Chapter 284 : The Madman's Revenge
When he returned, Puff had already finished her tasks. Lisa's body had been washed, dressed in clean robes, and laid neatly in the coffin.
"Notify our people," Phineas said.
Puff hesitated. "Master, which group of people are you referring to?"
Over the years, Phineas had gathered far more than just werewolf wizards. The world was vast, and wizards lived far beyond Britain's borders. He had recruited allies from every continent. In truth, his private forces rivaled the influence of the ancient Black family.
Of course, the Black family's legacy was deeper, having once ruled the British wizarding world. Still, Phineas had divided his people into distinct factions: the now-depleted werewolf wizards, dark wizards from Britain and America, a tribal force from Africa, and more.
As a time traveler, Phineas never limited himself to magical power alone. He also harnessed influence in the Muggle world. With enough gold, mercenaries—ordinary men—were willing to die for him.
"All of them," Phineas said coldly.
The chill in his voice made even Puff, a house-elf, tremble.
"Yes, Master. I'll send word at once."
Phineas waved her away and added, "Tell them to assemble here. And inform the families aligned with the Black family. I need them to delay the Ministry of Magic and the council of elders. Also, investigate all wizards and families involved in this attack. I refuse to believe a few individuals could kill Lisa and nearly kill Sirius."
Puff bowed. "Puff understands."
"Go, then."
Phineas stared at Lisa's coffin. The murderous intent in his gaze was almost tangible.
"Tom Riddle… this has your stench. I had planned to play the long game, but now? Now you've crossed the line."
Phineas no longer cared about strategy. He would drag everyone into chaos if he had to.
None of the culprits would escape. And for those whose guilt was uncertain? Phineas wouldn't take chances. He'd rather kill one too many than let one guilty party go free. After all, didn't Nicolas once bring about the Black Death in pursuit of the Philosopher's Stone? For wizards, the lives of strangers were expendable. Only the lives of those we love had value.
While Phineas awaited Puff's return, the entire British wizarding world shook.
Within a day, wizards poured into Britain through both legal and illegal channels. Intelligence from various factions confirmed that many more were on their way.
But it wasn't just magical forces. The Ministry of Magic, pure-blood families, and even the council of elders were shocked by reports that Muggle mercenaries were arriving too—armed, and ready for war. Not an ordinary one, but one capable of toppling governments. Wizardkind's power could indeed defy reason.
When the heads of pure-blood families, Minister Fudge, and the council of elders learned that these forces were converging on Phineas Black's manor, fury erupted.
"Who provoked that lunatic?"
"Was it the attack on Sirius? Who dared touch him?"
"Is he trying to reveal the magical world to Muggles?!"
"He's going to bring it all down with him!"
Across Britain, meetings echoed with the same fear: Phineas Black was out of control.
Naturally, Hogwarts learned of the unrest.
Umbridge, pale and sweating in her office, was for once relieved that her cowardice had kept her from provoking him further.
Professor McGonagall turned to Dumbledore in disbelief. "Albus, what is Phineas planning?"
Dumbledore sighed. "When I heard about Sirius, I knew Tom had pushed him too far. But I didn't expect this. His hidden strength… it's staggering."
In truth, legendary wizards outclassed ordinary ones—but not infinitely. A single legendary could defeat several powerful wizards. But when faced with twenty, fifty, or even a hundred… even legends faltered.
Never in wizarding history had someone united so many wizards. No one realized until now that a mass of "weak" magic wielders could threaten even the council of elders.
---
The Next Evening – Phineas's Estate
Phineas sat in the hall beside Lisa's coffin, eyes locked on the manor gate.
It was as though his presence summoned them. Within moments, the hall filled with wizards clad in varied attire.
"Master!" they greeted, saluting in unison.
Phineas smiled faintly. "It's been too long. How many years has it been?"
He scanned the room—captains, branch leaders, veterans.
"Puff!"
With a snap of his fingers, Puff appeared.
"Tell them what happened to Lisa. And share what you've found."
Puff bowed and waved her hand. Dozens of parchments materialized, floating to each wizard.
"Lisa was attacked… and killed?" Damon Bennett, head of the North American branch, asked.
Phineas nodded, his gaze ice-cold.
"That's why you're here. I don't care who was behind it. Someone harmed my people. Now they'll face the price. All of them."
He raised his voice.
"I want the ones responsible found. Bring them to me."
"Yes, sir!"
The room echoed with loyal voices.
Phineas's eyes gleamed. "Remember—better to make a mistake than let one slip through. I don't care what damage we cause. I only care about results."
He waved them off. "Go."
In a flurry of Apparitions, the wizards vanished. Those waiting outside followed.
---
Chaos Unleashed
In the days that followed, Phineas's followers operated with ruthless efficiency, showing no regard for the International Statute of Secrecy, the Ministry of Magic, or the influence of any pure-blood family.
They stormed into Diagon Alley, raiding every shop, interrogating every witch and wizard, and arresting anyone bearing the Dark Mark—regardless of whether they had any proven connection to the attack.
It wasn't that no one tried to resist.
But the wizards under Phineas were relentless and merciless. Any act of defiance was met with overwhelming force—groups of four, ten, even twenty would descend upon a single target without hesitation. They didn't care about casualties or procedure; only the outcome mattered.
In just two days, the British wizarding world was purged of dark wizards—at least those not aligned with Phineas. Apart from Ministry Aurors, any wizard known to have used an Unforgivable Curse became a target.
Mad. Absolutely ruthless.
That was the only impression the wizarding world now had of Phineas.
Rumors spread like wildfire—some claimed Phineas intended to bury the entire wizarding world alongside his fallen brother and followers. No one even dared to ask whether Sirius Black was alive or dead anymore. It didn't matter. Phineas's intent was unmistakable: vengeance, unrelenting and without concern for the cost.
Though it was clear the Death Eaters were behind the attack, Phineas's forces made no distinctions. Every Death Eater was hunted down, even those who had long since renounced their past.
If Snape hadn't been under Dumbledore's protection at Hogwarts, even he might have been seized.
Phineas had changed. His once-bright eyes were now dull, snake-like. His aura was thick with dark magic—suffocating.
Dumbledore, had he been present, would have recognized the toll of prolonged use of black magic. But Phineas didn't care. When he saw the memories Lisa had left—her torment—he snapped.
The Death Eaters he captured gave up Voldemort's hiding places under magical torture: the Parkinson and Goyle manors, both protected by the Fidelius Charm, were now compromised.
With a flick, he summoned blue flame, engulfing a prisoner who screamed in agony—and gratitude—as he burned to ash.
"Now that we know where he is, there's no need to wait," Phineas said quietly.
He drank the potion Puff handed him—Hufflepuff's energy elixir. He hadn't slept in three days. But today would be the end.
"Let's move."
Phineas became a swirl of white smoke. His army followed. Above Britain, streaks of white fog filled the skies.
---
Parkinson Manor
Phineas stood at the front, casually waving his wand. He didn't bother with formal casting gestures—the iron gate at the manor's entrance shattered instantly into splinters.
His frequent use of dark magic had a clear effect: he had grown into a formidable wizard, mastering strength, magical power, and technique alike.
Indeed, battle was the fastest path to improvement.
"Go in. Leave no one alive."
Phineas's voice was calm as he pronounced the fate awaiting everyone inside the manor.
Led by Damon Bennett, a large group of wizards surged forward, storming into the estate.
Phineas remained still, summoning a ball of the same blue flame as before at the tip of his wand. It surged forward, setting the manor's wall ablaze.
A faint smile curved his lips as he waved his wand again. The blue flame expanded, taking the form of a towering fiery giant.
"I doubt you can withstand a giant made of fierce fire."
With deliberate steps, the fire giant strode ahead, overtaking Damon and his group who were still rushing toward the manor.
The giant's massive fist slammed into the small castle at the center of the estate, toppling a tower with a thunderous crash.