Author's Note: Don't forget to vote, comment and leave a 5 star review to help the story grow and reach more people.
Read upto +30 Chapters worth of content ahead and receive extra updates daily by going to my Patreon and becoming a fellow Patreon.
Patreon: mrfanfiction140
Be sure to read my other Novels as well:
- Naruto: Multiverse Adventures
- Hunter x Hunter : The Alchemist.
----
Time, like sand slipping through one's fingers, quietly flowed away, and in the blink of an eye, it was August 1994.
"Once the thought of fleeing arises, the world suddenly feels wide."
This sentence had become Lucius Malfoy's mental state during this period, and it was the sole driving force behind his frenzied actions.
He had never been as "diligent" as he was now.
In the gray areas of the wizarding world, in the salons of old friends and the banquets of the newly wealthy, and even in some not-so-respectable secret clubs, Malfoy's hurried figure could be seen everywhere.
"Mr. Shafiq, have you considered it? My small Dragon farm in Romania, while not large in scale, has a pure bloodline and stable channels. As you know, the market for Dragon materials is currently on the rise..."
"Lucius, my friend, the current market... you and I both know it well. At the price you're asking, I'm afraid you'd have to slash it to the bone before I'd even dare consider taking those fire-breathing troublemakers off your hands."
The smile on Lucius's face stiffened as he thought: Slash it to the bone? I'd rather let it rot in my hands; at least I could occasionally harvest a few Dragon eggs.
"It seems we cannot reach an agreement for the time being, Mr. Shafiq. I wish you a pleasant day."
"Mr. Nott, my magic material refining workshop in Yorkshire generates enough annual profit to easily support a family's decent life for several years. This price is an absolute steal."
"Lucius, haven't you been selling off quite a few properties lately? Is your cash flow tight? Tell you what, I can accept the price, but as for the payment... perhaps we could discuss installments, or use some equivalent ancient magical artifacts to offset the debt?"
"Installments? Offsetting the debt? Sorry, Mr. Nott, I only accept full payment in Galleons, paid all at once. If you find that unsuitable, then forget it. I believe Mr. Borgin or other people who appreciate quality will be interested."
Fortunately, there were still times when deals were successfully made.
"Mr. Bulstrode, the terms are clear, the assets are clean, and the Ministry of Magic records are complete. If you have no objections, we can sign the contract now and complete the Galleon transfer at Gringotts."
...In just over a month, a large portion of the House of Malfoy's assets had been rapidly liquidated by Lucius at prices that ranged from high to low but could overall be described as a "fire sale."
He had even obsessively purchased and built multiple "safe houses" in secret locations all over the world.
Each location was stocked with massive amounts of food, water, Potions, Galleons, and defensive alchemical items.
At this moment, Lucius was in a club box, meeting with Mr. Barton, a retired master renowned for his expertise in ancient Spells and Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Lucius hoped to secure more advanced private tutoring for Draco to prepare him for the future.
"Master Barton, though Draco is young, he is naturally gifted. What we need is not merely the standard education at Hogwarts, but something more..." Lucius spoke eloquently, attempting to use Galleons and the Malfoy reputation to sway this eccentric master.
Just as he thought the negotiations were hitting their stride and was preparing to present the final salary figure—
Hiss!
A sudden burning pain shot through the inner side of his left forearm.
Lucius's voice came to an abrupt halt; the Dark Mark... was growing hot.
The Dark Lord really isn't dead! He has returned and is actively summoning his scattered servants!
Lucius's mind descended into complete chaos.
"My apologies! Mr. Barton!" Lucius sprang up from his chair. "I... I suddenly have an extremely urgent matter that must be handled immediately! Today's conversation... we shall reschedule for another day! I am truly, deeply sorry!"
He didn't even stop to see the other man's shocked expression as he practically stumbled out of the box.
Master Barton came to his senses and reached out a hand in vain toward the doorway where Lucius had vanished.
"Mr. Malfoy! Wait! We can discuss the compensation! The lesson fees... I can reduce the lesson fees appropriately! Mr. Malfoy?!"
...The ancestral home of the Lestrange family.
This ancient manor had long been abandoned due to its owners being imprisoned, and it was permeated with an air of decay.
Tonight, however, light rarely shone within its dilapidated hall.
Lucius Malfoy wrapped his cloak tightly around himself, his face devoid of color, as he followed the guidance of the mark on his arm to this place.
He was not the only one who had arrived.
In the dim light stood several other figures, all wrapped in cloaks to hide their identities just as he was. Yet from their cowering postures, Lucius could recognize a few of them.
They were "former" Death Eaters who, like him, had claimed to be under the control of the Imperio after the war and narrowly escaped Azkaban, though their situations were far more miserable than that of the House of Malfoy.
At the end of the hall, seated in the chair that originally belonged to the head of the Lestrange family, sat a figure entirely shrouded in a hooded robe.
"It seems... you have not completely forgotten... your master."
It was the voice of the "Dark Lord"! But it also seemed somewhat different... weaker? Or more suppressed? Lucius didn't dare think too deeply and, like the others, lowered his head profoundly.
After the hooded figure on the dais spoke those words, he fell into a long silence.
Old Malfoy's heart pounded wildly; he didn't know what the "Dark Lord" intended to do. Was he scrutinizing them? Or was he building up his anger?
He couldn't wait any longer! He had to state his position!
Lucius summoned his courage and took a small half-step forward.
"Master... you... you have finally returned! Your most loyal servant, Lucius Malfoy, is at your command!"
He emphasized the word "loyal" exceptionally hard.
The figure on the dais seemed to move slightly, the shadow beneath the hood turning toward Lucius.
"Loyalty? Soon, I shall see your loyalty. I command you, at the upcoming Quidditch World Cup final, to announce my return to the whole world! Let those cowards and traitors tremble in fear!"
Announce it at the World Cup?! Lucius felt as though the world were spinning.
But at this moment, did he dare refuse? Did he dare hesitate?
"As you command! Great Master!" Lucius responded almost the instant the voice finished speaking.
Whether it could actually be done was another matter; his attitude had to be perfect first.
The hood scanned the room once more, and then that raspy voice spoke again, mentioning a name that nearly made Lucius's heart stop:
"At Hogwarts... there is a student named Lynn."
Lucius's breath caught sharply.
"I want him... make him realize who is the master worth following. Make him submit to me and serve me. If..."
The hooded figure paused.
"...if he is obstinate and refuses my kindness... then eliminate him to prevent future trouble."
The final words carried a chill that seeped into the bone.
Lucius and the other Death Eaters bowed simultaneously, their voices echoing through the empty hall:
"Yes! As you wish, Master!"
As the words fell, Lord Voldemort vanished instantly from the spot.
No one saw the smile that flashed across Lucius's lowered face.
Was Lynn already so powerful that even the Dark Lord was wary of him?
His House of Malfoy could be considered to have some friendly ties with Lynn, couldn't it? In that case, he might have to activate the Malfoy family's ancestral skill — "defecting."
Run away? Why run away?
On one side was a Dark Lord who had already failed once, and on the other was a young Wizard whom even the Dark Lord was wary of and sought either to win over or eliminate... just thinking about it, the future looked brilliant.