Things went a little more easily than expected.
Although Harry had known all along that the Xilieikesi family had considerable influence, he was still astonished when they actually obtained information from the Dark Council in just two days.
He even wondered a little whether the Xilieikesi family had some shady dealings with the Dark Council.
But that thought only flashed through Harry's mind for an instant.
Neither Harry nor anyone around him thought it possible.
What a joke. The Xilieikesi family was the oldest and most powerful Wizard family in France, and even in the entire United Kingdom. They now controlled almost all of Europe's Potions trade-something Harry and the others deserved considerable credit for.
Given their circumstances, they naturally wanted the situation in Europe to be as stable as possible, so they could further consolidate their influence.
And they were already Europe's foremost family; even the French Ministry of Magic had to defer to them.
There was no way the Xilieikesi family could have ties to the Dark Council, which many people called Northern Europe's troublemaking shit-stirrers.
As for the Xilieikesi family obtaining information from them, that was hardly unusual.
The Dark Council had to make a living too, didn't they? They could hardly avoid dealing with other Wizards in their daily lives.
If they displeased the Xilieikesi family, things would likely become very uncomfortable for them.
This time, the Xilieikesi family was extremely displeased with Voldemort, because his people had abducted the current family head's brother-in-law.
It had even prompted You Weier Xilieikesi, the family's current representative in external affairs, to take action personally.
Voldemort had slipped away in the end, and released Esmiller Selerus some time later.
He was one of the very few Wizards who had fallen into Voldemort's hands and then been allowed to return.