Unlike the struggling European Pure-Blood families, most of the Sacred Twenty-Eight families are barely surviving, only a few families with dwindling members and some even extinct (except for a few red-headed families), the Wizard families in America are thriving.
For example, the people currently socializing in the Graves Family garden.
"However, due to some reasons, we ended up inviting a few department heads... and you three." Audric yawned, speaking insincerely, "The Patriarch is very interested in legendary figures like you, Scourers, so he asked me to deliver the invitation."
"Is that so?" William nodded, "That's perfect, I'm quite interested in him too."
"Glad to hear that, so, you see..."
Audric talked entirely to William, unlike the bunch in Congress who only believe their own imaginations, he was watching William—this student not even of age yet—as he dragged the leader of a faltering Black Wizard in front of him, smiling at him.
He knew very well that among these three people, William was the true leader.
"No rush, the party has just begun, right?"
William chuckled, signaling to the people beside him. Lupin nodded and turned away, while Sirius locked eyes with him defiantly.
"..."
Ugh, forgot, still 'leading' a Husky.
How did this kid turn out like this? Previously when they first met, he was so full of bitterness and hatred, capable of stealthing for half a year, brains sharp and witty when he finally infiltrated the Gryffindor boys' dormitory. What happened to that quick-wittedness and intelligence? Eaten by Crookshanks?
"You, wander around yourself."
William said testily; only then did Sirius nod, tying up the loose hair behind his head and walked decisively toward the food area. As Sirius approached, a group of witches eyed him. It had to be said, this guy's face was quite deceptive when he wasn't speaking.
Especially those seemingly weathered and melancholic gray eyes.
Exactly like a Husky not sticking its tongue out.
This charm towards older witches worked like how Voldemort played poker with Mrs. Smith for half a year.
Thus, the banquet proceeded as usual. With Audric's introduction, William met numerous department heads from the America Magic Congress. There seemed to be notably more than in the British Ministry of Magic, with even a department dedicated to Cauldrons used for stewing Magic Potion.
One could say, the consequence of a thriving Pure-Blood family is the overly complex branches of power structures.
After all, no one wants to do slave work; these nobles emerging within less than two hundred years certainly wanted to enjoy life, hence they fiercely packed the Congress with people. Plus, Wizards generally live long lives, so before the last batch dies off, the next batch is already rolling in, resulting in some families in Congress having four generations under one roof.
"... This is Pound Tovelli, the head of the Memory Erasure Department."
Compared with duel tactics needed by the head of Security, Audric seemed far more adept at remembering colleagues' names. With constant introductions, even William was getting face-blind, but Audric flawlessly introduced everyone from head to toe.
"Hello."
The chubby guy shook hands with William; William could see a hint of compassion in his pale eyes.
Feeling sorry for whom?
Me?
Oh... that's great.
William shifted his attention from these endless emerging big and small officials, looking toward the distant white building used as a backdrop. Under the night sky, the building was brightly lit; with his excellent eyesight, William easily spotted a figure standing beside a floor-to-ceiling window.
Aha, found it.
...
The party gradually dispersed; House-Elves cleaned the table's mess, expressionless.
"Please follow me."
Audric stood on one side of the garden, signaling William and the others to follow him. The group walked along a dark path, and soon entered the building. He led the three to sit in a reception room, cups filled with tea floated from a dining cabinet to their front.
"I'll go fetch my father."
Audric still looked like he hadn't slept, appearing more exhausted than before. After lightly greeting William, he turned and walked into an adjoining room.
"... Why did we come here?"
Once the acne-covered young man left, Sirius finally relaxed a bit. He looked from William to Lupin, three pairs of eyes staring back and forth silently for a while before Sirius finally spoke, uttering a silly question.
"... Did a Dementor suck out your brains?"
Lupin couldn't resist asking, while William nodded in agreement. Go ahead, my mouthpiece.
"What? What's the connection with Dementors?"
Sirius glared, seemingly very displeased with Lupin's apparent attempt to change the topic and his mocking behavior.
"...It's nothing. Just don't talk for a while."
Lupin sighed. He looked at the clear foolishness in the man's eyes and shook his head in helplessness.
Just as Sirius wanted to dig deeper, the door next to the parlor was pushed open. A man with neatly cut black short hair, wearing a full set of gray thick coat, walked in from outside. Upon seeing the man's attire and looking at himself, William wondered if they were living in the same season.
Isn't it almost the end of July?
"Zalan Graves, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."
The man's gaze was sharp, like that of an eagle watching a wolf. His eyes swept across the three of them without concealment, finally resting on William. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Richard, I didn't expect you to be so young..."
"Is that so?"
William did not acknowledge the outstretched hand. Instead, he leaned back into the sofa, adopting a comfortable posture. "In simple terms, just how pleased are you?"
"?"
Audris, following behind his father, widened his eyes in confusion. The fatigue of only ten hours of sleep in a week suddenly vanished. He stared bewilderedly at the young man in front of him, who had always left the impression of being gentle and good-natured.
Zalan blinked as well. The momentum he had gathered did not slacken. He continued to stare at William, a skin-deep smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "It seems, Mr. Richard, you have some complaints about us?"
"No, I never stoop to dealing with beasts."
"What the hell!"
Sirius exclaimed instinctively, covering his mouth with incredulity, glancing at Lupin who confirmed with a nod.
Sirius's interruption eased some of the tension that had begun to escalate. Zalan took a seat opposite William. The man propped his elbows on the table in front of him, resting his hands under his nose with slightly narrowed eyes gleaming dangerously at William—
"Mr. Richard, I seem not to understand. Did the Graves Clan offend you in any way?"
"Yes, the fact that people like you still exist is really an eyesore."
"What are you talking about?!"
Audric shouted suddenly, staring at William, seemingly unable to understand why the other had suddenly become so unfamiliar. But before he could ask another question, William waved his hand lightly, a charm shot out, and Audric was flung backwards directly, crashing through a wooden door.
"..."
Zalan did not turn back to look at his son's miserable state. The expression had vanished from his face, staring at William who still wore a gentle smile, eyes brimming with rage. "Do you really think you can escape here unharmed with just two people?"
"And what do you intend to do?"
Upon hearing Zalan's words, William's response sounded almost fearful. Looking at the boy's "brave front," Zalan suddenly wore a smile. "Simple, you'll compensate for all the losses you've caused us. You must know, bringing together that large batch of goods is quite the undertaking—"
"That large batch of goods?"
William displayed the perfect amount of confusion. His bangs fell, hiding the glint of blue light in his eyes.
"Of course, the losses you've caused us, you'll naturally have to compensate!"
Zalan's tone began to carry a strange excitement. He stood up with his arms on the table, looking at William with amusement. "Yes, I know, you newbies always carry some strange sense of justice. Perhaps you have some ability, but..."
The man did not finish, but the meaning was clear. William defeated those poachers with the help of magical creatures, a clever trick, and now he was sitting here with only two wizards by his side. What could he possibly do? With this in mind, the man could no longer suppress his desire to show off, lifting his hand to clap—
"Clap, clap—"
In the empty room, the sound of clapping seemed weak.
Nothing happened next.
"?"
"Are you looking for them?"
Imitating the man's movements, William reached out and clapped to the side. In the next instant, a crackling sound came from behind the man. He instinctively turned around, only to find when his back was turned, a row of gray figures stood, laying before them the familiar corpses.
Most were guests of tonight's 'family banquet.'
"Mr. Graves, would you care to check? Make sure I haven't missed anyone? Thanks to your banquet, I got to meet so many..."
William adjusted his cuffs while slowly standing up. Pausing in Zalan's horrified gaze, he revealed eight gleaming white teeth, "'Persons of interest.'"
Blood trickled slowly across the polished marble, the air filled with the thick scent of blood.