HP: Hogwarts Snake

Chapter 467 Christmas Prelude

Della truly regretted her decision to let the Pereia sisters move in. She had no problem with the two sisters, but she was disgusted by Maggie's hypocrisy.

One day, as they were discussing their upcoming Christmas plans, Della finally couldn't help but complain, "Who forced you to put on that sentimental act in front of everyone?"

"Is there a problem with my deep affection for my fiancée?" Maggie put down her teacup and asked, slightly puzzled. She felt she had done a good job and was definitely being very responsible.

"It's one thing for you two to say things like 'until the seas run dry and the rocks crumble' when you're alone, but you have to say them to the Death Eaters who come here too?" Della glanced at him and put down her teacup. "Take the engagement day, for example. Sending her back was a good reason, but did you have to add something like 'she only has me'?"

“That’s the truth.” Maggie met Della’s gaze.

“Before you said ‘I only have her,’ you were just lying,” Della bluntly exposed him. “Using her as an excuse is one thing, but what good does it do you to push Sheena into the limelight?”

Maggie twisted her neck and asked with a smile, "What do you think I'm after?"

“To be honest, I don’t see it, because you’re not the kind of scum who would push a woman in front of you to shield you from heart-wrenching pain,” Della honestly admitted her shortcomings in this regard. “But I have to remind you that you and she are already very much one, and it’s not good for you to be in the spotlight, especially now. Even if there is suffering, most of it will be yours.”

“Ah, so you were worried about me,” Maggie said shamelessly, crossing his legs and naturally changing the subject. “You don’t have to worry about that. I just think it’s quite fun, and it’s worth it to have fewer idiots bothering me on weekdays.”

As soon as the topic came up, Della's expression immediately turned sour, as she had been quite bothered by this issue recently.

“I really don’t understand them. What chance could I possibly give them to earn merit? Are they simply terrified by the Death Curse that could send them flying at any moment?” Della pinched the bridge of her nose. “Or did Voldemort give them something to disrupt my orders?”

“I don’t think those idiots would be able to switch sides,” Maggie said sarcastically. “The person in question wouldn’t be able to test loyalty with disloyal people either, because anyone can see that they’re a bunch of idiots.”

Just then, there was a knock on the door of the reception room, and a house-elf poked his head out. "Mr. Malfoy is here."

Upon hearing the name, Maggie immediately let out a laugh. He said to Della, "Look, here comes the idiot you wanted, Della."

“You’re getting more and more outrageous,” Della glared at Maggie, then turned to the house-elf and said, “Have Mr. Malfoy wait for me in the hall for a moment, I’ll be right there.”

"Wouldn't it be more convenient to have him come directly here?" Maggie suggested.

"Here?" Della turned her head toward the conspicuous empty can in the meeting room. "So you can keep telling him, 'Oh, my can is empty, and I need someone'?"

“You really understand me.” Maggie laughed again.

"You're just too wicked," Della said one last time, then dusted off her robe and walked out.

In the hall, Lucius stood ramrod straight, deliberately standing next to the newly repaired staircase. He didn't receive any major assignments from Della, only the task of supervising the construction and overseeing the materials. Under the pretext of repairing the house damaged in the last father-daughter battle, he temporarily distanced himself from his manor where people could die at any moment.

Fortunately, Della still had feelings for Draco. This project, from the initial repairs to the current renovation, and with countless more renovations to come, was completed. Since their family already had rooms in the small building on the side of the garden, Lucius knew that his family would be safe for a long time.

Although living in the side building was a bit shameful, since it was usually for servants, as long as they could leave the Malfoy Manor, which seemed to have an indelible bloody stench, anything was fine.

“What’s wrong, Mr. Malfoy?” Della walked over, deliberately making her footsteps heavy to give Lucius time to prepare himself. “Is there something you’re unsure about?”

“There is one thing, Miss,” Lucius bowed his head, displaying the humility he was already accustomed to in front of Voldemort, “the food item seems to have been overestimated.”

"How much higher?" Della flipped through the documents Lucius handed her, thinking that he was quite good at accounting and must be a real hard-working tycoon.

“More than five times,” Lucius said conservatively. After saying that, he realized that the conservative figure was still not conservative, so he added, “Of course, it’s also possible that the deadline was written incorrectly. If the time is extended and losses are taken into account, it can also be reasonable.”

“Then let’s go with this number for now,” Della handed the documents back. “Everyone back home is busy, and these are all workers I called from abroad. I was worried they wouldn’t be used to the food, so I bought a little of everything, and a lot of everything. How could the Riddle family be short of these? You can prepare like this for now, and we can make up the difference later, Mr. Malfoy.”

“Yes,” Lucius quickly agreed, glancing cautiously at Della before adding, “By the way, miss, I saw the house-elves putting in Christmas decorations. Are they having a party?”

"Is there a problem?" Della asked directly.

“My son will be home for Christmas, and I don’t know if it’s appropriate for him to be there…” Lucius lowered his head further and further. He didn’t dare to probe Della from here anymore, but he had to ask to ensure his son’s safety.

"Draco wants to go home? Isn't he comfortable at school?" Unlike Lucius's anxiety, Della was quite calm about the matter. "Given the current situation, it's safer for him to stay at school. I don't think the Carol siblings would make things difficult for him."

“He said he wanted to come back,” Lucius said with difficulty.

"It sounds like it's just one more room, right?" Della asked, not giving Lucius a chance to reply, and continued, "But I think we need to think carefully about whether or not to come."

Lucius raised his head slightly, said nothing, and gave him an inquiring look.

"Who do you think is the master of this house now, Mr. Malfoy?" Della asked again, this time requiring Lucius to answer.

“...It’s you.” Lucius said somewhat timidly.

Della didn't comment on whether the answer was right or wrong, but continued to ask, "Then who is the mistress?"

The terms "master" and "mistress" may sound similar (only one character difference), but in a distinguished family, their status is completely different.

For example, in the Malfoy family, he is the master, the powerful figure who commands respect outside the home, while Narcissa is the mistress, mainly responsible for maintaining the family and connections within the household.

Ah, that sounds nice, and it seems like they're on equal footing inside and out, but everyone knows their status is completely different.

“Yes…” Lucius paused, he understood. The hostess here was Sheena Pereia, and when there was a hostess in a family, the banquet was usually not organized by the host.

Who would dare attend Khedira Pereira's party?

Leaving aside bloodlines that are less important than life and death, someone like him, who is already disliked by the Dark Lord, should not be associated with an unloved prospective couple.

“Although the manor is mine and Sheena has not officially changed her surname yet, it is my brother’s fault that she does not have a proper place to stay, so we cannot treat her poorly,” Della smiled. “Hosting the banquet is optional for me, but it is a symbol for a lady. Now it’s just to give Miss Perea some practice.”

“In theory, I am also a guest, but it just so happens that I am her fiancé’s sister and I did not refuse the invitation,” Della continued. “Father has already declined due to being busy. As for whether your family should attend, that is entirely up to you, Mr. Malfoy.”

Lucius's face turned deathly pale, and he mumbled a reply, "Um..."