Chapter 50. Arrest. Part 3. The Contract
A few minutes later, escorted by ten Aurors led by Robinson, the group moved through the Ministry toward the Minister's office near the top floor.
To avoid attracting attention, Severus placed an anti-Apparition spell on himself, forming glowing gilded shackles around his wrists. He walked in the center of the group with his hands behind his back, held by two Aurors.
He did not use Imperius. It was impractical. Experienced Aurors could tell in conversation that someone was under control. Instead, he used something from his own world: a spell that did not enslave the mind, but made you believe any nonsense the caster said, for one hour. And right now, by the Minister's direct order, they were escorting him to the Minister for an important conversation.
Like Imperius, strong will could resist it. But there was a difference: if the caster's will was stronger, realizing you had been influenced was almost impossible.
As Severus expected, from the dungeons up through the third floor, other Aurors approached them more than once, suspicious of the escort. But after speaking with Robinson, they let them pass. Robinson showed no signs of mental tampering and behaved normally.
Unhurried, the group reached large doors 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.
"Snape."
"Oh! Yes, Snape! Again, please forgive me."
"Who?" came an astonished voice from inside.
Severus entered.
The office was large and minimalist. Aside from three bookcases, two flower vases, and a desk by the window, there was nothing. Behind the desk sat a surprised middle-aged man in a gray business suit, chestnut hair slicked back, a pipe in hand.
"Minister, it is me. Severus Snape. The one you planned to extract potion recipes from using Imperius. How could you forget me?" Severus said brightly.
Minchum choked and dropped his pipe.
"And you, out," Severus told the guard. "We want 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 with his signature spell.
"Asked to be brought in."
"So you used Imperius."
"No. I asked. That is 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, if you came all the way here?"
"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 out," Severus said lightly. "Nice pun, is not 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 am still learning, I am nowhere near him. He probably would not even need a minute to burn this place down. Think I should call him? As I understand it, Voldemort is not enough trouble for you, so here is 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 would not mind a couple hundred thousand more. But I am here for something else: I want to cooperate."
"Cooperate?" Minchum looked genuinely surprised.
"That was my intention from the beginning. No idea what bit you that you chose such a dirty method 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 it. After reading the bold first line, he looked at Severus strangely.
"A contract. I 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 went out instantly. He froze, stunned.
"Seven?!"
"So you will not be left with nothing. If you sell them like I do, ninety galleons per potion, then with my twenty-five percent, plus about eight for materials, you will get roughly sixty-one galleons net per potion. That is colossal profit, is not it?"
Swallowing, Minchum stared at the paper with burning eyes. After reading everything, finding nothing suspicious, he looked back at Severus.
"I accept these terms," Minchum said, taking up a quill to sign, then Severus stopped him.
"Something wrong?!"
"In blood. It is a blood contract. Break it, and the violator's blood will start boiling until they cook from the inside," Severus said calmly. "Also pay attention to clause 12.2: the contract applies not only to you, but to the office of Minister for Magic. Even after you leave, the next Minister is bound too. If they violate it, the same thing happens."
"I see."
Minchum did not rush to sign now. He reread it carefully. At first he had assumed it applied only to him personally, only now noticing the name field said Minister for Magic, the office itself. Still, the clause that any future potions produced by Severus also fell under the same percentage, and the fact the contract term was only thirty years, pushed him toward agreement.
"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 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 recipes out of me? I have heard you are a cautious man who respects laws. I doubt you would suddenly decide to abduct someone in broad daylight, slap on baseless charges, and squeeze recipes out with 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 Aurors are now allowed to use Unforgivables and drag any wizard in for interrogation, with Cruciatus or Imperius as examples, would absolutely propose something like that."
Minchum had nothing to say. He had allowed it. To him it was too much as well, but in wartime, you had to be hard. The faster they stopped Voldemort, the sooner rebuilding could begin. So he spared no methods. And the Unforgivables had helped: they had defeated the giants and even captured a few Death Eaters alive for questioning. In two years of Ministry involvement, it was their first real victory.
"In any case, I hope for further 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 too. I will be expecting my galleons monthly, 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 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.
Feels like I just signed a contract with a demon. And what spell did he use? It was not Imperius, but the danger level is no lower. Maybe worse.
He exhaled again, set his wand on the desk, and stared at the door.
"Send Crouch to me."
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