"Thank you very much for your hospitality, Mrs. Weasley."
Hydrus Lestrange and Rick said their goodbyes to the Weasley family and Disapparated.
Ginny immediately ran to her mother, threw her arms around her waist, and whispered excitedly,
"Mum, do you know how amazing Hydrus is?"
"She can fly—and she can summon lightning! Trolls and goblins aren't even a challenge for her!"
Molly froze. Trolls? Goblins?
"Arthur," she asked slowly, "you were only gone for a short while. How did you run into trolls and goblins?"
Arthur shook his head. "Someone tried to harm Hydrus." He hurriedly pulled on his formal coat. "I need to notify the families we're close to. There's a meeting the day after tomorrow—about establishing a new wizarding bank."
Molly stepped forward and straightened his collar. "Go early. Come back safely."
Lucius Malfoy reclined comfortably on the sofa, savoring a sip of red wine.
It was a Christmas gift from Hydrus—said to be brewed personally by the Lestrange family's house-elves. The flavor was exquisite.
He listened, mildly amused, as his son went on and on about his cousin's astonishing feats, and felt a wave of relief wash over him.
Fortunately, he had never attempted to seize the Lestrange family's assets. Otherwise, the Malfoys might have ended up just like Gringotts.
Not only had they avoided any reckoning, but thanks to Narcissa's blood ties with Hydrus, the Malfoy family had weathered a financial catastrophe that nearly overturned the entire British wizarding world.
During the Ministry's auction of Gringotts' former properties, Lucius had even managed to acquire several estates at remarkably low prices—other families simply couldn't compete.
Since becoming head of the Malfoy family, when had life ever been this pleasant?
"Crack—"
Hydrus appeared suddenly in the middle of the living room.
She glanced around and smiled. "Oh? Uncle Lucius is home."
Lucius blinked. Draco, however, shouted happily, "Cousin!"
Hydrus let her disguise fade, revealing her true appearance. "Uncle, you really do forget things easily."
Only then did Lucius recognize her. He sprang to his feet. "Hydrus! It's been far too long!"
His attitude was nothing like that of an elder addressing a junior. If anything, he felt as though he were standing before a Dark Lord.
As expected of her bloodline.
"Draco," Lucius said quickly, "go call your mother. Tell her Hydrus is here—we'll host a proper dinner tonight."
Draco nodded enthusiastically and dashed upstairs, already imagining the day when his classmates would learn that Hydrus Lestrange was his cousin.
Lucius sighed softly. "Draco is still too impulsive. I'll have to trouble you to keep an eye on him at school."
Hydrus sat down across from him without ceremony. "He's been sheltered too much. He lacks tempering." She summoned a glass and poured herself some wine. "When I was his age, the Grey family was hunting me, and the Ministry had already put a bounty on my head."
Lucius felt a flicker of discomfort. Back then, he hadn't helped her—not even once. He hurriedly changed the subject.
"So. You didn't come just to reminisce."
Hydrus nodded. "I need you to inform every family you're connected to. The day after tomorrow, there will be a meeting at the Gringotts ruins in Diagon Alley—to establish a new bank."
Lucius frowned. "Most of them were ruined by Gringotts. They may not be willing to attend."
Hydrus smiled faintly. "What if I told you the new bank will compensate them—at least in part—for the assets Gringotts took from them?"
Lucius Malfoy froze.
Had Hydrus Lestrange become this wealthy already?
No… this young woman was aiming far higher than mere wealth.
"Oh, one more thing." Hydrus set her glass down; crystal tapped softly against obsidian. "I won't attend the meeting myself. It will be chaired by Gellert Grindelwald's grandnephew."
Lucius asked, puzzled, "Wouldn't it be better for you to appear in person and win their loyalty?"
"My identity is too sensitive," Hydrus replied calmly. "Until everything is settled, I won't show myself. You shouldn't reveal who I am either."
Lucius was deeply impressed.
Only sixteen years old—and already this composed.
This girl was extraordinary. She was destined for greatness.
The Malfoy family had to choose its side early.
Diagon Alley.
The ruins of Gringotts.
The crowds of the past were long gone. The white, bizarre building now stood deserted, its doors rarely opened.
But today, shopkeepers across the street noticed something strange.
People were visiting the Gringotts ruins.
And they recognized them immediately—these were the same figures who had come day after day in Gringotts' final days, demanding repayment.
But Gringotts had collapsed. Why were they here?
Goblins were once again stationed at the entrance, respectfully ushering the heads of great families—or their representatives—inside.
Speculation spread quickly.
Was Gringotts being restored?
"Is Gringotts really coming back?" a witch from Madam Malkin's asked the clerk from a nearby apothecary. "If it is, it can't happen soon enough. I'm exhausted."
"Tell me about it," the clerk replied. "Since the bank closed, we've had to keep all our takings in the shop. It's a thief's dream. My boss practically made me live here."
"It's a nightmare," the witch agreed. "The scum from Knockturn Alley have been unbearable."
"They only dare steal from shops," the clerk scoffed. "Back when Gringotts was around, would they have had the guts?"
"Exactly!" The witch watched more prominent figures enter the building. "Did you hear? Ollivander's shop was broken into last night. He caught six thieves in one go."
"Six?!" The clerk shuddered. "If they came to our shop, I'd be dead."
The witch snorted. "With your sales? You can barely afford wages. No thief would bother."
Still… judging by today's scene, Gringotts really might return.
Diagon Alley couldn't survive without a bank.
Lucius Malfoy and Arthur Weasley ran into each other outside the ruins.
Lucius instinctively prepared a cutting remark—but then remembered this was his first task from Hydrus. He swallowed the insult whole.
Arthur stared at him in confusion. Was this really Lucius Malfoy? Had someone taken Polyjuice Potion?
Usually, the man never missed a chance to sneer.
Arthur had been ready to endure a few jabs—it was an important day for Hydrus, after all.
But Malfoy's sudden restraint left him completely at a loss.
"Ah… good afternoon, Arthur Weasley," Lucius said.
"Y-you too, Lucius Malfoy."
The success of the bank's founding was already obvious.
Two families that were practically enemies stood there exchanging polite greetings.
Hydrus Lestrange—
This girl truly was something extraordinary.