Chapter 41: Things Have Gotten Serious

"Perhaps someone can explain to me why my brother, Nolan Von Draugr, was attacked at Hogwarts, and furthermore, why the Cruciatus Curse was used against him? This is truly puzzling. If I recall correctly, the Cruciatus Curse is banned by your Ministry of Magic, is it not?" Inside the headmaster's office at Hogwarts, a stunningly beautiful young woman, appearing no older than sixteen, sat elegantly in the headmaster's chair. Her crimson eyes were half-closed, and her long black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, framing her exquisite face and draping around her swan-like neck. At this moment, however, no one but Headmaster Albus Dumbledore dared to meet her gaze. Not Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall, not Severus Snape, head of Slytherin House, and certainly not Cornelius Fudge, the Minister for Magic, who had arrived drenched in cold sweat after hearing the news. Dumbledore twinkled his eyes mischievously. "Duchess Felicia, we're all aware that vampires possess far greater magical resistance than wizards. In fact, Nolan hasn't sustained any serious injuries, so there's really no need for such tension. Would you care for a Cockroach Cluster? Sweets have a wonderful way of dispelling stress—they're my favorite, and I find them very effective." Felicia glanced curiously at the offered candy, then smiled coolly and shook her head. Her voice was soft but commanding as she replied, "No, Dumbledore, you know I don't eat such things." She turned her sharp gaze toward the anxious Cornelius Fudge. "Fudge, am I to understand this correctly? The Ministry of Magic, that assembly of imbeciles, has finally resolved to declare war on the Von Draugr family? Was that Cruciatus Curse your declaration of war?" "Oh no, no, no! Heavens, no, Duchess Felicia! We have absolutely no such intention!" Fudge stammered, trembling visibly. He couldn't begin to imagine the hell that would break loose if the Von Draugr family truly went to war with the Ministry. Regardless of who emerged victorious, his tenure as Minister for Magic would be over. He would go down in history as the shortest-serving Minister ever! His recklessness and incompetence would be immortalized in magical history textbooks, recounted by ghostly professors to generations of young witches and wizards. The name Cornelius Fudge would become synonymous with shame in the wizarding world. "Oh?" Felicia tilted her chin upward haughtily, gazing down at him as though through her aristocratic nose. "So what exactly do you intend, Cornelius Fudge? Are you going to tell me, 'Oops, sorry, this was all a misunderstanding?' Is that it? My brother was hit with the Cruciatus Curse, and you call that a misunderstanding? Is that what you're saying?" "Well, uh... this... this..." Fudge stuttered, sweating profusely as he cast a desperate glance at Dumbledore for assistance. The old wizard merely shrugged playfully, his expression making it clear he had no intention of stepping in. Damn it, Fudge cursed internally. If you weren't confident you could handle these lunatic vampires, you should never have provoked them! And bringing them to Hogwarts of all places—our stronghold and the sole magical educational institution in Britain—how absurd! Outwardly, Fudge forced a strained laugh and offered, "How about this? The witch who... acted improperly toward Mr. Von Draugr will be sent straight to Azkaban to face the punishment she deserves. Furthermore, her family will pay a substantial amount of compensation..." "Absolutely not!" Felicia's voice was icy as she glared at him. "Are you suggesting that anyone can harm my brother and simply buy their way out of it with some compensation? It's not that simple. Azkaban? Such a light punishment is hardly sufficient. Cornelius Fudge, you wouldn't happen to be shielding that heinous criminal, would you? She's a vile witch who used an Unforgivable Curse on an innocent, defenseless child—a sweet, powerless young wizard. Her actions are more atrocious than Voldemort's and more despicable than any Death Eater's. As the head of the Von Draugr family, I demand that she face the punishment she deserves!" Snape and McGonagall exchanged a silent glance, their thoughts aligned. Defenseless young wizard? Are we certain we're talking about your brother? The pureblood vampire who had just punched a witch into a marble wall? Fudge let out a nervous laugh. "Duchess Felicia, being sent to Azkaban is the heaviest punishment available in the wizarding world..." "I said, it's not enough," Felicia replied icily. Then, as if a new thought amused her, she smirked. "Very well, Cornelius Fudge. You lack the authority and the backbone—you're nothing more than a cowardly puppet on the Ministry's stage. The Von Draugr family doesn't need your approval to collect the compensation we're owed. We'll handle it ourselves." Dumbledore frowned slightly, a rare sign of disapproval, and offered a gentle reminder. "Duchess Felicia—" "Yes, yes, Dumbledore, I know my limits," Felicia interrupted impatiently, waving him off. "This time, I'll give you all a pass, but there won't be a next time. And you, Severus Snape, your negligence is inexcusable." Snape's lips tightened, his face cold as he said, "I have nothing to say." "You certainly don't," Felicia said, her tone biting. "As punishment, take this." Before anyone could react, she stepped forward, planted her left foot firmly, and threw a devastating punch. "My goodness!" Fudge squawked, jumping back like a frightened chicken. Dumbledore sighed, polishing his half-moon glasses with a resigned air. "Minerva, please escort Severus to Madam Pomfrey. I believe he'll need a quiet space to recover. Resetting broken bones can be a rather painful affair." Felicia stared dispassionately at the Potions Master, who lay at her feet, blood pooling beneath him. To his credit, Snape hadn't made a sound, even as pain radiated from his fractured ribs. "Consider this the end of the matter... for now," Felicia said calmly. She turned her crimson gaze to Fudge. "Cornelius Fudge, remember, this is the first and the last time." With that, she swept out of the office, her presence as commanding in departure as it was in arrival. Left in the chaos of the headmaster's office, now looking as though it had weathered a storm, Dumbledore and Fudge sat in silence. These two of the most influential wizards in Britain exchanged a long, weighty gaze, neither saying a word. The next day, the wizarding world of Britain was in uproar. One of the few remaining pureblood families, the Volka family, had been completely decimated overnight. The only two female heirs were captured by the attackers, and the family matriarch, Elena Volka, was found the next morning drained of blood, her body withered into a ghastly husk. Throughout the day, whispers filled the air as wizards speculated about who the attackers might have been and what could have provoked such a response. Those who knew the truth, however, remained silent, their lips sealed. Among them was Lucius Malfoy, who was profoundly shaken by the events of the previous night.