Merlin City, city center.
Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes had officially opened.
If you thought Count Dantes would be present for its grand opening, you'd be mistaken—he didn't attend.
Directly across from Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes stood a branch of St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. Though labeled a "branch," this facility actually housed some of St. Mungo's most elite doctors. The reason was simple: many top-notch magic doctors from around the world had come here. To preserve the reputation of St. Mungo's, only their best were permitted to practice at this location.
Two large houses east of St. Mungo's, followed by a left turn, brought you to a brand-new bar.
This bar embodied every wizarding design element imaginable—from its exterior signage to its cozy interior ambiance. Above the door hung a sign that read: [Leaky Cauldron].
Inside, Hannah Abbott was busy at the front desk, assisting her mother with customers. The first floor buzzed with chatter, clinking glasses, and constant motion.
Unlike the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley, this version didn't offer lodging. Instead, the rooms upstairs provided quiet, private spaces for wizards needing a place to meet or think.
Box 201.
Count Dantes sat by the window, gazing at the bustling street below, a faint smile on his lips.
"Mr. Crouch, my Merlin City is quite impressive, isn't it?"
Across from him sat Barty Crouch Sr., who forced a smile and replied:
"Very impressive. I've never seen so many wizards gathered in one place. Clearly, people are happy. But I still think, Count, that you should cooperate with the British Ministry of Magic and allow them to take charge of Merlin City's security."
Count Dantes chuckled.
"Mr. Crouch, the Auror Office of your Ministry probably doesn't have the time to maintain order in Merlin City, do they? With the Fire Serpent Party causing constant trouble, can you really spare the manpower? I believe my attendants have done an excellent job maintaining security here. If you don't believe me—look."
He pointed out the window.
Following his finger, Barty Crouch saw a squad of wizards clad in green police uniforms and metal-studded leather armor patrolling the street.
Farther away, another team was escorting a thief toward a nearby station. The man had committed a petty crime and was now facing fifteen days in custody.
Barty Crouch Sr. remained silent, picked up his glass, and downed its contents in one go. The Firewhisky seared his throat, and as it settled in his stomach, a bitterness rose—not from the drink, but from the person sitting across from him.
"Clearly, Merlin City's security is well handled… Ah, forgive me, Count. I don't actually wish to control it myself. In truth, I'm powerless."
The Count nodded knowingly.
"Of course. Banker Wang informed me that Mr. Crouch has expressed sincere interest in cooperating with Merlin City. A smart man like you wouldn't want to offend us. This situation is clearly others pushing you forward as a scapegoat."
Barty Crouch Sr. sighed heavily.
The Count smiled and asked,
"So, surely you have another reason for meeting me today? Is there something I can do for you?"
Crouch hesitated. His lips moved, but no words came out.
Seeing this, Count Dantes leaned in, still smiling.
"I see resentment in your eyes. Defiance. And I see… the luck of a man trying to fight fate."
Barty Crouch Sr. took a deep breath.
"Yes, Your Excellency, you're right. The one who should have become Minister of Magic was me."
"Of course," the Count agreed. "I've heard the stories. Mr. Crouch, you were merely dragged down by your son. Minister Fudge simply seized the opportunity."
Crouch emptied another glass, frowning at the burn, as if only strong liquor could grant him the courage to speak his truth.
"No… it wasn't just that. My son's scandal… someone betrayed me. They exposed the truth even after promising not to. I… I can't say more."
He didn't need to.
With just a few clues, the Count could deduce what had happened.
It was obvious.
Fudge had blackmailed Barty Crouch Sr. over his son's secret, forcing him to swap out Dana and Gai Avery, and to deal with the unlucky Ministry employee Huo Jin. Then, to destroy Crouch's reputation and clear the path to the top, Fudge revealed the scandal to the public.
That ultimately led to Barty Jr.'s arrest—and the political downfall of Barty Crouch Sr.
Cornelius Fudge's harmless appearance was deceptive. Beneath it lay a dark, manipulative heart.
"It's fine if you don't want to say more, Mr. Crouch," the Count said. "But so far, I still don't know what it is you really want."
"I want to become Minister of Magic of the British Wizarding World!"
Barty Crouch Sr. slapped his thigh.
"Yes! If I were Minister, I'd lead better than Cornelius Fudge ever could!"
Count Dantes leaned back thoughtfully.
"So, you're hoping I'll help you ascend to that position?"
"Yes, Your Excellency!"
The Count's smile became playful.
"And if I help you, Mr. Crouch, what will you offer in return?"
"So long as it's within the bounds of the law, my Ministry will give you the green light in every department!"
The Count nodded slowly.
"That's reasonable. But I'll need time to think about it."
He stood and walked to the door.
"I'll give you an answer later. For now, I'm off to watch a Quidditch match. My team only needs a few seconds to win—if I'm late, I'll miss the whole thing."
Barty Crouch Sr. quickly said,
"Please—let no one know about this meeting!"
The Count smiled again.
"Of course. Betraying you gains me nothing. I never do harm without benefit."
He opened the door but paused for one final word:
"While I'm considering your proposal, you might want to consider what other value you can bring me—outside of official favors. After all, to gain something, one must offer something of equal worth. There's no such thing as a free lunch, right?"
The door closed.
Barty Crouch poured himself another drink, downed it in one go, and sank into the sofa.
The Count hadn't refused him.
There was still hope!
Light returned to Crouch's eyes.
Ministry of Magic Development Foundation…
Barty narrowed his eyes.
Yes, the Foundation had brought a huge influx of disposable Galleons to the Ministry. But they also introduced so-called "performance appraisals." Employee salaries were now tied to these evaluations—only diligent and talented staff earned more.
It sounded good. Minister Fudge fully embraced the program to improve efficiency.
But Barty Crouch Sr., as the official with the most contact with the Foundation, had discovered a serious problem: the evaluators were all Foundation members.
This led Ministry employees to fawn over Foundation staff, since they controlled everyone's income.
As former Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Barty Crouch Sr. had sharp instincts.
He realized that, over time, the Foundation would gain de facto control of all Ministry personnel. Eventually, even the Minister's commands would mean less than the Foundation's opinions.
Foolish Fudge.
If it were me, Crouch thought, I'd never let outsiders manage such critical responsibilities.
But… perhaps this is all for the best!
The stronger Count Dantes's grip on the Ministry, the more likely he is to support my rise to power.
Yes, perhaps I'd just be a puppet Minister—but what of it? As long as the Count's affairs didn't concern me, I'd be the most powerful man in the British Wizarding World!
The Count exited Box 201. The corridor was quiet, utterly still.
Each room on this floor had soundproofing charms, ensuring no conversations could be overheard. That was why many important figures chose to meet here.
As the Count walked, he slowly morphed into the form of Dana Emrys.
Heading downstairs, he spotted Hannah Abbott rushing about like a spinning top.
"Hannah!"
"Oh, Dana! Sorry—I'm really busy right now! If you want a drink, just help yourself—it's on me!"
"No thanks, Hannah. My Quidditch match is about to start."
"Good luck! Well, I'm sure you'll win—probably in just a few seconds. Come back here afterward! I still haven't thanked you enough for putting in a good word with the Count."
"Actually, Hannah, after the match I'm going to Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. It's Fred and George's grand opening. I've got to show my support."
"Really? What a shame—I can't leave the bar. I love the gadgets the Weasley twins design!"
Dana smiled.
"They used their Daily Prophet grand prize—500 Galleons—to expand their product line. I've already seen the shop. It's packed with fun things. You must visit when you get a chance. It's not far."
"Alright, I'll go if I find a moment."
She watched Dana leave the bar, shrugging helplessly.
"Hannah! Butterbeer and cod fillets, table eleven!"
"Coming, Mum!"
Hannah Abbott had no idea that, in the original timeline, her mother would die at home from illness in 1996.
But now—with the New Leaky Cauldron Bar located next to St. Mungo's branch, home to world-class doctors—perhaps her mother's fate might change.
Dana smiled genuinely as he stepped out the door.
Kindness must be repaid tenfold.
One less debt to carry.
But… he still hadn't figured out how to repay Professor McGonagall.
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