Harry Potter: The Ring Maker

Chapter 188: Persuading Fudge(2)

Still she left the office none the less and shut the door behind her as she did so. Fudge dropped the friendly appearance immediately "I have gotten some rather unappealing information from Dumbledore about something you are planning to do that makes the ministry look bad so explain yourself." he said clearly unhappy with Nick. "How would it make the ministry look bad to give the wizarding world some positive news for a change?" Nick asked with a crafty grin. Fudge looked surprised but interested none the less so Nick continued to share his plan with the man to corrupt/convince him.-

"The ministry makes shocking discovery and fixes a mistake all while setting the head of the black family free and putting away the actual criminal. Think of the positive light this sort of thing would shine on you , the minister who orchestrated the whole thing. Praise from both muggleborn and pureblood wizards and you could also run it as a more just ministry under your leadership." Nick said tempting Fudge with a beautiful picture. The man was nothing if not political however "And what do you get out of this besides the backing of the Black family name?" Fudge asked concerned.-

"Not a thing besides my best friend getting someone who actually cares about him to take care of him." Nick said honestly which wasn't a lie as he really didn't need Sirius for anything else as he has wealth , reputation and political power by his heritage alone. The only thing he truly lacked was power but he was already rapidly traveling down that road as well so he was good to go. Fudge was taken back by this response but saw that Nick didn't seem to be lying and accepted it at face value.-

"I suppose all that leaves is what you'll be giving me for the trouble this matter will cause me." Fudge said with a greedy look. Nick sighed "Do be reasonable , what do you want exactly?" he asked to get a rough base to haggle down from. He wasn't stupid enough to just accept whatever absurd thing Fudge may ask for immediately. "A personalized enchanted ring , full funding for my upcoming campaign and exclusive ministry contracting for your rings." Fudge definitely didn't hold back with his price either. Nick shook his head "The ring is acceptable and I need an exact number for the campaign but the exclusivity contract is completely off the table." he rebutted.-

Fudge didn't seem bothered at all about this as he had clearly been expecting such a refusal. He then said an outrageous number of galleons which Nick immediately countered with a fraction of making it clear he wasn't so easily taken advantage of. This back and forth bartering continued for the next fifteen minutes before the final price for Fudge to not interfere with the release of Sirius set at one personalized ring and 20,000 galleons towards the mans next campaign.-

"A pleasure doing business Mr. Ravenclaw , I am sure you can see yourself out as I am quite busy you know." Fudge said and Nick left the man's office with a smirk towards the pink toad that looked livid as he passed by despite her constant false smile as she even had a vein pulsing on her neck. The entire time Nick had been in the office she had been using magic to try an get material to black mail him with but Nick used his magical senses to pin point the intrusive magic and cancel it with his wand stealthily leaving her nothing.-

Fudge was definitely aware of this fact but was going to get a rude awakening when he learns of Umbridge's failure. 'Back to the shop I go since my part in this whole mess is done and over with.' Nick thought as he left the ministry leaving the world ever so slightly better than it should be originally. Olivander seemed to surprised to see Nick back so soon since it seemed like it would take much longer with how serious it was. "I'll be going again in a moment I just need to grab Helena real fast." Nick explained and the old man merely shrugged and nodded.-

The ghost in question was equally confused at Nick's presence but after he explained the efficiency of the capture and political nonsense afterward she didn't care anymore. "What do you need me for though?" she asked confused why he came to get her and Steve who was hanging out in a comfy transfigured pocket in Nicks shirt. The pockets entrance was big enough for the niffler to stick it's head through and look around but not enough for it to escape and go on a thieving spree should it get that inevitable urge.

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