HP: Pure-Blood Glory

From the depths of the black lake, a small snake emerged from a drainage pipe and quickly swam toward the surface, its slender body cutting through the water.

This was its first time traveling this route, and more importantly, its first time meeting His Highness. The excitement coursing through it made the snake forget about the dangers Lord Runespoor had warned it of before its journey—dangers that could lurk along the way.

Especially here, in the Black Lake, where fearsome merfolk and Grindylows were rumored to dwell.

But the most terrifying threat was the legendary giant squid, whose tentacles were said to be far thicker than Lord Runespoor's entire body.

As the snake swam, lost in thought, it suddenly noticed a massive shadow beneath it.

It looked down and saw a tentacle waving gently.

The snake froze for a second, then began thrashing wildly in panic, desperately swimming toward the surface.

This can't be real! How could this happen right now?!

Cursing its misfortune, the snake felt its small body—still just a child, after all—was no match for the speed of its massive pursuer.

Before long, it felt the slippery touch of the tentacle against its belly.

Despair gripped its tiny heart.

'I only met His Highness once! Am I really going to end up as food? I'm still just a child!'

'But Lord Ganwyn, His Highness Gaunt, I've fulfilled my mission...'

With that thought, it shut its eyes, ready to meet its fate.

Yet, instead of being wrapped up and dragged into the squid's maw, the tentacle gently lifted the snake and carried it upward.

Moments later, the snake broke through the surface of the water. It opened its eyes to see the full moon hanging brightly in the night sky and felt an overwhelming sense of relief.

It looked at the thick tentacle under it in surprise, the snake wriggled joyfully, expressing its gratitude, then quickly swam toward the shore.

The giant squid might not mean it any harm—after all, it wasn't even large enough to serve as a toothpick. But the same couldn't be said for the merfolk or Grindylows. To them, it might seem like a convenient snack.

Deciding not to take any chances, the snake hastened to escape.

Meanwhile, the giant squid brought the tentacle close to its enormous eye, gazing at it with a curious and excited glint.

---

Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Massachusetts, USA

In his office, young Agilbert Fontaine sat in the headmaster's chair.

Despite his youth and recent appointment as headmaster of the prestigious American wizarding school.

He was far from jubilant.

The door to his office creaked open, and an elderly wizard with snow-white hair stepped inside.

As soon as he entered, Agilbert rose to his feet, his voice brimming with urgency. "Have you found the cause?"

The older wizard avoided Agilbert's hopeful gaze, shaking his head solemnly. "We've done all we can. But the snakewood continues to wither."

"As for the cause... Honestly, snakewood itself is mysterious enough. We don't know what's going on."

Agilbert sank back into his chair, frustration etched on his face.

The snakewood tree, grown from the wand of Salazar Slytherin himself, was one of the school's most cherished symbols of heritage.

If the snakewood were to completely wither and die, people would no doubt mock Ilvermorny as an 'upstart' institution, lacking in history and depth.

And as luck—or misfortune—would have it, the tree's deteriorating state was becoming increasingly difficult to conceal, just as Agilbert assumed leadership.

"Is there no lead at all?"

Agilbert sighed deeply.

"Perhaps, you should seek out someone from the Gaunt family to take a look."

The elder wizard suggested hesitantly.

"Gaunt? Their line is extinct!" Agilbert snapped irritably. He'd heard such suggestions too many times before, and even when they had managed to bring in a descendant of the school's founders, it had been of no use.

The elderly man, his white hair gleaming under the dim light, looked at Agilbert and suggested, "Perhaps we should seek out a pure-blooded Gaunt descendant."

Agilbert noticed the subtle gleam in the old man's eyes. He leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "Do you know something?"

The elderly wizard met his eager gaze and decided not to beat around the bush. "There's been a rumor from Britain. A hidden branch of the Gaunt family has surfaced. It's said they've only one surviving member—an 11-year-old child currently attending Hogwarts."

"If you need assistance, perhaps reaching out to Professor Dumbledore would be a good start."

---

Malfoy Manor, Wiltshire, England

Lucius Malfoy, his platinum-blonde hair cascading over his shoulders, sat in his study, deeply engrossed in a book. The quiet elegance of the manor enveloped him, and he barely noticed when his wife approached.

"Lucius," Narcissa Malfoy called softly.

Lucius closed his book gently and looked up. "What is it?"

"There's been another letter," Narcissa said, her voice tinged with concern. "It seems Draco has been spreading some ideology about 'great sacrifice and noble responsibility.' He's apparently drawn quite a few students into his circle."

Lucius pondered this for a moment before replying, "Ignore them. My son's upbringing requires no unsolicited advice."

He leaned back slightly, adding with a calm confidence, "If they're so concerned about their own children, they can handle it themselves."

Still, Narcissa pressed on, her worry evident. "But won't this make Draco an outcast?"

"It doesn't matter, Narcissa," Lucius said. "The Malfoy name doesn't need universal approval. It needs the approval of the victors. Once we have that, all will fall in line."

"But—"

"There is no 'but,'" Lucius interrupted, his lips curling into a knowing smile. "The Gaunt child is clever. He's using Draco to gauge my stance."

"Let's hope I haven't disappointed him," Lucius added, a hint of amusement in his tone. "And as for your concerns… Draco is still a child. If he makes a mistake, he can apologize. He may be enthusiastic, but he's not the one leading the charge."

"This is an advantage, regardless of success or failure," Lucius concluded, returning to his book.

Reluctantly, Narcissa fell silent. Though her face remained shadowed by worry, she trusted her husband's judgment.

Later, as she slipped into bed, she glanced at the book that had so thoroughly captivated Lucius.

Its title read, Pure-Blood Chronicles: The Pride, Wisdom, and Greatness of the Gaunts.

Such an ostentatious title, she thought with mild disdain before drifting into a restless sleep.

---

Hogwarts

Luke stood at the edge of the Forbidden Forest, his frame silhouetted against the fading light.

The forest, already familiar to him, seemed darker and more ominous tonight, as though it concealed even deeper secrets within its shadowy depths.

*****

Upto 20 chapters ahead on patreon :-

patreon.com/ReduxMagister