Chapter 109: The Pure-Blood's Intentions
Although the House of Elders would soon intervene in the dispute between the Black family and the Flint family, it was already clear which side they favored.
Their allegiance lay with the rising Black family—not the declining Flints. So, the wizards currently standing before Dumbledore were little more than pawns, sent by those unwilling to see the Blacks reclaim their old power.
Dumbledore and anyone with a working mind could easily see through this.
Wasn't that the reason they'd come to pressure Dumbledore in the first place? Because once the Elders intervened, they'd lose any leverage they might've had?
And yet, this upstart from an obscure family was too foolish to recognize the politics at play. Even Fudge, watching the scene unfold, found himself agreeing with the saying whispered across the wizarding world: There is no shortage of fools among the pure-bloods.
"John, shut up!"
Just as the situation grew more uncomfortable, a sharp rebuke came from one of the wizards beside Fudge.
Clearly, this older wizard held more rank or influence—and was likely John's superior within their family.
He turned to Dumbledore with a half-apologetic smile.
"Professor Dumbledore, I sincerely apologize. This is John's first time acting on the family's behalf. He spoke impulsively and misspoke. I hope you won't hold it against him."
After a slight pause, during which he exchanged a glance with Fudge, the older wizard continued.
"However, Professor Dumbledore, John was not entirely wrong. Phineas Black's actions against the Flint family do violate certain agreements. After the fall of the Dark Lord, the pure-blood families across Europe agreed to avoid reigniting family wars. The Black family's aggressive actions breach that agreement."
"So I must ask—please, hand over Mr. Black. We have no intention of harming him. If he returns the property seized from the Flints and offers appropriate compensation for his actions, this matter can end here."
Unlike John, this wizard sounded far more reasonable. His tone was calm, his argument carefully measured.
But neither Dumbledore nor Professor McGonagall was fooled. They could see the hollow diplomacy behind his words.
For one, it was not the Black family who had started this conflict. Even if they had, the Blacks had long since severed ties with the so-called pure-blood council. They weren't bound by its rules.
And McGonagall, for her part, didn't believe for a second that any of the property returned by the Blacks would ever make its way back to the Flints. It was far more likely that the families represented here were merely hoping to divide the spoils among themselves.
The pure-blood council hadn't stepped in to save the Flints out of kindness—they just didn't want the family to be utterly wiped out. And they had certainly accepted some form of payment for their "intervention."
Dumbledore looked calmly at the wizard and said, "I can only tell you that Mr. Black is not currently at Hogwarts. He is staying with Nicolas Flamel. As for when he'll return—I truly cannot say."
Fudge's expression darkened.
It wasn't hard for him to imagine that Dumbledore had arranged Phineas's departure, sending him directly to Flamel—a legendary alchemist no one in the magical world dared cross.
The older wizard stiffened slightly but pressed on.
"Professor Dumbledore, everyone knows of your close friendship with Nicolas Flamel. The two of you discovered the twelve uses of dragon's blood, after all. Surely you must know where he resides. Would you mind sharing that information?"
Dumbledore's eyes narrowed.
"Sir, you're well aware that Nicolas's residence is a protected secret. Not just from the general public—but also from the House of Elders. The wards surrounding his home were arranged by the Elders themselves. Even I cannot disclose his location. And if I were to take someone there, I would first need his explicit permission."
Unlike John's earlier bluster, Dumbledore's words struck true—and far deeper. He wasn't merely invoking the name of the Elder Council to intimidate; he was reminding them of a fact they couldn't deny.
The Council did indeed possess a true Philosopher's Stone—but such an artifact had its limits. It was said that one of the key ingredients in its elixir was a potion based on Flamel's own formula.
Before Flamel created the Stone, the Council had their own means of extending life. But it was his power—his genius—that ultimately made him indispensable. Some even believed that Flamel had the means to upend the Elder Council itself if provoked.
According to rumor, there were ancient agreements between Nicolas and the Council—chief among them being the obligation to protect his safety at all costs.
Whether these tales were true or not, one thing was certain: Nicolas Flamel was not someone the wizarding world dared to offend lightly.
And now Phineas Black was under his protection.
This alone would keep even the most ambitious families at bay.
Meanwhile, the Black family's campaign showed no signs of slowing. Beyond their economic maneuvers, Phineas's werewolf wizards had already begun isolated raids against the Flints. Their intentions were clear—complete destruction.
The only force capable of halting them now was the Elder Council.
Dumbledore understood this well. So as he faced the desperate wizards before him—wizards hoping to use threats and persuasion to make Phineas retreat—he felt nothing but contempt.
They had lost.
And now they were trying to rewrite the outcome through outside interference.
"He's with Nicolas," Dumbledore said simply. "And not even I can make him stop now. I understand your aims clearly. Let's assume, for a moment, that I don't oppose your methods. It still wouldn't matter. If you wish to save the Flints—or salvage anything at all—you'll need to appeal to the Elder Council. What you pay for that is your own affair, is it not?"
Having reached this conclusion, Dumbledore felt lighter. The anger he'd carried earlier faded from his expression.
He leaned back in his chair, folded his hands calmly on the desk, and smiled at the wizards before him.