With a warm smile on his face, Lucius Malfoy walked towards Wentworth, who sat regally at the head of the room. But before Lucius could approach, a wizard who had been standing just behind Wentworth stepped forward and blocked his path, halting both Lucius and Narcissa in their tracks.
The wizard, dressed in the attire of the Alliance, gestured for Lucius and Narcissa to surrender their wands.
Lucius hesitated slightly, taken aback, but at that moment, Wentworth's voice rang out.
"No need. Let them through."
At Wentworth's command, the Pureblood wizard stepped aside, clearing the path.
Lucius and Narcissa exchanged a brief glance before cautiously making their way over. Wentworth motioned for them to sit, and the couple took their seats with careful grace.
"I must apologise for appearing at Malfoy Manor in this fashion," Wentworth began, his tone courteous but firm. "My position is rather... delicate. I had to take precautions to ensure the Malfoy family would not be drawn into any unnecessary complications. I hope you understand, Mr. Lucius Malfoy."
Lucius quickly waved his hand, feigning ease. "Nonsense! Your presence here is an honour for the Malfoy family."
Wentworth offered a faint smile but did not dwell on the flattery. He continued without preamble, "I've come uninvited today because there is a matter in which I would like the Malfoy family's assistance."
Lucius blinked in surprise. Before he could respond, he felt a sharp nudge under the table—Narcissa's foot reminding him to act. Recovering quickly, Lucius smiled and said, "For you to seek my help—it's an honour not just for me, but for the entire Malfoy family! Tell me, how can we be of service?"
Pleased with the response, Wentworth gave an approving nod and glanced back at Cassandra. At his signal, Cassandra stepped forward and came to stand before Lucius and Narcissa.
Wentworth gestured toward her. "Allow me to introduce Miss Cassandra Vole. Her father is Thomas Vole, former Head of the Auror Office and now the current Director of the Floo Network Authority."
Lucius was visibly startled. He had only just returned from Diagon Alley, where he had personally witnessed Thomas Vole and Gilderoy Lockhart drive back the forces of the Alliance.
Lucius had suspected something was amiss at the time—though he had assumed it was Lockhart pulling the strings. The revelation that Thomas Vole, a senior official in the Ministry of Magic, might be involved with the Alliance was completely unexpected.
Before Lucius could process further, Wentworth continued, "The reason for our visit today concerns Miss Cassandra's father."
Lucius immediately composed himself and responded earnestly, "If there's anything the Malfoy family can do, you need only say the word!"
Wentworth did not hesitate. "Thomas Vole, who drove back our Alliance's forces and protected Gringotts, becoming something of a Ministry hero… is now merely overseeing the Floo Network. Even we, in the Alliance, find this situation... regrettable."
He leaned forward slightly. "We hope you might use your influence within the Ministry to help Mr. Vole advance to a more suitable position."
Lucius found the request mildly amusing, though he kept his face respectfully solemn. "Indeed, I quite agree with your assessment. For someone like Mr. Thomas Vole to be left in charge of the Floo Network Office—it is rather beneath his talents. Might I ask, what position is Mr. Vole hoping for?"
At that, Wentworth turned to Cassandra. With a composed expression, Cassandra spoke for the first time.
"Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."
Lucius nearly choked.
He had assumed Thomas Vole might be aiming for something like a departmental promotion within the Department of Magical Transportation—a modest leap, even if unremarkable. With enough Galleons, Lucius figured he could grease the right palms.
But the Department of Magical Law Enforcement? The most powerful and influential division in the entire British Ministry of Magic?
Lucius knew Galleons alone wouldn't cut it.
After a long pause, Lucius offered a regretful smile. "I must apologise. It's not that I'm unwilling to help, but this is beyond my reach. The current Head is Bartemius Crouch. The man is ruthless, and some say he's in line to become Minister himself. Toppling him—especially with just the influence of the Malfoy family—would be no small feat."
Wentworth, however, appeared entirely unfazed. He had clearly anticipated this.
Locking eyes with Lucius, he spoke slowly and deliberately. "Mr. Malfoy, I can offer you a piece of information—one that could make toppling Bartemius Crouch far easier than you might think. With this, you could even send him straight to Azkaban."
The moment Wentworth uttered the name Azkaban, a chill ran down Lucius's spine. His face tightened with unease.
"And what exactly is this information?" he asked, barely concealing his nervousness.
Wentworth gave a sly smile. "Do you remember your old... comrade, Barty Crouch Junior?"
Lucius froze.
Then, as if stung, he leapt from his seat. "No! No! I barely knew Barty Crouch Junior! We weren't comrades—he was a Death Eater! I—I was under the Imperius Curse, I wasn't—"
Before Lucius could finish, Wentworth raised a hand, silencing him.
"Calm yourself, Mr. Malfoy. I'm not interested in your past. Whether or not you were truly a Death Eater is of no concern to the Alliance. There's no need for alarm."
Lucius slowly, and with evident relief, lowered himself back into his seat.
Then Wentworth grinned—a sinister, knowing smile.
"Do you know where Barty Crouch Junior is now?"
Lucius answered instinctively, "In Azkaban, of course—"
-------
Want to read ahead of schedule? Head over to my Patreon ——— patreon(.)com/PrimalDemon [remove the parentheses ( )]