"That is a rash decision, Lucius..." the Headmaster said, displeased and suspicious. "You cannot dictate such a condition in a school where I am the Headmaster."
"I can," Lucius interrupted. "I am a member of the Board of Governors. I fund this school, and I have the right to demand safety for my children."
Snape, standing in the shadows, spoke up:
"Headmaster, may I note that such precedents have already occurred. In 1973, after the attack on..."
"Thank you, Severus," Dumbledore firmly cut him off. He rose from his desk and looked at Lucius over his spectacles. "Lucius, I understand your concern. But to demand such a thing..."
"Too much?" Lucius smirked. "They attacked my son... four of them! If he hadn't defended himself, we would be speaking very differently right now, and soon there would be a trial. The Wizengamot is busy enough as it is lately. Should they really be allowed to stay in school after something like this?"
"Lucius," Dumbledore's voice remained soft, almost fatherly. "I understand your emotions. But I suggest we don't make hasty decisions. We can discuss security measures and tighten control..."
"I have already decided," Lucius cut in. "And I would appreciate being treated with respect as a Governor. Let me finish. In any case, the issue of security will be raised at the next meeting of the Board of Governors. This is simply my demand as a parent."
Dumbledore fell silent, and irritation flickered in his eyes. The Gryffindors' parents exchanged glances. Higgs's father, a large man with a red face, stepped forward.
"Maybe it's your son who should be sent to home school? To avoid escalating the conflict?"
Silence fell in the office. I saw my father slowly turn to the speaker. There was so much contempt in his gaze that even I felt uncomfortable.
"Mr. Higgs," Lucius said in a venomous tone. "Are you suggesting I remove my son from school because he was attacked? You are clearly having a difficult time processing recent events, otherwise questions would arise about your reasoning. I have already met you halfway, appreciate that, otherwise I will have to go the opposite route."
"I doubt things can go the opposite route, Lucius," Dumbledore said soothingly, trying to calm my father's heated temper.
After that, the conversations quieted down somewhat, and my father, apparently, decided that I should remain at Hogwarts after all. He came to this conclusion after a private conversation with Dumbledore, in which the Headmaster told him that I was a fine young man and that it would be hasty to transfer me out of school. But this did not suit me at all. And although everyone decided to wait a day for things to be sorted out, and I was left under Lucian's strict supervision in the Slytherin common room, I knew that by trying to please everyone, I had softened the outcome of my self-defense. So that very day, rumors spread around the school, followed by unrest. In just one evening on Saturday, there were as many altercations between Gryffindors and Slytherins, ending in fights, as Hogwarts hadn't seen in a whole month.
This was especially pronounced among the younger years and our own year, where I could control everyone. What's more, even Blackmore and Cassius had a pretty good fight with Burke and Reed.
All this time, I sat in the common room, in my own room, coordinating movements through the other Councilors. In the end, I escalated the situation so much that a fight with full-fledged spells broke out right during dinner, again along house lines and because of the morning's events.
In short, I simply aggravated the unrest among the students, which was already considerable after the morning attack. Things got so bad that after the brawl in the Great Hall was stopped, everyone was sent to their common rooms and lights out was announced, meaning curfew was moved up. Additionally, the Heads of House held separate talks with their houses; Snape spent a full half hour explaining just how stupid one had to be to start such fights, and thoroughly laid into everyone who had been caught fighting.
In total for the day, not counting my incident, five Gryffindors and four Slytherins ended up in the hospital wing with minor injuries, one more Slytherin ended up with Madam Pomfrey with a nasty burn, and two Hufflepuffs were also caught in the crossfire.
In short, while I sat in the common room under the strict orders of Snape and Dumbledore himself, the school was blazing with conflicts. And how many students received detentions and how many points we and the Gryffindors lost is a separate topic.
As it turned out later, Dumbledore himself suggested that I stay at school for the time being, thereby wanting to show my father that the school remained a safe place. However, he didn't ignore the Gryffindors' parents either, and although the question of transferring them to home schooling had not yet been resolved, everything was leaning that way. I decided to fan a flame so that Dumbledore, despite now not wanting to let me go, would still decide to do so.
After all, I had tried too hard to fit into Dumbledore's plans for him to let me go just like that, but chaos at school was another matter. Especially when some Gryffindors loudly declared that this was revenge for Farmus and his friends. In short, even though I couldn't easily leave Hogwarts through my father, I was counting on a different approach to the matter tomorrow, when everyone would gather again to resolve the problem, and when the condition of the three Gryffindors would also become known.
The one who got burned and fled wasn't even taken to Mungo's. His scratches, bruises, and burn were treated by Madam Pomfrey, who had been extremely busy all day.
Already in the morning, we held a classic Slytherin Council meeting, where I finally revealed all my cards. The strangest thing, of course, was with Amanda, who tried not to even look me in the eye. We hadn't personally talked about this topic at all after that awkward kiss, and I was worried about leaving this question hanging, as everything else was much more important right now.
Sunday, early morning, and our good old Slytherin Council. What could be better and more familiar... It was even a bit scary to abandon my creation, but I seemed to have prepared everything, and if my preparation turned out to be in vain, then this plan was simply not meant to succeed.
I began without preamble:
"You all already know what's happening at school. Chaos, fights, and detentions." I paused. "Well, this is the work of the Council. Our work."
Everyone nodded, as they had all participated in bringing the school to this situation, but none of them knew the true reason.
"Each of you played your role brilliantly." I looked at Avery. "Especially you, Marcus."
Avery lazily saluted with two fingers, but satisfaction flickered in his eyes.
"In one day, we accomplished what usually takes months," I continued. "The Council's enemies were neutralized in a week, or else demoralized or occupied with internal squabbles. Rookwood and Crone are broken. Farmus and Higgs are in Mungo's with injuries so severe that they'll have to forget about school for at least six months, and they will most likely be transferred to home schooling, because I made sure of it. Vance is now our debtor."
I surveyed my listeners.
"It was a perfect operation. And it is complete."
Cassius was the first to break:
"So now everything will be calm? We've won?"
"We've won this battle," I corrected. "But the Council was created for something else, and this is only the beginning. A new stage is beginning. Now we will become a truly strong organization. Anonymous, far-reaching, and most importantly, invulnerable."
I nodded to Avery, and he took out a thick leather folder.
"Marcus and I have been working on this for a long time," I said, taking the folder. "This is a set of rules, action protocols, and instructions for various situations. Everything needed for the Council to exist and develop further."
"Further?" asked Amanda. "What's the point? You know everything, and you're the leader."
I looked at her for a long moment.
"In the next few days, I will most likely be expelled. Or at least suspended from classes."
The effect was exactly as I expected. Cassius jumped up, Dexter frowned. Even Nox was surprised, and only Amanda clicked her tongue in annoyance. And Marcus didn't react, because he understood everything, and part of it he even knew.
"That's impossible!" Cassius exclaimed. "You're the son of a Hogwarts Governor! They can't expel you!"
"They can," I replied calmly. "Or rather, they will suggest it. And I will agree. Because it's necessary."
"But why?" Dexter voiced his concern.
"Because my presence here after everything that happened will only fuel the conflict. Although, the latter is our doing... that was the plan. Because Dumbledore and my father are currently haggling over my fate, and this haggling needs to end. And because..." I paused, "...after the winter holidays, a lot will change. Perhaps the attitude of some of you towards me will change as well."
I looked directly at Amanda. She flinched and began looking at me with great suspicion. Apparently, she was thinking the wrong thing.
"Hogwarts will become a prison for me after this," I continued. "And to avoid ending up in a cage, I will have to leave the school and the Council for a while. But that doesn't mean the Council will cease to exist. On the contrary — it will finally grow into what I created it for."
Everyone looked at me with varying degrees of understanding and confusion.
"What for?" Amanda asked.
I rose from my seat.
"To change the Magical World, starting with Magical Britain."
Such silence fell over the office that every rustle could be heard. Well, it was time to reveal the details and give them a purpose. After all, childish games were becoming tiresome, and they were already quite hooked on all this and were unlikely to give up their places on the Council.
And I had long since decided for myself that it was time to lift the veil of secrecy and show part of the goal that had been floating in my head every day.
"You all know what's going on in the Ministry," I began, pacing before them. "Every year, they tighten the screws. Control, surveillance, and restrictions. Pure-blood wizards are being pushed out of key positions, replaced by convenient half-bloods and upstarts ready to dance to someone else's tune. The Wizengamot, which should be a stronghold of the ancient houses, has turned into a fragmented group, part of which, like obedient puppets, nod at every decision. One person stands behind this."
"Dumbledore," someone breathed.
"Precisely." I nodded. "He doesn't hold the post of Minister, but he is the Supreme Mugwump of the Wizengamot, the Headmaster of Hogwarts, and more. Through this, he controls everything. Through connections, through influence, and through people who owe their careers and positions to him. And these people often know him from childhood."
I stopped and looked around.
"Disunity among wizards leads to degradation. While we squabble among ourselves, Muggles are developing by leaps and bounds. They have technologies that can destroy entire cities. They have weapons before which our spells are children's toys. And if we don't unite, if we don't take control into our own hands, evolution will lose."
I saw their faces change. Some looked with disbelief, others with admiration. But no one looked away.
"It sounds foolish now," I said more quietly. "The words of a boy playing at soldiers. But soon everything will change. When I have real power. Not school influence, I'm talking about real power, backed by gold and titles. And then I will need loyal people. People who will follow me. People who will help change the system."
I looked at each of them in turn.
"I want to know: are you ready to follow me? Not as a school Council, not as an interest club — but as the core of a future movement that will change everything?"
Silence lasted for several seconds. Then Avery lazily raised his hand:
"I'm with you, Ark. I always have been."
"Me too," Blackmore said firmly.
"Where you go, I go," Cassius grinned.
One by one, they raised their hands. Amanda raised her last, right after Nox.
"Good," I nodded. "Then listen to how the Council will work from now on…"
***
Dumbledore sat at his desk. His blue eyes behind the half-moon spectacles looked at me with that expression I had learned to recognize — a mixture of curiosity, wariness, and something like regret. It was the face he put on when he wanted to show his humanity, but at the same time, he could say anything.
"Mr. Malfoy," Dumbledore began, "I invited you for a private conversation before your parents arrive."
I nodded, keeping a calm expression.
"I did not expect things to turn out this way," Dumbledore continued. "When you first came to this office, I saw a promising young man. Intelligent, talented, ambitious. I had hoped to channel these qualities in the right direction."
He sighed.
"And now I berate myself for having to make a difficult decision. And this decision may break your destiny."
I spoke up:
"It won't break my destiny, because I will still remain the same person. Professor Dumbledore, I understand the situation. Honestly. I wasn't counting on justice — justice is a rare guest in our lives. I saw what was happening at school. And perhaps, if I leave, things will settle down, but I am disappointed. Truly disappointed."
Dumbledore looked at me for a long moment.
"You are remarkably reasonable for your age, Mr. Malfoy. It is both admirable and frightening."
"I simply look at the facts, sir. My presence here is stirring up conflict. People see me either as a victim or a vile Slytherin. I don't want to be the cause of more fights and injuries."
McGonagall snorted but remained silent. She was unusually quiet today.
"You are right about one thing," Dumbledore said. "Your presence is a catalyst right now. But it is not you who is to blame, but those who created this aura around you."
"Aura or not, sir, a fact remains a fact."
We talked for another hour or so. Dumbledore asked about my well-being, about my plans, about how I saw my future. I answered calmly, thoughtfully, trying not to give away too much information, but also not to seem closed off. And I think I succeeded.
When I left the office, my parents were already waiting in the corridor.
The second round of negotiations gathered all the same participants as yesterday, but now the atmosphere was even more tense. The Gryffindors' parents looked exhausted, having apparently spent the night at Mungo's. My father was impeccable as always. My mother did not come this time.
"So," Dumbledore began, looking around at everyone. "We have arrived at a solution that, I hope, will satisfy all parties."
He looked at me to spite my father and said:
"Lucius, I accept your proposal. The injured Gryffindors will switch to home schooling after they recover. We will prepare all the necessary documents and provide them with decent conditions to continue their education."
The Gryffindors' parents stirred, but Dumbledore raised his hand.
"However," he continued, "I must note that the situation at school has reached a boiling point. Arcturus himself, by his own admission, has become the cause of inter-house tension. And I must agree: his presence here, at least for the time being, will only worsen the situation."
Lucius narrowed his eyes.
"What are you suggesting, Albus?"
"I suggest that Arcturus leave Hogwarts. For at least a year."
"Are you suggesting I expel my son?" Lucius asked coldly.
"Oh, no. I am merely suggesting an exchange program, which we discussed earlier. Beauxbatons or Durmstrang for one year, no more. During this time, passions will cool, and Arcturus will gain new experiences and knowledge. And then, he can return."
I watched Dumbledore and saw how deftly he was maneuvering. He decided to give me an "opportunity."
"I am ready to leave Hogwarts," I said firmly. "If it will help restore order to the school."
"Son…"
"Father, I have made up my mind." I turned to Dumbledore. "But if I leave on an exchange program, I would like to take my third-year exams externally. So that I can enter the fourth year at the new school immediately."
Dumbledore nodded.
"That is reasonable. We will organize the exams in the coming days, if you wish. I am sure you will do brilliantly!"
The Gryffindors' parents started shouting again. It was Higgs's father again:
"Young Malfoy is being sent abroad to study, while my children have to stay at home? That's not fair!"
I looked at him calmly, even with a slight smirk.
"The guilty always shout the loudest, Mr. Higgs."
"What did you say?!" he roared.
"Don't you dare!" Lucius's voice cut through all the other noise. He rose and stepped forward, shielding me. "Be quiet. Or I will continue this conversation in court, where your children will sit on the defendant's bench for attempted murder."
Higgs opened his mouth, but under Lucius's gaze, he shut it and sat back down.
Dumbledore spoke again, conciliatory and soft:
"I think we can consider the matter settled. Mr. Malfoy will take his exams and then go on an exchange program for one year. And we, for our part, will ensure that such incidents do not happen again."