Chapter 207: The Malfoys
Chapter 207: The Malfoys
As the funeral came to a close, most of the guests began to depart, leaving Narcissa, Andromeda, and Sirius Black to speak in private.
Previously, Narcissa had not been on good terms with her two siblings due to differences in blood status, allegiance, and family matters. She had not exchanged a single word with these two "blood traitors."
After Sirius' release from prison, Andromeda had visited him several times and even invited him to recuperate at her home for a while. Narcissa, on the other hand, had only shown up on the day of the trial and had not interacted with him since.
However, at Regulus' graveside, they were finally able to set aside their grievances and speak to each other without hostility.
The Malfoy father and son waited at a distance. Although they were seated in the front row, they looked lonely, as those around them deliberately ignored them.
The two Malfoys did not feel embarrassed by this; instead, they looked down on these pitiful people and preferred the peace and quiet.
The pair conversed in low tones.
"Was that gray-eyed boy, Ved Grey?" Lucius Malfoy asked quietly.
"Yes," Draco scoffed. "He's just a Mudblood, yet he's gained the favor of that old lunatic Dumbledore and Mori. He's always surrounded by a group of little fools, including that scar-headed Harry Potter..."
"I thought you would have reflected on your actions by now!"
Lucius interrupted his son's complaints coldly. "I've told you before, you should make friends with those who have potential, instead of always hanging around with those sycophants."
Draco's eyes darkened.
Most of those who used to follow him around like tailors had already left him.
He had complained to his father about this, only to be criticized...
In Lucius' opinion, Crabbe and Goyle were as stupid as their fathers, which led him to question if they even had brains. The fact that Draco couldn't even keep such people by his side indicated that he had an even bigger problem.
"But what did I see? A group of the most talented young wizards in our year participating in a group activity, working together seamlessly, and recognizing each other. Yet, you were excluded!"
Lucius said disappointedly, "Draco, I've taught you repeatedly that you may dislike some people, but don't push away valuable people just because of your personal preferences."
"I didn't come here to do a servant's job!"
Draco retorted, "And Ved Grey is just a Mudblood! You told me that our Malfoy family is of pure-blood nobility..."
"I also told you that our noble title and fiefdom were granted by the Muggle Emperor William the First," Lucius replied. "Before the implementation of the Statute of Secrecy, our family maintained close relations with the Muggle royalty, and your ancestor even courted Queen Elizabeth I."
"But didn't you say..."
"Yes, we deny this to the outside world, but we can't deceive ourselves," Lucius interrupted Draco. "Draco, it's true that pure-blood wizards are superior. However, advocating for pure-blood supremacy doesn't mean we completely alienate the non-magical society. Power and wealth are the truly eternal things, and they are what sustain the strength of our Malfoy family."
"The Dark Lord is also a half-blood. So what?" Lucius continued. "If he succeeds, he will lead the families that support him, including ours, into a new power hub."
Draco fell silent for a moment before saying, "But he failed."
As he spoke, he glanced again at Harry Potter, who was talking with Neville and the others in the distance.
"Then we'll have to accept this outcome and not end up in Azkaban like your foolish aunt, seeking revenge."
Lucius adjusted his collar and lowered his voice, "If the Muggle-born faction gains power, we can become Muggle-sympathizers too. Dumbledore may not be swayed by words, but Harry Potter and Ved Grey are still children and easily influenced. It won't hurt to be on good terms with them..."
Draco remained silent, fiddling with a ring in his hand.
His pride wouldn't allow him to stoop to pleasing those who disliked him, but he had made more valuable friends. Someday, he would prove to his father that he was capable too...
A cleaning crab scuttled across their path, making a "cracking" sound as it moved. Lucius paused his conversation cautiously until the crab had scurried away before continuing, "Pay attention to any changes in school next semester and inform me immediately if anything happens."
"What could possibly happen in school?" Draco mumbled. "If you ask me, the biggest news is probably the magical pets... Ved Grey always comes up with something unexpected."
"That's why I want you to get closer to him." Lucius said, "Do you know how much money the Aslan Magic Workshop made by collaborating with him?"
As he spoke, a hint of confusion flashed in his eyes.
"It's been half a year since the diary was sent into the school through the Weasley girl. Why haven't we heard anything?"
Could that little girl have lost the diary? Or did she not bring it to school at all?
Lucius had been suspicious for a long time, but there was no way to find out. He could only suppress his doubts and pretend that the Dark artifact entrusted to him by the Dark Lord wasn't as powerful as he claimed.
Draco didn't want to dwell on the past and instead asked, "Can I learn alchemy too? Dad, find me a good teacher."
"Alchemy isn't as easy to learn as you think." Lucius shook his head. "I can find someone to teach you the basics first. If you can grasp them, then we'll find a real alchemist to instruct you."
"I'll definitely learn it!" Draco said indignantly. "Ved Grey already had his creations in his first year..."
"I know." Lucius said impatiently. "You've mentioned it a dozen times already... If you really want to do something, start working hard from that moment on, instead of always complaining to me about how a Mudblood could be better than you... Oh, look, your mother is finally done."
Narcissa was walking towards them, and the Malfoy father and son walked to meet her.
The cleaning crab scuttled by again, making a "cracking" sound as it cleaned up the muddy water stains on the ground. Some witches admired its ruby-like shell and inquired softly about where they could buy one.
The crab, of course, couldn't understand human language. It scuttled around a bush and was then picked up by a hand.
Ved watched the Malfoy family leave, deep in thought. He gently flicked his finger, and the crab's upper body tilted up as if it were looking at him.
"Tell me what you heard," Ved said.
"Just boring stuff." The crab made a "clacking" sound as it spoke. "After that, can I get a cool new body? I'd prefer something like a leopard."
"A black panther?"
"Gold would be cooler, don't you think?"
"...I may not understand your aesthetics, but I can respect your choice."
"Thanks."
(End of Chapter)
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