Laurent froze, caught off guard by Erwin's words. He hadn't anticipated this sharp retort from the boy. For a moment, he said nothing, his eyes narrowing at the faint, playful smile tugging at Erwin's lips.
Then his expression hardened. "Cooperating with us would benefit the Cavendish family immensely," he said coolly. "I can't fathom why you'd refuse. You're young, after all—there are things you haven't grasped yet. I won't hold it against you. Take some time to reconsider."
Erwin's smile widened, genuine amusement lighting his eyes. "Mr. Alva, I think you've got the wrong idea. Do you honestly believe I'm some naive child? Let me outline your scheme: partnering with the Cavendish family and offering up your bloodline to me. But as you know, my bloodline is sealed tight. No one can extract it from me, and I can't absorb anyone else's. That's no secret among the Noble Houses. And if I'm right, the crack in that seal? That's your handiwork—the other houses meddling."
Laurent's face paled, his gaze sharpening with alarm. The conversation had veered far from his script. Erwin lounged back against the sofa, hands folded casually on his knees, his voice measured and unhurried.
"I've always wondered about this," he continued. "In the two years since I entered the wizarding world, I've dug into a lot—especially what my parents accomplished. They were brilliant, from everything I've pieced together. Without some unforeseen twist, my father should have been the one to dismantle the Noble Houses and claim the Draconic bloodline."
"But he didn't. He's gone. And I've puzzled over why. He was too clever for a simple mistake. All those plots at Hogwarts—the Death Eaters, the Order of the Phoenix—he backed them all, building alliances everywhere. His charm was legendary; even Dumbledore speaks of him with real admiration. A man like that doesn't craft a plan with fatal flaws."
Laurent's brow furrowed, his stare intense. Erwin ignored it, pressing on. "I started gathering every scrap of information on my parents' lives. When it all clicked, something fascinating emerged. My father charted a unique course—not mine, not anyone else's in history. He forged ties with everyone, lending aid when they needed it most. If he'd stayed the path, those favors would have ripened into unbreakable support, propelling him to his goal."
"It's a flawless strategy, really. I envy his vision—everyone he invested in rose because of it. But one detail nagged at me: why did he shatter his wand and vanish from the wizarding world, abandoning it all?"
"Until lately, when it hit me. The only force that could derail him like that? Unyielding opposition. Something told him his network wouldn't suffice against it."
"And in our world, only the other three Noble Houses could mount that kind of resistance."
Laurent went still, his confusion mingling with dread. How had this ten-year-old unraveled so much? Was it true, as the houses had feared, that the Cavendish line would always claim victory?
He balled his fists, resentment simmering. Why did Merlin's favor fall so heavily on them? Erwin's father had outmaneuvered him once; without playing his cards close, he'd have been crushed. And now the son?
Erwin caught the flicker in Laurent's eyes and chuckled softly. "Pondering why every Cavendish seems untouchable? Why your every ploy gets exposed? Why my father bested you, and now I can too?"
Laurent's composure cracked, his eyes bulging in shock.
Erwin waved it off. "Relax—I didn't pry with Legilimency. Your power's no joke, hidden as it is. I can feel the magic coiling in you, rivaling the Headmaster's own. At full strength, you'd give even him a run for it. Impressive, truly."
A cold flash of murder crossed Laurent's features before he reined it in. "What? Eager to strike already? I rather liked your smug certainty earlier—it was like staring at my own reflection. Curious, isn't it, how I come across to others?"
Laurent composed himself with effort, clapping once. "Astute deductions, Erwin. But you're off base. I can't speak for the others, but the Alva family had no hand in this."
Erwin shook his head. "Does it matter? Your family's true nature means little to me. You deny it, I don't buy it—end of story. My father's pivot had to stem from the Noble Houses' schemes. And since he anticipated everything, he wouldn't have relied on a single house's might. Whatever you pulled off was cunning; I'll give you that."
"After his plan crumbled, he swiftly shielded me—sealing my bloodline with something airtight. I can guess it was thorough, given how cornered he felt. No room for easy cracks."
Laurent leaned forward. "Maybe your own magical surge shattered it? You've no grounds to suspect us."
...
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