Inside the grand and solemn reception hall of Malfoy Manor, on the polished white marble floor that shone like a mirror, the current head of the house, Lucius Malfoy, was pacing back and forth restlessly. His slender figure was particularly striking in the spacious and bright hall.
Time went back a few years. When Lucius first heard news of the Dark Lord's imminent return from other Death Eater companions, there was still a hint of doubt in his heart.
After all, his master had vanished for years since being killed by The Boy Who Lived. It was said that not even a body was left back then; the rumor of the "Dark Lord's return" sounded truly hard to believe.
However, as the situation developed, a series of events under Lord Voldemort's remote control began to shake his initial thoughts.
Especially after that thrilling mass breakout from Azkaban occurred, everything became unusual.
On the evening he received the news of the mass breakout from Azkaban, his wife Narcissa's somewhat crazed sister, Bellatrix, who had been sentenced to life imprisonment in Azkaban, suddenly burst into their home.
Bellatrix, her face full of rage, ruthlessly accused them of why they dared to betray Lord Voldemort—Lucius's heart sank suddenly, and an unprecedented panic surged in his heart.
Fortunately, as a respected pure-blood wizarding family under the Union Jack of Britain, the House of Malfoy had intricate and deeply rooted relationships with the major prestigious families of the Wizarding World. Lord Voldemort also knew well that bringing such a family with a deep background and strong influence back under his command was far more beneficial to his own power than simply punishing their past disloyalty.
Thus, facing Lucius's silver-tongued argument of "biding time and quietly waiting for the master's return," Lord Voldemort chose to be half-convinced but ultimately decided to let him go for the time being.
At that time, Lucius Malfoy was still immersed in a sense of lucky joy, secretly congratulating himself on his quick-wittedness and the master's seemingly tolerant attitude. This made him firmly believe that he had successfully seized an excellent opportunity for the House of Malfoy to firmly occupy a high position when the future reshuffling occurred.
This joy vanished as the European Wizengamot launched a large-scale manhunt for fugitive Death Eaters. At the same time, he also heard that Gellert Grindelwald's blood relative, Adelaide Grindelwald, had actually emerged and shone brilliantly at Hogwarts—especially when he heard from his good friend Snape that this young Grindelwald's talent was even above that of Lord Voldemort in his youth, Lucius felt incredibly shocked and frustrated.
The script was indeed "Return of the Dark Lord," but the one returning didn't seem to be the Dark Lord Lord Voldemort who had caused blood and terror in Britain years ago, but rather the earlier Grindelwald Family and the Wizengamot under him who had turned the European and American Wizarding World upside down.
Worst of all, that Grindelwald had actually reached some mysterious agreement with Albus Dumbledore, to the point that Dumbledore used his own reputation as a guarantee, overcoming all objections to successfully allow Gellert Grindelwald to be released from Nurmengard prison and sent to St Mungos Hospital in Britain for medical parole.
Lucius had plenty of confidence in his master Lord Voldemort's strength, but in all fairness, he had to admit that relying solely on Lord Voldemort and the remnants of the Death Eaters being chased by the Wizengamot, it would be difficult to contend with the powerful alliance formed by Dumbledore and Grindelwald.
At the thought of this, Lucius Malfoy couldn't help but break into a cold sweat, because he suddenly realized that he might have truly chosen the wrong team and stood on the wrong side.
"My dear, Mrs. Parkinson has sent a card, sincerely inviting us to her manor next Thursday for a cocktail party—"
Narcissa Malfoy said as she stepped lightly into the spacious and bright hall. When her gaze fell upon that familiar figure, a look of shock and worry instantly appeared on her face.
She saw Lucius standing alone by the window, his once handsome and elegant face now looking incredibly haggard and pale.
He stared blankly out the window, his eyes hollow and listless. His whole person was swaying like a candle in the wind, as if he would completely shatter and dissipate with a gentle touch.
Narcissa was startled. She instinctively quickened her pace, hurried to Lucius's side, stretched out both hands to firmly support his trembling body, and carefully led him to sit in a nearby comfortable chair.
Lucius didn't seem to have noticed his wife's arrival until Narcissa softly called his name, and he slowly turned his head as if waking from a dream.
His eyes, which were usually full of confidence and majesty, were now occupied by deep fear.
"Cissy..."
Lucius spoke in a hoarse voice, while clutching Narcissa's hand tightly like a drowning man grasping at a final straw. His grip was so strong it almost pinched into her delicate skin. "I... I feel like I've taken the wrong path, made the wrong choice... If the glory of the House of Malfoy gradually dims and declines in my hands, how can I have the face to meet our departed ancestors..."
"And our beloved son, Draco, he will also suffer with us because of my mistake..." Speaking of this, Lucius was overcome with grief, his eyes turning red, as if he had already seen the future Malfoy Family living a poor life without status like the Weasley family.
"My dear, don't be so pessimistic yet. Calm down first."
Narcissa looked at the man on the verge of collapse with heartache. She gently raised her other free arm, softly wrapping it around Lucius's broad back, and then gently pulled his head into her embrace, letting him feel her warm hug and endless comfort.
In the eyes of outsiders, Lucius Malfoy was undoubtedly a fearsome and powerful figure.
However, few knew that this seemingly proud and cold man was actually weak at the core, cowardly in character, and indecisive in his actions.
The backbone of the House of Malfoy in this generation was actually his wife, Narcissa Malfoy, who appeared to be ignorant of worldly affairs and spent her days only attending various pure-blood noblewomen's gatherings.
Narcissa leaned elegantly against the arm of the chair, analyzing the current situation logically: "My dear, don't forget that Minister Fudge was able to ascend to his current position entirely because of the financial support our family provided. Furthermore, our relationship with Severus Snape is also quite close—Draco will be going to Hogwarts in another year, and we can completely use him to convey friendly intentions to that young lady of the Grindelwald Family."
After all, the House of Malfoy always knew how to leave a way out for themselves and would never put all their chips in the same basket.
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