Professor Bones had left Hogwarts to settle in Egypt, widely recognized as the global center of alchemy. Before that, he and Alex had frequently exchanged letters, discussing research and innovations. Through those connections, Alex had built relationships with many esteemed alchemists in Cairo, accelerating his own growth in the field. Bones had always been highly active in academic circles, publishing papers, hosting seminars, and submitting work to the International Alchemy Conference.
The conference itself was a prestigious event held every three years, and Alex had participated in the last one two years ago, though he hadn't won any awards. He had always assumed that was due to the joint submission with Burns, but it seemed his youth had played a bigger role than he had realized. "Our British wizarding community has been somewhat of an alchemy wasteland for a while now," Minister Bagnold sighed. "It's been far too long since we've produced a true master in the field. The last British wizard to win an award at the Alchemy Conference was Bones himself, and even then, he eventually shifted his focus to spell optimization and ancient restoration." She shook her head, clearly disappointed. "It's a shame," she continued. "We have the legendary Albus Dumbledore, one of the most brilliant alchemists alive, yet we've done so little to cultivate new talent. Alex, that's why you have to work harder. If you can make a name for yourself internationally, it won't just be a personal achievement, it will be a victory for the entire British wizarding world." She paused, then added, almost offhandedly: "If you win an award at the next International Alchemy Conference, I'll personally nominate you for a Second-Class Order of Merlin in Wizengamot."
Alex blinked, momentarily caught off guard. 'Merlin's beard. Did she really have to throw that kind of pressure on him?' He had never cared much about awards or titles, his passion lay in research. But now, it seemed that simply pursuing knowledge wasn't enough. The Ministry wanted to turn it into a political achievement. Still, he had to play the game. "I'll do my best, Minister," he said diplomatically, keeping his true thoughts to himself. The Ministry of Magic was his client now, it wouldn't be smart to antagonize them.
Once they arrived, Bagnold instructed Alex to take a seat while she quickly signed a few documents. She then sent them off to the Fifth Floor, requesting that preparations for company registration begin. With that out of the way, she turned to the directors and Moody, leading them into a private conference room to begin negotiations. "The budget is tight," Amelia was the first to speak. "But securing enough magic-proof handcuffs and tracking glasses is non-negotiable. We need them for upcoming operations."
"Agreed," said Barnabas, Director of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. Unlike Amelia, she was far more eager to push for large-scale orders. "The situation is manageable for now, but the damage has already been significant. Maybe we should push for a joint operation with the Ministries of other countries."
Moody scoffed. "Put that idea right out of your head. The last thing we need is foreign Ministries sticking their noses in our business. They've got their own messes to deal with."
Bagnold immediately stepped in to regain control of the conversation. "Let's stay focused," she said sharply. "Right now, the situation is still under control, so we'll handle it internally. What we need to decide now is the procurement order."
"Understood, Minister," the others quickly replied, refocusing on the discussion.
Fudge leaned forward. "The tracking glasses are absolutely necessary," he added. "They don't take up much of the budget, especially since Alex already gave us a discount. The real issue is deciding what to do about the other pieces of equipment. They're all valuable, but we can't afford everything at once."
A silence fell over the room as they considered the logistics. Everyone knew that the Ministry's funds were stretched thin. Every purchase needed to be strategic, especially with how volatile the current situation was.
The tracking glasses allowed Aurors and Hit Wizards to see through illusions, magical disguises, and enchantments, invaluable for undercover operations and criminal pursuits. The magic-proof handcuffs were designed to restrain even the most dangerous wizards, nullifying wandless magic and reducing the risk of escape attempts. And then there were the newer products, like the Shielding Jammers and Anti-Apparition Jammers, which, while effective, were expensive and required long-term investment.
Alex simply listened as the Ministry debated over his creations, knowing full well that no matter what they chose, he was walking away with a very profitable deal.
Moody narrowed his eyes at Fudge, immediately seeing through his intentions. "What's this now? You're actually pushing for those Shielding Jammers?" he scoffed. "If you ask me, they're a waste of resources. If we have the budget, we should be getting more Anti-Apparition Jammers instead." His tone was sharp, as if he had just swallowed a dose of gunpowder.
Fudge, usually known for his easygoing nature, turned red with anger at the blatant jab. "You, !" Before he could launch into a retort, Amelia shot Moody a sharp glare. "Enough, Moody," she said firmly. "The Ministry isn't just about the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Other departments have their own needs, and it's perfectly reasonable to allocate a portion of the budget for Shielding Jammers."
Fudge barely resisted rolling his eyes. 'How many? He scoffed internally. Are you giving us scraps? Might as well be handing out charity to beggars at this rate!' He clenched his fists, fuming silently. It was no secret that the Department of Magical Law Enforcement treated his Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes with thinly veiled disdain. The Aurors and Hit Wizards always acted as though they were the only real force within the Ministry, while everyone else was left to clean up after them. Fudge made a mental note, 'If I get the chance, I'll make them regret it.'
Bagnold, sensing the rising tension, swiftly intervened. "I understand the value of these items," she said, her voice calm but authoritative. "Every department will receive an allocation. However, the frontline teams have more urgent needs, so naturally, resources will be prioritized toward Aurors and Strikers. I trust you understand, Fudge?"
Fudge gritted his teeth but forced himself to nod. "Yes, Minister."
Barnabas, director of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, interjected. "If frontline teams are the priority, shouldn't we focus on defensive gear like amulets and protective gloves? Those will directly affect battle outcomes. And don't forget about the tactical vests, "
"No," Amelia interrupted. "Tactical vests and boots are far too expensive to equip on a large scale. Amulets and defensive gloves should take precedence."
"Amelia is right," Bagnold agreed. "Cost efficiency is important. I also want to purchase a few humanoid targets for training purposes."
"That's a good call," Amelia nodded. "Alex's concept of measuring power values is extremely valuable."