Chapter 417 The War Begins
Suddenly, a pale golden light illuminated the dim sky, and a ray of sunlight pierced through the clouds, scattering across the earth.
This day was destined to be anything but peaceful.
The atmosphere at Malfoy Manor was extremely heavy in the afternoon.
The hall was silent, the candlelight casting the shadows of everyone onto the stone wall, swaying with the flickering flames.
The long table in front of Voldemort exuded a chilling aura.
He did not sit on the high throne, but instead sat at the long table.
"Today is destined to be an extraordinary day."
"I'd like to hear your thoughts," Voldemort said, revealing a rare smile.
That smile sent chills down Malfoy's spine.
It was distorted, unlike his usual cruel and bloodthirsty smile; it seemed to be a genuine smile from the heart.
But it was precisely this that terrified him even more.
Just as Malfoy was pondering this, his mother suddenly stood up from her seat and knelt down in front of Voldemort.
"Master, please, don't let Draco go to the battlefield. He's not even an adult yet," Narcissa pleaded.
"Narcissa!" Lucius's voice became panicked and low, and for a moment he didn't have time to stop her.
"Oh?" The Dark Lord scrutinized the woman, revealing an unfathomable expression.
"Master, my mother may be a little too nervous." Malfoy immediately stood up from his seat, bowed, and explained.
Lucius also stood up and bowed slightly.
"So, all three of you don't want to go to the front lines, is that it?" Voldemort said in a meaningful tone.
Lucius and Narcissa have been excluded from the core because of the diary.
However, their son still enjoys a very high level of trust.
"That's nothing," Voldemort shook his head and said amiably.
Malfoy's pupils suddenly contracted... He always felt that something was wrong.
"Master, thank you for your kindness," Narcissa said gratefully.
"However, one cannot reap the rewards of victory without effort..."
"Let me think..."
"You'll take care of Nagini, Draco?"
Malfoy suddenly clenched his fist, somewhat incredulous.
Nagini is one of Voldemort's Horcruxes, created around the time of his resurgence, and was originally intended to be Bertha Jorkins, or Muggle Frank.
But none of them died.
However, given Voldemort's character, he would not easily change the materials used for his Horcruxes.
Nagini had followed him for many years, even longer than his most loyal subordinates, in the forests of Albania.
It's an excellent choice.
Malfoy had previously opened his mind to verify this once.
Just getting close brings a flood of twisted, evil, and fearful negative emotions.
Malfoy even tried to guess that Peter Pettigrew's disappearance might have been due to him being killed by Voldemort, a consequence of being blamed for Voldemort's actions.
To a large extent, Malfoy stayed here to seek an opportunity to kill Nagini, and he had been tirelessly looking for such an opportunity. Now, Voldemort had handed him the knife, giving him a sense of unrealism.
"Draco, what are your thoughts?"
"I'll do whatever you say." Malfoy didn't seem particularly enthusiastic.
"Then so be it, as your mother wishes."
Voldemort laughed triumphantly.
"It's in my bedroom; you can go and watch over it later."
"Do you have any other objections?" he then asked.
Those with even a modicum of intelligence responded with roars.
"By the way, what about that mud seed?"
"It has been handled as you requested," Malfoy said humbly.
Outside the hall, there was a crude wooden cart with a cross on it. Hermione was bound as if Jesus were being crucified, her hands tied in a horizontal line, her head slightly tilted to the side.
Those scarlet eyes suddenly narrowed.
Malfoy immediately became nervous, fearing that something might go wrong and he would be exposed.
"It seems I was overthinking it. I thought you'd be a little soft-hearted, after all, many people go mad for so-called love. You're very rational,"
Voldemort said in a deep, satisfied voice, looking at Granger, who was tortured beyond recognition.
"Mudbloods are not worthy of you. Those lowly bastards are only our playthings and servants."
"She seems to be under a stun spell?"
"If she wakes up, she will obviously say some foul language to you, Master," Malfoy said respectfully.
"That's very thoughtful. I trust you to protect Nagini and live up to my trust."
"Of course, my master," Malfoy said respectfully, taking a few steps back.
Voldemort suddenly looked up at the increasingly bright light on the horizon, then gently flicked the sleeve of his robe.
"Set off."
The werewolf let out a shriek, and the vampire grinded his fangs.
The Death Eater army set off from Malfoy Manor in a grand procession.
The prelude to the great war has begun.
The Malfoys, like spectators, silently watched as these uninvited guests, who had usurped their place, gradually left, leaving behind a scene of chaos and devastation.
"Dad, Mom, you need to get to Grimmauld Place right now. I've made Dobby a Secret Agent."
Malfoy put his arms around his parents' shoulders and said softly.
This is a near-unsolvable loop.
"Draco, you…" Narcissa reached out and gently stroked her son's light blond hair with loving eyes.
"Thank you, Mom, you've been a great help." Malfoy smiled and bowed his head.
"What do you want to do, Draco?" Lucius's voice was deep, quite unlike his usual calm demeanor.
"Father, that's what we should do." Malfoy's tone turned cold, his eyes filled with determination.
His parents seemed to have guessed what their son wanted to do.