Homecoming from Hogwarts

The bright moon in the night sky rose above the heads of the three people on the terrace, but the Malfoy Manor under the moonlight not only did not have the elegance of the past, but was as gloomy as a huge cemetery. Even the refreshing breeze that passed by was chilly.

"Ah, the mission. Of course, I believe you can complete it. After all, I just asked you to deliver a message, right? Lucius, if you can mess up even this, then I will be surprised-"

The Dark Lord made a witty remark, and Lucius and Narcissa had to smile in agreement, but what appeared on their faces was more like crying than smiles.

"The issue is--"

Voldemort smiled coldly.

"Dumbledore. Oh, and Brian, they didn't wonder why you suddenly visited Hogwarts, did they?"

"No, my lord—"

Lucius remained kneeling,

"I didn't meet Dumbledore. It was Blaine who took me to Hogwarts. I told him that I was going to Hogsmeade to discuss a business, and I came to Hogwarts to bring him the snacks that Narcissa prepared for Draco. Then, I asked to see Severus on the pretext of wanting to know about Draco's recent performance in school. Blaine let Severus meet me and then went to class. I had the opportunity to give your order to Severus."

Inhale. Inhale.
The Dark Lord listened to Lucius's narration quietly. He did not ask any more questions. He just widened his narrow nose and sniffed the air which was faintly filled with a fishy smell.

"Very good, Lucius. Although your wisdom cannot be compared with that of the Dark Lord, your cleverness and wisdom can always come in handy from time to time—"

Voldemort chuckled and said,
"Wake up, Lucius, we can chat. To be honest, I don't feel sleepy. Oh, it's not because I'm worried about something. You don't understand. Many years ago, when my magic power became profound, I didn't need much sleep, Lucius--"

Looking at her husband who looked exhausted, Narcissa's face flashed with worry, but when she came to her senses, she noticed that the Dark Lord was looking at her with interest. She couldn't help but lie in her heart and bent her waist.
"Would you like me to prepare some refreshments for you, Master?"

"Oh, no, Narcissa, my stomach is already full of the snacks you prepared for me. Let's chat together. You can also listen to what our dear Lucius is hiding."

In the quiet night, as if a thunderbolt suddenly flashed, Narcissa's face suddenly turned pale, and Lucius, who had just stood up, felt his legs go limp, but this time he did not kneel down. Facing Voldemort, whose expression had turned stern, his equally pale face revealed a trace of confusion, innocence and urgency.

"I haven't hidden anything from you, Master. It's just that there are some things I haven't had time to report to you yet!"

"what is that?"

hiss--
At some point, Nagini swam over from the shadows, its head drooping on Voldemort's legs, allowing Voldemort to stroke its ferocious head, and from time to time it revealed its dark red snake tongue.

"I got some news. Oh, actually Severus told me on his own initiative—"

A drop of cold sweat dripped from his forehead, breaking through the blockade of his eyebrows and slowly entering Lucius's eye sockets, which made Lucius feel very uncomfortable, but he didn't dare to wipe it off. He still panted and said,
"An interesting piece of news Severus told me is that the Minister of Magic intends to send Dolores Umbridge to Hogwarts as the professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"Let Umbridge be the professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts. Oh, so our honorable Minister of Magic is finally going to stop tolerating Blaine and Dumbledore?"

Voldemort showed some interest.

"Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts. This is not a good choice. Back then. Oh, people have spread the word that I cast a curse on this position. It was a very powerful curse that cost many lives. I'm afraid even I can't remove my own--"

Voldemort continued to stroke Nagini's head slowly.

"Dumbledore agreed? Oh, I'm afraid he wouldn't refuse. He is such a pathetic hypocritical and cowardly old guy. He knew that Cornelius Fudge sent people into Hogwarts to keep an eye on him, but he just wouldn't refuse--"

"Your wisdom is admirable, my lord—"

Lucius said tremblingly,
"Severus told me that Dumbledore was indeed in a dilemma, but he did not intend to refuse. However, Brian returned from New York. It is said that he asked Dumbledore to reject the Ministry of Magic's arrangement and not allow Dolores Umbridge to enter Hogwarts. Brian was firm in his attitude, and I am afraid that Fudge could not realize his intention, so."

"So?" "I was wondering if we need to lend a hand to Cornelius Fudge, Master."

Lucius said, mustering his courage.

Voldemort narrowed his eyes and said nothing, as if waiting for an explanation. Seeing this, Lucius lifted a strand of sweaty blond hair that hung in front of his eyes, and his tone was faintly excited.

"It's good for us, Master. As you said, Cornelius Fudge definitely didn't send Dolores Umbridge to Hogwarts to teach the young wizards Defense Against the Dark Arts. She was there to monitor and investigate Dumbledore and Brainiac.

Over the years, Fudge has been worried that his position will be unstable, and that Dumbledore will suddenly change his mind and decide to become Minister of Magic. He believes that Dumbledore's propaganda that you have returned to the wizarding world is to create panic so that the people will drive him out of office.

Sending Umbridge to Hogwarts is Fudge's preventive measure. Umbridge is loyal to Fudge. Once she enters Hogwarts, she will definitely be keen to cause trouble for Dumbledore and Braine!"

Seeing that the Dark Lord showed no signs of anger, Lucius ignored the strange look in Narcissa's eyes and said excitedly,

"Dumbledore tried to use the Order of the Phoenix to interfere with your plan. He asked Hagrid to stop us from recruiting giants, and asked Moody to take the Longbottoms to Northern Europe to stop us from recruiting wizards there. Of course, Dumbledore couldn't stop you, and all his arrangements failed, but -"

Lucius took a deep breath and said,
"If Umbridge keeps causing trouble for Dumbledore and Braine under their noses, it will undoubtedly consume their energy. Even Amos Tower Braine does not have the courage to kill the Senior Undersecretary of the Ministry of Magic."

A sudden gust of wind blew Voldemort's robes rustling. A faint light flickered in his squinted scarlet pupils, and he was obviously thinking.

"But how do you intend to assist the Minister of Magic in achieving his ridiculous little ambition, my dear friend?"

After a while, Voldemort turned his gaze to Lucius, who looked expectant.
"If Brian insists on not letting Umbridge enter Hogwarts, our stupid Minister of Magic may be helpless. Or do you plan to use gold to make Brian compromise?"

"Unless the Ministry of Magic passes legislation on this matter and establishes the right of the Ministry of Magic to interfere with Hogwarts' teaching activities, Fudge is doomed to fail. But there is another way--"

Lucius's expression showed a hint of caution.

"The school board has the power to decide on Hogwarts' teaching activities and personnel arrangements. If you agree, you will give the order. You know, some of the directors of the school board are your Death Eaters. If you let them assist in this matter, I believe that the Malfoy family can return to the school board."

"Oh, ho ho--"

Voldemort put Nagini on the ground, floated up from the recliner, and came to Lucius, his downcast eyes carrying a heavy pressure.
"Cunning Malfoy, is this your plan? Let the Malfoy family regain power?"

Lucius bent down in fear.
"My Lord, I, the Malfoy family, only want to serve you better."

"Gouge out your heart and dig out your bones!"

Voldemort turned around with a grim look, and swung his wand down like a whip. After the fierce sound, there were screams of pain that echoed throughout Malfoy Manor, as well as Narcissa's humble crying and pleading as she threw herself on her husband.

It was not until Lucius Malfoy was dying that Voldemort slowly removed his wand.
"This is your punishment, Lucius—"

Voldemort said lazily,

"Punishment for trying to lie in front of me. You want to seek power for the Malfoy family under the guise of loyalty to me. It is foolish to lie in front of the Dark Lord, my friend, I hope you remember this lesson. Of course, your plan is good, just do it, Lucius."

(End of this chapter)