Chapter 151
"First of all, I would like to express my apologies, Mr. Malfoy. I hope you can accept them."
The speaker was a well-dressed middle-aged man in a black suit. His posture was perfectly straight, his movements precise and somewhat rigid. His beard was neatly trimmed, as if measured with a ruler.
He stood beside a narrow table covered with silver instruments and bowed slightly as he addressed Malfoy.
This was the office of Professor Dumbledore. Strange silver devices puffed out thin streams of smoke. The portraits on the walls appeared to be asleep, snoring softly. Behind the desk, Fawkes the phoenix stood proudly on his gilded perch, his red-and-gold feathers bright and smooth. At the desk itself, Dumbledore sat with his long silver beard resting on the tabletop, reading a Muggle comic book with obvious enjoyment.
"Recently, the Ministry of Magic has been in considerable turmoil," the man continued. "That is why your commendation was delayed. This time, we have applied for a Third Class Order of Merlin for you, in recognition of your outstanding contribution to the Ministry and the wizarding world. Your actions prevented further embarrassment for the Ministry and helped maintain stability at Hogwarts."
He extended his hand politely.
"I should introduce myself. Barty Crouch, Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation."
He then gestured toward the woman standing beside him.
She was short and dressed in a bright pink coat. Her wide, sagging face and bulging eyes gave her the appearance of a pale toad.
"Hello, Mr. Malfoy," she said in a high, affected voice, smiling in what she clearly believed was a friendly manner. "I am Dolores Umbridge, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister. I work with your father. Together with Mr. Crouch, I am temporarily assisting during Minister Fudge's absence."
The smile was unsettling no matter how one looked at it.
Her arrogance was usually reserved for those beneath her. The boy before her, however, was not someone she could afford to offend. Lucius Malfoy now held significant influence within the Ministry, and Draco himself was widely praised in the press. Her own recent advancement had not been entirely unrelated to Malfoy family support.
"In fact," Umbridge continued eagerly, "I believe you deserve a Second Class Order. I hear you recently exposed a werewolf hiding at Hogwarts? Frankly, I no longer believe that school is the safest place in Britain. Escaped criminals, traitors, werewolves—anything seems possible there—"
"Ahem."
Dumbledore set down his comic and coughed lightly. His eyes flicked toward Umbridge.
She stiffened immediately and fell silent.
"Dealing with a fugitive is something any student would have done," Malfoy replied calmly, ignoring Umbridge's flattery. "I was simply fortunate. As for the werewolf matter, you may discuss it with Headmaster Dumbledore. In my view, Professor Lupin remains a teacher."
He spoke modestly to Crouch while quietly observing the man's expression.
"Lucius has raised a fine son," Crouch said suddenly.
For a brief moment, a trace of loneliness crossed his face before his usual professional composure returned.
A pitiful man, Malfoy thought.
A work-obsessed father. A twisted son. A mother whose blind devotion destroyed everything. An abnormal family bound for tragedy.
Everyone paid for their choices. Crouch had upheld strict justice all his life—until he broke it for his own son. And in the end, the son he protected would be the one to destroy him.
"Mr. Malfoy?" Crouch prompted, noticing his distraction.
"My apologies," Malfoy said, refocusing. "I was momentarily overwhelmed."
He straightened slightly. Leaving a good impression here mattered.
"Headmaster Dumbledore?" Crouch turned.
"Yes, Mr. Crouch?" Dumbledore adjusted his half-moon spectacles.
"I believe a student of Mr. Malfoy's caliber deserves recognition not only from the Ministry, but also from Hogwarts."
"Of course," Dumbledore said with a gentle smile. "At the end of term, he will receive a Special Award for Services to the School. Outstanding students should be properly acknowledged."
His fingertips pressed together as he looked at Malfoy thoughtfully.
"Excellent," Crouch said briskly. "Then we may proceed to discuss the formal arrangements."
His manner was, as always, efficient and decisive.