Chapter 23: Summons From The Ministry Of Magic

Cole lay on the sofa, gazing at his son. Ben had always been different from his brothers and sisters since childhood.

The eldest brother, Martin, was an optimistic person. He manifested magical abilities at the earliest age and his control over magic surpassed ordinary standards, showcasing exceptional talent. Over the years, even when Cole was young, newspapers touted Martin as the best successor to the Black legacy in history. Lucius envied Cole for having such a remarkable son.

Rumors circulated in the wizarding world, praising Martin's approach to having children, inspiring many pure-blood families to follow suit, thus contributing to the fertility rate among wizards.

The second child, Jerome, was quite lazy. Though not lacking in magical talent, his proficiency in potion-making inherited from Mela surpassed even his mentor's.

The eldest daughter, Darlene, held a proud personality, never displaying spoiled behavior in front of Cole.

As for Alice, she was a sweet-natured darling, deeply cherished by Cole and Meira.

Then, there was Ben. The third child seldom smiled, regardless of the circumstance. Cole even harbored suspicions that this child was incapable of smiling.

Ben was reserved in his demeanor, preferring to communicate only within the confines of family. The Black children had matured beyond their years, leaving behind the carefree days of childhood.

Cole observed Ben's thick, unruly hair and spoke slowly, "Ben, what are your thoughts on the magic within you?"

Lacking experience as a father due to his previous life, Cole nevertheless cherished his children deeply.

Ben rubbed his hands nervously behind his back, his expression impassive as he addressed his father, "Father, will I truly become an Obscurus?"

Ben wasn't naive. While Martin and the others had mastered wand spells long ago, he remained unable to do so.

Children often carry burdens within their hearts. Ben's previous composure merely masked the inner turmoil and pride of a solitary individual in his class.

"Come here," Cole beckoned, pulling Ben onto his lap. Despite being ten years old, Ben was still quite weighty.

"It's my neglect that has led to this, Ben. You've kept everything bottled up inside, allowing uncertainties to take root."

Ben felt a twinge of embarrassment. This was the first time Cole had witnessed such vulnerability from him. It appeared that the third child wasn't as indifferent as he appeared.

Servants and wizards of the Black family were not prone to insubordination. Even if Ben had not experienced a magical outburst, none would dare to disregard the son of their master.

However, the young lad was perceptive and pensive by nature.

"Don't fret; I'll assist you in resolving this matter. No harm shall befall you. You're my son, and mediocrity isn't in the Black family's nature."

Cole's reassurance elicited a flicker of excitement from the ten-year-old.

"Thank you, father. Even my siblings said I'm not a Squib."

In regards to Ben's situation, Martin and the others were brainstorming solutions. Cole realized he had been somewhat negligent.

"Protecting your family is the duty of every Black. Were the situation reversed, you'd do the same, wouldn't you?"

"Yes, father. I'll protect my elder brother and the others, as well as you and mother."

With those words, Ben bashfully lowered his gaze, leaving his father in solitude, fully aware of his formidable strength.

Cole tousled Ben's hair affectionately. Fortunately, the lad was not as tidy as Snape; his unruly locks bore testament to his compliance.

"Alright, let's join them and leave the rest to me."

Observing Ben's eager stride, Cole pondered deeply on how to address the Obscurus dilemma.

In the current wizarding world, there was no known cure for an Obscurus, typically resulting in its destruction. The origins of such dark power were often overlooked, with wizards acknowledging its dangers.

Browsing through the arcane knowledge stored in his mind, Cole recalled obtaining a tome from the system three years prior, at the cost of tens of thousands of gold galleons. This tome chronicled the birth and application of magical powers, alongside extensive mage research.

Cole's own growth in strength over the years was largely attributed to his study of this tome.

The acquisition of power in the wizarding realm was akin to a spiritual journey, lacking structured cultivation methods. Most wizards awaited the natural maturation of their magical abilities over time.

Some prodigies resorted to magical potions to augment their powers, albeit with limited efficacy.

Perusing the tome, Cole realized that Ben's situation wasn't entirely hopeless. Such occurrences were not uncommon among wizards. By channeling magical energy through a mage tower, one could establish a connection between body and external magic sources, facilitating the natural use of one's powers.

However, acquiring the requisite materials posed a challenge, though Cole's mage tower possessed adequate supplies.

Just as Cole devised a solution and began to relax, an owl collided with the window. Cole rose, opened the window, and retrieved the letter attached to the bird.

It bore the seal of the Ministry of Magic, summoning Cole.

Recognizing the seal, Cole surmised that Dumbledore, the old headmaster, was likely behind this summons.

The emergence of a suspected Obscurus in the wizarding world constituted a significant event, given its potential for catastrophic destruction.

With John serving in the Auror Department alongside the Black family's wizard team and no news forthcoming, Cole knew that Fudge was overseeing the matter.

Over the years, Cole had provided substantial support to Fudge. Yet, even when the Ministry of Magic summoned Fudge, no word reached him. It seemed that amidst years of stability, certain individuals had forgotten the Black family's hard-earned reputation.

Fudge, too, had begun to exhibit dishonesty. Cole recalled Fudge's recent proposal to bring Knockturn Alley under Ministry supervision—a clear display of greed.

Knockturn Alley had long served as a hub for dark wizards' activities, a domain the Ministry lacked the means or desire to govern. Observing the Black family's orderly management of the alley, some sought to capitalize on the situation.

In such instances, one's resolve was tested.

Entering the living room, Cole found Meira engaged in scholarly pursuits with several children. Upon spotting Cole, the youngsters rose to greet him.

Cole nodded approvingly. Meira's educational methods were more rigorous and structured compared to what he had experienced. In the realm of magic, the training of young wizards adhered to standardized protocols, far surpassing the Hogwarts model.

"Learn from your mother and behave yourselves. I'll be stepping out for a while; don't fret."

With those words, Cole observed Meira's nod, shared a kiss, and proceeded to the fireplace.

Tossing the Floo powder, green flames enveloped him, and Cole vanished from the living room.

Martin and the others watched Cole's departure before refocusing on Meira's lessons.