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Chapter 9: Purebloods Gather Together
Back at Blake's old house, Meira was sitting in the living room, and the soft light shone on her graceful figure.
"Why are you sitting here?" asked Cole.
"Cole, you're back," Meira replied. The night before, the two had become very familiar with each other. Meira was brought here by the system, and he was the only one she could rely on.
"Don't worry, it's all solved," Cole assured her as he picked up Meira and let her sit on his lap.
"Is there anything I can do for you? I am also a member of the Black family. It's time to contribute to the family," Meira said softly.
Cole realized that Meira was not an ordinary person and, as a member of the Mage Tower, she was quite resourceful. With her magical abilities, Meira was equivalent to an elite Auror, not to mention her proficiency in potions.
"After two days, when the family's forces have been organized, you can help develop potions," Cole suggested.
Meira beamed, pleased with Cole's promise. In the world of mages, having value ensures a better life.
"Soon, I will hold a banquet, and you will attend as Mrs. Black. The Black family needs a wife."
In the wizarding world, there was no custom of holding weddings. Instead, families familiar to each other were invited to witness an announcement.
Cole, with Meira in his arms, pondered the name that the Death Eater had shouted—Letterlesedge. The attack seemed premeditated. He knew that the Wrightsledge family, his cousin Bella's in-laws, were pure-bloods much like the Blacks. Many members of the Wrightsledge family followed Voldemort and became Death Eaters, known for their fanaticism. Even during Voldemort's cleanup campaign, the Ministry of Magic was cautious with them. However, they were still trying to challenge the Black family.
In such a situation, it was a battle of the strong versus the weak. The victor would take all.
The next day, the Daily Prophet published a photo that shocked the wizarding world. The headline read:
"Yesterday, Knockturn Alley was attacked by a mysterious man. The number of dead and injured wizards is uncounted. Thanks to Mr. Cottrell Black, who fought against more than a dozen Death Eaters. Minister Fudge stated that Mr. Black was invited to assist the Ministry's Aurors. In this battle, the heroic Aurors bravely defended the stability of the magical world."
As Cole read the newspaper, he knew this was Fudge's doing, trying to promote himself like a typical politician.
Looking at his imposing figure in the newspaper, Cole thought of the reporter as talented, capturing him in a way that would suggest even Voldemort would be doomed.
Meanwhile, there was an odd twist in "The Quibbler":
"Informed sources revealed that Cottrell Black was once expelled from the family, and now the Black family lacks a successor. Sirius is in prison, Regulus has disappeared, and Cottrell now dominates the Black family. The rise of a new generation leader of the pure-blood family. Cottrell Black's power was unprecedently strong, with Dumbledore stating that Cole was the best student he had ever taught."
Cole found this portrayal rather contrary to the Daily Prophet's portrayal. The claim that Dumbledore taught him something was unfounded as the old bee never taught him anything. Nonetheless, he mused on how he could overshadow even Sirius and Regulus.
Doesn't this lead people to speculate that what happened to these two people is related to him? Sirius did not save himself, but Regulus wanted to die on his own and was dragged into the lake by the Inferi alone for a Horcrux. Speaking of this second brother, Cole had a vivid memory. He seemed to be a traditional Slytherin, but his courage was comparable to that of a Gryffindor.
While reading the newspaper and sipping the black tea, Cole said, "What the hell is this? It tastes really bad."
"Master Cole, everything is ready," Kreacher announced as he bowed his head respectfully, and Cole could see his thinning hair even from where he was sitting.
"I know, it's time to meet them."
After the Knockturn Alley incident, no one from the pure-blood family said a word. Cole decided to hold a banquet to see how much confidence these people had left. Arriving at the door of the old house, Cole saw Lucius and his house elf, yes, it seemed to be a rebellious boy named Dobby. He looked much younger than Kreacher, and his little eyes were rolling.
"Lucius, you're here, please."
Cole took Lucius into the old house. As for the remaining people, he let Wright and Kreacher be responsible for welcoming them. The meticulous Lucius touched the scepter and followed Cole's footsteps.
"Cole, what happened in Knockturn Alley?"
"I know. For the sake of your newborn son, I won't care about the Malfoy family. You just have to watch what I'm going to do today." Cole directly interrupted Lucius's next words. Lucius, who had some guesses in his heart, also swallowed what he wanted to say.
Everyone is not a fool. There are no secrets between pure-blood families. He also knows what the Lestrelle family wants to do. When a family declines, countless people want a piece of the pie, but the Malfoy family is suppressed by Lucius. After he met Cole, he knew that the Black family would be different in Cole's hands.
What kind of trash is Sirius? He is obviously a pure-blood wizard, but he protects the interests of Mudbloods. In the living room, Cole introduced Meira to Lucius. Although Lucius was shocked, thinking that Cole had come back from outside, it was not surprising that he had brought someone back. What shocked Lucius was that Meira's etiquette was entirely a style cultivated by aristocrats. As far as he knew, no family in the British wizarding world could cultivate it.
Could it be that he is a pure-blood noble from another continent? Lucius secretly guessed that the etiquette on his face was not compromised. He would not let others say that the Malfoy family did not understand etiquette.
Cole sat at the head of the long dining table, looking at the black tea served by the people below, feeling helpless. After a while, several people under Wright came over one after another with several wizards. With Lucius here, the introduction was stress-free, which is why Cole called Lucius over today. Lucius is a social butterfly.
Clym of the Abbott family, little Avery, the Flint family, the old lady of the Longbottom family, the Shacklebolt family, the Parkinson family, and the Travers family. The heads of these pure-blood families gathered together, and what surprised Cole the most was that Barty Crouch Sr. also came. This executive of the Ministry of Magic also happens to be the head of the Crouch family.
The people sitting at the long dining table are all people who can make waves in the wizarding world of England. Cole didn't expect that no one from the Lestrelle family came. Did they dare not come, or did they look down on him?