Soon, a few Aurors came to search them and forced them to change all their clothes, shoes, and socks to prevent them from hiding wands, potions, or undetectable extension bags.
Then, they plucked some hair from each person, but fortunately, the Aurors didn't do anything more excessive. They just made them change into the clothes provided by them, assigned a room to each person, briefed them on meal times, and then left.
They were left alone for two days. During these days, their movements were not heavily restricted. Aside from not being able to leave the yard, they could move freely and talk at will without supervision.
Meals would automatically appear on the table three times a day and disappear after they were done eating. The rooms were always clean, even the toilets were always spotlessly clean.
Occasionally, they would see a house-elf, but it seemed to try its best to avoid appearing in their sight, always quietly doing its work and then quietly disappearing.
Although no one stopped them, no one wanted to talk during these two days. Everyone was sulking over their own stupidity.
The one who talked the most was the fairy Brin, who cursed "despicable British wizards" every five minutes, cursed some stupid companion every fifteen minutes, lamented the injustice of his fate every half an hour, and shouted every two hours.
However, after half a day, he ran out of energy and could only huff in frustration.
Two days later, their first visitor arrived at their residence, Murphy Darkholme, the subject of their investigation.
"Let us out! You despicable human!" Brin shouted as soon as he saw Murphy.
Murphy glanced at him, and immediately two strong men rushed out from behind Murphy. One grabbed the fairy, and the other slapped his face twenty times, causing Brin's nose to become crooked.
Then Brin started crying.
But as soon as he made a sound, the slaps continued, this time thirty times.
The fairy's nose was broken.
He bled profusely from the nose, several of his sharp teeth fell out, and the remaining teeth lacerated the inside of his mouth, but he didn't dare make a sound anymore.
Murphy remained expressionless as the two strong men brought stools for everyone. One wizard tried to sit down, but upon seeing Murphy's expression, he quickly stood up again.
"Sit down," Murphy said calmly.
Everyone sat down, except Mary, who remained standing.
Seeing the strong men about to step forward, Murphy waved his hand, "You are all investigators sent by the Wizarding Union. You were sent here because you suspect me of violating the Wizarding Secrecy Act."
"We don't suspect; we know you violated the secrecy act!" Mary said.
"Oh?" Murphy glanced at her, then looked at the others, "Do you all think the same?"
"No, I don't know!" A dark-skinned man, who seemed to be of Indian descent, exclaimed, "We haven't investigated yet, how can she conclude! I don't believe it!"
Murphy nodded in approval, "I like dealing with rational people."
"But, I came here to ask you all a question," Murphy continued, "What is the fundamental reason that the Wizarding Secrecy Act cannot be violated?"
...
Minutes later, Murphy left. He had asked his question while also using wandless magic to probe their minds.
But no one knew the answer; they were just following orders.
Let them be confined for now.
Meanwhile, outside, "investigators" were already at work.
...
Indeed, while Mary and the others were confined, "investigators" were constantly working.
They visited Gringotts, the Ministry of Magic, and shops in Diagon Alley, meddling in every affair.
"Why are there only a few goblins working in Gringotts now? Where have the others gone? Did you fire them because of racial hatred? Why are there no female wizards? Is it gender discrimination? What are the salaries in each department? Why are Hogwarts graduates paid more, is it nepotism? I suspect there's unfair treatment here. You'd better write a detailed report explaining the situation, I expect no less than ten sheets of parchment. And start making reforms now."
"Oh, and the Secrecy Act, what do you think about Muggles exchanging for Galleons? What's the limit? How do you plan to verify the identity of those applying for exchange? How do you know if they are really students' parents? What if a dark wizard wants to launder money? It seems you lack a plan, showing a lack of secretive thinking, lazy towards enforcing the Secrecy Act, just going through the motions."
"What is this department for? Oh, Misuse of Muggle Artifacts? What constitutes misuse? How do you define a Muggle artifact? Does a toothbrush count? Muggle clothing? Only electronics? Then does a phone count? No? Why does a TV count then? What's the logic here? Alright, unclear logic, vague power boundaries, risk of abuse of power."
"What are you selling? I know, but I still want you to answer. Okay, magical creature trade. How do you ensure these magical creatures aren't seen by Muggles? Can't ensure? Suspected of violating the Secrecy Act…I suggest you turn yourself in…"
"You're selling wizarding clothes, have you considered what Muggles might think seeing someone in these clothes? Oh, you haven't thought about it, risk of exposing wizards greatly increased. You also sell wizard hats? Okay, risk of exposing wizards super increased. Alright, I suggest you turn yourself in too."
...
"Do you have any evidence to provide?" In a dark corner of a tavern, two wizards sat opposite each other, one asking quietly.
"I have testimonies," the other said, "We are all victims, just because we didn't want to suck up to Murphy, we were fired! Oh yes, we were involved in the oppression of goblins, to me, it was a massacre, the international community would like this narrative. We have several people who have signed this, it's sufficiently convincing. But, you have to promise to get us out, to America, France, Spain, anywhere, we can't exchange foreign currency, you have to give us some money…"
"Okay, don't worry, the Union won't forget you, hand over the testimonies to me."
...
"My son was thrown into Azkaban!" a witch said, "Completely baseless charges! They said he embezzled money from the Ministry of Magic, just a few hundred Galleons! Are we lacking these few hundred Galleons in our family?! It's just a way to eliminate dissidents! Many families are dissatisfied with him! Can the Union help us?"
"Yes, of course! We have President Dumbledore!" the wizard opposite assured.
"That's great! I have a list here, you can contact them, everyone has long been displeased with Darkholme."
...
White Weasel Mountain.
Barty Crouch handed a list to Murphy, "This is verified, as soon as they heard it was Union investigators, they all jumped out. Some of them have something in their hands, or they are planning to unite and rebel, although it won't amount to much, it's still a nuisance."
Murphy glanced at the list casually, which had a dozen names, "Arrest them."
Those investigators had other uses, but since they were idle, it was a good time to use them for fishing.
And indeed, these foolish fish saw the bait and bit it eagerly.
"By the way, someone said Kingsley has been contacting them, should we send someone to keep an eye on Kingsley?" Barty asked.
Murphy shook his head, "Someone's already watching him. That guy came with the President of the United States."
The Ministry of Magic was undergoing investigation by the Union, and the Muggle society was not peaceful either. Apparently, due to dissatisfaction with the pressure on Britain, the President of the United States also came for a state visit to Britain, having just landed yesterday.
And Kingsley was with him, as a bodyguard.
The reason he was a bodyguard, rather than a secretary or a higher position, was probably due to the tense relationship between the American magical government and Muggles; they rarely interact with Muggle society.
At such a time, with the President of the United States visiting, Murphy naturally paid attention. Upon investigating, the Aurors discovered through magical detection devices that a wizard was mixed in with the bodyguard team, and then found it was Kingsley.
Even though he had disguised himself as a Muggle, magical detection devices don't lie.
Perhaps he was one of the Aurors best at hiding himself.
But unfortunately, times have changed.
The old techniques are no longer effective.
___________________
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