Lucius Malfoy sat quietly in the study, tapping his fingers lightly on the table.
Being a member of the Hogwarts School Board is more of an honorary title. Apart from attending meetings when necessary, it is not like clocking in and attending work at the Ministry of Magic. This means that weekends have never meant much to the Malfoy family.
.
However, starting from Halloween this year, there is a special event on the weekend.
"...It's been half a month, and the information you've discovered is even better than what I learned during the board meeting."
Lucius said coldly, and with his voice, the elf standing in front of his desk trembled again.
Since the school board of directors finalized the "House Elf Training Plan" some time ago, Dobby has returned to Malfoy Manor from Hogwarts every weekend to report to Lucius on the "study and training" status of that week.
.
What I have to admit is that after receiving training at Hogwarts, Dobby's cooking skills have indeed improved astonishingly.
However, compared to the elf's improvement in cooking skills, Lucius was more concerned about another thing.
"Dobby, you don't really think you are going to Hogwarts to learn skills, do you? Let me ask you one last time, what else did you find out about that book, whether it's speculation or rumors... this
It’s an order! You don’t have to think and judge what content is valuable. It’s up to me to decide. Am I clear enough?!”
"Uh... there is, there is a discovery, but it is not about Master Draco, about Harry Potter."
Dobby was trembling all over, as if he was struggling for some reason, and said in a sharp voice with some difficulty.
Harry Potter?
Lucius narrowed his eyes.
"explain"
"At the end of last week's Potions class, Dobby heard the little master talking to Harry Potter. They seemed to be talking about a weird, old Potions textbook. Harry Potter followed the instructions in that note.
They achieved very good results in Potions class, but the young master seemed a little uneasy because they didn't know who the owner of the notes was..."
Dobby glanced at Lucius in a panic and added an additional sentence.
"But Dobby has seen from a distance that the old Potions textbook in Harry Potter's hand is not 'that thing'. Dobby clearly remembers what the young master took from your collection room. The two are definitely not the same thing."
The same book."
"Weird, old notebook? Instructions..."
Lucius Malfoy pondered for a few seconds and frowned slightly.
"Continue. I remember I said it just now. You don't need to express any opinions or judgments about the owner of the 'Old Potions Textbook.' Are there any additional clues in the conversation between Draco and Potter?"
"only one……"
Dobby tried hard to recall the original scene and spoke carefully and softly.
"Dobby vaguely heard that the old textbook seemed to have once belonged to a wizard who called himself the 'Half-Blood Prince'."
"Half-Blood Prince? Do you know potions?"
Lucius Malfoy frowned again and repeated thoughtfully.
As a well-known social star in the wizarding world, he knows a lot about celebrities in recent decades.
Lucius can be sure that there is absolutely no wizard named "Half-blood Prince" among them. "Hybrid" is not a pleasant word in the magical society. Maybe there are only ignorant students and powerful...
Huh? Wait?!
A wizard who is extremely powerful, acts recklessly, and ignores public opinion?
At this moment, Lucius's expression suddenly changed.
After the public trial of Peter Pettigrew last year, many people in the wizarding world knew a lot about the Dark Lord's past.
Tom Riddle, the only remaining descendant of Salazar Slytherin, Head Boy of Hogwarts, recipient of the Hogwarts Special Service Award and the Order of Merlin, had been discussed in the newspapers for a whole month.
However, few people know that the Dark Lord, who hates Muggles, is not the pure-blood wizard that people imagine.
Slytherin House is not a place only pure-blood wizards can enter.
Pure blood is an important factor, but every once in a while, there will still be mixed-blood wizards with outstanding talents who are sorted into Slytherin by the Sorting Hat, but most of them will claim that they are pure wizard blood, not mixed blood.
As the Dark Lord's close friend when he was a student at Hogwarts, Lucius Malfoy's father happened to know some unknown and dangerous information. For example, Tom Riddle grew up in a Muggle orphanage, and the Dark Lord was
Half-blood wizard...
"Mixed...prince? Potions..."
Lucius Malfoy unconsciously rubbed his chin gently, his mind constantly turning over information about the Dark Lord.
Unlike the non-magical world, in the magical world there are very few people who call themselves princes. The secular kingship is almost equal to a joke in the eyes of pure-blood wizards. However, if a wizard has been born in the ancestors for a while, he will occasionally have such a self-proclaimed title.
Of course, most of them compare themselves with titles and nobility to highlight the past glory of their family name in the magical world.
There is no doubt that Salazar Slytherin is definitely worthy of the status of a "Magic King".
On the other hand, the magical name Dark Lord also has the meaning of "king" in it.
Whether it was the student days or the Voldemort period, perhaps most of people's attention was focused on the Dark Lord's extraordinary magical power, but only the "Death Eater Elders" knew that potions were also the Dark Lord's area of expertise.
At least one-third of the Dark Lord's terrifying magical power comes from his dangerous attempts at potions.
"...Has that book fallen into Harry Potter's hands now? I understand."
Lucius Malfoy said slowly, tapping his fingers on the table.
"Keep an eye on Draco and don't let him get too close to Potter. I will also write to him later to warn him."
"But, but," Dobby said in confusion, "that thing is not the same as the old textbook."
"It can be whatever the Dark Lord wants it to be, understand? It can be a notebook, a diary, or an old potions textbook, a transfiguration textbook... Of course, this is just my guess for the time being.
.”
Lucius waved his hand, and his pale pointed face twitched slightly, as if he remembered something particularly bad in the past.
"In short, if the title 'Half-Blood Prince' is really used on that book, and it can guide Harry Potter to achieve good results in Snape's class, then the qualified wizard is most likely to be the Dark Lord.
.Now that he has contacted the 'Savior Star', hey...then the remaining things will be a headache for Dumbledore..."
"Dark Lord?! Potter, Mr. Harry Potter...is this the end?"
Dobby suddenly opened his eyes wide, looked at Lucius in disbelief, and said in a sharp voice.
"Dobby is saying, is it enough to just have a nickname?"
"The Dark Lord is a mixed-race, and when he was in school, he was naturally a prince."
Lucius frowned, glanced at the extremely frightened servant, and added a vicious threat.
"Okay, this matter is over, and there is no need to continue the investigation. You can learn those skills and rules in Hogwarts Castle peacefully, and take care of Draco and never touch that thing.
!”
Although he didn't understand what happened, Lucius vaguely sensed danger from the fragmentary information Dobby described.
The "key" left by the Dark Lord has probably woken up. Whether it is the Imperius Curse, magical suggestion, curse... or some other black magic, in short, the wisdom and danger of "that thing" must not be low.
The Malfoy family finally got rid of this nightmare, and now nothing can be done to reconnect the "Dark Lord" with the Malfoy family.
As for Draco...
A hint of coldness flashed in Lucius' gray-blue eyes.
The top priority now is to separate Draco and Potter's seats during class.
As a member of the Hogwarts school board, Lucius could use his status to push this matter forward. Even if he would be laughed at by other members of the board, he didn't care so much. This was his son, not even Dumbledore.
Reason for refusal.
Of course, it is best to communicate with Dumbledore privately first.
It would be best if it didn't have to go to the level of raising an agenda at the school board meeting.
"Okay, Dobby, please go back to Hogwarts first. Remember what I said, the Chamber of Secrets may be opened. You must follow Draco the whole time and don't let him get the chance to mix with Potter..."
Lucius Malfoy waved his hand, signaling Dobby to leave his study.
Tomorrow is a new week. He has to think of words quickly and try to send the letter before tonight.
Although Lucius still didn't know what role Dumbledore played in this, he had to ensure that Draco would not be involved. As for what Dumbledore's secret plan was, that would be considered later.
.
Lucius, who was fumbling with the parchment, apparently didn't notice that he was not the only worried person in the room.
"The Dark Lord...the Half-Blood Prince...Harry Potter...the Chamber of Secrets..."
Dobby muttered in a low voice, his tennis ball-like eyes filled with fear.
This is a conspiracy!
That thing is lying!
The Half-Blood Prince is the Dark Lord!
Mr. Harry Potter is in danger!
…………
At the same time, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Harry, who was spreading bait by the lake, suddenly trembled and all the bread in his hand fell.
Dozens of big herrings jumped out quickly and snatched up all the floating crumbs in less than ten seconds.
Of course, there is never a good thing like free bread in this world. Draco, Ron, Qiu, Ginny, Irina and others who were waiting aside raised their wands in unison, and five or six magic spells sounded at the same time.
.
"Wingardim Leviosa"
Five big herrings that didn't have time to escape jumped into the air and landed on the shore under the control of the little wizards.
By the bonfire next to the river bank, Neville, Danilova, and Cedric were already ready. They fainted and fell down with the polished kitchen knife at the same time. Before the big herring had time to resist, they fell directly.
The separation of the fish head and body is completed.
"Hey, Harry, why did you leave everything behind..."
Ron glanced at the harvest on the shore and looked at Harry with some confusion.
Due to strong protests from the fishmen in the lake, the little wizards are strictly prohibited from poaching in normal times.
In addition to Hagrid and the direct needs of the Hogwarts kitchen, students who want to fish in the Black Lake must have school permission. Today, they finally collected enough points and redeemed this qualification from the Hogwarts kitchen.
There is only so much "bread bait" for herring provided in the kitchen, and you can no longer continue fishing after using it up.
"I'm sorry, my hand suddenly shook just now... and the result..."
Harry said with some embarrassment. He suddenly felt a chill all over for some unknown reason just now.
"Forget it, so much fish should be enough to eat."
Draco Malfoy waved the wand in his hand decisively, using the magic power to directly knock out the big herring he caught with the floating spell. He looked at Ron with great disgust and said angrily.
"If you hadn't ruined the first round of grilled fish, Weasley, we wouldn't have eaten it now."
"My eldest sister's head was baked directly with magic power!"
Ron's face turned pale, and he immediately retorted unconvinced.
"Besides, Malfoy, you are so capable, then go bake it!"
"Are you a big sister? You really need to change your habit of bragging! Weasley."
Draco raised his left eyebrow, spread his hands and said openly.
"Anyway, I'm not like some people who pretend to be good at grilling fish even though they don't know how. As a result, a magic spell burned all the fish on the shelf. I just kept guarding the campfire and sprinkled salt on it.
Won't……"
"That's better than some young men who can't even shave off fish scales."
"I, no, am, eldest, young master! Weasley, did you do this on purpose?!"
"Hey, are you reading the house elf?"
"In the past half a month, I haven't seen Dobby at all! Let me reiterate for the last time, my father is my father, and I am myself! I have no idea what Weasley they are planning to train, what are you?
Do you want to fight?!"
"Okay, okay... isn't it just grilling the fish? Just catch it again and grill it again."
Seeing the two good friends who were inexplicably fighting again, Harry reluctantly comforted them.
Although the three of them have always had a good relationship in private, Draco and Ron seem to be born with conflicts. From time to time they will start to quarrel in some strange places. If he doesn't try to persuade them to smooth things over, the two of them might really end up at each other's throats.
stand up.
"Hey guys over there, how long do you plan to make the noise?"
At this moment, Ginny's angry voice came from the campfire not far away.
Beside Ginny Weasley, Qiu and Irina, who were holding kitchen knives, also raised their heads and looked at the three useless men on the shore with unkind expressions.
Since the amount of big herring caught was not enough, under Qiu Zhang and Irina's suggestion, they finally decided to roast part of the fish and throw part into the pot, and mix it with potatoes, vegetables and other things to make a pot of fish soup.
Stew it out.
"Oh. Come right now." X3
The three little wizards decisively put aside their conflicts and walked obediently towards the bonfire.
Ever since Elena held several night talks in the dormitory, the witches in Hogwarts have become more and more terrifying.
The senior students in the upper grades are becoming more and more mature and gentle, while the witches in the lower grades have all transformed into witches.
In the aroma of fish, potatoes, and Qiu Zhang's bright smile, Harry quickly forgot about the sudden chills just now, and devoted himself wholeheartedly to this precious bonfire picnic by the lake, which was led by Hermione.
.
The only dissonance is that Hufflepuff's Cedric is a little redundant.