Chapter 440: The Malfoy Family

In the headmaster’s office, Wizard Sean was silent, but Lucius knew exactly who Dumbledore was referring to.

He was certain this wasn’t Dumbledore’s idea—after all, he had known the old wizard too long to believe he had any interest in playing their rules games.

His thoughts spun rapidly.

A wizard even more outstanding than Dumbledore, the greatest wizard of the future.

He had heard too many rumors; the magical world was full of gossip, like the recent Lockhart—who could imagine he had boasted about himself for decades?

But in the magical world, some pieces of information could never be dismissed as mere rumors.

Take the young wizard standing beside Dumbledore—he watched quietly, his eyes carrying a thin veil of indifference.

They must be on the same side.

Lucius forced himself to think so.

He was an absolute pure-blood noble, a descendant whose lineage the Ministry of Magic had to keep secret.

Then which family could he belong to?

He harbored a quiet suspicion.

As for why Hogwarts had long spread rumors of him opposing Voldemort…

That was easy to explain. Just as they once believed Harry Potter was a powerful Dark wizard and Voldemort acted to eliminate him as a threat to his power, this one naturally sought to eradicate Voldemort’s forces—how else could he unify the entire magical world?

If not to eradicate Voldemort’s forces and seize control of the magical world, why would he oppose Voldemort at all?

The clash of two generations of wizards—now it seemed the one before them held the upper hand.

And it was clear the ultimate victor would be hard-pressed not to be him.

He was too young, too full of potential—even surpassing Voldemort.

More terrifying still, he seemed to understand disguise better than Voldemort ever had.

Dumbledore had never been deceived by Voldemort—but he had deceived Dumbledore.

Or perhaps he was Dumbledore’s…

Lucius had heard that the Dumbledore family once had a daughter.

Lucius clenched his pale hands into fists, then released them.

“Is there any evidence?”

He said, voice hoarse.

“Oh, no one can provide evidence now,”

Dumbledore smiled warmly at Wizard Sean, saying,

“Tom Riddle has vanished from the diary.

Also, Lucius, I must give you a piece of advice: stop circulating old relics from Voldemort’s school days.

If more of these items fall into innocent hands, Arthur Weasley will surely trace them back to you…”

Lucius Malfoy stood frozen for another moment; Wizard Sean clearly saw his right hand twitch, as if reaching for his wand.

Yet he restrained himself, turning his gaze toward Wizard Sean.

It was a strange look—half plea, half inquiry.

Unfortunately, Wizard Sean could not read it.

“Still, I’ve heard the Ministry has uncovered something else, Lucius—best if it has nothing to do with you. Otherwise, the other eleven governors…”

As Dumbledore spoke, an owl flew in—it was Wizard Sean receiving a letter.

【Your command has been carried out.

—Your most loyal, ever-admiring Rita Skeeter】

With this letter’s arrival, more owl messengers flew into the headmaster’s office; both Dumbledore and Lucius received letters.

“It seems my advice came too late. You’ve been dismissed, Lucius, and you still have three months of investigation to endure.”

Dumbledore narrowed his eyes.

Lucius trembled—he had seen the bolded words “dismissed” and “investigation” on the letter.

He could not accept it—Draco had not properly conveyed his meaning, had not expressed their submission?

Or had they already lost all value in his eyes?

No, no, no… the Malfoy family still held many values he did not know.

He finally restrained himself, turning to his house-elf:

“Let’s go, Dobby!”

He wrenched open the door; the house-elf scrambled over, and Lucius kicked him out into the corridor.

They could hear Dobby’s pained screams echoing down the hallway.

“I noticed you have no friends in Slytherin.”

After they left, Dumbledore asked Wizard Sean casually.

Wizard Sean looked at Dumbledore, puzzled—as if unable to adjust to the sudden shift in topic.

“Yes, Headmaster Dumbledore.”

After answering, Wizard Sean turned toward Harry, who had been eavesdropping at the door for who knew how long.

He tucked the diary away, then bid farewell to Dumbledore, whose eyes sparkled with mischief.

“Harry?”

Wizard Sean walked to the door and called softly into a corner.

“Ah, Wizard Sean, oh, Wizard Sean, here, this, statue, is so…”

Harry stepped out of the shadows, stammering.

Wizard Sean watched him in silence until his face turned red.

“Y-you, you knew all along, didn’t you, Wizard Sean? You got rid of Lucius Malfoy! Goodness, I can’t believe we actually managed something like this!”

Harry had begun stumbling, but ended up speaking more smoothly than ever.

“Mm.”

Wizard Sean replied.

“I…”

Harry wanted to say more, but fell silent.

Wizard Sean could make Lucius Malfoy face justice, while he could only “elbow” Draco on the Quidditch pitch.

He knew full well it was Wizard Sean—but still, a pang of resentment rose in him.

He thought of the Hope House training he had missed for so long; the passion he once felt for Quidditch had vanished.

It felt as if everything had suddenly lost meaning.

“Harry, do you want to become an Auror?”

Wizard Sean said suddenly.

“Auror?”

Harry repeated.

“A select group of highly trained, exceptional wizards who investigate crimes involving Dark Magic and arrest and detain Dark wizards.”

Wizard Sean explained patiently.

“Can I become an Auror?”

Harry’s eyes grew brighter.

“Why not?

But Auror duties involve hunting and capturing criminal Dark wizards, so the work is extremely dangerous and the entry requirements are very high.

You must obtain at least five N.E.W.T. certificates, all with grades no lower than ‘Good.’ You must also pass a series of rigorous personality and ability tests at the Auror Office.

If you’re willing, I can help.”

Wizard Sean said slowly.

Harry was momentarily stunned.

Before leaving, Wizard Sean gave Harry a book detailing Auror exploits, and also handed him the destroyed diary of Tom Riddle.

“It will be useful.”

Wizard Sean said.

Harry looked sharply toward Lucius and Dobby in the distance—he had just conceived a thought of saving Dobby.

He wondered if Wizard Sean had read his mind again.

The last day before Easter.

Harry suddenly found what he wanted to do; he had never realized sunsets could glow so beautifully.

He no longer cared about mud, snow, or the foul weather that ruined Quidditch.

His heart was full—able to withstand all the world’s capricious changes.

“Wizard Sean—”

He whispered suddenly.

The young wizard holding the book turned around.

But Harry lost his voice.

Outside the window was a twilight that would never become night.

In this intoxicating twilight, Harry saw Wizard Sean’s silhouette edged in gold.