In the days that followed, it was as if the world had changed overnight.
There were far fewer people in Diagon Alley, and the same was true of Knockturn Alley.
Everyone feared the return of the Dark Lord.
The Second King they once relied on couldn't even protect his own shop.
Fear spread through magical society.
Just today, another shop in Diagon Alley was attacked.
Ollivanders.
The elderly man who had made wands for countless young wizards was taken away by force.
The people of Diagon Alley prayed for Gilderoy Lockhart to stand up against Voldemort, but unfortunately, Lockhart was currently in America, acting as a spokesperson promoting Silverhand products.
When fear takes hold, the weak always long for a hero to appear.
And the savior star who once filled the newspapers became that hero in their eyes.
John looked at the papers reporting incidents happening everywhere and casually set aside the leaflets printed with the Dark Mark.
"So someone's deliberately spreading these?"
When victory seems impossible, people will always begin to follow someone on their own.
And all of this was discovered in Knockturn Alley.
The one spreading it was a young man, shouting that Voldemort would rule the wizarding world.
John had him locked in a room, hoping he would stick to his convictions.
"We're not going to act?" Tommy asked. With Silverhand's power, dispelling this kind of fear wouldn't be difficult.
"Show weakness to the enemy, Tommy."
John was increasing Voldemort's stakes—starting with leaving Hogwarts and being bullied.
Supplying him with equipment, building up his reputation.
Voldemort was like an ambitious kept lover John was sponsoring—everything looked like it was earned by his own hands, but in truth, it all came from John.
"My equipment gives him the confidence he needs," John said, propping his feet on the table as he casually rubbed Riddle's head. "Otherwise, he wouldn't dare take the risk of being hunted by Aurors just to abduct people in broad daylight."
Seeing Riddle being patted, Basil flew over with a hint of jealousy and glared at him.
Riddle met his gaze silently, then hopped to the side so Basil could come closer.
One black owl and one white owl closed their eyes comfortably.
Unfortunately, Tom had been left at school. Otherwise, she would have come over too to join in on the head-patting.
Seeing his boss act like this, Tommy could only shake his head and let it go.
"There's been some movement on the American side," Tommy reported on the branch situation. "The boss of District Eleven was killed, and the second-in-command has taken over."
"Oh?" John wasn't surprised. "Looks like it's no coincidence." He had been at ease about the American side because he had planted commands in those people's souls.
Now that one of them was dead, the new leader no longer had those restraints.
Tommy worried the other party might make a move against the branch.
After all, the Death Eaters had attacked before.
"You're right," John said after a moment. "Then let Tom cause a bit of chaos."
The two owls on the table tilted their heads, as if wondering what kind of trouble that useless dog could possibly stir up.
…
America,
A Johnny Silverhand branch store.
Gilderoy Lockhart was lavishing attention on the woman in the wheelchair, much to Johnson's displeasure.
"Miss Nagini needs to rest."
As Lockhart began introducing his books to Nagini, Johnson firmly ushered him away.
Lockhart put on a perfectly timed smile and said to Nagini, "Of course. I would never dream of disturbing the beautiful Miss Nagini's rest."
He bowed with impeccable manners and left, while Johnson watched him go.
"Aren't you supposed to admire strength?" Nagini said, barely holding back her laughter. "You should read his books. He's quite an accomplished wizard."
"Fraud," Johnson said bluntly. "I don't believe a weakling like that would dare travel with a banshee."
"So you've read them after all?" Nagini chuckled softly. Johnson felt even more annoyed at being exposed.
It was precisely because he had read them that he was disappointed in Lockhart.
How could this obvious weakling compare to the heroic figure in the books?
Johnson didn't get angry. After pushing Nagini back into her room, he went out to resume his post.
The sun blazed overhead. The weather here warmed up faster than it did at the main store.
Johnson saw the new head of District Eleven approaching.
Beside him were wizards in black robes, heads lowered.
…
Tommy's intuition proved accurate—the American Johnny Silverhand branch store was attacked.
John flipped through a book, not even lifting his eyes.
"Nagini and the others are alright, right?"
"They're fine, but the most valuable item in the shop—the magic-powered Starflare wand—was taken."
"Oh?"
John let out a soft chuckle. "Looks like Tom has realized where his weaknesses lie. His wings are finally starting to fill out."
Tommy didn't know what to say anymore. Who in their right mind nurtured their own enemy and even handed them supplies?
The magic-powered Starflare wand had been crafted by John as the signature treasure of the Johnny Silverhand branch—a holly wand inlaid with the Philosopher's Stone.
Back when the shop had been looted, John had already anticipated that this day would come.
"The best news is that no one was killed," John closed his book and looked up. "Arrange compensation and treatment for the injured."
"What about the head of District Eleven?"
"Kill him."
Hearing Tommy's question, John said casually, "Have others do it. Wipe out all the traitors in District Eleven."
Tommy nodded and left.
At this point, Voldemort had people and equipment. All that was missing was the right moment to launch an attack on Hogwarts.
"First, we need to confirm whether the items are still there. Second, I really have to leave."
John rubbed his chin and muttered, "It's a bit heartless, but you really are blind, Pansy."
That's right—Pansy. She'd gone and found herself another problematic boyfriend.
John honestly didn't know what to say anymore.
Moaning Myrtle saw Theodore Nott heading to the Room of Requirement to do something.
He was probably using it to contact people outside.
But although Moaning Myrtle could pass through walls, she couldn't turn invisible.
So John had someone with the ability to stay unseen follow him—The Bloody Baron.
The Slytherin ghost agreed to John's request.
Absolutely not because John had promised to deliver a flower to the Grey Lady for him.
Meanwhile, Filch and Madam Pince kept watch on him in the corridors and the library.
At the same time, Lucius looked into the recent situation of the Nott family. Theodore's father was a Death Eater who had been thrown into Azkaban, and Theodore blamed John for it.
Unlike the Goyle and Crabbe families, the Nott family hadn't received John's protection or any promise of leniency.
That was how, after coming into contact with Bellatrix, Theodore successfully became an insider.
To make things easier for himself, he went to Slughorn to curry favor and began dating Pansy.
Malfoy could be infuriating, but his words had hit the mark.
"You think this will save your father?" John shook his head, unsure whether Theodore was naive or simply inexperienced.
Every promise Voldemort made was built on one condition—success.
And that condition had been impossible from the very beginning.
John felt a twinge of pity for him. No matter how hard he tried, it was something he could never achieve.
"Instead of wasting time on this, he'd be better off trying to persuade Old Nott."
As one of Voldemort's most loyal followers, Old Nott was not on John's list for pardon.
In fact, if not for the sake of him being the father of a Slytherin student, John could have arranged an 'accident' and had all those diehards perish in an 'error' at Azkaban.
Unfortunately, that small bit of compassion on John's part had instead become a weapon Voldemort used against him.
John was waiting for someone—more precisely, two people. And there was a third who wasn't actually part of his plan.
But that fellow who kept demanding more money seemed to get along quite well with the other two.
Inside Silverhand Manor, John finally met the people he had been waiting for.
Musashi. Gus.
They shared one thing in common—they both loved money.
The difference was that Gus would take any kind of job, while Musashi only accepted what he believed he deserved.
Compared to Gus, who was always going on about being a peace-loving, kind-hearted wizard, Musashi actually seemed more like the real thing.
"Cool. I never thought my boss would be this young."
John wasn't wearing a mask. Gus couldn't help letting out a whistle, looking him over like a rogue sizing someone up.
John's expression didn't change as he said calmly, "Being younger means I won't be stingy over a bit of money."
"Alright, I admit that's true." Gus shrugged, ignored Musashi's look of disdain, and threw an arm around his shoulders with enthusiasm. "Let me make this clear—this is my dearest friend, my brother from another mother."
Gus lowered his voice. "That means the price goes up."
"I only want him to be our guide. I never said anything about killing him," John said flatly, watching Gus clown around with a helpless look. "But you know me—I never haggle when it comes to this, don't I?"
"On that, I trust you," Musashi replied. "I'll be responsible for taking you there."
"Then we have a deal."
John smiled lightly and shook Musashi's hand.
The Asian wizard also wore a faint smile.
"I think we should change the way we travel."
John said with a smile, "I hope neither of you gets seasick."
Gus immediately said, "I love boats. I won't have to pay for it myself, right?"
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