The Hog's Head! Vinda and Aberforth clash

Argus nearly swore aloud.

Damn it! How did I end up in this godforsaken place?

It's all this bloody British weather's fault!

It's only just past four. Why did it have to get dark so fast?

I couldn't even make out the shop signs!

The moment he stepped inside, he drew the attention of all sorts of shady figures from the wizarding world.

Quite a few sized Argus up like prey.

Killing intent flickered in their eyes from time to time.

Clearly, they saw him as easy pickings.

"Look at the shirt under his robes. That's expensive stuff-at least a few dozen Galleons apiece!"

"Probably some fledgling from a pure-blood family, out looking for thrills! Heh heh!"

"Just look at his getup. Sell him back to a pure-blood family, and we could squeeze a fortune out of them!"

The place was full of wizarding outlaws who made their living on a knife's edge.

Faced with such a lucrative opportunity, they could no longer restrain themselves!

Argus quietly tightened his grip on the wand inside his sleeve, constantly guarding against sneak attacks from around him.

Just then, the gray-bearded old man who had been wiping glasses behind the bar slammed his hand against the counter.

"Quiet, all of you! Don't forget my rules!"

Those words instantly silenced the room.

A wary look appeared in the eyes of the few who had been shouting the loudest.

Now I remember. Isn't the owner of the Hog's Head Dumbledore's brother?

A hidden big shot!

No wonder everyone here's so afraid of him!

They probably knew long ago that the owner wasn't someone to mess with!

Just as Argus breathed a sigh of relief, thinking they would not dare attack, the gray-bearded old man's next words left him dumbfounded.

"Fight all you like, but anything you break, you pay ten times its value!"

Fuck!

Goddammit!

Argus had almost put his wand away.

The next second, a swift spell shot toward him!

A whole barrage followed!

"Stupefy!"

"Expelliarmus!"

"Petrificus Totalus!"

There were no Dark curses, only white magic capable of inflicting harm.

Since they saw him as Galleons, how could these shady wizards bear to truly hurt him?

They were still counting on selling Argus for a good price!

"Protego!"

As Argus dodged, he cast a protective spell on himself.

It blocked several spells in one go.

"Incendio!"

Scorching flames set all the surrounding wooden tables and chairs alight.

The wizards who had been so arrogant just moments ago were dumbstruck!

He really is a rich family's kid!

We've been casting all this time without daring to break a single one!

And you fucking burn them all at once?

Little did they know that Argus was exploiting precisely that mindset.

Worrying about every little thing in a fight to the death?

Wasn't that asking to die?

Staying alive came first!

While they were distracted, Argus fired off several more spells.

"Reducto!"

"Expelliarmus!"

"Diffindo!"

Several figures fell, and shock appeared in the others' eyes.

They seemed unable to imagine that a first-year could possess such strength!

They had expected their greatest opponents to be their fellow outlaws.

But now, never mind their rivals-if they hesitated any longer, even taking down the boy would be in question!

"Damn it, you're fucking telling me this is a Hogwarts first-year? What kind of first-year opens his mouth and casts Reducto?"

"Why ask me? Who am I supposed to ask?"

"Let's work together. If we drag this out and a Hogwarts professor turns up, we'll all be in deep shit!"

The three remaining exchanged glances and cast spells at different parts of Argus's body.

Streaks of light in various colors raced toward him.

Argus raised his wand, and the wreckage of the surrounding tables and chairs flew up to block the spells' paths.

"Oppugno!"

"Avis!"

Seizing the gap between their spells, Argus struck decisively and took down another two.

The last man panicked, killing intent showing in his eyes as he looked at Argus.

Gritting his teeth, he made green light flash on his wand!

Suddenly, the gray-bearded old man behind the bar made his move!

A thick beam of red light slammed the man to the floor!

"Old goat, weren't you staying out of this?"

The gray-bearded old man gave him an indifferent glance.

"If you can afford to pay for my pub, I won't interfere!"

Those words shut him up completely.

Argus did not let the opportunity slip by. He sent a Stupefy flying over, finishing off the last man.

Aberforth appeared unruffled, but inwardly, towering waves of shock had risen.

As Albus Dumbledore's brother, he could count himself among the few who knew Dumbledore's talent and growth best.

Even Dumbledore had been nowhere near capable of defeating several adult wizards alone at this age!

Whether in the magic he had mastered or his combat ability, the gap between him and the young wizard before Aberforth was far from small!

Having dealt with them, Argus remained calm.

He quietly sat down at the bar.

"A Butterbeer!"

Aberforth glanced at him and poured a glass of golden liquid from a filthy barrel.

"Two Silver Sickles!"

Argus casually tossed them onto the counter, picked up his Butterbeer, and slowly drank.

Although Butterbeer had "beer" in its name, it was actually just a ginger drink.

It contained no alcohol whatsoever.

Drinking it warmed the body, making it well suited to Britain's autumns and winters.

"A Hogwarts first-year?"

Aberforth spoke without warning.

Argus paid it little mind and nodded casually.

"Newborn calves aren't afraid of tigers!"

"Since you handled yourself decisively enough, here's a word of advice. Those people called for backup. They'll be here soon."

"You'd best have your family or a professor come fetch you."

"Otherwise..."

An icy woman's voice came from outside the door.

"Otherwise what? Afraid you won't be paid for the damage?"

"Mr. Dumbledore!"

Vinda Rosier appeared at the entrance and strode elegantly toward Aberforth.

Wand in hand, her expression was exceptionally cold!

The instant he saw Vinda, Aberforth's gaze turned cold as well.

Something suddenly occurred to Argus.

Wasn't... Aberforth's sister killed because Dumbledore and Grindelwald fought?

This old man hasn't held a grudge against all the Acolytes over it, has he?

He very much wanted to find evidence that proved this was all merely speculation.

But the nearly tangible killing intent between the two clearly told him.

It was not!

His gaze darted back and forth between them.

As Grindelwald's foremost follower, Vinda Rosier needed no introduction.

Decades of accumulated magical experience had taken her strength to another level.

Aberforth was Dumbledore's brother, a man who had dared challenge Voldemort in the original story!

If these two fought, wouldn't they tear down the whole of Hogsmeade?

Aberforth stepped out from behind the bar, his withered hand tightening around his wand.

"Vinda Rosier!"

"I was just wondering whose boy this was, possessing such strength at such a young age."

"I never expected..."

"There's plenty you don't expect!" Vinda refused to give an inch, her emerald eyes fixed on Aberforth!

"Aunt Vinda, calm down! Calm down!"