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Chapter 86: Pucci, the Minister, and the Pink Toad
Pucci felt that he was incredibly lucky.
Gringotts Wizarding Bank had fallen—but he had risen with it.
When everything collapsed, Audrey Astray took in the Goblins who were still willing to continue working in the wizarding financial world. Pucci was among them—and soon became their leader.
Before the new bank was formally established, Pucci acted as the chief steward of the former Gringotts site, working under the direction of Gellert Grindelwald.
A Goblin working under a wizard?
Embarrassing?
Not at all.
Just hearing that surname was enough—Grindelwald had once been Pucci's idol. Being able to serve under someone connected to him was an honor.
And meeting Audrey Astray?
That was the greatest stroke of luck in his entire life.
---
That afternoon, Pucci was enjoying tea in his office, completely at ease.
These days are perfect, he thought. Barely any work… and still getting paid.
"Manager Pucci!"
A Goblin burst in, stumbling.
"The Ministry of Magic has sent people!"
"What? Again?"
"This time it's Cornelius Fudge himself—he came in person with his entourage! You should go meet him!"
Pucci jumped up so quickly he knocked over his teacup. Tea spilled across the table and soaked into the expensive carpet.
He didn't even glance at it.
He rushed out immediately.
---
At the entrance, Fudge stood at the front of a group of Ministry officials.
He wore his usual warm, approachable smile—more like a friendly old neighbor than a Minister for Magic.
"You're the one in charge?"
There was no friendliness in his tone.
Fudge only showed warmth to those who could benefit him.
And Goblins… lately?
Worthless.
"Yes, Minister. You may call me Pucci."
Pucci bowed—not servile, not arrogant.
"How may I assist you?"
Fudge waved his hand. A subordinate stepped forward and handed him a thick stack of documents.
That subordinate—
was a woman dressed entirely in pink.
She looked uncannily like a toad.
"Following our inspection of the Gringotts vaults," Fudge said, "we discovered that some Ministry officials' ancestral vaults were mistakenly classified as unclaimed."
He shoved the documents into Pucci's hands.
"We are here to reclaim the property that rightfully belongs to them."
"These are their identification papers and bloodline records."
---
Pucci kept his polite expression.
Inside, he scoffed.
Just as Boss predicted.
Never overestimate Fudge's moral limits.
He flipped through the documents.
Forgery.
Blatant forgery.
Families confirmed extinct… suddenly had heirs?
And all of them just happened to work at the Ministry?
"Minister," Pucci said with a respectful smile, "I'm afraid the gold from those unclaimed vaults was already moved by Gringotts on the day of its collapse."
Fudge froze.
But before he could react—
the pink toad jumped forward.
"What?! Moved? You're lying!"
Her shrill voice pierced the air.
"Do you know who you're speaking to?!"
"This is the greatest Minister in the history of the Ministry of Magic! How dare you deceive him!"
Fudge's chest swelled slightly.
He was very pleased.
Though… the pink outfit with frills was a bit much, even for him.
"Dolores Umbridge, that's enough," Fudge said, pressing his hand down.
She immediately bowed and stepped back.
"Mr. Pucci," Fudge continued smoothly, "regardless of the truth, surely you can take us inside to verify this?"
---
The group entered.
Ministry personnel quickly restrained the surrounding Goblins to prevent any "interference."
But—
the vaults were empty.
Completely empty.
Cleaner than newly constructed rooms.
"How is this possible?!" Fudge shouted after hours of inspection.
"You must have been tipped off! You emptied them in advance!"
"No, Minister," Pucci replied calmly. "In fact, my boss is the greatest victim here."
"She paid an additional one million Galleons for those vaults… and received nothing."
Fudge froze.
He hadn't read the auction report carefully.
He had no idea those vaults had inflated the price.
Pucci continued:
"If the Ministry now claims these vaults had rightful owners…"
"Then the sale becomes invalid."
"You sold property that already belonged to others. That violates the Wizard Personal Property Protection Act."
"So naturally—"
"the Ministry should refund the Galleons my boss paid."
---
Fudge's mind went blank.
He couldn't repay it.
The auction money had already been distributed to the pure-blood families.
And even that hadn't been enough to satisfy them.
---
Once again, Umbridge stepped forward dramatically.
"This must be a mistake!" she declared.
"We need to investigate those greedy officials who misled us!"
"Minister! Let's return at once and punish them properly!"
Fudge immediately seized the opportunity.
"Yes—yes, Dolores, you're absolutely right."
He turned back to Pucci, smiling for the first time.
"Mr. Pucci, it appears this was all a misunderstanding. I apologize for the inconvenience."
"I was misled by certain individuals seeking personal gain."
"These vaults are clearly unclaimed."
---
Pucci bowed slightly.
"Yes, Minister. Those people are truly despicable. No morals at all."
"They should be sent to Azkaban—or even receive the Dementor's Kiss."
He shivered slightly, recalling his own experience there.
Then continued smoothly:
"Under your wise leadership, Minister, such individuals should never have been allowed to cause trouble."
"If it were me, I would have dismissed them long ago."
---
Fudge's eye twitched.
Those "individuals" were his own trusted subordinates.
If he dismissed them—
he'd have no one left.
He quickly waved his hand.
"That won't be necessary. Internal Ministry matters are for us to handle."
"We'll be leaving now."
"Please give my regards to Audrey."
---
Fudge tried to maintain his dignity as he left.
But no matter how he carried himself—
he looked like a defeated man.
---
Outside, Umbridge leaned closer and whispered:
"Cornelius… without Galleons, we won't be able to pay salaries next month."
"The excavation funds aren't enough. And those pure-blood families are nearly bankrupt…"
"Don't call me Cornelius," Fudge snapped, stepping away.
Then he frowned thoughtfully.
"Not all of them were affected."
"The Malfoy family and Lestrange family still have wealth."
Umbridge's eyes lit up.
"You mean… ask them for sponsorship?"
Fudge rolled his eyes.
"Not ask."
"This will be a voluntary donation."
"In return, we award them the Order of Merlin—Third Class."
"Second Class, if they're generous."
---
Umbridge beamed.
"The Minister is truly wise and farsighted!"
Fudge accepted the praise, looking into the distance.
Inside, he sneered.
You want to open a bank during my term, Astray?
Dream on.
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