Lucius and Harry exchanged pleasantries, then she treated him to a sumptuous Chinese meal with excellent color, aroma, and flavor, leaving both host and guest thoroughly satisfied.
Due to the time limit of the Aging Potion, she couldn’t stay much longer.
“Lucius, thanks to you today, otherwise I’d definitely have gone hungry.”
Harry looked at Lucius with reluctance and gratitude, holding a bag of canned owl meat specially bought for Hedwig.
“It’s nothing, Harry. Didn’t I tell you? A distant relative of mine passed away, and I inherited some unexpected money. A little spending like this is no big deal.”
Lucius lied without blushing in the slightest—after all, she had already scammed Harry twice, and each time he hadn’t let her down.
Especially this time, the Felix Felicis she won from the lottery was still warm in her pocket. She had hit the jackpot—this stuff was a priceless treasure that money could hardly buy!
After bringing Harry back to the Dursleys’, Lucius graciously brought gifts for both Mr. and Mrs. Dursley.
A bottle of twenty-year-old vintage brandy for Mr. Dursley, and a pair of large gold bracelets for Mrs. Dursley.
Of course, the little fatty Dudley got nothing—who told him to always bully Harry?
“What about me? Why don’t I get a gift!” Dudley the little fatty puffed up angrily, his big blue watery eyes filled with rage.
Lucius kept a cold face, thinking, Do I owe you something, kid?
Does the whole world have to be your mom, huh? →_→
As the saying goes: “He who eats another’s food speaks softly; he who takes another’s gift keeps his hands short.”
The Dursleys, who had initially been somewhat displeased, immediately switched to surprised and friendly smiles. They pulled Dudley, who was about to throw a tantrum, aside, gave him a warning look, and hypocritically spouted a bunch of polite formalities.
“You… are too kind.”
Lucius didn’t care about their attitude. The reason she gave such generous gifts was simply because she felt she had taken great advantage of Harry, and Harry, in some ways, still owed the Dursleys.
After all, raising a child wasn’t easy, especially without a nanny.
Although Mrs. Dursley didn’t like this nephew of hers, she had still raised Harry through thick and thin, without receiving a single penny in child support. The hardships and frustrations involved were easy to imagine.
No one was a saint. Lucius felt that although the couple was mean and unpleasant, they weren’t bad people in the conventional sense. A little warning, followed by some sweeteners, should be enough.
Harry watched wistfully as Aunt Petunia immediately put the large gold bracelets on her wrists, then glanced at Lucius, who maintained a dignified and serious expression, feeling an inexplicable toothache.
“Well, it’s about time. I think I should leave now, Mr. and Mrs. Dursley. I hope you will fulfill your duties as guardians properly. Harry is a key cultivation target at our school, a future backbone elite, highly valued by the headmaster and even the professors. I hope you understand this.”
Lucius glanced at her wristwatch, then hinted with a pointed warning. She then smiled at Harry and said, “Go back to your room and check out your birthday gift. I think you’ll like it.”
“Thank you… Professor.”
Harry forced a smile, feeling somewhat comforted. At least Lucius remembered his birthday and had gone to the trouble of managing the Dursleys for the remainder of his holiday, spending quite a bit of money.
Lucius: Not even one-tenth of what I scammed from you. (＞﹏＜)
Unaware of the truth, Harry silently felt moved: Lucius is such a good girl. I’ll definitely repay her double in the future!
………
“Good girl” Lucius continued to hustle for money, squeezing every last drop from the employees under her and even more social scum in training, vigorously expanding her business network.
Until a nimble owl delivered a parchment letter to her—a letter from Hogwarts, stating the return date and the list of books required for second-year students.
“Time really flies.”
Lucius gazed out the window at the rose garden and couldn’t help but sigh.
She now lived in a newly purchased small villa with a garden and swimming pool, and her quality of life had improved dramatically.
If it weren’t for the ticking time bomb that was Voldemort, Lucius thought it wouldn’t be so bad to be an unscrupulous merchant in the Muggle world—making money, traveling, doing charity work, and keeping a few pretty boys to live a carefree life.
If old Voldy kicked the bucket, Lucius felt, her good days would truly begin.
………
Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions.
Now upgraded to a wealthy lady, Lucius went into full “shop till you drop” mode. Back when money was tight, she had bought second-hand robes with mediocre fabric and texture. Now that she had money, she certainly wasn’t going to settle for less.
She picked out several silk wizard robes, all in cool tones: light green, silver-white, and sky blue, matching Lucius’s aesthetic.
Lucius specifically paid extra to have the robes tailored at the waist, so she wouldn’t look like she was wearing a wide-sleeved Qing Dynasty cheongsam with no curves.
Although the twelve-year-old girl hadn’t fully developed yet, foreign girls tended to mature earlier.
Lucius’s body was already showing signs of development. As she grew another year older, her features gradually shed their childishness, taking on a more charming, girlish allure.
Her body had subtly begun to stretch out, thanks in part to the improved nutrition she’d gotten at Hogwarts. Her previously flat chest now had a gentle curve.
While out shopping for Christmas gifts during the holidays, Lucius secretly bought herself a few small bras—simple cotton ones without lace, designed for young girls. They were comfortable and fit perfectly.
She also bought a new set of high-quality, durable folding cauldrons and, of course, a messenger owl.
Sending letters during the holidays felt inconvenient if she had to rely solely on the owl to wait for a reply, especially since some proud and temperamental owls weren’t keen on waiting—like the Malfoy family’s golden eagle owl.
Lucius still held a grudge over the previous Amortentia incident.
After browsing for over half an hour in the children’s pet shop, Lucius finally chose a beautiful silver-white owl with soft feathers and shiny black eyes—Sha Qima (the name Lucius gave it).
Sha Qima had a gentle temperament and, most importantly, was stunningly beautiful—definitely one of the prettiest among owls, just like her owner, both lovely ladies (≧≦)/.
Even though it was quite expensive, it was worth every penny!
After buying all these things, Lucius squeezed into the packed Flourish and Blotts bookstore, carrying her owl cage.
All around, young girls and women were swooning and exclaiming: “Wow, he’s so handsome! Lockhart!”
Oh, so it was that pretty-boy Gilderoy Lockhart making an appearance.
Today was the signing event for his new book, Magical Me, and his fans were ecstatic, filling the air with screams.
Lucius glanced over and muttered, “Hmph, he’s quite handsome, but far too slick—lacks the depth of Professor Snape.”
Honestly, why would Dumbledore hire such a buffoon as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor?
Watching Harry being dragged into a group photo, forced into the spotlight with a helpless, trapped expression, Lucius felt a pang of sympathy. Poor Harry, amen! d(д)
Harry happened to catch Lucius’s gaze, along with the not-yet-concealed look of schadenfreude on his face. Indignant, Harry shot him a glare, his lips moving as if to say, “Lucius, please! Help me out here!”
“Well… Harry, you’re on your own. I have no desire to become the center of attention.”
After all, Lockhart was the epitome of shamelessness, a glory hog with hordes of obsessive fans. Lucius had no intention of joining that circus.
He shrugged, mouthing “Sorry, can’t help” to Harry, then squeezed through the crowd. Taking advantage of his petite frame, he managed to wriggle his way to an open spot in another direction and slipped inside Flourish and Blotts.
He began browsing the shelves, picking out the required textbooks for the year.
Spotting a whole series of books authored by Lockhart, Lucius curled his lip. This guy really knows how to abuse his position for personal gain!