NOVEL NEXT Chapter 62: Chapter 60 - School Council
In the Slytherin Common Room at Hogwarts, Asterion found himself relaxing, savoring a glass of whiskey as he let his thoughts wander freely. The explosion of emotions that occurred in the Tactical Magical Self-Defense Training Room led him to an inescapable conclusion: it was urgent for him to learn to better control his emotions.
Asterion, despite being human, acknowledged his flaws. His need for familial affection was a vulnerability that could be exploited by anyone with enough power and courage. Therefore, he committed himself to further refining his emotional control, determined not to expose such feelings in front of his enemies again.
However, mastery over his emotions did not mean that Asterion would hesitate to destroy the Longbottom House. On the contrary, after calming down completely, his determination to eradicate his enemies was strengthened even more, as if it were forged in steel; someone must pay for his fury.
At this moment, Asterion realized that Neville and Dumbledore had probably discovered his supposed "weakness" - his connection to family. He had no doubt that they would both try to use it against him. However, he himself was not deterred. Inside the Black Manor, even if Dumbledore ventured there, he would only leave in a coffin.
Without a shadow of a doubt, Asterion was convinced that Arcturus would not hesitate to sacrifice himself, unleashing the destruction of the Black Manor itself along with Dumbledore's presence, thereby releasing the Cursed Spirit sealed at the mansion's entrance.
As he left the confines of the residence, Asterion planned to unleash Special Grade Cursed Spirits - particularly difficult to eliminate - upon each member of the Black House. He yearned to witness who would have the audacity to attempt to ambush Narcissa, Bellatrix, and Arcturus.
"Lord Black."
Upon hearing someone calling for him, Asterion opened his eyes, finding the young man standing at a respectful distance. It was Marcus Flint, the captain of the Slytherin Quidditch Team.
"Headmaster Snape asked me to inform you that your presence has been requested at the Hogwarts School Council Chamber," the boy said, bowing slightly and avoiding direct eye contact with Asterion as he spoke respectfully and courteously.
Upon receiving this news, Asterion knew that the plan to pressure the school council regarding Quirrell's attack had been successful. He imagined the scandal that would ensue if the information leaked that one of the students had been attacked by a Hogwarts professor.
He could even imagine Rita Skeeter creating chaos with just those words.
"Thank you, Flint." Showing a satisfied smile, Asterion thanked him and placed the glass of whisky on the glass table.
He stood up and left the Slytherin Common Room.
-The Hogwarts School Council Chamber resembled a conventional courtroom, although devoid of the chairs intended for jurors and the audience.
Asterion stood on a platform in the center of the hall, carefully observing the elevated table where eleven people were seated in chairs of ancient and noble appearance.
There were five women and six men. Among them, one stood out: Albus Dumbledore, occupying the central chair.
Of the other four female members, Asterion recognized only one. It was impossible to forget the woman who invited him to join a secret organization called "R" at his birthday party three years ago. Even now, as she stared at him, one of the most powerful men in England, he detected the same arrogance in her gaze, skillfully concealed beneath a serious and elegant demeanor.
Honestly, Asterion couldn't understand where such confidence came from for someone to display such arrogance in front of him.
"Thank you for coming so promptly, Heir Black," Dumbledore said with a gentle and warm smile directed at Asterion. "After much deliberation from this Council, your request has been accepted."
"Congratulations, Heir Black. You have been accepted into the Exorcism Course. As an Exorcist, I hope you maintain prudence in your judgments, justice in your heart, and the courage to face death with serenity," continued the Hogwarts Headmaster, his blue eyes like a lake fixed on Asterion with a serious and encouraging gaze.
The other council members nodded in agreement.
The woman from the secret organization, Verucca Bluckthorn-Snyde, spoke kindly, "I wish your career as an Exorcist to be a success, Heir Black."
Internally, Asterion scoffed at the apparent kindness expressed by the woman. One of the things he would never trust were secret organizations; you never know when they might stab someone in the back.At the same time, Asterion underestimated the extent of this Secret Organization's reach. It wasn't easy to become a member of the Hogwarts Council. Firstly, to attain such a position, one needed to be voted in at a Wizengamot meeting, garnering at least twenty votes for selection. Then, they would undergo a thorough investigation, during which their analytical skills and powers would be tested. Only after proving their abilities could someone become a member of the Hogwarts Council.
Asterion refused to believe that this woman was innocent and had a clean past. But if his suspicions were correct, it would imply that the organization called R had deeply infiltrated the Ministry of Magic. He dared to say that even members of the Pure-Blood Faction were involved in this.
"It seems I'll have to do a thorough cleanup when I take control..." Asterion thought, looking at the woman who was smiling kindly at him.
He returned the gaze with a cold and indifferent stare.
Asterion also glanced at the other members of the School Council; the five remaining men were elderly, three elegantly dressed in expensive fine suits and two in suits that, although fine, were more discreet.
Three members were from Noble Houses and two were Muggle-borns or Half-bloods.
Of the five, two were powerful: Robert Crouch and Sebastian Fern, both powerful Grade 1 wizards. Robert Crouch, in particular, was a member of the famous Crouch House, a powerful family with significant connections within the Ministry of Magic.
Sebastian was of Muggle origin and a rare Grade 1 wizard, something truly remarkable.
Among the women, Asterion was only interested in two. One of these women was Clarisse Bones, a middle-aged woman, as her surname indicated, a member of the Bones House, probably with close ties to the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement - Amelia Bones.
Asterion noticed that although Dumbledore did not control the School Council, he had a lot of influence with Clarisse, Sebastian, and other members of the Council.
Remembering that Dumbledore had said that these old folks didn't like to change things, Asterion scoffed; obviously, it was a lie.
The last interesting member of the School Council was Verucca Bluckthorn-Snyde, the woman who had close ties to a mysterious Secret Organization apparently very powerful; she was also the youngest member, under forty.
"The papers regarding your mission will be delivered by the end of the day. I hope you have a great day, Heir Black," Dumbledore said, smiling.
He looked at the other members of the Council and asked, "Does any member of the Council have anything to add?"
Seeing that everyone remained silent, Dumbledore banged the gavel, closing the session of the Hogwarts School Council.
Internally scoffing at the School Council, Asterion left without looking back; everything seemed like a tasteless joke.
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"Author's Thoughts: The Mysterious Team Rocket Organization is back! Hehehe, jokes aside, this will be a very important plot in this fanfic. Hope you enjoyed it :D!!!"
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Next Chapter: Chapter 60 – Chapter 60 - School Council, Chapter 61 – Mission (1), Chapter 62 – Mission (2), Chapter 63 - Mission (3), Chapter 64 - Mission (4), Chapter 65 - Mission (5), Chapter 66 - Consequences of the Attack (1), Chapter 67 - Aftermath of the Attack (2), Chapter 68 - Invasion of Hogwarts (1), Chapter 69 - Invasion of Hogwarts (2), Chapter 70 - Invasion of Hogwarts (3), Chapter 71 - Invasion of Hogwarts (4), Chapter 72 - Invasion of Hogwarts (5), Chapter 73 - Invasion of Hogwarts (6), Chapter 74 - Invasion of Hogwarts (7), Chapter 75 - Invasion of Hogwarts (8), Chapter 76 - Invasion of Hogwarts (9), Chapter 77 - Invasion of Hogwarts (10), Chapter 78 - Invasion of Hogwarts (11), Chapter 79 - Post-War (1), Chapter 80 - Heir of Salazar Slytherin (1), Chapter 81 - Heir of Salazar Slytherin (2), Chapter 82 - Heir of Salazar Slytherin (3), Chapter 83 - Salazar's Heir Slytherin (4), Chapter 84 - Sequels, Chapter 85 - Civil War (1).