分卷阅读2（2 / 2）

“Who cares why he’s not here,” Ron muttered. “I hope he never comes back!”

Both boys ignored Hermione’s, “Ron!” of disapproval.

“But it’s strange. He’s never ‘not here’.” Harry persisted.

Hermione sighed. “This might have something to do with it.” She handed Harry a copy of the Daily Prophet. “Our favorite Slytherin isn’t here either,” she added sarcastically.

Harry took one look at the headline, frowned, and passed the paper to Ron, while glaring at the spot at the Slytherin table that Draco would have been sitting at were he in school at the time.

“WHAT?” Ron stuttered, ignoring looks from the surrounding Gryffindors and a few other students who had heard him.

“Yeah. Wonder how they’re going to pull that off,” Harry muttered darkly.

“Well, logically, it’s within rights to have another trial,” Hermione pointed out. “The only real ‘trial’ after the Department of Mysteries issue was a mass trial of everyone they caught. No details were looked into for every single person. And if, as the article says, Lucius Malfoy doesn’t have the Dark Mark…well, it’s harder to convict him.”

“But how can he not have the Dark Mark? He’s a Death Eater! We all saw him,” Ron hissed under his breath so only Harry and Hermione could hear.

“He probably planned for it,” Harry spoke sullenly. “Being a Slytherin and all.”

“The Ministry of Magic may have made a terrible error—oh please,” Ron scoffed.

“Well, we’ll know by tomorrow I guess,” Hermione spoke.

They ate in silence for a while until Ron broke it. “Oh look who decided to grace us with his presence,” he muttered.

Harry looked up from his breakfast to see that Draco Malfoy had entered the Great Hall and was being greeted by his Slytherin groupies. Probably being congratulated or something like that. Harry rolled his eyes and continued eating.

The Minister of Magic looked very nervous, Lucius decided when he was shown into the Minister’s Office with Snape.

“Minister.” Lucius spoke quietly and Fudge jumped slightly.

“Mr. Malfoy. I am dreadfully sorry about the mix-up. The Ministry should have known in your case that there would be an explanation. But it did look bad Lucius, all those Death Eaters in the black robes—”

“Fudge,” Lucius drawled. “Have you ever seen me wear anything other than black in public?”