The Witcher: The Journey to Transcendence from Marvel...

Chapter 35 The Fish Has Taken the Bait

The news that the Malfoys had come to Hogwarts to watch a Quidditch match spread like wildfire throughout the entire Hogwarts through Draco's mouth.

Lucius Malfoy, the pure-blood wizard renowned for his wealth and power, spared no expense in equipping every member of the Slytherin team with the latest Nimbus 2001 broomsticks.

This luxurious equipment made Slytherin virtually unstoppable in this year's House Cup.

The Slytherin players were full of confidence and declared that they would beat the Gryffindor players in the match and show Mr. Malfoy, their generous sponsor, that his investment was absolutely worthwhile.

However, this news was undoubtedly a disaster for the teams from other colleges.

The Gryffindor team, in particular, mocked Draco, believing that his position as Slytherin's Seeker was solely due to his wealthy father, and that his actual skill level was pathetic.

Unlike Harry, who became Gryffindor's Seeker in his first year based on his talent and ability.

Draco was furious at the taunts; his face turned pale with a blush of anger.

He vowed to prove himself to his parents and shut up those who mocked him.

Moreover, he felt he had an advantage over Harry in one aspect: he knew his parents would be there to watch the game, while Harry, the orphan, wouldn't have that privilege.

Where's Harry?

How could Harry, an orphan, compare to him? He's probably hiding under the covers and wiping away tears right now.

Harry was indeed very sad, especially on the day of the match when the Malfoys came to Hogwarts.

Draco being embraced by his mother, a heartwarming scene that deeply pierced Harry's heart.

Harry admitted he was jealous; he wished his parents could come to watch his game and give him a warm hug.

Hermione keenly sensed Harry's low spirits. She gently patted Harry on the shoulder and encouraged him, "Beat him on the pitch, Harry, and make him lose face in front of your parents."

These words were like a warm current, reigniting Harry's fighting spirit.

Before the match, Dumbledore invited Lucius to talk.

Lucius, of course, refused. He had come to watch his son's game; how could he leave at this time?

Dumbledore whispered in his ear, "The diary."

Then he turned and left the field. Lucius shuddered, as if struck by lightning.

"What's wrong, darling?" Narcissa asked with concern, her beautiful face full of worry.

"Dumbledore wants to see me about something."

Lucius tried to keep his voice calm, but his slightly trembling lips betrayed his nervousness to his wife.

"Why does it have to happen at this time?" Narcissa frowned in displeasure.

Lucius said casually, "Who knows what that crazy old man is thinking?"

He managed a weak smile.

Narcissa sensed that things weren't as easy as Lucius had made them out to be, but she trusted her husband: "Go quickly and come back quickly."

"Of course, I don't want to miss Draco's performance."

He had to leave with Dumbledore, leaving behind his worried wife, Narcissa.

The two remained silent the entire way, a tense atmosphere filling the air.

In the principal's office, Lucius was surprised to find Professor Wess also present.

A sense of foreboding washed over him, and he pretended not to have seen Wes before: "Dumbledore, and this is...?"

"Mr. Malfoy, you must have a bad memory. We met at Flourish and Blotts." Wes didn't mince words and pointed to the diary on the table. "The diary I found at Flourish and Blotts seems to be yours, but I don't have your contact information, so I had to ask the headmaster to contact you."

Lucius glanced quickly at the diary, then abruptly looked away, saying somewhat flusteredly, "I think you've got the wrong person. This shabby diary couldn't possibly be mine."

"Looks like I was wrong." With that, Wes pointed his index finger, and the diary began to burn.

Crimson flames instantly rose up.

[Silent casting plus staff-less casting!]

Wes's magical abilities astonished Lucius.

He had only ever seen such advanced magical skills from Dumbledore and Voldemort. Just who was this Professor Erwin?

Despite his inner turmoil, Lucius acted with unusual speed.

He rushed to the desk, knocked the burning diary to the ground, and quickly stomped out the flames.

He breathed a slight sigh of relief when he saw that the diary was still intact.

"Why are you so nervous, Mr. Malfoy? It's just an ordinary diary. If it's burned, it's burned." There was a hint of sarcasm in Wes's voice.

Lucius quickly changed his story: "I remember now, I do seem to have lost a diary..."

His anxious eyes seemed to say that he longed to leave this place with his diary as soon as possible.

[Not causing any trouble at Hogwarts is one thing, but at least finding the diary won't result in punishment] he thought to himself.

However, Wes stood in his way.

"Professor Erwin?" Lucius asked tentatively.

"Since this notebook belongs to Mr. Malfoy, then I'm sorry."

Not a single mistake, not a single poem, not a single post, not a single piece of content, not a single look!

Wes pointed his wand at Lucius.

"What are you doing? I'm a school board member!!" Lucius roared, but the panic in his eyes did not escape Wes's notice.

"It seems Mr. Malfoy knows this diary isn't anything serious."

"I don't know what you're talking about. It's just a diary that I accidentally lost."

Lucius tried to remain calm, but his slightly trembling voice betrayed his nervousness.

"So he didn't tell you that it was a Horcrux." Wes decided to cut to the chase and told the truth directly.

"Hordeal???" Lucius loosened his grip, and the diary fell to the ground.

The sound of "snap!" pulled Lucius back to reality from his shock.

He bent down to pick it up, but Wes stepped on the diary.

"Mr. Malfoy, could you explain why your diary is a Horcrux? Is it possible that you have a life on your hands?"

Wes's voice was like a sharp sword, piercing Lucius's heart.

Lucius withdrew his hand as if he had been electrocuted, and he was speechless for a moment.

"Mr. Malfoy, could you please answer my question?"

Wes pressed on relentlessly, creating a sense of oppression.

Lucius couldn't find a suitable excuse to fob off Wes.

Wes picked up the diary: "Voldemort entrusted the Horcruxes to you for safekeeping, but didn't tell you the truth. It seems he doesn't trust you."

Lucius wanted nothing more than to shut Wes up; his face had turned deathly pale.

"What would happen if your master found out you lost his Horcrux?" Wes continued to press.

Lucius was so frightened that his body went limp and he almost collapsed to the ground.

"Oh, it wasn't you who lost it, it was you who turned to the light and handed it over to Headmaster Dumbledore." Wes pressed on.

Dumbledore chimed in, "That's right. It was today that Mr. Malfoy handed over the Horcrux to me and expressed remorse for what he had done in the past."

"No!" Lucius roared in despair, "You can't do this!"

"Of course we can, after all, the Horcrux is in our hands. Do you think Voldemort will believe you?" Wes's tone was clearly threatening, each word like a sharp blade.

Lucius seemed to have lost his soul, sitting there blankly.

He knew in his heart that once this news reached Voldemort's ears, given his suspicious and capricious nature, his fate would be extremely tragic.

(End of this chapter)