HP: The Duelist of Hogwarts - 470

Chapter 470: Hogwarts Back on Track

Any family with deep roots would always prepare multiple paths for themselves.

For example, when a nation was in turmoil and new and old powers fought for dominance, many families would back different sides. At the very least, they would send one direct descendant to join each faction. Even if the family’s main branch lost, the branch that chose the winning side would at least preserve the family’s bloodline.

This was not an uncommon strategy. In Sean’s previous life, many families had made similar choices.

So it was no surprise to Sean that the Flint family had done the same.

“Sean, please rest assured,” Jennifer said. “My rivalry with Oliver is real, but my choice to stand with you is genuine.”

Sean nodded. He was not worried about that. In the current situation, as long as Jennifer had a working brain, she would know that her future lay in following him.

He turned to Marlow and Howard.

“Marlow, Howard, your task from now on is to gather as many of the dark wizard factions from Knockturn Alley, and indeed from the rest of the British wizarding world, as possible. If you need to, you may contact Delice to coordinate with Aurors.

“In addition, keep strict watch over foreign dark wizards. If you spot a large number entering Britain, notify me immediately. You are authorised to deal with them as you see fit—either by surrounding and killing them, by recruiting them, or by letting them enter and dealing with them later. The decision is yours.”

“As you command, Master.”

“I’ll follow your orders, Master~”

Sean rolled his eyes and ignored Marlow’s theatrics. Instead, he looked to Barrett and Jennifer.

“Barrett, Jennifer, are you both able to fully control what remains of the Slytherin Brotherhood?”

Barrett, his eyes shining with fanaticism, nodded at once.

“Master, we can completely control the remaining forces. When the Ministry purged those connected to the Dark Lord, I protected several wizards who had only minor ties to him or the Death Eaters. I used Veritaserum to confirm their loyalty. They now wish to serve under me and contribute their strength to your cause.”

Jennifer shot Barrett a glare. She had wanted to be the first to pledge her loyalty, but he had beaten her to it. After Barrett finished, she finally spoke.

“Sean, I’ve been in contact with several pure-blood families. These fence-sitters only gave slight support to Umbridge before. Now that the Ministry has set things right, they’ve come to me, asking for help and offering their full support.”

“Full support is nice to hear,” Sean said, “but there’s no need to turn them away. As long as they join me, whether they truly give their all will be up to me.”

He looked around at the others.

“Just remember this: we are closely tied to the Ministry now. Avoid any conflicts with them. Our main enemies are still Voldemort and the Death Eaters, but if you encounter them, do not rush into battle. Think carefully before acting.”

Sean stood up.

“That’s all for now. If you have any questions you cannot answer, contact me at once. The Ouroboros Pentagram on your bodies will let you reach me directly.”

“As you command!”

“Yes, Master!”

“Understood!”

Sean nodded at their replies, then turned and left the Black Hat Pub, Apparating away in a flash.

The wizarding world was changing, and Hogwarts was no exception.

With Umbridge’s fall and escape, Borel’s memories and appearance erased and sent to America, the Ministry-appointed professor who had replaced Hagrid for Care of Magical Creatures naturally left Hogwarts as well.

March the eighteenth.

At dinner, everyone was delighted to see Dumbledore, Hagrid, and Professor Joroth Jobbins—the beloved Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher—back at the staff table. At the start of the meal, Harry Potter also returned to Gryffindor’s table, sparking cheers from his Housemates.

In contrast, things at the Slytherin table were not so bright.

Although the Ministry did not hold the students responsible, the children of known Death Eaters—Malfoy, Goyle, and Crabbe—found their situation dire. Other students with Death Eater parents fared a little better, but not much.

Sean ate quietly, watching the subtle changes in Malfoy, Goyle, and Crabbe’s relationships.

The Malfoy family’s status in the British wizarding world had plummeted. Their manor was sealed off, and outside, their shops and assets had lost nearly sixty per cent of their value to Ministry raids.

The title of “richest family” no longer belonged to the Malfoys.

With the family’s fall, Draco’s position in Slytherin had also dropped from the top. Most clearly, Goyle and Crabbe no longer obeyed him without question.

But these matters were of little concern to Sean.

Hogwarts had returned to peace, and it was time for him to focus on his exams.

With two sets of exams coming up, even Sean was not entirely confident.

After dinner, Sean declined Blaise and Jansen’s invitation to Hermione’s small group’s welcome-back party for Harry. Instead, he went straight to the Hogwarts dungeons and stood before Snape’s office.

Knock. Knock.

“Professor, may I come in?”

“No.”

“Thank you, Professor. I’ll come in now.”

He pushed the door open and saw Snape reading one of his previous essays. Sean was about to speak when he noticed something off about Snape. He reached out and grabbed Snape’s left hand, pulling up his sleeve.

Before him was a hideous, long black scar, writhing like a centipede across Snape’s arm.