It was the last Sunday morning in April on Colonsay Island, one of the Hebridean Isles. In front of Count Dak de Dantes of Pessac's castle, Lucius Malfoy stood admiring the newly refurbished walls.
This Count Dantes must be incredibly wealthy! he thought. In mere weeks, the once-crumbling MacFastey Castle had been restored to its former glory. A magical glow radiated from its exterior, and the original bronze door knocker had been replaced by one entirely of gold.
A servant opened the grand entrance and stepped out. "Hello, are you Mr. Lucius Malfoy?"
"Yes."
"Sir, please wait a moment—His Excellency is out on a dragon ride."
"A dragon ride?" Malfoy's eyes widened. Though he owned a dragon farm, he never dared ride them—especially the ferocious Hebridean Black Dragons bred here.
A thunderous roar echoed from the sky. Malfoy's expression turned anxious, and he began to edge away from the castle, preparing to Apparate. But the dragon alighted before him with a deafening whoosh, wind battering him backward.
A young, handsome man in purple robes descended from the beast's back. He patted its foreleg gently. "Big Butt, go home."
The dragon bowed its head obediently, then spread its wings and soared away. The young man smoothed his windswept hair and approached Malfoy.
"Good morning, Mr. Malfoy. I believe this is our first meeting. I had to rely on Mr. Borgin for business in France—please forgive the oversight."
Malfoy, heart still pounding, straightened his posture, concealed his wand disguised as a cane, and offered a courteous smile. "Greetings, Your Excellency Dantes. Riding that dragon was certainly dramatic."
Dantes waved dismissively. "A bit, perhaps. But someone of your renown in the British wizarding community cannot be easily fazed."
He ushered Malfoy into the castle. Though Malfoy had visited years ago, the interior's grandeur was enchanting: paintings by renowned artists, sculptures gracing each hallway, curtains shimmering as if woven from animal-silk, and golden light fixtures. At the center of the reception hall hung a broken sword, magically reassembled.
Malfoy's breath caught. "That sword—could it be… Stonehenge?"
Dantes chuckled. "Indeed. Unearthed in a hidden cave by a group of adventurers, verified as genuine by expert appraisers."
Malfoy paled. "That must have cost a mint."
Dantes nodded. "Around three million Galleons."
Malfoy calculated silently: he had sold all his family's remaining assets for six million, netting only two million—yet this broken relic alone nearly equaled that sum. He had underestimated Dantes's wealth.
"Your Excellency, your fortune is astonishing."
Dantes took a seat. "Inherited wisely, that's all. Please, sit, Mr. Malfoy."
Malfoy sat on the sumptuous couch. Its fine fabric felt softer than silk, and faint warmth spread beneath his palms. He composed himself and steered the conversation.
"The Hebridean Black Dragon incident drew much attention from the Ministry and even Dumbledore. Has there been any official finding? It seems perilous to maintain a residence here."
Dantes waved his hand. "That was during the transition. My staff mishandled the dragons, which caused the disturbance. To smooth things over, I gifted five thousand Galleons to the Ministry officials involved. The dragons are under control now."
Malfoy inwardly scoffed—calling Hebridean Black Dragons "under control" was an understatement. But recalling Dantes's confident dragon ride, he refrained from arguing and instead feigned admiration.
"Your Excellency rides dragons! Truly remarkable for someone so young."
Dantes smiled. "But let's not beat around the bush. I invited you here for a favor."
Malfoy leaned forward. "Yes?"
"As an outsider, I wish to integrate into the British wizarding community. To do that, I need someone respected and influential to introduce me. You, Mr. Malfoy, fit that role perfectly."
A wry grin stretched across Malfoy's face. "You flatter me. Honestly, with your stature, all you need do is send invitations."
Dantes shook his head. "That isn't enough. I have no relationships here. If I invite families who dislike me, it could cause friction."
Malfoy nodded, understanding. "Understood. I will handle the introductions myself."
"You're too kind," Dantes said, beaming. "When should we host a gathering?"
"How about July 1st?" Dantes suggested. "The magical schools will be on holiday, and dragon-riding will delight the younger guests."
"Excellent," Malfoy replied, picturing his son's excitement. "It will be an honor. I look forward to introducing Your Excellency to everyone."
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