Chapter 54: 54. For The Glory Of Pureblood
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Happy left the Headmaster's office and went to the owl outpost for the outgoing mail. He had something important to relay to someone in Diagon Alley. If everything worked out, he expected his first step towards winning over Snape to be successful.
"Ah, Dobby?" Just as he was returning to the Gryffindor Common Room, he spotted the friendly elf.
But it soon became apparent that he wasn't alone there. Behind him, Lucius Malfoy appeared, donning expensive black robes and holding a cane as elegant as his clothes. He had to give it to the man. The Malfoys were quite fashionable.
'The man after my blood.' Happy thought the moment he saw him. 'I have to neutralize him in any way possible to ensure my peaceful life.'
"Lord Malfoy." Happy greeted. "It appears a certain diary has caused a lot of trouble in the school. I hope Draco is doing fine."
It was an indirect attack and somewhat of a mockery, considering the man was responsible for introducing the book to the school, and it only ended up harming him.
"Be careful, Mr. Lestrange. Words can be interpreted in many ways in this day and age."
Happy shrugged and took out the diary from his robes. "Poor Tom, now he'll have to try other ways to come back.'
'Got you! I saw the squinting eyes… So you know Voldemort's true origins and yet participate in the farce.' Happy set the bait and successfully caught the fish.
"Lord Malfoy, I have something important to discuss with you. It's best if we do it away from prying eyes." Happy requested firmly.
Of course, in Lucius' eyes, Happy was just a kid. But the firm stare that Happy gave him told him there was maturity behind those eyes. He had the option to ignore him but decided not to. After all, why offend the last remaining free Lestrange when there was no reason to? Especially inside the school.
"As a Governor, I have an office here. Follow me, Mr. Lestrange." Lucius turned around gracefully, making sure his long hair didn't sway at all.
The whole way, Dobby eyed them. But he wasn't allowed to enter the office, as Lucius never trusted anyone other than his wife in crucial matters. He had already planned to exploit Happy's blood for personal gain, but the possibility of additional benefits intrigued him.
At last, Lucius Malfoy sat behind his opulent desk, and Happy sat on the visitor's side. He placed the diary on the table and spoke warmly. "Lord Malfoy—the patriarch of the famous, esteemed Malfoy House. Yet, enslaved by a pathetic half-blooded Dark Lord who goes around claiming purity."
Spells were fired, and Lucius' face was covered with popping veins, "Please refrain from disrespecting my house with such falsehoods, Mr. Lestrange!"
Happy sighed and relaxed back in the chair. "Please, Lord Malfoy, don't bother acting with me. I'm a Lestrange; I know everything from the past. After all, both our families were slaves to the same weakling half-blood who died at the hands of a child—truly shameful how we, the true purebloods, fell into his schemes."
"Power reigns supreme, Mr. Lestrange." Lucius finally indulged in the discussion.
"Hah!" Happy scoffed. "We were foolish to follow him. No matter what, throughout history, every single time a Dark Lord rose, the world went against him and brought him down. Can't you see, the world rejects blatant violence and threats? We're not savages from the dark ages anymore.
"In this new era, wars, and hegemony are not achieved through open violence but hidden schemes. Money is the real god, be it wizarding or muggle world, for it can earn you power, be it physical or political."
Lucius smiled mockingly, "Such words, coming from a child's mouth, aren't very assuring."
"Yes, the same child whom half the world is now attempting to capture, including you. I know, Lord Malfoy, I know what you are after. But, it's quite foolish that you think I'm more worthy as a potion tank than a living, thriving person. My blood is worth more inside me, for it makes me the physical embodiment of Luck itself—Tell me, has anyone succeeded in harming me yet? No, but why?"
Of course, Lucius had no retort for Happy regarding that. On the contrary, he had to agree that the boy was extremely lucky. He knew it very well after following every micro action Happy had taken in his school year.
"Then what are you proposing?" Lucius asked.
"Truce." Happy replied. "I have no desire to serve any Dark Lord, and I'm sure you don't either. He was a violent man with half a brain, and his methods are outdated for the times we live in. However, I still demand a higher status for us purebloods, and I will achieve it with money.
"Lord Malfoy, what has following the Dark Lord brought you? Your name is now tainted, the ministry doubts you, and you are expected to serve the Dark Lord again when he returns. And not only you—Draco as well. Are you sure you want your heir to live as a slave servant to that man?"
Happy, for one, knew that Lucius was very vicious and selfish. But one thing that was good about him was his love for Draco. The father truly wanted the best for his son, no matter what.
Would any respectable father want their son to be a servant to someone? Especially someone of Voldemort's stature?
Finally, Happy stood up from his seat and decided to let the man think about it. "Lord Malfoy, if you want more money than you can ever imagine, if you want more power than the entire Wizarding Britain, if you want fame and respect as if you're Merlin himself—You know where to find me; because I have no intentions of being a slave to him, akin to what House Elves are for us."
Happy proceeded towards the door but stopped at the last second. "In the chamber, his remnant soul confessed to petrifying Draco to teach you a lesson. If I remember correctly, none of you Death Eaters tried to find him after that night. He won't be delighted once he's back."
Lucius felt fear for the first time in a long time. "Then why did you join Gryffindor if you stand on the purebloods' side?"
Happy pulled out a few more bullshit. "Lord Malfoy, the ones to oppose us the most are Gryffindors, Half-bloods, and Muggle-borns. I am merely acting as a hidden dragon among a group of cats, pulling them ever so close to walking with me. Similarly, as long as they have magic, we must only work to bring them under the fold, not discriminate against them.
"A wise king knows when to use force and when to use persuasion. The Dark Lord failed with force; now it's time for us to use persuasion. Silently, slowly, luring them to stand behind us and be our first wall of defense while we—purebloods—live like gods."
Abnormal—extremely wise and cunning—Lucius felt that about Happy Lestrange. Never before had he thought of being so overwhelmingly impressed by a mere boy, but there he was. It all made sense. After all, it was mainly Gryffindors who brought Voldemort's downfall. So it made sense to change Gryffindor from within instead of going to Slytherin's home turf.
Happy opened the door to leave. "Have a good day, Lord Malfoy. I'll wait for your response until the last day of the school year."
"How do you plan on earning money?" Lucius asked.
Happy smirked and slowly closed the door behind him. "Lord Malfoy, nobody reveals their golden goose before an assurance."
Thud!
Happy shut the door and left, heading to the common room to rest and pack his bags to head to America for his safety. Since he already knew the exams were canceled, he didn't dare to waste time.
The news of those stuck in a petrified state waking up had also begun to arrive as the Mandrakes had matured in the herbology glasshouse. Snape had helped concoct the potion that healed them all.
But the surprises were yet to end, as Happy had sent a letter to a certain someone.
…
Morning came, and the very few students still in the school gathered in the Great Hall for breakfast.
"Horrr!"
As they ate, the owls carrying newspapers appeared. Happy bought one as he had been waiting for it since he woke up. He placed the money in the pouch the owl carried, fed it a small piece of chicken, and sent it away.
"Alright, let's see!" Happy unfolded the paper and immediately looked at the first story on the front page.
"Here it is!" Happy exclaimed.
Harry, beside him, also glanced and nearly forgot to chew his food. "That was fast."
'Of course, I planned it.'
Happy read the headline aloud. "Professor Severus Snape of Hogwarts Defeated A Thousand Years Old Basilisk! — The master potioneer with his student Happy Lestrange, solved the mystery behind the petrifications and attacks in the school. Left behind by Salazar Slytherin, the snake woke up and chose violence! A spokesperson from the Ministry said that they are contemplating awarding an Order of Merlin, Second Class, to Professor Severus Snape…"
Happy satisfyingly smiled and put the paper away to eat food.
'There you go, Professor, the fame and acceptance you were chasing after. Ugh… but the cost was too high. I'll have to meet that dirty beetle now... finally.'
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