bacchusnovels Chapter 202 The Little Actions Under the Dining Table
Chapter 202 The Little Actions Under the Dining Table
Chapter 202 Hidden Actions Under the Table (Part 2)
Using the excuse that he needed to submit a report to the Board of Trustees regarding Professor Lockhart's amnesia, Sean arranged to visit Lucius on Sunday evening.
In the past few days, Lockhart has returned to his teaching position.
In fact, he and Mrs. Pomfrey applied for discharge from the hospital on the second day of his hospitalization.
He had no external injuries, and Mrs. Pomfrey saw that he was in good spirits, so she agreed to his request to be discharged from the hospital.
The first thing he did after being discharged from the hospital was to go to class.
Yes, you heard that right.
He loves his job so much, so deeply... just kidding.
He just wanted to quickly find out everything he had done at the school over the past year and the details of the locked-room incident.
And... a photo with Potter.
It sends a signal to the outside world that it has recovered.
Since the news of his amnesia was inadvertently captured by the media and quickly made it to the front page of the Daily Prophet, it was like a bombshell detonating in the wizarding world, causing a huge uproar.
In an instant, the hearts of countless book fans were gripped. They picked up their pens and sent letters of condolence, filled with care and encouragement, to Hogwarts, hoping to give him a touch of warmth and strength.
These letters reveal more than just concern for his condition.
However, along with this torrent of warmth came a few discordant voices, like dark clouds hanging over the sky.
These criticisms mainly stem from the stark contrast between Lockhart's previously glamorous and omnipotent image and his current vulnerable, helpless, and amnesiac state, which makes it difficult for some people who once idolized him to accept, and even leads to a sense of disillusionment.
They began to question whether the author who had depicted countless thrilling adventures in his books and whose heroic and fearless image had deeply impressed people was really as great as he wrote.
Or are those alluring stories nothing more than carefully crafted lies?
So even if it was just to stabilize public opinion and prevent it from spreading further, he had to be discharged from the hospital quickly to prove that it was just a minor accident.
Regarding whether he himself is the heir to the secret chamber.
The thought only flashed through his mind for a moment before quickly vanishing without a trace.
After all, he was a "standard" Ravenclaw, how could he possibly have any connection with Slytherin?
With this in mind, Lockhart stepped into the classroom.
The moment he entered the classroom, it was as if an invisible force surged in with him, and the originally chaotic and noisy classroom instantly became completely silent, even the dust in the air seemed to stand still.
The students below the stage, whether sitting upright or leaning against the table, all turned their gazes to him. Countless eyes converged on him like spotlights, flashing with a variety of complex and subtle emotions.
There was surprise, joy, disdain... and sadness.
"Professor, you've recovered...?" Ron, sitting in the first row, broke the silence, raising his hand and speaking weakly.
He had already prepared himself for Professor Lockhart not to come, and for the group to happily return to the Gryffindor common room to play Wizards Kill.
It was truly sad news that Professor Lockhart had recovered before the final exams.
"Yes, Ron," Lockhart replied with a smile, his voice stronger than before. "The monster in the secret chamber didn't cause me any real harm; it just caused some problems with my memory."
"So... you still don't remember what happened this school year?" another young wizard sitting in the front row asked, raising his hand.
Neville, sitting in the last row, blinked upon hearing the news, seemingly lost in thought.
"That's how it seems for now." Lockhart walked up to the podium, placed his novel on it, and added, "But even if I lose the memory of this year, I am still the handsome, charming, and talented Gilderoy Lockhart, and your Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."
As he spoke, he patted his chest, "This doesn't prevent me from continuing to teach you."
A sparse round of applause rang out from the audience.
Some young wizards believe that being able to escape from a monster is already quite an achievement.
"So, can you tell me what happened this school year?" Lockhart glanced around and fixed his gaze on Dean Thomas, who had been raising his hand.
While Thomas and Lockhart were talking, Harry quietly tugged at Ron's sleeve on the table and mouthed, "The Forest tonight..."
And this was also noticed by Lockhart, who had been secretly watching Harry.
Dense forest...
He muttered to himself.
night.
Recently, the Gryffindor common room has been packed with people after 6 p.m. every night, as students have nowhere else to go but to gather there and chat endlessly.
Therefore, the common room is often bustling with activity until late at night.
After eating the dinner Thomas brought, Harry took out the Invisibility Cloak from the trunk and sat on it all night, waiting for the crowd in the room to disperse.
Fred and George challenged Harry and Ron to a game of Wizard Kill.
Harry and Ron deliberately kept losing health in an attempt to end the game as soon as possible, but even so, it was past midnight by the time Fred and George fell asleep.
Harry and Ron waited until they heard the sound of two dormitory doors closing in the distance, then grabbed their Invisibility Cloaks, put them on, and quietly slipped out through the Portrait Hole.
Their journey through the castle was fraught with challenges, requiring them to constantly evade the teacher's gaze.
Finally, they successfully reached the foyer, quietly slipped behind the lock of the oak door, carefully squeezed through the crack, trying not to make a sound, and then stepped into the moonlit space.
What they didn't notice was that a figure had been following them not far behind.
“Speaking of which,” Ron suddenly spoke as they strode across the dark grass, “we might not find anything to track once we get into the woods. Those spiders probably didn’t even go there. I know they seemed to be moving in that direction, but—”
He left Harry with a glimmer of hope before he finished speaking.
When they arrived at Hagrid's cabin, they looked at the dark windows and were filled with sorrow and grief.
Harry pushed open the door, and Aww was overjoyed to see them.
Fearing its deep, booming barks might wake the people in the castle, they quickly took some syrupy toffee from a jar on the mantel and fed it to the dog, which stuck to its teeth.
Harry placed the Invisibility Cloak on Hagrid's table, because it would be useless in the dark forest.
"Come on, Toothpick, let's go for a walk," Harry said, patting Toothpick's hind leg. Toothpick excitedly followed behind them, running out of the cabin and heading straight for the edge of the Forbidden Forest, where it perched on one leg next to a tall Sikmor fig tree.
Harry raised his wand and whispered, "Flicker!" A soft beam of light immediately emanated from the tip of the wand, enough for them to see if there were any spiders in the path.
"Good idea," Ron agreed. "I'd like to make my wand glow too, but you know, it might explode if I'm not careful..."
Harry patted Ron on the shoulder and pointed to the grass. Two lone spiders were hurrying away from the light of the wands and hiding in the shadows of the trees.
"Alright," Ron sighed, seemingly resigned to the unknown challenges ahead, "I'm ready. Let's go."
So they entered the forbidden forest, with Toothbrush hopping happily around them, sniffing the roots and leaves along the way.
Using the faint light from Harry's wand, they followed the path, trailing the crawling spider.
They walked silently for about twenty minutes, listening intently to see if there were any other sounds besides the snapping of branches and the rustling of leaves.
Then, the trees grew even denser, and the stars overhead disappeared behind the thick foliage.
Harry's wand gleamed alone in the endless darkness as they noticed the spiders had strayed off the path.
Harry stopped and tried to see where the spider was moving, but beyond the area illuminated by that faint light was complete darkness.
He had never ventured so deep into the Forbidden Forest before. He clearly remembered that the last time he entered the forest, Hagrid had warned him not to stray from the trail.
But Hagrid is now thousands of miles away, probably sitting in a cell in Azkaban, and he had previously said he would follow the spider.
Suddenly, something touched Harry's hand, and he jumped back, accidentally stepping on Ron's foot, only to find that it was just Tooth's nose.
"What's on your mind?" Harry asked Ron, barely able to make out Ron's eyes, the pupils reflecting the faint glow of his wand.
"We've come this far," Ron replied.
So they followed the spider's darting shadow and entered the dense thicket.
However, they couldn't move quickly now, as the path was strewn with tree roots and stumps, making them almost imperceptible in the near darkness. Harry could feel Ya Ya's warm breath on his hands.
They had to stop again and again, and Harry crouched down, using the faint light of his wand to search for the spider.
Judging from the looks of it, they had been walking for at least half an hour, and their clothes were frequently caught on low branches and thorny vines.
After a while, they noticed that the ground seemed to be gradually tilting, even though the trees were still as dense as before.
Just then, Toothbill suddenly let out a loud bark, the sound echoing through the woods, startling Harry and Ron so much that their souls nearly left their bodies...
In stark contrast to the mysterious, oppressive, and tense atmosphere of the Forbidden Forest is Malfoy Manor.
Surrounded by dense forests, Malfoy Manor shines like a dazzling jewel.
At this moment, the manor was brightly lit, with warm and bright light shining through every window, dispelling the cold and gloom of the night.
"Phillips, you've finally arrived." Lucius greeted Sean warmly as he stepped into the hall, extending his hand to him with a smile.
The two shook hands and greeted each other, appearing very close.
"Malfoy, long time no see," Sean replied with a smile, his face beaming with pleasure. He took a deep sniff, and the enticing aroma wafted into his nostrils. "Looks like tonight will be a wonderful evening."
“Indeed.” Lucius nodded in agreement, then led Sean toward the dining room. “I’ve been making special arrangements for tonight’s dinner. We haven’t had a proper celebration since Dumbledore left and you took over as headmaster. Let’s have a celebration tonight.”
As they spoke, the two walked through a long, dark corridor, the air filled with the aroma of delicious food that made their mouths water.
Upon entering the restaurant, a long table is laden with all sorts of delicacies, and gold and silver tableware gleams enticingly under the lights.
"Phillips, sit here." Lucius directed Sean to an empty seat, where someone Sean was very "familiar" with was also sitting at the long table.
Narcissa Malfoy.
She was wearing a gorgeous dress that clung to her beautiful figure, outlining her captivating curves.
Her long, silky hair cascaded down her shoulders, the slightly curled strands shimmering with a captivating luster under the light.
At this moment, she wore a gentle smile, with the corners of her mouth slightly upturned, exuding an indescribable sexiness.
However, that smile vanished quickly upon seeing Sean, replaced by panic and a blush that she forcibly suppressed in an instant.
"Good evening, Mrs. Malfoy," Sean greeted her politely, emphasizing the word "Mrs." to give the greeting a special meaning.
Narcissa's expression changed slightly upon hearing this, but she quickly regained her composure.
She nodded slightly in response to Sean, then turned her gaze elsewhere, no longer meeting his eyes.
Seeing this, Lucius frowned and reprimanded Narcissa with displeasure: "Narcissa, what's wrong with you? Phillips is our guest, you should give him the respect and courtesy he deserves."
Narcissa's face paled further upon hearing this. Suppressing her inner turmoil, she slowly turned to Sean, forcing a smile. "I apologize, Mr. Phillips. I was a little out of line just now. Please forgive my rudeness."
Sean smiled slightly, indicating his understanding: "It's alright, Mrs. Malfoy."
Lucius nodded in satisfaction at the harmonious scene, then changed the subject: "Alright, now that everyone's here, let's begin our meal. We have plenty of delicious food to enjoy today."
He clapped his hands, and then Dobby came in carrying a huge silver platter with a golden-brown, fragrant leg of lamb on it, along with a variety of brightly colored vegetables and a small pile of freshly baked bread.
"Oh, this looks absolutely delicious!" Sean exclaimed.
"I hope you like it," Lucius said with a smile, then gestured for Dobby to place the dishes in the center of the table.
After the main dish was served, Dobby stood by, bowing.
"Step back, Dobby," Lucius ordered.
Dobby obediently nodded and said in its distinctive high-pitched voice, "Thank you, Master. Dobby will take its leave." Then it turned around gracefully and left the room silently. But before leaving, it took one last deep look at Sean, who was enjoying his meal at the dining table.
At this moment, half of Sean's attention was drawn to the delicious food in front of him. He picked up his knife and fork and carefully cut off a piece of lamb leg. The juices instantly overflowed, releasing an even richer aroma.
He gently blew on it, then put it in his mouth. At that moment, his taste buds seemed to be awakened. The meat was tender and juicy, roasted to perfection, retaining the freshness of the lamb while incorporating the flavors of various spices.
"This is absolutely amazing, Lucius! Your chef's skills are incredible!" Sean praised as he ate, and at the same time, he picked up a small piece of bread, dipped it in the gravy on the plate, and enjoyed it. His satisfaction was palpable.
Lucius elegantly raised his glass, took a small sip, and said, "Phillips, I'm glad you like it."
Then, he paused, "Master..."
Upon hearing Lucius's question, Sean picked up his glass to clear his throat and then explained, "It's like this, the master needs a factory."
Upon hearing this, Lucius's eyes flickered slightly, and he slowly put down his wine glass, clearly showing great interest in the topic. "The factory?"
What kind of factory? Can you tell me more details, Phillips?
Sean nodded and replied, "My master needs a factory capable of producing specific magical potions; these items are extremely important to him. However, I cannot reveal too much about the specific production methods and technical details at this time."
As he spoke, Sean felt his feet brush against something soft and warm under the table, and a subtle flutter rose in his heart.
He glanced down furtively, his eyes gleaming in the dim light, a mixture of curiosity and trepidation in them. It turned out he had accidentally touched Narcissa's foot.
Her feet were small and delicate, encased in soft stockings, and were gently touching his, as if their hearts had collided unintentionally.
Narcissa also felt the sudden touch, and a strange current spread from her ankle to her whole body, causing her to tremble slightly involuntarily.
But she didn't make a sound; she just glanced at him casually, her gaze full of warning, which Sean found alluring.
Lucius tapped the table lightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "I understand. This is indeed a matter that needs to be handled with care."
"However, I can help you inquire about suitable locations and resources for building such a factory. Of course, this requires ensuring that everything is done discreetly."
"If Master knew, he would be very pleased, Lucius," Sean said sincerely. As he spoke, he gently hooked Narcissa's calf with his foot under the table and slowly peeled off her stockings.
Narcissa sensed Sean's offense; her face instantly turned cold, and her eyes revealed intense anger and dissatisfaction.
She stomped hard on Sean's foot, trying to warn him and make him stop his unreasonable behavior immediately.
However, to her surprise, her feet were completely trapped in Sean's feet, as if locked by an invisible lock, making it impossible for her to break free for a moment.
Sean took the opportunity to speed up his footwork, making it easier for him to peel off the stockings.
His actions were undoubtedly a great offense and insult to Narcissa, making her feel extremely angry and humiliated.
However, Narcissa dared not make any large movements lest she disturb Lucius, who was sitting to the side.
She suppressed her anger and humiliation, trying her best to remain calm and composed, and not let herself lose her composure.
That madman.
Narcissa cursed inwardly.
She simply couldn't believe that Sean was so bold as to do such a thing in such a setting.
Did he really think he wouldn't tell Lucius?
Does he think he would remain silent out of concern for his reputation, thus allowing him to continue this shameless behavior?
Narcissa was filled with inner conflict and struggle. She had never imagined that she would be treated like this by a man other than her husband in her own home, especially in front of him. It was so humiliating that she felt incredibly ashamed.
What angered her even more was that Sean dared to so blatantly defile her body, as if she were his toy to be manipulated at will.
This feeling of powerlessness, of being controlled, was unacceptable to the usually strong-willed Narcissa. She felt like a puppet being manipulated by others.
Meanwhile, Sean was also telling Lucius in a serious tone, "The secrecy of this matter is of utmost importance. The master attaches great importance to this project and does not want any unnecessary trouble or interference."
Lucius nodded. "I understand the importance of secrecy, Phillips. I will use my connections to investigate and find a suitable yet discreet location to establish the factory. At the same time, I will keep an eye out for suppliers or partners who can provide the necessary resources."
He paused, then continued, "However, I need some more specific information to guide my investigation. For example, what are the owner's requirements regarding the factory's size, location, and the specific items needed for production? This information will help me better assist you."
Sean's eyes lit up the moment Lucius mentioned "partners".
In fact, that was exactly what he intended.
Given the Malfoy family's abundant resources and deep-rooted foundation, building a few factories is indeed a grand undertaking, something many people can only dream of.
However, this was only the beginning for Sean's grand and ambitious plan, far from enough to satisfy his burgeoning ambition.
He wanted to produce more magic potions, the more the better.
More magic potions also mean more production resources, more factories, more workers, and more power.
Therefore, he needs more people to join him.
Sean, however, set his sights on more pure-blood families, including those that originally belonged to Voldemort's camp, such as the Carroll family, the Greengrass family, the Parkinson family, the Goyle family, and so on.
He needed Lucius to bring these people together. So, after sorting out his thoughts and completely removing Narcissa's stockings, Sean earnestly said to Lucius...
(Next chapter: On the highway)