Gideon put down the paper in his hand, thought for a moment, and said, "Sean, do you know The Golden Crucible?"
Looking at Gideon, Sean said with a strange expression, "I know, because Professor Snape asked me to write this paper. When I finish it, he'll help me revise it and submit it to The Golden Crucible."
"Snape…"
Gideon's expression showed clear surprise. He knew Snape well, including his dual role as a Death Eater and a member of the Order of the Phoenix. Hearing that Snape was guiding Sean's paper for The Golden Crucible, Gideon, who understood Snape's complex nature, was naturally taken aback.
Seeing Gideon's look, Sean guessed what he was thinking. With a chuckle, he said, "Actually, Professor Snape's been really good to me. He teaches me a lot during the week."
"Snape's skills in potions are unmatched by most," Gideon said. "Nearly ten years ago, the Wizengamot's magic journal review board invited Snape to join as a reviewer for The Golden Crucible. If he'd accepted, he could've stayed long enough to qualify for a seat on the Wizengamot, one of its fifty members. But he refused and chose to teach at Hogwarts."
Sean didn't fully grasp what Gideon meant, but he had a rough idea why Snape stayed at Hogwarts. It was likely because of Harry, Lily's son, and the guilt Snape carried for her.
"Grandfather, are you a member of the Wizengamot?" Sean asked.
With a smile, Gideon replied, "Why do you ask?"
"Just a guess."
"Your guess is right. I'm a member of the Wizengamot, but I don't handle specific tasks. I just vote on issues when they come up."
"Like Professor Dumbledore?"
"Hahaha, kid, don't make your grandpa sound so intimidating. I'm actually pretty kind, aren't I?"
Looking at Gideon's laughter, Sean grinned. "Normally, I think Professor Dumbledore's gentle and kind. He seems friendly, just like you, Grandfather."
Gideon looked at Sean, his smile growing wider. He knew his sharp grandson had likely guessed or suspected something. But to Gideon, suspicions didn't matter. Some plans were open schemes, and once they started, they'd run their course.
"Well, I came here to check on you, but I also have something to tell you," Gideon said. "I've arranged for you to attend Beauxbatons School of Magic in France for a month during the holidays. You'll be treated as a Beauxbatons student, with all their rights. Some students stay at the school during the break, and you can connect with them."
"Beauxbatons? Can I skip it? I'm not really interested…"
"Next year's family scholarship will be doubled."
"Grandfather, you know I haven't seen my parents in a while. I'd like to spend time with them during the holidays."
"Triple the scholarship."
"I've always wanted to visit Beauxbatons. It's a great chance to explore during the holidays. Thank you for arranging it, Grandfather."
"I hope you gain something at Beauxbatons." Gideon stood to leave, then paused, turning back to Sean. "I've arranged for two people to meet you at Platform 9 3/4. They'll take you straight to Beauxbatons and handle your daily needs, plus any troublesome issues. After a month, they'll bring you home to reunite with your parents."
Sean frowned slightly. He hadn't expected his grandfather to be so hasty. He'd hoped to go home and spend time with his parents before Beauxbatons, but now he'd head there right after Hogwarts. Honestly, Sean wasn't thrilled with the plan, but for the tripled scholarship, he held his tongue.
Seeing Sean had no objections, Gideon smiled, said goodbye, and turned to leave.
Sean watched Gideon's back as he left, sighing helplessly. After a brief rest, he lowered his head and continued writing his paper.
You can't Apparate within Hogwarts, so Gideon walked out of the castle and into Hogsmeade. Instead of Apparating immediately, he headed straight to The Three Broomsticks, where someone was waiting.
Chapter 44: Family and Schemes (Continued)
Gideon approached a table inside. He looked at the father and son who stood to greet him, waved for them to sit, and took a seat opposite them. "Mir, how's your family doing lately?"
"Under your care, our business has improved greatly," Mir said. "We've paid off old debts and saved the last of our family property."
Gideon nodded slightly. "I only gave you a small advantage. Your hard work brought these results. But, Mir, do you remember what I told you when I agreed to help?"
Mir's face showed a flicker of fear and embarrassment. He lowered his head and said quietly, "The Bulstard family does not want servants, only friends."
"You remember it clearly…" Gideon adjusted his posture, smiling at Mir, but the smile carried a heavy pressure. "Yet your son acted like a servant. He became a tool meddling in my Bulstrode family's affairs. Worse, he failed, and he didn't follow the rules of the game. I don't quite understand…"
Gideon leaned forward, his voice growing sharper. "Mir, is your son a friend to those two boys from the Bulstrode family, or… a servant?"
When Gideon asked this question, Jason's face turned extremely pale. He wanted to speak, but no words came out. The unseen pressure gripped his heart like a vise, making Jason's breathing labored.
At that moment, Jason felt Gideon, seated before him, was like a dragon ready to swallow him whole. A seed of fear took root deep in his chest.
Mir saw his son's state and sighed helplessly.
To gain more support from the Bulstrode family, he had secretly contacted Borel. It was an investment of sorts. Normally, Gideon had only Borel as a son with magic and Miles as a grandson with magic. The Bulstrode family's future would naturally rest with them. Mir had seen no issue with his choice.
But when Hogwarts opened this year, Sean appeared. Though Sean's parents were both Squibs, within the Bulstrode family, Sean could potentially inherit leadership. It would be fine if Gideon, the current head, had no such plans. Yet, from what Mir could see, Gideon was grooming Sean to lead the family, just like Miles.
Thus, small moves that once seemed harmless had now become serious problems.
Today, it looked like Gideon was holding Jason accountable, but in truth, he was warning the Mir family.
Seeing Jason's face grow paler, Mir knew he had to decide. He had to cut ties with Borel completely, even if it meant offending Gideon's only magical son. Otherwise, the Mir family would be crushed by Gideon before Borel could rise.
With an strained smile, Mir said to Gideon, "Mr. Bulstrode, our Mir family wishes to remain friends with the Bulstrode family."
Gideon looked at Mir, his expression softening into a smile. The heavy aura pressing on Jason lifted instantly, leaving him gasping for air, like a drowning man pulled ashore. He stared at Gideon with deep fear.
"Very good. The Bulstrode family welcomes more friends," Gideon said. "Tomorrow, return the North American material import business to its source. Then contact the Bulstrode family's trading company. We've recently started a potion material import business , and the Mir family can take a share."
Mir understood the moment Gideon spoke.
He knew this business was far more lucrative than the North American one—a generous offer from Gideon. Mir had no objections.
"Mir, let's be clear," Gideon continued. "Some things can't be avoided. Jason meddled in the Bulstrode family's affairs. Since he's involved, he stays involved. When Hogwarts ends this semester, I'll arrange for Sean to attend Beauxbatons for a month. Jason will go with him."
Mir's face changed drastically. He opened his mouth to plead for Jason, but Gideon pressed on. "Six years! That's how long Jason will follow Sean. After six years, he can stay or leave as he wishes. For those six years, he must obey Sean's lead."
Mir wanted to speak, but no words came. He knew refusing meant losing all the Bulstrode family's support. Without their protection, the Mir family would be torn apart by rivals, like meat carved up by wolves.
Jason watched his father's face. Having grown up by Mir's side, he was mature beyond his years and understood much. How else could a second-year student, barely twelve or thirteen, agree to act as Miles's enforcer without complaint? Seeing Mir's dilemma, Jason made his choice.
"Mr. Bulstrode," Jason said, "I'm willing to follow Master Sean. I promise, while I serve him, I'll work wholeheartedly and never harbor disloyal thoughts."
At those words, Gideon looked at Jason with a hint of approval. He nodded slightly. "I've always known the Mir family has a gifted child. In one year at Hogwarts, you mastered the Protego Charm, which many adult wizards can't. I thought you were just magically talented—there are plenty like that in the wizarding world. I didn't think much of you.
"But what you just said shows another side. You have patience and foresight rare even among adult wizards. You're impressive."
Mir looked at Jason, guilt in his eyes. He reached out, patted Jason's back, and whispered, "Jason, the family owes you."
"Father, I'm part of the family," Jason replied. "The family owes me nothing."
Gideon watched Jason, a smile curling his lips. "Good, it's settled. From now on, Jason will follow Sean and be treated as an outer member of the Bulstrode family, with all the benefits that come with it. Prepare accordingly. When the Hogwarts Express reaches Platform 9 3/4, Jason will join Sean for Beauxbatons."
With everything said, Gideon didn't linger. He stood and left.
Mir watched Gideon go without another word. He took Jason and prepared to return him to Hogwarts.