Hogwarts in the shadows

Lucius's face was a little stiff at this time, but he still forced an unnatural smile.

He extended his hand and said slightly deliberately: "Welcome, Mr. Weasley."

Percy quickly held it with both hands, and he couldn't help shaking it a few times while holding it.

"Mr. Malfoy, thank you very much for your invitation."

Lucius explained softly, "To be precise, it was not you who was invited by me, but my master."

"What...your..." Percy was shocked, and the wand in his sleeve slipped out and was held in his hand.

Lucius was quick to move and held down Percy's hand that was holding the wand, saying soothingly, "Don't worry, it's not the Dark Lord."

Percy's expression was still somewhat gloomy and uncertain. He asked cautiously, "Who is your master?"

At the same time, he gripped the wand in his hand even tighter.

"The master is having dinner in the dining room right now." Lucius let go of Percy's hand. "If you don't have the courage, you can leave now. No one will stop you."

After he finished speaking, he turned and walked towards the restaurant.

Percy's eyes flickered, he gritted his teeth, put away his wand and followed closely.

Lucius noticed the footsteps behind him and a satisfied smile appeared on his lips. "You are very good. No wonder the master likes you."

"Then your master..." Percy hesitated.

"You know him, don't worry, you will know when you meet him." Lucius interrupted him but did not reveal the answer.

Percy followed Lucius into the dining room.

The floor is covered with precious solid wood floors, each of which has been carefully selected and polished.

A dazzling crystal chandelier hangs from the ceiling, casting a soft and dazzling light.

The walls are covered with works of art that look precious at first glance.

The dining table was also very large, enough to accommodate more than twenty people dining at the same time, and the silver tableware shone with a silvery-white glow under the light.

The chairs have soft suede seats and beautifully carved armrests.

A figure was sitting at the main seat and having a meal, with two house-elves serving him.

They changed the position of the dishes from time to time to make it easier for the person to pick up the food.

When Percy saw the man's face, his pupils shrank slightly in shock.

He knew this person, and this person was Hephaestus.

"He..." Percy was about to call out Hephes' name.

But it would be inappropriate for him to call the person Lucius Malfoy called his master by his first name.

So he swallowed his words back.

Hephis raised his head, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and a gentle smile appeared on his face.

"It's Senior Percy who's here. I'm really sorry, but I'm a little hungry here, so I'll eat first."

He turned his gaze to An An who was standing beside him, "An An, could you please prepare another one?"

An An nodded immediately and left happily.

Percy quickly responded humbly, "Mr. Dam, I'm honored to have your invitation. I've already eaten before I came here, so there's no need to bother."

"Percy, there's no need to be so distant. Just call me Hephis." Hephis pointed to the chair to his left, "Sit down. We still have to eat some food."

Percy immediately understood what Hephis meant, and quickly walked to the chair and sat down with his back straight.

"Relax, Percy." Hephis' voice was still gentle.

Just at this moment, An An walked in with a huge dinner plate.

Qiqi helped An An to replace all the dishes on the table.

"Try it!" Hephis said, pointing at the sweet and sour fish in front of him.

"Okay." Percy picked up the chopsticks, picked up a piece of fish awkwardly, and put it into his mouth.

Although he was eating delicious sweet and sour fish in his mouth.

But he really wasn't in the mood to enjoy the delicious food right now.

The shock that Hephis brought to him was really too great.

"Percy." Hephis just started.

Percy immediately put down the chopsticks in his hand, turned towards Hephes, and pretended to listen.

He smiled helplessly and continued, "I still remember that when I was unconscious on the train, you sent me to the hospital wing."

"That's what I should do." Percy said quickly.

"We have known each other for several years. I know you are very ambitious and full of desire for power." Hephis said slowly.

"This time the attacker incident caused a big stir, it's a good opportunity for you to get promoted."

Percy was excited but also a little uneasy when he heard this. "But I'm just..."

Hephis interrupted his hesitation, "As long as you solve this matter, you will have the right to step onto the stage."

Percy asked eagerly, "So what should I do?"

"Let's eat the food first. It won't taste good if it gets cold." Hephis smiled and said nothing more.

He picked up a piece of his favorite stir-fried beef and chewed it carefully.

Percy saw that Hephesus stopped talking, and he realized what Hephesus was waiting for.

He kept thinking in his mind what price he would have to pay in order to get Hephis' help.

Hephis continued to invite Percy to taste the various dishes on the table.

However, Percy just mechanically picked up the food with chopsticks, and the food tasted like chewing wax.

Lucius felt mixed emotions as he watched this familiar scene.

That night, he also watched Hefeth eat skewers one by one.

He looked at the skewers on the plate which were dwindling in number, and he knew that he didn't have much time left.

If he couldn't make a decision before Hephis finished eating, he would be completely abandoned.

That scene is so similar to today!

He thought Percy would think about it for a long time. After all, for a young man, the biggest characteristic is unwillingness to accept.

But to Lucius's surprise, Percy made his choice in less than five minutes.

Percy gently put down his chopsticks, stood up from his chair, and knelt in front of Hephes in an almost pious manner.

"Master, Percy Weasley is willing to be your most loyal servant and swear to control the Ministry of Magic for you."

"Percy, you certainly didn't disappoint me."

Hephis nodded in satisfaction. He gently raised his hand and helped Percy up. "Sit down, let's eat and talk."

Lucius watched this scene with mixed feelings in his heart. This Percy was indeed worthy of Hephaest's attention.

"Where were we talking about? Oh, right, let's deal with the attacker." Hephis nodded his head a few times with his fingers before speaking.

"Lucius told me that Fudge is prepared to use money to settle the matter with the attackers. What do you think, Percy?"

When Percy heard this, he knew that pledging allegiance was only the first step to entering Hephis' circle.

But whether he is worthy of Hephis' support depends on his next answer.