Lucius tried to learn about Lys's plans for staying in Germany.
But Lys didn't have any concrete plans.
"Open a clinic? Or get that underground business running. I haven't decided yet..."
Lys stroked Gabon before continuing:
"Everything happened so suddenly. I was originally planning to spend ten years in that position where I'd only need to sign papers."
Silence. More silence.
"By the way, upperclassman, the Dark Mark... is it truly useless now?"
Lucius's expression darkened as he shook his head.
He felt regretful.
Even though he'd endured tremendous pressure and punishment under the Dark Lord, as one of his right-hand men, the Malfoy family had indeed gained unprecedented power and resources—influence that extended even to the present.
The Dark Lord had truly torn open a path for pure-blood glory to return to its peak.
Such a pity...
Lucius's gaze returned to the documents before him. If this storm didn't subside soon, the Malfoy family would have to pay an even greater price for peace.
As Malfoy sighed silently, Lys suddenly brightened.
Previously, Lys couldn't heal her arm without triggering the Mark, forcing her to wear protective gear for over two years to prevent her left arm's fracture from worsening.
Now this was... the only good news...
The faint smile that had just appeared on Lys's face took on a self-mocking edge.
"Well then, upperclassman, I'll return to my room. I already submitted my application to return to Germany this afternoon, but who knows when the storm will settle and the Floo Network will reopen. If there's anything I can help with, have a house-elf call me."
At the doorway, Lys suddenly turned back. "Oh right, upperclassman, let me borrow one of your owls to send a letter to my parents in Germany."
Seeing Lucius's very obvious hint, Lys told him "I understand," then finally returned to her guest room.
After carefully choosing her words, Lys brought the letter to Lucius for inspection. He said it wasn't necessary, but his hands had already taken the letter.
Because the Malfoy family was being watched, Stalys, who had deep connections with them, was also under surveillance. Her letters would—and definitely would—be intercepted and examined.
So even though it was quite rude, Lucius still took it to read. He had to be careful now.
He summoned his family's largest owl, the bird of prey best suited for long-distance flights, to send the letter.
Lys cast a trigger charm on it—she would know when the letter was opened.
Seeing Stalys give him that knowing look half an hour later, Lucius couldn't help but sigh wearily.
It seemed he'd have to prepare enough Galleons to satisfy those greedy Ministry of Magic officials.
Lys spread out the newspaper in her hands, marveling at this storm's persistence. This was already Lucius's third loss of composure today. The aura of life-and-death authority he'd cultivated at the Dark Lord's side was rapidly fading, leaving him pale.
During this time, Lys had tried to gather news about Snape, but without success. She only heard from the apothecary shop owner that he'd gone to Hogwarts and would be teaching Potions when school started next year.
Lys didn't understand, but thinking about the reason for the Dark Lord's disappearance—the murdered Potter couple...
It didn't seem quite so abrupt after all.
Turning to the next page, she found over a dozen wanted posters. The first was Bellatrix, her expression savage, apparently pointing her wand at the photographer.
Lestrange, Dolohov, Carrow...
Lys even read the wanted posters with a hint of envy.
But reading further, she couldn't remain calm. Karkaroff... she remembered him as quite a smooth operator, not like a fool...
Lys read carefully. Igor Karkaroff had been caught red-handed with confirmed Death Eater identity, sentenced to lifelong Azkaban imprisonment.
Even though the Karkaroff family needed to avoid suspicion due to their previous support of Grindelwald, surely they wouldn't abandon a family member entirely?
But somehow he'd been scared out of his wits. After being thrown into Azkaban, without even waiting for the Karkaroff family to bail him out, he'd supplied a massive list of Death Eaters to Bartemius Crouch, head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
She continued reading. Below was an article praising the heroic Potter family. Lys raised an eyebrow and read on.
The world-saving one-year-old savior had lost his parents forever...
The more Lys read, the more absurd it seemed, but this was the miracle the wizarding world kept singing about.
The louder people sang, the more they believed.
Lys shook her head and continued reading.
Lys's face nearly crumpled as she read on. Sirius Black was a Phoenix Order traitor, a hidden Death Eater who, after the Dark Lord's disappearance, went on a rampage killing over a dozen Muggles and one wizard, causing extremely evil consequences, sentenced to lifelong Azkaban imprisonment?!
How had she never known...
She even asked Lucius, who rubbed his forehead saying he wasn't clear either.
Looking back at the newspaper—
The Lestrange couple had launched a revenge attack on an Auror family, kidnapping the Longbottoms and torturing them into madness with Cruciatus Curses. They'd been arrested, but their accomplices' whereabouts remained unknown?!
They couldn't be fleeing to Germany...
A giant motorcycle had appeared over Muggle towns; everyone was urged not to use owls for daytime mail delivery to avoid unnecessary Muggle attention?
Something felt wrong, but she couldn't tell if it was the newspaper or herself that was off.
Lys sat there holding the newspaper, spacing out.
Suddenly snapping back to attention, Lys looked at Lucius, who was frowning with closed eyes, and silently folded the crumpled newspaper, taking the documents from in front of him.
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