Hogwarts in the shadows

The interior of the manor is full of luxury.

The spacious foyer is almost entirely covered with gorgeous carpet.

All kinds of luxurious furniture, every place reveals the atmosphere of nobility.

Portraits of different people are hung on the walls. The characters in the paintings are sitting in their seats with dignity and very quiet.

As soon as Hephis stepped into the magnificent hall, he saw a man with platinum hair and a pointed chin walking towards him.

It was sleeker than Draco's.

The man who came was Draco's father, Lucius Malfoy.

There was a smile on his face, but Hephis felt that the smile was too stiff.

It's like someone who never smiles normally is forcing it out.

The following process was very formulaic, just like it had been rehearsed in advance.

Lucius first introduced his wife, Narcissa Black Malfoy.

A lady with delicate makeup, luxurious clothes and elegant temperament.

Then they led Hephes into the dining room for dinner.

The Malfoy family's etiquette is impeccable and there is nothing to fault with it.

But Hephis always felt uncomfortable.

The content of the speech, the accent, the tone, the smile and the enthusiasm shown are all too deliberate.

Draco, in particular, was like a husky that had broken free and was restrained.

The dinner dishes tend to be French in style, with French-style pan-fried foie gras, veal in white sauce, and puff pastry onion soup.

The taste is still good, much better than British food.

At least when it comes to eating, Hephis thinks Malfoy is wise.

After dinner, he followed Lucius into the study.

He knew that the real sex scene was about to begin.

"Hephis, can I call you that?" Lucius said in a long tone.

Before this, he had always addressed Hefeth as "Mr. Dam".

"Of course, Uncle Lucius," Hephis responded politely.

There's nothing wrong with calling him uncle for Draco's sake.

"Hephis, I have heard a lot about you." Lucius continued, "You are a genius. Even Snape has praised you to me."

Hephis did not respond, but just blinked his big eyes and watched Lucius' performance quietly.

"However, the Blaine family is now in decline." Lucius changed the subject, "There are great disagreements within the pure-blood families regarding you."

"Oh, then Uncle Lucius, which side are you on?" Hephis became interested.

Lucius did not directly answer Hephaestus' question.

He subconsciously stroked his right arm, as if thinking about something.

Hephis was not in a hurry and waited quietly for what would happen next.

As for the so-called differences among those pure-blood families.

It's simply because they think he is too talented and they are afraid that another "Dark Lord" will appear.

Not to mention that Dumbledore is still alive.

He could tell just from Lucius' words.

Snape had now made it clear that he stood up for him.

I guess they can’t use some obvious means even if they want to.

"I have always been neutral before." Lucius said lightly.

"Oh? What about now?" Hephis was a little curious.

"Now? I can provide you with some help."

"Is it because...Draco?" Hephis thought.

"Draco often mentioned you, including the dragon." Lucius paused and continued, "My original idea was to let you two date freely."

"Then why did you change your mind?" Hephis was a little confused.

"Your words and courage are beyond my understanding of a 12-year-old boy."

Lucius looked directly into Hephis' eyes and said slowly, "I don't think Draco can be a true friend to you right now."

"So you chose to see me directly." Hephis said lightly.

"I thought you would like to be friends with the Malfoy family." Lucius was very proud.

"Someone does need help, but it shouldn't be me." Hephis smiled.

"Oh?" Lucius gestured for him to continue.

Hephis said nothing, but took out a book from his small bag and pushed it across the table.

Lucius picked up the book and glanced at it casually, and a beautiful woman came into his sight.

She was wearing a black gauze dress, and her lace bodysuit was faintly visible.

It perfectly outlines her perfect body curves.

Long and straight legs, wrapped in sexy black stockings.

She was wearing a pair of ten-centimeter-high high heels.

The woman's eyes were cold and her hands gently moved across her body little by little.

Finally, she held her right ankle with both hands, forming an elegant inverted V shape.

"I'm not the kind of person who would read this kind of book." Lucius' mouth twitched, he closed the book and put it back on the table.

Hephaestus glanced at Lucius calmly, but he did not lift his hand from the book.

"Uncle Lucius, you'd better take a closer look. This is what can help the Malfoy family." Hephis said lightly.

"Oh? Help the Malfoy family?" Lucius raised his head and stared at Hephes sharply.

Hephis smiled slightly and gave a rough introduction of the plan.

Lucius listened quietly, the smile on his face gradually deepening, and a greedy light flashed in his eyes.

In the end, the two of them had a tussle over the specific details.

Lucius will provide two storefronts in Diagon Alley for the sale of related items.

Hephis is responsible for providing all the goods.

As for the profit, that was the longest stalemate between the two.

In the end, Hephis had no choice but to use his trump card - the Weasley family.

After weighing the pros and cons, Lucius chose to back down.

Although he is greedy, he is even more shrewd.

In fact, the only name he could offer in this matter was Malfoy.

After all, everything else can be solved with Galleons.

Of course, Lucius also put forward his own conditions.

You can't have it all alone, you have to join a few more families, but Weasley can't be among them.

You don't have to give too much share, but you can reduce a lot of trouble.

Hephaestus readily agreed, because that was what he had originally planned.

Only when the interests of the people involved are tied together more, will his voice have greater influence.

And it would be more appropriate for Lucius to handle this matter.

Of course there is one family that must be excluded.

Hephis did not choose to take the carriage home, but asked Dobby to Apparate him directly.

The next day, they appeared in Gringotts.

Lucius had already made arrangements and called over a fairy named Lala.

Witnessed by the goblin, they formally signed the business contract.

Lucius, as the apparent owner, holds 25% of the shares;

And Hephis hid in the shadows, holding 55 percent of the shares.

The remaining 20% ​​of the shares will be handled by Lucius and prepared to be distributed to subsequent families joining.

Wait for the right time and then explain everything to those families.

Hephaestus handed a small package to Lucius, and he completely became a hands-off boss.

As for whether Lucius would cheat in terms of interests?

What they signed was a magical contract.