Chapter 308: Consul Families
"Hermione, you and Luna are both in Ravenclaw, so be sure to look out for each other. Ginny's in Gryffindor—that's the Weasley stronghold, so I'm not worried there. Leah is in Slytherin, and she'll be fine under my name."
"It's just the two of you in Ravenclaw, and we won't be able to help much,"
Phineas said gently to the girls.
"Alright, that's all I needed to say. We still need to go greet others. Have fun. Call me if anything happens."
With that, Phineas led Leah to greet the patriarchs of the prominent pure-blood families.
Typically, this duty would fall to the family head, but with Sirius as the only acting leader of the Black family, and Phineas having already represented them in the Council of Elders, he now had to do the honors.
The engagement party ended quickly. It served two purposes: announcing the union between the Black and Greengrass families, and providing a social gathering for the other pure-blood lines. It wasn't meant to last forever.
Thankfully, no one caused trouble—either out of respect or fear. After all, who would dare disrupt a celebration held by a man rumored to have massacred multiple families over the deaths of a few subordinates? If he cared this much about an engagement, who knew what he might do if provoked?
Rumors said he could fight Voldemort one-on-one. No one wanted to find out if it was true.
Several family heads quietly felt relieved that Phineas had been merciful enough not to act against them today.
These were the families that had challenged the Black family's authority. Their entourages had already been dealt with—courtesy of Damon and his men.
When the guests reached the manor's yard to Apparate away, they found the area locked under anti-Apparition wards. Their followers were already under control.
"What's the meaning of this, Phineas Black? Are you declaring war on the rest of the pure-blood families?"
a short-tempered patriarch snapped.
"Of course not,"
Phineas said, emerging from the villa with a smile. He had changed into a dark wizard's robe, his earlier formalwear gone.
"I just want you all to witness something."
He clapped his hands. Damon stepped forward and bowed slightly, waiting for instruction.
"Go ahead, Damon. Don't take up too much of their time."
Damon nodded and signaled. Wizards surged from all directions, descending on select guests that were attending Phineas's engagement ceremony.
A few startled wizards drew their wands instinctively.
"Relax," Phineas said coolly. "Just like Mr. Glass mentioned earlier, I have no intention of going to war. I'm only targeting a few individuals—those who've betrayed the British wizarding world. Foreign guests, this does not concern you. I ask you not to interfere."
Mr. Glass, the temperamental French wizard, lowered his wand first.
On the second floor of the villa, four figures stood at a window: Sirius Black and the patriarchs of the Selwyn, Ritchie, and Lestrange families. All watched as Phineas moved below.
"My apologies," Sirius said, "my brother decided to clean out some vermin from our territory during his own engagement celebration. I hope you'll forgive the disruption."
Although the four consul families were often split by faction, they all had to attend the heir engagement ceremonies. These events reflected both their personal alliances and the stance of the Council of Elders.
The Selwyn patriarch turned to Sirius.
"Now that Phineas is engaged, how about you? Would you consider a match with a Selwyn girl?"
Sirius frowned.
"Elrond, are you asking to marry into the Black family? The Selwyns are more powerful, wealthier. Why would you want this?"
Elrond gave a wry smile.
"I don't want to marry into Black. But if my granddaughters don't marry you, they'll be sent to other families. Of all of them, I trust the Blacks more. Our branch has always had good relations."
Sirius sighed, but before he could reply, the Ritchie patriarch cut in.
"Elrond, you're a disgrace to Selwyn. We're of equal standing, and you'd stoop to this?"
Elrond replied bitterly.
"Your family is ruled by your patriarch, Kuzan. Ours isn't. The elders control everything—we're figureheads. I hold the title, but no power."
Corvus Lestrange nodded with understanding. His own family was the same—led in name only.
Kuzan Ritchie turned to Sirius.
"Tell me, Sirius Black, what is your brother trying to prove with this spectacle?"
Sirius frowned inwardly. Phineas had warned him about Kuzan's intentions—and it looked like he was right. Ritchie still wanted to protect the British families aligned with him.
Unfortunately for Ritchie, those families were considered subordinates of the Blacks, and their betrayal gave Phineas every right to act.
Sirius smiled calmly.
"I don't involve myself in family politics. Phineas manages those. If he were of age, I'd make him patriarch already. If he wants to clean house, let him. It's all Black territory, after all—no offense to anyone."
Kuzan Ritchie's face suddenly turned ugly. Sirius' words were essentially telling him, "I don't care about it, so don't think you can pressure me into saving those families."
Moreover, Britain is Black's territory."We handle disobedient families in our own land—it has nothing to do with you, Richie. If you insist on interfering, then give us a proper reason."
Could Richie really say outright that the families they wanted to eliminate had already surrendered to him, and therefore, they couldn't touch them?
If he dared to say that, the German wizarding world would erupt in chaos the very next day. Did they truly believe the other families had no ambitions toward Germany?
They simply hadn't found an excuse to invade openly yet, so they resorted to covertly winning people over—just as Richie had done before. But if Richie laid this matter bare, the so-called balance of power would become a farce.
Meanwhile, Phineas had isolated the families who had allied themselves with Ritchie or Lestrange.
"Thank you for your cooperation," he told the crowd. "As a courtesy, we've prepared refreshments in the villa. You're welcome to enjoy them."
But no one dared return. If Phineas turned again, who knew who he'd seize next?
Most guests chose to leave. Phineas didn't stop them. He simply turned to Damon.
"Have we dealt with the others?"
Damon nodded.
"All traitorous families in the UK have been eliminated—except the Ministry of Magic."
Phineas smiled.
"Excellent. The British wizarding world will return to what it was a century ago—under Black rule. As the Muggles say, it's all the same!"
He turned and walked back to the villa. Damon and the others would take care of the cleanup.
Damon might not be the best administrator, but when it came to fighting and dirty work, there were few better.
"Elrond. Kuzan. Corvus. It's been a while," Phineas said as he entered the study.
Elrond embraced him.
"Last time was at the Council of Elders."
Corvus nodded.
"You've grown bolder since then, Phineas."
Kuzan didn't hug him. He only sneered.
"Did you drag us here just to show off?"
Phineas smiled.
"Not at all. You've heard the Council may convene soon?"
Ritchie frowned and nodded.
Corvus said,
"I've heard whispers, but the elders haven't said much."
Elrond nodded.
"So, what does that have to do with you calling us here?" Elrond asked.
Sirius quietly exited the study—this wasn't his fight.
Phineas continued,
"I don't know the full story yet. My sources aren't as clear as yours."
Ritchie scoffed.
"So you brought us here just to ask questions? That's a poor move, Phineas Black."
Phineas shook his head.
"Of course not. Let's talk plainly. You know the Council of Elders wants balance between the four of us."
"Of course."
"Obviously."
"Certainly."
"But have you ever thought why? There's no real conflict between us."
"Other than the time Elrond's grandson killed Kuzan's nephew in retaliation," Phineas added.
Kuzan snorted.
"He had it coming. That brat had no respect for me, and he tried something disgraceful with my daughter. The elders protected him for his talent. If they hadn't, I'd have dealt with him myself."
The others nodded. A talented youth was no big loss to families like theirs.
Except the Blacks—who only had Phineas and Sirius left.
Phineas continued,
"As for the supposed Black–Lestrange rivalry, that's just the elders' invention. We've never even crossed paths meaningfully."
Corvus nodded. Truthfully, he'd prefer diplomacy. Perhaps his time in France made him more inclined to peace than power.