Go back in time a little, Hogwarts, the principal's office.
Elena watched the goblins disappear behind the wooden door, waited for another half minute, threw the Quidditch cloak back on the hanger, and looked at Albus Dumbledore with some dissatisfaction.
"If I remember correctly, we have abandoned this plan."
"Oh, is it……"
Dumbledore turned around with a warm smile, with just the right amount of confusion on his face.
"But, isn't this the reason you have thought of a long time ago?"
A few months ago, to be precise, on the day when he was forced to accept a mountain of wealth, Dumbledore had already discussed various situations with Elena, one of which was for the extreme breach of contract.
It was precisely because of such a minimum guarantee plan that Dumbledore reluctantly accepted the reality.
After all, no matter what, wizards have to make ends meet. As long as it is confirmed that this is a cost-free business that is close to free prostitution, in Dumbledore's view, his personal face and reputation in the eyes of goblins are not that important.
important.
"That's right! But our purpose at that time was just to find a way to make a lot of money from Gringotts - and this law itself also has loopholes. It is not used as a deterrent, but to create a scene.
The reverse is sure to kill.”
Facing Dumbledore who was acting stupid and dumbfounded, Elena rolled her eyes angrily.
Harvesting and financial annexation are two completely different strategies.
As Gringotts Wizarding Bank holds the sole right to mint and issue coins in the wizarding world, it will never be on the verge of bankruptcy due to investment failure. No matter how many times it fails, they can find ways to fill the loopholes.
However, if they can really be forced to refuse to pay a certain currency for the sake of profit, then this is a powerful weapon that can kill them all with one blow - with Hogwarts' current gold reserves and cash reserves, it is fully capable of grasping the opportunity at any moment.
The lost opportunity plunged Gringotts into a crisis of trust.
For a bank, once trust breaks down, it will be a disaster.
Especially... when its funds are still in a semi-fractured state, all it takes is a little push from someone behind the scenes, and an overwhelming run on money from the wizarding world can instantly inertia Gringotts' thousands-year reputation and depositors.
For nothing.
This is also the reason why Elena disdains Gringotts' offer of monetary rewards or any fleeting friendship.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, or Elena Kaslana, does not need the friendship of Gringotts.
What she wants is Gringotts itself - ever since she came into contact with Grindelwald and made up for her last weakness in martial arts, Elena's appetite is no longer what it was before.
"Why save them? Professor Dumbledore, I need an explanation."
Elena crossed her arms and looked at Dumbledore expressionlessly, not intending to let the old man confuse this question.
"If you have made your own decision, then you don't have to drag me along to perform. Instead of suddenly appearing at the end like this and arranging everything to yourself."
"The magic world still needs stability. If there is a better form, we have to try it."
Dumbledore thought for a moment, looked at Elena through the semicircular lenses with his blue eyes, and replied gently.
"The goblins of Gringotts may be a little greedy, but they are also part of maintaining the stability of the magic world for so many years. Maybe this will be a little more tortuous and laborious, but we have to give them some opportunities - interests and efficiency are indeed important, but
More often than not, we would rather sacrifice some interests and time for..."
"Um?"
Elena snorted noncommittally and subconsciously glanced at Grindelwald, who was standing not far behind Dumbledore with a silly smile on his face. She had almost guessed what Dumbledore wanted to say.
"...love and hope, and that the world will not become cold because of utilitarianism."
Sure enough, Albus Dumbledore, you are the legendary "Soldier of Love" in the wizarding world!
Elena raised her head and looked at Dumbledore silently, her eyes wildly conveying disdain, sarcasm, and ridicule.
However, until her own eyes widened, the smile on Dumbledore's face did not change at all. In the end, Elena could only sigh helplessly.
"This is meaningless, Professor Dumbledore. The goblins will not appreciate this. Even on the day when they are truly desperate, they may still hold unrealistic illusions. You are adding to the chaos!"
"But this doesn't affect your future decisions, right?"
Dumbledore smiled slightly, knelt down and looked directly into Elena's eyes.
"I don't think our plan will die halfway because of this little accident. Compared to the possible accidents and troubles that may arise from the billions of people on that land in the future, Gringotts is not
What the hell - after all, you are Elena Kaslana, the smartest little witch I have seen in all these years."
"Say it in advance, just this once. Professor Dumbledore."
The corners of Elena's mouth secretly raised, then she quickly cooled down and said with utmost seriousness.
"In the coming time, you may see a lot of miserable existences worthy of sympathy... However, if you continue to show such unnecessary mercy today, the price you need to pay is not just a little profit and time.
."
"I understand this! But how sure are you?"
Dumbledore nodded solemnly, stood up, and walked back to his desk.
Only then did Elena notice that next to Dumbledore's mahogany table, there was a stack of newspapers printed in Russian.
"This needs to be corrected based on the current progress and feedback. If everything goes well, you will be able to get a detailed assessment report before Christmas - speaking of it, how is our progress in the magic world and the Soviet Union?
?”
"There is not much problem with the Ministry of Magic. The formal establishment of Hogwarts may be difficult, but adding some school staff is not a troublesome thing, especially when the salary, food and accommodation expenses are borne by Hogwarts.
Down."
Dumbledore picked up a stack of parchment from his desk and pushed it forward.
This is a blank employment agreement, with the signatures of Hogwarts and the Ministry of Magic at the end, as well as the scrawled signatures of Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore and Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge.