https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1630-A-War-Without-Victors-Eighty-/12529387/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1632-A-War-Without-Victors-Eighty-Two-/12529392/
Chapter 1631: A War Without Victors (Eighty-One)
Chapter 1631: A War Without Victors (Eighty-One)
"I told you, it was a lure, a trap. Why wouldn't you listen?"
At this moment, Mr. Parkinson was frowning as he paced back and forth in the living room, muttering angrily to himself.
Mrs. Parkinson, seeing her anxious husband, tried to soothe him. "Calm down, dear. It's not as bad as you think."
"I'll make arrangements for you to leave the country soon," Mr. Parkinson said, halting his steps and turning to his wife.
"Father, is the situation really that bad that we must leave the country?" Pansy Malfoy asked as she descended the stairs, cradling her child.
"It's terrible, and I can't take any more risks!" Mr. Parkinson replied, his hopes in his allies dashed.
They could have landed safely, but after the werewolf attack, Mr. Parkinson realized there was no room for compromise between the two parties.
After all, if you try to kill someone, how can you expect them to be willing to sit down and talk peacefully?
Even if they were delusional, there had to be some limit to it.
Pansy handed the baby to her mother and looked at Mr. Parkinson, asking, "Was the werewolf attack really..."
"The investigation is still ongoing to determine who was behind that incident," Mr. Parkinson interrupted. "No Death Eater will admit to it, but it's likely that someone took it upon themselves to act. Even if it was a setup by someone else, don't expect anyone to believe that."
However, the recent Azkaban prison break had made Mr. Parkinson keenly aware of the many problems within their group, causing him to contemplate other options.
Even though everyone had suspected the prison break was a trap, they had gone ahead with it anyway, hoping to deal a blow to Kingsley's waning reputation.
But what had it achieved?
They had not only fallen into Kingsley Shacklebolt's carefully laid trap but had also lost two pure-blood colleagues and indirectly helped Kingsley consolidate his position.
These people were the very definition of a liability! Mr. Parkinson was well aware that in this game, they had no chance of winning. Kingsley Shacklebolt likely had the support of Albert Anderson, the man who had killed Voldemort.
Therefore, cutting their losses was the most important thing.
But these stubborn fools, like gamblers on a losing streak, not only lacked the courage to face Albert Anderson, but also dismissed his warnings with contempt, oblivious to the fact that they had never won since siding with Voldemort.
Losing, again and again, to the point of despair.
It wasn't that Mr. Parkinson was overly pessimistic, but the Azkaban trap didn't seem like something Kingsley Shacklebolt would dare attempt.
It seemed more like the kind of move Albert Anderson would make—setting up a situation that seemed to predict the outcome from the start and deliberately laying a trap for them.
That man was skilled in divination and prophecy, and it was said he had never been wrong.
With Kingsley gaining Anderson's support, they had no chance unless they found a way to get rid of him.
However, on the large desk, no one dared to bring up this topic, let alone discuss taking revenge on Albert Anderson or his family.
Mr. Parkinson was well aware of the reason—it was an endeavor that even Voldemort hadn't succeeded in.
If they dared to take action, regardless of whether they could achieve their goal, they would bring upon themselves a terrible catastrophe.
Many suspected that the destruction of the Malfoy and Lestrange families was related to Albert Anderson. These families had vehemently sought to deal with Anderson and his family, only to face cruel retribution and annihilation. As for Draco Malfoy, who barely survived, not many believed he would truly live for long.
The most terrifying part was that they had no evidence to prove that Anderson was involved in any way.
But that man was known for holding grudges, and that was a widely acknowledged fact within their circle.
Hence, no one dared to touch that taboo topic.
They knew better than anyone just how dangerous that damn Mudblood was, with the wounds of the Battle of Hogwarts still fresh.
This was also the main reason Mr. Parkinson had been advocating for concessions and self-preservation.
However, the arrogance and stupidity of his allies filled him with a sense of hopelessness.
It was as if they were trying to drag him down with them! Even if Mr. Parkinson wanted to ensure his own safety, it was uncertain if the other side would let him off the hook. And if he chose to betray them, the consequences would undoubtedly be unbearable for him and the entire Parkinson family.
This was why Mr. Parkinson considered sending his family away to ensure their safety.
Without them, he would have fewer concerns and more options.
Whether it was betraying the other pure-blood families in exchange for the Parkinson family's safety or ensuring that the family didn't completely perish in this mad gamble, he would have more leeway to make choices.
"If the conflict between us and Kingsley cannot be resolved, others may not allow us to leave the country easily," Mrs. Parkinson said, having guessed her husband's plan to sacrifice himself for the family. "Once I'm gone, your situation will become very difficult, and you may even become a target for everyone."
"That's the best option," Mr. Parkinson said softly. "Dear, this is the price that must be paid by losers."
"It's not necessary to go that far yet," Mrs. Parkinson said, handing the baby back to her daughter. "We can send Pansy away first, and if the situation truly becomes desperate, you can still make that choice later."
"Mother!" Pansy exclaimed.
"You're a Malfoy now, and it's not unusual for you to leave the country and vacation elsewhere," Mrs. Parkinson said. She had never intended to abandon her husband, and as long as their daughter and granddaughter kept a low profile, they would be fine with the help of their house-elves.
Despite Pansy's objections, Mr. Parkinson quietly sent her and her child away without making a fuss. If anyone asked, they would say that Pansy was suffering from postpartum depression and had gone to France to visit relatives and take a break.
As he watched his daughter's departing figure, Mr. Parkinson turned to his wife and asked, "Is the situation really that bad?"
"They seem to be planning to create werewolves to threaten Kingsley," Mr. Parkinson said with a bitter smile. "Those fools are in a hurry to meet their end and destroy their families. Honestly, I suspect they might be under the Imperius Curse, acting against their will."
"So, what are you going to do? Are you planning to betray the others and side with Kingsley?" As an old wizarding family, their first priority was to ensure the continuation of their lineage.
It was no wonder Mrs. Parkinson would say such a thing. According to the temporary supplementary law, the families of those who committed heinous crimes would also be subjected to interrogation under Veritaserum. Only if they were proven innocent would they be released; otherwise, they would be imprisoned as well.
This meant that if they failed, it would bring disaster upon the entire family.
"No, that's the last resort," Mr. Parkinson replied. "Besides, Kingsley may not even be willing to trust us. I must be fully prepared, or else..." He spread his arms wide and forced a smile. "...the Unbreakable Vow I made will take my life. Once we lose our value, we can't expect him to lend us a hand."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
