The Return to Hogwarts

hula-

The gentle breeze that had been blowing just moments before suddenly turned fierce. Amosta squinted as he faced the gale. Where the wind was blowing, at the edge of the sky, darkness had already encroached upon the gloomy sky and was spreading rapidly in all directions.

Lucius's forehead vein throbbed violently, and he forced a smile.

“It’s a joke, isn’t it, Professor Blaine?” He suppressed the urge to cough as a gust of air was forced down his throat. “As everyone knows, the Dark Lord has been defeated by Harry Potter. He will never return to us, and the Malfoy family—”

Lucius took a deep breath, his face turning pale.

“We have been confirmed to have no connection with that Dark Lord. The Ministry of Magic has confirmed that those unfounded rumors are false. Even if that person does return one day, the Malfoy family will not associate with him. He would never use Malfoy Manor as his base of operations!”

Amosta withdrew his gaze from the horizon, glanced at Lucius Malfoy with a raised eyebrow, then shook his head with a wry smile and continued walking forward.

What exactly does Amosta Blaine know?

Did he realize that the shapeless black shadow he defeated in the stadium on the night of the Quidditch final was very likely the Dark Lord?

Logically speaking, Amosta Blaine shouldn't have known this. He didn't have the Dark Mark, nor did he have that unbreakable, hidden connection with the Dark Lord. Yet, he managed to figure out that it was his own men who attacked the arena—

The first person Lucius thought of was Severus Snape.

From Draco, Lucius learned that Severus and Amosta Blaine had a close relationship, and coincidentally, the same guess seemed very likely. The only problem was that Severus did not appear at the Quidditch match that night. Even if he sensed the change, he might not realize what had caused the Dark Mark to change.

Suddenly, a series of startled cries rang out near the largest fountain in the manor. Amostall stopped and turned to look, only to find that it was Fox who was up to his tricks. He thought the scattered peacocks were playing with him, so he spewed out a small burst of flame, burning off the bright tail feathers of several peacocks.

With the help of the strong wind, the flames quickly spread to the bodies of the unfortunate peacocks, and in no time, the lawn was covered with escaped 'turkeys'.

Lucius's face darkened completely, and even Amostella's lips twitched involuntarily. He quickly pulled out his wand from his sleeve and swung it down from a distance of about half a mile. The water in the fountain pool suddenly surged, and many jets of water rose from the ground, accurately hitting the 'turkeys'.

"Don't be naughty—"

Amosta's penetrating voice broke through the barrier of the howling wind and was caught by the aggrieved Fox.

After the little farce, Amosta lost interest in going any further. He looked up at the half-clouded sky and stopped in his tracks.

"Have you heard about the recent incidents where some pure-blood families' properties have been invaded by unknown individuals?"

Amos asked calmly.

Malfoy's mind was still preoccupied with the crisis that could bring down the family and endanger Narcissa and Draco, a crisis that might strike as early as tomorrow. When Amosta suddenly brought it up, it took Malfoy several seconds to come to his senses.

For a businessman like Lucius Malfoy, who receives a deluge of information every day, the matter mentioned by Amosta Blaine, while surprising, was not of great importance.

I've heard some rumors—

In those few seconds of stunned silence, Lucius seemed to have seen through something. His eyes, fixed on Amostella, held a hint of surprise, but he spoke calmly.

"But the Malfoy family's businesses in England didn't experience this problem, so I didn't pay any attention to it--"

It's not that we didn't encounter it, it's just that we didn't discover it.

Remus's abilities weren't that bad; he just had bad luck and that's why he stumbled. In the past few days, Remus had used various channels to get a general understanding of the unknown businesses of those pure-blood wizarding families in the British magical world. There were only a few that were particularly cautious, and some that even hid their secrets in Gringotts' vaults, but Remus couldn't find a way to deal with them.

Before the sky completely lost its light, an owl rode the rolling waves of darkness toward Malfoy Manor. It circled a few times in the sky, and then, with a sharp swoop, it swooped down toward Amosta in the garden.

Lucius took a few steps back, not wanting Amosta Blaine to think he was spying on his secrets. However, when he saw Amosta unfold the letter, which was clearly longer than normal paper, and a pleased smile appeared on his lips, his curiosity was stirred again.

"Tonight, you'll have someone cause some chaos in one of the Malfoy family's workshops. Tomorrow, you'll escort that troublemaking wizard to the Ministry of Magic—"

Amosta asked calmly.

"any questions?"

Lucius clenched his fist hidden in his sleeve. He realized that Amosta Blaine's visit was to protect the troublemaker who was acting on Amosta Blaine's orders.

Since Blaine came to the Malfoy family to ask for their cover, it means that person's identity has been exposed, and it's even possible that they've already been taken into custody by the Ministry of Magic. Who could it be?

Lucius pursed his lips, guessing in his mind, but then he realized that he didn't need to guess at all. This was something that could be easily found out if the person had already been captured by the Ministry of Magic.

Furthermore, what's even more intriguing is why Blaine did this?

What is he investigating, or what is he looking for?

Lucius frowned, racking his brains, but when his gaze inadvertently fell upon Amostra Blaine's deep purple eyes, Lucius's body trembled and cold sweat immediately beaded on his forehead.

Whether to refuse or agree is a question that doesn't even require thinking.

Lucius Malfoy had no right to refuse, not to mention the deadly secrets Amosta Blaine knew about him. If Amosta Blaine wanted to take his life, he would have no chance to resist, and Lucius knew very well that if Blaine was determined to do so, he would do it quietly, leaving no trace.

"So--"

Having received the expected reply, Amosta nodded contentedly. He softly called out to Fox in the distance, and when Fox suddenly appeared on his shoulder, Amosta turned to Lucius, smiled, and nodded.

"Thank you for your support, Mr. Malfoy. I must be leaving now--"

"Leave?" Lucius's expression froze. "But...the banquet—"

“I know very well that I am not a pleasant guest, Mr. Malfoy—” Amosta said with a light laugh, “I’ll leave now, and you don’t need to risk breaking the law by letting your wife use an unregistered key.”

"and many more!"

Lucius had heard of Dumbledore's phoenix-like abilities, and he instinctively called out to Amostall Blaine. But when that chilling, heavy gaze fell upon him again, Lucius realized that calling out to Blaine was purely instinctive, without any clear purpose.

Seeing the anxious Lucius Malfoy, Amosta showed great patience, quietly waiting for Lucius Malfoy to organize his thoughts.

"if--"

Draco's father, the head of the Malfoy family, and a renowned figure in the European wizarding world, Lucius Malfoy was pale, his darting eyes resembling those of a graduating young wizard worrying about his future.

"If... if one day that person really does return, Mr. Blaine, would you be willing to protect the Malfoy family?"

As night fell, the wind howled wildly in the suburbs.

"I only shelter those who deserve it, Malfoy—"

With a soft laugh, Amosta Blaine's figure and voice vanished into the wind.

Chapter 545 Intent

2023-10-20

Amosta did not stay to participate in the dinner that the Malfoys had prepared in the first place; he had never intended to. He knew he was not a welcome guest. However, Narcissa's 'exquisitely designed' spoon key did make him somewhat amused.

Malfoy was probably quite taken aback by his sudden visit.

Amosta had always held Lucius Malfoy in high regard, despite his notorious past and the fact that many of his ideas contradicted his own. However, it was undeniable that Lucius Malfoy was a clear-headed and intelligent man.

Although Lucius Malfoy had worked for Voldemort in his youth and was once deeply trusted by him, he was not the same as the infamous, insane Death Eaters imprisoned in Azkaban. Amostella could see that in Lucius Malfoy's heart, family and loved ones were far more important than loyalty to Voldemort; however, he was now in a difficult position.

Communicating with intelligent people is much easier, so Amosta wasn't worried that Malfoy would stir up trouble over the Remus case.

boom!

The brilliant flames faded, and the quiet alleyway was once again shrouded in darkness.

“Sorry, Fox, you’re not suited to be in crowded places—” Fox tried to land on Amosta’s shoulder, but Amosta blocked him. Fox’s ruby ​​eyes showed obvious dissatisfaction.

"You can find some fun for yourself; there's no need to rush back to Hogwarts."

After Fox left, Amosta looked around to confirm his location. He quickly walked along the narrow alleyway and soon emerged from it onto the wide street of Diagon Alley. Across the street was the Leaky Cauldron, a renowned establishment in the wizarding world.

Fortunately, the wizards coming and going were all focused on the bustling Diagon Alley and no one noticed that the famous Amostra Blaine was right next to them. However, this tranquility ended as soon as they entered the filthy lobby of the Leaky Cauldron.

Tom, the bar owner who was almost bald and looked like a shriveled walnut, was chatting with a little old man wearing a wide-brimmed hat. Several old wizards who didn't look very respectable were sitting in the corner of the room drinking sherry from small cups, and one of them, a guy with a long pipe, was making the hall smoky.

"Oh my goodness!"

The bar owner glanced casually at the customer who came in through the back door, then rushed out from behind the bar to Amosta, almost bursting into tears with emotion.

“Mr. Blaine, it’s an honor. How may I help you?”

The entire Leaky Cauldron was silent. The old wizards in the corner, their faces covered in burn marks, lowered their heads one after another after seeing Amostah's gentle gaze sweep over them. The man with the pipe simply tucked his long pipe into his wide sleeve.

"Long time no see, Tom—"

Amosta said kindly.

"I'd like a private room because I'm meeting someone later to discuss some important matters. Of course, I might need to eat something beforehand."

During the summer Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban, he was asked by Fudge to look after Harry, who had run away from home. Amosta stayed at the Leaky Cauldron for a while, so he was fairly familiar with the owner. However, the pub owner wasn't as attentive to him back then.

Everyone watched Amos Blaine follow his boss, Tom, into the private room area with respectful eyes. Many people clearly wanted to approach him and make his acquaintance, but Amos Blaine seemed to have a 'resistance aura' surrounding him. Until Mr. Blaine disappeared from sight, no one dared to make a move.

Almost in the blink of an eye, the owner, Tom, knocked on the door of the private room with a tray. To Amosta's surprise, the tray was piled high with various drinks, but there was not much food.

"Oh, these were all ordered for you by the patrons at the bar, Mr. Blaine—"

The withered boss, bent over, had his eyes shining with joy.

They all want to buy you a drink!

"Please convey my gratitude to them, but—"

This wasn't the first time Amosta had encountered a similar situation. He expertly reached into his pocket, pulled out a handful of golden gallons, placed them on Tom's tray, and smiled gently.

“I can’t take advantage of people for nothing, Tom. This gold should be enough for each guest in the hall to have a glass of the strongest fire whiskey.”

“You are a very generous gentleman, Mr. Blaine!”

"I'm so glad," said Tom, the bar owner. He carefully left the private room and closed the door. A moment later, cheers that echoed through the hall reached Amosta's ears through the door, bringing a genuine smile to Amosta's lips.

As the clock on the mottled, gray-white wall of the private room indicated that it was one minute past seven o'clock, a series of rapid high heels pounded on the wooden floor in the corridor outside the room. Amosta picked up a napkin to wipe his mouth, and just as he finished cleaning up the mess on the table, there was a knock on the door of the private room.

“Oh, Amosta Blaine!”

The woman who entered the private room was dressed as brightly as ever. Today she wore a banana-yellow robe, her long nails were painted a dazzling pink, her eyeshadow was multicolored, and her hair was still styled in exquisite large curls. Of course, her ever-present crocodile skin handbag was also with her today.