The Return to Hogwarts

Some things are absolutely taboo for him, but they cannot restrain Amosta's hands and feet. Even though he is wary that excessive disruption of order will ultimately lead to disastrous consequences for all ordinary wizards, Dumbledore has to admit that using some brutal methods can indeed solve problems more quickly.

On the issue of dealing with Voldemort, Dumbledore and Amosta did not take the same approach.

Strictly speaking, the Order of the Phoenix's actions are more targeted. For example, Voldemort is currently eager to strengthen his power, while the Order of the Phoenix is ​​countering Voldemort's plans.

Amosta's arrangements, in the short term, may seem unrelated to dealing with Voldemort, but they are actually more aimed at the core issue.

Therefore, even though Dumbledore saw through Amosta's purpose in pushing Hogwarts to gain greater independence at this time, he did not stop it.

After listening to Amostella's instructions to Lucius, Dumbledore sighed.

“I don’t doubt that you can achieve your goal, Amosta, but you should be able to foresee that once Fudge realizes Hogwarts is getting further out of control, he’ll probably go completely mad.”

Amosta rummaged in his pocket for a moment, then took out a letter and placed it in front of Dumbledore.

"There's something you probably already know, Headmaster—"

Amosta's expression turned slightly cold.

"The British Ministry of Magic has secretly threatened the International Confederation of Wizarding Arts (ICA) by threatening its next quarterly budget, demanding a vote to suspend both your and my positions within the ICA. Whip is currently working tirelessly to coordinate this matter and has written to the German Minister of Magic, Konrad Adenauer, asking him to express the same stance."

Fudge has gone mad for power, not just is on the verge of madness. Do you really think it's responsible for the wizarding world to allow such a ruling group to exist?

Dumbledore picked up the half-moon framed mirror that was in front of him. He didn't pick up the letter, but instead focused intently on Amostella.

“You know I don’t care about that, Amosta.”

"Then you should care, Principal—"

Amosta said calmly,

"It has nothing to do with power. These titles will make you appear more authoritative in the eyes of ordinary people in the magical world. If we cannot unify our ideologies, we cannot win this war completely."

Seeing Dumbledore's furrowed brow as he pondered his words, Amosta's breath eased slightly, but his voice remained heavy.

“Fudge has committed some unforgivable sins. You will know, Headmaster, but not now.”

“I can never get anything out of you that you don’t want to say, Amosta--”

Dumbledore shook his head helplessly.

“But I think I should remind you that Lucius Malfoy is not as skilled in Occlumency as Severus. If Tom interrogates him, he probably won’t be able to keep his secrets.”

"Oh--"

Amosta leaned back in his chair, the smile on his handsome face appearing both righteous and wicked in the flickering candlelight.

"But Lucius Malfoy is a very good actor, isn't he? Of course, some precautions are necessary, and I think he understands that."

After stepping through the heavy iron gates of Hogwarts, imbued with a profound sense of history, and standing beneath the boar sculpture beside the gate, the pricking sensation that had been piercing his back finally disappeared. Only then did Lucius dare to stop and look back at the towering castle on the cliffside, its lights twinkling like stars.

The pale moonlight cast a somewhat forlorn light on Lucius's face.

Pulling down his collar, Lucius turned his head to look at his shoulder. As if sensing his gaze, under the moonlight, a strange golden flying snake slowly emerged from his left shoulder, swirled a few times, and then slowly disappeared back onto his skin.

A sigh dissipated in the gentle breeze and the rustling of leaves in the primeval forest. Lucius lifted his foot and walked toward Hogsmeade.

The Malfoy family, whose wealth is comparable to that of a nation, naturally wouldn't be without businesses in Hogsmeade.

After a flash of light, Lucius Malfoy returned to Malfoy Manor, which had essentially been stripped of its sovereignty, through the fireplace in the safe house at Hogsmeade.

The manor was so quiet at night that not even the chirping of insects or birds could be heard. The servants who would normally come out to clean after he and his wife rested were all dismissed after Voldemort moved into the manor. This was not at the Dark Lord's request, but rather Malfoy's own decision.

Lucius knew very well that if he allowed these Squibs and lowly magical citizens to appear before the Dark Lord, all that awaited them was death, and his family would be punished by the Dark Lord for 'negligence'.

In comparison, house-elves, being lowly but legitimate creatures in the magical world, are more acceptable to the Dark Lord.

Pushing open the study door, Lucius walked out without even taking off his turban. Under the gaze of the pale-faced portraits on the walls, he headed towards the hall and ascended the spiral staircase to the top floor of the mansion.

The Dark Lord was not in the study and living room that had been specially prepared for him, but he could faintly hear the Dark Lord's voice from the terrace on the other side.

"I thought you were already resting, my respected master--"

Before stepping through the doorway to the terrace, Lucius nervously tugged at his collar.

"Ah, you're back, my dear Lucius—"

Wearing a large black robe, Voldemort, half-reclining on a comfortable chaise lounge, moved his long, slender fingers. The chaise lounge beneath him slowly spun around, turning Voldemort to face Lucius.

Lucius glanced quickly at Voldemort's pale wife, who was carrying a tea tray beside him. His lips moved, but seeing the Dark Lord's scarlet snake eyes, which revealed a cold smile, Lucius held his breath. The next second, he slowly knelt down, picked up the Dark Lord's robe, and kissed it.

"I have completed the task you assigned me, my respected master—"

Chapter 986 Accompanying the king is like accompanying a tiger

2024-06-20

The bright moon rose above the three people on the terrace, but the Malfoy Manor under the moonlight was not as elegant as usual. Instead, it was as gloomy as a huge graveyard, and even the refreshing breeze that passed by was filled with a chill.

"Ah, a mission. Of course, I believe you can definitely complete it. After all, it's just a message, isn't it, Lucius? If you can even mess this up, then I'll be surprised—"

The Dark Lord made a witty remark, and Lucius and Narcissa had no choice but to smile along. However, what appeared on their faces was more like weeping than smiling.

The problem is—

Voldemort smiled coldly.

"Dumbledore. Oh, and Blaine, they didn't suspect why you would suddenly visit Hogwarts, did they?"

"No, my master—"

Lucius remained kneeling.

“I didn’t see Dumbledore. It was Blaine who brought me to Hogwarts. I told him I was going to Hogsmeade to discuss a business deal and was stopping by Hogwarts to bring Draco the snacks Narcissa had prepared. Then, I used the excuse of wanting to know about Draco’s recent performance at school to ask to see Severus. After Blaine arranged for Severus to meet me, he went to class, and I had the perfect opportunity to deliver your orders to Severus.”

Inhale. Inhale.

The Dark Lord listened quietly to Lucius's account. He didn't ask any more questions, but simply widened his narrow nostrils and sniffed the air, which faintly smelled of fish.

“Very good, Lucius. Although your wisdom cannot compare to that of the Dark Lord, your... your cleverness and wit always come in handy from time to time—”

Voldemort chuckled.

"Get up, Lucius. We can have a chat. To be honest, I'm not sleepy. Oh, not because I'm worried about anything. You don't understand, many years ago, when my magic became more profound, I didn't need to sleep much anymore. Get up, Lucius—"

Looking at her husband, whose face betrayed his exhaustion, Narcissa's expression flashed with worry. But as she regained her composure, she noticed the Dark Lord observing her with great interest. A thought crossed her mind, and she immediately bent over.

"Would you like me to prepare some tea and snacks for you, Master?"

"Oh, no, Narcissa, my stomach is already full of the snacks you prepared for me. Let's chat, together. You should also listen to what our dear Lucius is hiding."

As if struck by lightning, Narcissa's face turned deathly pale in an instant, while Lucius, who had just stood up, felt his legs buckle. But this time, he did not kneel. Facing Voldemort's now cold and stern expression, his equally pale face revealed a hint of bewilderment, innocence, and urgency.

"I haven't hidden anything from you, Master, there are just some things I haven't had a chance to report to you yet!"

"what is that?"

hiss--

At some point, Nagini slithered out from the shadows, its head drooping on Voldemort's lap, allowing Voldemort to stroke its menacing head, occasionally flicking out its dark red forked tongue.

"I've heard some news. Oh, actually, Severus told me himself—"

A bead of cold sweat trickled down Lucius's forehead, breaking through the barrier between his brows and slowly seeping into his eye socket. This made Lucius extremely uncomfortable, yet he dared not wipe it away. Still breathing heavily, he spoke...

"An interesting piece of news Severus told me is that the Minister for Magic intends to send Dolores Umbridge to Hogwarts as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."

"Umbridge as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Oh, so our esteemed Minister of Magic is finally no longer going to tolerate Blaine and Dumbledore?"

Voldemort became interested.

"Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts. This is not a good choice. Back then... oh, people have already spread the word that I cursed this position. A very powerful curse, costing many lives, and I'm afraid even I can't undo it—"

Voldemort continued to slowly stroke Nagini's head.

"Dumbledore agreed? Oh, I'm afraid he won't refuse. He's such a pathetic, cowardly old man, knowing perfectly well that Cornelius Fudge sent people into Hogwarts to keep an eye on him, but he just won't refuse—"

"Your wisdom is admirable, my master—"

Lucius said tremblingly,

“Severus told me that Dumbledore is indeed in a dilemma, but he doesn’t intend to refuse. However, Blaine has returned from New York, and it’s said that he’s demanding Dumbledore overturn the Ministry of Magic’s arrangements and not allow Dolores Umbridge to enter Hogwarts. Blaine’s attitude is firm, and I’m afraid Fudge won’t be able to achieve his goal, so…”

"so?"

“I’m thinking, should we lend Cornelius Fudge a hand, Master?”

Lucius mustered his courage and said.

Voldemort squinted and remained silent, seemingly waiting for an explanation. Seeing this, Lucius flicked a strand of sweaty blond hair that had fallen in front of his eye, his tone revealing a hint of excitement.

"This is to our advantage, Master. As you said, Cornelius Fudge certainly didn't send that woman, Dolores Umbridge, into Hogwarts to teach the young wizards about defense against the dark arts. She was there to spy on and investigate Dumbledore and Blaine."

Over the years, Fudge had been worried about his position and feared that Dumbledore might suddenly change his mind and decide to become Minister for Magic. He believed that Dumbledore's announcement that he had returned to the wizarding world was a ploy to create panic and force the public to oust him.

Sending Umbridge to Hogwarts was Fudge's preventative measure. That woman Umbridge is fiercely loyal to Fudge; once she's at Hogwarts, she'll definitely be eager to cause trouble for Dumbledore and Blaine!

Seeing that the Dark Lord showed no sign of anger, Lucius ignored the strange glint in Narcissa's eyes and said excitedly,

"Dumbledore attempted to disrupt your plans using the Order of the Phoenix. He sent Hagrid to stop us from recruiting giants, and Moody to take the Longbottoms to Northern Europe to stop us from incorporating the wizards there. Of course, Dumbledore couldn't stop you; all his arrangements failed, but—"

Lucius took a deep breath and said,

“If Umbridge keeps causing trouble for Dumbledore and Blaine right under their noses, it will undoubtedly drain their energy. Even Amostra Blaine wouldn’t dare kill the Senior Undersecretary of the Ministry of Magic.”

A sudden gust of wind made Voldemort's robes rustle, and a faint light flickered in his narrowed, scarlet vertical pupils, indicating that he was clearly thinking.