Jane Yu couldn't understand why the conversation had stalled again.
Seeing Narcissa's silence and pale face—clearly worn down by her son's antics—Jane tried to offer more comfort:
"Please don't worry. I'm sure he'll teach Draco properly, and perhaps it might even help with his mental state."
She felt she'd already said the kindest things possible, yet Narcissa still looked utterly defeated by her son's behavior.
Jane could empathize with this mother. As a parent juggling work for Voldemort while dealing with a rebellious teenager, such exhaustion was perfectly understandable.
Little did she know that Narcissa's mind was in complete turmoil!
What did "teach Draco properly" mean?
This was clearly a veiled threat!
And "help with his mental state"...
Help how? With the Cruciatus Curse? Drive her son completely mad with "assistance"?
Every word between the lines suggested that Jane and Dumbledore had already discovered Draco's assassination plot using Dark Magic!
She was warning her: try anything like this, and don't expect mercy!
Narcissa felt her carefully maintained composure crumbling.
Seeing Narcissa's furrowed brow, Jane could only try to reassure this mother who was clearly worried about her son's poor exam results and mental health.
Perhaps praising the child might help Narcissa feel better.
She racked her brain for diplomatic words:
"Draco is intelligent—he's simply had unsuitable professors before. With a new teacher, I'm sure he'll learn quickly. I've heard the school and Ministry are allowing some exceptional students to graduate early. Perhaps he could manage that too."
But Narcissa felt thunderstruck—she nearly collapsed!
Listen to Jane's words: so gentle in tone, yet each syllable struck her heart like a hammer:
"He's intelligent, had unsuitable teaching"... "With a new professor, he'll learn quickly"...
It sounded like she was discussing the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, but she was actually urging the Malfoys to switch sides!
Jane was using this topic to warn her:
Let Draco be smart—find someone else to follow, stop obeying the Dark Lord's commands!
And that "early graduation"...
What kind of graduation? A permanent trip to Merlin's realm?
The entire statement's meaning was crystal clear: if her son attempted assassination, he'd be sent to meet Merlin!
Narcissa's breathing became completely erratic... her entire body trembled at the chill in Jane's words...
What kind of terrifying intelligence network could monitor their every move so closely!
The Malfoy pride she'd once possessed had nearly vanished entirely. She thought desperately:
Perhaps to Jane, the Malfoy family had lost all value—they could no longer wholesale her products for profit, nor provide Death Eater intelligence... they were even plotting to assassinate her guardian...
Would she really still help her and Draco...?
Narcissa forcibly controlled her chaotic breathing. She knew they still had worth—
Her husband, as a core Death Eater member, possessed detailed operational plans that Jane couldn't possibly know.
She had to stay calm and probe further... perhaps about the Death Eaters' infiltration plans...
Steadying herself, Narcissa deliberately gave a cold laugh, shook her head, and continued:
"Who knows? Every year the school promises parents quality education, but the people they bring in are always Lockhart or Umbridge types. How can you be sure what sort of magical creatures this school will let in this time?"
Jane felt this new professor wouldn't be as terrible as Narcissa suggested.
After all, Dumbledore had assured her this professor absolutely couldn't be replaced or cursed, and was genuinely qualified.
"But Professor Lupin and Professor Moody were both excellent. I think this time he'll be even better than them," she replied.
Narcissa's breath caught again!
She carefully considered why Jane had specifically mentioned Lupin and Moody...
Everyone knew Lupin was a werewolf.
But few knew Lupin had been bitten by Fenrir Greyback!
And Greyback served under the Dark Lord—sent to Malfoy Manor to await orders!
Jane must already know about their plan to send that werewolf into the school!
And Moody was a retired Auror exceptionally skilled at catching Dark wizards, reportedly now back with the Ministry...
Specifically mentioning Moody as an example...
She was warning her that seasoned Aurors like Moody would be at school, ready for battle!
Narcissa felt her body go weak, all her hard-won composure evaporating.
How could Jane possibly know their plans so thoroughly—even down to the specific people they intended to infiltrate?
Now she was certain: their scheme was exposed. This already hopeless assassination was now utterly impossible!
Her son—her only son—what would become of him?
Narcissa completely abandoned her last shred of dignity. She looked at this lifeline before her...
Jane was the same age as her son, yet more unfathomable than anyone.
Fortunately, her deep gaze still held a trace of compassion—she knew it was pity for her, understanding her anguish...
After a long moment, Narcissa spoke in a trembling voice, lowering her spine and dropping her proud head, whispering:
"Can you help him... help Draco... please...?"
If this weren't a public place, she might have dropped to the floor to kiss Jane's hands!
Jane pondered this sincere request from her former partner—
In the new school year, she'd be busy without much time to tutor Draco properly every day... but helping him catch up was certainly possible...
"I can," she answered. "If you're too busy during the holidays to teach him, and Draco falls behind, I can help tutor him."
Narcissa felt reprieved—she nearly wept with relief!
Though Jane's words still carried threats—
If Draco didn't behave properly, she would "help tutor him"!
She was warning her: if she didn't provide operational intelligence properly, she'd "tutor" Draco—torturing her son!
Narcissa understood perfectly what Jane meant by "Draco falls behind"—
What he'd be lacking were her son's hands and feet, or his head!
But what did threats matter?
At least Jane agreed to help... as long as the Malfoys behaved... she could preserve her son's life!
Narcissa breathed heavily, the joy of survival nearly overwhelming her mind.
She knew she should offer proof of loyalty... she had to provide more intelligence in exchange for her son's protection!
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