Chapter 44: Wolfsbane Potion, Cole Makes Trouble

In Black Manor, Cole used to hear the noise of several children when he woke up in the morning. Now it was suddenly quiet, and Cole still felt a little uncomfortable with the silence.

Meera no longer had to take care of her children, so she began to indulge in her own research during her free time. It was during this time that a potion suddenly appeared in Knockturn Alley.

The Wolfsbane Potion is said to be taken a week before the full moon, allowing a werewolf to remain sane even if they transform into a giant wolf on a full moon night.

The sudden appearance of the potion caused a sensation in Knockturn Alley. One must understand that there are many werewolves in a place as grimy as Knockturn Alley.

Every year, the Ministry of Magic faced headaches due to werewolf attacks on full moon nights. Attacks would occur one after another and remain unresolved.

The sudden appearance of the Wolfsbane Potion could be considered good news for werewolf wizards. They no longer had to subject their families to chaining them up on full moon nights.

It was unclear which dark wizard accidentally discovered the potion while preparing it. Cole took a keen interest in this potion.

Wright was tasked with finding the individual, but he did not expect the dark wizard to be so cunning that the Black family's wizard team never succeeded in capturing him.

However, Wright did not return empty-handed, as more than a dozen vials of Wolfsbane Potion appeared in Meira's laboratory.

Now, with Meera working on developing the formula for the Wolfsbane Potion, the Black family would have another means to generate income.

But Cole's ultimate goal was not merely financial gain; he intended to use the Wolfsbane Potion to recruit werewolf wizards. The combat effectiveness of werewolf wizards was formidable.

It's worth noting that Aurors may struggle to defeat a werewolf one-on-one. The giant wolf's magic resistance is surprisingly high, and coupled with its extremely fast speed, it poses a significant threat to adult wizards.

The Wolfsbane Potion, by keeping the werewolf sane during transformation, would make them even more formidable.

As long as the Wolfsbane Potion could be produced in large quantities, Cole was confident that the Black family would be able to recruit werewolf wizards.

Cole was sitting idly on the sofa in the study when a knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.

"Enter."

The door was pushed open, and Wright entered, standing to the side. Facing Cole's inquiring gaze, he spoke, "Master, the land issue has been settled, but the price was a bit high. It has been reported to the Ministry of Magic, and the registration of the broom company has been completed."

"Okay, everything is proceeding as planned. We will launch the first-generation Dark Star broomstick and send samples to each Quidditch team. Additionally, shops will be opened in Diagon Alley, allowing wizards to experience it for free for a week."

Cole's plan was to establish the brand in the wizarding world first, conducting a series of activities to showcase the product's excellence, and then capture the market.

As for the land Wright had purchased, it was intended for Cole to build his own Quidditch pitch, and the location was chosen carefully.

It happened to be right next to the Avery Family Stadium. Cole remembered vividly how little Avery had offended him before. If Avery dared to act as Dumbledore's vanguard against the Black family, he would have to pay the price.

There was no need to confront the Avery family head-on, but through normal business methods, Cole was confident that they would not remain calm even if they lost their source of gold Galleons.

Regarding the slightly high price, Cole did not concern himself. The initial investment was necessary, and the subsequent benefits were of utmost importance.

Reporting to the Ministry of Magic was merely a formality. Land ownership in the wizarding world was similar to that in the Muggle world—private land was sacred and inviolable.

Cole could not simply seize others' land at will; transactions had to be conducted through legitimate means.

The piece of land Cole had bought came from a small wizarding family. Without much hesitation, they agreed to sell it when approached, not excluding the reputation of the Black family.

"Is there anything else?"

Seeing Wright still present, Cole anticipated what had transpired during his visit to the Ministry of Magic.

"Master, that old guy Fudge inquired if the Black family needed assistance. He offered some conveniences."

Cole sneered. Fudge was like a pig drawn to money.

"Our Minister is still oblivious to the situation. Doesn't he realize that, were it not for Dumbledore's influence, we could cast him out onto the street the next day?"

Cole's statement rang true. Fudge lacked outstanding abilities, and some credited his position as Minister of Magic to his political connections.

However, Fudge was quite arrogant and believed his current position was solely due to his own merit.

For years, pure-blood families had supported him, albeit cautiously, to maintain peace and further their own interests.

Unexpectedly, Fudge's demands had increased.

"We're just getting started. When I first returned, I lacked the foundation to properly manage Fudge. It won't be so easy for him to bleed the Black family dry now."

Cole couldn't be bothered to deal with it personally, hence why he delegated the task to Wright.

"Since our Minister is so eager to help, let's give him something to do, understood, Wright?"

Wright understood his master's intentions from Cole's smile.

"Understood, Master. Those individuals in Knockturn Alley have been restrained for too long. It's time to let them loose and cause a commotion. Fudge will soon find himself in the newspapers."

Cole nodded, highly satisfied with Wright's intelligence, and continued, "It is the Minister's responsibility to maintain the stability and harmony of the wizarding world."

"Of course, as members of the wizarding world, our family must also contribute to its stability and harmony."

"However, outsiders need not be privy to this information. After all, who says I'm indifferent to fame and fortune?"

Cole's tone elicited a chuckle from Wright. When it came to being indifferent to fame and fortune, few could match the Black family.

The next day, Diagon Alley appeared peaceful and harmonious. However, wizards leaving the area were attacked in the wild. Many were injured, and their finances were plundered.

One unfortunate wizard was even stripped naked and hung from a tree. He was only rescued by Aurors after being discovered by a newspaper reporter.

Simultaneously, werewolf attacks on camps occurred in various locations. St. Mungo's Hospital was inundated with patients, and its turnover increased significantly.

The Ministry of Magic received numerous complaints, prompting Minister Fudge to address the public.

"We will rigorously crack down on criminal wizards. The stability and harmony of the wizarding world are beyond doubt. We urge wizards to trust that the Ministry of Magic can handle these attacks."

Fudge's speech was inspiring, and his unwavering gaze convinced many wizards.

However, a Ministry official disclosed that there had been constant sounds of destruction in the Minister's office over the past two days.

Ministry officials acknowledged that Fudge was under immense pressure but admitted there was

 little they could do. They were merely bureaucrats, not Aurors.