Without announcing herself, Hermione flicked her wand, opened the gates, and walked in with Barty Crouch Jr. in tow.
"Mobilicorpus."
Hermione walked ahead at an unhurried pace, as though she were strolling through her own garden.
Barty Crouch Jr. floated stiffly behind her.
They occasionally passed servants along the way, but the servants merely bowed to Hermione from a distance before quickly lowering their heads, not daring to spare her another glance, let alone step forward to stop her.
They entered the main house without the slightest obstruction.
Barty Crouch Jr. did not understand, but he was utterly stunned.
Was this Malfoy Manor?
They had just walked straight in, without so much as a question. Why did it feel like she was coming home?
Had Lucius Malfoy really become this pathetic?
Inside the spacious hall, Hermione walked straight to the armchair at its head, the seat symbolizing the authority of the head of the household, and sat down without ceremony, crossing her legs in a relaxed pose.
With a casual wave of her hand, she sent Barty Crouch Jr. "floating" over to an empty space beside her.
Soon, hurried footsteps came from a side room.
Lucius and Narcissa emerged at a brisk pace, clearly having rushed over.
His expression was respectful, almost fawning.
Narcissa followed close behind him, her head slightly lowered.
They stopped a few paces in front of Hermione and bowed slightly.
"My lady."
Narcissa bowed as well but said nothing.
The two stood respectfully to one side, like servants awaiting their mistress's instructions, until Hermione gave a slight lift of her chin. "Sit."
Only then did they carefully sit in the nearby chairs, looking as though they had been granted a reprieve, and perched on the front halves of their seats.
The sight completely shattered Barty Crouch