Family's assets coming along?"
Lupin pulled a list out of his pocket.
"Most of it has been sorted out. Besides several properties in London, there are also some shops in Diagon Alley and other Wizard gathering places, generating considerable monthly rent."
Charlie took the list and scanned it.
"You've done very well."
Lupin smiled. "It's what I should do."
After giving these instructions, Charlie returned to the Orphanage.
For the next few days, he didn't go anywhere, staying only at the Orphanage.
When September 1st arrived, Charlie set off once again for King's Cross Station.
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