On the second floor, eight people stood before an ordinary wooden door carved with patterns. Two were by the stairs, two more at the door, and two flanked each side. That didn't include those scattered throughout the floor. Of course, these weren't all the wizards. There were far more in the mansion. Using detection magic, Severus counted sixty-two mages. About a dozen of them were hiding in rooms with camouflage charms.
No, they weren't afraid of Severus. He was probably only slightly stronger than a Hogwarts graduate would be. Still, Vitold wouldn't gather so many people in one place just to eliminate or capture him. The reason was different. He feared that Severus's teacher might follow him, or that the "boy" might ask the Ministry of Magic to provide support. Beyond that, he had another goal: to show the organization's strength, to demonstrate that they were in no way inferior to the Death Eaters or the Ministry, since they could mobilize so many wizards while still fighting on two fronts.
This display, however, only bored Severus. It didn't inspire the expected awe. Still, he had to show a bit of surprise and nervousness. He was playing the role of a young man, gifted but not yet finished with school.
Seeing Severus's reaction, Charles gave a barely perceptible nod of satisfaction.
"Don't worry. They're only guarding this place. They won't harm you."
"I'm not worried. What do you mean?" Severus said with a slight smile, shaking his head.
"Of course." As he watched Severus occasionally cast wary glances at the wizards, Charles inwardly smirked while maintaining a good-natured expression.
"Enter." A rather calm but menacing voice sounded from the room. The two wizards standing before the door quickly stepped aside. The door slowly began to open.
They should have become actors instead of bandits. They'd definitely be famous worldwide.
Barely suppressing a laugh, Severus looked at the man sitting in the chair. He appeared menacing, but his eyes held warmth. He really thinks I couldn't break through that weak mental shield? How naive.
"Come in," Charles said with amusement, gently guiding Severus forward. Severus bowed and followed him, taking his place behind Vitold.
Severus looked at the man, a hint of embarrassment in his expression. After clearing his throat a couple of times, he straightened and tried to compose himself.
Weakling. In the letter, one person. At the meeting, completely different. Vitold snorted inwardly. Outwardly, his face remained impassive. He calmly studied the boy standing before him. "Charles, bring it."
"Yes, Leader." Charles approached the cabinet and pulled out a suitcase using levitation magic, the type taught at Hogwarts and commonly used in Britain. "Heavy thing," he grumbled in annoyance, directing it toward Severus. As soon as it stopped in front of him, it fell to the floor with a loud thud that echoed through the entire office. Almost immediately, it opened. Before Severus's eyes appeared a sight that would make any Gringotts goblin choke on his own saliva.
These were several hundred stacks of gold coins. The suitcase wasn't ordinary. It had Undetectable Extension charms. The stacks extended deep down. Before the wizard lay two hundred thousand Galleons, the very sum he had demanded for Lavr.
Running his eyes over them, Severus silently nodded and placed the suitcase into his pouch.
"Well. Thank you." Then he touched his chest. Instantly, eleven bound people with gags in their mouths appeared on the floor, stacked on top of one another. "And here they are."
Lavr was at the very bottom, his face red, his eyes wide as saucers as he stared at the two brothers. Their attitude toward Severus had improved considerably.
"Good. Very well." Vitold nodded, his smile now genuine. He gestured for his deputy to remove the people lying on the ground. "Sit down. I think Charles explained that I invited you here not only because of them." He waved his hand, pulling a chair from the corner right up to the table, and gestured for Severus to sit.
"Thank you." Severus's tone had already shifted to something friendlier. He relaxed and sat opposite.
"I've been watching you for a long time. I'm sure a great future awaits you."
"I think so too." At his straightforward answer, Vitold's smile faltered. "But let's get to the point. I have a date today. I wouldn't want to be late. I hope it won't end like last time."
"That was a mistake."
"Twice?" Severus raised an eyebrow skeptically, studying Vitold. Vitold's smile soured.
"Yes. Just a coincidence."
"I'll believe you. You don't seem like a liar. So, what did you want to discuss?" Severus folded his hands before his face, calmly taking the lead in these negotiations.
"You think you can talk to me like that because you know we need you?" Any goodwill he'd felt toward the "boy" sitting across from him evaporated instantly. Irritation crept in, but Vitold forced himself to stay composed. His brother, standing to his left, clearly felt the same way. "We're very interested in your skills. We'd like to invite you to join our organization. Our leader is even willing to appoint you commander of the Copper division in a year, once we're convinced of your loyalty. I imagine you've gathered information about us since that day. You must understand that this is a very important offer. You'll have access to all the organization's resources." He wasn't lying. These were truly the organization leader's words. But Vitold still couldn't fathom what was so special about this "boy" that the boss was ready to give him such a significant position.
"Hmm. That's true. My teacher really gathered quite a bit of information about you. I more or less understand how your organization is structured. But I'd like to think about it for a bit. Give me at least half an hour. After all, this is a very important decision. It could affect my whole life."
"Fine." Vitold raised his gaze to the clock hanging above the door. "I won't distract you."
"Thank you." Severus nodded grimly, deep in thought. There was nothing to think about, of course. He was going to join this organization anyway. This was only for show, to avoid arousing suspicion.
There were several reasons. First and most important was to reach the organization's leader. If he could obtain a means of communication like that mirror, he could easily find the man. Second, and no less important, were the resources they'd accumulated over three centuries of existence. Among them, he might manage to find the last ingredient for Nagini's potion. Third, of course, were the books and all the research they'd conducted over these centuries into ancient ruins.
Though he'd considered capturing Black Star from within, Severus had rejected the idea. He had far more important business than managing something so huge and useless, especially once he reached Archmage rank. But he didn't intend to destroy it either. It would be much simpler to just subjugate the leader and turn him into a puppet, without depriving him of his reason. Then, when he needed something located, he could simply use the organization.
Severus had considered using the same approach with Voldemort, the Minister of Magic, and Dumbledore. In the end, he changed his mind. Voldemort was one thing, but the others weren't truly villains. Severus himself only resorted to such measures when someone had harmed him or his loved ones. Yes, it was hypocritical, but he wasn't a hero or a light wizard. That day, he had called himself a "Grey Mage." He wasn't a villain, but he wasn't a hero either. Something in between.
And he still enjoyed watching this confrontation. As long as they left him alone, he intended to stay in his teacher's shadow and remain nothing more than an ordinary spectator of this civil war.
Half an hour passed quite quickly. When only a minute was left, a weary sigh escaped Severus's lips.
"I'll join. I think my teacher won't mind. After all, he said himself that I should decide what I want to do with my life." At first, he spoke uncertainly. But by the end, his voice had firmed, and determination lit his eyes. "Will I be allowed to use ingredients for potions and other materials? And study the library?" He looked at the man with burning eyes, and the man couldn't help but smile. Severus's reaction amused him slightly. Charles also relaxed a bit. His brother had told him what they'd gain if the negotiations succeeded.
"Yes. For now, you'll take the deputy position in the division. In a year, when you've gained experience, you'll take the commander's position," Vitold answered with a smirk. He was already impatiently awaiting his transfer to the Diamond division and revenge on the damned arrogant bastards in Gold. But Severus's uncertain voice pulled him from his thoughts.
"But."
"What?" Vitold asked with a frown.
"If you want the recipes, I can't give them to you," he said, embarrassed, pushing back his sleeve to reveal the flame mark. "I signed a magical contract. If I divulge the recipe, I'll burn alive."
"Ah. Don't worry about that. Our leader already expected as much." Vitold waved lazily. This was one of the reasons he'd been ordered to place someone in the Department of Mysteries. That's where they dealt with potion-making.
"And also."
"What now?" A flicker of irritation entered his voice.
"I can't leave the country until I finish Hogwarts and pass my teacher's exam."
"That's it? Not a problem. They'll send you written materials about your duties. Your division has no specific deployment location. You can work from here too, but only while you're in the deputy position. When you take the commander's place, you'll have to move to headquarters anyway, or at least visit once a week to report."
"I understand. And if I need to contact the leader? If I suddenly can't make it to headquarters?"
"If you need to discuss something with the leader, contact my brother," Charles replied with a cheerful smile, winking and nodding. He couldn't have been more thrilled about his upcoming promotion.
"And if it's something personal?" Severus added, his displeasure evident, as was typical for a young man his age.
"I'll contact the leader and ask him." Vitold then turned to his deputy. Charles silently pulled out a small white seal bearing the Black Star emblem and approached Severus. "Open your shirt."
After discussing a few more questions and signing several magical contracts, the wizard finally left the room, leaving the two organization members alone in the office.
"And why does our leader even need this boy?" Charles grumbled, perched on the edge of the table.
"We'll never understand what the boss is thinking. And now we have to finish this last task before my transfer to headquarters."
Vitold looked at him grimly. Though he sometimes tried to appear emotionless, he loved his brother very much. Charles was the only person he could trust and call family.
"As soon as we return to base, go get Robert."
"Brother."
"Tell our people to gather. We're leaving." He waved him off, ignoring Charles's pitiful look. He rose from the table and headed for the exit. But still, why did he need this boy? He'd only created two potions. Was that really enough to trust him with a division commander's position?
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3.Harry Potter: Beyond Good and Evil in the Wizarding World = CHAPTER 268
4.Harry Potter: Reborn as Draco Black = CHAPTER 113
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