Hearing Lucius' final words, Karmit knew his uncle had fully accepted his reasoning.
In truth, Lucius never really had a choice.
Lucius Malfoy was a smart man. And smart men never put all their eggs into one basket.
Before long, Narcissa returned with Draco, both carrying several neatly wrapped gift boxes.
"I hope you two have come to an agreement," Narcissa said as she entered the VIP room.
Karmit nodded with a smile. "Of course, Aunt."
Narcissa looked to Lucius.
Lucius cleared his throat. "Since you've bought so many gifts… tomorrow, I will personally take Draco to visit his new friend."
"That's wonderful," Narcissa said happily. "Karmit, will you come to our home for lunch today?"
Karmit shook his head. "No, Aunt. I still have other matters arranged for this afternoon."
Narcissa nodded. "Alright. But come by when you can. I want Draco to learn more from you."
"Of course," Karmit replied.
The group left the clothing shop together.
Draco tugged on Karmit's sleeve. "Cousin, won't you come with us tomorrow?"
Karmit shook his head. "No, Draco. I hope you enjoy your time with your friend."
Draco grinned. "I will! I'm sure we'll get along great!"
Karmit smiled.
Then he looked toward Lucius. "Uncle, Harry Potter's home situation is… complicated. You'll understand tomorrow.
I'll send Kreacher over tonight with some Muggle currency. It may help you deal with certain… inconveniences."
Lucius frowned. "Is that really necessary?"
Karmit tilted his head. "Uncle, if you want a fallback, you must let go of pride. For a greater purpose, small sacrifices are nothing, right?"
Lucius hesitated, then nodded. "You're right. But how do you know so much about Harry Potter?"
Karmit chuckled. "He's the Chosen One, Uncle. I like to plan ahead—you know that. Anyway, we'll talk again next time."
He bowed slightly to Narcissa—
And disappeared from sight.
Lucius stared at the space where Karmit had stood. After a long moment, he exhaled.
"…Terrifying. For someone so young to think so far ahead… I fear him, sometimes."
Narcissa took his arm gently. "No matter what, we are family. Aren't we?"
Lucius nodded, though uneasily.
"Come, I'm hungry," Narcissa said. "Let's hope the house-elf has prepared lunch."
.....
On the other side of London, Karmit did not return to the Black Manor.
Instead, he headed into Knockturn Alley's darker neighbor—Knockturn's shadowed extension, the grim alley known as Borgin Alley.
Connected to Diagon Alley by a single narrow lane, it was close in distance but opposite in atmosphere.
Where Diagon Alley buzzed with energy and commerce, Borgin Alley reeked of death and chaos.
Right on the roadside, a ragged wizard held another at wandpoint, demanding his last Galleons. After robbing him, the thief muttered a threat and turned—
Only to spot Karmit walking down the alley.
The man's face went white. He dropped his gaze immediately and hurried aside, terrified.
Karmit gave him a brief, indifferent glance—and kept walking.
That was the rule of this place.
Even though Karmit had personally defeated every rogue wizard in Borgin Alley and become its unchallenged ruler, he never interfered with their brutal hierarchies.
Survival of the fittest.
Only the strongest could be useful to him later.
Karmit reached one of the main safehouses—where Belinda and Bilair's group stayed.
Borgin Alley had many such bases, each a cluster of rogue witches and wizards huddling together for protection. Before Karmit defeated them, Belinda and Bilair led the two largest factions, constantly clashing.
After losing to Karmit, the two combined under him, forming the dominant power of the alley.
Seeing him approach, Belinda and Bilair rushed out with several followers.
They all dropped to their knees.
"Master!"
"Stand," Karmit ordered with a wave. "Get back to work. Belinda, Bilair—come inside."
Everyone dispersed instantly. The two followed him into the hideout.
As soon as Karmit sat down, Belinda placed a steaming cup of tea at his side.
"Has the Ministry been handled?" Karmit asked.
Belinda nodded. "Everything is arranged. Fudge may be useless, but he took plenty of your Galleons. With that money in his pocket, he'll do whatever you ask."
"But," she added hesitantly, "there's one problem… Azkaban still has Dementors.
The Aurors can hold their positions in the prison, but they can't control the Dementors. If you go there, those creatures will be difficult to deal with."
Karmit waved his hand. "The Dementors won't be a problem. I have a way."
Belinda's eyes brightened. "Master, you learned the Patronus Charm?"
Karmit shook his head.
It was ridiculous. His talent was beyond extraordinary—he learned most magic in an instant.
But the Patronus Charm simply refused to work for him.
"No," he said. "There are other ways to deal with Dementors. Since everything is prepared, you two get ready. In a few days, we're going to Azkaban."
Belinda and Bilair bowed their heads.
Karmit turned to Bilair. "What about the Yaxley family? Any signs?"
Bilair frowned. "That's what I wanted to report. It's strange. Ever since we destroyed the Exile Camp, the Yaxleys have acted as if nothing happened.
No retaliation, no anger. The old Yaxley continues his routine."
Karmit's brows knit together. "Keep a close watch. I'll be going to Hogwarts soon.
I'll supply you with a stable stream of magical materials. Until then, stay alert. I suspect Yaxley is preparing something larger."
Bilair hesitated. "Master… shouldn't we eliminate the threat before it grows?"
__________
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