Erwin rose from his chair and stretched languidly. "Come on, let's check out our biggest discovery besides the Galleons."
Old Tom nodded and followed as Erwin strode out of the office. When Erwin paused, Tom stepped forward and summoned the elevator with a quick press of the button. The doors slid open, and they stepped inside.
Erwin drew his wand with a flick and tapped the control panel. The elevator plunged downward, taking a full thirty seconds to reach its destination—far longer than the mere five floors warranted. This wasn't the standard model; it was Erwin's own design, inspired by the lifts in Diagon Alley and the Ministry of Magic. And for that innovation, they had Minister Fudge to thank indirectly. After Erwin had someone slip into the Muggle Liaison Office, he'd uncovered this hidden gem of Muggle elevator tech. He borrowed it freely, without a twinge of conscience. If anyone noticed? Let them.
The doors parted to reveal a vast hall buzzing with activity. Rows of workers hunched over desks, headsets clamped on, scribbling furiously as others rotated in and out for breaks. This was Erwin's crowning achievement: the wizarding mobile phone network.
The devices' magic relied on a link to the owner's innate power, intertwined with Erwin's own to forge a unique mark—the Communication Rune. He'd bestowed it on his trusted subordinates, allowing them to act as his proxies and cover costs for other wizards. But there was a catch: every user's magic had to be cataloged, like a phone number, for the system to connect calls.
Erwin had gathered all that magical essence here, turning it into a central server powered by the wizards' collective energy. Through it, he could eavesdrop on every conversation across the network. That was the true genius of his project. Once mobiles blanketed the wizarding world—and every wizard carried one—Erwin would have eyes and ears on them all. It was his masterstroke for total oversight.
The staff here were utterly devoted to the Cavendish cause, all Muggles bearing a fortified version of the Communication Rune. It shielded their minds from Legilimency, a layer of defense Erwin had woven in with his Occlumency. Probe too deep, and the intruder's mind would wipe the worker's memories clean, leaving them addled. Only someone with Legilimency leagues beyond Erwin's could crack that safeguard—and no such wizard existed.
Erwin sidled up behind one operator, plucked the earpiece from their hand, and listened in. Crystal clear, almost unnaturally so. Magic never failed to impress.
These mobiles had spread like wildfire through the magical world. In just a week, they'd conquered Britain. Nearly every wizard owned one, hooked despite the devices' single function: voice calls. They ditched the old hassles—Floo calls, enchanted mirrors, even Patronus Charms—for the simple thrill of dialing up a friend. Quick, effortless, revolutionary.
Erwin wandered to the office window, gazing down at the throng of witches and wizards streaming through the streets below. A sly smile tugged at his lips. Phase two was ready to launch. If it succeeded, his web would enclose the entire wizarding realm.
He approached the desk and tapped the Communication Rune etched into its surface. Moments later, across the shop floor amid stacks of magical supplies, Old Tom received the signal. He shot a subtle glance to a shadowed corner. A nearby wizard caught the cue and ambled toward the counter.
"Hello, I'd like to buy some materials," the man said.
Old Tom beamed. "Help yourself—everything's on display."
The wizard selected seven or eight items and approached to pay. Tom tallied the bill.
"Oh, blast it," the wizard groaned, rummaging in his pockets. "I haven't got enough Galleons. Could you hold these for me while I fetch some?"
Tom shook his head apologetically. "Sorry, sir, but we've been swamped lately, and stock's running thin. Some of these are the last we've got. Can't hold them—wouldn't be fair to the others."
The wizard's face fell. "What am I to do? I need these urgently!"
Tom spread his hands. "Wish I could help, but rules are rules."
Their exchange drew curious glances from the crowd. Whispers rippled as other shoppers overheard.
"Wait," the wizard pressed. "How about I leave my mobile as collateral? I'll come back with the Galleons and collect everything."
Tom hesitated, then brightened. "Can't do that for customers, but here's an idea: forget the collateral. Use the credit on your phone instead. Top it up later once you've got the coin."
The wizard's eyes lit up. "Brilliant! You're a lifesaver!"
Tom nodded. "First time offering this—need to clear it with the boss. Your total's twenty-five Galleons, Mr. Henry Giles. I'll deduct from your credit; leaves you with three."
Henry Giles beamed his thanks and hurried off with his purchases.
That sparked a frenzy. Several nearby wizards, who'd been eyeing their own selections but short on funds, perked up at the key words. They'd planned to dash home for more Galleons, but this changed everything. They surged to the counter.
"We'll pay with phone credit too!"
Old Tom feigned alarm, waving them back. "Hold on—no, that's not an option! The boss hasn't approved it for everyone. Can't bend the rules like that!"
The group persisted, voices overlapping in eager protest, the hall alive with the hum of impending chaos. Erwin watched from above, his plan unfolding perfectly. Soon, every mobile would tie wizards deeper into his network, credit by credit, call by call. The wizarding world was his to command.
...
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