Hogwarts: I'm Harry's older cousin

Chapter 335, Page 329: I hope you will remain Senior Tom's most loyal subordinate.

"I am Lucius."

Lucius's characteristic deep voice came through the Den Den Mushi, his tone revealing a hint of weariness.

"Do you have time? I have something urgent to discuss with you."

His breathing was a little rapid, and he sounded slightly anxious. It seemed that this high-ranking official from the Ministry of Magic had no other choice, otherwise he wouldn't have come to him.

"You have one minute, Mr. Lucius. I will be at the gates of Malfoy Manor in one minute."

The person on the other end of the phone quickly agreed.

A minute passed quickly, and Dudley disappeared from the spot right on time. When he reappeared, he was already at the entrance of Malfoy Manor.

Apparition is an incredibly useful spell. If the dizziness after using it could be eliminated, it would truly allow you to go wherever you want. The only downside is the limited range; the difficulty increases with the distance of the apparition. Furthermore, it can only take you to places you've already been, unless you choose the extremely dangerous random teleportation. Theoretically, it's possible to teleport to the moon, but most likely you'd be teleported as one or more parts of your body.

Lucius, dressed in distinctive aristocratic attire, stood at the door, respectfully greeting Dudley. His complexion was terrible; his gray eyes were bloodshot, making him look haggard, and his already pale, pointed face was now even paler.

Lucius very respectfully welcomed Dudley into the manor.

As the manor gates slowly closed, Dudley sensed a slight change in the surrounding air. It seemed that Malfoy Manor had been enshrined with some kind of protective magic, but Dudley couldn't figure out what it was or ask any further questions.

Malfoy Estate was unusually quiet today; the streets were deserted, and even the white peacocks by the fountain were nowhere to be seen.

"Where's Draco?"

"He went to visit the Greengrass family early this morning with his mother."

Greengrass, Draco's dance partner Astoria, the girl with dimples when she smiles, is a member of this family, one of the few pure-blood families that has not sided with Voldemort and remains neutral.

"Lucius, there are some things you can let Draco share the burden with you. Don't underestimate him; he might know more than you do and give you a surprise."

Dudley made the suggestion, seemingly implying something else entirely.

"Mr. Dursley, Draco is still a child."

Unfortunately, Lucius failed to grasp the underlying meaning and clearly did not heed it.

He's the same age as me.

"."

They chatted casually as they entered the main hall of the mansion.

Two exquisite meals were laid out there, clearly intended for people to eat and chat over.

Although Lucius was anxious, he did not forget the proper etiquette and did not say a word when the meal began.

Overall, the food at the Malfoy family's house tasted pretty good.

Given the price, Malfoy wouldn't eat food of slightly lower quality.

Lucius's mind was definitely not on the food. He barely touched his knife, only taking a few symbolic bites. The stewed, tender, juicy, melt-in-your-mouth red wine beef tasted like wax to him.

Seeing that Lucius didn't have much of an appetite, Dudley unceremoniously put the whole pot of stewed beef on his side, as he was really hungry.

After hesitating for a moment, Lucius finally spoke.

"That person... is back. He sent someone to find me."

"I know."

It was entirely expected that Voldemort would send someone to find Lucius.

Who is Lucius?

A veteran among the Death Eaters, a strong contender for the title of most loyal subordinate, Voldemort even entrusted him with the safekeeping of his Horcruxes. Of all the Death Eaters, he only entrusted the Horcruxes to two subordinates: Bellatrix, who was suspected of being his lover, and Lucius.

Even his son, Barty Jr., didn't have one.

Compared to Lucius, Karkaroff, also a high-ranking member of the Death Eaters, looked like a nobody.

In the original story, many Death Eaters who survived betrayed their companions, but Karkaroff was the only one who was killed because of this.

"I've thought about it for several nights. I... I don't want to go."

Lucius seemed to have made a great decision when he said that.

Upon hearing this, Dudley paused briefly in his eating: "Mr. Lucius, do you intend to openly betray him?"

"Not only me, but Karkaroff didn't go either, and he doesn't plan to go."

"You are not Karkaroff, you are completely different from him. Senior Tom can do without Karkaroff, because someone can replace him at any time. But he cannot do without Malfoy. Malfoy is his important money bag."

Karkaroff was a decent dark wizard, but only decent. There were countless wizards with similar abilities, and his mediocre curses were no match for Voldemort.

The reason Lucius previously enjoyed Voldemort's deep trust was not only because he claimed to be from the ancient pure-blood Malfoy family and was very good at judging situations, but most importantly, because he was rich. Voldemort needed the Malfoy family's wealth. Otherwise, why would he be in that position? Was he even less skilled in dark magic than Karkaroff?

"If you dare to openly betray him, believe me, Malfoy Manor will face utter destruction."

Although Dudley seemed to have him completely outmaneuvered, even destroying several of his Horcruxes, it was only because Voldemort didn't understand him.

To put it bluntly, James once outwitted Voldemort, and then he died.

Dudley never underestimated Voldemort.

Strategically despise the opponent, but tactically take them seriously.

This is Dudley's attitude towards Voldemort.

Moreover, his fearlessness of Voldemort does not mean that Malfoy is also fearless.

"You'll help me, right?"

"If you are willing to lend a hand, the Malfoy family will be your most loyal servants."

Lucius's tone had become pleading; he was begging for Dali's protection.

The meaning couldn't be clearer: he wanted to completely side with Dali.

"Mr. Lucius, I didn't expect you to think so highly of me."

"I am truly flattered."

For the seasoned Lucius to say something like that, it's safe to assume he no longer has faith in Voldemort.

Based on that statement alone, even if Voldemort needed Malfoy desperately, he would grant him a green light.

"Servant? No, no, Draco and I are friends, very good friends."

Dudley emphasized the word "friend," which made Lucius breathe a slight sigh of relief. Although he didn't explicitly state his opinion, he was at least willing to take care of his only son.

That's enough.

"Don't you think he's a little too pitiful?"

Dudley wiped his mouth with the napkin next to him and suddenly said.

"?"

Lucius was momentarily confused and didn't understand the meaning of those words.

"Mr. Lucius, I hope you will remain Tom's most loyal subordinate."

"!!!"

(End of this chapter)