1) I really appreciate the reviews and feedback all of you guys are giving me! Keep it up!
2) I am going to open up a submission contest. Create a character, a short scene, or a plot point that you think will be cool, and the top five will be put into the story at some point, while characters may become permanent members of the cast. Please make these serious. I do not want vampiric bunny ninjas or anime characters as submissions. If I do put them in the story it will only be so that Butler can kill them with a pencil. Thou hast been warned. Submit characters =)
3) I own nothing!
Thanks alot!
"The purpose of Gringotts and Sons my dear Goldhammer, is diversity. As we stand, we are the solitary bank in the British Isles. We could me so much more. There are few wizarding banks as it is, and with my help, Gringotts can become the only wizarding bank in the world. Imagine, a bank run by goblins and the Fowls. The Golden Duo. Aurum est Potestas. Gold is everything Mr. Goldhammer, and taking Gringotts international brings more gold through the doors."
"I am inclined to agree Mr. Fowl. How does the Board vote?"
"Aye, the Fowl boy was right about Knockturn Alley, and it seems he's right again."
"Aye. I agree with the honorable Chairman Goldhammer and the honorable Mr. Azzlekirk."
"Aye. I concur."
"Aye."
"Aye."
"Aye."
"Aye."
"Aye."
"Aye."
"Aye."
"Aye."
"Then we have made a unanimous , The newest branches of Gringotts will open across the UK in Scotland as the Gringotts and Sons Scotland Branch, in Ireland as the Gringotts and Sons Irish Branch, and in Knockturn Alley as Gringotts and Sons. The motion passes."
"Now gentlemen, I would like you to take a look at the second topic for discussion. The Alpha Trade Company."
"This you'll have to explain to me boy. Banking is all well and good, but trading? Highly unreliable. The wizards can't even move anything in bulk so what's the point?"
"The point Mr. Silver, is that I can. In the muggle world, Fowl Enterprises stands for dynamic new growth. My families company and it's related branches move products across the world every minute. We are the single largest transporter and distributer of commercial, and noncommercial goods in the entire muggle world. I wish to see the same thing in this wizarding world, but alongside Gringotts. With Gringotts banking strength and Fowl trade enterprise, we can create a powerhouse that will take over all wizarding world trade within four fiscal years. The money we will be making will make us physically sick."
"And what shall we do with all this money?"
"Take power. Money is merely a tool. One does not become rich by hoarding money like some greedy cave troll. One becomes rich by spending money. We can buy stores, bars, pubs, owleries, floo powder factories, anything and everything. We become rich and we become powerful. We will make life better and they will love us."
"You are suggesting something which sounds a bit too much like conquest Mr. Fowl."
"No gentlemen, nothing so grandoise. I simply believe that if we take it upon ourselves to become great, we can. Gringotts cannot remain a single bank forever. Already you face challenges from overseas from the Louis Caltermion Banking Family, and from the Medici Financial Wizarding clan in Italy. I can crush them for you. When we took Knockturn Alley we took it's criminals. We have an army gentlemen, an army very skilled in the less...respectable arts. I suggest we use it. In return for allowing me to set up the Alpha Trade Company, I will tell my associates in Knockturn Alley to deal with Gringotts's overseas competitors. I suggest we also purchase majority shares in these banks the minute they are defeated. We must not give them the chance to rebuild. Does the board agree? Excellent. Now, I must return to my manor. Mr. Lucius Malfoy is coming over and I must not keep such...unique company waiting. Good day gentlemen."
Lucius Malfoy was rather impressed with the Fowl Manor. He admired the grandeur, the power the castle like building exuded. There was no opulence here, just power. The Fowls were one of those families that were so rich they didn't need to have dozens of servants and gold paint on the walls. They didn't need to eat off of plates made of silver, or drink the most expensive wines. The Fowls simply had to be the Fowls. The name itself was worth a fortune. Glancing at his host, Malfoy could see why. Artemis Fowl the Second was dangerous. He had the calm demeanor of a person who knows exactly how much your life is worth, and exactly who to call to see that it ends. He had the personality of men who put crowns on the heads of kings, and who organized the inciters of the revolution that swept the kings away. The study in which he now sat was part library, part office. All of the walls were lined with books, none of which Malfoy recognized. A desk sat in front of a high arched window which looked out on the ocean, and in one corner of the room was an oak table and two armchairs.
"Please sit down Mr. Malfoy." Artemis gestured to one of the chairs, then seated himself in the other. A servant entered moments later, carrying a tray with a bottle of whiskey and two glasses. Malfoy and Artemis spent a while talking, Malfoy doing most of it. Artemis sat and listened. Eventually, Artemis leaned forward and spoke;
"Mr. Malfoy, I invited you here today to discuss a business venture that my associates and I feel would be to your and our mutual advantage."
"Business? I am a politician my dear boy, I know little of banking." Malfoy waved his hand dismissively.
"Banking? Why do you think we are discussing banking?"
"Come now Artemis, I can call you Artemis yes? Good. Artemis, I know that you are in business with the Gringotts Bank. The goblins are bankers, so what other business could you possibly be referring to?" Malfoy smirked knowingly. "You can't hide anything from a Malfoy my boy."
"Believe me Mr. Malfoy, I most certainly can. I was speaking about international trade Mr. Malfoy. I propose to make you the president of the first wizarding trade company."
"Trade Company? Do I look like a merchant to you? The Malfoy's will not associate with shopkeepers! Ours is a noble lineage. Do I look like some lowborn tradesman?"
"No Mr. Malfoy, you look like someone who wants to make a considerable amount of money. I can build ships that can transport goods in bulk Mr. Malfoy, I can open up trade in places English Wizards have never traded with before, and I can guarantee that this trading company will remain the sole wizarding trade company. We can corner the market, and you stand to make a considerable amount of money. All I require are two things."
"And what would that be?" Malfoy asked cautiously.
"One, I require unrestricted access to your political and social contacts. A gala dinner should suffice. I will fund it of course. Secondly, you must understand how this business relationship works. I am you master. If you should choose to accept my proposal, you will work for me. You may appoint your own underlings, but all decisions you make must be ratified by the Gringotts Board of Directors and myself. Understood?"
"Before I agree to your proposal my boy, how much would I expect in return for my services." Malfoy leaned back in his chair, taking a sip from his whiskey.
Artemis smiled, scribbled something on a piece of paper, then passed it to Malfoy. Flicking it open, Lucius nearly choked on his whiskey.
"That would be your salary on an annual basis." Artemis murmured.
"Most...most generous of you!" Malfoy sputtered.
"Then we have a deal?"
"Yes...yes we do!"
Artemis shook hands with Malfoy across the table. "The first ships sails on Friday of this week. I will have all the particulars delivered to your home later this evening. The gala should happen on Halloween, three weeks from today. Acceptable?"
"Quite."
"Then our business is concluded." Artemis rose abruptly and offered his hand. "Good day Mr. Malfoy, welcome aboard."
Butler smiled to himself. Build a news company. There was a new one. Artemis had asked Butler to undertake many jobs before, even once pretending to be a Roman Catholic Priest, but he had never asked Butler to get a street criminal to become the editor of a newspaper. But somehow, it was working. Scabior, a fairly well known thief, con man, murderer, and possibly one of twenty criminals in Knockturn Alley who could spell properly was actually thrilled about being given the job. The one hundred thousand galleon annual salary might have had something to do with that Butler reflected. Ah well, everything was in place, and as usual, everything was going according to plan.
"An we can write about murda, and corruption, an thievin!" Scabior cried out to general cheers from the assorted criminals he and Butler had gathered at one of Knockturn Alley's taverns.
"Just make sure that you also publish what the Employer wants published Mr. Scabior." Butler rumbled.
"Course Mr. Turlub sah, course!" Scabior grinned. "We've begun what might turn out to be a very profitable relationship."
"I hope so Mr. Scabior, for your sake." Butler swept out of the bar. As he reached the door he paused and said: "Lucius Malfoy has opened up the wizarding worlds first international trade company. I suggest you make that the front page."