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[Hogwarts] Ch 59: The Malfoy Family’s Way of Survival
🕑 Added 2025-06-21 18:45:05 +0000 UTC— — — — — —
Draco stiffly turned his head, staring at his father in disbelief. His eyes held a flicker of hope—maybe he'd misheard? Maybe his dad had just misspoken?
But that hope was shattered in the very next second when Lucius smacked him on the head.
"This is all your fault! You didn't explain anything clearly in your letter. I ended up thinking Mr. Riddle was bullying weaker students unprovoked."
"And what really happened? You started the fight, lost, and then tried to get me to use my status to cry foul—claiming it was an unfair fight. You've brought shame to the Malfoy name! Just wait till we get home!"
"I—"
Draco wanted to defend himself, but under his father's cold glare, all the frustration and confusion he felt got swallowed down.
Seeing his son finally shut up, Lucius let out a quiet breath, then turned to Tom with a gracious smile.
"Mr. Riddle, it seems this was all a misunderstanding. The fault lies entirely with Draco. You did nothing wrong."
"I'll make sure to keep a closer eye on him from now on and ensure he doesn't trouble you again."
Tom raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. Had Lucius Malfoy taken a calming potion or something?
Maybe this guy had a gift for prophecy and already foresaw some dark wizard coming to 'have a chat' with him in the future?
Still... Lucius's humble attitude really took the edge off Tom's murderous intentions.
"As expected of a true head of house. Mr. Malfoy, you really are a reasonable man."
"You flatter me. Since the misunderstanding's been cleared up, how about we call this matter settled?" Lucius asked tentatively.
"I'm fine with that—though..." Tom glanced at Draco Malfoy.
Under his father's heavy pressure, Draco quickly gave in. "It was my fault. It won't happen again."
"What a touching moment…"
Dumbledore, who'd been happily watching the whole scene unfold, took off his glasses and wiped away imaginary tears. "Let's hope this marks the beginning of a beautiful friendship."
"But... even if there was a reason for it, Mr. Riddle, you still did harm a fellow student. So I'll be deducting 50 points from Slytherin."
"Understood, Professor. It was my mistake."
Tom nodded obediently—internally grinning like a fox.
After all, if they didn't take points off, how could he earn extra credit later?
...
The whole situation had been smoothed over perfectly. Only Draco Malfoy came out of it bruised and battered—and no one else seemed to care how he felt.
Lucius felt awkward staying in Dumbledore's office any longer. Once he confirmed the danger he'd sensed earlier had truly disappeared, he immediately dragged his son out with him.
Tom was about to leave too, but Dumbledore stopped him.
"Mr. Riddle, Transfiguration class is over for the day, and there's still some time before lunch. How about keeping an old man company for a bit?"
Since the headmaster asked so nicely, what could Tom do? He reluctantly sat back down.
---
Outside the office
Draco glared at his father.
"Dad, were you under the Imperius Curse back there or something?"
"You didn't even try to back me up, and you made me apologize to Riddle! I'm telling Mum you sided with an outsider to bully your own son!"
Lucius ignored Draco's tantrum and instead pulled him to a quiet corner of the corridor, away from the office.
"Draco, let me ask you a question."
"How do you think the Malfoy family has survived since the time of William the Conqueror?"
Draco blinked, confused by the sudden shift, but answered seriously, given how stern his father looked.
"Noble bloodlines, vast connections, immense wealth… and powerful magic?"
Lucius nodded appreciatively. "Good answer—completely useless."
"???"
Draco stared at his father in shock. Wasn't this exactly what Lucius had always been lecturing?
Now he was turning around and calling it nonsense?
Lucius clapped a firm hand on Draco's shoulder. "Listen carefully, son."
"The reason the Malfoy family has endured for so long and remained powerful among pure-bloods isn't any of that idealistic fluff."
"It's because we know when to bend, how to read the wind, sell out superiors, frame our friends, stab them in the back, and most importantly—run faster than anyone else when trouble comes. That's how we've survived every purge and only grown stronger."
Draco's jaw practically hit the floor. "Are… are you serious?"
"I've never been more serious," Lucius said, his face unusually grim and tired.
"All those things I tell you about blood purity and honor? That's just our public image. It earns us alliances with other pure-blood families and gives us leverage."
"But in truth, blood doesn't matter. Power does."
"...Power?"
Lucius nodded. "A half-blood rose to become the Dark Lord. Did you dare defy him?"
Draco shook his head numbly. "No."
Even their family, who sided with the Dark Lord, had felt his terror. They didn't even dare say his name.
"But… what does any of that have to do with you backing Riddle just now?" Draco asked, still confused.
Lucius sighed. "I've dared to go against Dumbledore before—openly called him a senile old fool more than once. And do you know why I'm still standing?"
"Because Dumbledore's a man of principle. He has a moral code. He plays by the rules. No matter how much I provoked him, he wouldn't lose his temper and retaliate."
"But Riddle…"
Lucius paused for a moment before finally saying, "He wanted to kill me just now. No, not just me—our whole family."
"What?!" Draco shouted, completely stunned. "That's impossible! How could he even think about doing that?!"
"Oh, he could. The fact that he even thought of it proves he has the confidence and the means to back it up."
Lucius's expression turned grim. "Sure, Riddle's strength is nowhere near Dumbledore's—he's not even in the same league. But he's an orphan. He has no attachments, no weaknesses, and he's dangerously unstable. People like him are far more dangerous than Dumbledore could ever be."
"So, Draco, from now on, stay far away from him. Don't talk back to him, don't even insult him—unless you're sure no one else is around to hear it. People like him either rise to become legends... or die making the biggest mess imaginable. Either way, getting involved with him won't do you any good."
Draco had gone pale. He didn't even want to question whether his father was exaggerating. Lucius Malfoy wasn't someone you argued with.
"I... I understand, Father," Draco whispered, trembling.
Tom Riddle... H-He really wanted to kill their entire family?
Lucius nodded, satisfied. If nothing else, at least his son was smart enough to listen. That, he considered a great asset.
"Don't feel too bad. The Malfoys never rush revenge—we wait. When he eventually falls from grace, we'll strike while he's down."
"It doesn't matter how we win, Draco. What matters is that we do. Understand?"
"That's the true Malfoy way to survive."
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