"Gawain Robards taking office isn't anything special. Barty Crouch Sr. is still the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and Millicent Bagnold can't bypass him to interfere with the Auror Office," Murphy said.
Barty Crouch Sr. clearly knew there were flaws in Sirius Black's trial, so he kept delaying the retrial. Six months passed, and it still hadn't started.
Thanks to this caution, his reputation, although it had been slowly declining since the tragic death of "little Barty Crouch" in prison, still had many supporters, and he remained firmly in his position.
Lucius Malfoy, sitting across from him, had a gloomy expression.
A few days ago, the long-vacant position of the Head of the Auror Office was finally confirmed to be filled by Gawain Robards, which obviously did not meet Lucius's expectations.
"It seems your gold doesn't have as much influence in the Ministry of Magic as you thought," he said with irritation.
Murphy raised an eyebrow, "Oh, are you particularly concerned about who fills that position?"
"Our friends are very dissatisfied with this outcome," Lucius said. "And I had promised that position to Rasmus Selwyn."
Murphy scoffed, "And yet this Rasmus has never appeared before me?"
"The Selwyn family actually has a decent relationship with Rufus. They're somewhat displeased with how you maneuvered against Scrimgeour."
"Ha," Murphy laughed as if he heard a big joke.
"Even though they've long coveted the position of the Head of the Auror Office?" Murphy snorted disdainfully. "They're just a bunch of carrion vultures, blaming me for killing the prey? How noble of them."
Lucius had no comeback, taking a while before he said, "Gawain Robards taking office is not to our benefit."
"But it's not harmful either, at least better than giving the position to a disobedient dog."
Murphy's words pricked Lucius, who moved his mouth as if he tasted something sour but didn't erupt in anger.
"Did you orchestrate this?" he finally asked.
"I didn't need to do anything. Barty Crouch Sr. has few people he can use, and Gawain Robards, with his limited resources, would need to rely on his superior. Without better options, Barty would definitely choose him."
Lucius looked at Murphy. He had said before that Barty Crouch Sr. wouldn't let the position of the Head of the Auror Office fall outside his control.
Even now, this young man could predict the course of events more accurately than himself.
Perhaps his judgment of him was not accurate; maybe he was not just the nouveau riche he imagined.
"But why didn't you stop it?" Lucius asked. "At least Rasmus Selwyn is on our side..."
"Oh? Really?" Murphy looked at him with a mocking smile.
"In this half year, I asked you to invite him over, what, three times? He hasn't shown up yet. So, do you think he looks down on me, or did your message not get through?"
Lucius didn't answer.
"Gawain Robards is just a clown clinging to Barty Crouch Sr., unable to make significant waves. I could take down Rufus, let alone him. But a dog that doesn't recognize its master might bite back once it gains power."
Murphy stood up, "I give them money, not for their pleasure."
"I allow them to live comfortably now, not to oppose me."
"Since they still don't understand this, I think it's time to tighten the reins."
"I remember the Selwyn family deals in magical creatures?"
Lucius felt a terrifying aura from Murphy's words, similar to what he felt on the Shetland Islands a year ago.
"Yes, the Selwyn family has been dealing in magical creatures since their ancestors. They own pet shops and owl emporiums in Diagon Alley, two zoos displaying magical creatures, and they also trade in magical creature-related potion ingredients and concoctions."
Murphy nodded, "I need you to prepare. Rent a shop next to each of theirs. Whatever they import from France, Germany—no matter where, we do the same. Whatever they sell, we sell too, but not less than them. And, our prices must be 10% lower than theirs."
"This..."
"I'm not finished. You also need to investigate their supply channels. Either buy out their suppliers or offer 10% higher prices to snatch all their goods. In short, cut off their supply."
"Lastly, since they sell potion ingredients, from today onwards, if they sell any materials or concoctions to any of our potion shops, we only offer one-tenth of the original price."
Murphy had monopolized nearly all potion business in the British wizarding world, essentially cutting off the Selwyn family's revenue from selling magical creature potion ingredients.
These three measures effectively blocked all of the Selwyn family's businesses in the wizarding world. After all, it's just throwing some money around. Murphy, who burns billions in the Muggle world, didn't feel the slightest pinch.
A few thousand Galleons? He didn't even bother counting.
"Isn't this too harsh?" Malfoy asked.
"They have their dignity, and I respect people living with integrity. Let's give them a year. If they can survive a year, I won't trouble them anymore. You can convey my words clearly to them. Whether they bow or not is up to them."
Murphy's move was essentially a warning to the "friends" of Malfoy, not just the Selwyn family. It was to tell them, "From now on, I call the shots in the wizarding world. Don't take me lightly."
Previously, he spread his wealth as a gesture of goodwill, but that was mistaken for weakness.
Murphy didn't intend to dominate like Voldemort, forcing people to sing his praises. He simply wanted to carve out a space for himself to work undisturbed.
Of course, he understood that as his influence in the wizarding world grew, he was encroaching on the space of those "noble lords." No one would willingly hand over their territory, so Murphy needed to make an example out of Selwyn, to instill fear in those preparing to throw stones.
He wanted his "friends" to know, friends are welcomed with fine wine, enemies with swords and guns, and to understand that Murphy's patience wasn't a sign of inability but a lack of necessity.
"Why me? Wouldn't it be better if you did this yourself?" Lucius asked in the end.
Ah, why you? Do you really think my money is that easy to take? Wanting a salary without working? Do I look like someone with such great love for humanity?
"Lucius, do you know what they call you behind your back?" Murphy suddenly said.
"What?!" Lucius was taken aback, not quite understanding Murphy's meaning.
"Peacock."
Lucius's eyelid twitched; he indeed liked those beautiful creatures and even kept a few at home.
"Beautiful, arrogant, loves to show off, but utterly useless." Murphy looked at him with a mix of mockery and pity. "In their eyes, that's all you are."
"Lucius, it's time to choose your real friends."
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