The year ended and everyone was once again heading back to their homes for the summer. Christian was once again going to be in the wilderness, exploring with his parents. James was actually doing some volunteering at the FIRM center and was planing to attend their seminars. Tory was in a tougher situation, but she was planing to use all that she had learned this year, under me and Madam Pomfrey, to understand her mother's coma more.
We said our goodbyes and wished each other productive summers, as well as promised each other to exchange OWL results. They were betting between each other about their results, with no one doubting mine at all.
I gave my aunt a strong hug when I saw her on the platform along with Susan, then headed home.
My work at home went well as I went over my summer reports. Since everything was going well and only the name recognition and popularity increased for most of them, nothing new happened much.
Breaking Grounds was growing rapidly in France as they were shooting down their adversaries and critics through sheer competence and skill. We even believe the French magical hospitals will soon request to be supplied by us after the stellar performance and prices we've offered to St. Mungo's.
Natural Cultivation was seeing progress in all of its projects. The Merpeople settlement was growing and so was the farming operation for the aquatic herbs. It has been sparking a good amount of cultural, social and intellectual knowledge exchanges between our peoples. The island project has been steadily moving forward with an increase of respectful interactions between my people and the Centaurs as well. From what I've been told, there's the possibility of an allied tribe joining the island to form a true refuge for those centaurs who wish it. I've even sent them some more modern astronomy tools which many seem to have appreciated.
The Herald is now almost crushing the Prophet. With us publishing the news about Lockhart, Malfoy and myself so quickly and properly, it shot us ahead of the competitor significantly. The Ministry has approached us about the situation, but without any causes, they can't do anything. And if they somehow tried to just shut down my paper, they would certainly hear about it from all our subscribers. I've actually been pitching a project to start another news show to help spread the use of WWN.
FIRM has been getting more influential as more people frequent the center for its services and opportunities, getting behind the idea of actually making those not of pure magical descent truly accepted. And removing so many laws letting pureblood families get away with so much. Even those with magical being blood have been gathering under this banner and pressure has started being exerted on the Ministry to address the issue. I've tripled security around it to prepare for those who will inevitably try to cow us through fear.
Elaine Summers, our Hit Wizard, has said that due to our help in her apprehending Malfoy and so many others during her investigations, her record has shot through the roof and she had been offered a promotion to be a captain, hence having her own squad to order and mold. It was filled with loyal and expertly trained individuals, all of whom began to wrack up achievements, furthering her status within the department. Even aunty has mentioned her repeatedly as a shining example and an inspiration for many young witches. I actually investigated that last one, and it turns out that because she is an attractive woman, with skills and some fame, she's gained a bit of a fan club, which stunned the lady in question.
Sherry Holmes, who has basically become my spymaster, as reported that we now have eyes and ears everywhere in the ministry except for the department of mysteries and the ministers office. We've even had some Aurors joining in as they've liked what we've been doing and want to do their jobs properly even if Fudge is trying to screw their department. I've tasked her to investigate those who supported Voldemort from inside the ministry during the last war, giving her the excuse that they were unstable elements and I wanted to keep track of them.
The Muggle Toy Box has made some nice progress and they believe that the new cameras they've enchanted should be able to start production before Christmas. The radios will take more time and the game consoles are just frustrating them at this point.
I've gotten word from Scott that he might have found a builder for me and has been in the process of thoroughly investigating the man, as well as preparing a proper contract. We will have to see if he's the right man.
Fortress Protection has officially expanded into Bulgaria. When we thought it would be a good proving ground for our men we were right. Within the week we had three separate groups trying to raid the office, every single one were brought down or killed, with only some more serious injuries being reported. We've started to slowly push our ring of influence by getting hired immediately as support for the local ministry's severely lacking forces. We are actually considered as hero's amongst many locals near the branch office for the protection and stability offered by our presence. As a result, we've seen a sharp increase in ability amongst our men and even local recruits inspired by our performance.
BonesWorks itself has gotten a huge wave with both new brooms now officially being sold in store. They have literally resulted in Quidditch enthusiasts to drool over them. We are already receiving orders from around the world in the hopes of obtaining even one of these insanely expensive brooms for the national teams by next years World Cup. Our store has already agreed to be a sponsor for the U.K. teams, but will only provide one of each model for the two teams which will qualify to represent our country. Anything more will have to be purchased by players or others.
The vaccine was still going strong, and we still had no one from the extended duration formula experience any change or side effects yet. This has brought widespread celebrations amongst those who knew about it and have felt so much pride in being a part of such an achievement. They wake up every day hoping it would keep working properly, that no side effects popped up, that their tests would give nothing but good news and that this was what everyone was looking for. A true solution to manage Lycanthropy. They weren't blind enough to believe in a cure, even I've straight told them i could not even begin to challenge that problem without an original strain of the disease or definitive and absolute knowledge about how it was truly started. This was me doing the best I could.
The rest of my plans at the moment revolve around my impending OWL results. I know I've aced all of them, I'm not doubting that at all. I'm just waiting for them to release my four new books and stir up magical communities properly. Practical Arithmancy: A step towards true mastery, Runes for a modern age, Potions beyond Potions, A Herbologists guide to growing wild plants. Each with information and practical applications which will rock people's understanding of magic. It will be fun to see them try and disprove everything with how easy I've made it understand and accomplish. Even got some very, very excited feedback from Hermione on how fantastic the Arithmancy book was, and even with her incredible intelligence, she's never taken any courses on the subject but was already able to cast lumos variants already.
But that was my light side. The side that wants to explore the depths of magic. The side which wants to help others be the bests they can be. The me who follows his ideals.
Unfortunately, it was now time to follow reality. With Geri finally trained and ready, with her loyal and skilled men in Dark Moon Mercs, it was time to remove filth poisoning the future. I will leave the important ones alive. I could have killed the entire Malfoy family already, but I will keep the man alive as I slowly choke the man's importance and wealth. He might be filth, but his son still has a chance. Pettigrew and Crouch Jr. are too important to Voldemort's return, so I'll need to carefully plan my actions next year for the rat, and I will need to keep my desires to rip the man who was responsible for my days in that cell apart until the right time. But so many are prey easy to kill right now, only Tory and Theodore Nott's fathers will be spared for now. Although they are trash and I would immediately kill them for what they've done
, I need to wait until Tory is 17 and I'll make sure to involve her in the decision at the time, and I want to give the Nott boy at least some kind of chance. He's one of the few who comes to the Exchange too.
So I headed to the 'Folster' residence and summoned her to have a talk.
As I sat in front of a crackling fireplace, on a comfortable lounging chair, reading a new book on ancient forms of magic, I was interrupted by Scott.
"Boss, Jenny is here." He informed me politely.
"Jenny?" I asked curiously at the man with a raised eyebrow.
"*cough* well, she really likes the name you've given her, and well, we work a together a good amount so I started calling her Jenny." He said as he avoided my gaze.
"Hope you two don't cause any trouble then." I said with a knowing smile.
"Boss I swear it's not like that!" He tried to defend himself to his 15 year old boss.
"Not like what Scotty." Then came a relaxed female voice from behind him, making him jump a bit.
"It's nothing Jenny." He answered way too quickly.
"Scotty huh." I simply smirked at the man.
"Booossss. Please don't do this to me." He lamented at how he was digging his own hole due to my simple remarks.
Fortunately for him, Geri stepped up for the man.
"It is nothing master. Simple exchange of nicknames. Jenny for me and Scotty for him since Scott is already too short." She answered.
"Carry on then. I'm quite happy to see you two get... friendly, as long as it doesn't affect work go wild." I say as my smile grew.
"Boss!" Was the embarrassed man for being teased by a teenager.
"Thank you master." Was a very polite response from Geri, but happiness could be seen in her eyes.
"Haha! That was fun to do, but I have orders to give you Geri and thank you Scott, but you'll be dismissed from these ones." I say with a chuckle, but turn serious at the end.
""Understood."" Was their immediate response.
They've been with me as my aides for almost three years. Although Geri was training for two, my work for the improvement of her people, training and fulfilling work have earned me her absolute loyalty. While Scott has been following my orders and seen my ever expanding circle of influence and power first hand, never giving him any reason to doubt as he his extremely well rewarded for his work and is invested in the success of my work. Coupled with my personal strength and genius, they've become my closest confidents.
"What are your orders master?" The now kneeling Geri asked with respect,
I've tried to get her to stop calling me master I swear. She wouldn't even accept sir when we are not in public. I even released her of her life bonding vow, but she went straight back in proclaiming herself my servant.
"First, how many of your men do you truly trust in the Dark Moon?" I asked simply.
"15 of the 41 are absolutely loyal to me, and the rest have a variety of traits stopping them from doing so master. I've even employed the legilimency you've taught Scott and I to make sure." She answered while still kneeling with her head down.
"Hmm. Too little. I'll get Oliver to lend you a few of our trained Shadows for this task. I don't want any doubts or evidence." I inform the woman.
The Shadows being the men who's loyalty are completely with Oliver and myself, as I've trained many of them personally for theirs and my own experience. Usually when i sneak out during the night or officially schedule it. They've all be sworn to secrecy about my identities and all are practitioners of Occlumency.
"As you will master. What is your order." She answered without any hesitation.
"Although I have many dreams and ideals for the future, I still see reality and the present for what it is. It is time to remove some of the poison corrupting our homes." I say as I dance around the subject.
"Master, you mean? It's time?" She asked as she raised her head and looked at me with some excitement in her eyes.
"Yes. I will give you a list. Kill them, remove their immediate family if they are in the way. No evidence. No witnesses. No failure. Everything must be taken care of discreetly and no one must connect anything to you or me." I order with the tone of an absolute ruler.
"Your will shall be done master!" She replied as shivers of excitement ran through her due to my command.
"Avery, Carrow, Jugson, Macmair, Mulciber Sr, Selwyn and Yaxley will be priority targets. I've also given you a list of other notable dark wizards, savage werewolves following Fenrir and other beings currently plaguing the country. I want them to believe a sort of vigilante is attacking criminals the system is not catching, not just death eaters." I instruct as I hand her a few lists.
"And once this is done. We shall rid the world of Fenrir. He as stained it for far too long." I say darkly this time as the fire made shadows dance on my face.
"It shall be my absolute honor to do so." She replied with intense flames burning in her eyes.
"You have a year and a half to accomplish your orders. Properly plan everything. You will have all assets you require from everything I can provide. Money, weapons, poisons, potions, tools, information, men or even alibis. You know what to do from there." I say seriously as I look down at her.
"Your command was given. These men are as good as dead master. They just don't know it." She answered with a vicious smile.
"Good. Now go!" I order.
She immediately departs to begin my little cleansing.
'It's time to clean the board a bit' I thought as I got up and returned home.