Ultimate Dowry
"How are you? Confident?" Lucius seemed concerned, but his tone was full of confidence and pride.
Narcissa stepped forward and gently hugged Skylar, then rolled her eyes at Lucius. "Look at what you're saying, a match of this caliber..." She then glanced around haughtily, her gaze sweeping over the other three Champion. "How could opponents of this caliber possibly be a match for my son?"
Skylar nearly choked on his saliva. He coughed lightly twice, signaling to his mother to stop stirring up trouble for him. "Mom, I know you want to brag about your son, but even if it's true, don't say it directly in front of people."
Monroe snorted coldly, expressing his displeasure, while Mrs. Weasley and Bill also looked quite displeased.
Although Harry scored the most Champion in the Second Task, Skylar still held a commanding lead in the overall score—primarily because his methods were so astonishing. It's worth noting that this astonishment was shared by the headmasters of the three major Europe magic schools. He tamed the dragon guarding the Golden Egg using Ancient Dragon Language, and submerged himself to the bottom of the lake using a completely new and original Human Transfiguration ... both times employing magic never before seen before...
So, what new methods will Skylar use for his Third Task?
Even Dumbledore probably couldn't have figured it out.
Therefore, even if Monroe and Mrs. Weasley were dissatisfied, they could not utter any rebuttal.
Eleanor's parents, however, were not offended; instead, they smiled and gave Skylar an admiring look.
Mr. Hohenheim walked over with steady steps and extended his hand. Lucius knew that the other party was from the most powerful Pure-blood families in Germany, a family that could stand shoulder to shoulder with the House of Malfoy, so he dared not be negligent and hurriedly reached out to shake hands. (He was unaware of the Sleeping Dragon Society, nor of the alliance between Skylar and the Hohenheim Family.)
"Mr. Malfoy, I truly envy you for having such an outstanding son." He glanced at Skylar before continuing in a gentle and polite manner, "Although I wasn't there for the first two matches, I read the detailed reports in the newspapers. In my opinion, the other three of us Champion are only there to accompany you in this match; the championship is almost certainly going to your young master."
Lucius shared this view, but he was clearly adept at the affected manners of the nobility. He chuckled, "You flatter him too much. Don't forget he's three years younger than both Champion, and I think," he paused, then added meaningfully, "That until the actual outcome of the match is known, everything is uncertain."
"That's certainly true," Mr. Hohenheim replied tactfully. "I specifically instructed Eleanor to give it her all, and even if she doesn't win the championship, she can't afford to lose the family's honor and image."
"Sir," Skylar interjected, "Please allow me to say this, Eleanor's strength is in no way inferior to mine, and she also has the advantage of many alchemical artifacts. You should have more faith in her." Skylar's eyes flickered, and he smiled, "Of course, I will also do my best and truly earn this honor through my own strength."
"I really admire a young man as humble and polite as you, who also has a clear understanding of his own abilities," Mr. Hohenheim said with a meaningful smile. "Eleanor has told me about your strength, and I believe she could never be your match... To be honest, as her father, I only have one daughter, and I know her thoughts better than anyone..."
"Don't let her quiet and easygoing appearance fool you; this girl has always been incredibly proud and competitive. I've never seen her praise someone so highly before—"
A glint of lightning flashed in Mr. Hohenheim's eyes. "You're the first, young Master Malfoy. What do you think of my daughter?"
Lucius and Narcissa exchanged a glance, both showing expressions of sudden realization.
It seems they're not here to cause trouble, but rather to arrange a marriage!
Lucius curled his lip in disdain. Women only slowed down a man's wand-drawing speed. A good man should prioritize his career and not be bound by romantic entanglements. Besides, that rascal Skylar had far too many romantic encounters... Lucius wasn't without informants at Hogwarts. He regularly contacted Snape, not only to help Snape gather materials for prohibited Potions from abroad, but also to inquire about his two sons' progress at school.
According to Snape, Skylar seems to be involved with both young ladies of the Greengrass Family. Then, he apparently has a girlfriend in Ravenclaw as well. If you include the missing eldest daughter of the Shafiq Family, that makes four girlfriends! That kid still won't settle down, damn it!
Why didn't I receive such treatment when I was young...? Lucius quickly shook his head, banishing this slightly dangerous thought.
Narcissa, on the other hand, was all smiles. In her view, the fact that girls liked her son meant that he was very outstanding.
"This..." Skylar hesitated.
Seeing an opportunity, Mr. Hohenheim offered a tempting bait. "As the current head of the Hohenheim Family, I can assure you that if our two families are fortunate enough to form a marriage alliance, our family will not interfere in your personal relationships. We will not meddle in any romantic entanglements you may have elsewhere, and we will also give you a generous gift—"
"Our Hohenheim Family's core, top-secret heritage— Human Alchemy —can be presented to you as a grand engagement gift."
"And you, on the day Eleanor succeeds as the next head of the Hohenheim Family, will also obtain the position of 'son-in-law of the head of the family,' a status and power commensurate with the Patriarchal position. When the head of the family is absent, you will have the supreme power to oversee all matters of the family."
This gift was truly an unexpected and generous gesture. Narcissa covered her mouth, too surprised to speak.
Lucius's eyes gleamed, and his fingers gripped his serpentine, silver-plated cane tightly. Looking at Skylar, he felt an urge to rush forward and accept the marriage proposal in Skylar's place.
"Merlin's beard!" Lucius thought regretfully. "I apologize for those disrespectful thoughts about women that inadvertently crossed my mind just now. A good woman not only doesn't slow down a man's wand-drawing speed, but she can also save her man twenty, no, thirty years of struggle!... Why didn't I receive such treatment back then..."
This was the second time today that Lucius had felt envious and jealous of his son. He inadvertently recalled Narcissa and her two older sisters, the beautiful sisters of that era, known as the "Three Golden Flowers of the House of Black," and began to daydream. But inside, he felt a pang of jealousy. "I'm handsome too! I'm a rich kid, a tall, rich, and handsome guy! Why? Why? You brat, you're just... so enviable..."
Skylar did not agree.
He knew that with just a nod, his power would almost double in an instant.
After all, the Hohenheim Family is currently only an ally. Although they cooperate with him in various aspects and will cooperate with his plans and actions, they are not under his control or command.
However, he has his own bottom line and principles. He will not use his personal feelings as a political bargaining chip.
He didn't refuse, but only because he didn't dislike Eleanor. He wasn't sure if there was any possibility of a future together; after all, what man could resist a beautiful, intelligent, shrewd woman who could be a good wife?
Before long, almost everyone in the conference room had left.
The Malfoy emerged from the somewhat crowded meeting room and strolled leisurely along the lake.
They spent the morning in the castle, exploring the entire castle grounds.
As Lucius walked through the corridor, he would occasionally comment on the aesthetics of some of the statues and portraits, seemingly dissatisfied. Narcissa, on the other hand, was clearly delighted to be visiting Hogwarts again, constantly recounting to Skylar the various amusing incidents that had occurred during her school days, even mentioning the embarrassing story of how Lucius had been severely beaten by her sister, Skylar's Aunt Bellatrix, for trying to get close to her.
(In the original book, Bellatrix doesn't seem to like Lucius very much. She speaks of Lucius with disdain, which is most likely because she disdains Lucius for betraying her after Voldemort's downfall, but it could also be an impression she formed during her school days.)