After buying the crucible, textbooks, owl, and other items, Argus escorted Draco to the fireplace and traveled back to Malfoy Manor via Floo Powder.
He then arrived at the entrance to Diagon Alley and saw Vinda Rosier already waiting there.
"Have you bought everything?"
Argus raised his hand to indicate the suitcase in his pocket that had been enchanted with Capacious Extremis.
"After buying it, we even sent Draco back."
"Who sent those Aurors?"
"Rufus Scrimgeour, Head of the Auror Office at the British Ministry of Magic."
Argus narrowed his eyes, and information about the other man slowly surfaced in his mind.
Rufus Scrimgeour, a hardliner in the British Ministry of Magic, had dedicated his life to capturing dark wizards.
In the original book, he disagreed with Dumbledore and became Minister for Magic after Fudge's retirement. He was later captured by Voldemort and tortured so severely that he did not reveal the whereabouts of Harry and the others. He was eventually tortured to death.
He could be considered a hero in the magical world.
"It seems our director thinks we're a bunch of dark wizards!"
"Being targeted by him is somewhat disadvantageous for our upcoming operations," Argus muttered, frowning.
"Should we send someone to kill him?"
"No!" Argus shook his head. "If we kill high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Magic as soon as we arrive in England, it will definitely cause panic within the Ministry."
"At that point, it probably won't be as simple as just a few Aurors monitoring us."
"But if he really keeps his eyes on us, it will be extremely detrimental to the progress of our subsequent plans," Vinda Rosier said cautiously.
Argus pondered for a moment, then suddenly looked up. "To deal with Scrimgeour, we don't necessarily need to take action ourselves!"
"The British Ministry of Magic only received news of our relocation today. Given their speed, it's impossible for them to make a decision immediately."
"So, Scrimgeour acted without authorization?" Vinda Rosier was not stupid; on the contrary, she was much smarter than most people.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to stay by Grindelwald's side for so long.
"Let's give the message to Fudge, implying that Scrimgeour already knew we were coming to England, and someone will naturally come looking for trouble with him!" Argus said with amusement.
"Who doesn't enjoy watching dogs fight!"
"I asked you to investigate the shops in Diagon Alley. What were the results?"
Vinda shook her head. "The situation is not good. The shops in Diagon Alley are very popular, and very few people are willing to make a move."
"Most of these shops are controlled by pure-blood families, especially those with high demand such as potions and flying brooms. They were snapped up long ago. Even if we manage to buy a shop, the location won't be very good."
Argus couldn't help but chuckle. "Who told you I was going to buy a shop?"
"Not buying? Then why are we even researching these stores?"
"The purpose of investigating the shops is to let you understand the trading situation in Diagon Alley. How could one or two shops possibly supply the acolytes' future resources?"
"My goal is... to replace Diagon Alley!"
"Replace Diagon Alley?"
Now it was Vinda's turn to be dumbfounded.
Even she, in her initial plan, had only intended to trade with pure-blood families, and at most to be more assertive and directly squeeze out a few families.
Replacing Diagon Alley? This wasn't just about taking profits from the pure-blood families; it was about cutting off one of their arms!
"Argus, calm down. I know you want the acolytes to develop, but we've only just entered Britain and haven't even established a firm foothold yet. It's too risky to start a war with a pure-blood family…"
"I'm calm, Aunt Vinda." Argus patted her hand helplessly, indicating that she didn't need to be so shocked.
"Replacing Diagon Alley is a long-term plan. Putting aside the funding issue, the resources controlled by pure-blood families are something we can't compare to."
"But there's no harm in thinking ahead. In my mind, replacing Diagon Alley is just a short-term plan. To completely control the wizarding world, even ten Diagon Alleys wouldn't be enough."
"In the future, our business footprint will cover the entire world!"
...
The following day, the British Ministry of Magic.
Scrimgeour stood at the door of the minister's office with a gloomy expression.
Inside the room, Fudge's eyes were bloodshot, and he was panting heavily.
"This is rebellion! This is utter rebellion!"
"They mobilized over a dozen Aurors in one go, and I, the minister, didn't receive a single word about it!"
"Scrimgeour, what exactly do you want!"
Scrimgeour retorted without backing down. "They are acolytes! A bunch of dark wizards! More than a dozen Aurors from the Austrian Ministry of Magic have gone missing at their hands!"
"An eleven-year-old child killed more than a dozen Aurors in one go? You actually believe that nonsense! I'm ordering you to withdraw your men immediately!"
Fudge had an extremely strong desire for power, and in his view, Scrimgeour's actions were not directed at the acolytes.
This was a provocation against his ministerial authority!
It was an implication to him that they had secretly colluded with the Austrian and German Ministries of Magic!
This was something he absolutely could not tolerate!
"No way! Even if he didn't do it, he's definitely involved!"
"Scrimgeour!" Fudge slammed his hand on the table and roared angrily.
"I am the Minister of Magic!"
In one sentence, Scrimgeour was completely crushed!
Left with no other choice, he had to compromise and angrily threw a sentence at Fudge.
"Fudge, you'll regret this!"
...
Time flies, and it was already late August.
During this time, Argus continued to study diligently, coupled with his full talent.
He had already finished studying the Hogwarts textbooks for the fourth year, and was now looking at the fifth-year edition of the Standard Book of Spells.
Inside the manor, Argus sat quietly in a chair, reading a book.
Draco, standing next to him, looked like he'd been bitten by a flea, constantly scratching his ears and cheeks, clearly unable to sit still.
Lucius, who rushed over from the door, had witnessed this scene more than once, but each time he couldn't help but sigh in amazement.
The difference between people was indeed greater than the difference between people and dogs!
In just one or two months, this seemingly gentle blue-eyed boy had gone from an outsider with no connections to a guest of honor in many pure-blood families.
The root of the problem was a party that his own son had invited him to!
Draco's parties had won him the favor of many pure-blood family peers, and he was subsequently regarded as an idol by these peers, who invited him to participate in various parties.
Through gatherings with peers, he had established connections with various families.
The important thing was that these pure-blooded fools were completely oblivious!
All he could say was that he was a descendant of Grindelwald; his ability to manipulate people's hearts was beyond the reach of ordinary people!
If possible, he really didn't want Draco to have too much contact with him.
With the way his son was, he'd be laughing and helping count the money even if he were sold out!
"Draco, your father has arrived."
Argus saw Lucius arrive, closed his book, and whispered a reminder.
Draco's face lit up with joy. He threw down the book in his hand and immediately prepared to leave.
"Cough cough!"
"Argus, I've been watching all afternoon..."
"I know. Remember to finish the homework I assigned you. I'll be checking it when school starts."