Chapter 81
Chapter Shadows and Security
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Lucius Malfoy’s POV
The magical world was buzzing, and not in the usual sense. The “Marauders Inc.” had grown from a cheeky name to a global enterprise, expanding beyond Britain and making its mark in wizarding communities worldwide. News of their Pensieve projector and other innovative magical devices had even reached the continent. The nerve of Alex Black, the boy who’d managed to make pureblood families look like amateurs, flaunting his inventions before the wizarding world.
And as I watched Marauders Inc. thrive, I knew it posed a serious threat to everything the Dark Lord envisioned. Their influence was reaching into areas that we, as purebloods, had dominated for centuries, including magical commerce. There was only one solution: remind them that power lies not in clever inventions but in blood and fear.
Tonight, I had summoned a select group of Death Eaters to discuss our next steps. The Dark Lord was not yet at full strength, but we had enough resources to act. And Fenrir Greyback, who thrived on chaos, had agreed to lend his pack for the attack. The idea of unleashing werewolves upon Marauders Inc. brought a twisted smile to my face. Once they’d torn apart those infernal shops, the wizarding public would learn not to place their faith in muggle-inspired enterprises.
As the Death Eaters discussed tactics and finalized details, I felt a thrill of anticipation. Tomorrow, Greyback’s werewolves would show the world that Marauders Inc. was not untouchable.
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Attack on Marauders Inc.
It was just past midnight when Fenrir Greyback and his werewolf pack reached the boundaries of the Marauders Inc. storefront. Warded by goblin magic, the store was known for its heavy defenses—barriers that could withstand both curses and brute force.
But Greyback was undeterred. With a feral grin, he raised his claws and slashed at the wards, and the other werewolves followed. The ward flashed, sending out bursts of electric blue light, but it began to crack under the relentless onslaught. After several minutes, a final shudder passed through the wards, and they collapsed.
The werewolves charged in, their snarls echoing through the streets as they tore through the building’s defenses. Shelves crashed, glass shattered, and products were thrown to the floor. But just as they were tearing deeper into the shop, a group of Marauders Inc. employees, led by Sirius Black, appeared in the doorway.
“Get away from our shop, you filthy mutts!” Sirius’s voice boomed, and he fired a spell that sent one of the werewolves flying backward.
The ensuing battle was chaotic. Spells flew through the air, colliding in bursts of light and sound as employees fought valiantly against the werewolves. Greyback lunged at Sirius, his claws raking the air inches from Sirius’s face. Sirius dodged, sending another spell at Greyback that left a smoldering mark on the werewolf’s arm.
But then, out of nowhere, the unmistakable crack of Apparition sounded, and several figures in black suits materialized. They were muggles—at least, that’s what they seemed to be. Dressed in sleek black suits, with mirrored sunglasses and the unmistakable air of professionalism, they wielded guns—muggle weapons rarely seen in the magical world.
Without hesitation, they raised their shotguns, which gleamed with enchanted silver rounds, and began firing. The silver bullets tore through the werewolves, who howled in pain as they fell, one by one, under the hail of gunfire. The men in black suits moved with precision, each shot calculated, their movements flawless.
In the midst of the battle, one of the suited men turned to Sirius and nodded, his expression unreadable behind the mirrored lenses. “Men in Black Security, here to assist. We’ll handle the bounty collection with the Ministry later.”
With that, they continued their systematic takedown of the werewolves, even managing to wound Greyback severely. When the last of the werewolves had either been captured or killed, the suited figures took a final count, nodded to each other, and with a crack, they vanished into the night as swiftly as they had appeared.
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Alex McKinnon-Black’s POV
The idea of a private security firm had struck me when I was eleven, but I knew it would need to be carefully planned. The Marauders Inc. storefront had always been a tempting target, and I had wanted a way to protect it without relying solely on magic. And so, I’d formed “Men in Black Security”—a private muggle-based firm, filled with former auror trainees and muggleborns who hadn’t found a place in traditional wizarding careers.
It hadn’t been hard to find the right people. After taking an age potion to make myself look older, I’d arranged a meeting with a few potential candidates who’d previously applied to be aurors but had either failed the training or been denied entry. I’d needed only to explain the opportunity—a firm that specialized in protecting magical assets, with training in both magic and muggle defense.
I’d gathered them in a quiet, muggle-friendly building, ensuring that the space was warded for privacy. As they filed in, many of them looked intrigued but skeptical. I could see the questions in their eyes—why should they trust me, a young wizard with no known credentials?
“Thank you all for coming,” I began, looking out at the small crowd. “I know this may sound strange, but we’re building something unique here. Muggles have ways of protecting themselves that are effective—so why not us?”
Daniel Jackson, a former auror trainee with years of muggle law enforcement experience, stepped forward as one of the first to pledge his loyalty to the company. His leadership experience and calm demeanor made him the perfect candidate to lead Men in Black Security. I remember him addressing the group with confidence after my initial pitch.
“We’re in uncharted territory here,” Daniel had said, his voice steady. “But if you’re willing to learn and adapt, we could change the face of security in the wizarding world.”
The enthusiasm in the room was palpable. Together, we devised an intensive training program that covered both magical defense and muggle martial arts. And when it came to weapons, we had a distinct advantage: silver bullets, charmed for maximum effectiveness against creatures like werewolves. Over time, Men in Black Security had grown, with personnel skilled in everything from hexes to hand-to-hand combat.
Watching them in action tonight, defending Marauders Inc. against Greyback’s pack, I couldn’t have been prouder.
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Dumbledore’s POV
Word reached me swiftly of the attack on Marauders Inc. and the impressive response from what had been described as a “men in black.” I suspected Alex’s hand in this, though how he’d managed it was still unclear. His efforts were drawing attention, not only from Hogwarts but from the Ministry and beyond.
I’d have to keep an even closer eye on him.