Chapter Twenty-Three: The End of July

Percy smiled knowingly, perhaps anticipating someone would come to verify the authenticity of the report. But she understood well that the department’s work existed only on paper. As for any actual investigation?

“Heh,” Percy sneered inwardly. As long as the report was thorough and detailed, what else mattered?

At least the property valuation provided by Thompson was professional, listing only factual details. Minor discrepancies were understandable.

“Sis Percy, I want to exchange part of my Galleon compensation into Muggle currency,” Roger suddenly said.

“Roger?” Jessica was puzzled and quickly intervened.

“Roger, Muggle money is useless to wizards; it’s practically worthless,” Thompson sided with Jessica’s objection.

Their dumbfounded looks made Roger uneasy, but he couldn’t exactly tell them that the Soviet Union was about to collapse. If he didn’t take advantage of the financial district’s turmoil to make a killing, it would be a wasted opportunity in 1991.

What? You say Muggle money is useless to wizards? Roger thought disdainfully. Isn’t it better to buy land and property with it?

“Mom, just trust me this once~” Roger tugged Jessica’s hand, pleading with a childish charm.

“Just this once, and no more! Half is impossible; at most 100,000,” Jessica relented.

“Long live Mom!” Roger felt deeply ashamed but still planted a firm kiss on Jessica’s cheek.

Ah, what could he do? He was still a minor; the financial reins remained firmly in dear Mother’s hands.

“Sis Percy, if I exchange this part of the compensation into Muggle currency, when will it arrive?”

“Roger, I still don’t recommend it…” Percy thought this was Roger’s way of thanking her and kindly advised against it.

“Don’t worry, I won’t regret it.”

“Since you’re so determined, alright… For Muggle currency like pounds sterling, it can arrive by this afternoon. But the exchange rate won’t reach the underground market’s 1:10; I might be able to secure you 1:8.”

“No problem!” Roger quickly calculated; the loss of 200,000 pounds was easily recoverable.

---

In the sunlit hospital room, both parties were pleased with the outcome. The installment payment plan was implemented, and even a portion of the compensation was converted into seemingly useless Muggle currency.

This undoubtedly pleased the Treasury Department and the Minister’s Office. If their work were graded like NEWT exams, their performance would undoubtedly merit an Outstanding.

Thompson was grinning ear to ear, having gained not only Roger’s friendship but also insight into certain unspoken rules. He believed that whenever Miss Percy needed Treasury’s support in the future, he would be the first to be contacted.

“Roger, shall we send Miss Percy a necklace in a few days?” Jessica suggested.

“Of course, Mom!” Roger nodded, momentarily forgetting to thank Miss Percy.

From early to late July; from Azkaban to Wizengamot trials; from signing compensation agreements to property handover… the Ministry of Magic spent nearly a month, top to bottom, handling the entire affair.

Jessica and Roger, as direct victims, had not only restored their reputation and status but also received a substantial compensation. Moreover, the Ministry granted them various tangible and intangible benefits. For instance, Jessica did not work directly for the Ministry but held an honorary position, drawing a considerable monthly salary.

Other involved parties received varied rewards, among whom Rita’s benefits shone the brightest.

The distinguished reporter from The Daily Prophet had covered the entire process, transforming public opinion from dismissing her as a fabricator to recognizing her as a courageous woman exposing darkness.

To reward her positive role in the case, the Ministry exceptionally awarded her the Second-Class Merlin Medal. For Rita, this was a tremendous leap, and she experienced for the first time the impact of truly responsible journalism.

However, in the days that followed, Rita’s green feather pen continued to exaggerate and dramatize the truths she heard and saw. Readers had to rely on their own judgment to discern fact from artistic embellishment.

Alas, in this era, even within the wizarding world, it was hard to find a reliable, truthful, modest, and ethically steadfast newspaper.

Conversely, Paul Nov, the Azkaban administrator who had leaked the case to the press, was firmly lodged in Minister Fudge’s narrow mind.

Our dear Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, reportedly lost 20 pounds over this case, a testament to his fury at Paul.

Of course, the Ministry must reward honest employees. On the day the Ministry’s resolution took effect, Paul received a promotion notice. Under the guise of promotion, he finally left the detested Azkaban and was assigned to oversee the Floo Network in the Welsh wilderness. With the 200 Galleons Rita paid him for information, he enjoyed a relatively comfortable life there.

…

With the efforts of Miss Percy and Mr. Thompson, all compensation agreements were swiftly endorsed by the various departments. The Ministry’s owl arrived through the window, carrying a bulky package.

It was exhausted; the documents were thick and heavy, heavier than a large cauldron!

“Thank you!” Roger fetched some delicious owl treats, top-tier pet food from the Magical Menagerie.

The ingredients included magical herbs to enhance owl magic, nectar from moonlit rainbow flowers, nourishing magical fish oil and fire serpent eggshell powder for calcium, and even magical bird snails and dragon’s whisker chili to adjust the flavor.

Since Diana tasted them, she had lost interest in regular food. Yumi even tried to levitate herself with magic just to get a share of Diana’s food, but was promptly pecked down by Diana on the perch each time.

“Quick, regain your strength.” Roger kindly spread his hands, and the delivery owl happily ate the food offered by the young wizard.

“Roger, maybe you should get another owl,” Jessica said, now well enough to walk back and forth.

“Diana is too beautiful; if poachers find her, they’ll surely capture her.”

“Yes, maybe I also need one for daily message deliveries.” Roger stroked Diana thoughtfully, realizing that magical creatures also possessed magic within. If a suitable spell could be found or invented for magical creatures, they could protect themselves and even assist wizards in battle.

“Mom, Diana will need your protection from now on.”

“Rest assured.” Jessica drew her wand, made of black walnut with a dragon heartstring core. Hearing Jessica’s call, Diana flew over and perched steadily on her shoulder.

…

In a villa by the Thames, a well-dressed middle-aged man sat upright on a leather sofa. He wore a tailored Henry Poole suit, a pristine white Charles Tyrwhitt cotton shirt beneath, classic morning shoes on his feet, and his hair meticulously styled, exuding the aura of an elite.

“Roger, this is my cousin Andrew. He may be a dud, but he’s clever and reportedly very successful in the Muggle financial world,” Thompson introduced them leisurely as he sipped his tea.