Fudge was stunned for a long while before he recovered from the shock of Count Dentis's unimaginable wealth—
Such things couldn't be pondered too deeply, as once he delved into it, his imagination would probably scare him to death.
Someone who dared to hang the Sword in the Stone casually in the castle hall… just how much wealth did he actually possess?
"Oh yes, I don't doubt the Count's financial power at all!"
Dentis nodded.
"So, Minister, do you agree to my building a wizarding bank in England?"
Fudge blinked.
"This question… in principle, it should be possible, but I may need to go back to the Ministry and discuss it."
Dentis smiled.
"Of course. Such a big matter does indeed need to be considered carefully. So similarly, whether I can get a return on investing in the Ministry of Magic is also something I should consider carefully."
"Oh… this…"
Fudge awkwardly twitched his nose.
"I think the problem isn't too big. You know, it's just a formality, it won't take much effort."
"That's really good news, Minister," Dentis said, very satisfied with Fudge's attitude. Then he leaned closer, whispering:
"But Minister, you know, when a person's wealth reaches a certain level, they will inevitably have some small hobbies… Um, maybe some hobbies aren't so legal…"
"What hobbies? Can you tell me about them?"
"Well… for example, collecting magical creatures—inevitably involving some prohibited smuggled species.
Minister, if, and I mean if, I were to be discovered poaching rare magical creatures, would I be able to get an exemption from being locked up in Azkaban? I heard Lucius Malfoy say that that prison is simply hell!"
Fudge gave a grin.
"Count, you're really joking. With your wealth, can't you find someone to take the blame?
Oh—sorry, I really shouldn't have said that from my position. Please forget it."
Dentis shook his head.
"I mean if. Minister, I hope my investment in the Ministry of Magic can give me some small privileges—it would make me feel very happy."
Fudge shrugged.
"I'm afraid not, Count…"
He leaned into Dentis's ear.
"But I can find a way to get someone else to get you out of jail… Of course, provided that your sponsorship of the Ministry of Magic doesn't stop."
Dentis smiled knowingly—but if you looked closely, you could see a hint of red deep in his pupils.
"Is that reliable?"
Fudge laughed.
"Of course! This kind of thing has already happened once."
Fudge obviously didn't know about Barty Crouch Sr. switching his dying wife with his son.
So what he said about it happening once…
Dentis's eyes turned half a shade redder. Fortunately, he held back—
Take it slow. It's only a matter of these two years. Minister, your good days are yet to come!
Dentis stood up.
"Minister, it was very pleasant chatting with you, but I'm sorry—I still have many guests to entertain. Please make yourself at home, be sure to eat and have fun!"
"Of course, Count. Your generosity impresses me deeply. I think you'll get the result you want very soon."
"Pleasure doing business with you."
"Pleasure doing business with you."
Dentis left the corner, letting out a deep exhale—only to run into Oliver Avery and Donna Avery.
"Count, please wait."
Dentis stopped and looked at the two.
"May I ask who you are?"
"I am Oliver Avery, the head of the Avery family, and this is my niece, Donna Avery—a very outstanding girl."
"Oh! The Avery family, one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight! I've heard so much. I wonder, Head of the Avery Family, what brings you to me?"
Mr. Avery pushed Donna in front of Dentis.
"I'd like to introduce my niece to you. You're of similar age and should become good friends."
Dentis looked at Donna. The expression on the woman's face was very complicated—the kind that was half-willing, half-reluctant.
To interpret it: My true love is Gilderoy Lockhart, but this Darke Dentis is in very good condition. If I had to be paired with him, it'd be okay.
"Hello, Count, I'm Donna Avery."
"Hello, Miss."
Oliver Avery laughed.
"You young people chat. I, the old man, won't interfere."
Donna Avery glanced at Dentis seemingly shyly, and asked with her head lowered:
"Mr. Dentis, I wonder what your criteria are for a spouse? I saw that Mrs. Malfoy has been helping you entertain the ladies and young misses. I think you must be eager to find a good wife, right?"
Dentis smiled wryly.
"That's hard to say… But from what Miss Avery said, do you want to try?"
Donna lowered her head "shyly" and let out a soft "mm."
This feigned shyness made Dentis's skin crawl. He wished he could cast a tongue-tying curse—and then a Cruciatus Curse.
"Unfortunately, Miss Avery, you're not meant for me."
Donna raised her head in surprise, her eyes full of a million question marks.
Why?
Dentis replied with a smile:
"You know, I was born in the East, and there is a 'face-reading' technique in the East, which can predict the future to a certain extent—and from your face, I can see that your destined lover is not me."
"Really?"
Donna Avery exclaimed.
"Then can you tell who my future other half is?"
Dentis smiled.
"I feel like he's in this castle right now. Why don't I take a look—"
As he spoke, Dentis reached out and stroked the top of Donna Avery's head, pulling out a strand of hair.
Donna was startled, but Dentis quickly retracted his hand.
"This is just a small ritual, don't panic—"
He waved his hand, and a pink butterfly suddenly appeared on Donna Avery's head. The butterfly danced gracefully, flew around Miss Avery, and then flew out of the castle hall.
"Let's go, Miss Avery, follow it and see who you can find?"
The butterfly flew slowly, but Donna's heart was uneasy.
Dentis walked behind her, looking at her tense, contracted shoulders. A meaningful smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
Turning the corridor corner, they reached an exit from the west tower of the castle. It led into a maze-like small garden surrounded by evergreen shrubs taller than a person.
The butterfly flew through the shrub maze, faster and faster. Donna Avery's steps grew disordered.
Finally, the butterfly flew around a corner and fell into a certain gentleman's coffee, disappearing.
"Oh, this beautiful lady—your way of hitting on me is really creative. But unfortunately, I've already turned down ten female fans' requests for a date today…"
This gentleman revealed a mouthful of white teeth, which seemed to glow in the sunlight.
Donna was stunned. She felt like this moment wasn't real—the man in front of her was actually her dream lover, the one she fantasized about every night! If the Count's spell didn't go wrong, didn't that mean… this was her destined match?
Lockhart looked at Donna's dazed expression, very pleased with his charm, and took a sip of coffee—
But why did this coffee taste like Ogden's Old Firewhisky?
That was his favorite wine!
But that wasn't important. The woman in front of him suddenly seemed very pleasing to the eye.
"But if we try to get along, maybe there will be different sparks…"
He said this,
But the next moment, a strange thought popped into his head:
Something's wrong. Something's very wrong. Why does this lady seem to grow on my aesthetic?
Oh, if my partner for life isn't her—I'll die!
Ah! She's so beautiful!
"Miss, can you tell me your name? I want to marry you!"
As soon as Lockhart finished speaking, Donna Avery's eyes rolled back—and she fainted in happiness.
Lockhart quickly stepped forward and caught Miss Avery before she fell.
Dak Dentis watched the "love story" play out from behind a bush with a faint smile.
Donna Avery's hair had been laced with love potion. Then he applied a simple Transfiguration—
See? In the wizarding world, it's so easy to scheme against someone.
End of the Chapter.
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