The Magical Food God of Hogwarts

Chapter 126 I will never marry my sister to you!

Before he could figure out what to do, Hannah had already grabbed his left shoulder and started wailing, while Ellie pressed down on his right shoulder, sobbing and choking. The two girls pressed Lucas down the sofa so hard he couldn't move.

Then, Susan started crying too: "Hannah, how could you do this? We promised to be best friends forever, but now that you have Lucas, you don't want me anymore. I'm so sad—"

Lucas was in a real bind.

Perhaps crying is an effective way to relieve stress. In any case, in the common room, the girls who had drunk the "fire dragon refreshing soup" generally began to confide in each other with tears in their eyes.

The boys' eyes also reddened. Some were sincere and said, "Brother, listen to me." Others sighed and cried out, "Does she love me or not?!" Some even turned into apes, chattering and jumping around, making people confused.

Amid the chaos, Victor Greengrass took a step forward.

In that instant, so many thoughts flooded his mind. Countless worries, sorrows, and frustrations welled up within him, and before he could even open his mouth, two streams of tears slowly rolled down his cheeks.

"I...I am the eldest son of the Greengrass family, the heir to the family line—"

In that instant, all those manners, etiquette, and image crumbled like armor, revealing the complete truth of oneself.

Where should I begin?

From childhood? But from as far back as I can remember, I wasn't Victor, but the heir to the Greengrass family.

I memorized the pure-blood family tree by the age of five, could correctly explain the family marriage strategies from three centuries ago by the age of ten, and was required to sit in on conversations about industry, investment, and parliamentary intrigue by the age of twelve—when I was fourteen, I was finally able to participate in those conversations, and my father began to consider my opinions.

Everyone says I'm becoming more mature and presentable.

But only I know that my family's expectations are a mountain, and from childhood to adulthood, I have been learning how to bear its weight.

Being regarded as "the young master of the Greengrass family" is not an honor, but a shackle.

My first trip to Diagon Alley wasn't to buy my first wand, but to accompany my father to negotiate a land lease renewal with the goblin manager at Gringotts. I remember my first banquet wasn't with friends, but as part of the family, hosting the Malfoys, where the discussion revolved around the ownership of several acres of disputed land.

I didn't have the freedom to choose my house, because every Greengrass goes to Slytherin; it's a matter of tradition and stance. I didn't have the freedom to choose my friends, because everyone who comes near me sees my family first, and then me. I didn't have the freedom to choose my path in life, because I was born to revitalize my family, and becoming the next patriarch is my only future.

I can endure all of this. I tell myself it's a responsibility, a mission. The Greengrass family has survived to this day because someone in each generation has taken on this responsibility. My father did it, his father did it, and now it's my turn.

But, but—

What if this responsibility requires me to sacrifice my beloved sisters?!

Daphne is six years younger than me. She just started first grade this year. She is intelligent and calm, much like my mother.

She understood the significance of family, and even more clearly about her place than I did at her age. She never complained, but silently accepted all the arrangements made by the family.

She's only one year old, but she already knows she has to shoulder the responsibilities of her family. Her awareness is higher than mine, but I don't want her to be like that. I want her to live the life she wants.

Once, she was reading in the garden. As I passed by, she quickly closed the book. That action made my heart clench. What was she afraid of? Was she afraid that I would find out?

Later, I secretly observed her and finally found out what book she was reading. It was a Muggle novel called *Pride and Prejudice*.

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I didn't tell anyone, but secretly bought a copy and hid it under my pillow. After reading the book, I felt incredibly sorry for her, not because she was reading a Muggle novel, but because reading a novel was the only form of resistance she could mount.

I absolutely cannot pretend I can't see Astoria.

She was a year younger than Daphne, but she was the brightest light in my world. When she was little, she followed behind me, stumbling and calling out "Brother Viktor," her pronunciation unclear, but it was the most beautiful voice I had ever heard in my life.

When I taught her to ride a broom, she fell four times and cried twice. The last time, she flew up and turned back to smile at me in mid-air. That smile made me decide that even if the whole world collapsed, I would hold it up for her.

But in the not-too-distant future, cruel fate forced me to arrange their marriages myself.

The decline of pure-bloods seems inevitable. While Greengrass remains one of the few clans among the Twenty-Eight that can maintain its wealth, status, and population, the game is becoming increasingly difficult. Half-blood wizards and Muggle-borns are gaining more and more seats in the Ministry of Magic, and they are pushing through more than one bill in Parliament targeting ancient families, each time carving up an increasingly smaller slice of the pie.

At the same time, not all pure-blood families in the so-called "same camp" are friends.

Some people are sabotaging us behind our backs, some are coveting our business, and some are trying to erode our foundation under various pretexts. My father often told me: Greengrass has two things it cannot afford to lose: our glory and our family.

Glory and family traditions are inseparable from the continuation of bloodlines and surnames, and from the power, wealth, and status we hold.

One way to maintain all of this is to marry off the family's daughters to other powerful families, thus forming a united front to cope with the increasingly urgent storm.

It might be Flint, it might be Avery, it might be Parkinson, it might be Malfoy...

Of course I know this is the norm. Three great-aunts in the past two generations of the Greengrass family have gone down this path. But were they happy after their marriages? I'm not sure, and I haven't dared to ask them.

But when I think about the day in the future when Daphne and Astoria will wear pure white wedding dresses and walk to a young man I don't know, going from one cage to another, even changing their surnames, as if they've become someone's appendages, my heart feels like it's being gripped by something, and it's hard to even breathe.

Daphne wouldn't even cry; she would smile and tell me, "It's only right," but that only made me more miserable. She never complained, never rebelled; she was a perfect Greengrass, but I knew there was another girl in her heart, the girl who would secretly read "Pride and Prejudice" in the garden.

And Astoria? She's so innocent and kind, like a blank sheet of paper. What if she's bullied by her husband's family?

I brought her so many fairy tale books, and she would always look at me with her clear eyes and say, "Brother, this story is so beautiful. The princess eventually married the knight who protected her." Every time I heard that, I felt like crying.

Because in the real world, princesses don't marry knights; they are only married off by the king to some random prince.

I am the eldest son of the Greengrass family, the heir to the family fortune. This identity did not give me a crown, but rather a mold made of iron, shaping my every move, every word, even who I should love and who I should hate. I have lived according to this shape for eighteen years, and the only thing that truly belongs to me is the love I have for them.

But does this world really want to take even this away?

I can't let this happen!

My sisters, they should not be tools for arranged marriages; they should have their own happiness and freedom.

They want to marry a knight who is truly capable of bringing them happiness.

Therefore, I have been keeping an eye out for young people of the right age. They must have pure blood, handsome appearance, outstanding talent, extraordinary skills, and good character to be allowed to come into contact with Daphne or Astoria.

However, I spent seven years at Hogwarts, and all those guys—Flint, Avery, Parkinson, Malfoy…—were supposed to be from a pure-blood family, but they were all good-for-nothings, each generation worse than the last!

Looking around, only Cedric Diggory of Hufflepuff could be considered a promising young talent. Although he wasn't one of the Twenty-Eight Clans, he was still a pure-blood family, and his ancestor had served as Minister of Magic in the last century.

But this year, things seem different?

When Harry Potter, the savior, entered the school, everyone thought he would be a suitable subject of observation, but who would have thought that his brilliance would be completely overshadowed by someone else.

Lucas McGregor!

Rising star, genius chef... He has many titles and many achievements. In just two weeks since the start of the semester, he has become the most outstanding student in the first year of Hogwarts, the focus of attention of all the professors, and even Professor Dumbledore has taken a special view of him.

That "Fire Dragon Refreshing Soup" was the best proof that his future achievements are limitless!

Handsome looks, exceptional talent, extraordinary skills, good character... he seems to possess all of these, yet he's a Muggle...

However, there are now more and more Muggle-born wizards, and they are wielding more and more power. Because of the Ministry of Magic's publicity and promotion, McGregor is very popular and admired by Muggle wizards, which will make his power even greater in the future.

Is it possible? Can his excellence overcome bloodline? If Daphne or Astoria really develop feelings for him in the future, can the Greengrass family really take such a step and cross their ultimate bottom line for their sister's happiness?

After all, I will inherit the Greengrass family line. Who my sisters marry will not affect the family's bloodline. Their happiness and well-being are the most important things.

So Viktor took a deep breath, feeling that he was now frighteningly clear-headed and resolute.

He looked at Lucas.

Then he saw Lucas with his left arm around Ellie and his right arm around Hannah, slumped on the sofa, unable to get up.

A surge of anger ignited within him, and Victor pointed at Lucas and roared.

"I would never marry my sister to a scumbag like you!"

Lucas was stunned.

What? ? ?

After the stress of the noisy outburst subsided, the effects of the Dragon's Refreshing Soup were wearing off, and the young wizards were gradually returning to normal.

After wiping away their tears, everyone regained their senses, and their embarrassed and angry gazes slowly focused on Lucas.

Lucas decisively broke free from Ellie and Hannah, leaped up, and rushed out of the common room.

Oh dear, I've gotten myself into trouble again. I'd better run first.

The little badgers fiercely protested, unanimously deciding to capture Lucas and teach him a lesson, to let him know the vast ocean of people's war.

But suddenly, that rich, fresh, and spicy aroma began to spread again, and everyone turned around to see Hannah standing next to the earthenware jar, filling herself up with another bowl.

"Forget it, I've already said it." Hannah's cheeks flushed as she stared at the chicken soup. "I'll just have another bowl."

The badger cubs looked at each other, then immediately surrounded each other.

Thursday's classes were relatively relaxed. There was a herbal medicine class in the morning, no classes in the afternoon, and an astronomy class at the top of the tower in the evening.

The badgers were incredibly envious when they heard that Gryffindor and Slytherin had flying class this afternoon and then no classes on Friday afternoon. It was like they were getting an early weekend and a two-and-a-half-day break.

Herbalism is also the only course in the first year that is held twice a week, which shows that identifying, processing and cultivating magical plants is extremely important for a wizarding career.

Everyone was delighted that such an important course was being taught by the kind and gentle Professor Sprout, rather than by a cold and ruthless old pervert like Snape.

Moreover, it was quite interesting to be around strange and magical plants, so the morning passed quickly. When everyone was reluctantly returning their gloves and weeding tools, Professor Sprout called out to Lucas.

"Lucas, what are your plans for this afternoon?" the professor asked with a smile. "Mrs. Pomfrey told me about your medicinal cuisine earlier, and it's truly amazing! It's a pity I didn't get to try it yesterday."

Lucas smiled awkwardly, recalling the chaotic scene from the previous night. If Professor Sprout had also drunk the Dragon's Breath Refreshing Soup, what would he have to say? That a certain plant wasn't growing well enough?

Furthermore, Lucas guessed that he had no special reaction after drinking the soup because he had been following his heart and acting entirely according to his life pursuits until now.

Living in the present, pursuing what I love, and having clear thoughts, I don't have any pent-up emotions inside, and therefore I don't have any special things to confide in others.

"In that case, you'll have two advanced papers to write." Professor Sprout blinked. "One is our paper, 'The Application of Muggle Cultivation Techniques in the Wizarding World,' and the other is Madam Pomfrey's and your paper, 'An Exploration of the Theory of Monarch, Minister, Assistant, and Envoy Formulas in Potion Preparation.'"

"Without a doubt, these are revolutionary innovations that will shake up the magical world. So, if it's convenient for you, you can set aside Thursday afternoon, which is free of classes, to work on these two papers."

Lucas nodded naturally. After a busy afternoon, and after dinner, as dusk fell and the stars twinkled, the little badgers lined up and chattered their way to the top of the tower to observe the stars through telescopes and record their movements.

However, the most heated topic among the students right now is not which star in the sky is the brightest, nor the names of those constellations that are full of romantic connotations, but the flight lesson tomorrow, Friday afternoon.

Especially after hearing that this afternoon, the new Gryffindor and Slytherin students got into a fight during flying class, with Harry Potter showing off his amazing broomstick skills and making quite a splash.

Every young wizard showed extraordinary enthusiasm for riding broomsticks, except for Lucas, who hesitated and whispered a question to Ernie.

"Seriously, riding on a broom, won't you get your balls caught?"