Lucius frowned and muttered to himself, "Why hunt down the Acromantula...? To obtain its life force?"
Draco asked, somewhat puzzled, "Dad, what are you talking about? What do you mean by gaining life force?"
"Nothing…" Lucius shook his head. "And you? What do you think of Vizette Lovegood? I remember it's a meeting class at Hogwarts."
"He's a Ravenclaw, right? Very obsessed with knowledge... If I ever saw him, it was usually in the library," Draco recalled.
"In class, he's either answering questions... or helping those Ravenclaws solve problems. He seems to be quite popular... that's about it."
"Yes." Lucius nodded. "Starting next school year, make contact with Vizette Lovegood. For safety's sake, limit contact to Hogwarts Castle."
"Should we still contact him?" Draco asked, even more puzzled. "You told me before that I should contact Harry Potter..."
"And now there's Vizette Lovegood? He's an Obscurial, isn't he? I need to make contact with him?"
"Make good connections, my child!" Lucius gave Draco a deep look. "As the future heir to the Malfoy family, you must understand this!"
"Harry Potter is the savior who defeated the Dark Lord. As for that Vizette Lovegood, since he has won Severus's favor, what harm is there in getting to know him?"
"The best thing Dad ever did was befriend Severus. Even putting aside the friendship, the value of a Potions Master is immeasurable!"
Draco asked incredulously, "You think... that Vizette Lovegood can become a Potions Master?"
"Even if I have to go to Severus for punishment every week, I can still learn enough about potions," Lucius sighed.
"Making the right investment at the right time is very important for the Malfoy family, and you should start learning that."
"Both Harry Potter and Vizette Lovegood are people with potential. Go back and think about it carefully!"
"Dad, I'll try again…" Draco agreed, though he was a little reluctant. "I will try my best."
...
The door closed, and the study fell silent once more.
After a moment of contemplation, Lucius took out a rainbow-colored leather notebook from a nearby cabinet. The notebook had a name outlined in pure gold thread: Abraxas Malfoy.
Compared to that dark, grimy TMRiddle notebook, it's like heaven and earth.
Abraxas Malfoy is the name of Lucius's father and one of the original Death Eaters, who witnessed Voldemort's rise to power.
The reason Lucius took out this notebook was still because the accidental burning of the Dark Mark inevitably led him to connect Vizette Lovegood with Voldemort.
The notebook contained records of his father's past with Voldemort.
Although I know he's an orphan from the Muggle world who ended up in Slytherin, I have to admit he's an exceptional person, and I always felt he was more than just a simple individual...
Headmaster Slughorn also liked him very much, and more and more Slytherins were setting aside their prejudices and beginning to approach him...
I must admit he's good-looking; his black hair, black eyes, and delicate features make him quite handsome. Perhaps I should try to get to know him...
Based on the description in the notes, Lucius recalled Vizette's appearance, "Black hair and black eyes? He seems quite handsome... definitely better looking than the later Dark Lord!"
He truly possesses a unique charm, and I'm so glad I made that decision. He really is Salazar Slytherin's successor! The reason I believed him was because he's about to prove it…
[As expected of Slytherin's heir! Not only did he open the Chamber of Secrets and kick that big oaf out of Hogwarts, but he also cleared his name. Just be careful in the Forbidden Forest; there are Acromantulas there...]
I've become a member of the Knights of Walpurgis, an organization founded on "pure-blood supremacy." After graduation, we'll begin our conquest of England...
[A stupid Muggle became Minister for Magic, that damned Nobby Leach! He said he would take action and make sure Nobby Leach was quickly ousted from his position as Minister for Magic...]
He did it! Nobby Leach is cursed by him! The Knights of Walpurgis have changed their name to Death Eaters, and under his leadership, we will conquer death and savor death...
I contracted dragonpox and will not live to see the day I triumph over death... My child, Lucius Malfoy, you must carry on my will; this world belongs to pure-blood wizards...
...
Lucius closed the notebook, let out a long breath, and turned his gaze back to the TMRiddle notebook.
"Did the Dark Lord come to warn me? Or... to give me a warning?" Lucius asked, somewhat doubtful.
By reading his father's notes, he realized that the images of Vizette and Voldemort seemed to overlap in his mind, at least in terms of their student days.
"I'm afraid the Dark Lord is playing a long game! He's chosen to hide right under Dumbledore's nose."
"It would be best to let Draco have contact with him, just like my father did back then…" he continued to mutter to himself.
"As for this notebook, I'll just keep carrying it with me!"
The agonizing day was finally over. Lucius, deep in thought, welcomed the night. He left his TMRiddle notebook in the study and planned to go back to his bedroom for a good night's sleep.
As the entire Malfoy Manor fell into slumber, the TMRiddle notebook trembled, and a black mist emerged from its pages, completely enveloping the notebook.
The notebook arrived in Lucius's bedroom, releasing wisps of black smoke that entered Lucius's nostrils.
Having done all this, the notebook continued to wander around the main house, slipping through the crack in the door into Draco's bedroom.
...
When Draco woke up, he saw the notebook on his desk and immediately felt that it looked somewhat familiar.
I think I saw this notebook in my father's study yesterday.
He picked up the notebook, flipped to the first page, saw the name on it, and immediately scoffed, "TMRiddle? What an extremely ordinary name! Who would use a notebook like this? Hah!"
He casually tossed the notebook back onto the table, then began to tidy his hair and put on his robe...
In the living room, Draco remembered the notebook. "Dad, I left your notebook with me."
Lucius frowned, feeling like he couldn't remember something. "My notebook? What does it look like?"
Draco described it as: "A black cover with 'TMRiddle' written on it. I saw it in your study yesterday."
"A stupid name, like a name only a Muggle would use!" Lucius frowned. "There's no way such a thing could exist in my study."
Draco nodded in agreement upon hearing Lucius's assessment. "I think so too. We'll deal with it later."
Just then, the firelight in the fireplace turned emerald green, and Gregory Goyle, Vincent Crabbe, and Pansy Parkinson came out.
Lucius looked at them and asked lazily, "Where is your father?"
The three answered in unison, "We'll be there shortly, Mr. Lucius."
...
The Malfoy family really played a crucial role; without Lucius's framing, the Horcrux notebook wouldn't have been destroyed.
In the Order of the Phoenix, Lucius was holding the orb of prophecy when it was inexplicably shattered.
In the Deathly Hallows, Narcissa covered for Harry, which led to the final kill.
Draco was even more remarkable; not only did he obtain the Elder Wand, but he also inadvertently made Harry the Elder Wand's master, thus enabling him to turn the tables.
Without the Malfoy family, this magical world would fall apart…
….
Share Powerstones for bonus chapters!