Slytherin House’s… list?
Waiting for Albus Dumbledore to return and deal with it?!
Lucius’ pupils constricted sharply, the parchments in his hand suddenly seeming to burn.
Clearly, Dumbledore and Cassel knew about the Dark Mark – which wasn’t surprising, considering Snape was at Hogwarts.
However, what truly terrified Lucius Malfoy was that the appearance of this statistical list meant that Hogwarts had been monitoring all the parents, the eyes hidden in the shadows seemingly certain that they would exhibit some abnormal behavior. And if he followed that line of thought, the burning of the Dark Mark… was this also part of Hogwarts and the Ministry's plan?
Although the *Daily Prophet* and Professor McGonagall had not revealed much information, they both had a completely consistent statement on one point:
This encirclement and suppression of the Dark Lord and the Dark forces was a joint operation launched by Dumbledore and the Ministry of Magic.
Lucius Malfoy’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he tried not to look around or behind him, forcing himself to remain calm as he said softly.
"Er, Miss Cassel, I don't understand what you're talking about…"
"As you can see, I am the head chef of the Hogwarts kitchen. From the final presentation of the dishes to the overall supply of tableware, these are all my job responsibilities."
Eileen lightly pressed her finger to her lips, her lake-blue eyes narrowed slightly, looking at old Malfoy with a meaningful and sweet smile.
"After all, there is a dinner party tonight, and I must understand exactly where the problem lies so that I can make timely adjustments and responses – Mr. Malfoy, you seem to be very hot? I'll have a house-elf bring you some iced lemonade. Hogwarts has Hogwarts' rules. Damaged items are compensated at the original price, or the host and guest negotiate amicably... we have to do something, don't you think?"
"…I never knew Hogwarts was so desperate as to quibble over the breakage of a few cups and plates."
Lucius Malfoy's breathing became slightly heavier, his peripheral vision sweeping around as he noticed that the house-elves closest to him had stopped their work at some point.
Just as he suspected, in Hogwarts, the most suitable candidates to act as eyes and ears, apart from the ubiquitous ghosts, were only these little things that almost went unnoticed.
"Broken and damaged tableware can be repaired with magic, or if that doesn't work, we can just buy some new ones – Hogwarts shouldn't be short of that kind of money."
Lucius was silent for a moment, placing the parchments on the nearby workbench with feigned ease, waving his hand impatiently.
"These kinds of insignificant episodes, once they're over, there's no need to bring them up again. No one will notice that the next dinner party has new—"
"You're right. Broken tableware can be repaired, and spent Galleons can be reminted. However…"
Before Lucius Malfoy could finish speaking, Eileen tapped the armrest twice, deciding to shatter the remaining fantasies of a certain middle-aged fence-sitter.
"Certain echoes of the past may not be so easily erased, do you agree, Mr. Malfoy?"
"For example, the fading charred mark on your left arm, or a magical name that has been deliberately imbued with fear due to human factors…"
"The magical society, I mean, most of the European magical society is searching for Death Eaters. In the hasty trials of more than a decade ago, the Ministry of Magic's Department of Magical Law Enforcement primarily relied on confessions and joint jury votes to identify 'Death Eaters', but with the progress of the times, it would be more convincing to rely on 'key evidence' to judge, wouldn't it?"
Accompanying the girl's soft and pleasant voice, Lucius Malfoy felt the hairs on his body stand on end, and his right hand holding the silver cane twitched slightly.
Clatter.
Something cold pressed down on the back of his right hand before he could lift it.
Lucius Malfoy lowered his head and saw two house-elves standing respectfully at his side.
The edge of the pure white ceramic plate was outlined with intricate and beautiful patterns in gold thread, and a glass of lemonade exuding coolness was placed steadily on top.
However, unlike the common thoughtful service, the tray was not placed where he could easily grab it, but rather perfectly pressed against the back of his right hand holding the wand.
"Your iced lemonade, Mr. Malfoy – I just noticed that you seemed very hot."
"…"
Lucius Malfoy took a deep look at the witch princess.
Unlike the oppressive feeling of Grindelwald and Dumbledore, this demon king princess, who was the same age as his son, seemed more like a true demon king.
"Huff – okay. It seems you are more powerful and intelligent than I imagined."
Lucius was silent for a few seconds, took a breath, and took a sip of the lemonade.
"So, let's get straight to the point. Miss Cassel, what do you want me to do?"
"Hmm? Oh, I think you may have misunderstood, Mr. Malfoy—"
Eileen raised her eyebrows slightly, tapping the armrest leisurely, looking at Lucius with a playful gaze as she said softly.
"At this moment, hundreds of Aurors from all over the world are gathering in the distance, waiting for 'Death Eaters' to walk into the trap."
"The blockade of Hogwarts Castle has saved you and your family. In life, you will always encounter various forks in the road, but the most crucial ones are often just one or two."
"As you can see, we sacrificed a wonderful and joyful lunchtime, and some exquisite and gorgeous artistic plates – therefore, the question now should obviously not be what I want you to do, but what you can do, or rather, what you think you should do. This is not a transaction, Mr. Malfoy. Never has been."
Lucius Malfoy was not a machine without thought or autonomy, nor was he simply a fence-sitter.
In fact, he could be said to be the "Death Eater" with the most ideas.
"If…"
Lucius Malfoy said softly, his right hand slowly stroking the mark on the inside of his left wrist.
"The Dark Lord hasn't died, and will make a comeback at some point in the future, and become even more powerful?"
"Some point, who should determine this moment?"
Eileen looked at old Malfoy with a subtle expression, took out a thin diary, and tapped it in her hand rhythmically.
"So, Mr. Malfoy, why don't you just ask Tom?"
"Tom Riddle, your old friend – he seems to have always wanted to see you."
"Through this, the magical diary, in my hand."
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Not good~