Chapter 116: Negotiation (Part 1)
In truth, even without the intervention of the Elders Council, Phineas had already lost interest in the dwindling Flint family. His objective in declaring war against them had already been achieved.
Though he found it uncomfortable being pandered to by the Slytherin snakes these days, it was still far preferable to the isolation and rejection he'd suffered in his first year.
Two days passed swiftly—especially when one was engrossed in study.
The current head of the Flint family was actually Marcus Flint's grandfather, the last direct descendant to survive by transfiguring himself and hiding in a toilet during the manor assault.
In his generation, it had been his elder brother who inherited the family's authority. His own line, further weakened by his marriage to a half-blood witch, was no longer regarded as part of the direct lineage.
Phineas met him in a conference room provided by Gringotts.
As the sole bank of the wizarding world, Gringotts held a unique position. While its American branch had long since separated to form the "American Wizards Reserve Bank System," in Europe, almost every wizard deposited their wealth at Gringotts.
Its existence was extraordinary in the magical world. Though many wizards believed the goblins had submitted to wizardkind, the truth was more nuanced.
Gringotts—and thus the goblins—not only controlled the minting of currency but also the channels of currency distribution. More than half of the wizarding world's wealth was stored in its vaults. While nominally subordinate to wizards, the goblins' grip on magical finance was absolute.
In essence, Gringotts achieved through economics what goblins had once sought through rebellion.
Some Elders had foreseen this outcome when Gringotts was established, but most wizards had little understanding of finance, and among the Elders themselves, few believed goblins capable of achieving such influence.
In truth, allowing Gringotts' founding had stemmed from a tangled web of historical compromise and vested interests.
The result was the current twisted state of affairs—a magical world riddled with contradictions. Goblins held the financial lifeblood of wizardkind but lacked any political authority. The Galleons they issued gave them immense latent power, yet they remained unable—or unwilling—to wield it overtly.
Phineas had quickly realized the dysfunction at the heart of this world.
The Elders Council chose Gringotts as neutral ground for mediating pure-blood family wars because of its control over Galleons—financial power that could translate negotiated outcomes into practical effect.
When Phineas arrived at the conference chamber within Gringotts, he found Marcus's grandfather already seated, along with two representatives from the pure-blood family management office.
One was the elderly wizard acting as presiding officer; the other was the younger witch who had previously come to Hogwarts.
Phineas said nothing as he entered. He pulled out a chair and sat down without a word of greeting.
No one present objected. Even if they felt slighted, none dared express it.
The Council staff lacked the authority to command Phineas. In another setting, they might have cited age, experience, or position. But here, in this moment, Phineas stood as the head of House Black—one of the four most powerful figures in European wizarding society, second only to the senior Elders themselves.
Flint, naturally, dared not provoke him. His family had barely escaped extinction. One misstep and they would be wiped from the annals of history. He knew better than to make demands.
"Mr. Black, Mr. Flint," the elder wizard began. "I am the Minister of the Pure-blood Family Management Office under the Elders Council. I am responsible for overseeing all matters related to surrender and resolution following this family war."
Phineas gave a curt nod. Flint looked uncertain.
As an ordinary pure-blood family, the Flints had little knowledge of the Council. Many such families weren't even aware of its existence. The Flints, thanks to their ties with the Rich family, knew somewhat more—but even so, their understanding was limited.
When the Rich family notified Flint that the Black family would cease attacks and the Elders were stepping in, Flint had hoped that some of the seized assets would be returned.
Now, hearing the Minister refer to his family's surrender, he felt a flicker of resistance. But he also understood that surrender might be the best—perhaps the only—option left.
The Minister continued, "Our investigation has concluded that this conflict arose because Marcus Flint, of the Flint family, repeatedly insulted and provoked Phineas Black, head of the Black family, with the intention of starting a family war. Therefore, the Elders Council finds that the Black family acted within its rights, and the war was both lawful and justified. The results stand, and the victory is recognized."
With those words, the legitimacy of the Black family's actions—and its triumph—were firmly established.
The Minister pressed on.
"Due to petitions from the Rich, Lestrange, and other families, the Elders Council decided to intervene. As the recognized victor, the Black family—and Phineas Black—holds full authority to accept or reject the Flint family's surrender."