Just then, a servant hurried into the hall, a trace of hesitation on his face, before speaking cautiously.
"Sir, you have visitors."
"Who?"
"They say they're... Gilderoy Lockhart, the Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts, and... Hermione Granger."
The servant noticeably paused when he said Hermione's name.
He knew Lucius had always despised Muggle-born wizards.
Normally, people like that could forget about even approaching the gates of Malfoy Manor, let alone having their arrival announced.
But today's circumstances were rather unusual.
The servant knew a little about what had happened to young Master Draco.
And since one of the two visitors was the famous Lockhart, he had steeled himself and announced them anyway.
At Hermione's name, Lucius felt his temples throb.
Back at Flourish and Blotts, Hermione and Lockhart had thoroughly screwed him over, leaving him subjected to one Ministry of Magic investigation after another and costing him a fortune.
And now they were back?
"Show them in." At this point, Lucius had no time to worry about blood status.
"No, wait."
He suddenly changed his mind.
"I'll greet them myself."
The servant froze for a moment, then acknowledged the order and turned to leave.
Lucius rose, straightened his robes, and headed toward the entrance.
Creeeak-
The manor's doors slowly opened.
Lucius immediately spotted the two people standing outside.
Gilderoy Lockhart looked as punchable as ever, while Hermione Granger stood beside him, grinning.
A muscle in Lucius's face twitched.
Under normal circumstances, no matter how famous Lockhart was, Lucius, the esteemed head of a pure-blood family, would never have lowered himself to greet him personally.
Especially since he had quite a history with these two.
But now, he had no choice.
Seeing them now, especially that infuriating smile on Hermione Granger's face, he wanted nothing more than