"Wearing it might increase intelligence, but the price isn't something everyone can pay," Malfoy murmured, gazing at an ornament on his desk, his eyes filled with reluctance, before letting out a sigh.
He was now back in Malfoy Manor, alone and quietly in his room, sitting in a comfortable leather armchair, in front of an old mahogany long table.
On the table was a silver diadem shaped like a soaring eagle, with rare blue gemstones shimmering alluringly; even though the magic of time had faded the surrounding material, it did not diminish the brilliance of the gemstones themselves.
The base of the crown was engraved with Ravenclaw's famous motto: "Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure."
However, there was a slight flaw in the otherwise perfect jewel; several cracks had appeared on its surface.
If a goblin craftsman were present, they would surely weep and lament the fate of this treasure, questioning who had so cruelly destroyed this aesthetically pleasing work of art.
The answer was obvious.
Learning from the mistakes of others, Malfoy was not so bold as to allow a Horcrux to remain by his side.
Dumbledore couldn't restrain his longing for his sister and wore the black stone ring, which had been made into a Horcrux, suffering an irreparable, lethal Dark magic curse.
If Snape's superb potion-making skills hadn't allowed him to concoct a potion that could delay the injury, perhaps Dumbledore wouldn't have been able to salvage even his final days, and wouldn't have been able to support his final plan.
Malfoy would naturally not risk danger for the sake of that illusory knowledge; this was the best decision.
Intelligence and wisdom are completely different concepts.
The former is often linked to ability, the tangible; while the wisdom that drives people to make decisions is the intangible, the Way.
When faced with great temptation, to give up is a true ability.
After Ravenclaw's diadem was made into a Horcrux, no matter how powerful its original function, no matter how much swift thinking or unfathomable magical knowledge it could provide to the wearer, it could not be a reason to keep it.
"It's not bad to just use it as a simple ornament now; maybe I can trade it for some information from that unfilial daughter," Malfoy muttered, staring blankly at the once magnificent diadem that had lost its original function.
If someone were willing to examine this diadem closely at this moment, they would find that not only had the brilliant gemstone developed a distressing blemish, but the crown itself was covered in cracks, as if covered by a spider web.
If the material itself didn't possess sufficient strength and toughness, the diadem might have shattered long ago.
This was the power of the Sword of Gryffindor; even though both were representative treasures of the four founders, it was easy for an offensive, sharp sword to damage such an assistive ornament.
"It's time to deal with the next Horcrux," Malfoy slowly shifted his gaze away from the damaged Horcrux and began to think about the next step of his plan.
Silence for a long time.
"I wonder if this sword can be upgraded because of this," Malfoy suddenly had a flash of inspiration; the Sword of Gryffindor was an equipment personally crafted by the Goblin King Ragnuk I.
The characteristic of weapons made by goblins is that they can absorb what strengthens them.
When the basilisk's venom contaminated the tip of the sword, the Sword of Gryffindor gained the ability to destroy Horcruxes.
And now that the diadem had been destroyed by this sword, what would happen?
"A sword with both wisdom and courage?" Malfoy raised the long sword and examined it.
The tip of the sword was quenched with black venom, the large ruby on the hilt refracted dazzling light under the lamplight, and the entire blade was silvery and gleaming; no one would doubt its sharpness.
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"Mom, I'm just going to receive property belonging to our family, not to Azkaban to be imprisoned," Malfoy said helplessly, looking at Narcissa, who was wiping away tears.
The school term was over, and naturally, a rather long holiday followed.
After Malfoy returned to his manor, he spent most of his time in his room reading, or in the newly opened laboratory, researching the destroyed diadem, hoping to find some other clues.
This made Narcissa very dissatisfied; her precious son was unwilling to spend time with her.
In addition, Lucius had become an official in the Ministry of Magic, with a great deal of affairs waiting for him to handle.
Malfoy took out the transfer agreement for Number 12 Grimmauld Place and demanded to personally receive the property, which was directly opposed by Narcissa; obviously, she believed that during the holidays, her precious son should stay at home and spend time with his dearest mother.
However, the advantages of the father and son were greater; Lucius clearly stood on his son's side.
"This is the Black family's property, and my son needs this kind of training," Lucius said at the dining table at the time.
He was very satisfied with his son's performance; not long ago, Lucius's status in the wizarding society had risen to a new level, becoming an official in the Ministry of Magic and, to some extent, gaining control over the Daily Prophet's discourse, which was a considerable benefit.
So he was now very supportive of Malfoy's decisions.
"Where is that place? Is it far?" Narcissa could only accept this reality at the time, but still asked seemingly unintentionally.
She continued, "I can send some more things over there; the furniture there must be moldy; should I have the servants move some furniture over?"
"Number 12 Grimmauld Place," Malfoy said, then raised his teacup, took a light sip, and slowly put it down.
"Mom, there's no need to bother so much; just clean it up a bit," Malfoy continued, "I'll bring Dobby."
"Then at least stay at home with Mom for one more day, okay?" Narcissa began to wipe the corners of her eyes, not knowing if tears were really flowing from there.
"Yes," Malfoy replied weakly upon seeing this.
So now, at the gate of Malfoy Manor, this was the current situation; Narcissa, unwilling to part with her son, stretched out her arms again and gave Malfoy a tight hug, squeezing him until he couldn't breathe.
"I wish you a pleasant time there," Narcissa released her hands, then affectionately pressed her cheek against Malfoy's, and the pungent perfume immediately made Malfoy's nose itch.
"By the way, how are you going to get there? My darling?" Narcissa then asked?
"Floo Powder? Or a Muggle car?" Narcissa muttered to herself while staring at her son: "But no one in our family knows how to drive a Muggle car; that's a big problem."
"It's okay, Mom, I've already learned to Apparate," Malfoy nodded and said, then pulled out his wand from behind him, hurriedly said goodbye, and then recited the spell, causing his body to become illusory, and finally disappeared into the air.
Malfoy didn't know if he would be able to leave today if he let Narcissa continue talking.
Soon, only a series of popping sounds remained in the air.
"I had other things to say," Narcissa was a little stuffy, feeling that her son was deliberately avoiding her, and of course, she wasn't wrong.
"The child has grown up," Narcissa sighed helplessly, but then revealed a meaningful smile, because she had prepared a "surprise" for her son.
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