Blip--
The compressed air, which had not yet had the chance to emit a crisp explosion, was dispersed by the fierce wind on top of the mountain and turned into a slight hissing sound like a balloon leaking.
The two men who appeared on top of the mountain turned back in unison, gazing at the beautiful view of the village of Ottery St. Catchpole.
From a high vantage point, the village resembles a patch of toy houses scattered amidst a massive beam of light, slanting towards the ground through the layers of clouds.
Both of them were trying to find the 'cleaned-up broom shed' that they had just left.
However, the distance and bright moonlight made the house standing alone at the foot of the village look like a flower in the surging waves of an endless sea, almost indistinguishable.
The two gentlemen turned their gaze back, now fixated on the house standing between the neighboring hills, which loomed like a black column.
Even though they could have Apparated directly there, the two men, who had not spoken to each other beforehand, displayed a mutual understanding. They stood up and began walking towards the house.
"By the way, I haven't had a chance to express my regret to you, Lucius—"
Although Adam walked down the mountain path, every step he took in the fierce wind was steady and reliable. For someone of his age, this was not an easy feat.
"I've heard that after the Battle of Diagon Alley, the Dark Lord took your wand away from you."
"What are you talking about?"
Lucius Malfoy still had an emotionless expression, and the faint worry hidden beneath his indifferent gaze towards the stone cottage was not noticeable.
"The wand chosen by the Dark Lord for me is a sign of his trust in me. I'm afraid you don't understand, but for us who are loyal to the Dark Lord to the death, it's an unparalleled honor."
"Oh, sorry—"
Adam said, but there was no trace of remorse in his tone. He glanced at Lucius' wand and smiled with an impeccable expression on his face.
"Then, who's wand are you using now?"
Lucius' cold face finally showed a trace of malevolence.
"My wife's, Narcissa. It's no problem, the Dark Lord hasn't forbidden me from getting another wand."
"Surely this is the case—"
Adam smiled and nodded.
A stronger gust of wind blew in front of them, and both Lucius and Adam had to pause their steps and raise their arms to defend themselves for a while.
"I think the Dark Lord probably doesn't understand why--"
The wind ceased, and the two men set off again.
Adam seemed to be in high spirits, and he expressed his interest in saying,
"I have also heard about what happened during the Dark Lord's resurrection ceremony, as well as the end of this war. That Harry Potter's wand seems to be suppressing the Dark Lord's wand."
The Dark Lord seemed to think that Bane's power was not something to fear.
"But he didn't understand where Harry Potter's power came from, and he thought he had overcome the protection left by the boy's mother. But the result was still unexpected, so now he desperately wants to find out about the prophecy at the Department of Mysteries."
Adam spoke confidently, but within Lucius, only alertness flowed.
Although he wasn't very familiar with the man who had just joined them, what he said just now wasn't something that could be said casually.
Is he aware of something? Is he probing?
Lucius' level of vigilance escalated yet again!
"I must remind you not to speculate on the master's wisdom and power--"
Lucius carefully stepped onto the slippery grass, each step as cautiously as he lived his later years, walking on thin ice, pondering each move.
"Both Amodai Bane and Harry Potter have survived the unexpected events at the end of Diagon Alley because of luck. Maybe it was a backup plan left by Dumbledore's cunningness--"
"Oh, hah, Lucius, you're as cunning as the rumors say you are--"
Adam chuckled and shook his head in disbelief.
"I just thought that among the countless servants of the Dark Lord, you are the most intelligent one. That's why I wanted to discuss my views on some matters with you."
"Thank you for your compliment,"
They were nearing the Lovgood's garden, and Lucius' worry deepened. However, he couldn't show any sign of it.
The man at his side was an extremely clever and perceptive wizard, someone who was, in a way, even more difficult to deal with than the Dark Lord.
"But perhaps you don't understand us enough. The Death Eaters of the Dark Lord are the most outstanding wizards in this country, each one with powerful magic and commendable wisdom. However, compared to the great Dark Lord, we are still dim in comparison."
Lucius' answer was watertight.
"Oh, hah, modesty is a virtue, but excessive modesty can seem insincere, my dear Lucius—"
As they approached the house, Adam also lowered his voice. While keeping a cold look at the house, he spoke in a gentle tone,
"I'm sure that besides you, no other Death Eaters can think of using those even less clever than magical creatures to lure Bane out from the layers of protection, but I do have a slight suspicion--"
Standing at the doorway of the courtyard, Adam tilted his head and looked at Lucius with a pleasant smile.
"This was your idea, but you don't seem to be putting much effort into it tonight."
"The people who are no different from Muggles make me sick--"
Lucius had anticipated this question, and he replied calmly.
"The Dark Lord knows that I am not good at dealing with these lowborn individuals, so he let you join this plan, didn't he?"
Fine, let's just go in and see if the girl is really as you say, deliberately breaking into the gathering."
Lucius pulled out his wand from its sheath.
A hint of disappointment crossed Adam's eyes.
Most of the Death Eaters of the Dark Lord were a group of brutish sadists who enjoyed killing and violence, such as Lucius Malfoy on this side, there were not many who could maintain their reason and calm.
He intended to establish a deeper friendship with Lucius, but Lucius seemed extremely wary of him.
Adam also pulled out his wand and, like Lucius, used the Invisibility Charm to hide himself. Then, he gently tapped on the doorknob with his wand.
"Such a comfortable setting"
Seeing that there was no reaction from the doorknob, Adam softly smiled.
Lucius understood what he meant.
The magical world is currently in a state of open conflict, and the daily life of ordinary wizard families is filled with fear, always worrying about when they might come looking for trouble.
But little did they know that the Lovgoods had taken no precautions at all for their home.
The wooden door opened silently in the soft breeze, revealing various magical plants that rustled in the wind to the duo.
A thorough search revealed no traps.
Click, click, click ---
Mr. Lovgood didn't go to rest in his bedroom, but he fell asleep on the desk in front of the window sill. Behind him, the ancient and strange printer was spewing out colored pages.
Adam picked up a colored page that was floating on the ground and examined it carefully under the moonlight, his eyes showing confusion.
The two men followed the ghostly figure up to the third floor, opening Luna's room silently and without a sound.
Three women of different ages were sleeping on the large bed in the room.
A little girl, a few years old, was curled up in her mother's arms, smiling innocently. The mother had her arms around her daughter and was snoring deeply, indicating she was sleeping very well.
The remaining one is Luna.
She was lying on her side facing the window.
The flowing curtains occasionally opened a gap, allowing moonlight to fall on her fair cheeks.
Compared to when she is awake, Luna seemed to lose some of her wild demeanor and appeared more serene, like a lady.
In addition to magical books and the summer homework from Hogwarts, there was also a self-made potplant on the desk.
Lucius bent down, squinting at the potplant.
A wand was stuck into the soil as a support, with some thin vines climbing up it.
Adam also walked over and the two of them looked at the wand in silence for a while.
It seems that the girl's interruption into their gathering was just a mere accident.
However --
Adam turned around with a cold expression, staring at the girl under the moonlight, slowly raising his arm.
Lucius' expression changed slightly, and he immediately grabbed Adam's wrist.
When did Death Eaters learn to be merciful and kind-hearted?
Lucius read that question from the look Adam shot at him.
Don't forget about John Seater down below; killing his wife and daughter at this time is not a wise move.
Lucius' lips moved slightly, softly speaking.
Adam's eyes moved, finally lowering his wand.
A gentle breeze stirred, and the two men disappeared from the room.
The moonlight, as clear as water, rippled on the walls of the room, silently, Luna had opened her silver eyes on the bed.
