Harry Potter and the Candy Factory

After receiving Fudge's "nod" in the Ministry of Magic, and bidding farewell to Dumbledore, Charlie wasted no time in returning to his factory to begin preparing the specifics of the recruitment.

"Russell!"

The moment Charlie's foot stepped into the factory, Russell, seemingly appearing from nowhere, was already there to meet him.

Immediately after appearing, Russell didn't say anything else, but looked directly and eagerly at the shiny medal that had appeared on his master's chest.

His eyes gleamed with light, and a feeling of great pride welled up in Russell's chest, causing him to straighten his back involuntarily. Then, he quickly shifted his gaze back to his master, Charlie, looking up at him and greeting him with more enthusiasm and fervor than usual.

"Welcome back, Master!"

After the greeting, without waiting for Charlie to respond, he continued on his own.

"Congratulations! My great master. Honestly, you look absolutely wonderful with that medal. It's as if you're radiating a dazzling, sun-like light from the inside out! Uh, of course, you're always so radiant, but it's just even stronger today..."

Having no time to listen to Russell's endless chatter, and seeing how much the other party liked the Order of Merlin medal, Charlie was too lazy to say anything more. He reached out and took the medal off his chest, his movements light and casual, as if he were tossing away a piece of trash. It flew through the air in a smooth arc, heading straight for Russell.

"It's yours."

However, in contrast to Charlie's indifference, Russell was startled by this action. He abruptly closed his mouth, which was half-open as he was about to say something, and hurriedly stretched out both hands to catch the Third Class Order of Merlin medal securely.

"Master, are you... not going to keep it?"

Holding the solid medal in his hands, he carefully wiped it twice and examined it from left to right. Only after confirming that it had not suffered any damage did Russell finally breathe a sigh of relief. Then, he raised his head with some confusion, looking at Charlie with a blank expression, and asked cautiously.

Charlie strode forward, walking towards the interior of the factory, shaking his head as he went, and said nonchalantly in a somewhat weary voice, "The truly valuable thing has already been obtained. Compared to tangible benefits, isn't this kind of honor, which can be bought with money, just too useless?"

Russell didn't understand what his master meant by "useless," but based on the context, he could understand most of it.

Therefore, holding the medal in both hands, he looked at Charlie's back as he gradually walked away. He was stunned for a moment, but soon he suddenly understood something. The originally blank look in his eyes flickered, and he quickly put the medal in his pocket, chasing after Charlie while asking:

"Master, is it about the issue we discussed? Have you already discussed a solution with Minister Fudge?"

"That's right, it's been resolved."

Hearing this question, Charlie couldn't help but relax slightly, a faint smile appearing on the corner of his lips.

However, before Russell could react greatly, and just as the expression on his face brightened, Charlie's next words caused him to turn pale with fright again.

"We're going to expand, hire people! Later, you go and call all the department heads to the question office. We're going to have a meeting to discuss these issues as soon as possible. We'll aim to start implementing the plan the day after the discussion ends, and get the recruitment flyers out within a week."

"Hire people?!"

Russell felt his heart pounding even more violently with excitement, and he subconsciously cried out.

Ignoring everything else, he quickened his pace, taking three steps in two, making his speed even faster, and chasing straight to Charlie's side. He couldn't help but suppress the unease and worry in his heart, and advised:

"My great and wise master... Although as your loyal servant, I can understand the awkward predicament the factory is currently facing, but... isn't this a little too fast? Please forgive your foolish servant's reckless advice, but I think the other companions in the factory don't seem to have much affection for humans other than you... Especially since the terrifying incident like Dabu's happened recently, making such a decision at this time... Russell believes it's not a... particularly wise idea."

Listening to Russell's words, and glancing at the other party, who was sweating profusely but still patiently trying to express his thoughts in a roundabout way while giving him face, Charlie couldn't help but smile wryly. It was really hard on him.

Not wanting to continue making it difficult for him, Charlie shook his head and, following up on his previous words, explained his meaning in detail.

"Not wizards... The people we're going to recruit this time are Squibs and Muggles!"

"Mug... Muggles?!"

Russell widened his eyes, repeating Charlie's words, and after a series of twists and turns in his mind, he had a strange feeling.

Even though he wasn't a wizard, he was clear about the rules of the wizarding world.

If, the day before, when he had just woken Master Charlie from his sleep, his master had said such a thing, he would have thought that his master was still muddled from sleep.

But now, he had just returned from the Ministry of Magic after attending the Third Class Order of Merlin award ceremony. It seemed that he had even successfully reached some kind of agreement with Fudge, and there was no hint of joking.

This was already enough to cause Russell's brain to temporarily crash. At this moment, he couldn't help but start to doubt himself. Could it be that he had been in the factory for too long? He hadn't paid attention to the news from the outside world, and didn't notice some major changes that had occurred? But that shouldn't be the case...

While thinking, he opened his mouth, intending to ask something again, but Charlie's next words caused him to swallow all the questions he hadn't yet asked.

He simply said:

"I know you must have a lot of questions... But a little time won't make a difference. What you want to know, those other guys definitely want to know too. I plan to wait until you've called them all over before telling you, so I don't have to repeat myself over and over again."

As he spoke, Charlie continued to walk forward, never stopping.

"Okay! Understood, Master. I'll go and call them all to your office right away!"

Filled with doubts, Rossell nodded. After speaking, he impatiently disappeared from the spot and began searching the factory for the other supervisors.

… … … … … … … … … … … … …

Soon after, outside Charlie's office, the remaining supervisors in charge of various aspects of the factory, besides Rossell, arrived one after another, gathering here in a rare occurrence.

"Charlie didn't tell you anything, Rossell?"

The first to speak was a hunched-over house-elf, appearing quite old, his thick, snow-white beard meticulously groomed, almost reaching the ground.

He squinted his eyes, seemingly struggling to support himself with a wooden cane polished smooth with age, and asked softly and gently,

"No, nothing."

Rossell hurriedly shook his head, respectfully leaning his body slightly forward towards the old elf, who was of unknown age, to express his respect, and continued.

"Master said to wait until we all arrived before discussing this matter, Grandpa Doolu… … …"

"I see… … … …" The old elf named Doolu nodded, opening his squinted eyes slightly, shifting his attention from Rossell and slowly surveying everyone.

"I know you might have disagreements with Charlie's decisions… … If you have disagreements, you can speak up. After all, Charlie called you young people here to discuss issues… … … But, to prevent any problems from arising later, I still want to say a few words: Whether human or house-elf, you should be content and grateful. Charlie saved us. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to remember his kindness for a lifetime. If anyone dares to take advantage of this child's kindness, slams the table in his face, acts recklessly, and disregards the rules, then don't blame me for being impolite… …"

His words were slow and deliberate, truly resembling an ordinary old man on the verge of death, seemingly posing no threat whatsoever.

However, none of the others who heard these words believed that he was just speaking casually… … …

Because the person standing before them was Doolu—a house-elf who had once truly stood before Voldemort, confronted him one-on-one, and yet had not died.

And now, he was the head of the security department of the factory, in charge of the only team of [Guards] in the factory.

Although he didn't often venture out due to his old age, his fearsome reputation from the war era was still etched in everyone's minds.

… … … … … …

"Rest assured, Grandpa Doolu. We have never forgotten Mr. Black's kindness to us."

After a moment of silence, Chafu Cha took the lead, nodding and saying calmly,

"That's right… …"

"Even now, I am still willing to sacrifice myself for Mr. Black, to be a shield, and fight those bastards again!"

"Rest assured, Fudo has never been an ungrateful house-elf. Although I haven't recognized Mr. Black as my master like Rossell, my loyalty is no less than his."

As Chafu Cha's words came out, the other department heads also expressed their positions.

Hearing their words, Doolu nodded almost imperceptibly, his eyes, which had just opened slightly, squinted again, as calm as if he were standing there falling asleep.

"Alright, why say so much? We're all comrades who've been through life and death together, and we've never had any doubts about your master… … Grandpa Doolu is just saying a few words to put everyone at ease… …"

Seeming to see that the atmosphere was a bit stiff, Rossell stood up, patted Chafu Cha and another house-elf with a scarred and ferocious face on the shoulder, and said with a smile.

"Alright, in that case, let's go in!"

After confirming that everything was ready, Rossell no longer waited and finally knocked on the office door.

"Master, it's me, Rossell!" Rossell called out to the door.

"And me, Mr. Black, Chafu Cha, head of the finance department."

"Pengpeng, head of the technology department, greets you, Mr. Black!"

"Doolu, head of the security department."

"Fudo, head of the sales department."

"Cough, and Kobe, head of the production department, Mr. Black."

… … … … … … … … … … … … …

When everyone's voices had entered in turn, the door slowly opened.

Although it wasn't the first time entering Mr. Black's office, and for most people, they were already very familiar with the place.

But thinking about the issues they were about to discuss after entering, all the house-elves couldn't help but feel a faint sense of apprehension.

Light leaked from the crack in the door, slowly shining on them, and becoming brighter as the door opened.

"You're all here… … Come, come in quickly, I'll prepare seats for you."

Charlie's gentle voice slowly entered everyone's ears.

At this moment, he had just gotten up and stood up from his office chair. He held his wand in his hand, pointed the tip down, and tapped lightly on the ground.

The originally flat carpet suddenly began to twist, rising and falling, constantly fluctuating like a liquid surface… … Finally, after a series of stretching, extending, and deforming, it transformed into six rows of sofas facing each other.

After everyone had entered, the door slowly closed, and Charlie's gaze suddenly turned to Doolu, who was leaning on his cane at the very back.

Therefore, he quickly stepped forward, bent down, and gently helped the other party.

"What's wrong with Rossell, actually calling even you over."

While helping Doolu walk towards the sofa, Charlie complained softly, glancing at Rossell with some dissatisfaction.

Just as Rossell hurriedly opened his mouth to explain something, Doolu smiled and shook his head, defending him.

"I wanted to come… … I was originally resting in my room when I felt Rossell running back and forth in the offices of you young lads in the factory. I guessed that you must have something going on, so I stopped him and asked him to explain."

Saying that, Doolu also sat down comfortably, leaning his cane to the side, leaning back, and leisurely slumping his body down.

After everyone was seated, Charlie returned to his desk and sat down.

He looked around, his gaze slowly sweeping across each of the faces he was very familiar with.

"Since that's the case, then I'll tell everyone about this plan."

.