Chapter 55 – Dueling Tournament (4)
I don't really know what happened to the Malfoys after our match, but the news was they were... away. As to why? Nobody said anything, and I was not in the mood to ask. Out of shame? I don't think so. They wouldn't know what shame is even if they were hit in the face with it. Were they sent away by the Headmaster? Could be... or did HE have something to say about it? Well... whatever the reason was, I can't believe to say this, but it was fun to have a Dark Arts lesson with Professor Lockhart hosting it. We were just finishing a class with him on Friday, the last day before the winter break and the day before the final.
"Little champ!" He laughed, clearly asking for me, making my mouth twitch while I turned around.
"Yes, Professor?"
"Here!" He grinned, giving me a letter, "It's from your Father!"
"..." I took it while looking at him, knowing it was probably read by him, and saw from the corner of my eyes that Quincy quickly stiffened, expecting some grave news...
"I didn't read it!" He whispered, leaning closer, patting my shoulders, "We are friends, kiddo, don't forget that! When you get to be a Death Eater... You ought to remember me!"
"Buying me off?" I asked it in my head but formed a small, friendly smile. Watching his eyes, all my senses told me the same: he wasn't lying. He truly did not read it and was trying to get on my good side. Huh! "Thank you, Professor!" I answered, slipping the letter into my robe's pocket. "I will remember this."
His simple answer was a hearty laugh before we left with Quincy. Heading to the North Tower was a given, and it was there where I opened the letter, reading it out loud for her.
"It was a good choice for you to stay at school. I met with Lucius in the Ministry two days ago. He is cashing in all of his favors! He spoke and visited everyone who owed him and he is planning to run a campaign against me... against us. Our family. And that is not all! He is going to publicly attack the Blacks through the Daily Prophet. He will try and use the public to denounce both of our families and pressure Walburga, giving her only one way out of it: giving Quincy to him."