69novels Chapter 106 Drinking Tea
Chapter 106 Drinking Tea
For Regulus, the story of the Deathly Hallows did come a bit unexpectedly.
At Xenophilius's house, he listened to countless stories about the inheritance of the Elder Wand, and was confused by names like "Loxias the Terrible".
At this moment, he suddenly discovered that the legendary magic wand that countless people flocked to and had written countless bloody stories in thousands of years of history was held in the hands of the old man in front of him.
Regulus' mood miraculously did not fluctuate at all.
As if that's how it should be, Dumbledore holds the Elder Wand, and the best wizard holds the most powerful wand.
As his thoughts changed, he quickly thought that he had seen all three legendary Deathly Hallows.
Although the Resurrection Stone is only a glimpse in other people's memories.
Despite this, this experience is much luckier than many people who never get what they want in life.
As for the other wand repaired by Dumbledore...
The huge figure of gamekeeper Rubeus Hagrid gradually appeared in his mind. He always held a pink umbrella that did not match his appearance at all.
During this conversation, Regulus confirmed a problem, that is, Voldemort could not use the Resurrection Stone to regain his body.
This made him feel a little relieved. Even the cold wind in winter didn't seem so cold and biting.
The next morning, he received that elegant envelope again.
It was a letter from Lucius Malfoy, inviting him to have lunch at Malfoy Manor over the weekend.
Lucius stated in the letter that he had invited important people this time and wanted to introduce Regulus, so he must be present.
So he accepted the invitation and rushed to the outskirts of Wiltshire on time.
In the dead of winter, Malfoy Manor has a different scene compared to a few months ago: the hedges on both sides are covered with snow, like two high white walls, and occasionally Lucius can be seen The white peacocks they raised, their ghostly shadows shuttled between the hedges, the cold seemed to have no effect on them at all.
The fountain is made into a beautiful ice sculpture, mainly in the shape of a snake, decorated with various silver or green things, crystal clear and shiny.
Lucius Malfoy, well-dressed and holding his ever-present snake staff, stood waiting in front of the hall, but did not see Narcissa and Draco Malfoy.
It was warm inside the house. As soon as Regulus stepped into the entrance hall, an elf hurriedly appeared and took Regulus' snow-stained traveling cloak. When he came over, he ran too fast and accidentally fell into the thick snow. Tripped on the carpet.
"Dobby, a clumsy guy. I've always wanted to change to an elf. Sissy thinks he's okay..." Lucius glared at Dobby with disgust, and the elf shrank.
Regulus thought of Kreacher, and from an angle that Lucius couldn't see, he slightly curled his lips at Dobby, who looked a little surprised.
"Come in, I have to show you the new goodies I got." Lucius led the way, and the two of them walked along the long hall.
"Where's Narcissa? And Draco? Are they not here?" Regulus asked.
"I'm going to visit the Greengrass family." Lucius replied casually, "Don't worry about them, no one will disturb our conversation."
"You definitely don't dare to say this in front of Narcissa, right?" Regulus said teasingly, "I also want to ask Draco if he likes the Christmas gift I gave him."
"As long as you don't tell her, no one will know what we said..." The muscles on Lucius's face twitched a few times, "You will be surprised when we arrive."
The two entered the living room, where the marble fireplace was burning brightly.
Soon, Regulus saw the "good thing" that Lucius called, because the thing was placed in the middle of the living room, it was too conspicuous, and its style was incompatible with the luxurious furnishings of the Malfoy family mansion.
It was an old and large metal container that looked like an extra-large crucible with a diameter of about 1.5 meters.
The outside is rusty, and the complicated and mysterious patterns and inscriptions on it can be vaguely seen, but the inside is so shiny that it can even be used as a bronze mirror.
"Guess what this is?" Lucius walked to the container and asked softly and mysteriously.
"It's definitely not the pot that Merlin used for cooking...don't be too close to it." Regulus could see that this thing was a bit old, but it was still a bit confusing for him to be able to identify the origin of the antique at a glance like the people from Borgin and Burke. Reluctantly.
"Hahaha... Narcissa lost the bet this time. She said you will definitely recognize this thing." Lucius smiled proudly, pointed to a mottled inscription on the container with his cane and said, "Parasai The alchemical cauldron of Ersus, it is said that the first magic stone was made in it, and it can also be used for other Hormonks... I forgot how to pronounce that word."
"Ho Monkuluzi?" Regulus asked tentatively, "That... legendary alchemy creature that is said to be able to predict the future?"
"Yes, but I don't think that kind of thing really exists... There are also rumors that the potion brewed with it will have a number of special effects. Some people believe that as long as you jump into the boiling potion and take a bath, you can be rejuvenated. , return to youth." Lucius tapped the cauldron with his cane and sneered, "The stupid guy will have been cooked by the time his students find him."
Regulus shook his head sadly, decided not to ask for details, and instead asked: "It cost a lot of galleons to get this thing, right?"
"I bought it from a French guy. According to him, it was dug out from behind Nico Flamel's former residence. It didn't cost me a lot of money." Lucius said proudly, "Many people regard him as Liar, but I’m not wrong... But the real magical effect of this thing may only be revealed after Severus uses it to boil a pot of potion... Alright, Dobby!"
Following Lucius's call, the elf appeared in the living room and bowed to the two men in awe.
"Put it back in the storage room without touching anything else, understand?" Lucius said sternly.
"Yes... yes!" Dobby replied tremblingly, and then used his magic to control the cauldron to float in the air and walked out the door.
"If Borgin saw this thing, he would definitely not be able to sleep." Regulus said while looking in the direction where Dobby disappeared.
"That old guy always wants to buy my collection at a low price. He is daydreaming." Lucius walked to the table, pulled up a chair and sat down. Regulus noticed three things on the table. Tea set.
"Do you have any plans for future development?" Lucius suddenly asked, pulling out the wand from the snake staff, waving it, and the teapot automatically floated up, pouring a cup of black tea for each of them.
"I don't know……"
"You are now the damn Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts. Don't tell me, you don't know this subject... you can only teach it for one year." Lucius deliberately slowed down his speaking speed, "What about next year? ?”
"Well, the contract Dumbledore and I signed did only state that the term was for one year." Regulus showed a sudden realization and replied half-jokingly, "There are still five or six months left, honestly. Say, I haven't thought about what's next. Dealing with students every day is enough of a headache, and now all I can think about is how to grade homework. Poor Severus, I'm starting to understand him."
Lucius laughed dryly, then took a sip of tea and asked in a casual tone: "Have you ever thought about working in the Ministry of Magic? Yaxley and Avery... seem to be doing well, but you didn't go Have you contacted them?"
Regulus also took a sip. The tea had a rich aroma and mellow taste.
Then he replied: "I haven't contacted them yet. If I really have plans, I will definitely come to you and Narcissa first, so why bother looking far away?"
"Looking far away... That's right. You are Sissi's cousin. If there is any need for our help, of course we will be happy to help." Lucius seemed very satisfied. "I have inside information. The position of the Director of the International Cooperation Department may be I won’t be idle for too long. Although this is a sinecure, if you want to go further, this is a good opportunity and a good springboard.”
"Inside information?" Regulus pondered the meaning of Lucius's words.
"Internal information from the Minister of Magic. For the specific situation, it would be better for him to come and explain it to you in person." Lucius took out his pocket watch and looked at the time and said, "He should be arriving soon. Do you want to come with me to greet him?" ?”
Regulus did not refuse. They walked through the long hall again and came to the door. They saw a figure in the distance walking along the long, snow-covered driveway.
He was a short, stocky man with messy gray hair, wearing a pinstriped suit and a bright red tie, and holding a dark green top hat in his hand.
Regulus had seen this man countless times in the Daily Prophet, but this was the first time he had seen him face to face.
"Welcome to Malfoy Manor, Mr. Minister." Lucius said in a tone of voice, straightening his body and extending his right hand.
"Ah, Mr. Malfoy... thank you for your generous invitation. The manor is very beautiful..." Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge muttered, stretched out his hand to shake Lucius's hand, and then glanced at Lucius doubtfully. Regulus next to him asked, "Who is this...?"
"Connelly, you won't forget, he was on the front page of the Daily Prophet two months ago." Lucius said in a long tone, "But the minister has a lot of things to do..."
"Ah...yes! Mr. Black! The hero who caught the murderer! We are so happy that you can come back!" Fudge raised his voice unnaturally and took over Lucius's words.
"Regulus Black can't be a hero, he's just a teacher." Regulus' tone was very calm. He stretched out his hand to shake Fudge's hand and said, "Why don't we go into the house?"
A thin layer of snowflakes had already fallen on Fudge's head. Lucius seemed to have just come to his senses, put on a "warm" smile, and led Fudge into the house.
Several people sat down at the table. Fudge took out a pipe, but after glancing at Lucius's expression, he put the pipe back, then took out a letter with the seal of the Ministry of Magic and handed it over. In front of Lucius.
"Mr. Malfoy... Lucius, this is a letter of thanks from the Ministry of Magic. Thank you for your generous donation." Fudge said, "But the Order of Merlin medal has to wait. This process is more troublesome..."
Lucius took the letter, opened it, glanced at it casually, and threw it on the table.
"Connelly, I'm not too anxious about the Order of Merlin medal. Some time ago, Borgin said that he had obtained a first-class medal..." Lucius glanced at Regulus, then turned to Fudge, with a sly smile. He said without a smile, "Has our new director of the International Cooperation Department not been found yet? Now everyone thinks that Barty Crouch will definitely not be able to come back and take up the post again, right? Let this position remain vacant. The Ministry of Magic's reputation isn't very good."
"No one thinks Bertha Jorkins is qualified for the position of Director of the Ministry of Magic. Lucius... Is this appointment too hasty?" Fudge rubbed his fingers in a panic, his little eyes wandering around. Dare to look directly into Lucius's gray eyes, "I'm under a lot of pressure. It's been less than a year since I took office, and there aren't many people in the ministry who clearly support me. Probably only Albert and Dolores... Of course, Lucius, I know you support me, and I am grateful that you silenced those who doubted me..."
"Everyone knows that Bertha Jorkins is incompetent, so when needed next year, any excuse can be used to drive her out of her position." Lucius said coldly, "You still expect to see Another person as capable as Barty Crouch?"
Lucius deliberately placed an emphasis on the word "able."
Fudge wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Although it was very warm in the living room, Regulus did not feel that it was hot enough to sweat. He listened to the conversation between Lucius and Fudge in silence, taking a sip of tea from time to time.
It must be said that the quality of Lucius's tea is quite good, at least he can't drink it at Hogwarts.
It's a pity that Fudge was not very lucky and could not enjoy this pot of tea to the fullest.He didn't even finish the tea in his cup before he hurriedly made an excuse and left Malfoy Manor.
"Is this the inside story you were talking about?" Regulus asked Lucius after Fudge left, "Do you think he will follow your instructions and place people in the Ministry of Magic at will?"
"Of course he not only listens to my instructions." Lucius narrowed his eyes, his tone as cold as the weather outside, "He will write a letter to Dumbledore every other week, asking him for his views on the current situation. And ask for advice. Poor guy, if Barty Crouch hadn't had a dirty ass, he wouldn't have been the Minister for Magic."
Regulus nodded thoughtfully.
"But such a weak guy is good. He is afraid that his position will be unstable, so he bets on both sides. At present, he is very afraid of losing the support of the pure-blood family." Lucius sneered again and said, "This means , he can still recognize whose power is more decisive. Dumbledore is just a rotten and rigid old scholar, who barely has a little say in the ridiculous reputation accumulated over decades. When Fudge realizes his After this mistake, I may not be as easy to talk to as I am today.”