"Hagrid's Farm".
The servants are taking care of the lush green lawn, peacocks walk and peck on the fountain square, the lake ripples with cool breeze, this is a peaceful day at Malfoy Manor.
The servants whispering about the second match of the three-way duel held today glanced at the lord and lady of the manor walking over, immediately clamped their lips together, respectfully standing in a row until Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy passed by and went away, they only sighed relief after that, then discussed their own supported warriors.
"I don't understand, dear, why Fudge wants us to rejoin the School Board?"
A cloud floats across an endless wilderness, casting a shadow upon the beautiful Malfoy Manor as it basks in the bright sunlight. Lucius coldly glances at the bizarre cloud with no expression on his face.
"It is obvious that our 'honored' minister is probably very dissatisfied with the current situation."
"Narcissa is not foolish; with her husband's reminder, she immediately came to her senses."
"Are you saying that the Ministry is planning to intervene more aggressively in Hogwarts?"
"It's obvious, we all know that Fudge cares only about power, and Brian's overly aggressive demeanor is clearly a threat in his eyes. I believe Brian is also well aware of this but he doesn't care——"
Malfoy raised the corner of his mouth in a meaningless, fleeting smile.
"Because the small girl warrior was attacked, Brian quickly took away Ummichild's job in the Department of Magical Transport. Fudge didn't realize it at that moment, but we all knew he was furious later. The conflict will get more intense sooner or later, which is destined."
"But intervening in their struggle does not serve our interests, does it, dear?" Narcissa said calmly.
Facing his wife's question, this time, Lucius did not immediately give his own opinion. He stopped in his step and gazed at the ancient magnificent and majestic mansion with a worried brow.
It's time to make a choice again.
Lucius does not believe that Brian will lose. This guy is just abandoning the hypocritical Dumbledore, he will never give up his biggest advantage - his supernatural magical attainment. If he is at a disadvantage in the struggle, Brian is likely to directly murder Cornelius Fudge without leaving any trace.
Long-term observation has taught him that Dumbledore's restraint over Brian is not as great as imagined, so it is highly likely that Brian will ultimately resolve the issue through force. After all, reputation and power are weaker compared to absolute might.
But Lucius also believes that Brian will not resort to such drastic measures unless absolutely necessary, and before that, a fierce storm has already begun to take shape.
The Malfoy family's business spans the European magical world, which is impossible without the long-term support from the department. If Fudge and his Ministry believe they are not on the same side, then there is no doubt that the family's business will be thrown into a turmoil.
How to benefit from both sides has been the matter that Malfoy has been pondering over the past few days.
Looking at her husband's worried expression, Narcissa's eye corners softened. She was about to console a few words, but she was shocked to see that her husband's gloomy face turned pale instantly, and a wave of fear filled his familiar gray eyes.
"What's wrong, dear?"
Narcissa immediately steadied her husband, who was swaying, and asked with deep concern. However, Lucius did not offer any answer; his gaze dropped to his arm being held by Narcissa, fixing his eyes on it intensely.
"Impossible"
After a brief moment of confusion, Narcissa understood what was happening. Her cheeks were pale without any color, staggering back a few steps and disbelievingly shaking her head for a few seconds, Narcissa rushed up again. She pulled open Lucius's sleeve that he dare not touch, exposing his arm to the air!
The vibrant tattoo was a deep red, with the skeleton's mouth holding a snake that was subtly bobbing its head. Lucius's eyes were tinged with red, and for the first time in over a decade since Voldemort fell from power, the Mark of the Dark Lord had been so active, even though there had been occasional feelings of heat in recent months.
Ahem!
The wind that came from the lake suddenly became bloodthirsty, and the ominous clouds that had floated across the wilderness lowered. All the delicately pruned noble trees lined up in the manor were all bent over, and what was once a tranquil Malfoy Manor turned into turmoil at once.
It's not an illusion.
The burning sensation in his arm became clearer and clearer, and Lucius's hope was shattered.
Black. The Dark Lord is coming back? What should I do?
This question has been in Lucius's mind for quite some time. He knew it would happen eventually, but he hadn't expected it to be so sudden.
Is it to escape or follow like last time, loyal to the Dark Lord, for a now-realized, completely absurd idea?
No. There's no choice to escape, the Dark Lord and his fanatic followers will hunt down the Malfoy family to the ends of the earth, even Draco cannot escape!
He has to comply. He made a silly mistake, he handed the Dark Lord the precious item he was supposed to keep safe and instructed him to do so carefully, in order to trouble Dumbledore. That item was exactly what he believed it to be.
The Dark Lord was never a magnanimous person, and he was well aware that even if the Malfoy family was willing to continue following the Dark Lord, he might not accept it. He would surely punish him in the most cruel way possible, not through death, but by using despair to destroy him. The Dark Lord will set his sights on Draco!
"He is calling me."
Lucius was sweating profusely, as if he had just fallen ill, and his eyes were wild with terror. He didn't hear his wife's call.
The Dark Lord was not to be relied upon, and Lucius was well aware of this. But he had to at least save Draco and Narcissa. He could only accept the olive branch extended by Brian, and the cost--
"He is calling me."
Lucius gasped and continued, "He wants me to come back."
"I have to write a letter to Brian immediately, and the letter must be delivered to him!"
"What?"
Narcissa witnessed her husband's confusion, and she couldn't understand why he was still thinking of writing a letter to Brian at this time!
"There's no time to explain!"
Lucius rolled up his sleeve and grabbed his wife's wrist, running towards the house as fast as he could, ignoring the servants who saw them in a panic and rushed over to ask questions.
Kicking open the door to the study, Lucius rushed to his chair without a moment's hesitation. He trembled with his hands and feet, drew out parchment and a quill, and paused for a moment before touching the paper with his pen.
"The Dark Lord has returned, and the Malfoy family is willing to follow you, to become your eyes and ears."
An incredibly simple sentence, followed by Lucius Malfoy's private magical seal.
"Dear"
Narcissa's voice trembled, and her eyes conveyed disbelief.
"You will. This will become."
"This is what Brian wants."
Lucius's face turned pale, but his eyes were resolute. He quickly sealed the letter with magic and handed it to Narcissa.
"Use the Floo Network to go to Hogwarts, find a villager, give him gold, and have him deliver the letter to Hogwarts. Brian will understand."
Narcissa knew what the letter meant. She stood dazed, staring at the letter in her hand, and her husband's muffled voice jolted her out of her thoughts.
Lucius rolled up his sleeve himself, and the Dark Lord's mark on his arm had turned black. He waved his wand, and a black cloak with a hood fluttered out from a hidden layer, landing in his hand.
"Don't go!"
Narcissa watched her husband frantically put on the cloak, took a deep look at her, and was about to leave the study. When she woke up, she rushed up and pulled her husband.
"Regarding this matter..."
Lucius turned to look at his wife, who had been by his side for years, and smiled weakly.
"Malfoy family has no choice."
(End of chapter)
