Chapter 79: The Owl Post
While the crowd outside buzzed with excitement, inside the tower, the Ministry official's mood was a complex mixture of elation and apprehension. Ryan, however, was meticulously inspecting his newly constructed Tower of Wonders, a project he had mentally rehearsed for years, searching for any flaws in its execution.
He began casting a series of powerful Undetectable Extension Charms, expanding the interior of the ground floor until it was the size of a Quidditch pitch. He then partitioned the vast space. The front half was designated as the main sales floor, which he promptly filled with magically summoned counters, tables, and chairs. The rear half, he sealed off with an intricate web of security spells and illusionary mazes, creating a secure area to house the alchemical production line.
"All these tedious administrative tasks are finally sorted," Ryan said, setting down his wand and pouring himself a glass of water. "Have you seen enough, then?"
The official, who had been observing the entire process with a recording device, nodded. The use of Extension Charms, especially on a permanent structure, was required to be registered with the Ministry. The original law actually mandated that any object enchanted with an Extension Charm be registered, primarily to prevent the smuggling of dangerous magical creatures. However, for powerful wizards, this rule was largely ignored. The truly influential had no regard for the Ministry, and for those with connections, the Ministry was practically their private club. It was only for large, public venues that the paperwork was necessary to keep up appearances. In reality, the Ministry had no idea how many magically expanded items existed in the wizarding world.
"Registration is complete," the official confirmed. "But I have to warn you, Ryan. I saw the user manual you conjured. This communicator of yours is going to cut deep into the Owl Post's business."
He sighed and clapped Ryan on the shoulder. "But you already knew that. After all, you were the one who taught me the saying, 'Getting in the way of someone's profits is like murdering their parents.'" He hefted his recording instrument. "My work here is done."
At the door, he paused and lowered his voice. "My own magical ability is limited, and I can't pretend to understand the circles you move in now. But I've been out in the real world for a few years, so don't mind an old schoolmate giving you some advice: be careful. Be very, very careful."
He leaned in closer. "I've heard rumors that certain pure-blood families have a stake in the Owl Post. That's all I'll say. Let's get Alwin and the others together for a proper reunion soon." With that cryptic warning, he departed.
Ryan gave a slight bow in farewell, then sat down and contemplated the Owl Post problem. He knew it was officially a Ministry-run entity, but that didn't contradict what he'd just been told. The Ministry was the pure-bloods' Ministry, staffed from top to bottom with their relatives and allies.
"I'll have to ask Vaisey about this," Ryan mused. "He knows the pure-blood families inside and out." There was no point in speculating further without even knowing who his opponent was. Dealing with the family behind the Owl Post needed to be a priority. He understood that while Dumbledore's voice was one that few dared to ignore, it didn't stop the parasites in the shadows from trying to gnaw at the great tree, hoping to carve out their own piece. When their profits were threatened, those self-important pure-bloods would stop at nothing.
"And then they'll find out they've kicked a block of solid iron," Ryan muttered, shaking his head. That kind of cliché underdog story didn't suit him. "A better way would be to find out from Vaisey which family it is, pay them a visit, and... dismantle them. The outcome would be far more effective and send a much stronger message."
And I'd gain a new, subservient pure-blood family to add to my own network, he thought. It's a win-win. He didn't even consider the possibility of failure. A family that his friend would feel the need to warn him about was almost certainly one with ties to Voldemort's first rise. The truly fanatical members of those families, the ones with spines of steel, were either dead at the hands of the Order of the Phoenix, rotting in Azkaban, or killed by the Ministry. If the family behind the Owl Post was still operating freely, it meant their spines were made of jelly. They were the type who, the moment Voldemort fell, performed a spectacular reverse-grovel, claiming they'd been under the Imperius Curse all along.
After a short break, he activated the alchemical production line and sealed the upper floors of the tower. He then deftly evaded the eager questions from the crowd and Apparated back to Hogwarts, heading straight for the Headmaster's office to report that the plan could now begin.
Next, he went to the kitchens and asked the house-elves to summon all members of the Adventurers' Club to their second-floor headquarters that afternoon.
"This is the finished communicator!" Penelope Clearwater exclaimed, holding up a device that looked like an elegant ladies' wristwatch. Spread out on the table before her were communicators of all kinds: some were watches, others were pendants, and some were even rings. "And it's only been a few days! How are you already mass-producing them?" she asked, her eyes wide with disbelief.
Ah, the perfect setup, Ryan thought, maintaining a modest expression. "Just a bit of good luck, I suppose."
The other members, now accustomed to being shocked by him, began picking out their preferred styles. Ryan had already explained that these were the deluxe models, crafted from precious materials—a membership perk for each of them. They were also the very same models that would be sold to gullible pure-bloods for hundreds, if not thousands, of Galleons.
One student chose a ring and had a small serpent engraved upon it. Another picked a pocket watch that opened to reveal a lion crest. A third selected a pendant shaped like a soaring eagle. Another chose a small locket in the shape of a badger. They were, of course, styles Ryan had intentionally designed for students of the different houses.
While most of the members were still choosing, Ryan pulled Vaisey aside.
"Do you know which pure-blood family is behind the Owl Post?"
Vaisey's expression was unreadable. "Why do you ask?"
"An old schoolmate of mine at the Ministry warned me that once the communicator launches, the Owl Post will take a huge hit. He said the family behind it is bound to cause trouble."
Vaisey nodded grimly. "That sounds about right. Knowing them, they'll definitely resort to some underhanded scheme. Slander and sabotage are their favorite pastimes."
"So you know the family? Which one is it?" Ryan pressed. "I need their name, their address, and a list of all the adult wizards in their main line."
Vaisey looked him straight in the eye, his face completely serious. "The family is named Selwyn."
~~~
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