Eda was also from an orphanage, also a half-blood witch, also exceptionally talented — yet she and Tom Riddle were fundamentally different.
Eda wielded Dark Magic very well too, but she would never disregard life, never take pleasure in taking someone else's life. Most importantly, Tom never understood what love was, whereas Eda knew the value of family and friendship.
It was precisely because of this difference that Eda gained the friendship of Fred and George, received Professor McGonagall's care, and made Dumbledore overlook some of her more unruly behaviors.
They all knew that Eda would never become another Tom Riddle.
Vinda sat back down on the soft sofa. Rubbing her temples, she said, "Since you stole Eda's identity from me, I assume you've done plenty of investigating as well? Don't tell me you did nothing. Don't take everyone else for fools."
"I've checked. She has bad relations with many pure-blood families," Alain replied. After speaking, he cast a look of disgust at Eda.
"If you investigated, did you never stop to wonder why a powerless little girl, who offended so many important families, could still remain perfectly safe?" Vinda asked. "Do you have a pig's brain?"
Henry, standing to the side, quickly answered, "Dumbledore. We have decent relations with the Avery family. They said Dumbledore warned them not to interfere."
The Avery family's genealogy once showed a broken lineage. Some say the family originated from the Normandy region and came to Britain with William the Conqueror. Others say the name came from Navarre.
But regardless of which version is true, the Avery family is inseparably connected to the pure-blood families of France.
"Normally, I shouldn't say this in front of Eda, but you really are disappointing," Vinda said helplessly. "I may truly dislike that old man, but if he sees value in a girl, and you keep trying to push her away, then you deserve every insult thrown at you!"
Eda didn't think there was anything wrong with those words, nor did she feel her grandmother was trying to use her. Speaking openly carries no malice; only those who hide everything in the dark truly harbor ill intent.
Vinda was completely forthright — and what's wrong with wanting your grandchild to succeed?
Was Vinda truly thinking for the Rosier family? Of course not. Her persuasion was merely to help these people accept Eda more easily. Killing was always the last resort, a method used only when there was no other choice.
Eda had been valued by Dumbledore the moment she entered school. While the reason at the time was that she might be an Obscurial, no one else knew that — all they saw was how much Dumbledore valued her.
A girl with such a promising future would be fought over by countless families.
Didn't they see how many people rushed to Hogwarts this year trying to claim kinship with her? A person who can elevate a family's status all by herself — only a fool wouldn't want her.
Bloodline? Has anyone dared question Voldemort's bloodline? Has anyone dared use Dumbledore's parents against him?
"When the day comes that Eda rises all the way to the top, Alain, you should be grateful. Grateful that Eda at least carries half the Rosier blood," Vinda continued. "That bloodline will bring honor to Rosier. It will bring the family tangible benefits."
A slap first, then a sweet date. Since Eda had already delivered the slap, as her grandmother Vinda naturally had to clean up afterward and offer them the sweet date.
No real loss, and a chance to make them accept Eda — why wouldn't she do it?
The old and the young, working together for the first time, ended up surprisingly in sync. If possible, Vinda still hoped the Rosier family could continue on — at least for as long as she lived.
Thierry said, hating iron for not becoming steel, "Alain, if you can't even see through something this simple, then you're a truly disappointing head of the family!"
Eda turned to look at Thierry. Today had been full of surprises for her.
First she learned that her grandmother had a history with that stubborn old man from Nurmengard, and then she discovered Thierry — France's own master of passive-aggressive commentary. What other secrets was this family hiding from her?
"Tch! Easy for you to say. When has the world ever lacked geniuses? But how many of them actually survive to the end?" Alain said. He had no interest in this "sweet date." Something he couldn't see or touch was nothing more than a pie Vinda had drawn in the air.
Eda was just as skilled at beating around the bush. Not only that — she was equally skilled at beating the retreating drum. How could she let this out-of-tune old man hog all the performance?
Eda said, "Grandmother, are the other families like this too? If so, then it really is impressive that pure-blood families have managed to survive for so long!"
Her words were far from polite — that layer of disdain practically slapped Alain across the face. And to make sure her meaning was absolutely clear, Eda spoke the entire sentence slowly, enunciating every single word with perfect precision.
This vicious, soul-piercing remark didn't earn her any scolding. Instead, the old woman simply reached out and poked Eda's forehead with a finger. "You're always the one with the most to say. Once you actually learn French properly, you're going to talk me to death!"
"I've said everything — the things that should be said, and the things that shouldn't," Vinda continued. "I'm tired. Go back and think it over. Remember, you are the head of the Rosier family. If you keep acting small-minded, how can you ever amount to anything?"
This finally struck Alain right in his heart. He didn't care about outside gossip. What he feared most was losing his position. Only if the role of family head passed down through his branch could he sleep peacefully at night.
Power is a deadly poison in this world. Even Dumbledore didn't dare touch it lightly — yet Alain Rosier clung to it with reckless greed.
Alain helped his son to his feet. Even now, Vincent Rosier still hadn't recovered; Alain felt both furious and heartsick. Just a single Cruciatus Curse had left the family heir dazed and incoherent.
He didn't know whether to blame Eda for being ruthless or Vincent for being useless.
Once the father and son left, Thierry also stood to take his leave from Vinda. Today's matter had been resolved, and Thierry still had tasks to complete — Vinda's message needed to be delivered to the other family members.
Henry left with his grandfather as well. Before going, he gave Eda a playful wink.
"Do you and Henry have some sort of secret I don't know about?" Vinda asked curiously.
"He wants to marry a Muggle-born witch and asked me to help him find a suitable candidate at Hogwarts," Eda said, puffing out her cheeks helplessly.
"Pfft~! Trust him to come up with that!" Vinda scolded with a laugh. "Isn't Beauxbatons enough for him to choose from?" Good looks, good figure, good family — Henry was definitely attractive to the opposite sex, and he certainly had the capital to "keep a full fishpond."
After a moment, Vinda suddenly asked, "Tell me… what do you think of letting Henry be the next head of the family?"
This was a less aggressive plan Vinda had thought of — and also a test for Eda. Eda could choose not to fight for power, but she couldn't afford to be clueless about these twists and turns.
"Emmm… I don't really know Henry as a person," Eda said, rubbing her earlobe. "But from what I've seen so far, this seemingly unreliable cousin is actually a very good choice."
Inside the house, the grandmother and granddaughter were quietly deciding Henry's future.
Outside, another pair of grandfather and grandson were just as busy. A very similar test was unfolding at the exact same time.
"Then what do you think of your cousin, Esmeralda?" Thierry asked.
"Either win her over completely, or kill her in a single strike — never give her even the slightest chance to breathe," Henry answered without hesitation, the carefree look he'd worn inside the house completely gone.
If you strike a snake but don't kill it, you'll only get bitten later.
"And which choice should we make?" Thierry continued.
Henry thought for a long moment before giving his opinion. "I don't know Esmeralda well enough yet, but judging from our two encounters and the way she treats Great-Aunt Vinda, she's someone worth betting on."
"Mm. At least you're not completely foolish." Thierry nodded in satisfaction. "Get ready — you're probably going to become the next head of the family."
"The next head of the family?" Henry asked in surprise. "But didn't Great-Aunt say Uncle Alain is still the head?"
Thierry smacked him hard on the back of the head. "Pig brain! Are you a pig?"
"Aa-yo, oldman! Don't call your own descendants pigs!" Henry protested, clutching the back of his head and quickly stepping away. "According to Muggle genetics, that reflects poorly on you!"
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