Chapter 334: The Magical World Comes to an End
Phineas's mission was simple: to continue refining his magic, reach the peak of legendary power, and ultimately ascend to demigodhood.
As he often reminded himself—do precisely what your enemies least want you to do.
And what the Council of Elders feared most was Phineas becoming a demigod. So that was exactly what he intended to do.
"Damon, get in touch with Sirius about the Black family's allied branches. Arthur and Molly Weasley are members of the Order of the Phoenix—they're firmly against war, so we'll leave them out of this. But the Weasleys aren't the only family."
"As for the Longbottom family, avoid the direct line. Only the grandmother and grandson remain after the war with Voldemort. Don't bother with the Ollivanders either—their lineage is small and strictly wand-focused."
"For the other families—if their main branches won't participate in the war, they must contribute resources. Otherwise, I'll clean house internally before confronting the Council, even if it costs us the war."
"Stefan, take the others and strike at the Elder Council's foreign strongholds. Since we've chosen war, we'll fight with full force. We don't aim for outright victory, but we must ensure the Elders hesitate before targeting us again."
Phineas then turned to Hope.
"Hope, as the last direct heir of the Black family, the stability of Britain's wizarding world during wartime is your responsibility. Act boldly and decisively. Any family refusing cooperation will be purged. In war, control must be absolute."
Though he called it "deployment," Phineas's strategy was more about consolidating their existing forces for a series of ambushes and direct confrontations. He was no expert tactician, but wizards were rarely versed in warfare anyway. In this world, a well-planned ambush could turn the tide.
Under the Black family's command, the Elder Council suffered significant losses—many without even realizing how.
Meanwhile, the Rich family, long at odds with the Elders, saw the Black family's uprising and immediately joined the battle, drawing more attention and weakening the Council's grip.
Phineas and Kuzan coordinated a fierce resistance against the ancient institution that had ruled the magical world for millennia. Slowly but surely, they began to gain the upper hand.
Their advance was steady—not a fleeting surge of momentum, but a methodical press forward. They fortified each victory, sustaining their advantage with every step.
Eventually, the Elder Council had no choice but to declare a ceasefire, tacitly acknowledging the autonomy of the Black and Rich families.
This concession sparked dangerous ideas among lesser families, but the Council acted swiftly, crushing any such uprisings with brutal efficiency. The message was clear—not everyone could stand shoulder to shoulder with the likes of the Black and Rich families.
The war—lasting two full years—reshaped the Council's very structure. The ruling consular families were abolished, and the Elders themselves took command, directly leading all sworn houses under their control.
With the war behind them, the wizarding world quieted. Three years passed swiftly. Five years had gone by since the fateful Quidditch World Cup that had upended everything.
Leah graduated from Hogwarts.
During that time, Harry, Neville, Ron, and Hermione all graduated. Unlike in the original timeline, Dumbledore didn't die—but he stepped down as headmaster, citing his age. Rumor had it he moved to Nurmengard to keep watch over his old rival, the first Dark Lord.
Upon hearing the news, Phineas had a different thought than most. Dumbledore was likely there to reconcile with his long-lost love. After all, he had locked him away for years. As the saying went—abusing your wife is a moment's thrill, but chasing her again is a lifetime's challenge. Dumbledore would be busy indeed.
Perhaps due to Phineas's influence, Hermione and Ron did not end up together. Two years after graduation, Hermione remained single—but she still became the first Muggle-born Minister for Magic, though now backed by Leah's Greengrass family, not the Weasleys.
Harry, on the other hand, married Ginny. Even Phineas had to admit—Ginny was stunning. She had the Weasley red hair, but unlike her freckled brothers, she took after her beautiful mother.
After graduating, Harry inherited the Potter estate and their ancestral home in Godric's Hollow. Their first child, James, had just been born. Phineas, still secluded in magical training, hadn't yet visited them.
And then—Phineas finally achieved it. He became a demigod.
It was at that moment he realized why the Elders had always tried to control him.
Only one divine seat remained in this age.
The Chief Elder had ascended a year prior. The Second and Third Elders had been furiously preparing to follow—but Phineas beat them to it.
He understood then: progress was survival. Any pause would spell defeat. There could be no reconciliation with the Elder Council.
But now, with his lifespan extended and strength secured, he was ready to give Leah a proper answer.
They agreed to marry—exactly one month from that day.
Over the following weeks, they shared the news with their loved ones, even managing to reach Elrond and his grandchildren, still in hiding.
Thinking of them, Phineas recalled how Elrond's granddaughter, Silna, had once loved him—and how the Selwyn family once hoped to ally with the Blacks. But all that was long gone. Silna had died in the upheaval. Only Elrond and his young grandson Thorim remained—still fugitives, still pursued.
Kuzan's own grandson had also risen to legendary status, edging closer to godhood—but in this age, the opportunity was gone.