Harry Potter and the Candy Factory

“Mr. Charlie, I'm so sorry, I really didn't know this kind of thing would happen!”

Charlie strolled gently down the corridor.

The old man, as the Director, followed closely beside him, always lagging half a step behind.

His aged face was plastered with a flattering and fawning smile, his body slightly bowed, just like he had initially wanted Stauff to do… except now, he was doing it himself.

The smile on Charlie's lips didn't fade, and his eyes narrowed slightly.

It seemed he hadn't quite adjusted to the outside light after being in that dim environment for so long.

He listened to the old man's words but didn't answer or say much, instead asking,

“That… Stauff, what kind of punishment will he receive?”

Hearing Charlie's words, the old man was momentarily alarmed, focusing his attention and cautiously replying,

“Colluding with dark wizards, using Legilimency without authorization, ignoring superior orders, abusing his power… I plan to first dismiss him and then imprison him.”

After speaking, he raised his head to look at Charlie's expression, hoping to discern some change.

Unfortunately, he was disappointed; Charlie always had that calm demeanor with a smile… whether entering the interrogation room or coming out, he never seemed to change.

For a moment, the old man couldn't help but feel a bit nervous, and he quickly added in a low voice,

“Perhaps… what do you think would be appropriate?”

Charlie raised his eyebrows, and his forward steps paused, looking with some surprise at the Director of the Serious Crime Investigation Division, who was half a step behind him.

He pondered for a moment, his narrowed eyes opening slightly, but ultimately, with a hint of emotion, he shook his head lightly, neither saying he wanted to deliberately punish nor saying he would forgive.

Regarding Stauff, Charlie didn't actually have much feeling.

Aside from a bit of pity just now, he didn't have any other excessive emotions.

After all, as the old man said in the office… compared to Charlie, Stauff was undoubtedly an ant that could be easily crushed from any angle.

In this situation of extreme inequality, it was honestly difficult for him to feel much.

“Uh…”

The old man waited for a while, and seeing that Charlie didn't speak, the expression on his face changed slightly, but quickly returned to normal.

A gleam flashed in his eyes, and he nodded, replying softly.

“Okay, Mr. Black.”

After these words, the two no longer exchanged words, simply continuing to stroll forward, leaving the group of Aurors still standing at the door of the interrogation room, escorting the two already unconscious Stauff, looking at each other, at a loss.

… … … … … … … … … … … … … … …

In the conference room at the highest level of the Magical Congress, at the very center, around that spacious and exquisite conference table, the twelve chairs representing the supreme power of the entire American magical world were, at this moment, rarely without a single vacancy.

They were noisy, clamorous, their words either fierce or hesitant.

Some were even so excited that they stood up directly from their seats, their faces flushed, spitting at the people across from them.

This made the conference room, which originally symbolized power and dignity, resemble a chaotic vegetable market, with no trace of civilization or grace.

If one were to simply look at this scene, no one would believe that these guys, arguing red-faced and about to start a fight, were the top figures of the entire Magical Congress, and even the American magical world—the Congressmen.

Unlike the British Ministry of Magic, where the Minister is followed by Directors, and Directors are followed by Heads of Departments, with such a simple and clear division of positions.

The Magical Congress made some changes to the system already structured by the original Ministry of Magic.

Here, the position of Minister was abolished and replaced with a President, and the powers originally belonging to the Minister were divided into twelve parts, handed over to the President and each Congressman.

Each time the highest level needs to make a ruling, the Congressmen will gather together, under the leadership of the President, to engage in fierce debate and finally make a decision…

In fact, at the very beginning, this was a method conceived when the Magical Congress was founded, in order to prevent the abuse of power, considering the principle of mutual checks and balances.

However, the twelve Aurors who founded the Magical Congress at that time would never have imagined…

Hundreds of years later, when capital awakened, transformed into a flood of savage beasts, and began to infiltrate its influence by all means, this pure and flawless Congressman system, symbolizing fairness and justice, was also completely eroded, becoming increasingly distorted, thereby losing its original meaning.

Until now, at each meeting, the discussion of whether a decision is passed or not is no longer about whether it is correct or whether it can serve the American magical world.

But whether it can provide the wealthy businessmen behind the Congressmen with better resources, allowing them to more easily extract as much profit as possible.

At the head of the table, Antonio, as the President of the Magical Congress, was currently drooping his eyelids.

He pursed his lips, looking down quietly at his cup of black tea, which was faintly rippling due to the vibration of the conference table.

Watching his face reflected on the surface of the black tea, transforming into fragments in the bursts of ripples.

Letting the Congressmen sitting around the conference table argue red-faced and fiercely, he seemed to turn a deaf ear, not paying any attention.

Just organizing his thoughts on his own, considering the issues he should be considering.

Compared to those Congressmen who only need to be a “puppet” to live extremely well, Antonio obviously had much more to think about…

The game between the wealthy businessmen, led by Muller, and the Magical Congress had only just begun to unfold its tug-of-war and probing.

In the few rounds of negotiations, neither side had officially exerted their strength.

What they were thinking about was slowly testing each other's true thoughts in order to respond accordingly.

However, just as the atmosphere was becoming more and more skilled, the British Ministry of Magic, as an outsider, suddenly broke in, stirring up the water completely without explanation.

Forcing Antonio to end this game early, reluctantly releasing Charlie Black, thereby bowing his head to show weakness.

Then, in that case, can the interests of the Magical Congress be further expanded between the two? Is the attitude of the British Ministry of Magic really as tough as they have shown? … One question after another surrounded him in his mind.

Antonio's elbow rested on the table, his fingers interlaced in mid-air, constantly rubbing as his thoughts became more and more complicated…

I don't know how much time passed… just as the Congressmen were eager to try, and the atmosphere was getting more and more intense, the door of the conference room was knocked.

“Knock, knock, knock…” Outside the thick wooden door, the knocking sound was muffled and weak.

In such a scene, it seemed even more insignificant.

However, it was such a sound that suddenly brought the originally noisy conference room to an abrupt halt, quietly silent.

For a moment, everyone seemed to be frozen, holding their original movements.

Whether they were baring their teeth and brandishing their claws, or applying eagerly, everyone seemed to consciously twist their necks and look towards the direction of the door in unison.

“Alright… it seems our guest has arrived.”

Antonio, who had been silent all along, finally interrupted his original thoughts, slowly raising his head and speaking.

His voice was deep and steady, although the tone was calm and the voice was not loud, it seemed to carry an aura that made people awe.

His gaze slowly moved, sweeping over each Congressman.

“Don't let the British wizards see your jokes, all sit up straight.”

His tone was as if he were coaxing a child, but it worked wonders on those council members.

Once everyone was seated, Antonio slightly raised his head, and in the direction of the door, he said loudly,

“Please come in.”

… … … … … … … … … … … … …

The old man stood at the door, watching the door open, and then watching the young and confident figure beside him calmly walk in…

But he could only carefully lower his head, expressing his respect for the twelve council members and the chairman in the meeting room.

Until the door closed slowly again, the old man finally raised his head, looking at the beautifully decorated and meaningful facade, meticulously carved with the initial founders of the Magical Congress, the [Twelve Aurors], his gaze gradually becoming complex.

That door was like separating two worlds, even though it was right there, it formed a chasm that ordinary people could never cross. Like a divine condemnation, completely dividing them…

After standing for a long time, all the emotions surged from his chest with a faint sigh. Then, he turned and left.

Meanwhile, inside the meeting room, after the old man left, the council members, led by Chairman Antonio, began a “friendly and cordial” exchange with the young and promising Mr. Charlie Black.

… … …

The conversation in the meeting room didn't take long. Because everyone was smart, many things didn't need to be said specifically, and they all understood the rules.

Charlie understood that they simply wanted to find a way to make up for their losses, or at least collect some interest, given the Ministry of Magic's intervention.

He was naturally happy to do so. After all, his business was about to expand into their territory. In any case, it was a good thing to establish a good relationship with the local government, or even form some kind of alliance, beforehand.

Back and forth, mutual interests were constantly divided and integrated, at a dizzying pace.

When everyone, with smiles on their faces, happily obtained the results they were satisfied with, the original forty-plus people who were killed, the huge fire, and the death of Fields, all seemed less important… … … …

As the focal point of most wizards in the American magical world recently, this case was naturally still very serious and heinous.

However, now, it could be a crime committed by anyone, but it would definitely not be something Charlie had done.

It was believed that before long, the best-selling newspapers in the American magical world would give such news.

“The suspect in the case is on the run and was accidentally killed due to resisting the Aurors to the death—the Director of the Serious Crime Investigation Division personally gave a detailed report on the matter!”

The masses took away the truth with satisfaction, the Magical Congress gained benefits, the merchants defended their position, and Charlie finally achieved his purpose.

At this moment, everyone got what they wanted, and a major case that satisfied everyone was created.

— — —

About half an hour later, Charlie was personally escorted out of the Magical Congress building by Chairman Antonio.

At this time, Antonio had a kind and friendly smile on his face. He put his arm around Charlie's shoulder and shook hands with him tightly one last time at the door.

As if the two were close friends for many years, intimate and inseparable.

Suddenly, Antonio raised his head and looked forward. Soon, he noticed Old Mueller, who was waiting for Charlie not far away.

Then he blinked his eyes and said to Charlie with a smile,

“Look, Old Mueller can't wait to pick you up, so that's it… I hope you have a pleasant few days in America! Don't let this little thing give you a bad impression of us.”

“Of course not… I can understand the Magical Congress's handling of such incidents! It is precisely because of such a strict attitude that the American magical world has gained stability and peace.”

Shaking Antonio's hand vigorously, Charlie said with a sincere face, earnestly and with a hint of admiration.

Antonio curled the corner of his mouth silently. If he hadn't seen the other party's skills in the meeting room just now, with such a young face and superb acting skills, even he would have been deceived.

… … … … …

Antonio left, nodding to Old Mueller in the distance before turning and walking back into the building.

“How is it! Those Aurors didn't do anything to you, did they?”

Old Mueller's smile was also so strange yet kind.

Seeing the other party walking towards him, he hurriedly took a step and welcomed Charlie back to his side.

Then he quickly looked him up and down carefully, as if an elder was concerned about his child, confirming that Charlie's condition was normal.

“Of course, everything is fine.”

Charlie smiled, nodded as he walked with Mueller, and said softly,

“It has been confirmed that it was a misunderstanding. Mr. Antonio solemnly expressed their apologies to me.”

Hearing this, Old Mueller was even happier, nodding repeatedly and saying,

“I knew it would be like this! Those Aurors are really audacious. We haven't encountered such a thing in so many years, and they were so flustered that they even dared to arrest you.”

Speaking of this, he seemed to recall what happened not long ago when they had just walked out of the Magical Broadway at night, and couldn't help but hum twice.

But then he waved his hand, and the emotion in his voice rose again.

“Okay! Let's not talk about these unhappy things! Tonight, we have prepared a banquet for you to welcome you and cleanse the dust! Have fun!”

“We…?” Charlie raised his eyebrows, looking a little surprised.

“Yes, we. Some of my friends, when you first came to the American magical world, they couldn't wait to meet you! As a result, this happened…”

Charlie suddenly understood.

－ － － － － － Extra Topic － － － － － －

Okay… With this chapter, the original part about the American Ministry of Magic is over. From the next chapter, Charlie's main story will gradually return to England, gradually returning to Harry and Draco at school.

To be honest, I can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

I don't have to rack my brains to think about the plot direction, and I don't have to try every means to shape those characters. I can write something that saves effort.

Originally, my idea was, can I break out of that structure and make a new attempt. As you can see, this is a failed idea… … …

Perhaps a small number of friends like it, but I guess most people don't care about it.

… … … … … … … … …

【The level of the chapter is getting worse and worse.】

【The things I write now don't even deserve 2,000 collections…】

【Balabalabalabalabala… … …】

Thank you to the friends who gave me advice. I will try to do less of this thankless thing in the future.

Thinking about it, most of the readers who read this book should have been attracted by the daily life in the early stage. What everyone wants to see is Harry Potter, is Draco… If you really want to write these, then why not open another book?

Okay, that's it.

【loveandpeace，mydear】

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