The Return to Hogwarts

"But how do you intend to help the Minister of Magic achieve his ridiculous little scheme, my dear friend?"

After a moment, Voldemort turned his gaze to Lucius, whose face showed anticipation.

"If Blaine insists on not letting Umbridge into Hogwarts, our foolish Minister of Magic is probably helpless. Or are you planning to use gold to make Blaine compromise?"

“Unless the Ministry of Magic passes legislation on this matter, establishing its right to interfere in Hogwarts' teaching activities, Fudge is destined to fail. But there is another way—”

Lucius's expression revealed extreme caution.

"The Board of Governors has the power to decide on Hogwarts' teaching activities and personnel arrangements. If you agree, and you give the order—and you know some of the Board members are your Death Eaters—if you get them to assist in this matter, I believe the Malfoy family can return to the Board of Governors."

"Oh, ho ho--"

Voldemort placed Nagini on the ground, then floated up from his recliner and stood before Lucius, his downcast gaze carrying a heavy pressure.

"Cunning Malfoy, is this your plan to let the Malfoy family regain power?"

Lucius bent down in fear.

"My master, I, the Malfoy family, exist solely to serve you better."

"To rip out one's heart and bones!"

Voldemort turned around menacingly, lashing out his wand like a whip. After the fierce sound came a agonizing howl that echoed throughout Malfoy Manor, followed by Narcissa's humble weeping and pleas as she collapsed onto her husband.

Voldemort only slowly moved his wand away when Lucius Malfoy was on the verge of death.

“This is your punishment, Lucius—”

Voldemort said lazily,

“Punish yourself for attempting to lie to me. You tried to use your loyalty to me to gain power for the Malfoy family. Lying to the Dark Lord is foolish, my friend. I hope you remember this lesson. Of course, your plan is quite good. Go ahead and do it, Lucius.”

Chapter 987 Chance Encounter

2024-06-21

"Dragon blood is going up in price, Floo powder is going up in price, potion ingredients are going up in price, everything related to magic is going up in price. Oh, it feels like the Galleon has depreciated, but the department's salaries haven't changed at all!"

As a middle-aged witch with silver-gray hair passed by Lucius, she angrily complained to her companion.

"We really hope our beloved minister can do something to improve this situation!"

"You're dreaming, Lisa—"

The witch's companion yawned and said lazily, and then the two walked away from the fireplace and disappeared into the bustling reception hall.

Similar complaints occasionally reached his ears, but Lucius remained expressionless and strode into the bustling crowd.

The current business environment in the European magical world is not good, and Lucius Malfoy knows perfectly well how this happened.

Ordinary wizards are still struggling with the mundane realities of daily life; most departments of the Ministry of Magic are overwhelmed with dealing with the increasingly severe security situation in the wizarding world; the higher-ups are busy wrestling with Hogwarts; and a significant number of families like the Malfoys, who control the lifeline of the wizarding world and run businesses closely related to the daily lives of wizards, are busy expanding the Dark Lord's territory.

Before the Dark Lord returned to the wizarding world, he and his wife Narcissa spent most of the year traveling between various European countries and the Malfoy family's companies and workshops.

Busy setting development goals for companies and workshops, seeking ways to expand production capacity and reduce costs, finding more sincere raw material suppliers, and cultivating relationships with politicians from various countries to achieve the goal of opening up new markets. It can be said that families like the Malfoy family, while controlling the magical world, are also supporting it.

A long queue formed before the elevator stopped. Lucius stared at the floor indicator above the door with his indifferent gray eyes, a sense of frustration building up inside him.

Ding--

When the elevator arrived, Lucius slowly infiltrated the queue. By the time it was his turn, the elevator car was almost full, but he, still distracted, tried to squeeze into the elevator lobby.

Arthur frowned, looking at Lucius with some surprise. Lucius seemed distracted and didn't seem to notice him at all. After hesitating for a moment, he let Percy, who was nervous about the upcoming conversation, squeeze into the elevator car to make room for Lucius.

The elevator ascended floor by floor, but Lucius's mood sank.

When businessmen reach a certain level, paying attention to the political situation becomes essential.

Although the Ministry of Magic claimed that the British wizarding world was still thriving and everything was as usual, businessmen of a certain social standing in other countries sensed that something was amiss within the British wizarding community.

The market has lost faith in the British wizarding world, and merchants from other countries are becoming more cautious and focused on cash flow when doing business with British families. Families like the Malfoys are also experiencing production cuts. All of these factors have led to the current situation.

Just like the civil war that happened in the British wizarding world last time.

At the time, he was engrossed in following the Dark Lord's cruel and brutal dreams, only to realize later that the Malfoy family had suffered heavy losses in the war.

"The first floor contains the Minister's office, including the Minister's logistics department—"

A cold, icy female voice roused Lucius from his daze. To his surprise, the crowded elevator car was nearly empty—in fact, only Arthur Weasley and his son were staring at him.

Subconsciously, a sarcastic smile appeared on Lucius's lips, and he was about to say something sarcastic, but before he could speak, he remembered his true position. Standing with the Weasley family, the disgrace of a pure-blood family, was truly humiliating.

Lucius's mocking smile vanished, and he swallowed the words he was about to say. He gave a barely perceptible nod to Arthur and his son, his face grim.

"Good morning"

Arthur's eyes widened instantly, as if he had heard that Charlie's Cannons had won the Quidditch World Cup. He stared at Lucius Malfoy in disbelief, almost thinking he had misheard, while the tense Percy also showed surprise.

"Hello, cough cough, Lucius."

Lucius's change of attitude left Arthur, who was prepared to retort, with nowhere to vent his anger. He coughed a few times, his face flushed.

"Are you here to see the minister too?"

"Yes."

Suppressing the embarrassment of having a normal conversation with Arthur Weasley, Lucius pursed his lips and nodded.

The three of them stepped out of the elevator together and headed toward the minister's office. The corridor, which was not long, felt as long as running ten laps around a Quidditch pitch, and all three of them felt an unbearable torment.

As they approached the minister's office, Percy's breathing became heavier. His fists clenched in his sleeves, and his eyes, which had looked listless due to dark circles, began to brighten. He spoke softly...

"Dad, the minister will... will agree--"

Percy stammered, but Mr. Weasley glanced warily at the back of Lucius's head before gently interrupting his son.

“Don’t worry, Percy, we’ll explain everything to the minister.”

Arthur Weasley comes to Fudge about his son. What delightful misfortune has befallen his son?

Lucius couldn't help but think about it, but he knew that Arthur Weasley wouldn't say a word if he asked.

"You go first, Lucius—"

The three men stood in front of the minister's office door. Mr. Weasley didn't want Lucius Malfoy to be present while he was talking to Fudge, so he stepped back and gave Malfoy the chance to knock.

Lucius's lips twitched, and he nodded to Arthur Weasley, a polite gesture that greatly surprised Arthur Weasley.

Du, du, du—

Lucius then knocked on the door.

Boom, boom, boom——

"Don't bother, the minister isn't in his office—"

A head popped out from the logistics office next door after hearing the knock.

"--Isaac, do you know where the minister went? Did he go out?"

Arthur raised an eyebrow, patted Percy's shoulder (whose expression turned disappointed), and asked gently.

"Oh, it's Arthur--"

The middle-aged wizard named Isaac also emerged from the doorway.

"You're here to see the minister, right? He threw a tantrum twenty minutes ago, smashed some things, and then stormed off to see Ms. Umbridge, saying, 'Dolores, where are you? I need to speak with you as soon as possible!'"

Isaac shrugged, perfectly mimicking Fudge's fiery tone when he shouted.

"Oh, thank you--"

Arthur said with some surprise,

"So, do you know why the minister got so angry?"

"You'll have to find out for yourself, Arthur—"

Isaac blinked his curious eyes and said with great interest...

"If you find out, don't forget to share it with me!"

"Oh, I will—"

After a moment's hesitation, Arthur nodded.

Then, Arthur looked at Lucius, who seemed a little dazed, and cautiously said...

"Looks like we need to find another place."

They returned to the elevator lobby. While waiting for the elevator, Percy wiped the sweat from his brow and swallowed hard.

"Dad, would it be better if we talked to the minister about this at another time?"

“There’s nothing to be afraid of, Percy. I’ve already said it, it’s not your fault at all. The department’s decision was wrong.”

Arthur said, with a tone that was both gentle and stern.

The three of them took the elevator down one floor and passed through the tense and busy office lobby before arriving at Dolores Umbridge's office.

“Since Dumbledore has clearly stated his refusal, then let’s pass legislation, Cornelius—”

A suppressed voice of excitement came from inside the office.

“I will speak with Pierce as soon as possible, and he will support your decision. However, the wizards in Wisengamori will require your personal consultation, Minister. We must do this quickly, because once we begin, someone will surely inform Dumbledore and Blaine!”