The fear, struggle, humiliation of playing both sides, and constant anxiety that had weighed on the Malfoy family for over a decade collapsed at this moment.
Lucius slowly leaned back on the sofa, closed his eyes, and exhaled a long breath that he had held in for more than a decade.
When he opened his eyes again, for the first time, those usually cold and arrogant eyes revealed a look of relief, pride, and complete ease.
"... good."
"Well done. Malfoy's successor should have this kind of courage and ability."
He looked at Draco solemnly. "From now on, only the three of us will know about this."
"From that day forward, the Malfoy family had no more weaknesses, no more vulnerabilities, and no more fears."
You can peacefully stay with the person you want to stay with and live the life you want to live.
Narcissa hugged Draco tightly, her eyes slightly red, and patted his back gently over and over again.
The shadow that had weighed on this family for a lifetime has finally dissipated completely.
Their son not only saved his family, but also found his own light.
Seeing the unprecedented relief and ease in his father's eyes, Draco felt a pang of doubt and asked a question.
"Father, you... seem very happy, but weren't you Death Eaters before? Voldemort is gone, you shouldn't..."
The words were unfinished, but the meaning was already clear.
The air in the living room paused slightly.
Lucius looked at his son, and for the first time, his gray eyes, which were always covered with frost and arrogance, softened completely.
There was no anger, no scolding, only a weariness and desolation that had settled over a decade.
He slowly stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the deep night outside the manor, his back view appearing particularly lonely.
After a long silence, he finally spoke, his voice low and strained. " Death Eaters? The Malfoy family was never here to follow him, but simply to survive."
He turned to Draco, shedding all pretense for the first time in front of his family. "Back then, he was incredibly powerful; the entire Wizarding World trembled in his shadow."
"To not align with them is to perish! The Malfoy family cannot perish. I cannot allow you and your mother to be in danger. I have no choice but to wear that mark and be forced to stand on his side."
"I've seen his cruelty, his madness, and how he crushed those who disobeyed into ashes."
"I live in fear every day—fear that he will suspect me, fear that he will punish me, fear that one day he will point his wand at you and our child and force me to do even dirtier things."
Lucius's fingertips trembled slightly, a loss of control culminating in long-suppressed emotions. "I am Death Eaters, but I have never truly been loyal to him."
"I hate him. I hate that he dragged our family into this quagmire, I hate that he made me lose face, and I hate that he made us live in constant fear of being purged."
He looked at Draco, his eyes softening for the first time. "Now you have sealed him away with your own hands, completely severing the greatest shackles on this family."
"I'm not happy about the Dark Lord's downfall; I'm happy that the Malfoy family can finally live with dignity."
"I'm happy that you can have a stable future, that you can openly love that girl named Hermione Granger, and that we no longer have to live in darkness..."
Narcissa walked gently to Lucius's side, her eyes red, and took his hand.
This was the first time she had heard her husband say everything he had kept hidden in his heart for over a decade.
Draco stood there, his heart jolting.
He never knew that beneath that arrogant and aloof exterior lay such a profound sense of protection.
Looking at his parents, he suddenly understood.
Lucius Malfoy was never a follower of the Dark Lord, but simply a husband and father who did everything in his power to protect his family.
"Father, you are amazing," Draco said respectfully.
That simple sentence struck Lucius's heart more deeply than any praise.
"I told you about Voldemort's Soul Fragment being sealed away so you could prepare yourself mentally in advance."
"In the unlikely event that this matter is exposed and investigated by the Ministry of Magic or others, Dumbledore has personally promised me that he will step in to protect the Malfoy family."
These words stunned Lucius and Narcissa once again.
Dumbledore?
The white wizard leader who was most hostile to Dark Magic and most disliked Pure-blood factions would actually make a promise to the Malfoy family?
Lucius frowned, clearly not believing it. " Dumbledore... why would he help us?"
"Because sealing away the remnant soul and preventing the Dark Lord's resurrection is saving the entire Wizarding World," Draco said calmly.
"He owes me a favor. With him vouching for us, even if our family is held accountable later, the punishment will be reduced."
Narcissa clutched her chest, let out a long sigh of relief, and felt a slight warmth in her eyes.
"Thank you, Merlin... thank you, Headmaster Dumbledore... we can finally, finally stop living in fear."
Lucius stood there, speechless for a long time.
The shadows, fears, shackles, and stigma that had weighed on the Malfoy family for over a decade were shattered one by one by their own son at this moment.
He looked at the determined-looking boy in front of him and suddenly realized something.
Draco is no longer the child who needs his protection; he has grown into the heir who can support the entire family.
Lucius nodded slightly, his voice so soft it was almost inaudible, yet filled with an unprecedented sense of relief. "Well done, Draco. The Malfoy family is fortunate to have you!"
Draco stopped there, his gaze calm as he looked at his father, already understanding the situation.
This frankness today has completely shattered the barrier and concerns between father and son.
Now, asking for that diary hidden deep within the Malfoy family's Chamber of Secrets no longer requires any excuse or probing.
Lucius will definitely give it to him if he asks.
"That's how it is. I'll let you know immediately if anything happens in the future." Draco regained his gentle demeanor.
Looking at his meticulous son, Lucius felt nothing but pride and reassurance, and nodded calmly. "You make the decision. Your mother and I will follow your lead."
"Alright, let's not talk about these heavy things anymore. Dobby prepared desserts, let's relax." Narcissa, relieved of her burden, stepped forward and took the two of them's arms.
Finally Draco also found Dobby.
Just then, Dobby was tiptoeing to clear the dessert plates from the table when he heard the young master's voice:
Dobby is happy for the young master! Dobby is willing to do anything for Miss Hermione!
Draco walked over and gave the ever-loyal House-elf a rare, gentle smile:
" Dobby, thank you for your hard work today too. Thank you for taking such good care of the manor."
Dobby's eyes instantly welled up with tears, and he waved his hands repeatedly.
"It's not hard at all! Dobby isn't tired at all! As long as Young Master is happy, Dobby is the happiest!"