Chapter – 3 Going Home?

Theodore's POV

10 Months Later

Counting the previous two months I spent trying to establish a connection with my Magic Core, it's been twelve months since I started training. Four more months were spent learning how to consciously make connections with my Magic Core, then another 6 months that I spent gaining control over my Metamorphmagus abilities.

I had to train a lot and needed to understand some theoretical knowledge about transfiguration Magic, but thanks to Mum's constant guidance, and my will to master this gift I was born with, it's safe to say that my effort paid off as I have finally gained enough control over my abilities.

These days, my physical appearance no longer gets distorted because of emotional excitement–that's out of the worry, and I am able to transform into others too, although no complete transformation as of yet, however, partial transformations are possible.

To better understand, I can change my physical features such as hair colour, the shape of the nose, voice, appearance et cetera, but altering my body mass, and size would be a little difficult. It would be fine as long as the change is not much, but if I am asked to transform into a fully grown adult, that would be impossible for me currently.

'Give it enough time and practice, and you'll be able to transform into an adult as well.' This is what Mum said trying to cheer me up after I failed to transform into an adult.

I must say, Mum has been very proud of my progress and often rewards me with sweets.

'I worry that if this continues, I'll end up developing a sweet tooth.' I thought as I ate my pastry, not at all concerned about the possibility of becoming fat in the future.

What can I say? I am a three years old kid, I have to act like one, right? It doesn't matter how talented or genius I am.

'In any case, I wonder who sent that letter?' I thought as I raised my head and glanced at Mum.

She is seated at her study desk with an envelope and a piece of parchment in her hand. What she is holding is naturally a letter, however, I do not know who the sender is, and what's written in the letter. But given her thoughtful expression while reading the content of the letter, it must be rather important.

As I was thinking, Mum suddenly put down the parchment, then she looked at me and said with a smile, "Theo dear, it's time for us to go home."

"Huh?"

…

Wizengomat, Ministry of Magic, London, United Kingdom

The place looked like a courtroom, with hundreds of Wizards and Witches seated. A hearing was going on.

"The number of hands in favour is higher, which means, the Wizengomat has decided to appoint Mr Lucius Malfoy as a member of the Hogwarts Board of Governors. Do you accept?"

"I do!" The man in question–Lucius Malfoy–with characteristic pale blonde hair and cold grey eyes, wearing a black Wizards' robe nodded proudly, "In my role as one of the Governors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, I shall oversee the school, and make sure that the school is run properly!"

Bang!

With that, the decision to appoint Lucius Malfoy as a member of the Hogwarts Board of Governors was finalized, and the Wizengomat hearing was adjourned.

…

Somewhere in the corridors of the Ministry of Magic

"The hearing went quite well; I suppose I must congratulate you on your success in obtaining the seat of one of the Governors Lucious." A grey-haired, rather old man–perhaps sixty–named Paschal Nott–stated, as the two Wizards walked deeper into the Corridors of the Ministry of Magic.

"Ah well Mr Nott, it had to go anything but well." Lucius chuckled lightly, "I did make sure that the 'preparations' were appropriate, one can never be more careful when Dumbledore is in the picture."

Paschal Nott nodded lightly, "Hmm." He paused for a while, his face thoughtful as he spoke in a hushed voice, "You seem to have moved on quite well following Dark Lord's disappearance."

Lucius's face turned pale at the mention of the Dark Lord, he looked at Paschal Nott a little worried, not really sure how to respond.

Nott Sr. shook his head, "You needn't be concerned. I have no clue either of what happened to him. And I am quite the same as you."

Lucius breathed a sigh of relief. The two men continued to walk in heavy silence.

After a while, Lucius asked, "Do you think he has really disappeared?"

Nott Sr. shrugged, "I wouldn't know." There was a trace of fear in his eyes as he spoke, "I haven't gone out searching for him." Then he paused, and added, "There are many who seemed to think that this is not the end, he is only recuperating, and will soon return. But considering that it's over a year since that night, it's hard not to believe that he is really gone."

Lucius eyed the man older man, as he asked, "And what do you think? If I am not wrong, you were one of the very first to have sworn loyalty to the Dark Lord back when he was still in Hogwarts. Do you know anything that might tell us if he will return or not?"

Nott Sr. shook his head, with a sigh, "Nothing comes to mind."

Lucius wasn't satisfied with the response but what can he say? Although Paschal is older and his senior among Death Eaters, Lucius had more authority in the organization. Perhaps the man really doesn't know?

Once again there was a heavy silence as the two former death eaters thought about the various events that have happened following Dark Lord's abrupt defeat at the hands of the 'boy-who-lived', followed by the strange disappearance after that.

After Dark Lord disappeared, Ministry suddenly gained wings, Death Eaters–who once reigned in terror–in Britain's Magical World had to be on the constant run, they were afraid of the Ministry and had no way to fend for themselves. Most of the Death Eaters were caught and imprisoned in Azkaban, some went into hiding, some left the country, and some–people like Lucius Malfoy and Paschal Nott–used various means to protect themselves.

Unlike those four, Lucius Malfoy is not an idiot, he wasn't going to spend the rest of his years in Azkaban, waiting for the Dark Lord to rescue him, when there is a strong possibility that the Dark Lord has disappeared.

Nott, Avery, Yaxley, Carrow siblings, Macnair, Snape, Karkaroff, and a few others seemed to think the same and chose to protect themselves and what they cherish over going to Azkaban when they did not even have a clue what in the world happened on that night in Godric's Hollow, and how & where did the Dark Lord disappear.

While claiming that everything they did at that time was under the effect of the 'Imperious Curse' was a valid excuse, however, it was hard to accept since they did not have any proof that they were being controlled. It took several trials, countless backroom dealings, bribery of hundreds of thousands of Galleons and many threats to clear all charges against them.

Well, pure-blood wizards like them hold real power in the Ministry of Magic, so they weren't really too worried, there was still a possibility of a different outcome.

Of course, even if they did manage to clear all charges and avoided Azkaban, their reputation was tarnished nonetheless, and now everyone is doing what they can to improvise and stand up again in this Wizarding World.

Lucius can claim that he is probably ahead of others, with his reputation and political influence in the House of Malfoy almost restored.

Taking a glance at the clock, Nott Sr. said, "Now then Lucius, since there is nothing more to discuss, I will be taking my leave. My wife and son are returning to Britain, I should be at home to welcome them." And disapparated with a 'crack' sound, leaving behind a stunned Lucius Malfoy, 'Wife and Son? Pascal Nott has a wife and son?'