The moment the words left Lucius's mouth, he realized his mistake—Barty Crouch Jr. couldn't be in Azkaban. If he were, Wentworth wouldn't have asked about him.
As that realization hit, Lucius turned to Wentworth in shock.
Seeing the expression on Lucius's face, Wentworth knew he'd understood. He said casually, as if discussing the weather,
"It seems you've figured it out. That's right—Barty Crouch Jr. isn't in Azkaban."
"Back then, when he was sentenced to life in Azkaban, it was his mother who took his place. Using Polyjuice Potion, she transformed herself into her son, and with Barty Crouch Sr.'s help, entered Azkaban in his stead."
Lucius and Narcissa exchanged a long, stunned glance. It took several moments before Lucius, still disbelieving, finally asked:
"Then… where is the real Barty Crouch Jr. now?"
"At the ancestral home of the Crouch family," Wentworth replied without hesitation. "Under the watchful eye of Barty Crouch himself."
Lucius was silent for a long time. Then, slowly, a glimmer of excitement lit his eyes as he turned to Wentworth and said:
"Perhaps… perhaps we don't need to bring Crouch down at all. We could use this to blackmail him—make him serve our interests!"
Wentworth locked eyes with Lucius, his gaze steady and unwavering, until Lucius awkwardly looked away. Only then did Wentworth speak:
"Our interests, Lucius Malfoy, are those of the Alliance."
Lucius gave a begrudging nod, clearly chastened. "Of course, of course—my slip of the tongue. I meant for the benefit of the Alliance."
Wentworth continued:
"Well, that's a small matter. To be honest, I don't particularly care how you handle Barty Crouch. What matters is the outcome—and whether it satisfies the Alliance. Thomas Vole must become the new Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."
At this, Lucius straightened immediately and replied without a trace of hesitation:
"You have my word! With the information you've provided, I'll ensure the Alliance is more than satisfied."
Wentworth nodded, clearly pleased, then added with a wry smile:
"Don't worry, Lucius Malfoy—we are not the Death Eaters. The Alliance deals in reason. You won't walk away from this empty-handed."
Beneath the table, Narcissa reached out and gripped Lucius's hand, clearly moved. Lucius, beaming, looked at Wentworth and said humbly:
"No, no, you're far too kind. This is the least I can do. I'm sure Draco's caused you no end of trouble at Hogwarts—please forgive…"
But Wentworth waved him off before he could finish.
"Draco is doing just fine. But this matter has nothing to do with him—it concerns the Malfoy family. Draco, as of now, doesn't yet speak for your house, does he?"
Lucius and Narcissa both paused at that. Then Lucius quickly responded:
"Of course not. Draco is still too young to represent the Malfoy family. May I ask what exactly you're referring to?"
Wentworth gave a small smile, then gestured for someone behind him to step forward.
It was Auston Greengrass.
Lucius recognized him instantly. He remembered the frail, grief-stricken boy from old Greengrass's funeral. Now, the same young man stood confidently before him, smiling, full of energy and command. The contrast stirred something deep in Lucius's heart.
Wentworth gestured to Auston and said:
"Allow me to introduce you. This is Auston Greengrass, one of the core young members of the Alliance. Like the Malfoys, he hails from one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight—the Greengrass family. He's also their current head."
After the introduction, Auston extended his hand and said warmly:
"It's been a long time, Mr. Malfoy."
Lucius quickly took his hand with equal courtesy.
"Yes, indeed. It has been far too long. Your father and I were old friends. I worried, after his passing, that the Greengrass family might falter. But seeing you now, I'm reassured."
Their cordial exchange was cut short by Wentworth, who said bluntly:
"I'm sure you saw what happened outside Gringotts today. So I'll come straight to the point. The new bank that Lockhart is planning to open—it's backed by the Alliance. And we've entrusted full authority over the matter to Auston."
"I'm sure a man of your insight can already see the immense profits this venture promises. As a gesture of our gratitude, the Alliance invites the Malfoy family to become shareholders in the new bank. What do you say, Mr. Malfoy?"
Lucius nodded without hesitation.
"Of course. It would be an honor. The Malfoy family is more than willing to contribute our share to this enterprise."
Wentworth nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Auston and instructed:
"In that case, you and Mr. Malfoy can coordinate directly. When the time comes, allocate shares to the Malfoys based on their contribution."
Auston lowered his head in acknowledgment.
Finally, Wentworth looked at Lucius and Narcissa and said with a smile:
"Mr. Malfoy, you've made a very wise decision today. Decades—or even centuries—from now, your descendants may look back and thank you for the choice you've made."
With that, Wentworth rose to his feet and took his leave, smiling as Lucius and Narcissa escorted him out of Malfoy Manor.
Even after he left, Lucius's face remained lit with joy. He understood perfectly well that neither he nor the Malfoy family could refuse Wentworth's offer.
And the opportunity to be involved in the founding of Lockhart's Central Bank of the Wizarding World? That was a completely unexpected bonus.
It was only Narcissa who remained quiet after Wentworth's departure. Watching her husband glow with excitement, she suddenly spoke:
"Lucius… don't you think the Alliance is far more frightening than the Death Eaters ever were?"
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