As time progressed, the year 1990 arrived.
One day in February, Murphy received a letter from Lucius.
He arrived at the Malfoy Manor.
The snow had not completely melted yet, and Draco along with his friends couldn't wait to play Quidditch.
They made a goal post, with Gordon as the goalkeeper. Draco and Crabbe competed for the Quaffle, taking turns to shoot.
Due to the lack of players, they quickly grew bored and suggested that Murphy join in.
Murphy, who wasn't particularly fond of this sport during his school days, let alone playing with children, nevertheless agreed. He took a bat, and with a well-aimed bludger, knocked Crabbe and Gordon to the ground.
Then, releasing the Golden Snitch, he said to Draco amidst the stunned gazes of the three children, "Forget the Quaffle; if you're going to play, go for the Golden Snitch. Your future opponents will be Seekers. Go on, Draco, if you can't catch the Golden Snitch, you three won't have dinner today."
"But, the Bludger..." Gordon looked at the Bludgers flying chaotically in the sky.
Catching the Golden Snitch under the attack of two Bludgers seemed like a skill worthy of a professional team.
"So, aren't you two going to protect him?"
After sending off the three kids, Murphy entered the living room, where the house-elf Binky served him a glass of wine.
"1983 vintage, from Buckingham Palace," Lucius explained. "I heard you weren't satisfied with my wine, so Selwyn sent this as a gift."
The fondness of a certain national treasure for wine was no secret, nor was the anecdote of her using plants from the Buckingham Palace garden for brewing. Thus, Murphy found Lucius's introduction unsurprising.
It seemed that these wizarding nobles had deeper connections with the Muggle world than he had imagined.
"So, Selwyn has decided to concede?"
Murphy sipped his wine, feeling its spiciness but having no concept of its quality.
"Yes. The Selwyn family has been having a tough time lately; their magical creature business is almost unsustainable. They also run a pest control shop, but since your Watcher's Security store opened, their business has declined daily..."
"According to my people, the Selwyn family has lost at least forty thousand Galleons in the last three months."
In fact, Murphy had lost even more, but Lucius didn't mention it.
He had come to understand that money was merely a number to Murphy.
As long as Gringotts allowed him to exchange gold for Galleons, Murphy's wealth was virtually limitless.
"So, he's just going to send me a bottle of wine?"
"Of course not. In fact, Rasmus Selwyn wants to meet you in person to apologize."
"Let him wait."
Murphy had many things to attend to; dealing with a Selwyn was trivial. Rather than accepting an apology immediately, it might be better to apply pressure a while longer until they were truly desperate.
"Actually, Rasmus is here now," Lucius said.
Murphy frowned, his tone cooling, "So, you invited me here today to plead their case."
"No," Lucius was slightly nervous, "I just think we don't need to push them too hard. Leaving them some dignity will make things easier for us."
Murphy was silent for a moment before finally saying, "Let him come in."
Murphy didn't care about Selwyn's dignity, but he had no intention of completely ruining them. Intimidation was sufficient, and since the other party had already submitted, it wouldn't hurt to use this as an opportunity to build good relations.
However, as soon as Rasmus Selwyn entered, Murphy's brows furrowed.
Rasmus was a thin, tall, and sullen young man who pushed Lucius aside upon entering, "I know what to say, you don't need to teach me!"
Then, seeing Murphy, he challenged, "So it's you, opposing us?"
"Rasmus!" Lucius was visibly angry, "Remember, it was your father who begged me to allow you here. Mind your tone!"
"My father? Hah, he's senile! To think he'd fear a kid like you!" Rasmus arrogantly paced around the room, "I know you, I saw you at school, the bullied little thing, right?"
"You know me?"
Rasmus, who appeared to be in his mid-twenties, could indeed have seen him if he attended Hogwarts.
"Of course, I've seen you, the little runt from the Darkholme family. Even when other pure-blood kids' parents were imprisoned, they knew to seek our help, relying on past generations' friendships for some protection. But you, when our people approached you, you refused, too ignorant of your place."
Murphy recalled that he had time-traveled during his third year at school, and indeed, shortly after his arrival, there were senior Slytherins who wanted him to join some organization, which he refused as he was still acclimating and unsure of their affiliations.
To think such a nonsensical matter would be remembered for so long.
"You seem quite dissatisfied with me," Murphy asked with interest.
Rasmus suddenly drew his wand, "I challenge you to a duel!"
"Enough!" Lucius shouted, "This is my home! Rasmus! If you're not here to talk properly, leave!"
"Afraid?" Rasmus ignored Lucius, staring straight at Murphy, "Just because you have some unknown source of money, do you really think we'd fear you? Today, I'll make you understand that in the wizarding world, magic is the true power!"
Seeing Lucius about to interject, Murphy raised his hand, "He's right, magic is the true power. There's no need for you to feign loyalty here, Lucius. Since he wants to see my power, let him watch closely."
Then, drawing his wand, Murphy lamented, "It's a pity for this newly built house, though."
"What?" Lucius had a bad feeling.
As Murphy and Rasmus both cast spells simultaneously, a vast tide of darkness surged from Murphy, overwhelming Rasmus's spell and continuing unimpeded towards him.
What kind of spell is this?!
Rasmus was shocked, hurriedly casting a protective spell, but the dark tide's impact sent him flying into a wall. The continuous force pinned him there, making it impossible to move.
The power of the assault was so immense that it cracked the wall, and Rasmus was flung into the hall like a discarded ragdoll. Without his protective spell, he might have died.
Coughing, Rasmus struggled to rise, but Murphy approached, his hands seeming to gather the surrounding air, forming a visible orb of energy between them. Then, with a gesture, he unleashed a shrieking blast.
"Boom!"
With a screeching sound, a massive wave of energy scattered, destroying furniture, tea sets, and portraits in the Malfoy main hall. The entire mansion's windows shattered under the piercing noise, and Lucius, along with Rasmus who bore the brunt of the impact, were thrown violently to the ground.
Rasmus couldn't get up. Murphy approached, confiscating his wand and then pressing down on his shoulder.
"Consider redecorating."
Leaving Lucius with those words, Murphy disappeared with Rasmus using a teleportation spell.
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