The four of them plunged into the Hogwarts library, determined to find information about Nicolas Flamel.
Each person found a corner and began searching through the countless shelves. However, despite the ever-growing stacks of books around them, no information about Nicolas Flamel surfaced.
That day, as they returned to the library, Draco carried a pile of books from the shelves. Just as he was about to set them down at his seat, he noticed a small slip of parchment on his desk.
Draco glanced around, but no suspicious figures were in sight.
After placing the books down, he picked up the note and read it carefully:
Tonight, 9:15 PM, Room of Requirement. Come alone.
Draco furrowed his brow, muttering to himself:
"A love letter? Doesn't seem like it… Room of Requirement? They know about the Room of Requirement too? Could it be Wentworth?"
Without giving it much more thought, he tucked the note away and resumed his search for any clue about Nicolas Flamel.
By the end of another fruitless day, Draco, Harry, and the others left the library, their disappointment palpable.
After dinner in the Great Hall, Draco returned to his dormitory. As he changed clothes, the slip of parchment fell from his pocket. He picked it up, contemplating briefly before deciding to go—after all, this was Hogwarts. How dangerous could it really be?
At 9:15 PM sharp, Draco stood before the Room of Requirement's entrance. A wooden door had already appeared on the wall, signaling that someone had entered before him.
He glanced around the empty corridor, withdrew his wand from his robes, and cautiously pushed the door open.
Inside, thick mist hung in the air—nothing like the Room of Requirement he had seen before. However, Wentworth had already told him the room could change based on the user's needs, so Draco wasn't entirely surprised.
With his wand raised, Draco advanced carefully. The mist guided him to a massive round table, where three shadowy figures sat waiting.
Seeing the unfamiliar silhouettes, Draco gripped his wand tightly and demanded:
"Who are you? Why did you summon me here?"
One figure chuckled darkly:
"Don't be nervous… We're not exactly the good guys… Heh heh heh!"
It was Kirk, his voice dripping with mischief. Cassandra, sitting nearby, groaned and pressed a hand to her forehead.
"King of Spades, stop scaring the newcomer!"
Kirk shrugged. "He looked so tense—I was just trying to lighten the mood!"
Draco blinked, utterly bewildered.
First, a mysterious note. Then a hidden room. Now, three strangers playing games. His patience wearing thin, he raised his wand.
"I don't care who you are—I'm not interested in your little game! I'm leaving!"
He turned to go, but a calm voice called out:
"You're free to leave… but you must forget everything you've seen."
"Fine," Draco snapped. "I won't tell anyone."
"That's not what I meant," the voice replied. "I meant Obliviate."
Draco whirled around, pointing his wand at the speaker.
"You wouldn't dare—"
Before he could finish, his wand flew from his hand, snatched away by silent magic.
"Non-verbal spells? Who are you?" Draco's heart pounded. Despite his spoiled reputation, as the only heir of the Malfoy family, he knew how rare and powerful silent casting was.
A voice calmly incanted, "Accio wand."
His wand flew into another's hand—only to be tossed back moments later.
Cassandra stepped forward.
"You want to know who we are? That's exactly what I'm here to tell you. We're members of the Secret Order's Elder Council. Our leader sent us to meet you."
"Secret Order?" Draco repeated, bewildered.
Cassandra nodded.
"The Secret Order is a clandestine society founded at Hogwarts. The fact that you're here means our leader has taken notice of your talents. This is an opportunity—don't waste it."
Draco's eyes narrowed.
"Who's your leader?"
A faint smile played across Cassandra's lips.
"Joker."
"Joker?" Draco's confusion deepened.
"No one knows the leader's true identity," Cassandra explained. "In the Secret Order, we use codenames. You may call me… King of Hearts."
She held up a red heart card from the Stars deck, its surface glinting in the dim light.
Kirk and Cedric followed suit, displaying their own cards.
"If you wish to join, you'll choose a card from this deck. It will be your codename within the Secret Order."
Draco stared at the offered deck, silent for a long moment.
Finally, he asked:
"What exactly does the Secret Order do?"
-----------------------
Want to read ahead of schedule?
Join here for advance chapters: PATREON.COM / PRIMALDEMON