I became Voldemort

American Wizarding World.

Since leaving Britain, Lucius finally understood what life truly was.

Here, he had entered MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America) and rediscovered the joy brought by power and authority!

In Britain, due to his former status as a Death Eater, Lucius was unable to access the center of power. Every time he wanted to achieve something, he had to rely on his financial prowess.

Fortunately, Fudge was a greedy man; otherwise, Lucius's influence would have been even more limited.

But now, everything was different.

Under Cyrus's arrangement, Lucius had become an important official in charge of finances within MACUSA. Not only was he responsible for maintaining the Congress's budget balance, but more importantly, he was tasked with gaining complete control over the economic lifeline of the wizarding world in the United States.

Unlike the tiny British Wizarding World, the United States, with Ilvermorny admitting students from across North America, had an enormously influential magical government. In contrast, the magical communities of Canada and Mexico were not only chaotic but also politically weak.

Moreover, many wizards from these two countries often chose to stay in the U.S. after graduating from Ilvermorny. As a result, controlling the vast economic system of this giant was far more systematic than in Britain.

By controlling the Galleon, Lucius controlled the flow of magical materials and the production and types of potions. Other sectors, such as magical plants and fantastic creatures, naturally fell into his grasp as well.

Of course, for Lucius, there was another crucial aspect.

Being free from Voldemort's control meant that he and his family were much safer.

When serving under Voldemort, it was like walking on a tightrope. Even after the Dark Lord's downfall, Lucius didn't dare to move recklessly, fearing the Dark Lord's potential return. But now, those concerns were a thing of the past.

Additionally, Muggle innovations didn't seem as inferior as he once thought.

After Cyrus covertly arranged for his followers to gain control over MACUSA, he had no intention of strictly adhering to the traditional International Statute of Secrecy.

In fact, he was already working unilaterally to promote the integration of Muggle technology and magic.

For now, the Statute of Secrecy could remain intact, but wizards couldn't afford to stagnate.

The greatest advantage wizards currently had was their ability to utilize Muggle knowledge and technology, while Muggles remained completely unaware of the wizarding world.

The magical firearms from before were merely a simple experiment. Now, MACUSA had established a dedicated department to study the Muggle world and identify which technologies could benefit wizards.

The modified Golden Snitch used in the recent tournament—a magical drone combining Muggle drone technology with magical projection and broadcasting—was a product of this effort.

Initially, the proposal wasn't well-received.

For a long time, wizards had rejected Muggle inventions. The British Ministry of Magic was especially strict, even banning flying carpets because they deemed carpets a Muggle creation.

The laws of MACUSA, however, weren't as extreme.

Although the Rappaport's Law had long enforced a strict separation between the wizarding and Muggle worlds, MACUSA had been much more lenient regarding the modification and use of Muggle objects.

Especially after the law was repealed in 1965, relations between MACUSA and the Muggle world grew closer.

"Lucius, about the project I mentioned earlier—modifying the Floo Network to integrate with Muggle telephone communication systems—it may need another round of funding."

Lucius was still in his office counting money when a wizard in a suit strode in excitedly. Without hesitation, he launched into a flurry of technical jargon:

"I think we've made significant progress! If we succeed, wizards will never need owls or the post office again!"

Lucius didn't even look up.

He had seen far too many people like this lately.

Most were nowhere near producing tangible results, but they always managed to make it sound as if just a bit more funding would yield breakthroughs.

"This project isn't a priority, Mr. Paris," Lucius said coldly, stamping the application with a bold red REJECTED stamp. "If wizards want to contact each other, why not simply use phones? Muggles have been using mobile phones since 1973—you should learn to keep up with the times."

"But Muggle phones have significant limitations..." 

"With two Galleons, you can achieve text communication using a simple Transfiguration spell. Or have you never heard of two-way mirrors?" Lucius replied icily. "As for the Floo Network, why don't you come back to me once you've invented a proper portal? Oh wait, I almost forgot—guess what? Wizards can Apparate! What do you think of that?" 

His sharp sarcasm left Paris blushing furiously. 

Without waiting for a response, Lucius stood up, brushing past the other man. "I'm off work now, sir. Next time, come to me with a better idea before asking for money!" 

In Lucius's view, the concept of magical phones wasn't entirely without merit, but integrating the Floo Network with phones? What a ridiculous notion!

What was next, tossing a handful of Floo powder every time you made a call? 

Moreover, some things didn't need to be altered. Forcing modifications onto something functional was unnecessary and foolish. 

As he walked away, Lucius began planning his evening. Perhaps he'd take Narcissa to a Muggle cinema for a movie. 

In less than six months at MACUSA, under Cyrus's guidance, Lucius had developed a genuine interest in many aspects of the Muggle world.

Looking back, he couldn't fathom how he'd endured those dull decades of his past life without them. 

However, Lucius had barely taken a few steps out of MACUSA's doors when he came to an abrupt halt. 

At that moment, his entire body trembled as though shrouded by death itself. 

At the far end of his line of sight stood someone he recognized all too well—Barty Crouch Jr. 

"Looks like you're doing quite well here, Lucius," Barty Jr. said, smiling faintly from a distance. "Come with me. The Dark Lord is waiting to see you." 

In that instant, Lucius's mind raced, cycling through countless thoughts and possibilities. 

He had, of course, been aware that Voldemort had risen again. No one had followed the Tournament more closely than him. Yet, he hadn't anticipated that Barty Jr., who had instructed him to infiltrate Cyrus's camp, would find him again so quickly. 

And judging by Barty's tone, it seemed Voldemort had come in person to meet him. 

A thousand scenarios flashed through Lucius's mind, but he forced himself to remain outwardly composed. 

At the very least, Lucius thought, Voldemort wouldn't ask him to assassinate Cyrus, would he? 

...

"I want your son, Draco Malfoy, to assassinate Cyrus!" 

In a hidden, secluded cabin, Voldemort sat on a chair, staring coldly at Lucius, who was kneeling at his feet. 

"This…" Lucius was drenched in sweat.

He didn't understand, but he knew that even if Draco were to attempt to assassinate Cyrus, it would be impossible to succeed.

The very notion of such a demand made Lucius suspect that his double-agent identity might have been exposed, and this was Voldemort's way of sentencing his entire family to death. 

Yet, even if that were the case, Lucius had to try to plead for his son. 

"My Lord, Draco… he is not up to such a task…" 

"He is the only one suitable!" Voldemort's crimson eyes flashed, his tone allowing no room for dissent. 

"You don't understand, Lucius. Cyrus treats Draco quite well. I suspect it's because he wants to repay Draco for some minor help he received from him in the past, which is why he trusts Draco," Voldemort explained slowly. 

In truth, Voldemort had no suspicions that Lucius had betrayed him. 

"You've done well recently, Lucius. Cyrus trusts you, even though he assigns you to those… absurd tasks!" 

Voldemort scoffed at Cyrus's fascination with "learning" from Muggles and his plans to use economics to control the wizarding world, dismissing them as meaningless drivel. 

It wasn't that Voldemort couldn't grasp Cyrus's intentions—he simply viewed them as completely unnecessary.

In his view, as long as one possessed strength, wealth and power would inevitably follow. 

In a sense, Voldemort's reasoning wasn't entirely wrong. 

Magic is power! 

"But… Draco won't succeed.." Lucius said, trembling as he prostrated himself on the ground. 

Voldemort, however, intertwined his long, slender fingers, which looked almost like thin wands. 

"Ah, Lucius, my dear friend, I don't actually expect Draco to kill him. We both know that's impossible. Even I find it difficult to defeat Cyrus. All I need is for Draco to act on my behalf, to accomplish one incredibly simple task—cast a spell on him. Any spell, as long as it succeeds…" 

Having returned from the depths of time, this Voldemort understood the Elder Wand far better than the one from the original timeline. 

He now knew that transferring the wand's allegiance didn't require killing its current master; it only required defeating them. 

And defeating someone could be done in many ways, for example— 

"Draco could ask Cyrus to teach him a bit of magic. How about a Disarming Charm? That's a fine spell—one he'd surely be able to use." 

Voldemort, in reality, left Lucius with no room to refuse.

At this moment, besides Draco, there was indeed no better candidate to carry out this task. Conveniently, Draco was currently with Cyrus at Hogwarts... 

"I understand…" Lucius, hearing the subtle annoyance in Voldemort's tone, had no choice but to nod in agreement. "I will pass the message to Draco." 

Voldemort departed. 

Lucius didn't dare waste a moment.

He immediately used the Floo Network to return to Britain and went straight to Hogwarts, relaying everything to Cyrus without omission. 

"I don't know what the Dark Lord is planning, Master…" 

"Don't worry, Lucius. I know exactly what he's after," Cyrus replied with a calm smile. "Just follow his instructions. Trust me, Draco will be perfectly safe." 

Voldemort's plan was entirely within the predictions of both Cyrus and Dumbledore. He would inevitably attempt to reclaim control of the Elder Wand. Without it, he would never dare to reemerge fully. 

The only challenge lay in how to deceive Voldemort. 

Unlike the Voldemort in the books, who never truly grasped the Elder Wand's power, this one was acutely aware of its capabilities. 

He would easily discern whether or not the wand's allegiance had shifted. Just as he had immediately sensed it back in the Department of Mysteries when the Elder Wand's allegiance changed.

This detail was the crux of the plan, but Cyrus and Dumbledore already had a solution in mind.

Now, they would let everything unfold naturally and go with the flow.

"This is a rare opportunity, Lucius. Perfect timing—I can give Draco a lesson. Disarming Charm is a bit too basic. How about Occlumency? He will still have a chance to cast a spell on me."

And so, in the following days, Draco became Cyrus's student.

All of this was carefully observed by Barty Crouch Jr., disguised as Maxime.

While he couldn't know what happened inside the carriage, it didn't matter—Draco's boasting in front of Harry soon spilled the beans. One morning, Maxime already had all the information he needed.

The days went by quickly.

In the blink of an eye, the school year was nearing its end.

The Ministry of Magic had recently completed its reconstruction.

The school had fewer students, and Harry had noticed some changes—not least of which was Hagrid's absence. For the past few months, their Care of Magical Creatures lessons had been taught by an elderly wizard named Newt Scamander.

It must be said, Newt's teaching far surpassed Hagrid's.

Unlike Hagrid, who relied on his thick skin and brute strength to interact with magical creatures, Newt's methods were far more suitable for the average student.

And Newt's suitcase always seemed to hold creatures that one could never encounter at Hogwarts.

For instance, one day, he used a small bell to summon a Zouwu. Its tail was long, red, and ribbon-like.

It was fierce and majestic in flight, yet in Newt's hands, it behaved as endearingly as a domestic cat.

Later, he also introduced them to a Kneazle, a Graphorn, a Kelpie, and even a Qilin!

Speaking of Qilins, the Chinese Qilin Cyrus had encountered long ago had finally produced offspring.

This was thanks to Hagrid.

After receiving a letter of introduction from Cyrus, Newt and Hagrid finally met. With his knack for magical creature breeding, Hagrid immediately began matchmaking, finding several potential mates for the Qilin.

But whether they would give birth to a pureblood Qilin remained uncertain.

Of course, compared to such trivial matters, Harry was far more concerned about why Cyrus had suddenly summoned him.

He left the castle, crossed the Quidditch pitch, and walked along the path leading to the carriage.

Today, the two dragons were nowhere to be seen near the carriage.

In fact, most of the time, the dragons roamed freely in the Forbidden Forest. Keeping them confined in a small space would be far too uncomfortable for creatures of their nature.

Harry had walked halfway when he saw Malfoy talking to Cyrus from a distance.

As Harry got closer, it seemed like their conversation had ended.

Cyrus turned his back to Malfoy, and to Harry's surprise, Malfoy raised his wand, aiming it at the back of Cyrus.

Was he going to attack Mr. Cyrus?

Harry was stunned for a moment.

He couldn't quite understand how things had escalated to this point.

Hadn't the Malfoy family already betrayed Voldemort to side with Cyrus?

Or was this all just part of an ongoing plot?

Was Malfoy still the inherently evil Malfoy he always was?

_________

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