Chapter 345: Fulfilling the Promise

The atmosphere in the Claude family living room was somewhat silent.

Dumbledore and Grindelwald were gone; they found a room and didn't know what they were talking about, not coming out for a long time.

Mrs. Claude was entertaining Lucius and Narcissa in the living room.

Of course, mainly entertaining Narcissa.

Because Lucius was perhaps too heavily hit, he hadn't spoken from beginning to end.

Narcissa chatted awkwardly with Mrs. Claude from time to time.

Because she wanted to strive for more opportunities, wanted to appear slightly more decent, tone softer, and posture lower.

But this made Mrs. Claude very uncomfortable.

She was still used to that confident and proud Narcissa.

Instead of this timid, low-voiced Narcissa.

Finally, there was movement at the entrance door.

It was Mr. Claude, who had received the notification and rushed back in a hurry.

It is worth mentioning here that the Claude house didn't have a fireplace for them to use Floo powder.

So he could only return from outside.

"Father of the children, you are back."

Mrs. Claude stood up to welcome him immediately.

"Dear, thank you for your hard work."

Mr. Claude first smiled at his wife, and then placed his gaze on Lucius and Narcissa.

Before returning, he had already learned the ins and outs of the matter through Dumbledore's letter.

So he didn't ask much.

More of his gaze was placed on Lucius.

A month ago, when he heard the news of Lucius's death, he even went to see his body.

Didn't expect it to be a fake death.

He felt a sense of absurdity and sadness about this.

"Lucius, long time no see."

Hearing the call, Lucius finally raised his head slowly and looked at Mr. Claude.

He pulled a dry, bitter smile at the corner of his mouth and spoke for the first time.

"If you want to laugh, laugh, Claude... I lost, you were right..."

Mr. Claude didn't laugh, but sighed.

The two, just like Narcissa and Mrs. Claude, were classmates before.

And because the two families were family friends, they knew each other very early.

It's just that Lucius looked down on the Claude family, which had already fallen into decline, before.

And Claude didn't curry favor with him because of the family friend relationship.

So they were just a relationship a bit more familiar than ordinary classmates.

When they met by chance at the Quidditch World Cup, Lucius had warned him to stay away from Muggle-born people.

The intention was good.

Because Lucius knew there would be a Death Eater parade later, and if he stayed too close to Muggle-born people, he would be implicated.

But Claude ignored him, still choosing to stand with John and those children, and survived that crisis together.

Looking at it now.

Claude was indeed right to ignore Lucius's warning back then.

Lucius really wanted to leave directly.

But in order for his family to get shelter, he still chose to bow his head to Claude, whom he once looked down upon.

"... Rocco, we have nowhere to go now, hope you can look at the face of family friends and take in our family...... even if it's just temporary."

Mr. Claude was silent for a long time, his gaze sweeping slowly over Lucius's pale face and Narcissa's tightly clenched fingers.

Then looked at his wife.

"Dear, what do you think."

"I listen to you."

Mrs. Claude held her husband's arm gently, not expressing her opinion, but a trace of intolerance and hesitation clearly floated in her eyes.

Married for many years, Mr. Claude read that trace of intolerance and hesitation.

Finally, he nodded slowly.

"Lucius, in the name of the 31st generation head of the Claude family, I will fulfill the promise between our ancestors and shelter your family."

"But only until Voldemort is destroyed; after Voldemort is destroyed, you must find your own way."

Hearing Mr. Claude's promise, Narcissa immediately loosened her tightly clenched hands.

She pulled Lucius up and bowed deeply to the Claude couple.

"... The Malfoy family will always remember today's kindness..."

Hogwarts.

Time came to noon.

John received another summons from Dumbledore.

The old man had returned from the Claude house.

Also summoned were Draco and Titus.

So the three of John gathered in the Headmaster's office again.

Dumbledore sat at the desk, conjured three chairs for them to sit down.

He had talked to Draco and John before, this time mainly wanting to talk to Titus.

After all, the Claude family was the protagonist of this event.

"Titus, I believe John has already told you about your house."

"I called you here to seek your opinion."

Dumbledore said gently toward Titus.

Incidentally, he told the three about what happened at the Claude house this morning.

"Regarding the Malfoys seeking shelter from your family, I went to handle it this morning."

"Also negotiated with your parents, and they expressed their willingness to fulfill the promise and accept them temporarily."

"But at the same time, it also requires your consent and respect for your opinion; if you feel disgusted by this, I can let them leave."

Hearing this, Draco breathed a sigh of relief first.

Because he had talked to Titus before, and Titus had already agreed.

Sure enough, Titus also nodded slowly, indicating he would follow his parents' decision.

"Hmm, Headmaster, I know about the Malfoy family."

"I follow my parents' arrangement..." Speaking of this, he glanced at Draco beside him.

"Also don't oppose Malfoy's joining."

A glimmer of gratification flashed in Dumbledore's eyes.

Then continued.

"Good, Titus, I will convey this wish to your parents."

"You can also rest assured that Malfoy will be well-behaved and will never overstep by half a step."

Titus nodded; with Dumbledore's guarantee, the remaining anxiety in his heart finally landed.

But immediately raised his head and asked.

"Then Headmaster, what about that Grindelwald?"

Regarding John telling Titus about Grindelwald, Dumbledore wasn't surprised and tacitly allowed it.

"Grindelwald... he will also live in your house."

"But rest assured, I have already talked to him."

"He won't have any influence on you; on the contrary, I used a contract as a name to make him promise to protect the safety of your family while at the Claude residence."

"Of course, he occasionally has some... uh... eccentric temper, hope you don't mind."

Titus was stunned for a moment, looked at John, obviously somewhat confused.

But John hadn't seen Grindelwald either, so how would he know what Dumbledore was talking about.

Could only shrug, indicating he had no clue either.

At this time, Draco on the side spoke.

"Lord Grindelwald is an extremely powerful wizard, usually very kind, no need to worry too much."

"However...... don't treat Lord as an ordinary elder."

Hearing Draco's evaluation of Grindelwald, Dumbledore, who was always calm, couldn't help but complain.

"He is kind...?"

But just after complaining, he realized he let it slip, and quickly added.

"... Uh... ah yes, he is very kind, Titus."

Titus looked at Dumbledore speechlessly.

This great wizard worshipped by everyone seems sometimes not so reliable...... ===== CHAPTER 346 =====