Chapter 299 : Young Couple
The little girl was probably a bit shy; she kept her head down and didn't dare look into Phineas's eyes.
Even so, she quickly slipped the ring onto her finger—as if to say, this ring is mine, and I'm not giving it back, no matter what.
Looking at Astoria's expression—shy yet a little stubborn—Phineas felt much better.
It was obvious what he meant by giving her the Black family ring, and Astoria was very happy about it. Ever since Phineas had saved her life, she'd held onto that hope and expectation.
"Alright, let's get down to business," Phineas said after waiting for Astoria to settle.
She nodded, blinking her large eyes as she looked at him, ready for what came next.
"I don't know if you've heard," Phineas began, "but I reorganised the British wizarding world not long ago. This is the Black family's home ground, but it had been thrown into chaos by the Rich family. Even so, there are still some pure-blood families unwilling to accept our leadership—and the Ministry of Magic has its own ideas."
"Not long ago, I entered seclusion for a while, and rumours of my disappearance—or even death—spread. The pure-bloods remained cautious, but the Ministry moved against my businesses. Though the arrested were released, it was clear who took the bait."
"I meant to disappear for a while—to flush out our enemies. But I'm not reassured. It's better to deal with hidden dangers before they strike."
Astoria nodded thoughtfully. "So, Phineas, what do you want me to do?"
She knew he wouldn't call her out just to tell her he'd be gone and to hand over the ring.
Phineas nodded. "There are some things I need your help with. I'll be away for an uncertain amount of time and likely won't return to Hogwarts. There's little more the school can teach me. But Dumbledore and Harry are both at the forefront of the wizarding world, and they're at Hogwarts—so something will happen there."
Astoria, the second daughter of the Greengrass family, had grown up cursed—unable to use magic or leave home. Books became her refuge, sharpening her mind. But even someone less clever would understand what Phineas was implying.
"So you want me to keep an eye on Hogwarts?" she asked.
To her surprise, Phineas shook his head.
"I'm not asking you to monitor Hogwarts. Dumbledore's still headmaster. As the greatest white wizard of the century, he'll keep order. I'm telling you this because I want you to be careful."
"Anyone looking to cause chaos in Hogwarts won't care if innocent people get hurt. You still have to attend classes. Your magic is weak, and you can barely protect yourself in a real confrontation. If danger arises—get away from it."
He looked into her large, watery eyes as he spoke, his tone serious.
Astoria, flustered under his gaze, turned crimson. Her face began to steam from the heat rising to her cheeks.
Phineas chuckled and reached out to ruffle her neatly styled hair. She tried to swat his hand away, but he stopped before she could react.
She stood there, flustered and annoyed, while Phineas laughed freely. His dark mood over Lisa lifted entirely.
Seeing him smile again, Astoria smiled as well. She had noticed his foul mood but hadn't known how to comfort him—thankfully, it had passed.
The two of them bickered over the ruined hairstyle. Astoria wanted to mess up his hair in retaliation but failed—she was too short and easily restrained.
Neither used magic; both enjoyed the moment.
The waiter finally brought their ice cream, ending the playful scuffle.
As Astoria sat across from him with a spoon in one hand and her ice cream in the other, Phineas smiled softly.
"You know what that ring represents, right?"
Astoria froze mid-bite. The spoon remained in her mouth.
She nodded with a flushed face.
"I'll visit Greengrass Manor when I return from Greece," Phineas continued, "to discuss the engagement with your father."
Astoria became a steaming mess once more. "W-well... I'm still young... I can't—"
Phineas raised an eyebrow. "Can't what?"
"N-no! We can't get married yet!" she blurted, her head lowered in embarrassment.
Phineas chuckled and patted her dishevelled hair again. "Don't worry. I'm only talking about engagement. We'll wait until you graduate from Hogwarts to marry. Besides, by the time I return from Greece, the undercurrents of the wizarding world will have surfaced. An engagement ceremony for the heir of the Black family will be the perfect bait to draw the hyenas out."
Astoria looked a bit downcast.
"But don't worry," he added. "My people won't let them disturb the ceremony."
"That's not what I meant..." she whispered, waving her hand in denial.
But Phineas didn't listen, sensing she was simply covering up her true thoughts.
She pouted again, unsure how to retort.
"Oh, right," she said suddenly. "You're going to Greece?"
He nodded. "Yes. Like I said, I need to disappear for a while, and going abroad is the best way. I also have some things to handle in Greece."
After they finished the ice cream, they chatted for a long time—exchanging sweet, though not quite romantic, words. It still made the new couple feel even more attached to each other.
But Phineas had his responsibilities. Sirius was still unconscious at St. Mungo's, and someone had to act. That person was him.
After parting with Astoria, Phineas entered the backyard of the Vanilla Café—where his men were stationed.
The stronghold's steward had already guessed Phineas was there when Astoria entered with Damon's mark. When a staff member confirmed the young master's presence, the steward waited for him in the yard.
Sure enough, Phineas appeared.
"You're the person in charge here?" he asked.
"Yes, sir. What can I do for you?"
Phineas replied, "The girl who was with me earlier—put it on my tab whenever she visits. Her friends get 30% off."
Though it was technically a tab, the café belonged to Phineas—so it meant Astoria would never be charged.
The steward understood and respected Phineas deeply. Unlike combat staff, stewards like him were all fiercely loyal—most of them Muggle-born or half-bloods who had been cast aside after school by the very society they'd once idealised. Phineas gave them purpose, and for many, even life itself.
He had rescued them, rebuilt their self-worth, and tested them thoroughly before placing them in positions of responsibility.
"One more thing," Phineas said. "Inform the other strongholds to lie low for a while. Wait for Damon's orders. A storm is coming to the British wizarding world."
As he said this, a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"A grand performance is about to begin. Let's see who dares to step on stage."
The steward's heart was filled with anticipation and awe. He knew Phineas was laying the groundwork for a masterful move.
Meanwhile, back at Greengrass Manor, Astoria returned wearing the Black family ring. Her sister Daphne noticed.
Daphne had always held the pride of a pure-blood witch and had never pursued Phineas openly, despite having some feelings for him.
Now, seeing Astoria return home with that symbolic ring, her heart sank. She quietly returned to her room after greeting her sister.
Their father, Phoebus Greengrass, however, was much more alarmed. His face turned grim.
"The plan has to change. Astoria can no longer be used in a political marriage," he muttered to himself.
Though Phoebus had aligned the Greengrass family with the Blacks, he retained influence in the Council of Elders and sought to use marriage to maintain and expand that position.
His original plan was for Daphne—healthy and closer to Phineas's age—to be matched with the Black family. Astoria, once sickly, was to secure other alliances.
Of course, as a father who loves his children, all of Phoebus's plans are based on the premise that his daughter does not mind or object.
But last year, Phineas had broken the blood curse that plagued their family for generations.
Now, Phoebus and his wife were expecting another child—and the future of the Greengrass family would need to be reconsidered.