Chapter 83: The Actions of the Pureblood Party
"Since you're a child of the Greengrass family, what about your father?"
Auston's expression turned somber as he replied:
"My father began to deteriorate in health shortly after refusing an invitation from the Death Eaters. I've always suspected they secretly targeted him. Although his condition stopped worsening after treatment, he never recovered fully. A few years ago, he passed away."
Hearing this, the elderly wizard nodded slowly and said:
"What a pity. Your father studied Dark Arts with me when he was young. But now, we have a new leader in the Pureblood Party. Don't worry—if your father truly fell victim to the Death Eaters, we will not let that grudge go unavenged."
He added, "Your perseverance will bring glory to the future of the Greengrass family!"
Hearing this, Auston nodded firmly.
At that moment, Abernathy, seated at the head of the long table, coughed twice. The room fell silent. He spoke slowly:
"You've all seen the plans, haven't you? If there are no objections, then it's time to act. Let's remind the wizarding world of who we are!"
The gathered wizards nodded one by one, their eyes alight with fervor. Without hesitation, they began Disapparating to execute the plans outlined in the documents.
In Knockturn Alley, near Borgin and Burkes, stood a striped trash bin.
A bald wizard passed by it, walking a few steps forward before suddenly turning around. Ensuring he wasn't being followed, he retraced his steps to the trash bin.
Drawing his wand, the bald wizard tapped several of the bin's stripes. The ground beside it cracked open, revealing a staircase that descended steeply into the earth.
After glancing around one last time, the wizard proceeded down the stairs.
As he descended, the muffled sound of voices grew louder. Soon, a spacious underground tavern came into view.
The wizard scanned the room, ensuring no one suspicious was present, before heading toward a private booth on one side of the bar.
Upon entering, he found it empty and showed a trace of surprise. Suddenly, a wand pressed against his temple. A cloaked figure materialized beside him, wand aimed steadily at the wizard.
The bald wizard froze. After a moment, the cloaked figure lowered the wand and seated themselves on the far side of the booth.
Breathing a sigh of relief, the bald wizard followed suit and sat down.
"What's the situation outside?" asked the cloaked figure, their voice hoarse.
The bald wizard shook his head slowly and replied:
"The Aurors from the British Ministry of Magic are acting like lunatics. Many Portkey dealers have gone into hiding. Those who haven't are surrounded by suspicious figures—I suspect they're Aurors in disguise. I didn't dare approach them."
The cloaked figure nodded slowly and said,
"I didn't expect this to escalate so much. It seems Britain is no longer safe."
"How will we leave?" the bald wizard asked curiously. "Apparate straight back to America? I don't have that kind of magical stamina!"
After a moment of silence, the cloaked figure replied hoarsely:
"Prepare yourself. We'll head to another European country first, then use a Portkey to return to America."
The bald wizard nodded reluctantly and grumbled:
"Bloody hell, not only did we make no profit this trip, but we're going to lose money too! What a waste of time!"
The cloaked wizard, however, seemed unfazed and remarked:
"We're bounty hunters. As long as we're alive, Galleons will come."
Meanwhile, several wizards, including Auston Greengrass and the elderly wizard, appeared above Knockturn Alley.
Upon arrival, Auston noticed his companions instinctively spreading out and taking up defensive positions. Only one wizard remained near the striped trash bin.
Using their wand, the wizard tapped the bin's stripes, causing the ground to crack open, revealing the staircase leading downward.
At the same time, another wizard on guard trained their wand on the opening, prepared for any danger. Once it seemed safe, the wizard by the bin descended cautiously, wand at the ready.
While this happened, the other wizards cast spells around the area. Auston watched in amazement as the surroundings became an anti-Apparition zone.
"What are you staring at? Move!" the elderly wizard said, giving Auston a pat on the shoulder.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Auston followed him down the staircase.
As he descended, Auston glanced back to see that one of the wizards hadn't joined them. Instead, they cast a Disillusionment Charm on themselves and took a hidden position at ground level.
The entire operation, executed in under a minute, left Auston stunned. As a member of one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight families, he considered himself well-versed in the wizarding world. But this level of coordination and discipline was unlike anything he had encountered before.
For the first time, Auston began to understand how the Pureblood Party once swept across Europe and America, leaving Aurors from multiple Ministries of Magic utterly helpless.
His thoughts were interrupted by the growing noise below.
As they reached the bottom, a sprawling underground tavern came into view.
The group's presence immediately drew attention.
A scantily-clad barmaid sauntered over, addressing the elderly wizard with a coquettish smile:
"Sir, you're a bit old for this crowd, aren't you? Perhaps you should head home and rest."
Turning to Auston, she added, practically draping herself over him:
"But you, young man, seem perfect for this place."
Before she could say more, the elderly wizard grabbed her hand with a laugh, pulling her back.
"Don't you think he's a bit too green? Men are like fine wine—the older, the richer in flavor!"
Meanwhile, the other wizards began moving purposefully around the tavern.
-----------------------
Want to read ahead of schedule?
Join here for advance chapters: PATREON.COM / PRIMALDEMON