At this point in the war, how it would end no longer seemed all that important.
What was clear now was that, after faintly becoming a target for both sides, Barty Crouch Jr. and Fenrir Greyback vanished from Draco and the others' sight together with all the Death Eaters.
It really was the right decision.
After all, compared with the grudge between Lucius and Dumbledore, Voldemort was the one who truly posed a threat to the magical world.
Strictly speaking, Lucius and Dumbledore's side might be able to accept each other's victory, but they would never be able to accept the Dark Lord ascending the throne of magical Britain.
And although Dumbledore was not here, Remus Lupin surely understood that as well.
In other words, once Lucius Malfoy and Remus Lupin reached an unspoken understanding, the ones who would end up surrounded and hunted down would definitely be the Death Eaters.
So as time passed, that fragile balance could never last.
Barty Crouch Jr. might act like a madman, but he was not stupid. He could naturally see that clearly, otherwise he would not have left so cleanly and decisively.
Because he knew very well that the delicate three way balance in front of him was only temporary...
And precisely because of that, since Barty Crouch Jr. and the others left before Lucius and the others had time to come to any understanding, neither Lucius nor Lupin made a move to stop them. They simply let them leave.
It was not that they could not do it. They just had too many misgivings.
Part of the reason for not acting was to prevent the Death Eaters, once they realized escape was impossible, from falling into one last frenzy. At the same time, they also had to be wary of Voldemort, who had never shown himself from beginning to end.
What if Voldemort suddenly decided to show mercy and did not want these followers of his to die?
With so many factors in play, the fact that the battle ended without breaking out again, and even wrapped up rather hastily, seemed like an outcome anyone could have foreseen.
And setting aside that final silent look exchanged between Lucius and Lupin, all Draco could think about was...
Before leaving, the cold, murderous, crazed smile Barty Crouch Jr. had shown him.
Clearly, whether it was those mocking words Draco had thrown at Voldemort earlier, or the unexpected strength he had just revealed, Barty had taken all of it to heart.
In other words, Voldemort would definitely learn about it too...
...
Using a Broomstick could actually expose your movements.
Because every Broomstick produced had to pass through the Ministry of Magic and be registered.
But the Ministry now seemed to be halfway paralyzed. Many departments were no longer functioning at all...
So whether the Ministry was deliberately pretending not to notice, had reached some kind of deal with that Minister, or simply had not noticed at all, no one could say for sure.
In any case, on the way back, cautious as ever, Lucius clearly had no intention of continuing to use the Broomsticks.
Led by Lucius, they flew to a valley not far from the battlefield. The moment they landed, everyone, including Lucius, put away their Broomsticks...
In that valley, where there seemed to be no exit except the sky above, there were a few roughly built wooden huts and traces of life that were difficult to spot.
Apparently, this was a very secluded hideout that had not been used in a long time.
"Ten minutes. We leave in ten minutes."
"If that is the case, Lucius, then this hideout can no longer be used. It has most likely already been exposed."
"If it is exposed, then it is exposed. I had no intention of using it again anyway. What matters now is that before things are settled on the Dark Lord's side, we need to get out of here as quickly as possible."
"The Dark Lord... do you think it is possible..."
"Do not bother thinking about it. If he had not been injured, then perhaps there would still be something to hope for. But now... hmph."
The ones speaking were Lucius and Pansy's father, while Astoria's father stood nearby in silence with the other wizards.
From that alone, it was easy to see that Lucius Malfoy's status among them stood in a league of its own.
After him came Karnov Parkinson, whose businesses were spread throughout almost the entire magical world, and Paul Greengrass, whose complexion always looked pale and frail, yet who possessed the greatest strength.
The existence of those three, and the close ties between them, had turned these noble wizards into a tightly bound community of shared interests, one that had become a powerful force capable of resisting the Dark Lord's brutal rule.
And whether by coincidence or not, a scene both similar and not quite the same was playing out on the other side as well...
Pansy, now gathered around Draco, clung to him like a little dog begging for attention from its master, while Astoria stood on Draco's other side smiling as she watched.
As for Crabbe and Goyle, who were also here, they stood off to one side with the other followers.
Unfortunately, Miss Know-It-All was not here...
In any case.
From the perspective of Lucius and the other pure-blood wizard nobles, this was probably exactly the sort of sight they were delighted to see.
Especially after learning of Draco Malfoy's astonishing and terrifying achievements, not only were the followers' eyes burning with excitement, even the heads of the smaller families standing behind Paul Greengrass were now looking at their own children with satisfaction.
Satisfied with their judgment.
And even more satisfied that the one their children had chosen to follow was someone like this.
Because in Draco Malfoy, they saw hope, and the path to rise again.
...
Unknown valley.
Even here, black smoke could still be seen rising in the distance.
Those were the traces left behind by the Death Eaters and Werewolves.
What had once been a peaceful wizarding village now had nothing left but flames that had not been put out in time and dark red blood that had long since dried.
Faintly, it even seemed as though the Dark Mark still hung over the village, refusing to disappear...
Draco pulled back his gaze.
Then he pushed away Pansy, who had suddenly become very clingy. That utterly unromantic move made her puff out her cheeks.
"I have not forgiven you yet. Not unless you explain why you came here by yourself."
Even as she said that, Pansy wrapped herself around Draco's arm again.
And this time, Astoria did not simply stand there either. Taking Hermione's place, she directly cut off Draco's chance to dodge the issue.
"That is right. Do not answer our questions with another question."
"...."
Draco felt both his arms sink into softness, and all he could do was blink hard with a speechless expression.
For some reason.
Faced with the two girls at his side, Draco would honestly rather go deal with those vicious Death Eaters instead...