Lucius Malfoy's Dinner? A Meal for Old Foxes!

In the banquet hall of Malfoy Manor, silverware and crystal glasses reflected the candlelight.

Parkinson arrived first.

He handed his outer robes to a house-elf and bowed slightly to Narcissa with a smile.

"I hear Draco has been doing very well at school."

"Thank you for your concern. She still has much to learn."

"You're too modest. Pansy also said she's made quite a famous friend."

Narcissa directed him toward a seat beside the fireplace.

"It's only natural for children to make friends."

Mr. Parkinson did not pursue the matter, merely smiling and nodding.

Before long, Nott arrived.

"Lucius, it's been a long time."

"I'm glad you were willing to come, old friend."

Nott shook his hand, his gaze sweeping over the hall's rearranged furnishings.

"The Malfoy family seems to be flourishing more than ever."

"Times are changing. We must learn to adapt."

At these words, Nott's gaze shifted slightly.

"Yes. Times have indeed changed."

"Still," Nott said, looking at him, "some things may not be so easily changed."

The smile on Lucius's face did not alter in the slightest.

"Such as our friendship?"

Nott paused briefly, then laughed heartily.

"Of course!"

"Such as our friendship!"

They raised their glasses, looking utterly congenial.

Greengrass and the Ministry of Magic official Wakefield arrived afterward.

The former greeted everyone politely before discussing the Hogwarts curriculum; the latter brought a few amusing stories from the Ministry of Magic, keeping the conversation in the hall lively.

Once everyone was seated, Lucius still made no mention of Potter.

He discussed the paintings in the manor and a charity fundraiser planned for the following year, and even patiently heard out Wakefield's complaints about his office fireplace.

When the third course was cleared away, Parkinson finally set down his wineglass.

"Speaking of which, the biggest stir at Hogwarts this year was probably that Quidditch match."

"The one between Gryffindor and Slytherin?" Lucius asked.

"Exactly. Mr. Potter's performance was truly astonishing."

"I looked at the photographs in the paper several times," Wakefield added. "Eleven years old. It's hard to believe."

"The growth of young people always brings pleasant surprises."

Lucius nodded without commenting further, leaving the conversation there as he gestured toward the wine jug to Narcissa beside him.

This instead left Parkinson rather uncomfortable, since he had already taken the initiative to steer tonight's conversation toward Harry.

Yet Lucius had not continued the discussion.

He could not tell whether Lucius was deliberately being inscrutable or simply had no intention of revealing anything about Harry.

So he could only keep probing.

Parkinson waited a moment before speaking again.

"I also hear Miss Draco and Mr. Potter are very close?"

Greengrass cut off a small piece of roast meat and looked up.

"That's right. The two children are friends."

"How enviable," Parkinson said with a smile. "Such talent and such fame. Miss Draco has an excellent eye."

"She's always had a mind of her own."

Lucius accepted the freshly poured wine.

"As her father, I generally don't interfere too much in her choice of friends."

Narcissa raised her glass with a smile and added nothing.

"Mr. Potter's talent certainly deserves praise."

Nott's voice made Parkinson turn his head.

Everyone was somewhat surprised.

For the Nott Family had close ties to the former Death Eater forces.

To such a family, Harry Potter was by no means merely an ordinary prodigy.

"It's just that the name Potter always reminds me of certain events ten years ago."

A house-elf quietly approached to replace his plate.

Nott did not look at it.

"Lucius, you should understand that what a name means doesn't depend solely on its current bearer."

"Some people are grateful to that name. Others... will never forget what happened back then."

There seemed to be nothing wrong with these words.

He was merely stating a fact.

But everyone present knew that Nott was actually reminding Lucius that Harry Potter was the child who had brought about Voldemort's downfall.

And among the former Death Eater families, some would never wish to see Harry held in such high regard.

What Nott truly wanted to ask was:

Lucius, have you already forgotten where you once stood?

Holding his wineglass, Wakefield seemed to have suddenly developed an interest in the patterns on its surface.

Lucius slowly set down his cutlery.

"Of course. A surname can carry glory, and it can also carry grudges."

"But I don't believe children should have to bear all of that."

He looked at Nott.

"How much could an eleven-year-old child know about what happened ten years ago?"

"The person I'm praising today is a talented young man," Lucius continued. "He won a splendid match on the pitch. Nothing more."

These words were almost impossible to fault.

He had neither denied the past nor publicly pledged allegiance to Harry.

He had merely confined his admiration for Harry to a young person's talent.

Nott watched him for several seconds, then suddenly smiled.

"It seems this old man has been overthinking things."

"Not at all. You're simply more attached to the past than the rest of us."

The two crystal glasses touched lightly.

The sound was crisp.

Lucius took a sip of wine and noticed that Nott merely let the liquid wet his lips.

Wakefield raised his glass at just the right moment.

"Young people certainly shouldn't be bound by the past. In fact, the Ministry also places great importance on the development of outstanding students."

"If Mr. Potter were willing to participate in some Youth Magic Exchange Activities, he would certainly set an excellent example."

Parkinson nodded.

"That would be a good thing."

"So, Lucius," Wakefield turned to their host, "since Miss Draco knows him well, perhaps you could help make an introduction?"

The atmosphere at the table grew heavy. Here it came!

This remark was, in fact, also a test of whether Lucius could influence Harry.

If Lucius agreed, it would mean admitting that he held a certain degree of influence, and the Ministry of Magic might ask for more in the future.

If Lucius refused, it might make the Malfoy family's relationship with Harry seem less close than everyone had imagined.

Lucius did not answer immediately. Instead, he nodded approvingly.

"The activities sound good. Have any specific arrangements been made?"

"They're still under discussion. Of course, Mr. Potter's wishes could also be taken into account."

"Then why not send the arrangements to Hogwarts first?"

Lucius gently turned the stem of his glass.

"He's still at school. The headmaster and he himself are clearly better placed than we are to decide such matters."

With one sentence, he had neither agreed nor refused.

More cleverly still, he had brought up Dumbledore himself.

It was tantamount to pushing the Ministry official's question back onto Hogwarts and its headmaster.

The smile on Wakefield's face faltered slightly.

"Of course, I have no intention of interfering with his studies."

"I quite understand. If Mr. Potter needs help in the future, the Malfoy family would also be willing to offer whatever support we can."

"Still, surely asking him privately first wouldn't require such formality," Wakefield said. "Perhaps Miss Draco could conveniently pass along a message?"

Narcissa set down her glass.

"She has her own schoolwork to attend to. If this is official business, a formal invitation would show greater respect for Mr. Potter."

Wakefield bowed slightly to her.

"You're right. I'll remember that once the arrangements are settled."

He raised his glass, setting aside the still-undecided activities for the time being.

Only then did Greengrass set down his cutlery.

"You all seem very confident in Mr. Potter's future."

"I, however, have a rather ill-timed question."

He paused.

"What if, ten years from now, he hasn't reached the heights everyone expects?"

These words changed the atmosphere at the table once again.

For they laid bare a question everyone had been deliberately avoiding.

Harry was, after all, only eleven. However great his future potential, that did not mean he would necessarily grow to fulfill it without trouble.

Parkinson gave a laugh.

"What in this world is ever nine parts certain out of ten?"

"Indeed." Greengrass nodded. "Then are we admiring a young man, or are we already preparing to decide his future for him?"

This time, he was looking at Lucius.

Lucius did not answer immediately.

The fireplace beside them crackled softly, and a few sparks fell from the wood.

"Admiring his talent naturally brings expectations for his future."

"But having expectations doesn't mean we can decide his life for him."

Lucius set his glass back on the table.

"Besides, for the Malfoy family, making a promising friend is always better than gaining an entirely unnecessary enemy."

At these words.

Parkinson looked thoughtful.

Wakefield's gaze shifted slightly.

Old Nott slowly narrowed his eyes.

"What if... this friend brings trouble?"

Greengrass's tone remained gentle.

Lucius glanced at him.

"I think everyone here has brought trouble to a friend before."

His gaze swept briefly over Nott's face.

"If that day truly comes, we'll see what sort of trouble it is."

Parkinson's smile faded a little.

Nott looked up, while Wakefield leaned slightly back in his chair.

Greengrass finally smiled.

"Well said. That's the Lucius I know."

He raised his glass without saying what he agreed with.

Lucius did not press him, instead turning to praise that evening's wine.

After dessert, the guests left the table and made their way toward the fireplace and display cabinets.

Parkinson stopped before a silver collectible. When Narcissa approached, he brought up Pansy with a smile.

"She and Draco are both in Slytherin. They really ought to spend more time together."

"Of course."

"If we could also get to know Draco's other friends..."

"Mr. Potter?" Narcissa asked.

Parkinson nodded openly.

"It's always good for young people to make more friends."

"They attend the same school every day." Narcissa began introducing the pieces in the cabinet to him, her tone still gentle. "If they get along, there will always be opportunities."

After hearing the history of that piece of silverware, Parkinson offered a few sincere compliments and said no more about his daughter.

Elsewhere, Nott stopped before an ancient portrait.

The man in the painting glanced at the two of them, drew his cloak tighter, and went back to resting with his eyes closed.

"Lucius. You've hosted quite an excellent dinner tonight."

"Thank you."

"But were you observing us, or sending us a signal?"

Lucius turned his head.

"What signal?"

Nott lowered his voice.

"Some old friends won't like your behavior tonight."

Lucius's hand still held the stem of his glass steadily.

"I merely praised a young man's talent. Do I need someone's permission for that, too?"

Nott's gaze lingered on his cuff for a moment.

"Lucius, some people can forget the past."

"But the past may not forget them."

Lucius did not drink. After a moment, he set his glass on the silver tray beside him.

"That is precisely why I think people ought to give more thought to the future."

The two looked at each other, and the man in the portrait shifted his position.

At last, Nott smiled.

"It seems you've thought this through."

"At least a little more clearly than ten years ago."

"Then thank you for your hospitality."

Nott turned toward Narcissa and politely said his farewells. As he passed Wakefield, he even smiled and arranged a meeting.

Lucius watched him go without immediately stepping forward to see him off.

"Old friends always have a great deal to say to one another."

Greengrass had appeared beside him at some point.

"After tonight, I imagine quite a few people will be speculating about exactly what relationship the Malfoy family has with Mr. Potter."

"I can hardly stop them from discussing whatever they please."

"Of course. But others believing you possess something and actually possessing it are two different things."

The finger Lucius was using to turn his ring paused.

Because those words had struck at the heart of the matter.

Others believing that the Malfoy family could influence Harry did not mean Lucius could actually sway him.

Greengrass was still looking at the portrait on the wall.

"You should understand that better than I do."

"Thank you for the reminder," Lucius said. "Then what is your view?"

"Draco and Daphne are both still young."

Greengrass adjusted his cuff.

"Let them learn their schoolwork properly first. As for everything else, time will give us the answers."

That was the Greengrass family's position.

No refusal, no promises, every option kept open.

Lucius nodded slightly.

This time, Greengrass did not wait for another answer.

After the last guest left, the manor gradually grew quiet.

Lucius returned to the study, where Narcissa had already placed a cup of hot tea on the desk.

"Satisfied?"

"More interesting than I expected." He sat down and placed that evening's guest list beside him. "Parkinson doesn't want to learn about Potter solely through the newspapers. He'll look for other opportunities."

"He's already come to ask me."

Lucius looked at his wife.

Narcissa merely smiled.

"I told him the children all attend the same school."

"As for Nott..." Lucius's finger stopped beside that surname. "He wasn't merely reminiscing. The fact that he specifically reminded me means those connections are still there."

"Do you know whom he was speaking for tonight?"

"No. He might have been speaking only for himself."

Lucius lifted his tea but did not drink.

"Wakefield didn't say who wanted to invite Potter, either. He used 'the Ministry' several times, but never mentioned anyone by name."

Narcissa nodded.

"And Greengrass?"

"I suspect Potter wasn't the one he wanted to observe tonight."

"It was you."

Lucius finally smiled.

"He didn't agree to anything, nor was he in any hurry to speak for anyone."

"Then what did you let him see?"

"A Malfoy willing to consider the future."

Narcissa looked at the list, and Lucius said no more.

Around the same table, some had been eager to draw closer, some had offered reminders of the past, and some had refused to drink even one extra sip of wine.

No one had offered promises reassuring enough to set minds at ease, but neither could any one of them answer for all the rest.

"Lucius."

Narcissa suddenly spoke.

"Mr. Potter is, after all, only eleven right now. So is Draco."

Lucius looked up.

"You can consider the future on behalf of the Malfoy family. But our daughter has a future she wants for herself, too."

Her gaze fell on the two letters tucked beneath the newspaper.

"I believe that when she made friends, she wasn't thinking that far ahead, nor did she give any thought to all of you here tonight."

Lucius was silent for a moment, then put the guest list away in a drawer.

"I understand. I understand."

The copy of the Daily Prophet on the desk had already grown somewhat loose from being leafed through.

Lucius spread it open again. The boy in the photograph was still holding up the Golden Snitch, smiling brilliantly.

All evening, he had heard many things about this boy.

Yet not one word had come from Potter himself.

"Didn't Draco mention that he likes books on charms?"

Narcissa's expression finally softened a little.

"More than likes them. She put no small amount of thought into choosing a present for him."

Lucius walked over to the bookcase. From a row of research materials on charms, he drew out two practice notebooks with handwritten annotations and leafed through a few pages.

"These might suit him."

"Are you going to send them over?"

"I'll write to Draco first and ask what she thinks." Lucius placed the notebooks on the desk. "I believe she knows her friend better than we do."

He sat down, dipped his quill in ink, and wrote his daughter's name on the parchment.

"Since Mr. Potter is so interested in magic..."

The quill moved slowly across the page.

"Then the Malfoy family can surely offer a little help."

After finishing this chapter, I suddenly felt that making Malfoy female and the heroine really seemed like such a perfect fit.

In fact, the more I write, the more I feel that the possibilities this change brings are even greater than I originally imagined.

This might get me some hate, but personally, I've always felt that Harry's romantic storyline in the original wasn't particularly prominent. It's not that Ginny was bad, but compared with those wonderful adventures and character relationships, the romance always seemed to lack something.

But if Malfoy were female, things would be completely different!

The rivalry between Gryffindor and Slytherin, the relationship between the pure-blood families and the Chosen One, Lucius's political stance, the competition between the two children as they grow up...

All those existing conflicts could suddenly become part of the romantic storyline.

Especially with this dinner party, this setup could naturally give rise to many interesting stories without even needing to deliberately manufacture a plot.

It could make some of the original's background figures more vivid, too.

To be honest, when I started this book, I really only intended to ride the wave of a popular trend and write a lighthearted story.

But now that I've written this far, with the chance to bring such interesting changes to so many relationships from the original, I want to do everything I can.

The adventures and secrets of the magical world, the maneuvering between ancient families, and the story of a boy and a girl growing up little by little.

Especially... who wouldn't like dragons?

Anyway, there's still plenty to look forward to in the story ahead.

Finally, I'm truly grateful that you've been willing to read this far.

Thank you to every reader willing to spend time reading this book, and thank you all for your support and comments.

Life always has all kinds of worries: work, studies, and so many pressures we have no choice but to face.

So I sincerely wish you all smooth days ahead, peace and joy, and more things worth being happy about.

If this book can offer you even a brief moment of happiness and relaxation amid exhausting real life, that would be an immense honor for me as its author.

Lastly, special thanks to Xingyue Yeyekong, Yunmiao ely, Zhiwuren Duyu, Jiu◑, Hanbao Guaishou Kakaxi, Wenwen Rourou de Zhurong Huoshen, and all the other readers for your various fun comments and gifts. Seriously, I'm crying my eyes out.

Bowing down to you!