Cornelius Fudge had become Minister for Magic in 1990.
He was an ambitious man who loved power deeply.
Unfortunately for him, Britain's magical world still had an uncrowned emperor standing above everyone else.
Albus Dumbledore.
Combined with the endless factional struggles inside the Ministry itself, Fudge often found his authority obstructed at every turn.
"It's an honour to meet you, Minister Fudge."
Lucien extended his hand politely and personally invited Fudge further into the ceremony venue.
Meanwhile, Fudge valued this newly arrived Saint leader extremely highly.
The manpower and influence controlled by the Saints vastly exceeded that of a few ordinary pure-blood families.
If he could gain their support…
Then perhaps he could finally break free from Dumbledore's shadow completely.
At that point, reshuffling the Ministry would no longer remain impossible.
"I've already reprimanded Scrimgeour regarding the previous Auror incident."
Fudge spoke warmly while shaking Lucien's hand.
"Please rest assured, the British Ministry of Magic treats all wizards equally."
Then his eyes suddenly shifted toward the blond wizard beside Lucien.
"Mr Malfoy!"
Fudge looked genuinely surprised.
"You're here as well?"
"Long time no see, Minister."
Lucius immediately adjusted his expression smoothly.
Unlike most wizards, Lucius didn't particularly fear Fudge.
The influence of the Sacred Twenty-Eight families gave him sufficient confidence.
His earlier shock came more from the fact that the Minister himself had personally attended today's ceremony.
That carried enormous political meaning.
"Oh yes!"
Fudge suddenly remembered something.
"Mr Grindelwald, allow me to introduce several important Ministry officials."
He gestured toward the stern grey-haired witch beside him.
"This is Amelia Bones, Director of Magical Law Enforcement."
Amelia nodded calmly toward Lucien.
Then Fudge gestured toward the pink-clad woman nearby.
"And this is Dolores Umbridge, Head of the Improper Use of Magic Office."
The plump woman immediately stepped forward eagerly.
Her sickeningly sweet smile almost made Lucien uncomfortable instantly.
"Mr Grindelwald!"
She bowed slightly while moving closer.
"Thank you so much for your support toward the British Ministry of Magic!"
Idiot.
Lucien frowned inwardly immediately.
He had always disliked the pink toad from the original story.
Still, he previously assumed anyone capable of reaching director-level positions within the Ministry possessed at least basic intelligence.
Clearly he had overestimated her.
Your boss is standing right beside you.
And yet you rushed to claim credit before he even spoke.
Who exactly do you think you are?
Sure enough, Fudge's expression darkened instantly.
"Umbridge!"
His voice became noticeably colder.
"This is not your place to interrupt!"
Umbridge panicked immediately.
"M-Minister, I only meant—"
"If you say another word," Fudge snapped quietly, "you can go straight back to the Ministry."
Umbridge instantly fell silent.
Fudge quickly turned back toward Lucien with another smile.
"Mr Grindelwald, your assistance truly comes at the perfect time for Britain."
"On behalf of the Ministry of Magic, I sincerely thank you."
Lucien's answer sounded perfectly noble.
"Since I've chosen Britain, naturally I should contribute something to Britain's magical society."
Internally, however, he found the entire conversation utterly hypocritical.
If possible, who would willingly hand over their own profits for free?
Then Lucien calmly turned slightly.
"Minister Fudge, allow me to introduce someone as well."
"This is Ms Vinda Rosier."
The instant Fudge heard the name, his entire expression changed.
Previously, he had only assumed the beautiful witch possessed extraordinary background.
Now he realised who stood before him.
The Black Rose of France.
Grindelwald's most loyal follower.
The Saints' second-in-command.
"I—I apologise, Ms Rosier."
Fudge suddenly sounded far more cautious.
"Please forgive me for not recognising you immediately."
Vinda merely nodded coldly without responding.
The atmosphere instantly became awkward.
Fortunately, Lucius immediately stepped in smoothly.
"The ceremony should begin shortly, Minister."
He gestured politely.
"Please."
Fudge quickly regained his smile and prepared to walk forward with Lucien.
Then suddenly—
He froze awkwardly.
Logically, as Minister for Magic and the ceremony's highest-ranking guest, he should walk side by side with Lucien at the front.
Unfortunately…
Vinda Rosier stood directly behind Lucien.
At the height of Grindelwald's power, even Ministers for Magic had merely been political tools before the Saints.
Fudge himself was already extremely sensitive regarding hierarchy and status.
Now he suddenly didn't know whether he should walk ahead or behind.
Lucien immediately noticed his hesitation.
He subtly glanced toward Vinda.
Vinda understood instantly and calmly stepped slightly backward without complaint.
Only then did Lucien smile warmly.
"Minister Fudge."
"Britain's magical society enjoys such stability today because of your leadership."
His tone became sincere.
"If you don't walk first, I fear nobody else would dare move at all."
Lucius immediately joined in.
"Exactly, Minister."
"Our future business operations will still require considerable support from both yourself and the Ministry."
Fudge's smile instantly widened.
His opinion of Lucien rose even further.
"Of course."
He laughed warmly.
"If you encounter any trouble in Britain in the future, you are always welcome to seek my assistance."
Lucien smiled perfectly.
"With someone as capable as you leading the Ministry, Britain's magical future will surely flourish."
"We naturally intend to support you fully."
Fudge practically beamed with satisfaction.
As they walked toward the stage together, he deliberately maintained visible closeness with Lucien as though afraid observers might miss their relationship.
Then suddenly—
Lucien sensed a familiar yet extremely powerful magical presence nearby.
His eyes sharpened instantly.
A flash of white hair disappeared briefly in the distance.
"Please excuse me for a moment, Minister."
Lucien's expression became apologetic.
"I need to handle something quickly."
Fudge waved dismissively.
"Not a problem."
He laughed casually.
"Mr Malfoy can accompany me meanwhile."
Lucien nodded before immediately following the direction where the figure disappeared.
Eventually, he arrived at a secluded private room.
Inside stood two people.
Vinda Rosier.
And Albus Dumbledore.
Vinda's wand already pointed directly toward him.
Meanwhile, Dumbledore appeared completely calm.
His overwhelming magical power gave him terrifying confidence.
"Aunt Vinda."
Lucien immediately stepped between them.
"Please wait outside for now."
Vinda glanced coldly toward Dumbledore once more before finally lowering her wand.
As she exited, however, her murderous gaze clearly promised future trouble.
Dumbledore calmly found a chair and sat down.
"Mr Grindelwald."
His eyes twinkled slightly.
"If I remember correctly, Hogwarts students should currently be attending school."
Lucien smiled faintly.
"So the Headmaster came personally to drag me back?"
Dumbledore chuckled.
"If there had been lemon drops available nearby, perhaps I might've forgotten the matter entirely."
Lucien had no interest in wasting time.
"Headmaster."
His voice became calm.
"Don't forget our agreement."
"Today is the opening ceremony. I don't want any unnecessary accidents."
Then Lucien directly removed a sheet of parchment and placed it before Dumbledore.
"These are the shops I'm opening."
"I hope you'll handle the pure-blood families connected to them."
At first, Dumbledore barely paid attention.
Then his eyes slowly moved across the parchment.
And suddenly—
He stopped completely.
The more he read, the stranger his expression became.
Eventually, Dumbledore slowly looked back up toward Lucien.
His gaze contained obvious disbelief.
So many shops?
Are you opening half of Diagon Alley?!
....
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