Chapter 83: Unworthy and Incompetent?
A lavish, flowing banquet was spread throughout the grand hall of Selwyn Manor. The villa's interior was just as magnificent as its grounds, though there was one small, jarring detail. Eagle-eyed guests noticed subtle but unmistakable signs of a recent struggle, hastily concealed. There were drag marks on the expensive carpets, sharp indentations in the wood flooring, and a fine layer of dust that suggested many objects had been recently broken and then magically repaired.
As elite members of the Adventurers' Club and some of the brightest students at Hogwarts, they were observant enough to piece together the evidence. Then, Draco Malfoy, with his characteristic lack of subtlety, began loudly explaining the significance of Vaisey's ceremonial robes. Suddenly, everyone understood what was about to happen. It was no wonder the Headmaster and the Heads of House had said they might stop by. One of their own students was about to inherit the lordship of one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight. It was an event that would send ripples throughout the highest echelons of wizarding society.
All eyes kept darting between Vaisey and Ryan. Their cryptic conversation at lunch, Ryan's sudden departure, Vaisey's announcement of a banquet, the signs of a violent conflict in the manor, and now, the imminent, unexpected succession of a new patriarch—it all pointed to one inescapable conclusion. For those who connected the dots, a complex, dizzying feeling of awe and secondhand power rushed to their heads.
Of course, this realization only dawned on a minority of the club members. The rest were happily oblivious, lost in the opulent splendor of the manor, sampling hors d'oeuvres, and admiring the lavish decor.
Excusing himself to handle some business, Vaisey ascended to the top floor. In the patriarch's study, four people were already waiting. Ryan was among them, casually lounging in an armchair with his legs crossed.
The moment Vaisey entered, the faces of the three other Selwyns cycled through a remarkable palette of colors—green, white, red, black—a display more vibrant than a dye factory. Every muscle, every hair on their bodies screamed their reluctance. Their glares were so venomous that if looks could kill, Vaisey would have dropped dead on the spot.
Ryan cleared his throat.
Instantly, the three of them changed their tune.
"We are truly, genuinely, voluntarily endorsing you as the new patriarch!"
"We've always thought you were the best choice for the position!"
"The family will only be safe in your hands!"
Their expressions were a mask of loyalty and sincerity, and their words might have been believable if they weren't all trembling uncontrollably.
Vaisey, acting as if he were completely blind to their terror, rushed forward to support them. "I am far too young and inexperienced for such a role! Please, my esteemed elders, I must ask you to reconsider." All the while, the golden threads on his ceremonial robes shimmered, the fabric hanging perfectly straight and regal.
Looking at Vaisey's earnest face, the middle-aged wizard felt a wave of nausea, but the memory of the looming threat sitting behind him forced the words out. "Nonsense, my dear nephew! There is no one in this family more suited to be patriarch than you. Your virtue and talent are unmatched. You are the only choice!"
"Is that truly how you feel?" Vaisey asked, feigning surprise.
"Every word comes from the bottom of our hearts! We swear it!"
Only then did Vaisey relent. "To be held in such high regard by my elders... I suppose it would be rude to refuse." He straightened up. "Then I ask that the three of you make a formal announcement to the entire wizarding world tomorrow, declaring that the House of Selwyn has a new patriarch."
His tone was not a question, but a command. "Do you think that will be a problem?"
A faint coughing sound came from behind the three Selwyns. They immediately began nodding their heads like woodpeckers.
"No, no, of course not!"
"We will support you completely!"
Vaisey nodded, satisfied. "Your enthusiasm is overwhelming. Please, you must take the seats of honor at the banquet tonight."
They frantically shook their heads. "No, no, we couldn't possibly!"
"They are your classmates, your guests! You must be the one to host them."
"Indeed, there's no need for us old folks to be there. We have much to do, preparing for the announcement."
Ryan, listening from the back, understood. The patriarch of a pure-blood house held immense power, status, wealth, and connections. Transferring all of that was a complex process. Though he had "persuaded" these three with his own methods, it would be up to Vaisey to truly secure his position. He had used Ryan's power to subdue them for now, but there was no guarantee they wouldn't try to scheme against him in the future.
The thought reminded Ryan of Dumbledore's plan to capture Voldemort. If it succeeded, all would be well. But if it failed, and Voldemort escaped, the more fanatical Death Eaters would surely be emboldened. What exactly does Dumbledore have up his sleeve? Ryan wondered. He was certain the Headmaster possessed some powerful artifacts, things that could severely hamper even Voldemort in his current state.
His thoughts were interrupted by Vaisey. "If I'm not mistaken, you intend to put me in charge of the communicator business?"
Ryan snapped back to the present. "I'm not a machine; I can't be everywhere at once. I need the members of the Adventurers' Club to help me carry this burden. The communicator, especially, is crucial to our plans to change the wizarding world. And as I see it, you are the only one capable of steering that ship."
"Done," Vaisey said simply. He didn't offer excuses about being a student, about the Selwyn family being in disarray, or about the challenges of introducing a new technology to the wizarding world. He just gave his word.
"We're friends, so this isn't strictly necessary, but... thank you," Ryan said sincerely. He knew that such worldly affairs would inevitably distract a wizard from the true pursuit of magic.
"Let's not waste time with pleasantries," Vaisey replied. "Tell me your vision for the business. I need to understand the full scope of your ambition."
With Vaisey's ascension, the banquet officially began. Guests started to arrive in a steady stream. To everyone's surprise, Professor Snape made an appearance, his hair freshly washed, and took a seat directly opposite Harry. It was unclear whether he was there to support his student or to find new reasons to torment Potter.
Besides the Adventurers' Club and Snape, many other prominent figures from wizarding society were in attendance: heads of pure-blood families friendly with the Selwyns, high-ranking Ministry officials, and other famous wizards. Malfoy and his father, Lucius, were busy schmoozing with a group of older wizards, with Lucius singing his son's praises. Many others tried to suck up to Snape, recognizing him as one of the world's foremost Potions Masters.
"Hmph. Look at all the Mudbloods," a sneering voice suddenly cut through the din.
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