Chapter 6: Shadows and Alliances

Alex Mercer sat at his newly purchased desk in this flat, the soft clink of distant cauldrons and the murmurs of witch and wizard conversations drifting in through the walls of his modest home near Knockturn Alley. The Daily Prophet lay open before him, the headline screaming from the front page: "Sirius Black Escapes Azkaban."

Alex's deep blue eyes narrowed, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face as he tapped his finger rhythmically against the table. It wasn't shock or concern—it was a calculating recognition. This wasn't just news; this was opportunity. The chaos that would surely ensue from Black's escape could provide the perfect cover for his own covert movements, allowing him to operate with a degree of freedom the wizarding world had never seen.

"Timing is everything," he murmured to himself, glancing over at the clock on the mantle. It ticked with unerring precision, its hands marking the passing of each moment like an ancient sentinel.

His study was a place of deliberate order, each piece of furniture, every book and artifact carefully chosen for its function, its meaning, or both. Shelves of leather-bound tomes lined the walls—history, arcane lore, finance, and ancient dark arts. His desk, a finely crafted piece of dark mahogany, held a collection of magical implements: a quill that never ran out of ink, a self-replenishing ink pot, and a stack of parchment that was always neat and orderly, no matter how much time passed.

Alex let out a soft sigh, his eyes scanning the article once more. The Ministry's inability to control the crisis following Black's escape would make it much easier to enact his next steps. The public, already distracted and confused, would have no idea what was truly brewing beneath the surface.

His mind drifted back to his early days at Hogwarts, those formative years where he'd learned to weave power and influence with the subtlety of a master puppeteer. Even then, he'd seen the flaws in the system—the way the Ministry favored certain families, certain interests. It had shaped him, pushed him toward a goal far more ambitious than the typical magical career. Alex wasn't interested in rising through the ranks of the Ministry or securing an innocuous position in the wizarding world. He wanted control—a seat at the table of true power.

But he would need patience. The world wasn't ready for the changes he had in mind—at least, not yet.

A sharp knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. He glanced at the enchanted clock; the visitor had arrived exactly on time. No one ever came unannounced at this hour unless they had a purpose.

With deliberate steps, Alex rose from his chair, his robes swishing silently as he crossed the dimly lit hall. He reached the door and, after a moment of consideration, opened it with a measured calm. Standing on the other side was none other than Mr. Grivell, a senior goblin banker from Gringotts.

The goblin's imposing figure stood tall in the doorway, his sharp, angular features softened by the dim light. Grivell's amber eyes glinted with intelligence as they met Alex's steady gaze. He wore an elegant, dark robe embroidered with subtle runes that spoke to his elevated status within the bank, and the air around him seemed to crackle with quiet authority.

"Mr. Mercer," Grivell greeted, his deep voice resonating with both respect and expectation. "I trust all is well?"

"Always," Alex replied smoothly, offering a sharp but cordial handshake. "Please, come in."

Grivell stepped inside, his eyes immediately scanning the room with a practiced sharpness. He moved with purpose, his gaze flicking from the shelves of books to the gleaming artifacts scattered about. The goblin's experience told him far more than the casual observer would ever guess.

As they settled at Alex's desk, Alex took the opportunity to study his guest more carefully. Goblins, with their meticulousness and unyielding nature, were not easily swayed. But their business acumen was unparalleled, and Gringotts' ability to move vast sums of money across the wizarding world made them invaluable allies for any ambitious venture. Alex had long understood the importance of forging ties with the goblin banking institution. It wasn't just about money; it was about influence.

"I understand you've come for a reason," Alex said, gesturing toward the pile of documents on his desk. "The Fund is growing quickly, and with the chaos of recent events, it's the perfect time to make a move."

Grivell's sharp eyes narrowed slightly. "The escape of Sirius Black," he said with a slight hiss, his tone betraying neither judgment nor surprise. "Yes, the Ministry's distraction will undoubtedly be significant, though I suspect it will be short-lived. They will find a way to rein him in, eventually."

Alex smiled softly. "By then, I will have built something they cannot easily undo. A system that operates outside of their control."

Grivell nodded approvingly. "A wise strategy. Now, about this venture of yours…" The goblin's long claws flicked over the paperwork before him. "I'm intrigued, though I'll admit, it's rare to see such a large-scale investment in the underprivileged sectors of the magical community. Many see it as… charitable at best, misguided at worst."

"I see it as necessary," Alex replied, leaning forward. "The magical community is divided, fragmented. The purebloods hold the reins of power, while those who have suffered in silence remain marginalized. This Fund will bridge that gap, and the investment will pay dividends—both financially and socially."

Grivell's eyes flashed with interest, his mind already calculating the potential implications of such a proposal. He leaned back, tapping his claws against the desk as he deliberated. "I can see the value in your proposal. You would, of course, require Gringotts as the intermediary for all transactions?"

"Exactly," Alex replied. "With your assistance, we can guarantee the Fund's integrity and transparency. Your reputation would ensure the success of this endeavor."

The goblin's gaze shifted, a flicker of amusement crossing his face. "I'm sure you are aware, Mr. Mercer, that Gringotts does not give away services for free. We expect a return for our involvement."

"I understand," Alex said smoothly, pulling a prepared agreement from his pile of documents. "Here are the terms I propose. A 1% transaction fee, no annual maintenance fees for the first three years, provided the Fund maintains a minimum balance of 15,000 galleons. Gringotts will also act as the exclusive financial advisor and consultant for the Fund's operations."

Grivell's amber eyes flicked over the paper, his expression unreadable. For a long moment, there was silence. Then, the goblin spoke. "10%". Alex pondered for a minute, seeing if Grivell would squirm, but the Goblin remained impassive. "5%" he countered.
"Gringotts will accept these terms on the condition that you submit a detailed proposal for the Fund's first quarter, as well as a timeline for its initial investments." Grivell responded, perhaps a bit too quickly.

Alex leaned back, offering a slight smile. "Agreed. You'll have all the information you need by the end of the week."

The conversation then shifted to the more delicate matter Alex had been preparing for: the recruitment of house elves. Grivell's eyes narrowed again, a spark of surprise crossing his face. "House elves? That is an… unusual request, Mr. Mercer. Most employers would never consider such a thing."

"I believe it's crucial," Alex said, his voice steady. "Not only to create an ethical model for my Fund, but to tap into their unique skills and abilities. These are individuals who have been sidelined for far too long, and I plan to offer them meaningful work in a setting that respects their autonomy."

Grivell studied him for a long moment, his sharp gaze never wavering. "You are treading dangerous ground. The last time anyone tried to 'liberate' house elves, it was disastrous. But if you are serious, Gringotts can facilitate this. We have resources—connections in communities that may be willing to offer unbound house elves for employment. We can even help with training programs to ease their transition into new roles."

Alex's lips curled into a pleased smile. "That's exactly what I need. Thank you, Grivell. This is the kind of support that will make the Fund stand apart."

The goblin's eyes glinted. "You're ambitious, Mercer. I will admit, it's… refreshing. Very well, we will proceed with the arrangements. I will have a liaison assigned to you shortly."

After several more minutes of negotiation, the deal was finalized. The terms were set, and the stage was prepared for the launch of the Fund. Grivell rose from his seat, offering a firm handshake, his amber eyes glinting with approval.

"I look forward to seeing what you build here, Mercer," Grivell said as he made his way toward the door. "Gringotts will stand by you, for now. But remember—we are in control of the flow of wealth. And we never forget when we've been part of a success."

Alex watched him go, his mind already whirring with the possibilities. Gringotts' involvement gave him more than just a financial boost—it gave him the legitimacy he needed to operate in the upper echelons of the wizarding world, where whispers of influence were more valuable than gold. As the door clicked shut behind Mr. Grivell, Alex allowed himself a moment to breathe, his thoughts already racing forward.

The next phase was set in motion. The Fund was no longer a mere concept; it was becoming a living entity, a mechanism that would soon start to turn, each part working toward the larger, hidden goal Alex had in mind.

He glanced back at the Daily Prophet headline once again, but his mind was no longer on Sirius Black. The chaos of Black's escape could, in fact, serve as a perfect smokescreen. The Ministry would soon be consumed with its own scandal and the hunt for the fugitive. Meanwhile, Alex's operations would run in the shadows, growing quietly but rapidly. By the time the Ministry turned its eyes back toward the financial sector, Alex would be too entrenched to uproot.

With that thought in mind, he turned his attention to the next set of tasks on his list. The Fund needed its first investments, and they needed to be bold.

Alex had already started preparing a list of underprivileged families and small businesses across the magical world—places where his capital could do the most good, but also, where he could gain the most control. He had spent years cultivating relationships with lesser-known magical families, those who had fallen out of favor or never quite made it into the circles of the rich and powerful. They were hungry for support, for opportunity, and many were desperate for a way out of poverty or obscurity. The Fund would provide that.

But Alex knew that financial investment alone wasn't enough. There needed to be a layer of subtlety, a network of favors and exchanges that went beyond the mere transfer of galleons. He needed leverage. The goblins would ensure that the financial side of things ran smoothly, but Alex knew he would have to manage the personal aspect himself. Some of these families would need to be nurtured, while others—well, others would need to be made dependent.

He pulled out a thick tome on magical businesses and investments, flipping through it with an efficiency that betrayed years of study. He knew exactly where to start. One by one, he marked the businesses he'd already contacted and began sketching out what would become his investment strategy for the first quarter. He didn't just want these families to survive—he wanted them to thrive, but under his watchful eye. He would need to make sure that each investment had the potential to double or triple in value, with terms structured so that Alex maintained some degree of ownership or influence, even if it wasn't immediately apparent.

A knock at the door startled him from his thoughts once again. This time, he was expecting it.

"Come in."

The door creaked open to reveal a slender woman in her mid-thirties, with sharp, angular features and a swift, purposeful gait. It was Elysia Blackthorne, his trusted assistant and one of the few people who truly understood the intricacies of his plans. She worked alongside Alex on every aspect of his business ventures—both legal and less so. Her background in both Muggle and magical finance made her invaluable.

"Mr. Mercer," she greeted him, her voice low and measured, "I have the reports you requested. The research on the Black family is complete, and I've also received an update on the candidates for the house elf recruitment program."

Alex's brow furrowed at the mention of the Black family, but he gestured for her to continue.

"Please," he said, "Start with the house elves."

Elysia nodded, slipping a folder onto the desk. "We've made progress on the recruitment front. Several unbound house elves have shown interest, mostly from the more rural areas in Ireland and Northern Scotland. They are aware of the potential for autonomy, though they remain cautious. The stigma surrounding house elf freedom is still very much alive."

"I expected as much," Alex replied, tapping his fingers lightly on the surface of his desk. "And how many are willing to be trained for… alternative roles?"

Elysia's lips tightened in a barely discernible smile. "Approximately seven to ten. We're still finalizing their backgrounds, but they are highly skilled in a range of tasks: potion brewing, artifact restoration, even basic curse-breaking in some cases. There's also a chance that one of them is a direct descendant of an ancient line of house elves who once served the Peverell family, though that's still unconfirmed."

Alex's interest piqued at the mention of a potential Peverell descendant. "That would be invaluable. House elves with that kind of lineage could provide us with more than just basic service. We'll need to dig deeper into their history. Make sure there are no… surprises."

Elysia nodded, her sharp eyes glinting. "Understood. We're proceeding carefully."

"Good." Alex's tone hardened. "Once we have the right candidates, I want them in place before the Fund begins its first set of investments. We need to establish trust and loyalty early."

"Of course," Elysia replied with a hint of a smile. "And if I may, Mr. Mercer, the Black family dossier is ready for your review. Sirius Black's escape is causing ripples throughout the Ministry. There's an opportunity here, and I believe we should make sure we're positioned to take advantage."

Alex leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. The Black family had always been a thorn in the side of the wizarding elite, with its complicated bloodlines and connections to both the Dark Arts and the Ministry. While Sirius Black was clearly a loose cannon—an unpredictable factor—his escape could very well provide a perfect distraction for the more covert actions Alex had in mind. But he wasn't naïve; the Ministry would be hunting Black with everything they had. The more discreet Alex remained, the better.

"Leave the dossier on my desk," he said, his voice steady but tinged with something darker. "I'll review it. But be ready. The time to move is coming soon."

Elysia gave a sharp nod. "I'll make preparations immediately."

As she left, Alex glanced over at the Daily Prophet again, his gaze lingering on the bold headline. Sirius Black Escapes Azkaban. The disruption in the Ministry's operations would only intensify the already growing tension between the various factions in the wizarding world. If Black's escape wasn't handled swiftly, it could lead to wider unrest, even chaos.

And in chaos, Alex saw opportunity.