Chapter 172: A Sudden Turn of Events
"Whatever you say now is meaningless," Lucius Malfoy said coldly, his grip tightening around his cane until his knuckles turned pale.
"No matter how you justify it, the result remains the same—Cyrian Rosier was sent to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries because of you. And you, as an outsider, interfered in a matter that had nothing to do with you."
"So what you're saying, Mr. Malfoy," Russell replied calmly, "is that if I weren't an outsider, then I would have every right to intervene?"
He had keenly seized upon a crucial point in Lucius's argument.
"…Of course," Lucius answered after a brief pause. Though he didn't understand where Russell was going with this, he could only nod.
After all, those were his own words—there was no taking them back now.
Still, he wasn't too concerned. If Russell thought he could justify his involvement by claiming the role of a "protector," he was deluding himself.
Such roles were nothing more than unspoken conventions—never acknowledged openly. On the surface, a "protector" had no official connection to the person they guarded.
At least, that was how Lucius saw it.
"Good. Remember what you just said," Russell smiled faintly, saying no more.
"Let's proceed to a vote," Lucius declared when no one else spoke.
He drew his wand from within his cane.
"All those in favor of expulsion—raise your wands."
As expected, four of the board members—everyone except Clint—raised their wands without hesitation.
Just as Lucius was about to declare victory and move to formally recommend Russell's expulsion to Lord Voldemort, the doors to the chamber burst open with a loud crash.
"Good afternoon, everyone."
A cheerful voice rang out as Sirius Black strode into the room, head held high.
He looked largely recovered now.
Draped over his shoulders was a robe embroidered with the crest of the Black family—but beneath the open collar, one could clearly see he was wearing a brown Muggle-style jacket underneath.
His jet-black curls fell loosely to his shoulders, and a faintly mocking smile lingered in his gray eyes as they swept across the members of the board.
"Long time no see," Sirius Black said, giving Lucius Malfoy a dismissive nod.
"I don't recall spotting you in any of the cells in Azkaban, Malfoy. I suppose you must've paid the Ministry a hefty sum to wash your hands clean."
"That's a blatant accusation," Lucius snapped, though the uneasy feeling in his chest surged stronger than ever.
"And what exactly are you doing here, Black?" he asked, forcing himself to remain composed.
"What am I doing here?" Sirius let out a scoff, not bothering to press further—he knew Malfoy had countless ways to cover his tracks.
"If I remember correctly, the Black family still holds a seat on the Board of Governors."
Without waiting for permission, he pulled out a chair and sat directly opposite Lucius.
"What? Holding a board meeting without inviting me? Looking down on the House of Black?" he asked lazily.
Faced with someone as unreasonable as Sirius, Lucius felt a headache coming on. He had indeed acted improperly this time, so he brushed it off with a few perfunctory words before pushing the vote forward again.
After all, what difference would Sirius make? At most, it would be one extra vote against—hardly enough to change the outcome.
Just as Lucius was once again about to look toward Albus Dumbledore with confidence, the door opened again.
This time, he was visibly irritated. He had been about to make a sarcastic remark—but the moment he saw who had arrived, he swallowed his words.
Don't tell me this is about to go sideways… he thought uneasily.
At the front was a slightly hunched elderly woman, her white hair wild and unkempt, dressed in a bizarre robe that looked as though it had been stitched together from countless different garments.
In her hands, she carried a jar, casually grabbing handfuls of what appeared to be snacks and chewing as she walked.
Behind her came a couple.
The man was thin, sporting a small mustache, dressed in an old-fashioned suit, his hair messy and his eyes gleaming with manic enthusiasm.
The woman had pale skin and long black hair cascading like a waterfall. She wore a tight black gown, her long fingers tipped with sharp nails—her presence cold, elegant, and enigmatic.
Trailing behind them was a bald man with round eyes and a pale complexion, dressed in a fur-collared coat, looking around with unrestrained curiosity.
"Mother, can I study here? I've never properly attended a magic school before," he whispered—though not quietly enough to go unheard.
"Fester, we're here today to support Russell. As for your question, we'll discuss it after this is settled," Morticia Addams said, turning back to him when the elderly woman—Grandmama Addams—offered no response.
Their butler, Lurch, did not enter, remaining loyally stationed outside.
"Alright…" Uncle Fester looked a bit disappointed—until he spotted Wednesday. Instantly, his mood brightened, and he waved enthusiastically at her.
"Apologies for the delay," Gomez Addams greeted warmly, waving to everyone.
The four of them took seats on Sirius's side. Fester sat beside him, eyeing Sirius with open curiosity.
"Apologies, members of the Addams family," Lucius said with a strained smile. "I understand your feelings—after all, your child was harmed. However, this is a Hogwarts Board of Governors meeting."
His tone was polite, but the implication was clear: they had no right to be here.
"Is that so?" Grandmama Addams didn't even lift her head. "In that case, Fester, go play with Wednesday."
"Okay, Mother!" Fester's face lit up. He eagerly got up and plopped down beside Wednesday.
"Wednesday, I heard someone attacked you from behind. Who did it? Tell me—I'll teach them a lesson."
A fierce grin spread across his face as faint crackles of electricity flickered around his head.
"No need, Uncle Fester. Russell has already taken care of it for me," Wednesday said calmly, pulling out a small chocolate bear from her pocket and handing it to him.
"Alright…" he mumbled through a mouthful of chocolate.
Lucius watched the scene unfold, utterly confused.
"What exactly is the meaning of this?" he asked. It was obvious she understood his earlier remark—so why had she only sent that bald wizard away?
Unless…
A sudden thought struck him—but he immediately shook his head.
Impossible. Absolutely impossible. How could a single wizarding family hold three seats on the Board of Governors?
"Can't figure it out?" Grandmama finally looked up, giving Lucius a cryptic smile.
"That's only natural."
She spoke slowly, almost leisurely:
"The Addams family originally had just one seat on the board. But during the years when Lord Voldemort was running rampant… there was a certain family—what was their name again?—who sold their seat to us."