Chapter 19 - Gringotts (5)

Diagon Alley, as one of the economic centers of British wizarding society, was under the watchful eye of the Auror Office.

The Chief Auror of the British Auror Office – Rufus Scrimgeour – was having a terrible day. First, he let a dark wizard escape, and now he had just been notified of a fight breaking out in front of Gringotts.

If it were anyone else fighting, he would throw both offenders into Azkaban and toss away the key, but he couldn't do that. The offenders were the Lord Patriarch of House Black and the Lady Matriarch of House Longbottom.

If he dared to arrest either of the two, perhaps on the same day, he would receive his letter of resignation. Arcturus Black was the Leader of the Pure-Blood Faction, controlling almost the entire Ministry of Magic, while Augusta Longbottom was protected by Albus Dumbledore, a powerful wizard of Special Grade, and one of the leaders of the Wizengamot.

All of this, assuming he could even arrest the legendary Arcturus Black, a Semi-Special Class Wizard.

In summary, he was caught in the middle of a fight between two giants and couldn't do anything for fear that something would happen to him or his career. Although he would like to see the legendary Arcturus Black in Azkaban for various crimes of bribery, murder, and abuse of power, unfortunately, to his dismay, he couldn't do something like that.

Releasing a resigned sigh, Rufus and a group of experienced Aurors apparated directly to Diagon Alley.

-

Upon arriving at the scene, he saw a building in front of Gringotts, adorned with enormous silver needles, each measuring at least twenty meters in length. Rufus didn't need to be a genius to know that it was the Innate Technique of House Longbottom.

Then, he looked at the massive black skeleton with a deep gaze tinged with respect. Arcturus might be a nepotistic scoundrel in his eyes, but the Chief Auror recognized the strength the man possessed.

Controlling such a powerful cursed spirit showed just how strong the Black patriarch was. Although he wasn't at the Special Grade level, he wasn't far off.

Standing between Augusta and Arcturus, Rufus spoke, trying to calm things down. "Ladies and gentlemen, I think we should calm down to avoid causing any more unnecessary damage to Diagon Alley."

"It wasn't me who attacked first, Chief Auror," Arcturus responded with his deep, cold voice, looking at Augusta with a condescending gaze.

Rufus couldn't help but mentally curse Matriarch Longbottom for her impulsiveness. How dare she attack someone stronger than her, knowing she wouldn't win? She was just a Grade 2 witch!

"He and his great-niece insulted me and my grandson," Augusta retorted, her eyes filled with fury, almost as if they were burning with furious flames. Nevertheless, she canceled her own innate technique, causing the needles embedded in the adjacent building to disappear, or rather, shrink back to their original size.

She knew she couldn't defeat the man in front of her, and the Aurors weren't on her side at the moment. How she wished she had Dumbledore with her now, to try to pressure Arcturus. Unfortunately, the most powerful man in England wasn't available at the moment.

"Funny, because it was you who called my grandson a girl first. Don't be hypocritical, Augusta. That's not something someone from the White Faction should do," Arcturus spoke calmly as the curtain behind him swallowed the gigantic black skeleton hundreds of meters tall.

"Don't worry, Chief Auror, I won't file a complaint about this attack, but don't think you won't pay dearly at the next Wizengamot session," said Arcturus, looking at the woman who displayed an unpleasant expression on her face after hearing his words.

She knew she had done something wrong in attacking a patriarch of a noble house and would be duly punished. The severity of the punishment depended on how many members would be on her house's side in the Senate at that moment. But first and foremost, they weren't many, as Dumbledore was not well regarded in the eyes of other noble houses.

Augusta could see many industries and shops under the name of House Longbottom cruelly confiscated and handed on a silver platter to the odious man, not only to financially weaken the White Faction but also to weaken House Longbottom, which many nobles considered traitors.

Asterion watched the entire show with excitement shining in his eyes, not caring much about the political impact. Seeing an almost fight between wizards for the first time was thrilling, but he couldn't help but look at the future thirty-third Minister of Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour. A foolish man who tried to convey a sense of security while a war was being waged in the corridors of the Ministry. A stupid decision that led the man to die at the hands of Voldemort in the future, who sought the whereabouts of Harry Potter. When Rufus refused to reveal where the boy was, the Dark Lord casually killed him.

Poor man… 

Arcturus didn't bother to give another glance at Augusta and Neville and walked toward Gringotts under the fearful and respectful eyes of the goblins who had witnessed the entire scene earlier.

Leaving Rufus and Augusta with somber looks, one was concerned about getting too involved in Wizengamot politics, while the other was cautious about what House Longbottom would have to pay at the next Senate meeting.

-

Entering Gringotts, Arcturus looked at his great-grandson and asked, "What did you think of all this?"

"You provoked her to the limit," Asterion replied. That was the conclusion of the events earlier. From the beginning, Arcturus had subtly provoked the old lady without her even realizing it.

"Exactly. With her attack, we gained many properties and shops in Diagon Alley from House Longbottom. And the best part is, even if Dumbledore tries to stop us, we have a very valid and concrete reason. We weakened two enemies with just one attack," Arcturus said, nodding in satisfaction at Asterion's response.

He continued, "So, remember this scene well, Asterion. You must control your emotions, or they will be used against you, just as I used hers against herself."

Asterion nodded, but he felt he didn't need that warning. He didn't like expressing his feelings much in the first place, often preferring to keep everything to himself.

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Author's Thoughts: What did you think? I found it interesting to write this chapter, showing a little of the politics of wizarding society in England. Tell me what you thought of the chapter!

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Next Chapter: (Chapter 20 - Unrest in England (1), (Chapter 21 - Unrest in England (2), (Chapter 22 - Unrest in England (3), (Chapter 23 - Escaping from Azkaban (1), (Chapter 24 - Escaping from Azkaban (2), (Chapter 25 - Wizengamot (1), (Chapter 26 - Wizengamot (2), (Chapter 27 – Wizengamot (3), (Chapter 28 - Unexpected Arrival (1) ), (Chapter 29 - Unexpected Arrival (2).

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