[54] A Spider's Web

From his angle, Lucius could only see the top of Hall's red head. But it didn't stop him from feeling a sudden chill run down his spine. This feeling had saved him countless times before.

"Please don't misunderstand." Lucius's tone was very sincere. "I don't need a permanent version. A short-term one is fine. If possible, we can make the short-term even shorter."

He lowered his three outstretched fingers one by one, leaving only his index finger, indicating a distance of about one knuckle.

"Many people in the Muggle world know of our existence." Lucius saw Hall's confusion. "You don't really think we're hiding this well, do you?"

Hall was surprised by Lucius's attitude. It completely contradicted his preconceived notions.

"In the upper echelons of the Muggle world, our existence is no secret. We even communicate with them regularly. I happen to have a good relationship with the Ministry of Magic, so I know a little about it." Lucius's smile turned pitying. "Most of those in the upper echelons desperately want to experience the feeling of possessing magic. They're willing to pay any price for it. Pathetic. Magic is so wonderful, and they'll never experience it."

"They're even willing to pay exorbitant prices for wizard corpses for research."

Hall showed a look of disgust.

Lucius quickly added, "I haven't done such a thing. I have my bottom line. But this shows their desire."

"So you want to sell them short-lived Squib potions at exorbitant prices?" Hall frowned. What if those people analysed the ingredients and tried to seize the magical world's resources? Such things had happened before. The magical world might not lose a war — many of those highly destructive Muggle weapons hadn't been invented yet — but wherever there was war, ordinary people suffered.

"So this requires your help." Lucius smiled coldly.

"You want to use these potions to control the Muggle upper echelons." Hall understood.

Lucius stood and walked to the windowsill. "Once they experience the wonder of magic, they will never accept their mediocrity again."

"Then if they want magic, they must keep buying potions — even if it costs them everything," Hall added.

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"Exactly." Greed was evident on Lucius's face.

Hall smiled faintly.

"Join me, Mr. Weasley?" Sunlight streamed into the study behind Lucius, obscuring his face. Hall couldn't see his expression, only a hand reaching out.

This was an ambush, but also an opportunity — Hall's chance to step onto the world stage. Given his physical age and his long isolation, expanding his business empire required cooperation. Lucius Malfoy wasn't the best choice, but he was the most opportune person at this moment.

Hall grasped the outstretched hand. "A pleasure to work with you, Mr. Malfoy."

As the sun set, Hall returned to the Burrow, his mind still turning.

The sun set. Hall returned to the Burrow.

The Burrow was the Weasley family residence, located on the outskirts of Ottery St Catchpole in Devon. It was several stories high, with four or five crooked chimneys on the red roof. Surrounding the house were rolling hills and fertile meadows. Nearby lived the Diggory, Lovegood, and Fawcett families.

In front was a small yard with a chicken coop and a garage used to store Dad's car and other Muggle gadgets. A sign leaned askew in front: "The Burrow."

In the backyard was a dilapidated stone shed — the broom shed — containing Hall's Nimbus 2000.

Hall returned from the Malfoys' fireplace directly to the Burrow's.

Mum was preparing dinner in the kitchen. Dad was hiding in the garage, modifying the Muggle car. The rest of the family were already home. Hall knew this because in the living room hung a special clock. It didn't tell time — instead, it indicated the location and status of every family member, with ten hands engraved with each name.

Hall stood in front of the clock, examining it closely.

"What's wrong, Hall?" Mum came out carrying a plate. "Come help me. Call everyone down for dinner."

It was the first dinner of the holidays, and Mum had prepared an unusually lavish spread. Hall took out a megaphone from beside the fireplace — a modified magical artefact.

"Dinner's ready."

His voice wasn't loud, but soon footsteps clattered down the stairs. The other end of the megaphone was installed in each room. Hall had helped Dad modify it when Hall was three years old, because at that time, Mum's voice had been damaged and she couldn't speak loudly.

"Mum," Hall asked curiously, "when I went to Hogwarts disguised, which way did my needle point?"

Mum picked up a rolling pin and tapped him on the head. "School, of course."

"That's why we didn't notice," Dad said, coming in from the doorway and wiping his hands with a rag.

Hall had spent the entire day at the Malfoy house reading. Although they had prepared a sumptuous lunch, nothing tasted as good as home cooking. He'd memorised the entire Malfoy library in one day but hadn't found any information about Slytherin. However, he had discovered something interesting — something that seemed to have a special connection to him. The Prewett family once owned a gold mine. Only family members knew about it.

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