No matter how much Helen is behind her, it's not the main thing right now. It took so much time and effort for Maca to get herself to this point in time, and he didn't come to listen to Helen's story.

At the moment, he still had something to accomplish, and in order for the final outcome to satisfy him, he had to focus his attention again, and completely turn the rule rune annotations from the Monument of Bewilderment into his own knowledge.

After a short rest, he ignored Helen's questioning and threw himself on the pages of his notebook.

And while he was immersed in research, Dumbledore's public funeral was approaching again day by day. Hogwarts and the village of Hogsmeade, not far from the castle, are also gradually welcoming groups of guests, and everywhere you can see is crowded.

Funerals are always a heavy group activity. Even if the people who come may not all come for memorial, once they are in such an occasion, they will be more or less affected by the change of atmosphere.

For example, the young master of the Malfoy family, who has become more and more low-key in recent years, is the most typical one of them.

It is often said that the atmosphere of the family often brings changes to the children, and the temperament of the parents often imperceptibly affects the way the children do things.

However, this is all based on the premise that the child's worldview has not yet been formed and the ability to make independent judgments is not enough.

Draco had indeed been influenced a lot by his parents in the past, especially his wall-to-wall daddy Lucius, who was always self-interested and a complete speculator.

Perhaps many in the wizarding world believe that Lucius Malfoy sided with Voldemort because he supported the doctrine of pure-blood supremacy. But in fact, he was not concerned with the interests of the purebloods, but only with the interests of his Malfoy family.

However, whether it was Dumbledore and Voldemort in the beginning, or Maca and Voldemort in the future, where was the place between their confrontations so easy to stand?

With such a father who is not capable enough, but has a lot of heart, Draco is really under a lot of pressure.

But stress is something that can sometimes crush people, and sometimes it can also make people grow.

When Voldemort forced Lucius to side with him, the Malfoys never had a moment of peace. As the recent battle between the Order of the Phoenix and the Death Eaters has become more and more intense, and as Voldemort's manpower has been drastically reduced again and again, Lucius has to stand on the front line of the fight against the Order of the Phoenix.

Yes, it's not wrong to say "struggle".

Voldemort foiled Maca's plans several times, causing his reputation to continue to decline, and he was already a little overstretched in his power. And he didn't want to send the Black Death easily, after all, if there was no Black Death, he really wouldn't dare to appear in front of Maca at will.

Because of this, Lucius, who originally contributed more money than effort, was recently forced to go to the streets and alleys to show his skills.

But for a character like Lucius, where can Voldemort, who is not yet confused, be relieved? As a result, Draco and his mother Narcissa loomed as a pair of hostages.

For example, during the Christmas break, Draco could see Bellatrix as soon as he got home. Not only is that woman's character always perverse and ferocious, but she also has a good magical strength, and last time she almost used the Diamond Heart Curse on him!

Occasionally, just occasionally, and occasionally Voldemort would go to Malfoy's mansion for a day or two. Although Voldemort was handsome, he even spoke mildly when he saw him. But he, Draco, is not a fool, how can he not know that this seemingly kind guy is actually a murderous Dark Lord without blinking?

In this environment, Draco quickly developed his ability to read words and emotions to himself, and he became more low-key on weekdays. Of course, he couldn't go back to that home as much as he could.

Not long after Christmas, he packed his belongings and planned to sneak back to Hogwarts...... No, Hogwarts still has that McLean there, and he'd better not go there.

It's sad to think about it, because his dad has been a wall grass for a while, so that now he is not a human being at the two ends of the Malfoy family. In school, the students of the other three colleges will not give him a good face; At home, Voldemort and Bellatrix made him worry all day.

This kind of day is really not good!

However, just as he was sneaking open the door of his house, he heard a voice suddenly coming from behind him, which frightened him and froze.

"Draco, it's just Christmas, and the holidays are still long! Where are you going? ”

Just listen to the voice, you know that it is the old woman Bellatrix, Voldemort's most loyal follower!

"I ...... I'd like to go to Diagon Alley and check the wand with Mr. Ollivanders......" Draco forced himself to compose and pressed his right hand against the box with his left hand, "It's not quite right since the last time I practiced the spell. ”

It's a pity that both of his hands are trembling now, and no matter which hand he presses, he can't hold it down.

"Oh? I don't think that's a matter of the Mind Curse," Bellatrix staggered to Draco's side as if she was dancing, "Or do you actually prefer the Imperius Charm to your wand?" ”

The experience of being locked up in Azkaban for a long time made this already crazy witch even more unusual, and she often made exaggerated acts of her own eyes. In her own words, this is a brilliant dance for her master, but it is a sign of insanity.

"No, it's not a matter of spells...... I think...... The Requisition Spell would be even more wonderful. ”

With these dark wizards, I understood how to speak after a long time. Bellatrix seemed to feel more comfortable answering that—at least Draco did.

Sure enough, the mad woman laughed wildly, like a vulture in the wilderness seeing a corpse, sharp and piercing but with inexplicable pleasure.

After Draco had laughed dryly with Bellatrix, he tightened the suitcase in his hand and put away the inexplicable smile a little.

“…… That's, Miss Black...... Can I go? Draco knew that calling Bellatrix by her own family name would sometimes make her happier, such as now when her husband wasn't there, "When I change to a more powerful wand, I'll be able to see more pained expressions on other people's faces...... That...... It must have been very sweet. ”

"Oh?"

Bellatrix looked him up and down with a "you little devil has finally opened up" look, and then laughed even louder.

"That's right! Hahaha...... That's right, when we see the enemy lying at our feet in pain and wailing, it is the moment we enjoy the most! Sweet, indeed sweet! Aha......"

Seeing that the mad woman couldn't stop laughing, Draco stole to look left and right, and his feet had already tried to move towards the door. The madwoman apparently saw it, but didn't stop it—it seemed that there was a chance of escape today!

But who knows, just when he turned around and wanted to leave, another voice made him stop again, and he didn't even dare to move.

"Something went wrong with the wand?" The gentle voice said softly, "I don't have to go to Ollivander...... Maybe I can help you take a look, Draco. ”

It's Voldemort! Oh no...... Should be...... The Dark Lord!

"I ......"

In an instant, he realized who the owner of this voice was. At the same time, a chill rushed from the soles of his feet up his back, down his backbone and down his scalp.

For a moment, he couldn't even say the excuse he had prepared.

"Draco, are you really going to Diagon Alley?" Voldemort slowly walked out of the hallway next to the foyer and asked softly, "Since you're going to Diagon Alley, why don't you go with the fireplace?" ”

When Draco heard this, his heart shuddered. Yes! Why doesn't he use Floo powder? Even if the line connecting their house to Hogsmeade Village was disconnected, he could have gone to Diagon Alley first.

Now that he is running straight out, isn't it obvious that people are suspicious?

Draco, who was regretting his stupidity, couldn't say a word.

"Do you want to go back to Hogwarts?" Voldemort paced in front of Draco, looking at him calmly, his eyes with hidden black flames staring straight into Draco's eyes, "It's a rare Christmas holiday...... Your mother will be very sad if you are gone? ”

Hearing Voldemort's words, Dracodon pursed his lips and lowered his eyes slightly.

His mother, Narcissa Malfoy, was arrogant and arrogant, but when she was with this son, she was full of doting. To be honest, she may not be a qualified mother, but she is still a mother who loves her children deeply.

Just the other day, when Bellatrix wanted to give Draco a "Christmas present", it was Narcissa who prevented it from happening. Otherwise, a heart-piercing spell will go down, and that taste will ...... I'm afraid Draco will never forget this Christmas in his life.

"Lord Dark Lord, you're right...... I'm not going anywhere. Draco bowed his head slightly, sullen.

Voldemort, however, watched him groan slightly, causing Draco's heart to lift again. Seeing that the Dark Lord didn't speak, he was obviously even more panicked, for fear that he would lose this little life if he was not careful.

In just a few days at home, he had already witnessed several moments of death. It is not easy for him to stand here now.

"No, you can go......" At that moment, Voldemort suddenly said, "not only do you have to go, but you also have to show up at Dumbledore's funeral, understand?" ”