"Trask Graves—yes indeed, a man of sterling reputation and moral conviction. Upright and incorruptible to his very core, someone who despises evil with the passion of a crusader confronting heretics,"
Gnarlak began, his lips curving into a calculating grin that revealed rows of yellowed, pointed teeth.
"He's an extraordinarily difficult man to deal with in any conventional business sense," Gnarlak continued, his dark eyes glittering with the shrewd intellect of someone who had spent decades reading people and exploiting their weaknesses for profit.
Those who appeared to desire nothing substantial were always the most challenging to handle, but if the legendary Bryan Watson had something that the Security Director genuinely wanted or needed—well, that would change the entire dynamic of the situation completely. It knew that great wizards like Watson never lacked for wealth.
"Perhaps you aren't aware of this particular detail, but Trask is actually the direct grandson of the infamous Percival Graves," Gnarlak revealed this ancestral connection.
"To wash away the stain of his grandfather's public disgrace and restore honor to the family name, he specifically chose to join the Department of Magical Security despite having other, potentially more lucrative career options available to someone of his social standing and educational background."
The goblin paused to take another drag from his cigar, holding the rich tobacco smoke in his lungs for several seconds before exhaling slowly through his nostrils.
"He worked with obsessive diligence and conscientiousness for years, building an impeccable record of service and dedication that eventually earned him recognition throughout the department. With the assistance of his family's remaining political connections and social influence, he ultimately achieved his goal of becoming the department's director."
The name Percival Graves resonated in Amelia's mind like from half-remembered lessons from her classes at the Academy. She knew that this man had once served as the director of the Department of Security.
She also was aware of some fragmentary knowledge that some significant incident had occurred during Percival Graves' tenure in office, something big enough to force his resignation and create lasting repercussions for his family's reputation.
However, the official records regarding the specific details of whatever had happened were vague and incomplete, as though someone had deliberately obscured or sanitized the reports.
Amelia's eyes shifted toward Bryan, and observed his composed face with curiosity and concern. From Gnarlak's earlier cryptic comments and casual references, she had deduced that Bryan at least knew the inside story.
Bryan maintained his silence throughout the revelation, watching Gnarlak calmly. He understood why this goblin was telling him all this.
Whether in the Muggle world or the wizarding world, those at the top always prioritized interests when considering problems. All methods, schemes, and strategies revolved around these two words: power and profit.
It was precisely because he saw this so clearly that Bryan had been able to easily persuade Vipor Dreghorn to take the position of headmaster at Durmstrang.
He wasn't particularly surprised that Remus had encountered significant setbacks and bureaucratic obstacles while attempting to advance their business expansion into the American magical market.
But, initially, Bryan had assumed that the various officials and department heads involved simply recognized the vast commercial potential of his revolutionary learning machines and wanted to secure their own slice of what promised to be an extraordinarily profitable enterprise.
But after conducting deeper investigation, he had begun to sense that perhaps other, more complex motivations were driving the resistance they were encountering. Bryan knew that Director Graves was their most formidable obstacle.
However, what exactly this powerful and well-connected figure within the hierarchy of the Magical Congress of the United States of America was truly thinking, Bryan wasn't entirely certain yet. The one thing Bryan felt confident about was that Graves' resistance couldn't be attributed to simple financial greed.
Normally, an official with considerable background and power, who harbored grand ambitions, would be very difficult to threaten or bribe. Conducting benefit exchanges with such a person would be extremely challenging. But looking at this goblin's confident demeanor, it seemed to know something.
Gnarlak appeared to have finished speaking and was leisurely savoring a glass of Firewhisky. Bryan knew that if he wanted to hear more valuable information, he would need to pay first.
Thud—
From the dull sound the money pouch made when placed on the tavern table, one could tell that Bryan hadn't been stingy with gold—he had indeed shown sincerity.
Gnarlak clearly saw this too. The reward Bryan Watson offered was very generous. Its gaze lingered on the money pouch for a while, but ultimately, it restrained the greed in its heart.
"Oh my, it certainly seems that holding a professorial position at the prestigious Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is indeed an extraordinarily lucrative appointment, Mr. Watson," Gnarlak observed with obvious satisfaction.
The moment these words left the goblin's mouth, Bryan immediately understood that this crafty old creature was fishing for more than the already generous sum he had offered. However, rather than continuing to produce additional gold from, Bryan instead reached for his glass and took a sip of the Firewhisky that the house-elf had recently served.
The liquor proved to be remarkably potent and intensely spicy, its flavor had a striking resemblance to the finest Islay scotch whisky from Scotland's rugged western coast. The familiar taste triggered unexpected memories for Bryan, who hadn't touched such scotch in many years, and the burning sensation nearly made him cough.
Bryan quietly set down his glass. "Why don't you evaluate for yourself how much gold the information you're about to tell me is worth?"
Facing a world-renowned powerful wizard, even a greedy goblin had to maintain basic respect. Gnarlak didn't try to raise the price further with more verbal tricks. It placed its unfinished cigar in the ashtray and held up one long finger.
"Ten thousand Galleons?"
Remus couldn't help himself. His brow furrowed sharply, anger creeping into his voice. "I dare say you're quite possibly the most insatiably greedy goblin I've ever had the profound misfortune to encounter in all my years of dealing with your kind!"
"Oh, that's hardly what I would consider an objective or fair assessment of the situation, Mr. Lupin," Gnarlak also knew Remus's background. It looked at him with little courtesy and said,
"If it weren't for your association with the legendary Bryan Watson and the protection his reputation provides, you would quickly discover that the goblins you'd partnered with in the business venture are far more voraciously greedy than I could ever be. Besides which, I never actually said that I wanted ten thousand Galleons…..."
Gnarlak's calculating gaze returned to Bryan with intensity.
"To be completely honest with you, Mr. Watson, I don't particularly lack gold galleons. My long life, combined with my natural talent for both exquisite craftsmanship and shrewd business practices, has made me considerably wealthier than the vast majority of wizards could ever dream of becoming.
Compared to accumulating additional gold, which has become somewhat mundane after decades of success, I find myself much more genuinely interested in acquiring novel things—"
'Novel things.'
Bryan raised one eyebrow slightly, then released a low chuckle.
"You absolutely insatiable, calculating fellow, you want to get a learning machine from us?"
"Absolutely not!!" Remus interjected sharply. He was first shocked, then his already unpleasant expression turned ashen.
A single learning machine had a selling price of fifty thousand Galleons in the European market, a figure that Bryan had personally set. When the pricing structure was initially being set, not only Remus but even their goblin partners had raised considerable objections, unanimously considering the price point far too expensive for widespread market acceptance.
But contrary to all their initial concerns and conservative projections, when these revolutionary devices were actually promoted and released to the broader wizarding public, they had become extraordinarily popular.
Numerous ancient pure-blood families with centuries of accumulated wealth, obscure but well-funded magical schools seeking competitive advantages, and major industry giants looking to provide superior education for their heirs had been eager to pay large sums of gold galleons to purchase the machines for the pre-educational training and development of their descendants.
Just as Bryan had confidently predicted from the beginning, families and institutions willing to spend ten to twenty thousand Galleons didn't care about spending a few tens of thousands more if it seems worth it.
The Americas market was the new market they wanted to break into. After deducting tariffs, transportation, and labor costs, Bryan decided to control the selling price here at around forty-five thousand.
But realistically, when learning machines were eventually released to the American market, the inevitable production limitations and supply constraints would certainly drive black market prices well above their official European selling prices, potentially reaching astronomical levels among wealthy collectors and desperate institutions.
This economic reality was based on the fact that they could successfully establish legitimate sales channels and distribution networks. If learning machines were banned outright by MACUSA authorities, the underground black market prices would certainly become even more outrageously inflated, potentially reaching levels that would make even the wealthiest pure-blood families hesitate before purchasing.
However, an outrageous asking price wasn't necessarily the primary problem they faced—the real question was whether Gnarlak could truly provide information and services of sufficient value to justify such an extraordinary expenditure.
Bryan's sharp gaze shifted thoughtfully as he processed the goblin's proposal. After several moments of contemplation, his expression brightened into a smile.
"I must say, this is indeed a price beyond my psychological expectations. If you want me to accept it, Gnarlak, you'll need to provide information of sufficient value."
"Graves was severely injured—" Gnarlak began immediately after heraing Bryan's words as this meant the deal was moving toward successful completion.
The goblin bared his yellowed, pointed teeth in an expression of excitement, though he struggled to maintain some facade of composure as he continued with his revelation.
"This incident occurred about eight years ago, during a period when Graves was still just a senior Auror who hadn't yet taken the position of Security Department director.
At that time, a particularly vicious group of vampires had begun roaming freely through the Muggle world, flagrantly breaking every established rule of magical secrecy while killing numerous No-Majs and consuming their blood with complete recklessness."
Gnarlak paused to take another draw from his cigar before continuing with obvious relish for the tale he was spinning.
"This unprecedented outbreak of supernatural violence caused an absolute uproar in both the magical and non-magical communities. The situation had become so dire that Graves was ordered to personally take charge of the situation and capture these rogue vampires by any means necessary.
During the subsequent manhunt, these particular vampires put up fierce resistance. They seemed to have mastered some mysterious power and killed quite a few Security Department Aurors. Even Graves was severely injured, but ultimately, he gained the upper hand and ended that crisis."
Bryan squinted slightly, having a vague impression of this incident. It seemed the Daily Prophet had reported on it as well.
"In that final duel with the vampire leader, Graves sustained wounds so severe that he spent nearly six full months confined to a hospital bed before being discharged. The Security Department director who had been in charge during the crisis was dismissed due to his apparent failures in handling the situation, and the directorial position remained empty for six months.
After his discharge, Graves got his wish and became the Security Department director due to his contributions. Because of his subsequent series of brilliant achievements and arrest operations, people quickly forgot that he had once been critically injured, thinking he had completely recovered. But—"
Under the focused gazes of the three, Gnarlak smiled smugly.
"However, very few people outside the most exclusive medical circles are aware that throughout all the years since that incident, Graves has been secretly and continuously receiving specialized treatment for his injuries.
He even traveled to St. Mungo's several years ago secretly for treatment a few years ago. But it seems to have had little effect—he's been secretly purchasing potions on the black market until last year."
"Until last year?" Remus asked instinctively. "Did he solve his problem?"
"Who can say for certain?" Gnarlak replied with nonchalance, crossing his legs and leaning back in his chair.
"But I think it's unlikely. He was obviously hit by some vicious Dark Magic, and the damage caused by such magic is normally irreversible."
Looking at the thoughtful Bryan, Gnarlak smiled contentedly as he returned his attention to his expensive cigar.
"I hear you're also skilled in healing, aren't you, Mr. Watson? If what I heard about you and Albus Dumbledore working together to cure a wizard couple driven mad by the Cruciatus Curse isn't just an idle rumor, perhaps you could lend Graves a helping hand."
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