In early September 1980, Lys, who hadn't been seen in quite some time, attended the banquet Lucius held for his son.
To treat the withering damage caused by that potion from before, Lys was now taking potions with significant weight gain side effects, making her height of over six feet extremely conspicuous.
When Lys ducked her head to step out of Malfoy Manor's drawing room fireplace, Lucius couldn't even be sure who had arrived for a moment—not until Lys pulled Crunch from her arms.
Lucius thought his junior now looked like she weighed at least 350 pounds...
Only when she lifted her head, adjusted Crunch to a more comfortable position, and congratulated Lucius did he blink and respond appropriately.
Presenting her gift, Lys looked at the little one in Narcissa's arms, smiled and greeted him, but the little thing just lifted his head and turned his face away.
Lys sat beside Narcissa, chatting about the baby. While Lys was adjusting her shirt that Crunch had rumpled, Narcissa curiously glanced at Lys's protruding belly and answered her question.
"Lucius and I have decided to name this child Draco Malfoy."
Lys nodded. "Draco—a fine name." She even wanted to hold the little one, but the brace on her left hand was inconvenient.
The little thing didn't seem very willing either, grumbling and fussing. After chatting a bit more, Lys went off to eat.
Due to the potion's side effects, needing to convert massive amounts of energy to repair her body, Lys was always hungry.
Picking up a plate of petit fours, she scanned around, frowned slightly, and moved to Snape's side at the other end of the table.
"Severus, why haven't I seen Regulus?"
The man she addressed looked disdainfully at this person talking while chewing, but still answered, "He hasn't appeared for a long time after you did. Some guess he's dead—even Walburga Black has gone mad now."
Snape twitched his nose slightly, then grabbed the edges of his cloak with both hands, crossed his arms over his chest, and looked at the woman whose expression had instantly turned cold, asking his own question.
"Manticore venom—I wonder if our Miss Stalys has some new research lately?"
Lys just waved dismissively at the obviously defensive man. "Minor health issues, drinking something for recovery. By the way, we've moved recently and the defenses are rather complex. Next time, just give my mother's replies to Cerebold."
Seeing Snape's puzzled expression, Lys explained: "The owl that smashed through your two windows—Cere (stupid) Bold (bird)."
If the woman before him didn't look even bulkier than before, he would definitely mock her thoroughly for such a ridiculous name.
But before he could speak...
"I heard Potter has a son too?"
"Hmph!"
Sweeping his cloak aside, Snape snorted coldly, gave Lys a meaningful look, and turned to leave.
Lys popped another petit four into her mouth. Mmm, this one tastes good—she'd have another. But as she lowered her head, her expression carried a hint of sighing.
Regulus...
If he really was dead, Lys could even guess where he died.
A few months ago, when her magic was severely restricted by that recurring poison, she'd received a letter from Regulus.
My cousin Stalys Black:
I hope you won't be angry that I address you this way. Standing here, I'm very hesitant about whether to send this letter.
I know I have no chance to erase your memory of that shingle beach. The decision I made then was very unfair to you, and I'm sorry.
I've always taken pride in serving the Dark Lord. I thought we would restore our family's pure-blood glory under the Dark Lord's leadership, openly revealing wizardkind's existence to the world—until this moment.
But I was wrong, terribly wrong.
I won't tell you more, but I think you can guess. You've always had a different kind of wisdom. Only now do I understand why you avoided me without a word after I returned from Germany.
If possible, Lucius has the opportunity you want to go to Germany. Be firm—don't sink too deep, because all this will end.
We all hope so, don't we?
The letter with its familiar stench existed in Lys's hands only briefly before self-immolating, turning into a ring bearing the Black family crest.
Lys quickly wrote a note for Cerebold to deliver to Regulus, but it seemed too late.
When Cerebold returned that night, he was missing half his tail feathers, as if something had torn them off, and his wings were crusted with dried salt. He desperately squeezed into the same nest as Crunch and refused to come out.
That note...
That note hadn't been taken...
Missing for months...
Walburga has gone mad... has she?
"...Miss Stalys, I was thinking..."
The memory was suddenly interrupted. Lys's abrupt head-lifting startled Lucius.
Lys apologized: "Sorry, senior. I haven't been feeling well lately and keep spacing out. What were you saying?"
Lucius, holding his brilliant serpentine cane, looked at her strangely. "Ahem, we were discussing whether you'd be willing to go to Germany. Our business there needs someone to oversee it. Honestly, it's a somewhat awkward position—not much real authority, but to show our sincerity, it must be someone with certain status and ability."
He watched Lys stuff another petit four into her mouth, paused, then continued: "This would be a long-term arrangement—you might stay there for many years."
Their eyes met, both understanding each other's meaning.
Lucius smiled. "No need to rush. After we confirm the candidate, we'll start negotiating with them. It might still take some time before it's settled."
Seeing Lys nod with satisfaction, Lucius lowered his voice: "That witch you introduced last time is very reliable. The shipment from overseas was excellent quality."
Lys certainly knew—she and that witch had put considerable effort into opening that trade route.
Lucius hesitated, glancing at Lys, but swallowed the question that came to his lips.
Raising her petit four like a wine glass, Lys gestured to Lucius then watched him leave.
Lys stuffed the cake into her mouth and picked up a glass of milk. Turning around, she watched Narcissa carry the sleeping baby up the spiral staircase, her mind again recalling that Black family crest ring.
Regulus, if you couldn't let go of your family and feared my revenge again, why didn't you stay alive to guard that home yourself?
Living, surviving—there's no shame in using any means necessary...
Why sacrifice your life to verify a dream you knew had already shattered?
Left behind in that stretch of sea.
A sugar pearl in the cake suddenly hit Lys's tooth hard. She covered her cheek. Never mind... she had no right to criticize others.
After all, she'd nearly ended up as a colleague to those Inferi herself.
Swallowing, Lys eyed the donuts that appeared on the other side. At home and in the reading room, because of her soaring weight and poor physical condition, Senna and Noah didn't allow her to eat so indulgently.
Rare chance to get out—she should eat more.
What a pity...
When she'd rushed to that shingle beach, she'd found nothing. Even that little boat still lay sunken in place. Only the scraped moss on the shore rocks proved someone had indeed been there.
Lys saw a very large plate of pudding on the table. After hesitating for a long time, she took out two small puddings and put them back, then carried the huge plate to find a corner table and sat down to eat.
This made Lucius, who couldn't help glancing at her occasionally, momentarily think he was seeing his own stupid subordinate Goyle...
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