Malfoy Manor.
Lucius Malfoy sat upright on the sofa, holding a glass of liquor. This should have been a time to enjoy fine food.
Yet his expression was rather grim.
Just moments ago, an elder Death Eater had arrived with his subordinates.
They had exchanged harsh words, and the confrontation had ended very unpleasantly, even coming to blows.
Lucius Malfoy had gained little advantage. Not only was the other party extremely powerful, but they also outnumbered him.
Narcissa Malfoy opened the door and walked in. Seeing her husband's gloomy expression, she sat beside him, took the glass from his hand, and set it aside.
"They're furious about the school plan."
Narcissa Malfoy hesitated before speaking softly.
Lucius Malfoy looked up at Narcissa Malfoy, frowning, unsure what he should say.
"Although it disgusted them, Draco was worried about you too. If you hadn't pulled yourself out, perhaps you would have been among those who died in the forest."
Narcissa Malfoy added another sentence, and Lucius Malfoy's gloomy expression eased considerably.
Yes, despite their dissatisfaction and the greater friction between them,
the truth was that, unless a mission required it, they would rarely have dealings with one another in private. Instead, each managed his own little domain.
After all, they did not have a good relationship in private either.
Within the Death Eaters, there were more than a dozen elder-level figures. Each had their own affairs, ran their own businesses, trained elites, and secretly encroached upon other territories.
There was never a peaceful day in the Wizarding World.
On some London street you could not see, a battle might very well be taking place.
That battle might affect Muggles, or it might not.
But they did not care, because there would always be someone who, willing or not, had to step forward