This was another surprise Erwin had in store for the ambitious minister and his sole encounter with the man's dim-witted ally.
Fudge and Yaxley exchanged a quick glance.
"Excuse me, Erwin," Fudge said. "I need a private word with Head of the Yaxley family. Mind if we step out for a moment?"
Professor McGonagall opened her mouth to object, but Erwin beat her to it.
"Of course, Minister. If it helps, I can step outside to give you space."
Fudge waved him off. "No need for that."
With that, the two men slipped out of the office.
As the door clicked shut, Professor McGonagall rounded on Erwin. "You shouldn't have let them go off alone. They're clearly scheming together, taking advantage of your age to team up against you."
Erwin smiled calmly. "Professor, relax. I trust justice will prevail here. And even if the Ministry fails me, you and my godfather won't let anyone push me around, right?"
McGonagall shot a glance at Snape, who nodded subtly. She sighed. "Fine, as long as you know what you're doing. Don't worry—we've got your back. Hogwarts stands stronger than you might realize. No one touches you while you're here."
Erwin inclined his head. "Thank you, Professor."
He settled back in his chair, faintly catching the low murmur of raised voices from the corridor.
Moments later, Fudge and Yaxley returned. Erwin noted the frost in Yaxley's eyes and suppressed a grin. Their ploy was in motion, just as he'd anticipated.
If everything unfolded smoothly, this spectacle would soon take center stage. Erwin saw no other path forward—his plan was the only way to sideline both the Ministry and the Yaxleys. Past verdicts couldn't be undone, so conviction on Muggle murder charges was their fate. But that would hit the Yaxleys harder, leaving them no escape but the trap he'd set.
Fudge cleared his throat, facing Erwin. "Apologies, my boy. My briefing was off—must've muddled Mr. Yaxley's intent. Let him clarify."
Erwin nodded politely.
McGonagall and Snape exchanged wary looks, sensing the shift.
Yaxley straightened, his voice steady. "Certain facts must be addressed. Last Sunday, the Yaxley family declared war on the Selwyn family in the name of pure-blood honor. Thus, that Selwyn individual—regardless of blood status—was an enemy. Under wizarding law, during a sanctioned pure-blood feud, strikes against foes carry no penalty, provided no innocents are harmed."
Snape's and McGonagall's faces darkened in unison.
"You're twisting the rules," Snape snapped. "Pure-blood wars demand both parties be recognized pure-blood houses, with formal notice to the wizarding world. We've heard nothing."
Yaxley smirked. "The decree's been issued. Spies among the old families can confirm it—I'll summon one if needed. As for the delay in your notice, perhaps the owls are tardy. Consider this your alert. And the Selwyns? We both know they're pure-blood, with a storied line."
Snape's expression hardened to ice. "You're playing with fire, Yaxley."
"The feuds of pure-bloods are our own affair," Yaxley retorted. "The wider world stays out. Snape, are you volunteering Hogwarts? Interlopers become targets for every house involved. Choose wisely."
Snape's rage simmered down to calculation. "Yaxley, as Erwin's godfather and a Selwyn by bond, I'm resigning from Hogwarts effective now. Sleep lightly from here on."
Yaxley's jaw tightened at the veiled promise, but he held his ground. No one dismissed a threat from Snape lightly.
Erwin watched his godfather, then rose smoothly. "Godfather, hold steady. Trust me—it won't come to that."
Snape met his gaze, puzzlement flickering. Erwin's calm bordered on smug, sparking a sudden realization. Had this been the endgame all along? Pure-blood wars were relics, dormant for over a century since the last one ravaged Germany. They ended in ruin for one side. Yet Erwin's poise suggested he'd orchestrated it.
Erwin turned to Yaxley. "Then, as Erwin Cavendish of the Selwyn family, I accept your declaration. To the death."
Yaxley's eyes narrowed. Fudge blinked in shock—this wasn't the script. Their scheme was to invoke the war as a shield, with Fudge smoothing it over. Not ignite the blaze.
"Erwin, easy now," Fudge urged. "Think this through."
Erwin laughed lightly. "No need, Minister. Pure-blood law allows any tactic, short of harming the innocent, doesn't it?"
Fudge nodded hesitantly. "Yes, but the Selwyns—"
An owl swooped through the window before he could finish, perching on Yaxley's shoulder and dropping a sealed parchment.
Yaxley scowled, snatching it up. Unease twisted in his gut.
He tore it open—and froze. His gaze snapped to Erwin. "You wouldn't dare!"
Blood sprayed from his lips as he staggered back, crumpling.
An Auror lunged to steady him. Fudge scooped up the fallen letter, his face draining of color as he scanned it.
The room hung in stunned silence, the air thick with the metallic tang of blood and brewing chaos.
...
...
Bonus chapter progress:
Power Stones: [11]/100
5 Star Reviews: [6]/10
Every stone gets us closer.