"My Lord Count,"
Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge ushered Count Dentis and Donna Lockhart into his office, closing the door behind them.
"It was quite unexpected to receive a joint appointment from you and Mrs. Lockhart."
The Count allowed Donna to sit first, then smiled and said:
"I apologize for disturbing your Christmas holiday, Minister.
But it seems you're in good spirits lately?"
"Hahaha, with Your Lordship's sponsorship, the Ministry of Magic has been revitalized, so naturally, I, as the Minister, am delighted."
"I am also very pleased to see the Minister happy,"
The Count chose to get straight to the point.
"However, the reason I've come to see you today is to ask for a small favor."
Fudge chuckled and shook his head:
"If it's about Gilderoy Lockhart, I'm afraid I can't help you, My Lord Count."
Dentis gave a thumbs up:
"Your wisdom impresses me, Minister. Yes, our visit is indeed about Gilderoy Lockhart… However, I recall that when we first met, you mentioned finding someone to take the blame, so I believe there's still room for maneuvering, isn't there?"
Fudge still shook his head:
"It might have been possible before, but after the incident with Dana Emrys, if we were to replace a prisoner with an innocent person again, the Ministry of Magic's credibility would be completely lost!
So, I apologize, My Lord Count."
Dentis was not discouraged by the Minister's refusal. He pointed to Donna and said:
"No, we don't intend to replace Gilderoy with an innocent person—Mrs. Donna Lockhart deeply loves her husband, so she is willing to take his place in prison. This is a very safe plan, and there will definitely be no unexpected incidents like Dana Emrys."
Fudge looked at Donna in surprise.
In his impression, this young lady from the Avery family was very cruel and selfish.
Voluntarily taking Lockhart's place out of love?
"Let me confirm, Mrs. Lockhart,"
Fudge took a sip of water to clear his throat.
"You are voluntarily taking your husband's place in prison, and you are not under the Imperius Curse?"
Donna stood up:
"Minister, I love my husband very much. If you're asking if I'm under the Imperius Curse… Yes, my heart has been stolen by my beloved husband, and I am willing to do anything for him."
Fudge was clearly using humor to mask his shock. In reality, Donna didn't seem to be under the Imperius Curse at all.
Fudge thought for a moment and said:
"Unfortunately, even if Donna Lockhart is willing to take Gilderoy Lockhart's place in prison, I cannot do that—because Lockhart is both a Death Eater and has harmed so many respected and well-known wizards. There are too many implications, so I dare not… I cannot do that."
Count Dentis understood Fudge's concerns very well, and he had a plan prepared before coming.
"Minister, once Gilderoy Lockhart is replaced, I will send him to a major eastern country to avoid the limelight, ensuring that he will never appear in Britain again."
Fudge still shook his head:
"No, no."
"Two thousand Galleons."
Fudge swallowed, but still shook his head.
"Five thousand."
Fudge's pupils began to contract, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
"No, Earl, this isn't about money."
Count Dentis snapped his fingers.
"In addition to the five thousand Galleons for the Minister, I will also contribute 1% of New City's annual profits as a development fund for the Ministry of Magic. I believe that under your leadership, Minister Fudge, this money will play a huge role—perhaps the title of the best Minister of Magic in a century is about to fall upon your head."
The British wizarding world now recognizes New City as a lucrative venture, because all the famous families and major merchant associations in Europe are about to settle in New City. 1% of New City's profits is a huge fortune, enough to cover the Ministry of Magic's normal expenses for five years, and this money is settled annually—
The beautiful prospect immediately overwhelmed Fudge.
"Ah… Ah… This…"
After stammering for a long time, Fudge finally came back to his senses.
He was almost knocked unconscious by this great wealth.
The best Minister of Magic in a century!
"Your Lordship is truly too generous!"
Fudge stood up abruptly, and he couldn't wait to say:
"Gilderoy Lockhart has already been detained in the Ministry of Magic for two whole days. It's time to send him to Azkaban quickly. How about we set it for tomorrow?
Mrs. Lockhart, please come together tomorrow. You and your husband are about to be separated, but our Ministry of Magic is very humane and can make an exception to give you a chance to say goodbye."
Donna was thrilled. It was done!
Fudge was giving her a day to prepare the Polyjuice Potion!
In this way, Gilderoy would be sent to the East, and after a month, when the Count rescued her, she could go to the East and start a new life with him!
A family of two,happy and harmonious. What could be better than that?
"Thank you, Minister! Thank you, My Lord Count!"
Count Dentis nodded.
"Madam, you can go back now and prepare what needs to be prepared. We'll meet here again tomorrow. And now—I need to discuss with the Minister how that 1% of the revenue should be managed."
"Okay, Your Lordship, your great kindness, I really…"
"There's no need to say these words. Gilderoy and I are very good friends, do you remember? Go now, be careful on the way home."
Donna left, and Fudge waited until she disappeared at the end of the corridor before retreating into the room and closing the door.
"My Lord Count, is this really okay? This Donna Lockhart is, after all, from the Avery family. If it's not handled well, it could be troublesome!"
Dentis smiled and said:
"I just want to get Lockhart out. He can contribute to my eastern business, he's still useful—as for Donna Lockhart, as long as Azkaban doesn't close down, she won't be able to get out."
Fudge thought about it, and it seemed to make sense. If it hadn't been for the Hogwarts acceptance letter back then, Dana Emrys would probably have been locked up until she died, and no one would have known.
However, he was still a little worried:
"But what if Oliver Avery finds out that his niece is missing? Will he investigate?"
The Count laughed loudly:
"Investigate? Donna Lockhart married Gilderoy Lockhart and no longer has any value. Besides, old Avery is now only thinking about how to make money in New City. He won't worry about this niece!"
Fudge breathed a sigh of relief:
"That's good. I'm just afraid that people will find out about this and it will have a bad impact."
The Count nodded.
"Understood, but Minister, you really don't need to worry.
Now you should probably be more worried about how you're going to use that 1% revenue?"
Hearing this, Fudge's entire face instantly beamed like chrysanthemum tea soaking in hot water.
"That really is a problem to worry about!"
He smiled happily, as if he had won the lottery.
"Your Lordship's ability in investment is the most impressive I've ever seen, so I wonder if Your Lordship has any suggestions?"
Count Dentis lowered his head slightly, pretending to think, to conceal his uncontrollable smile.
After a while, he raised his head and said:
"It's very simple, establish a Ministry of Magic Development Foundation, and I will send trusted talents to help the Ministry of Magic manage it—
Believe me, if managed properly, the foundation's annual revenue will be much more than that 1%."
Fudge clapped his hands sharply.
"That's great! Your Lordship, I really don't know how to repay your kindness! How about this, I will initiate a motion to award Your Lordship the title of Honorary Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Magic, what do you think?"
"I don't have time to work at the Ministry of Magic, Minister."
"It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter, it's just a nominal title, you don't need to come to work. It's just a representation of our British Ministry of Magic's gratitude to you!"
"Alright, then I shall accept respectfully."
End of the Chapter.
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