When Lucius Malfoy arrived at the Merlin City Council Hall, representatives from the major families were indeed all present. Yet, the atmosphere in the hall was suffocating. Even during Lord Voldemort's peak years, when he acted with ruthless perversity, Lucius had never witnessed such a heavy, deathly silence.
He quietly approached Spencer Rolle, a childhood companion he considered a close friend.
"Spencer, what's the situation now?" Lucius asked.
Rolle shook his head. "Young Master Weasley has left again. If only we had listened to the Earl's advice and avoided inflating the housing prices. I suspect the Weasley family simply couldn't bear the costs and chose not to relocate."
"So what do the others plan to do now?"
"Several families, led by Vida Rosier, have sent envoys to England. We should have news back very soon."
Time dragged on, and Lucius's hope slowly ebbed away. Suddenly, the hall door burst open, and a wizard dashed in, holding a letter aloft.
"Information has come from the East!" he shouted.
In an instant, every person in the hall stood, voices trembling with anticipation.
"Quick, open it! Read it!"
The messenger cut the wax seal and unfolded the letter. Clearing his throat, he read aloud:
"The British Ministry of Magic only governs wizards in Scotland and parts of England. It cannot reach the major families, such as the Weasleys, Longbottoms, and Blacks, in certain remote regions. Communication between the two sides has been severed for over three centuries."
For most of the pureblood representatives and major business delegates, the words hit like a hammer—over half sank back into their chairs, drained.
The wizard continued:
"Vida Rosier has led her family deep into England's interior, determined to locate the major families. She aims to assure the Weasley family that housing prices were only inflated for negotiation purposes and can still be adjusted."
Hope flickered anew. Even those who harbored prejudice against Vida Rosier and her allies had to admit they owed her a great debt.
Meanwhile, far from Merlin City, in Hogwarts' Headmaster's Office, the stone statue housing Draco Malfoy's soul fragment and the werewolf curse stood motionless, awaiting Professor McGonagall's orders.
From a shelf behind the desk, a small diary quivered ever so slightly. It was Tom Riddle's diary, preserved in the Headmaster's Office ever since Dana had been taken in by Dumbledore in her second year.
The diary, aware that destruction was likely inevitable, found itself unexpectedly active. Perhaps Dumbledore had forgotten it. For once, it sensed a new presence—a kindred spirit. Another Horcrux. Not its own, but enough to kindle a sense of connection.
The diary radiated goodwill, yearning for companionship. The stone statue remained still, appearing asleep, yet under the diary's persistent influence, its eyes finally glowed.
It was Draco Malfoy's Horcrux, small yet conscious. Summoning what strength it could, the soul fragment guided the statue to the shelf, reaching for the diary. The two Horcruxes connected.
"Hello, I am Tom Riddle. And you, my friend?"
"I... I... am... Dra...co... Ma...lfo..."
"Malfoy? Ah, Lucius Malfoy is a friend of mine. Do you know him?"
"Lu...cius? That...is...my...fa...ther!"
At the mention of Lucius, Draco's soul fragment brightened.
"My father is Lucius Malfoy!"
"Wonderful! Your body can move freely, yes?"
"Yes."
"I wish I could move too," said the diary.
The two Horcruxes continued, slowly exchanging words, forging a tentative friendship.
Back at Merlin City Council Hall, three days passed in anxious waiting. Families feared missing first-hand news.
"Can Vida Rosier succeed?"
"Has she located the Weasley family?"
"If they refuse to settle, we are doomed!"
"Exactly. Debts remain unpaid, and we still owe the Merlin City Central Bank. If Phase II properties remain unsold, bankruptcy is inevitable!"
"Alas, we should have heeded Minister Dantes," someone lamented.
The messenger wizard returned, sweat pouring down his face, clutching another letter. The hall erupted.
"News!" he panted.
Everyone leapt to their feet, knocking over chairs in excitement.
"Read it quickly!"
He unsealed the letter and began:
"Vida Rosier has found the Weasley family. Head of the family, Arthur Weasley, has stated they will not settle in Merlin City due to previous manipulations by Earl Dantes and the current price gouging. The Weasleys view the Western Wizarding World as greedy, ungrateful, and unjust."
The representatives crumpled in despair.
The messenger continued:
"Through the Weasleys' introduction, Vida Rosier located other major families. However, following the Weasleys' example, they too refuse to settle in Merlin City."
Nearly all remaining delegates slumped into their seats.
But the letter wasn't finished:
"Young Master Fred Weasley, aware of the financial struggles facing many friends, has generously provided ten million Galleons to help them avoid bankruptcy. Friendship aside, purchases will be conducted strictly based on merit."
"Based on merit?" whispered the hall. That meant buying at the lowest price, not favoritism.
The purebloods hurriedly left the hall. Selling the properties, even at a loss, was far better than letting them languish. Ten million Galleons could rescue their families and allow them to rebuild elsewhere. Even if they refused Fred Weasley's charity personally, the wealth on offer was impossible to ignore.
As the representatives scattered, the once-mighty pureblood families realized the gravity of their failure. The Western Wizarding World's greed had collided with the Weasleys' principle-driven actions, leaving the Malfoys and their peers scrambling to salvage what remained.
For Merlin City, for its property market, and for the intricate web of debts, alliances, and legacies, nothing would ever be the same.
The sky above the pureblood families had truly collapsed.
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