Chapter 50. Arrest. Part 3. The Contract
A few minutes later, escorted by ten Aurors led by Robinson, the group made their way through the Ministry toward the Minister's office on one of the upper floors.
To avoid attracting attention, Severus cast an anti-Apparition spell on himself, creating glowing gilded shackles around his wrists. He walked at the center of the group with his hands behind his back, flanked by two Aurors who gripped his arms.
He had not used Imperius; it was impractical. Experienced Aurors could detect during conversation when someone was under external control. Instead, he had employed something from his own world, a spell that did not enslave the mind, but compelled the target to believe whatever nonsense the caster spoke, for one hour. Right now, by the Minister's direct order, they were escorting him to the Minister for an important conversation.
Like Imperius, it could be resisted by a strong will. But there was a difference: if the caster's will overpowered the target's, realizing one had been influenced became nearly impossible.
As Severus had expected, as they made their way up from the dungeons through the third floor, other Aurors approached them repeatedly, suspicious of the escort. But after speaking with Robinson, they allowed them to pass. Robinson showed no signs of mental tampering and behaved normally.
The group reached the large doors at an unhurried pace, finding them guarded by four wizards.
"Captain, what is the reason for your visit?" one guard asked, blocking the way.
"By the Minister's order," Robinson said proudly, his chin raised.
The guards exchanged surprised looks, because they were sure the Minister was not expecting anyone.
"Frank, go check."
"No need," Severus said, stepping forward. The shackles dissolved instantly.
Four wands snapped up at him at once. Robinson's escort stood there with empty eyes.
"Who are you?! Hands up, where we can see them!"
"Why? You already know the Minister allowed me in. Besides, he and I are old friends," Severus said with a broad smile.
The guards blinked, confused, and then understanding dawned. They lowered their wands quickly.
"Please forgive us! Lord Harold is expecting you. Go right in," they said, stepping aside and even opening the door. "Minister, your friend has arrived. It is... uh."
The guard glanced at Severus, embarrassed.
"Severus."
Oh! Yes, Severus! Again, please forgive me.
"Who?" came an astonished voice from inside.
Severus entered.
The office was large and sparsely furnished. Aside from three bookcases, two flower vases, and a desk by the window, the room was empty. Behind the desk sat a surprised middle-aged man in a gray business suit, his chestnut hair slicked back, a pipe in his hand.
"Minister, it's me. Severus. The one whose potion recipes you planned to steal using Imperius. How could you forget me?" Severus said brightly.
Minchum choked and dropped his pipe.
"You out," Severus told the guard. "We need to speak privately."
The guard bobbed his head like a toy and hurried out, shutting the door.
"You? How did you get in here?" Minchum asked, forcing calm. Under the desk he clenched his wand, ready to strike at any moment.
"Asked to be brought in."
"So you used Imperius."
"No. I asked. That's all. I did not break any laws," Severus said with a snort, sitting across from him without a hint of fear. "Now, can we discuss urgent matters?"
"And what exactly do you want to discuss, coming all this way?"
"First, your attempt to frame me. I am a law-abiding citizen, I pay taxes, yet you decided to pull that stunt. That was ugly."
"Starting such a business without backing was foolish," Minchum said coldly.
"You know, the last man who told me that burned to a crisp," Severus said lightly. "Nice pun, isn't it?"
The smile slid off Harold Minchum's face. He was not an idiot. He understood exactly what was implied.
"So it was you," Minchum said, gripping the wand harder.
"No. My teacher. I'm still learning; I'm nowhere near him. He probably wouldn't even need a minute to burn this place down. Think I should call him? As I understand it, Voldemort isn't enough trouble for you, so here's another problem," Severus said, flashing a bloodthirsty grin at Minchum's paling face. "Or we can talk like adults?"
"What do you want? Money? Power?"
"I have plenty of both. Though I wouldn't mind a couple hundred thousand more. But I'm here for something else: I want to cooperate."
"Cooperate?" Minchum looked genuinely surprised.
"That was my intention from the beginning. No idea what got into you to make you choose such a dirty way to arrange our meeting," Severus said, producing a sheet of paper and letting it land neatly on the desk.
"What is this?" Minchum asked, lifting the parchment. After reading the bold first line, he looked at Severus oddly.
"A contract. I'll give you the potion recipes for a small fee. At first, I wanted only fifteen percent from each potion sold. After your little show, I want twenty-five. And a full tax exemption."
"Stop. Twenty-five percent? That is insane!" Minchum snapped, slamming his fist on the desk.
"The cost to make one potion is a little over seven galleons," Severus said, smirking.
Minchum's fire died instantly. He froze, stunned.
"Seven?!"
"So you won't be left empty-handed. If you sell them as I do, ninety galleons per potion, then, after my twenty-five percent cut and roughly eight for materials, you'll net roughly sixty-one galleons per potion. That's a colossal profit, isn't it?"
Minchum swallowed, staring at the paper with burning eyes. After reading through everything and finding nothing suspicious, he looked back at Severus.
"I accept these terms," Minchum said, reaching for a quill to sign. Then Severus stopped him.
"Something wrong?"
"This is a blood contract. In blood, it is binding. Break it, and the violator's blood will begin to boil until they cook from the inside," Severus said calmly. "Also take note of clause 12.2: the contract applies not only to you but also to the office of Minister for Magic. Even after you leave, the next Minister is bound as well. If they violate it, the same thing happens."
"I see."
Minchum did not rush to sign this time. He reread it carefully. At first, he had assumed it applied only to him personally, but now he noticed that the name field said "Minister for Magic," referring to the office itself. Still, the clause stating that any future potions produced by Severus would also fall under the same percentage, combined with the fact that the contract term was only thirty years, pushed him to agree.
"I accept."
"Wonderful. And do not forget: all charges are dropped."
After the signature, the contract shot out of Minchum's hand, burned in midair, and a black mark shaped like a flame appeared on the back of his hand.
"Thank you for your cooperation." Severus smiled. "By the way, I am curious. Whose brilliant idea was it to kidnap me and beat the secrets out of me? I've heard you're a cautious man who respects the law. I doubt you'd suddenly decide to abduct someone in broad daylight, slap on baseless charges, and squeeze the secrets out using Imperius. It is... ugly. Was it Crouch?"
Something flickered in Minchum's eyes. Severus's lips curved upward.
"Not surprising. A man who can openly declare that Aurors are now allowed to use Unforgivables and drag any wizard in for questioning, citing Cruciatus or Imperius as examples, would absolutely propose something like that."
Minchum had nothing to say. He had allowed it. It had been too much for him as well, but in wartime, you had to be hard. The faster they stopped Voldemort, the sooner rebuilding could begin. So he stopped at nothing. And the Unforgivables had helped: they had defeated the giants and even captured a few Death Eaters alive for questioning. After two years of Ministry involvement, it was their first real victory.
"In any case, I look forward to continued cooperation," Severus said pleasantly. "Changing the name of the office will not dodge the contract. And even if you resign, it still applies to you personally as well. I will expect my galleons each month, though it is written there anyway. Good luck, Minister. And talk to that Crouch, tell him to stop bothering me. Otherwise, I really will ask my teacher to pay him a visit, and you will need a new Head of the Department of Law Enforcement."
"Are you threatening us?" Minchum asked coldly.
"What threats?" Severus smiled. "I am telling you directly: maybe he cannot destroy the Ministry, but he can absolutely tear it apart."
Severus produced another sheet of paper and laid it on the desk.
"Here are the recipes. Have a good day, Minister. I trust you will handle those Aurors yourself. And I hope you will not tell anyone about our talk. I do not want attention yet."
When Severus left, Harold wiped sweat from his forehead, closed his eyes, and slumped back into his chair.
It felt like he'd just signed a contract with a demon. What spell had the man used? It wasn't Imperius, but it was no less dangerous. Maybe worse.
He exhaled again, set his wand on the desk, and stared at the door.
"Send Crouch to me."
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