Chapter 801: Chapter 702: Spinner’s End, Bellatrix’s Mistake (Part 3)
"Let go." Severus disdainfully pried her hand open. After a slight pause, he continued, "It’s a pity, but the goblin’s memory doesn’t show anyone visiting the Lestrange family’s vault... the last person to go there was you, the day before you were locked up in Azkaban."
"Impossible!" Bellatrix screamed hysterically, "Impossible!"
"Save that explanation for the Dark Lord." Severus glanced at her, "I’m not interested in listening."
Bellatrix stood there in a daze, seemingly wanting to leave immediately to explain to the Dark Lord, but she didn’t dare... she couldn’t imagine that scene...
"The bothersome one is finally quiet." Severus waved his wand, making the water cup on the table disappear.
He brought two new glasses and a bottle of wine.
"Have a drink..." Severus poured a glass for Narcissa, "I think you might need it."
Narcissa grabbed the glass with trembling hands, taking a sip and spilling some on herself.
"Th-thank you..."
"You’re welcome," Severus said, "You should leave now..."
"No!" Narcissa screamed, "Listen, Severus, only you can help me now... even though the Dark Lord forbids me from speaking of it, but Draco..."
"Since he forbids you from speaking, you should keep quiet." Severus interrupted her.
"If I hadn’t accidentally known about this plan, you would have made a grave mistake, one serious enough to cost your life!"
"You know!" Narcissa raised her head in surprise.
"Yes," Severus replied, "Although few know of this plan, I happen to be one of them."
"I knew it... the Dark Lord trusts you so much, you must know."
Beside them, Bellatrix raised her head, looking at Severus in disbelief. She didn’t expect this traitor, this coward who took no action when the Dark Lord was in distress, to still be trusted.
Why?
A strange jealousy twisted her face.
But neither of the two paid her any attention.
"You must help me..." Narcissa pleaded, tears streaming down her pale cheeks,
"Severus, Draco is only sixteen... he has no idea what’s waiting for him... it’s too dangerous, the Dark Lord is just retaliating for Lucius’s mistakes, I know!
"During the Department of Mysteries incident, the Crystal Ball was shattered, and the Dark Lord was furious, he needs someone to take responsibility for it."
"Lucius was the first to run back then, so he chose Draco, just to punish Lucius, isn’t that right?"
"Shut up!" Severus said coldly, "Do not speculate on the Dark Lord’s thoughts, and speaking of the Crystal Ball, Ms. Lestrange has more responsibility than Lucius."
Narcissa’s body trembled, spilling a large amount of wine from her glass again, as for Bellatrix, she was already numb.
Compared to the item she lost, the Crystal Ball was nothing...
But she couldn’t understand how that item vanished just like that, even though the key was hidden well, known only to her.
Bellatrix was slightly dazed, at one point she even thought that she put the item somewhere else, but after being with Dementors for too long, she lost that part of her memory.
She’d seen such instances many times before; Dementors can drive people crazy, jumble their memories, it’s very common.
Moreover, Severus had just mentioned that she visited Gringotts before she was captured...
But what did she do back then?
Bellatrix struggled to recall but couldn’t remember anything.
On the other side, Narcissa was still desperately pleading to Severus.
"If Draco succeeds," Severus looked at her, speaking softly, "he will achieve a higher honor than anyone else."
"He won’t succeed!" Narcissa screamed, "No one has ever succeeded... and that’s Dumbledore..."
This name seemed to drain all of her courage, her voice trembling as she said, "Severus, you’re the Dark Lord’s most favored confidant, most trusted advisor, can you talk to him, persuade him..."
"The Dark Lord won’t be persuaded by anyone." Severus said, "I won’t be foolish enough to make such an attempt."
"No!" Narcissa clutched her chest, "If all else fails, even if it’s just half... half is enough..."
Severus raised his eyebrow, "If I’m not mistaken, the Dark Lord has two targets this time, completing half means..."
"Exactly, that student named Kael..." Narcissa sobbed, "Although I don’t know who he is, surely he’s easier to deal with than Dumbledore, right..."
Severus’s expression turned somewhat strange but soon returned to normal.
In a sense, she was right, but from another aspect, it wasn’t.
Well, at least when Draco faces Dumbledore, even if he fails, his life won’t be in danger.
Seeing Severus remain silent, Narcissa gradually broke down, clutching her golden hair, collapsing onto the floor.
"Narcissa, enough." Severus helped her up.
"Perhaps I could... assist Draco."
Narcissa sat up suddenly, "Are you willing to help him complete this task?"
"No, this is the Dark Lord’s task, only he can complete it."
"Will you protect him then?" Narcissa tightly clutched Severus’s robe, "Take care of him there, ensure his safety?"
Severus paused for a moment, "I can only say, I could try."
...
