บท 47: Big Plans
Sorry for the radio silence over the weekend. I had a migraine that wouldn't go away. But I'm back now and ready to resume the regular upload schedule.
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"Well, that's all very fascinating, but I assure you I am far from a god," Thane replied with a polite smile. All the while, he was seething inside, wondering why his so-called mentors hadn't told him this tidbit sooner. Of course, Thane knew that the Fae had been one of the most powerful forces on the planet during their peak, but not to the point where their magic could be mistaken for a world-ending natural disaster.
Balor chuckled in response, "Of course not, but I thought it prudent to share. We goblins aren't the only ones who remember the Fae; all magical creatures felt your awakening and the birth of the world tree, and eventually, even the wizards will notice the shift as well. And after your rather public display today, those with the resources will investigate your background. Eventually, some may be able to remove the wool from their eyes and see the truth of the matter."
Thane nodded, taking Balor's warning seriously, "We'll then. I hope you'll assist me in buying myself a little bit of time."
"Buying and selling is what Gringott's does best," Balor replied with a genuine smile, folding his hands together on the table in front of him. "How may we assist you today?"
"I wish to apply for a loan and use a majority of it to buy some land," Thane responded, and Balor nodded unbothered, "I'm sure we can arrange something. How much are you looking to borrow, and for what purpose would the land be used for."
"One and a half million galleons and the land would be for residential and agricultural use," Thane replied evenly, watching Balor's expression remain unchanged. Very well, then. Would this be a personal loan or national aid?"
"Personal," Thane answered.
Balor nodded before snapping his fingers, and two items appeared on the table. One was a heavy book with thick leather covers, while the other was a contract on a decorated silver platter: "The book will show you all the properties that Gringott's owns that fit your description and needs. But I suggest we negotiate over the contract first."
Thane picked up the paper and quickly read through the lettering, which was surprisingly straightforward and reasonably generous compared to what he had been expecting, "I see no reason to negotiate. These terms are acceptable."
Balor's face showed something other than resolute confidence for the first time as the goblin blinked in surprise. "Are you sure?"
Thane nodded and picked up the quill before signing on the dotted line, "While it may not seem like it, I am more educated about these things than you might think."
---
An hour later, Thane left Gringotts through a hidden back entrance. His appearance slightly morphed to that of a middle-aged man to avoid being recognized, and he had nearly one hundred thousand galleons in his personal vault—funds that Thane would need in the coming months.
While his decision to duck under the barrier to Gringotts might have seemed ill-timed and impulsive, Thane had been waiting for such an opportunity for some time. As some random muggle-born student at Hogwarts, there was very little Thane could do in the Wizarding World. It was time to start building his foothold, a foundation for Thane to mobilize from down the road.
'But first, I'm in desperate need of supplies,' Thane thought as he walked into Mr. Mulpepper's Apothecary to the sound of a bell that rang as he opened the door. The inside of the shop was poorly lit and cluttered, with shelves packed too closely together and no precise method of organization, making it a nightmare to search for a particular item. Everything in the store screamed neglect, with dust accumulating on surfaces long overdue for a good dusting.
Fortunately for Thane, he wasn't here to browse and didn't plan on taking more than a few minutes. Making his way straight for the empty front desk, Thane rang the bell, and a few seconds later, a nondescript man stepped out from behind a set of curtains with muddy brown eyes and pot-marked skin.
"Welcome to Mr. Mulpepper's Apothecary. How can I help you?" The man talked as if he was constantly short of breath, gasping and breathing with every handful of words.
"I'm looking to purchase every clipping, seed, or sprout you have in your possession," Thane answered promptly. For a moment, the man looked at him, slightly taken aback. "I-I'm sorry, but the Ministry heavily restricts purchasing most alchemical plants, and I'm afraid they'll take my license if they find out...but you could always go down the street into Knockturn-"
"I'm afraid not," Thane replied before tapping the counter twice with his pointer finger, "But I have a solution...how much to buy your entire shop?"
"Buy my shop..." The man asked with a snort and a shake of his head, "Sure, ten thousand galleons and I won't take a knut less-"
Thane tossed a heavy sack onto the counter with a thud and the clink of countless coins jostling together. The man's laughter died in his throat as he stared at the sack on the counter with a thousand-yard stare and a nervous chuckle, "Y-you're kidding, right?"
The man glanced back at Thane, who said nothing, "Um...a-alright then."
The shopkeeper gingerly grabbed the sack, his movements slow and deliberate, as if Thane were some wild animal posed to strike. "Thank you for shopping at Mr. Mulpepper's. The key to the place is underneath a stack of books along with some papers."
The man trailed off before he sprinted around the desk, through the store, and out the front door, nearly taking the piece of wood off its hinges in his haste to escape with his newfound wealth.
Watching him go, Thane couldn't help but smirk before walking over to the still-swinging door and closing it before locking it with a simple charm. Thane hadn't been planning to buy the entire store, but now that one was in his possession, things would be much simpler.
"Now, let's see what we have in stock."
---
After taking inventory of everything, Thane left the shop and quickly finished the remainder of his errands in Diagon Alley, buying school supplies, a new wardrobe, and almost every single item one would potentially need to raise every kind of magical creature imaginable.
With how much money he was throwing around, Thane frequently changed his appearance. Even if no one were tracking him at the moment, it would be all the more challenging for someone to come along looking to piece together Thane's purchases.
With his business concluded in Diagon Alley, Thane returned to the FlooNetwork, quickly reverting to his usual appearance before stepping into the fireplace. But instead of returning to Hogwarts, Thane had a very different destination in mind.
"British Ministry of Magic," Thane said aloud with clear pronunciation before throwing the powder down onto the kindling, vanishing him in a puff of bright green flames.
Stepping out somewhere completely different, Thane looked up and down the massive hall with dark wooden floors and a massive golden fountain in the center decorated with golden depictions of a House Elf, Wizard, Goblin, Witch, and Centaur.
The hall was alive with people going about their day as they shuffled back and forth, some leaving the ministry while others were arriving. It was practically chaos incarnate.
It took Thane the better part of thirty minutes to find the office of Wizengamot Administration Services and then another hour-long wait before he could meet with someone.
"Next," A woman attendant called out as she shuffled some papers around her desk.
Thane quickly took the open seat and smiled at the woman, "Hello."
"You look a little young. What could you possibly need to be up here for," The woman asked with a slight smile as she teased Thane, who responded in kind, "I would like to change my name and apply as a bloodline founder."
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