"Of course," Erwin said. "If you'd be willing to mediate, that would be brilliant. I have no objections."
Fudge smiled. Things were unfolding far more smoothly than expected today. The smoother, the better. He'd already prepared contingency plans if Erwin balked, but this played right into his hands. In Fudge's view, the boy was just a child—what schemes could he possibly have? Easy to steer, easy to outmaneuver. After all, Cornelius Fudge went toe-to-toe with Dumbledore himself.
"In that case," Fudge continued, "let's schedule it for this afternoon. The sooner, the better. What do you say?"
Erwin nodded. "Absolutely. I want this wrapped up quickly too."
Fudge inclined his head. "Then we'll head to Yaxley Manor?"
Erwin frowned, but before he could respond, Professor McGonagall interjected sharply. "Out of the question. Erwin can't leave Hogwarts grounds during term time. If you want to negotiate, it happens here. The school has a duty to safeguard its students."
Erwin shot her a mental thumbs-up. That's why she's the best—straight to the point. He didn't truly believe Yaxley would stoop to outright assault, but better safe than sorry. Ancestral wisdom: the clever fox steers clear of the snare.
Fudge paused, then conceded. "Very well. I'll inform Yaxley and arrange for both parties to meet at Hogwarts this afternoon. The Ministry will oversee the mediation."
With the details settled, Fudge wasted no time and departed with his entourage.
Once they were gone, Professor McGonagall turned to Erwin. "Don't worry, Erwin. The professors have your back. No one will harm you on our watch."
Erwin nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Professor."
"It's our duty," she replied. "If that's all, you should return to class."
Erwin agreed, bidding farewell to McGonagall and Snape before slipping away.
After he left, McGonagall eyed Snape. "What do you make of this?"
Snape's voice was cool. "Erwin has his strategies. This is family business—we can't meddle excessively. But I'll ensure his safety. No one touches him while I'm around."
McGonagall nodded grimly. "These pure-blood families are pushing boundaries too far."
Snape fell silent, a icy flicker in his gaze. Unlike McGonagall, his thoughts veered darker: the viability of storming Yaxley Manor and ending their patriarch.
Leaving the office, Erwin activated his Communication Rune, linking to Tom. "We move to phase two."
"Understood, Master."
The connection cut. A sly grin tugged at Erwin's lips. Time for the Ministry to witness the Selwyn family's true mettle.
Meanwhile, in Diagon Alley, Tom vanished into a shadowed shop—only to reemerge within the Solent estate. Rivers awaited in the courtyard.
Spotting Tom, Rivers's eyes brightened. "How'd it go?"
Tom nodded. "Smoothly. Everything's on track with Master's plan. He gives the go-ahead for the next move."
Rivers's grin turned feral, a glint of anticipation in his stare. "About time. I've been itching for action."
Tom frowned. "Keep it controlled. Exposure is the last thing we need—those vultures would swarm us. We're expendable, but Master still requires our support."
Rivers nodded. "Got it. No worries, Tom. These years without magic have honed other skills. Honestly, this outshines spells in a pinch." He hefted a gun, testing its weight.
Tom agreed. "Master's right—times evolve. It reshapes Muggle society, and now ours. From here on, the Selwyn name will blaze across the wizarding world."
Excitement lit Rivers's features. "On that US lead you wanted checked: Alva surfaced briefly, then vanished. Traced them to Germany."
Tom's brow furrowed. "Germany? Linked to the Solent traitors?"
Rivers shook his head. "Unclear, but clues point that way. Not directly tied to them, though. Selwyn's a pariah—the upper families despise traitors like that. Alva wouldn't align with outcasts."
Tom mulled it over. "Any word on the others?"
"Nothing solid. We know they've been taken by Selwyn, but the location's a black hole. We should push Master to unleash the family's resources—track them properly."
Tom shook his head firmly. "Too soon. "Master's seal is lifted, but his bloodline's not fully awakened. He'd be outmatched by that Solent scum." Rushing in now invites disaster. We wait until he's unbreakable. He's strong already—but he needs more."
Rivers pressed. "How long? With us and the full Selwyn force, we could tip the scales."
Tom's tone sharpened. "You underestimate the lower families' ancient magic. As one of them, you should know better. Patience. When Master uncovers our concealed arts, the truth will unfold."
Rivers sighed. "Fine, your call."
"It won't be long," Tom assured. "I sense it—he's on the cusp. Then the Selwyns will bare their fangs to the world. Now, prepare what he requested. He's aiming to make waves."
Rivers nodded and set off.
Precisely at three that afternoon, trucks rumbled from the Selwyn estate. Tarps concealed their loads, contents a mystery. Sleek cars followed, each ferrying stern men in black suits—the family's inner circle.
The mobilization drew eyes from all corners. Whispers rippled through Muggle circles; even the royals took note. Yet the wizarding pure-bloods slumbered on, blind to the stirrings. They'd never deigned to glance at the Muggle realm.
Arrogance, after all, was their fatal flaw.
...
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Bonus chapter progress:
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