Vanity? No, Seeking Advantage and Avoiding Harm

In the wizards' world, some ancient families spawned branch families.

They developed independently and strengthened one another.

The Lestranges were like this, and so were the Rosiers.

In southwestern France lay a vast grape-growing region. Far upstream along the Dordogne River stood a manor that Muggles could not see.

It was not as luxurious as Malfoy Manor, but it was steeped in history.

The surveillance magic here could prevent the mistress of the manor from leaving, but it could not effectively intercept the parchment Viktor had sent.

Vida, dressed in black silk pajamas, lounged lazily on a velvet sofa.

On the table before her sat a freshly opened bottle of red wine, along with a crystal wineglass.

A little farther ahead was the symbol of the Deathly Hallows, slowly outlined in blood.

The bloody smell made her frown in displeasure.

Coming in person was hardly difficult. This was most likely a plea for help.

"Surprising." Vida set down the parchment, picked up the crystal wineglass, and took a small sip.

Grindelwald's only apprentice had actually set his sights on one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight.

Though it was not an ancient or prestigious family, this was a very good start.

Beneath the slightly boastful tone was, as expected, a request for help.

As the sole heir of the French Rosier Family, she did not think highly of that British cousin who had died as a Death Eater.

Following Voldemort had no future.

He was ruthless toward enemies, and even more ruthless toward his own people.

The Wizards' Purity Party merely wore the symbol of the Deathly Hallows, unlike the Death Eaters, who needed to be branded with a Dark Mark that could never be removed.

The instant Voldemort fell, they would either be killed on the spot or imprisoned in Azkaban