Magical Studies at Hogwarts...

Chapter 244 Narcissa's Decision

Leaving the town, Ike Apparated directly to the outside of Malfoy Manor. Not for any other reason than that Malfoy Manor had activated its anti-Apparition magic after Voldemort left.

He peeked out at the gate, and the previously closed door opened. He strolled into the castle and immediately saw Malfoy sitting alone on the luxurious sofa in the living room.

There was no one else.

"Just you?" Ike said casually, sitting down on the single sofa next to Malfoy. With a wave of his hand, the teapot and cups on the coffee table started moving.

Soon, a cup of black tea was poured.

"They're all gone." Malfoy looked a little listless and nervous, and didn't even look at Ike while speaking.

According to the Malfoy family's rules, this was absolutely wrong. Clearly, something was troubling him.

Ike immediately recalled what Old Voldemort had said that day; Malfoy must know. His gaze fell on Malfoy's left arm, and a sudden smile crept onto his lips.

There, a magical energy surged, much like the one emanating from his own left arm.

"Alright, I won't ask you anymore. Where's your mother? I'll go ask her instead." Ike shook his head with a smile, patted Malfoy's left shoulder, and stood up.

"I'll go call her..." Malfoy got up and was about to go find Narcissa, but he was too late; Narcissa's figure had already appeared on the stairs.

Behind her was another person with messy hair who looked crazy; it was Bellatrix.

"Mr. Streid," Narcissa nodded slightly to Ike.

"Young master." Bella bowed slightly, her tone respectful. Ever since she witnessed Ike and Voldemort fighting Dumbledore that night, she had completely accepted Ike's identity.

"Mrs. Malfoy, Bella." Ike nodded slightly. "Where's the teacher? Hasn't he returned yet?"

"Master hasn't returned yet," Bella said. "Little Master, have you completed Master's task?"

"Yes, those guys are right there where the teacher arranged for them," Ike said. "Did the teacher give any instructions on what to do next?"

"Yes, young master." Bella tilted her head slightly, took a letter out of her pocket and handed it to Ike. "This is from your master. It's about what you need to do later."

Ike took the letter and opened it. There were only a few words on it, which he glanced at and memorized. With a slight movement of his fingers, a ball of flame appeared and burned the letter to ashes.

He nodded and said, "I understand... I have something to do, so I'll be going now..."

"Goodbye, Mrs. Malfoy, Bella."

Goodbye, Mr. Streid.

Goodbye, little master.

Narcissa and Bella escorted Ike to the foyer, standing there until Ike's figure disappeared through the manor gates.

"Why didn't you ask her?" Bella asked directly after Ike left. "Didn't you say you'd ask him for advice?"

"He's the same age as Draco, after all, and besides, he's not necessarily of any use." Narcissa shook her head. "Even if he's the Dark Lord's favorite student, he can't change the Dark Lord's will."

"No one in this world can make the Dark Lord change his mind once he has made up his mind."

"So, we still have to find him..."

"Him? Snape? No way!" Bella exclaimed. "I don't trust him!"

"You didn't trust Streid before either," Narcissa said, looking at Bella.

"They're different, they're different." Bella shook her head.

"What's the difference? They're all people trusted by the Dark Lord," Narcissa said.

"No...it's different...In short, I don't trust that guy!" Bella's attitude was also firm. "He's always by Dumbledore's side; he didn't even show up that day!"

"You know, it was the Dark Lord who wouldn't let him go, and you were there," Narcissa said. "That's not an excuse... Anyway, I've made up my mind..."

"No, I'm going to find him right now!"

With that, Narcissa strode quickly toward the manor gate and disappeared as soon as she stepped out.

"Cici! Wait a minute!" Bella reacted a little too slowly. Although she ran out after Narcissa, she was too late. Narcissa had already Apparated away.

Gritting his teeth, he drew his wand, aimed it at the lingering ripples in the air, and spun rapidly, disappearing from his spot along the path of his phantom teleportation.

"puff!"

With a soft sound, Narcissa appeared beside a dark river in the outskirts of Kirkworth. She stood on the riverbank, looked up to get her bearings, and then strode forward.

"puff!"

Another sound, louder than before, and Bella appeared. She stumbled slightly but regained her balance, and looked up to see Narcissa's back.

"etc!"

She called out and quickly chased after him. She stopped after taking only two steps, glanced at the grass on the riverbank, and flicked her hand, sending out a beam of green light. The carcass of a fox rolled out immediately.

"A fox? Humph!" Bella muttered, then called out to Narcissa's retreating figure, "Cici, wait a minute!"

Fortunately, the road was quite difficult to walk on, and Bella managed to catch up with Narcissa after a few more steps. She grabbed Narcissa's arm, panting slightly.

"Sissi... Narcissa... you... you listen to me..."

"Go back, Bella!"

"No, you must listen to me!"

"I've already heard that, go back! Leave me alone!"

Bella held on tightly, but Narcissa was resolute. Even though Bella struggled to pull, Narcissa led her across the riverbank to a cobblestone alley outside a row of dilapidated brick houses.

"He lives here?" Bella asked dismissively. "In some Muggle dump?"

Narcissa ignored her, checked her bearings, then broke free from Bella's hand, quickly crossed an alley, and ran swiftly through the rows of dilapidated brick houses.

She ran fast, but Bella was faster, and she was finally caught again after rounding a bend.

"Sissy, listen to me, we can't reveal Master's plans to anyone..."

"Let me go, Bella." Narcissa struggled but couldn't break free. She pulled her wand from her cloak and aimed it at Bella.

"Cici, I don't believe you would do this to your own sister..." Bella was still smiling when Narcissa's wand suddenly emitted a red light, and pain struck, causing her to involuntarily loosen her grip.

"There's nothing I can't do now!" Narcissa said in a deep voice, glancing at Bella who was rubbing her arm, before turning and disappearing into a side alley.

"Damn it, Narcissa!" Bella cursed under her breath, watching Narcissa walk away, and still rubbing her arm as she chased after her.

Narcissa knew Bella would definitely chase after her, but she didn't care and continued running through the dilapidated brick houses. Until she ran into a street called Spider's Tail Alley and came to the house at the very end.

It seemed to be the most dilapidated building, with dark, gloomy walls, except for a faint light shining through the curtains of one of the downstairs rooms.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Without hesitation, Narcissa knocked on the door that might fall apart at any moment, then stood quietly in front of it, motionless.

(End of this chapter)