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Chapter 85: Letter from Arthur Weasley
"Audrey Astray! Your OWLs are next week—why are you still in bed?!"
Isolde Windsor shook her hard.
"These are OWLs! You'd better stop practicing singing for a while!"
Although Isolde had never once seen Audrey wake up at four in the morning to train, she firmly believed she did.
After all—this was a professional singer.
Audrey sat up groggily, rubbing her eyes.
"Oh… Isolde…"
She had spent most of the night inspecting the newly acquired headquarters of Gringotts Wizarding Bank. The underground vaults alone had drained her energy.
Edmond had already handled the acquisition and logistics—she only needed to "inspect territory."
Still exhausting.
"It's just the O.W.L. Examination," Audrey muttered. "I'm ready."
She snapped her fingers—
Wash. Brush. Clean. Done.
Instantly.
Isolde rolled her eyes.
"You'd better be careful. With your situation, if you fail… you might become the first student in Hogwarts history to repeat a year."
"Alright, alright. Let's eat."
---
The Great Hall buzzed like a marketplace.
Clattering plates, loud chatter, owls swooping in—
—and occasionally crashing straight into someone's soup.
"Oh no—our owl's soaked the letters again!" said Ron Weasley, fishing it out of a bowl.
"Merlin—this one's not even mine. It's for Audrey!"
"What?" Fred Weasley leaned in. "Mum wrote to Audrey?"
"That's rare," added George Weasley with a grin. "Too bad Audrey hasn't been here in ages. Poor Ron—delivery duty."
Right then—
"Audrey!"
Ron sprinted across the hall holding something… questionable.
Long, pale strands mixed with vegetables and mushrooms—
…covered in soup.
Audrey stared.
Is that… noodles?
Did the house-elves just reinvent hot dry noodles… and then drown them in mushroom soup?
"…Creative," she thought.
"Here!" Ron said proudly. "Letter from my family!"
"…Thanks."
Audrey didn't touch it.
"Scourgify."
The letter floated cleanly in midair, unfolding itself.
---
Letter from Arthur Weasley:
> The tank arrived—thank you! It's the most extraordinary gift I've ever seen. Muggle craftsmanship is incredible!
Molly was unsure at first… until she heard how valuable it was. Her opinion changed immediately.
I must say, you nearly fooled us—this is hardly "surplus transport" from Ukraine!
She also loved the recipes you sent. She's eager to try more and has invited you to visit this summer.
As for your application to establish a new Wizarding bank—most officials support it. Barty Crouch Sr. has been especially active. If he's your fan, do let me know—I'm quite puzzled by his enthusiasm.
However, Cornelius Fudge seems less supportive. He believes accessing unclaimed vaults could solve the Ministry's financial issues.
There's a chance your proposal may be blocked. I thought you should know.
Lastly—thank you for taking over Gringotts' operations. Bill and our family are very grateful for the compensation.
May Merlin bless you.
—Arthur Weasley
---
Audrey's eyes narrowed.
Fudge…
Trying to touch her gold?
---
She turned sharply.
"Draco Malfoy."
Draco froze.
"Tell your father: from today onward, not a single Knut goes to the Ministry."
"…Alright."
He didn't argue.
He knew better.
---
Audrey sat down, but her mood had soured.
Even her favorite noodles didn't taste good anymore.
That idiot Fudge…
She finished quickly and left before anyone could stop her.
---
Back in her dorm—
"Edmond."
The mirror lit up.
"Who upset you this time, Young Miss?"
"Fudge."
Her voice was cold.
"He's planning to embezzle the unclaimed Galleons."
Edmond nodded.
"The contract is clear. Those vaults were included in the acquisition."
"Exactly."
Audrey crossed her arms.
"Which means he's trying to steal from me."
Edmond smiled faintly.
"Then he'll fail."
Audrey shook her head.
"Don't overestimate his integrity."
She thought for a moment—then her lips curved.
"Move everything."
"All the Galleons. Immediately."
Edmond raised an eyebrow.
"…And if he checks the vaults?"
Audrey laughed softly.
"Then tell him the goblins took it."
She leaned back on her bed, amused.
"After all… according to them, everything they make belongs to them."
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