Bab 43: Chapter 43: The Third Dark Lord ?
Luke wore an expression of deep anguish, which resonated with Malfoy and the surrounding students who could hear him, making them feel the sorrow in his heart.
"In the family records, it's said that when Salazar Slytherin founded Slytherin House, he wanted to train true noble wizards. Wizards who could bear the responsibility of protecting the weak, who were unafraid of strong enemies and willing to sacrifice, and who could think rationally with a long-term vision. This is the kind of wizard Slytherin intended to cultivate."
"That's the difference between us and the Muggle-born students who don't fully understand the wizarding world."
Luke's words left Malfoy completely stunned. This was entirely different from the Slytherin traditions he had always heard about.
The students around him began whispering.
"Is that true? My dad didn't say anything like that."
"Neither did mine, but... this is Luke we're talking about. He's the heir of the Gaunt family. If he says this is what Slytherin believed, then... it can't be false, can it?"
The title of "heir to Slytherin" made many Slytherin students, including Malfoy, start to doubt. Luke had already established himself in their minds as someone dedicated to restoring the house's honor. One by one, the students began to question themselves.
Could it really be as Luke said?
In the front row, Taylor and Hermione exchanged glances, and Taylor whispered something into Hermione's ear. Hermione nodded thoughtfully.
Luke, as if unaware of their reactions, kept his focus on Malfoy, speaking seriously, "I used to think that no other noble shared my beliefs. But that day, when you stood up and shook my hand, I realized I wasn't alone in wanting to restore the greatness of purebloods and bring Slytherin back to glory!"
He placed a firm hand on Malfoy's shoulder, his tone earnest. "And you, Draco! You're by my side, someone with the same grand ambition!"
"We are natural allies, Draco! We'll be the best of friends!"
Malfoy, already feeling dazed from his earlier headache, was now overwhelmed by Luke's words. He felt both dizzy and exhilarated, with a strange sense of excitement and purpose swelling inside him.
"Yes, Luke, we are the best of friends. Together, we can definitely restore Slytherin to its former glory!"
At that moment, a round of crisp applause echoed through the room. Everyone turned toward the sound and saw that it came from a Slytherin girl and a Gryffindor girl, who were both clapping for Luke and Malfoy, their eyes filled with admiration and hope.
Soon after, Goyle and Crabbe joined in with their own applause, smiling in their usual goofy manner.
Before long, all the students who had heard the conversation began clapping as well.
Once again, Malfoy felt the thrill of being the center of attention, and the smile on his face grew even brighter. Even his headache seemed to subside.
"So, what should we do next, Luke? I don't think we should wait any longer. The longer this situation drags on, the more it tarnishes our honor!"
Malfoy declared with righteous determination.
Luke's mouth twitched slightly, but he smiled and said, "We need to unite, Draco. Gather everyone who shares our vision. You know, while I'm a member of the Gaunt family, I don't have many connections here yet and am unfamiliar with most people. So, I'll need your help in reaching out to the other nobles."
"No problem! Leave it to me!"
Malfoy responded confidently.
Luke looked at Malfoy with gratitude and gave a serious reminder, "I trust you, Draco. But be careful. If someone's attitude toward us is too hostile, don't provoke them. We're still in the minority and might not be able to take them on yet."
"Don't worry, Luke, I can handle it!"
Malfoy said, his face full of resolve, as if he had just made an important decision.
"Ahem, as much as I hate to interrupt, but... students, it's time to start class now."
Professor Flitwick smiled as he looked at the two students "discussing grand plans." Although it seemed like they were playing around, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was a bit off.
Still, there was a class to teach, so he interrupted their heartfelt conversation.
Luke quickly composed himself and smiled, replying, "Understood, Professor."
"Yes, Professor!" Malfoy chimed in immediately, sitting up straight and putting on the look of an obedient, model student.
Flitwick found their behavior amusing, though when he glanced at Luke, there was a flicker of something more complex in his eyes.
Similarly, a portrait of a former headmaster hanging high on the classroom wall also showed a rather complicated expression.
The figure in the portrait watched Luke for a moment, as if seeing the shadow of someone else, before disappearing from the frame.
"Students, this is Charms class. Charms are deeply intertwined with our daily lives; every corner of our world..."
Flitwick began his lecture, and soon the students shifted their focus to the lesson. Yet, Luke's words had planted a seed in their minds that would eventually take root.
On the other side of the room, Harry glanced over at Malfoy, with a complicated gaze.
"Why doesn't he ever come to us with things like that?"
Harry said, slightly frustrated. However, he wasn't truly upset with Luke. He knew that Luke always had his reasons for the choices he made.
"It wouldn't be much use coming to you right now, Malfoy's family is at the forefront of the noble circles. He's bound to have connections with a lot of pure-blood families. With Malfoy leading, plenty of people would be drawn to those kinds of ideas. And with Luke's status on top of that, if things go as expected, they could become a new influential force among the nobility by the time they grow up."
Ron beside him spoke as he pondered.
"No matter how you look at it, in the end, whether it's you, me, or even Neville, we would all be absorbed. After all, we are all pure blood, and you still have that kind of influence."
Harry looked at Ron in surprise.
Noticing Harry's stare, Ron shrugged and said, "Don't look at me like that. Our family history has seen similar things happen before, and my dad works at the Ministry. Luke's actions are pretty obvious."
Harry scratched his head in confusion.
Were Luke's actions really that obvious?
"Of course they are! Dumbledore! That Gaunt brat is blatantly telling you what he's up to."
In the headmaster's office, the former headmaster from the Charms classroom portrait now spoke with disdain from within his frame.
Dumbledore, who had been listening quietly to the recount, remained seated, his expression pensive. He could sense the echoes of two other figures in the words he had just heard.
But compared to their ideologies, Luke's seemed far less harmful—perhaps even progressive.
"Deal with the boy, Dumbledore! You don't want to witness the rise of another Dark Lord, do you?"
The portrait bellowed, his voice bordering on a roar.
Other headmasters' portraits turned to look at Dumbledore, also curious about his thoughts.
"Crush him in the cradle?" Dumbledore murmured, his eyes narrowing as if weary from the weight of his own question.
The former headmaster fell silent at Dumbledore's words.
"Gellert said to me: 'We are strong, therefore we enslave them.'"
"Tom told me: 'I am strong, so I enslave them.'"
"Now, a child is telling me: 'We are strong, so we must protect them and treat them as equals.'"
"Perhaps I shouldn't trust this... but maybe, just maybe, I can allow myself a bit of hope?"
Dumbledore muttered with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
*****
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