Lucius's Thoughts

Malfoy Manor.

Malfoy had barely stepped inside the house, and before he could even change out of his robes, he heard his father's voice:

"You're back? You haven't finished your homework yet."

Malfoy's face immediately fell. He didn't know why, but since returning home for the holidays, his father had become much stricter with him, not allowing him to slack off at all in his magical studies.

He thought summer vacation was for having fun, and he had even planned where to travel before going home.

As soon as he got back, his father dragged him into a magical duel, saying it was to test his academic progress at school.

That's not all.

For the next few days, I was forced to read magic books and practice spells, and I even had less time to rest than at school!

Is this still a holiday?

He was only able to go to Diagon Alley today because he begged and pleaded – if it weren't for the fact that he wanted to see Lucien's Instant Whisper release, Malfoy probably wouldn't have let his father go.

Lucius's expression remained as cold and reserved as ever, but there was a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.

Through the duel, he witnessed Draco's progress in spellcasting and magic.

The speed and accuracy of spellcasting, and even the ability to cope with pressure, are all much better than at the end of last semester.

Lucius outwardly offered only slight praise, even using lukewarm terms like "above average," but inwardly he was very pleased.

This shows that his son has really learned something from Lucien.

Lucius knew that his position among the Death Eaters had always been awkward.

Through money and flattery, he managed to curry favor with Voldemort, but his own strength was insufficient, and he could never compare to those who were highly valued by Voldemort — Bellatrix, Barty Crouch Jr. Crouch., Anthony Dolohov...

Those people saw him as a sycophantic clown, and behind his back they mocked him as nothing more than a "rich sycophant."

But Draco's progress gave Lucius hope.

It doesn't matter that he's weak, his son is strong.

Lucius murmured softly:

"It's a pity the Malfoy family doesn't have many women of marriageable age. If only they had a daughter..."

Ah, in this respect, the Greengrass Family is "far ahead".

"Father, what did you say?"

Malfoy had only taken a few steps toward the study when he turned back to look at his father.

Lucius shook his head. "It's nothing. Go read a book."

In Pure-blood families with intertwined bloodlines, marriage alliances are a common means of winning over members.

For example, his wife Narcissa was surnamed Black before she married into the Malfoy family.

The Black family, a long and wealthy one.

Unfortunately, the only heir has been imprisoned in Azkaban and is probably going to die there soon.

It's truly tragic that such a glorious and honorable family is destined to become history.

The problem with Pure-blood is that they don't have many offspring, and their inheritance is unstable.

The continuation of the family line has always been a source of worry for every head of Pure-blood families.

Thinking about the future of the Black family, Lucius felt a pang of sympathy, as if he were witnessing the death of a fellow rabbit.

As he watched his son's figure disappear around the corner of the stairs, Lucius's expression gradually became complicated.

Lucius had a lingering unease—that Voldemort wasn't truly dead, but perhaps still lingering somewhere.

He feared that the Dark Lord would eventually return.

At that time...

Lucius closed his eyes, the words Lucien had said to him flashing through his mind.

The boy reminded him to carefully examine the characteristics of that diary.

Later, he consulted a large number of family records and became increasingly alarmed.

One word appears repeatedly in ancient Dark Magic literature: Horcrux.

Lucius nearly lost his balance.

He actually threw Voldemort's Horcrux into Hogwarts and "gave" them to Dumbledore?!

If Voldemort returns and finds out about this...

If Lucius hadn't known the diary was Horcrux, he might have been able to get away with it from Voldemort.

But he knows now!

Voldemort also liked to use magic such as Legilimency to spy on his subordinates and prevent anyone from betraying him.

Voldemort will definitely kill him then—without mercy, and may even deal with the "traitor" in the most cruel way.

Lucius needed a way out, or rather, he needed to find a way out for his son, for "Malfoy".

Based on Lucien's demonstrated talent and strength, Lucius believed that he would definitely become a powerful figure on par with Dumbledore and Voldemort in the future.

Getting Draco and Lucien on good terms is a fallback option.

At least, if Draco can be saved, then the Malfoy Family can continue its lineage.

The mistake he made had nothing to do with his son.