Chapter 322: Lucius Malfoy
Chapter 322: Lucius Malfoy
Felix scanned the crowd. Some people smiled, others looked wary, and a few lowered their heads, pretending not to notice him.
"Felix! I've been looking forward to your arrival." Sirius approached him in large strides, wrapping an arm around Felix and whispering, "Thank heavens, I almost thought I'd ended up in the Death Eaters' camp."
Felix smiled and whispered back, "Didn't you invite them yourself?"
Sirius sighed, "They're all relatives, listed in the family tree. There's nothing I can do... Frank and Alice are also uncomfortable." He released Felix, and Harry, Ron, and Draco walked over.
"Professor." "Professor Hap." "Hello, Professor Hap." They greeted him in turn.
Felix nodded at them. Draco glanced at the other two, noticing they had no intention of leaving. He whispered, "Professor, my father wants to speak with you in private..." Harry and Ron's eyes widened, like cats sensing a mouse.
"Now?" Felix looked over at the Malfoys, where Lucius was embracing his wife, his other hand holding a snake-headed cane. He was chatting with Mr. Crouch, who had a stern face and a meticulous demeanor. Mr. Crouch rarely spoke, mostly listening and occasionally nodding, saying things like "Yes", "I agree", or "Perhaps there's a better way."
During a pause in the conversation, Lucius glanced over and offered a restrained smile. "Excuse me, Mr. Crouch", he said, walking over and switching his cane to his left hand. Extending his right hand, he said, "Hello, Mr. Hap, I've been looking forward to meeting you formally."
"Mr. Malfoy—"
"Call me Lucius, and you can call me Felix. Severus and I are close", Lucius said, shaking Felix's hand. "I was his prefect when he first started school." His gray eyes fixed on Felix.
"Alright, Lucius. Are you here to inquire about young Malfoy's performance at school?"
"Actually... it's a personal matter", Lucius said.
"Very well", Felix nodded. "This way—"
They moved to a secluded spot behind an oak tree, where half of Lucius's face was hidden in the shadows. From a distance, Harry and Ron blatantly peeked around, with Ron asking Draco, "What kind of scheme are you up to?"
Draco looked at him with disdain. Ron's robe seemed to be an old dress robe that had been altered, the cuffs frayed and the color not quite a pure black. "If I were you, I'd be ashamed to wear such a robe—little Ronnie", Draco drawled.
Ron's body shook with anger, and Harry quickly held him back. It was Regulus's funeral, and he didn't want a fight breaking out. Harry stepped in front of Ron, intending to taunt Draco Malfoy, but a surprised voice from behind Draco made Harry freeze.
"Draco, you just—just—" Narcissa looked at him hesitantly, her gaze shifting between her son and Ron, her blue eyes wide with shock.
"Mom! It's not what you think—" Draco hurried to explain. The nickname was just a taunt, nothing more.
"Draco Malfoy, come with me", Narcissa straightened her robes and said sternly.
Draco opened his mouth but then hung his head and followed his mother.
Harry and Ron exchanged glances. After a moment, Ron shuddered, his face crinkling up. "She can't be thinking—how disgusting!" Harry tried to hold back a laugh. "At least Malfoy won't call you that again."
They peered curiously at the large oak tree where Professor Hap and Lucius Malfoy were having a conversation, speculating about what they might be discussing. However, the truth was that they were still circling around the outskirts.
"... I sent a letter to Dumbledore expressing my concerns. Muggles and Wizards are parallel lines, but unfortunately, stories like the Fountain of Luck that encourage marriages between Wizards and Muggles are still being circulated", Lucius said, adopting a self-righteous demeanor.
He spoke softly, "I do not want my son to be influenced by such stories, which could taint his pure blood. As a father, I have always been vigilant, helping him resist the distractions of the complex outside world... But recently, I discovered that someone's influence over Draco has surpassed mine, and he challenged me for the first time, using content from a comic strip."
Felix smiled, "People grow and develop, not just into their parents' images. As a professor, it's quite rewarding to be loved by students."
"But don't you think you're overstepping?" Lucius Malfoy said coldly.
"What are you referring to, the Christmas gift, or something else?"
"Frankly, Felix, you are Severus's star pupil, and we are naturally on the same side", Lucius said, his gray eyes narrowing. "I have a certain, albeit modest, reputation in the Pureblood circles. We are not rigid and welcome fresh blood."
"Lucius, you should know what I've done..." Felix said, feeling that their conversation was finally getting to the point.
"Threatening some foolish, shortsighted fools?" Lucius said. "They don't hinder our friendship. You and the Malfoy family have never had any conflicts."
"I am pro-Muggle..."
"As long as it doesn't affect Draco."
"Some Purebloods will strongly oppose..."
"I can mediate."
"I have no interest in fools..."
"Quite the opposite, you'll find that with a little manipulation, you can become their leader."
"I am Muggle-born..."
"More precisely, Muggle orphanage-born", Lucius said slyly. "Given the talent you've displayed, we have reason to believe that your blood is quite pure. If you're willing, I can investigate and produce a 'satisfactory' result, giving you justice."
Felix laughed. He understood Lucius's intentions. Lucius might represent a group of people who, with Felix's growing presence and influence, were becoming restless and trying to send friendly signals. If they could pull Felix to their side, it would be an excellent choice.
He believed that if he spoke up, the families who had wronged him would quietly decline, and his company, yet to be established, would flourish with the support of hidden forces. Even after a few or even a dozen years at Hogwarts, he could choose to become the Headmaster of Hogwarts or a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Magic.
Seeing that Felix seemed hesitant, Lucius put on a pretentious tone and warned, "The past shouldn't be a hindrance. We should look forward, don't you think?"
"There is only one problem—"
"What is it?"
"There is only one problem, Lucius", Felix looked into his gray eyes and said, "You reminded me to look forward... but I see more, farther than you expect—"
Lucius frowned.
"Do you know Occlumency?" Felix suddenly changed the subject.
Lucius looked puzzled, and Felix advised him, "There's no harm in learning more. You might find it useful. Perhaps we will have the opportunity to cooperate."
(End of Chapter)
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