Homecoming from Hogwarts

Chapter 987 Chance Encounter
"Dragon's blood is going up in price, Floo powder is going up in price, potion ingredients are going up in price, everything related to magic is going up in price, oh. It feels like Galleons are depreciating, but the salaries in the Ministry are not changing!"

A middle-aged witch with silver-gray hair passed by Lucius and complained angrily to her companions.

“I really hope our beloved minister can do something to improve the situation!”

"You are dreaming, Lisa—"

The witch's companion yawned and spoke lazily, and then the two of them walked away from the fireplace and disappeared into the bustling reception hall.

Similar complaints were heard from time to time, but Lucius remained expressionless as he walked forward and joined the crowded crowd.

The current business environment of the entire European wizarding community is not good, and Lucius Malfoy knows exactly how this happened.

Ordinary people in the magic world are still struggling with the daily necessities of life; most departments of the Ministry of Magic are busy dealing with the increasingly severe security situation in the magic world; the top leaders are busy wrestling with Hogwarts; a considerable number of families like the Malfoy family, who control the lifeline of the magic world and run industries closely related to the daily lives of wizards, are busy expanding the territory for the Dark Lord.
Before the Dark Lord returned to the wizarding world, he and his wife Narcissa spent most of the year traveling around Europe to visit companies and workshops belonging to the Malfoy family.

They are busy setting development goals for companies and workshops, seeking ways and methods to expand production capacity and suppress costs, looking for more sincere suppliers of raw materials, and building good relationships with politicians from various countries to achieve the goal of opening up new markets. It can be said that although families like the Malfoy family control the wizarding world, they are also supporting the wizarding world.

There was a long queue in front of the elevator. Lucius stared at the floor signs above the door with his indifferent grey eyes, feeling a sense of depression building up in his heart.

Ding--
The elevator arrived at the station, and Lucius followed the line and slowly moved forward. When it was his turn, the elevator car was almost full, but he was still distracted and tried to squeeze into the elevator hall.

Arthur frowned, looking with a little surprise at Lucius, who looked absent-minded and seemed not to notice him at all. After hesitating for a moment, he asked Percy, who was nervous about the upcoming conversation, to squeeze into the elevator car to leave space for Lucius.

The elevator was rising floor by floor, but Lucius's mood was sinking.
When a businessman reaches a certain level, paying attention to the political situation is a must.

Although the Ministry of Magic was promoting that the British wizarding world was still prosperous and peaceful, businessmen with a certain social status in other countries had sensed that something was wrong with the British wizarding world.

The market has lost confidence in the British wizarding world. Merchants from other countries have become more cautious in doing business with British families and pay more attention to cash flow. Industries under the names of families like the Malfoys are all reducing production. This series of reasons has led to the current situation.

Just like the last civil war in the British wizarding world.

At that time, he was keen on following the cruel and brutal dreams of the Dark Lord. When he came to his senses, he found that the Malfoy family suffered heavy losses in the war.

"The first floor, the Minister's Office, including the Minister's Office Logistics Department—"

Lucius was awakened by a cold female voice in the elevator car. Coming to his senses, he was surprised to find that there were not many people in the crowded elevator car - in fact, only Arthur Weasley and his son were staring at him.

Subconsciously, a sarcastic smile appeared on Lucius's lips, and he was about to say something sarcastic, but before he opened his mouth, he remembered his true position now. Standing on the side of the Weasley family, the scum of the pure-blood family, it was really shameful to think about it.

The sneer on Lucius's lips disappeared, and he swallowed the words that were about to come out of his mouth. He nodded to Arthur and his son with an unpleasant expression.

"Good morning"

Arthur's eyes suddenly widened, as if he had heard that the Charlie Cannons had won the Quidditch World Cup. He stared at Lucius Malfoy in disbelief, almost thinking that he had heard it wrong, and the nervous Percy also showed his surprise.

"Hello, ahem, Lucius"

Lucius's change of attitude left Arthur, who had been ready to retort, with nowhere to vent his anger. He blushed and coughed a few times.

"Are you here to see the Minister as well?"

"Yes."

Fighting back the shame of having a normal conversation with Arthur Weasley, Lucius pursed his lips and nodded.

The three of them walked out of the elevator together and headed towards the Minister's office. The corridor, which was not long, seemed as long as running ten laps around the Quidditch field. The three of them felt unbearable torture.

As he got closer to the minister's office, Percy's breathing became heavier. He clenched his fists in his sleeves. His eyes, which had been dulled by dark circles, began to move. He whispered,
"Dad, the minister will agree--"

Percy stumbled, but Mr. Weasley looked at the back of Lucius's head warily and gently interrupted his son.
"Don't worry, Percy, we'll make things clear with the Minister."

Arthur Weasley came to Fudge about his son. What delightful misfortune had happened to his son?

Lucius couldn't help but think about it, but he knew that Arthur Weasley wouldn't say a word if he asked. "You first, Lucius--"

The three of them gathered in front of the door of the Minister's office. Mr. Weasley didn't want Lucius Malfoy to be present when he was talking to Fudge, so he stepped back and gave Malfoy the chance to knock on the door.

Lucius twisted his lips and nodded at Arthur Weasley, and this polite gesture surprised Arthur Weasley even more.

Du, du, du—
Lucius then knocked on the door.

Boom, boom, boom——
"Don't bother, the Minister is not in his office—"

A head popped out from the logistics office next door after hearing a knock on the door.

"--Isaac, do you know where the minister went? Is he out?"

Arthur raised his eyebrows, patted Percy's shoulder, who was afraid that his expression would become disappointed, and asked gently.

"Oh, it's Arthur--"

The middle-aged wizard named Isaac also emerged from the door.
"You're here to see the Minister, right? He lost his temper 20 minutes ago, threw something, and then ran to Ms. Umbridge angrily and asked, "Dolores, where are you? I must talk to you as soon as possible!"

Isaac shrugged, mimicking Fudge's angry expression when he was shouting.

"Oh, thank you--"

Arthur said, somewhat surprised:

"So, do you know why the minister is so angry?"

"That's something you'll have to find out for yourself, Arthur—"

Isaac blinked his curious eyes and said excitedly

"If you find out, don't forget to share it with me!"

"Oh, I will—"

After a moment's hesitation, Arthur nodded.

Then, Arthur looked at Lucius, who was a little dazed, and said cautiously:
"Looks like we need to move somewhere else."

They returned to the elevator hall again. While waiting for the elevator, Percy wiped the sweat from his forehead and swallowed dry foam.

"Dad, wouldn't it be better if we talked to the Minister about this at another time?"

"There's nothing to be afraid of, Percy. I've already said that it's not your fault at all. The Ministry's decision was wrong."

Arthur said gently but sternly.

The three of them took the elevator down one floor, passed through the tense and busy office lobby and arrived in front of Dolores Umbridge's office.

"Since Dumbledore has clearly refused, let's legislate, Cornelius--"

A suppressed excited voice came from the office.
"I will talk to Pierce as soon as possible. He will support your decision, but you need to meet with the wizards of the Wizengamot in person, Minister. We must do this as soon as possible, because once we start to act, someone will definitely inform Dumbledore and Braine!"

(End of this chapter)