Mysterious Journey

Chapter 918 Bodyguard Dobby, Activate!

Malfoy Manor.

Lucius Malfoy sat quietly in his study, his fingers lightly drumming on the desk.

Being a member of the Hogwarts Board of Governors was more of an honorary title. Aside from attending meetings when necessary, it didn't require the regular clock-in and clock-out of a Ministry of Magic job. This meant that weekends rarely held much significance for the Malfoy family.

However, since Halloween this year, weekends had acquired a special addition.

"...It's been half a month, and the information you've gathered is less than what I can find out at the Board meetings."

Lucius said coldly, and the house-elf standing in front of his desk trembled.

Ever since the "House-Elf Training Program" was finalized at the school board meeting some time ago, Dobby had been returning to Malfoy Manor from Hogwarts every weekend to report on the week's "learning and training."

It had to be admitted that, after the training at Hogwarts, Dobby had shown remarkable improvement in his culinary skills.

However, Lucius was more concerned about something else besides the house-elf's culinary advancement.

"Dobby, do you really think you're at Hogwarts to learn skills? I'm asking you one last time, what else have you discovered about that item—whether it's speculation or rumors... This is an order! You don't need to think or judge which content is valuable; that's for me to decide. Am I clear enough?!"

"Uh... There, there is one, one discovery, but not on Master Draco—about, about Harry Potter—"

Dobby trembled all over, as if struggling with something, and said in a strained voice.

Harry Potter?

Lucius narrowed his eyes.

"Speak—"

"At the end of Potions class last week, Dobby heard Master Draco talking to Harry Potter. They seemed to be discussing a strange, old Potions textbook, and Harry Potter was achieving good results in Potions class by following the instructions in the notes—but Master Draco seemed uneasy, because they didn't know who the owner of the notes was..."

Dobby looked at Lucius anxiously and added, "But Dobby saw from afar that the old Potions textbook in Harry Potter's hand was not 'that thing.' Dobby remembers very clearly what Master Draco took from your collection room, and the two are definitely not the same book."

"A strange, old book? Instructions..."

Lucius Malfoy pondered for a few seconds, his brow slightly furrowed.

"Continue—I believe I said this once already, I don't need you to offer any opinions or judgments—regarding the owner of that 'old Potions textbook,' was there any additional information in Draco and Potter's conversation?"

"There was only one..."

Dobby tried hard to recall the scene and said softly, "Dobby vaguely heard that the old textbook once belonged to a wizard who called himself the 'Half-Blood Prince.'"

"Half-Blood Prince? Potions?"

Lucius Malfoy frowned again, repeating the words thoughtfully.

As a well-known social star in the wizarding world, he knew everything about the socialites of the past few decades.

Lucius was certain that there was absolutely no wizard called the "Half-Blood Prince" among them—"half-blood" was not exactly a pleasant term in wizarding society. Perhaps only clueless students or powerful wizards...

Hmm? Wait?!

Wizards who were exceptionally powerful, reckless, and disregarded social opinion?

At that moment, Lucius's expression suddenly changed.

After Peter Pettigrew's public trial last year, many people in the wizarding world had learned a lot about the Dark Lord's past.

Tom Riddle, the last descendant of Salazar Slytherin, Head Boy of Hogwarts, recipient of the Hogwarts Special Award for Services to the School and the Order of Merlin (revoked)—these were discussed in the newspapers for an entire month.

However, few knew that the Dark Lord, who hated Muggles, was not the pure-blood wizard that people imagined.

Slytherin House was not only for pure-blood wizards.

Pure blood was an important factor, but from time to time, exceptionally talented half-blood wizards were sorted into Slytherin by the Sorting Hat. However, most of them would claim to be of pure-blood lineage rather than half-blood.

As a close friend of the Dark Lord's when he was studying at Hogwarts, Lucius Malfoy's father happened to know some unknown and dangerous information, such as Tom Riddle growing up in a Muggle orphanage, and the Dark Lord being a half-blood wizard...

"Half-Blood... Prince? Potions..."

Lucius Malfoy unconsciously stroked his chin, his mind constantly turning over information about the Dark Lord.

Unlike the non-magical world, few people in the wizarding world would call themselves princes—secular royalty was almost a joke in the eyes of pure-blood wizards. However, if their ancestors had produced illustrious wizards, there would occasionally be such self-proclaimed titles.

Of course, the vast majority compared themselves to titles and nobles, highlighting the past glory of their family names in the wizarding world.

Undoubtedly, Salazar Slytherin deserved the status of a "wizarding king."

On the other hand, the magical name of the Dark Lord also had the meaning of "king" in it.

Whether it was during his student years or as Voldemort, most people's attention was focused on the Dark Lord's extraordinary magical power. However, only the "Death Eater Elders" knew that Potions was also one of the Dark Lord's areas of expertise.

At least a third of the Dark Lord's terrifying magical power came from his dangerous Potions experiments.

"...That item has fallen into Harry Potter's hands now, I understand."

Lucius Malfoy said slowly, his fingers tapping lightly on the desk.

"Keep an eye on Draco. Don't let him get too close to Potter. I will write him a letter to remind him later."

"But, but," Dobby said blankly, "that thing and the old textbook are not—"

"Whatever the Dark Lord wants it to be, it can be. Understand? It can be a notebook, a diary, or an old Potions textbook, a Transfiguration textbook... Of course, this is just my speculation for now."

Lucius waved his hand, his pale, pointed face twitching slightly, as if recalling some particularly terrible past event.

"In short, if that item really used the title 'Half-Blood Prince,' and it can guide Harry Potter to achieve good results in Snape's class, then the wizard who meets the criteria—is most likely the Dark Lord. Now that he's contacted the 'Boy Who Lived,' well... then the rest is up to Dumbledore to worry about..."

"The Dark Lord?! Potter, Mr. Harry Potter... Is this how it ends?"

Dobby's eyes widened suddenly, and he looked at Lucius in disbelief, saying shrilly.

"Dobby means, is it possible that just a nickname is enough to—"

"The Dark Lord is a half-blood, and when he was in school, he was naturally a prince—"

Lucius frowned, looked at the extremely frightened servant, and added a stern threat.

"Alright, that's the end of this matter. No further investigation is needed. Just stay in Hogwarts Castle and learn those skills and rules, and take care of Draco—and absolutely don't touch that item!"

Although he didn't understand what was happening, Lucius vaguely smelled danger from the fragmented information Dobby described.

The "key" left by the Dark Lord has probably awakened. Whether it's the Imperius Curse, magical suggestion, a curse... or some other dark magic, in any case, the wisdom and danger of "that thing" must not be underestimated. The Malfoy family had finally escaped this nightmare, and now they couldn't let the "Dark Lord" be connected to the Malfoy family again.

As for Draco...

A hint of coldness flashed in Lucius's gray-blue eyes.

The immediate priority was to separate Draco and Potter's seats in class.

As a member of the Hogwarts Board of Governors, Lucius could use his position to force this issue, even if it meant being ridiculed by the other members of the board. He couldn't care less—this was his son, and even Dumbledore had no reason to refuse.

Of course, it would be best to communicate with Dumbledore privately first.

It would be best if it didn't have to be raised as an agenda item at the Board of Governors meeting.

"Alright, Dobby, go back to Hogwarts first. Remember what I said—the Chamber of Secrets may be opened. You must follow Draco at all times and don't let him have the chance to mix with Potter..."

Lucius Malfoy waved his hand, signaling Dobby to leave his study.

Tomorrow was the start of a new week, and he had to quickly come up with the wording and try to send the letter out before tonight.

Although Lucius still didn't know what role Dumbledore played in this, he had to ensure that Draco wouldn't be involved. As for what secret schemes Dumbledore had, that was something to consider later.

Lucius, who was fumbling for parchment, clearly didn't notice that he wasn't the only one in the room who was worried.

"The Dark Lord... Half-Blood Prince... Harry Potter... Chamber of Secrets..."

Dobby muttered in a low voice, his tennis ball-like eyes filled with fear.

This was a conspiracy!

That thing was lying!

The Half-Blood Prince was the Dark Lord!

Mr. Harry Potter—was in danger!

…………

Meanwhile, at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Harry, who was scattering bait by the lake, suddenly trembled, and the bread in his hand fell.

Dozens of large carp quickly darted out and devoured the floating breadcrumbs in less than ten seconds.

Of course, there was never a free lunch in this world. Draco, Ron, Cho, Ginny, Irina, and others who were waiting nearby simultaneously raised their wands, and five or six spells rang out at the same time.

"Wingardium Leviosa—"

Five large carp that didn't have time to escape rose into the air and, under the control of the young wizards, fell to the shore.

Near the bonfire by the riverbank, Neville, Danilova, Cedric, and other "anchors" were already prepared. The club and the gleaming kitchen knife fell simultaneously. Before the big carp had time to resist, the separation of the fish head and body was completed.

"Hey, Harry, why did you drop it all..."

Ron glanced at the harvest on the shore and looked at Harry in confusion.

Due to the strong protests of the lake merpeople, young wizards were strictly forbidden from stealing fish during normal times.

Except for Hagrid and the Hogwarts kitchen's direct needs, students who wanted to fish in the Black Lake all had to have school permission. They had managed to collect enough points to exchange for this qualification from the Hogwarts kitchen today.

The "bread bait" provided by the kitchen for the big carp was limited. Once it was used up, they could no longer fish.

"Sorry, my hand suddenly twitched just now... As a result..."

Harry said embarrassedly. He suddenly felt a chill all over his body just now.

"Never mind, there should be enough fish to eat with this much—"

Draco Malfoy waved his wand decisively, manipulating the magic to directly knock out the big carp he had grabbed with the Levitation Charm. He looked at Ron with extreme disgust and said unhappily, "If it weren't for you Wesley ruining the first batch of grilled fish, we wouldn't still be waiting to eat now—"

"Head Girl just used magic to grill them directly!"

Ron's face turned pale, and he retorted unconvincingly.

"Besides, Malfoy, if you're so capable, then you go grill them!"

"Are you Head Girl? You really need to fix your habit of bragging! Weasley."

Draco raised his left eyebrow and said magnanimously with his hands open, "Anyway, I wouldn't be like some people who clearly can't grill fish and still pretend to be an expert, and as a result, a single spell charred all the fish on the rack—ha—they can't even honestly watch the bonfire and sprinkle salt..."

"That's still better than some young masters who can't even scrape the scales clean—"

"I, AM, NOT, A, YOUNG, MASTER! Weasley, are you doing this on purpose?!"

"Oh—house-elf attendant?"

"I haven't seen Dobby at all in the past half a month! I'm reiterating one last time, my dad is my dad, and I am myself! I have no idea what they're planning or training—Weasley, are you trying to fight?!"

"Alright, alright... It's just grilled fish—we'll catch more and grill them again—"

Looking at his two good friends who were inexplicably arguing again, Harry helplessly tried to mediate.

Although the three of them had always had a good relationship privately, Draco and Ron seemed to have inherent conflicts, and they would occasionally start bickering in strange places. If he didn't try to persuade them, these two might really start fighting.

"Hey—you few men over there, how long are you planning to argue?"

Just then, Ginny's angry voice came from the bonfire not far away.

And next to Ginny Weasley, Cho and Irina, who were holding kitchen knives, also looked up, their faces unfriendly as they looked at the three useless men on the shore.

Because the number of big carp caught was a little short, Cho Chang and Irina suggested that some of the fish be grilled and some be thrown into the pot, stewed with potatoes, vegetables, and other things into a pot of fish soup.

"Okay. Coming now." x3

The three young wizards decisively put down their conflicts and obediently walked towards the bonfire.

Ever since Elena held several night talks in the dormitory, the witches of Hogwarts had become increasingly terrifying.

The older students were becoming more and more mature and gentle, while the younger witches had all transformed into witches.

In the appetizing aroma of fish and potatoes, and Cho Chang's bright smile, Harry quickly forgot the sudden chill just now and wholeheartedly immersed himself in this precious lakeside bonfire picnic, which Hermione had helped organize.

"Cho, let me help you scrape the scales..."

The only somewhat discordant thing was that Hufflepuff's Cedric was slightly superfluous.