First meeting with the Malfoys

Argus picked up his Hogwarts acceptance letter and turned the envelope over.

Seeing the school crest made up of a lion, a badger, a snake, and an eagle, he could hardly contain his excitement, even though he had been prepared for it.

The letter listed the textbooks and supplies needed for the start of term at Hogwarts, along with other instructions. Argus merely glanced through it before handing it to Vinda Rosier.

"I'll have someone get the things on this list ready."

"No need, Aunt Vinda." Argus shook his head slightly, declining Vinda Rosier's arrangement.

"There are some things I'd be better off getting in person. Besides, meeting my future classmates early in Diagon Alley won't do me any harm."

"After this meeting, we don't have much time left. Once the German and Austrian Ministries of Magic hear the news, they'll act quickly."

"Before word gets out, have the Acolytes sell off their holdings as quickly as possible. Abandon anything that won't sell. In short, everyone must relocate to Britain tonight."

"Understood?"

"Understood! Then we..."

"Leave immediately!"

Argus turned to Grindelwald, a trace of sadness showing in his eyes.

"Old man, once I leave this time, there's no telling when we'll meet again..."

"Hahaha... little fellow, since when have I needed you to worry about me?"

"Don't forget, I am Grindelwald!"

Grindelwald interrupted Argus with a laugh and rose to his feet, powerful magic bursting from his entire body.

He faintly resembled the Dark Lord of years past.

But Argus knew perfectly well that Grindelwald was merely putting on a brave front to comfort him.

They had been father and son for years. Though they had not spent every day together, he could clearly feel that he had become part of Grindelwald's life.

"Take... good care of yourself..."

"Father!"

Argus looked at him with a complicated gaze and bowed deeply.

Then he turned and left with Vinda!

Grindelwald alone remained in the vast expanse of Nurmengard, murmuring softly.

"Dumbledore, I am no longer alone."

"Argus... my successor. He will carry my will... the will we shared back then, and keep moving forward!"

That very night, Vinda Rosier brought Argus to Britain.

"Aunt Vinda, how much of our holdings did we manage to dispose of?"

"About seventy percent. A lot of things had been prepared long ago. As for our people, almost all of them got out."

Vinda's words made Argus breathe a sigh of relief.

As long as no one was caught!

The Acolytes had far fewer people now than before. Those who had survived decades of suppression would all form their future backbone.

He could not possibly handle every part of their upcoming operations himself. With them around, many things would be much easier.

"Argus, I need to remind you that while we seem to have quite a lot of Galleons, now that we're in Britain, we'll have to start many things from scratch. Our expenses are bound to be higher."

"If we don't find a solution, we'll soon burn through our reserves."

"I've already thought of that!" Argus smiled confidently.

Through these years of lying low, he had long since figured out how wizarding commerce and finance worked.

Because of their population and magic, the wizarding world was still in the age of traditional economics.

Pure-blood families controlled vast quantities of Galleons and magical texts, exploiting ordinary wizards at will, no different from landlords in ancient times!

Now, it was time to let the wizarding world experience the charm of capitalism.

"As long as you have a plan."

On this point, Vinda had every confidence in Argus.

She knew he would not joke about something like this.

"Come along. I've selected a few residences in Britain. See if any of them catch your eye."

As they spoke, the two arrived at the gates of a luxurious manor.

Two figures, one tall and one small, were waiting at the entrance.

Before they could get close, they heard a complaint.

"Father, couldn't you just have sent those house-elves over for something like this? Why did we have to come in person?"

"I still have to go to Diagon Alley tomorrow..."

Diagon Alley tomorrow?

Argus keenly picked up on the information in the boy's words.

Combined with his haughty tone and the shining blond hair visible even at night...

He did not need to think to know who stood at the gate!

Draco Malfoy!

And his father, Lucius!

Just when I was worrying about how to enter Britain's pure-blood circles, someone handed me exactly what I needed.

A smile curled Argus's lips as he walked toward the two with Vinda.

At that moment, Lucius was frowning at his son.

As a member of a wizarding family that had endured for generations, his ability to cultivate connections on all sides ranked among the very best in the wizarding world.

Upon learning that someone wanted to buy this luxurious manor, he had immediately decided to come in person.

This was one of the Malfoys' finest manors. Even some families among the Sacred Twenty-Eight would have to grit their teeth to afford it.

Judging by that, the buyer's identity was certainly far from ordinary!

At the very least, they belonged to a pure-blood family with a heritage comparable to the Sacred Twenty-Eight!

Such a connection might prove immensely useful in the future. He could not let it slip away!

Unfortunately, his son could not see this at all.

All he thought about was Quidditch!

"Hello, madam. A pleasure to meet you. I..."

Seeing Argus and Vinda approach, Lucius temporarily set aside his intention to lecture Draco.

As a pure-blood, he could not allow himself to behave so discourteously and immediately went to greet them.

But the instant he saw her face clearly, his expression froze!

Vinda Rosier!

The Black Rose of France!

Why was it her!

Why had she come to Britain!

Lucius could not believe his eyes. He had thought he was already taking the matter seriously enough, yet he had still underestimated the buyer!

Vinda showed little reaction. She cast a casual glance at Lucius's blond hair and the family crest on his robes, then said, "The Malfoy boy?"

"Y-yes, Ms. Rosier."

Lucius wiped the sweat from his forehead and answered cautiously.

He dared not show the slightest displeasure at her form of address. She was more than old enough to be his grandmother. Never mind him-even his father would not dare utter a word of protest if he were here.

What was more, she was the second-in-command of the Wizarding Supremacist Party!

That made offending her even more unthinkable!

Seeing his father like this, Draco was equally shocked.

This was the first time he had ever seen his father behave so humbly!

In the past, even when Minister for Magic Fudge visited, he had never shown such an expression.

Just who was she?

As though sensing Draco's gaze, Lucius finally realized he had lost his composure. He hurriedly bowed to Argus and Vinda and introduced himself. "Lucius Malfoy. This is my son, Draco. He'll be starting at Hogwarts soon."

"Oh? A new Hogwarts student?" Vinda looked Draco over with interest, then turned to Argus.

"Argus, your future classmate."

Only then did Lucius and Draco notice the little boy beside Vinda. Before Lucius could speak, Draco eagerly approached him.

"Are you starting at Hogwarts too?"

"Have you ever played Quidditch? Do you have a broomstick?"

"My father said that when we go shopping in Diagon Alley tomorrow, he'll buy me the latest Nimbus 2000..."

"Draco!" Lucius reprimanded him in a low voice, then looked apologetically at Argus.

"I'm sorry, sir. Please forgive Draco's rudeness."

"May I ask your name..."

Argus wore a smile, his manner elegant.

"Argus."

"Argus Grindelwald!"