Chapter 41 - Seeds of Doubt Ⅱ (2/2)

The Slytherin members all turn to stare at Lucius Malfoy, who carefully ponders the proposed bet. If Rowan's words proved to be true then indeed it was a folly on his part to continue to entangle himself with the D-, with Tom Riddle. However, if Tom Riddle was who he said he was, then he would succeed on the morrow. Either way, he would stand to win.

”Very well, I see no harm in making such a bet,” Lucius boldly said with a cool smile.

”Excellent,” Rowan said. ”Now, then I'm off to bed until tomorrow.” Rowan only pauses to grab her notebook, before setting off for bed right away as there was an anti-listening spell in place.

The Slytherin members disperse extremely quickly this time around without a formal ending as they quickly abandon the common room. Even fierce loyalists like Vern Crabbe seem irritated at the thought of being conned by a half-muggle wizard. In the end, the only remaining members are Narcissa Black and Lucius Malfoy.

”Lucius, you don't believe her, do you?” Narcissa quietly asked.

”And what if I did?” Lucius snapped. ”Do you have any idea how embarrassed I am to find out that the Dar-, that Tom Riddle has muggle blood! I seriously wonder what your sister was even thinking when she joined him!”

”He's going to change the world,” Narcissa protested in defense of her elder sister, Bellatrix.

”I wonder,” Lucius coldly said.

Narcissa almost flinched at the icy tone and softly murmur, ”Lucius?”

”I'm not blind nor stupid, Narcissa, and I hate to be made a fool,” Lucius flatly stated. ”And despite being married, Bellatrix shows no interest in Lestrange. But on the contrary, the way she fawns over Riddle like a lovesick puppy. I have no doubt that Riddle can do no wrong in her eyes.”

Narcissa gaze becomes downcast as her blond hair covers her face. A mixture of emotions flashes across Lucius's face until he finally softly says, ”I shall see you tomorrow,” before heading to his own quarters. Narcissa glances with some hurt at Lucius's retreating back, before retreating to the girl's dorm rooms to lick her wounds in private. Empty the common room flickers with shadows and crackling as shadows seem to move on their own with an unknown purpose.