The bright moon, hanging in the night sky, reached the top of the terrace above the heads of the three people. However, under the moonlight, Malfoy Manor did not retain its usual elegance but instead appeared eerie like a vast graveyard. Even the refreshing breeze that drifted by carried a touch of desolation.
"Ah, the task. Of course, I believe you can definitely complete it. After all, it's just to deliver a message, isn't it, Lucius? If you can't even handle this, then I would be surprised –"
The Dark Lord made a witty remark, and Lucius and Narcissa could not help but laugh, albeit the expressions on their faces were more tears than smiles.
"The problem is –"
Voldemort smiled coldly.
"Professor Dumbledore. Oh, and Breathing, they haven't wondered why you suddenly decided to visit Hogwarts?"
"No, my master –"
Lucius was still kneeling.
"I haven't seen Dumbledore, it was Breathing who took me into Hogwarts, I told him that I was going to Hogsmeade to conduct a business, on my way to Hogwarts to bring Draco the point prepared by Nasisha by Draco, and then, using the excuse that I want to know about Draco's recent performance in school, asked to see Severus Breathing. After letting Severus and me meet, Severus went to class. I had a good opportunity to give Severus your orders."
Hic. Hic.
The Dark Lord listened quietly to Lucius's story, without asking any further questions. He just widened his narrow nose slightly, sniffed the air, which faintly smelled of fish.
"Very good, Lucius, although your wisdom cannot be compared to that of the Dark Lord, but your. your cleverness and little smartness always seem to be useful from time to time –"
Voldemort smiled lightly.
"Come on up, Lucius, we can chat. To be honest, I don't have much sleep. Oh, it's not because I'm worried about something. You people don't understand, many years ago when my magic became more profound, I didn't really need to sleep. Lucius –"
Looking at her husband's face that could not hide the exhaustion, Nasisha's face flashed with concern. However, when she came back to her senses, she noticed the Dark Lord watching her with interest. Her heart skipped a beat, and her waist bent down without hesitation.
"Shall I prepare some refreshments for you, my lord?"
"Oh, no need, Nasira. My stomach is already full of the snacks you prepared for me earlier. Let's chat, shall we? You can listen together as well. What our dear Lucius is hiding from us."
In the tranquil night, as if a thunderstorm had suddenly struck, Nasisha's face turned pale in an instant. Just getting up, Lucius's calves weakened. This time, he didn't kneel down. Facing the Dark Lord whose expression had turned cold and stern, Lucius's pale face betrayed confusion, innocence and a sense of urgency.
"I have not hidden anything from you, my lord! It's just that there are some things I haven't had the chance to report to you yet!"
"What are those things?"
Snakes.
At some point, Nagini slithered over from the shadows, its head hanging over Voldemort's leg, allowing him to pet its fierce head, as it occasionally stuck out its dark red snake tongue.
"I have heard a message. Well, it was actually Severus who volunteered the information –"
A bead of sweat dripping from his forehead broke through the confinement of his eyebrows and slowly penetrated into Lucius's eye socket. This made Lucius very uncomfortable, but he dared not wipe it away. Still breathing heavily, he said,
"A curious piece of news, Severus told me that the Minister for Magic plans to send Dolores Umbridge to Hogwarts as the professor for Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"Having Umbridge as the professor for Defense Against the Dark Arts. Oh, so the esteemed Minister for Magic finally doesn't want to bear with Breathing and Dumbledore anymore?"
Voldemort showed some interest.
"Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. That's not a good choice. Back in the day... Oh, word has gotten out. I've placed a curse on that position. A very powerful curse, one that cost many lives, and perhaps even I cannot lift it –"
Voldemort continued to leisurely pet Nagini's head.
"Did Dumbledore agree? Oh, I'm afraid he wouldn't refuse. He's such a hypocritical and cowardly old man, knowing that Cornelius Fudge sent people into Hogwarts to keep an eye on him, but he wouldn't refuse –"
"Your wisdom is impressive, my lord."
Lucius spoke trembling.
"Severus told me that Dumbledore is indeed in a dilemma, but he hasn't planned to refuse. However, Breathing has returned from New York, and it is said that he requires Dumbledore to dismiss the arrangement of the Ministry of Magic, and not allow Dolores Umbridge to enter Hogwarts. Breathing's attitude is resolute, and it seems that Fudge won't be able to fulfill his intentions. So."
"So?"
"I'm thinking, we might need to help Cornelius Fudge, my lord."
Lucius mustered the courage to say.
Voldemort squinted his eyes without speaking, seemingly waiting for an explanation. Seeing this, Lucius tousled a strand of sweat-dampened golden hair hanging over his forehead, his tone hinting at excitement.
"This is beneficial to us, my lord, as you said. Cornelius Fudge sending Dolores Umbridge that woman to Hogwarts certainly isn't to teach the young wizards black magic defense. She is there to monitor and investigate Dumbledore and Breathing."
These years, Fudge has been worried about his position being unstable and Dumbledore suddenly changing his mind and deciding to take the position of Minister for Magic. He believes that Dumbledore's promotion that you have returned to the magical world was to create panic and drive the public to oust him from power.
Sending Umbridge to Hogwarts is Fudge's preemptive measure. That woman, Umbridge, is fiercely loyal to Fudge. Once she enters Hogwarts, she will surely be eager to cause trouble for Dumbledore and Breathing!
Seeing no sign of anger from the Dark Lord, Lucius ignored the subtle oddness in Nasisha's eyes, exclaiming excitedly,
"Dumbledore is trying to interfere with your plans by using the Order of the Phoenix. He has sent Hagrid to stop us from recruiting giants, and he has taken Mad-Eye Moody and the Longbottoms to Northern Europe to prevent us from incorporating the local wizards there. Of course, Dumbledore cannot stop you from advancing, and his arrangements have all failed, but –"
Lucius took a deep breath and said,
"If Umbridge keeps adding trouble for Dumbledore and Breathing under their noses, it will undoubtedly drain their energy. Even Artemas Breathing, who is not brave enough to kill the senior deputy minister of the Ministry of Magic."
A sudden gust of wind made Voldemort's robe rustle, and the red vertical pupils of his eyes flickered with a faint light, indicating that he was deep in thought.
"But how do you intend to assist the Minister for Magic in achieving his ridiculous little plan?"
After a moment, Voldemort turned his gaze to Lucius, whose face showed expectation.
"If Breathing insists on not allowing Umbridge into Hogwarts, our foolish Minister for Magic may be at a loss. Or are you planning to use gold to compromise Breathing?"
"Unless the Ministry of Magic passes a law on this matter, establishing its right to interfere in the teaching activities of Hogwarts, Fudge is destined to fail. But there is another way –"
Lucius' expression was one of caution and care.
"The Board of Governors has the authority to make decisions on the teaching activities and personnel arrangements of Hogwarts. If you agree, you can give orders. You know, some of the governors on the board are your Death Eaters. If you let them help with this matter, I believe that the Marauders can be reinstated to the Board of Governors."
"Oh, hehe –"
Voldemort placed Nagini on the ground and floated up from the chaise lounge, coming to stand before Lucius. His descending gaze carried a heavy weight of pressure.
"Cunning Marauders, is this your plan? To regain the power of the Marauders?"
Lucius bent down in terror.
"My lord. I, the Marauders family, is only for your greater service."
"Cutting heart and digging bones!"
Voldemort turned around and looked menacingly. He slashed his wand down as if wielding a whip, and after a harsh cry, the painful screams resounded throughout the entire Malfoy manor, followed by Nasisha's humble weeping and begging as she collapsed on her husband.
Only when Lucius Malfoy was gasping his last breath did Voldemort slowly withdraw his wand.
"This is your punishment, Lucius –"
Voldemort said lazily,
"Your 'punishment' is for attempting to lie to me, Lucius –" Voldemort said indolently. "You tried to use your supposed loyalty to the Dark Lord to gain power for the Malfoy family. Lying in the presence of the Dark Lord is foolish, my friend; I hope you remember this lesson. Of course, your plan is a good one; go ahead with it, Lucius."
(Chapter ends)
