In short.
Although Dobby was there, someone capable of moving outside the framework of wizarding magic and leaving no detectable magical fluctuations.
To be safe, Draco still did not have Dobby bring him and Fleur directly back into Hogwarts Castle. Instead, he chose to return by the original route.
Even though Dobby had cried until he could barely breathe.
Even though doing so would indeed have saved a great deal of time and effort.
Compared with Draco, who had once infiltrated the Basilisk's lair and already had experience passing through long, dark tunnels, this was Miss Fleur Delacour's first time experiencing something like this.
Fortunately, Fleur was not the sort of spoiled young lady who could not walk or handle hardship. After hesitating at the entrance for a few seconds, she bent down and followed him in, driven by curiosity and nervousness.
In some ways, Fleur was actually quite bold.
Of course, that was mainly because Draco was walking in front.
Perhaps Fleur wanted to ease her nerves, because she started making conversation and asking questions one after another. "I didn't expect Hogwarts to have a place like this. How did you find it? This must be a secret you can't talk about, right?"
"Actually, finding this place was more of an accident."
"...Then you're really lucky."
Following behind Draco, Fleur could not help making that comment the instant she heard his answer.
It was no wonder Fleur felt Draco's reply sounded perfunctory.
After all, this was a secret even the Dark Lord did not know, and it could even become the key to toppling a magic school with centuries of history in a single move. Yet it had somehow ended up in the hands of a student.
No matter how one thought about it, that seemed unlikely.
Let alone explaining everything with "an accident."
In truth.
Obtaining the Marauder's Map and discovering these hidden secret passages really had been a coincidence.
In a certain sense, it could indeed be described as extremely good luck.
But there was no need to explain that matter.
...
As they went deeper step by step.
Although only a faint light illuminated the path ahead so they would not be detected, Fleur could still clearly sense that they were indeed heading toward Hogwarts.
Her initial doubts gradually faded, and she began to believe that this passage really could bring them into Hogwarts Castle.
"So it's true."
Fleur's whisper echoed through the passage.
Hearing that, Draco glanced back.
Perhaps because the light was dim and the path was truly difficult to walk, Fleur was swaying slightly as she moved. That cautious look made her seem like an adorable little duckling learning how to walk.
And that adorable sight.
If it had been any other gentleman, he would probably have gone forward immediately to support the girl.
Unfortunately, Fleur never received Draco's shoulder. As disappointment rose in her, the farther she walked, the more frustrated she felt.
As someone a few years older who considered herself an older sister, Fleur forced that strange emotion back down, showing nothing unusual on the surface.
Although that fierce glare of hers did occasionally stab toward the back of Draco's head.
It had to be said.
Among people of the same age, perhaps only Draco could be so lacking in tenderness toward a beauty.
Although she was not a half-blood, Fleur still carried Veela blood, yet Draco was somehow able to ignore the charm she naturally gave off.
But perhaps it was precisely because of that uniqueness that Draco held such a special place in Fleur's heart.
Through each meeting, Draco had gradually become someone special to Fleur.
In any case.
Under Draco's lead.
Fleur, who was taking such a risky action for the first time, placed a hand over her rapidly beating chest as she followed Draco's footsteps through the secret passage and into Hogwarts.
It was worth mentioning.
Just as they were about to step out of the passage, Fleur vaguely saw Draco take out a piece of parchment from his robes that looked like a map, and she also heard him say something she could not understand.
So, had everything gone so smoothly because of that magical item in Draco's hand?
Just as Fleur was secretly guessing, her eyes also took in the scene before her.
Knight armor.
An empty corridor.
Familiar scenery.
After standing there stunned for a while, Fleur finally confirmed that she had truly slipped past the dark creatures and vicious Death Eaters stationed around Hogwarts.
...
Although several years had passed since she last came to Hogwarts.
Fleur still recognized at once that the place she was in was indeed the famous Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Unlike the last time she entered Hogwarts to participate in the Triwizard Tournament.
This time, she had sneaked in.
Fleur stared with her wide, adorable eyes, still seeming unable to believe it, and looked suspiciously at the secret passage behind her that had already disappeared. "We really got in?!"
"Welcome to Hogwarts."
Seeing Fleur's astonished expression, Draco found it amusing and mischievously made a welcoming gesture.
Fleur rolled her eyes at him in annoyance.
The next second.
Having come back to herself, Fleur ignored Draco's teasing gaze and instead stepped forward curiously, leaning her small head closer.
She had noticed that the real key was in Draco's hand.
In response to Fleur's curiosity, Draco did not maliciously put the Marauder's Map away. He simply let her lean closer.
Sure enough, Fleur quickly found what was magical about the map. "...Is this a magical item? How can something like this exist? So this is why we could so easily..."
"Easily? In truth, if Dumbledore were still alive right now, I don't think this would be an easy matter."
It was said.
Dumbledore knew everything that happened inside Hogwarts.
Perhaps that sounded a little exaggerated.
But whether a few people were missing from Hogwarts, or a few extra people had appeared, Draco did not think Dumbledore would be so old and blind as to miss it.
Provided, of course, that the great Dumbledore was still alive.