Chapter 33: Excited Children, Meira’s Education Model

In the evening, Cole sat in his study, devising his business plan. His first step was to register the company, which fell under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Magic.

Dealing with Fudge was straightforward. Although he was greedy for money, as long as he accepted gold galleons, he would cooperate.

"Father, we're back."

Without knocking, Alice barged into the study and leaped onto Cole. The little girl was quite heavy.

"My little cutie, did you have fun today?"

Alice smiled at Cole, then noticed Martin and the other children entering. Unlike her, they were still a bit wary of Cole.

They didn't dare to act so boldly in front of him.

"Father, we've returned. Mother is preparing dinner downstairs," Martin said politely, a hint of envy flickering in his eyes, which Cole noticed.

Even Jerome, usually apathetic, wore a complex expression.

Cole realized he hadn't paid much attention to the children, which made them gravitate towards Meira.

"Come here, let's discuss the fun things that happened today."

Darlene eagerly approached, followed by Martin and Jerome. Despite his stubborn demeanor, the last child also seemed pleased.

"Father, Draco invited me to accompany him to Diagon Alley to buy books. He said he needs to prepare a lot of things for Hogwarts."

Martin adjusted his sleeves nervously. He always seemed like a police sergeant in front of Cole.

Was he afraid of Cole's disapproval? Cole pondered, realizing he wasn't that strict with Martin. Perhaps Martin felt inherently repressed due to his father's status.

"Father, when can we go to Hogwarts? Draco said there are many young wizards like us there. It would be fun to attend school together."

Darlene, the eldest daughter, spoke with anticipation. It seemed these children were genuinely bored at home. How could they not crave interaction with their peers?

"Perhaps you can attend Hogwarts this year. Look at this," Cole said, picking up a letter from the table. Alice climbed onto Cole's arm, snatched the letter, and handed it to her eldest brother.

Martin recognized the seal. Where had he seen it before?

As he opened the letter, Martin couldn't believe it. "Father, this is the Hogwarts acceptance letter. I saw one with Draco. Does this mean I've been accepted?"

Ben's calm face turned anxious at the mention of his name in the letter. He grabbed it and smiled upon seeing his own name.

"Sister, where's mine? Where's mine?" Alice anxiously asked Martin. She fidgeted in Cole's arms, nearly causing him to lose his grip.

"Alice, are you bursting with energy? We're all old enough to attend," Jerome remarked casually, finding amusement in his siblings' squabble.

After a moment, under Martin's guidance, the children found their letters and read them with excitement.

While they could receive education at home, it was evident these children couldn't wait any longer. Hogwarts held immense allure for them during this curious and playful age.

The children then discussed visiting Diagon Alley together. Originally, Draco had only invited Martin, but now all five knew they could attend Hogwarts.

Deciding to accompany Draco to Diagon Alley, Cole wondered how Draco would react to his suddenly expanded shopping party.

Indeed, when Cole decided to give the letters to the children, he had already resolved to send them to Hogwarts.

Regardless of what awaited them at Hogwarts, fledglings needed experiences beyond home education, and Cole refused to confine them.

As a member of the Black family, they must undergo the trials expected of them.

Cole himself hadn't fully adapted to this elite family education. After all, it differed from his upbringing.

Meira, born into a traditional noble family and apprenticed to a mage, experienced a more conventional wizarding upbringing.

Cole knew Martin, Jerome, and Ben received special training from Meira, who always kept Cole at arm's length regarding their education.

Meira believed Cole was too kind, overlooking the fact that Cole, too, had blood on his hands from Knockturn Alley.

In essence, Martin and the others had already confronted life and death at ten years old. For pure-blood nobles, dispatching two or three dark wizards meant little, as long as they covered their tracks.

As Cole's wife and mistress of the Black family, Meira naturally commanded the Black family's wizards.

Regardless of Meira's private directives to Wright, Wright eventually reported everything to Cole.

Upon learning that Meira took Martin and the others to Knockturn Alley and selected three prisoners from the underground cell, all three met their end with traces of Avada Kedavra on their bodies.

Cole knew his sons had blood on their hands.

Yet, what angered Cole wasn't their actions. The wizarding world was inherently savage—when you're weak, anyone could be your end.

What incensed Cole was Meira's decision to allow them to use Avada Kedavra, one of the Unforgivable Curses.

Using Avada Kedavra required a murderous intent. The most terrifying aspect of dark magic was its tendency to consume the user with negative emotions, potentially leading to madness.

Martin, Jerome, and Ben were still children. What if their exposure to such malevolence altered their temperament?

Unexpectedly, when Cole confronted Meira, she revealed the secret of their bloodline: the Shadow Snake.

Naturally, Martin's children inherited this unique lineage. In the wizarding world, many wizards possessed bloodlines of magical creatures.

Their talents stemmed from the Shadow Snake, granting them resistance against dark magic.

In essence, their use of dark magic served as a defense against negative emotions. Being children, their murderous intent was pure.

Martin, in particular, showed remarkable talent in dark magic.

Hearing Meira praise Martin's aptitude in dark magic sent shivers down Cole's spine.

Could this child walk the path of patricide to attain enlightenment? Could my son become the next Dark Lord?

If possible, Cole wished to consult the Harry Potter world's experts on his son's potential fate.