Chapter 35

5th of September 1991
Gringotts

Andromeda Black found herself face-to-blade with four very irate halberds, their razor-sharp edges so close she could feel the cold, unforgiving steel just inches from her skin. Her heart was pounding, her mind struggling to catch up with what had just happened.

"Wha…?" she whispered, still groggy and utterly bewildered. Less than a minute ago, she had been sleeping peacefully at home, wrapped up in her cozy teddy bear pajamas. The next thing she knew, Albus Fucking Dumbledore had burst into her bedroom in a flash of phoenix fire, said a casual "Hello," grabbed her without a word of explanation, and then, in a blink, Fawkes had teleported them both into the middle of the grand hall of Gringotts. Now, here she was, standing amidst goblins who looked like they were ready to carve her up like a holiday roast.

Her appearance was fucking disheveled. Fuck! The teddy bear pajamas, while cute and innocent, clung to her in all the right places, accentuating her full, mature figure. The neckline of her top had slipped slightly during their wild journey, giving a teasing glimpse of her cleavage, while the soft fabric hugged her waist and hips, emphasizing the curves that made heads turn. The pajama bottoms were snug around her toned thighs, highlighting the length of her legs and the firmness of her ass. Her hair, normally a cascade of luxurious curls, was now a wild, tousled mess, adding to the air of barely-contained chaos. Despite the circumstances, there was no denying Andromeda's natural, effortless sex appeal—even if she looked like she'd just been dragged out of bed. Which, of course, she had.

Beside her, Albus Fucking Dumbledore looked completely unbothered by the chaos he had just created. The man was dressed like he'd just stepped off a Monopoly board—sharp black tails, a crisp white shirt, a perfectly tied bowtie, and, of course, a top hat perched jauntily on his head. But Dumbledore wasn't just a caricature of a board game tycoon; beneath his tailored suit, his lean, muscular frame was evident, and he carried himself with the kind of easy charisma that made people stop and listen. His blue eyes sparkled with mischief behind a polished monocle, and the smirk on his face suggested he was thoroughly enjoying himself.

"Hello, gentlemen!" Dumbledore greeted the goblins with a wave, as if the halberds pointed at him were nothing more than friendly handshakes. His smile was wide and warm, completely at odds with the deadly tension in the room.

The goblins, however, were anything but amused. The leader of the group, a particularly fierce-looking goblin with a scowl etched deep into his face, stepped forward, his halberd raised threateningly. "What is the meaning of this?" he snarled, his voice rough and gravelly. "How dare you appear in Gringotts unannounced, and with that phoenix no less! You think you can just bypass our wards and—"

"Ah, Bob!" Dumbledore interrupted smoothly, tipping his top hat in greeting. "No need to get all worked up. We're just here on a little business trip, that's all. Just a friendly discussion."

Bob the Goblin's scowl deepened, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. "Business?" he repeated, his tone full of disdain. "You think you can burst into the most secure bank in the wizarding world, drag some poor woman along in her nightclothes, and talk about business? Gringotts is closed ! It's 3AM ! And for the last time, I'm called Ragnok. Ra-Gnok! Not Bob!"

Dumbledore's smile didn't falter. In fact, it grew wider, as if he were savoring some private joke. "Precisely, Business" he said, his voice as smooth as a lubricant for anal play. "And it's quite a lucrative business, I assure you."

The goblins exchanged wary glances, their knuckles white on the halberds. Bob's scowl remained fixed, his glare enough to make a lesser man quiver. "What kind of business?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous, clearly expecting some sort of trickery.

Dumbledore leaned in slightly, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper that carried through the hall. "We're here to discuss a deal. A deal worth thirty million pounds."

The effect was immediate and almost ridiculous to behold. Bob's eyes widened. The other goblins, who had been poised to strike, suddenly froze, their weapons lowering as if on instinct.

"Thirty million, you say?" Bob's voice had undergone a dramatic transformation, now dripping with oily politeness. The halberds were immediately retracted, and the goblins seemed to fall over themselves in their eagerness to please. One of them nearly tripped over his own feet as he rushed to clear a path, and another began barking orders in Gobbledegook, presumably for refreshments.

Within seconds, the grand hall of Gringotts had been transformed into something more resembling a five-star lounge than a high-security bank. Insanely fluffy chairs—so plush they looked like clouds—appeared out of nowhere, their cushions so deep that Andromeda nearly disappeared into hers as she sat down. The goblins, who moments before had been ready to skewer her, were now offering her tea with a level of courtesy usually reserved for royalty. The tea set was absurdly fancy, with delicate porcelain cups that looked as though they might shatter if you breathed too hard, and a selection of biscuits that could have come straight from the Queen's pantry.

Bob himself had turned into the very picture of hospitality, his earlier rage now replaced by a grin that stretched from ear to ear. "Please, please, make yourselves comfortable," he said, his tone suddenly warm and inviting. "Let's discuss this… most profitable deal."

Dumbledore adjusted his monocle and leaned back comfortably, a mischievous twinkle in his eye as he surveyed the room. "Now, about that business," he began, the casualness of his tone doing nothing to soothe Andromeda's frayed nerves. "I'm here to discuss the creation of a holding company that will encompass a university, an investment fund, a paramilitary society, and perhaps, in time, various other ventures and industrial endeavors."

The goblins froze, their earlier eagerness momentarily replaced by a flicker of surprise. Ragnok's eyes narrowed, suspicion creeping into his voice as he responded, "a Holding? How do you know about that?"

Dumbledore's smile widened, completely unbothered by the goblins' incredulity. "Let's just say I've done my homework," he replied, his voice as smooth as silk. "As for the details, I will serve as the owner of all the parts and President of the board. However, the CEO—or rather, the Chief Governing Officer—of this holding will be none other than Andromeda Black. She will also act as the de facto legal officer."

Andromeda, who had been sitting in a daze, snapped to attention. "What?" She blurted out, her voice cracking with disbelief. "A Holding? What in Merlin's name is that?"

Dumbledore turned to her, his eyebrows raised in genuine surprise. "You don't know what a holding company is?" He asked, as if she had just confessed to not knowing how to use a wand.

Andromeda felt the heat rise to her cheeks, a deep blush spreading across her face. She was a Black, for Merlin's sake—a family of prestige, power, and knowledge. Yet here she was, utterly clueless in front of the most powerful wizard of the age. "I…I'm sorry, I just…" she stammered, feeling her heart sink in embarrassment.

Dumbledore waved off her apology with a dismissive hand, his expression softening. "No, no, don't take it personally. It's wizarding law that's at fault here, not you. The wizarding world severed ties with the muggle legal and economic systems centuries ago. It's hardly surprising that our brightest minds, particularly in law, might not be familiar with such concepts."

Andromeda felt a small wave of relief but was still acutely aware of the disheveled state she was in. Dumbledore, oblivious to—or perhaps ignoring—her discomfort, pulled a thick file of documents from within his cloak and handed it to Bob the Banker - who was a bit like Bob the Builder, but with more teeth and a meaner streak. The goblin took the papers, his initial wariness returning as he began to skim the contents. His eyes widened with every page, disbelief etched into his features. Finally, he looked up at Dumbledore, his voice a low growl. "You were the one who wrote this?"

Dumbledore gave a modest shrug, though his expression was anything but humble. "I dabble," he replied.

Ragnok, however, was not convinced. He immediately barked orders in Gobbledegook, and within moments, two goblins specialized in muggle law were summoned. They arrived, their faces mirroring Ragnok's earlier incredulity as they pored over the documents.

"This level of integration…" one of the goblins muttered, his voice trailing off as he turned to Dumbledore. "It's going to be…difficult. Not impossible, but certainly not simple."

Dumbledore's smile turned icy, his charm taking on a sharper edge. "If it's too much trouble, I could always take my business to the Gnomes of Switzerland," he said, his tone laced with thinly veiled menace.

Ragnok stiffened, his scowl deepening. "There's no need for that," he snapped, clearly unwilling to let such a lucrative deal slip through his fingers. He barked another order, this time for the goblins to wake their muggle lawyer and call for three other goblins by name. As the flurry of activity continued around them, Andromeda could only stare, struggling to wrap her mind around the whirlwind she had been caught up in.

As the goblins bustled about, Dumbledore leaned in towards Andromeda, his voice adopting a more pedagogical tone. "The wizarding economy, my dear Andromeda, is, for lack of a better word, primitive. While muggles have developed complex financial systems, holding companies, and corporate structures, we've remained stuck in the past, relying on gold coins and barter. It's a mess, really. No credit markets, no proper investment infrastructure. We're lightyears behind."

He paused. "That's why this holding company is so important. It's a step towards modernization, towards bringing the wizarding world into the twenty-first century, so to speak. And, above all, because it profits me. But…Alright, Andromeda, let's get down to the dirty details—the wizarding monetary system. We have time. It's a bloody mess, to be frank. We use what's called commodity money—Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts. Real metals, real value, but with a twist that would make any muggle economist shit themselves. Unlike the old English system where coin values could fluctuate with metal prices, our conversion rates are fixed. One Galleon's worth 17 Sickles, and one Sickle's worth 29 Knuts. No matter what happens in the world, those numbers stay locked tight - as does the prices of commodities. The problem? This rigidity strangles the economy. When prices can't adjust, you end up with either overpriced crap nobody buys or underpriced shit that disappears faster than a Firewhisky at a Quidditch match. Fixed exchange rates - as we are stuck with when exchanging money with other wizarding communities ? They're just as bad. They keep us trapped, unable to adapt to the real world. If the economy grows, we get hit with inflation because the currency can't appreciate. If it tanks, we can't devalue, so we're screwed both ways. It's like we're stuck in a financial straitjacket, unable to move. This is why we need to wake the fuck up—modernize, adapt, and introduce some goddamn flexibility before we're all broke and screwed."

Albus sighed. "You know why the goblins won the Goblin-Wizard wars - yes, I said won, not lost ? It wasn't because they're stronger—hell no, they're outgunned by any wizard with half a wand. It's because they're smarter. They've made us completely dependent on them. Gringotts is the only damn bank we've got. They control everything—minting money, storing gold, even currency exchange. But when it comes to lending? They don't give a flying fuck about that."

Andromeda's brow furrowed in confusion. "No loans? But how do wizards afford big purchases or start businesses?"

Dumbledore let out a derisive snort. "They don't. At least not in the way you'd think. There's no credit, no borrowing from a bank. If you need money, you've got to grovel to your friends or go to some shady usurer. It's all fucked up, really. Only the rich wizards, the ones with gold sitting in vaults, get to play the game. The ones who signed the armistice with the goblins and that are supposedly in "charge" of them. The rest? They're stuck scrounging or gambling like desperate idiots."

Andromeda shifted uncomfortably, her eyes flashing with a mix of anger and disbelief. "So, the goblins just rake in the profits without taking any risks?"

"That's right," Dumbledore growled. "The goblins have it all figured out. By not offering loans, they avoid the risks and just sit back, counting their gold. It's like a stranglehold on our economy, and they don't even break a sweat. The goblins were the real victors in the war, not because they out-fought us, but because they out-thought us. They've got us by the short hairs, and they know it."

Bob the goblin's muttering grew louder. The Chief Warlock was smarter and more informed than he thought. He would have to inform the Gringotts General Manager - or even the Goblin King, in Germany.

"And don't even get me started on pricing," he spat. "Because we don't have credit, wizards are stuck with cash, making big withdrawals from Gringotts once a year. That means prices are set in convenient, round numbers—5 Knuts, 10 Sickles, 30 Galleons—just to keep things simple. But this so-called convenience is a pain in the ass. Prices barely change, and when they do, it's like pulling teeth. This price rigidity is bullshit. It means that when things go to hell, like during the last war, prices can shoot up overnight, and there's nothing to stop it."

Andromeda looked shocked. "But what about foreign exchange? If the Galleon's worth so much less in muggle money, why isn't anyone taking advantage of that?"

"The goblins keep wizards dependent on them for everything, and that's why we're stuck in this economic stagnation. No growth, no innovation, just the same old bullshit year after year. And the worst part? The only reason they haven't taken complete control is because of the duopoly with the gnomes of Switzerland. Those greedy fuckers are the only ones keeping the goblins in check."

Bob the goblin, his eyes glinting with irritation, leaned forward from where he was perched on a stack of documents. "You do remember we're right here, yeah?" His tone was laced with not at all veiled annoyance.

Dumbledore turned his head slowly towards Bob, his lips curling into a sly grin. "Oh, I remember, Bob," he said, his voice smooth and teasing. "Just making sure everyone's on the same page."

"I'm called Ragnok, for fuck's sa…"

Before Bob could finish his retort, the heavy oak door creaked open, all eyes turning to the figure stepping in. A muggle in a sharp suit entered, though the crispness of his attire was slightly betrayed by the tired slump of his shoulders and the dark shadows under his eyes. His tie was loosened, and he looked as though he'd been wrestling with paperwork and bureaucracy for days on end. Bob's demeanor shifted instantly, from annoyance to polished professionalism. "Ah, just in time," he said, his voice adopting a businesslike tone. "Allow me to introduce Adam, our muggle lawyer specializing in society and commercial law."

Adam adjusted his tie and stepped further into the room, his eyes scanning the unusual gathering until they landed on Dumbledore. For a moment, his tiredness seemed to evaporate as recognition lit up his face. "Albus? Bloody hell, is that you?"

Dumbledore's eyes widened with delight, and a broad smile spread across his face. "Adam, my man!" he exclaimed, rising from his chair with unexpected agility. The two men approached each other, and instead of a simple handshake, they launched into an intricate, rapid-fire secret handshake—claps, snaps, twists, and a final bump of the fists that ended with a flourish. As the handshake ended, Dumbledore pulled Adam into a quick hug, laughing heartily. "Never thought I'd see the day we'd meet again in such a place," Dumbledore said, clapping Adam on the back.

Adam chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. "No kidding! What are the odds? The last time I saw you, you were doing the limbo at that nightclub, and now this… Whatever 'this' is."

Dumbledore winked, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Ah, yes. That was a night to remember. Who knewI was the king of the dance floor? Fucking kidding ! Of course I am!"

Bob, still trying to process the surreal scene, decided it was best to steer the conversation back on track. "So, you two know each other," he said, his tone flat but probing.

Adam turned to Bob, still grinning. "Oh, we go way back—well, at least a few nights back. Albus here was the life of the party. You wouldn't believe it, but I've never seen anyone do the limbo quite like him."

Dumbledore chuckled again, his laughter rich and warm. "I've always believed in keeping things limber—whether it's my back or the economy," he said, his tone turning slightly more serious as he nodded toward the goblins. "Speaking of which, that's exactly why we're here."

Andromeda, who had been watching the exchange with increasing interest, finally spoke up, her voice soft but curious. "So, what's the plan, exactly? And why do I feel like I'm still missing something?"

Adam, meanwhile, was still engrossed in the stack of documents before him. His eyes moved quickly over the pages, and his expression gradually shifted from curiosity to outright admiration. Finally, he looked up, a mix of disbelief and respect in his tone.

"Alright," Adam began, leaning forward, "let's make sure we're all on the same page. What you're proposing isn't just big—it's a sui generis structure. There's nothing like it in the wizarding world. You're talking about creating a holding company, but the concept itself doesn't even exist here yet. You want to structure this entity to include a trust, venture capital, a fund, a university or lab, a…paramilitary organization ? - and leave room for further expansion, all with a starting capital of thirty million pounds, so about four millions galleons. That's… monumental."

Andromeda's eyes narrowed slightly as she turned her gaze to Adam. "Wait a minute," she said slowly, her voice filled with sharp curiosity. "You're a muggle? How do you know so much about our world, let alone wizarding law?"

Adam smiled. "Let's just say I have a knack for uncovering things most people think are hidden. And the goblin told me, also. And when it comes to legal matters—especially ones involving a lot of money—I'm the guy you want. The goblins are more flexible with the Statute of Secrecy when there's money at stake - even though you're actually the first British they call me for. Usually, it's French or Germans."

Dumbledore chuckled. "The goblins are pragmatic, Andromeda. The Statute of Secrecy bends when it needs to, especially when it serves their interests."

Adam, still focused on the task at hand, nodded thoughtfully. "Given the unique nature of what you're proposing, the typical approach would be a Private Limited Company. It's clean, efficient, and allows for the creation of subsidiaries under one umbrella. But if you're not concerned about tax efficiency—"

Dumbledore cut in, his tone brusque. "I don't give a damn about tax efficiency, Adam. I'm the lawmaker, here. I vote the taxes. I need something that works in both the wizarding and muggle worlds. Flexibility, control, and the ability to bridge these two worlds seamlessly—that's what matters."

Andromeda's mind buzzed with the thrill of a new idea. "Adam, we're thinking too conventionally here," she began, "A simple trust isn't enough. What if we create a dual-structured entity? Imagine this: a core trust operating under wizarding law, paired with a holding company registered in the muggle world. The trust would manage all magical assets and operations, while the holding company would oversee our ventures and investments in the muggle realm. And we could make a…flexible use of magic to ensure we don't pay much - or at all - taxes."

She let the idea hang in the air for a moment, watching as Adam's brow furrowed, then slowly relaxed into an expression of intrigued understanding.

"Two entities," Andromeda continued, her voice gaining momentum, "legally separate, but functionally intertwined. Contracts and agreements would bind them, allowing for seamless cooperation and asset transfers. This way, we maintain the secrecy of our magical operations while staying fully compliant with muggle regulations. If one system faces a hurdle—legal, economic, whatever—the other can keep us steady. It's a safety net and a power boost rolled into one."

Adam leaned back in his chair, a slow grin spreading across his face. "That's bloody brilliant, Andromeda. You're talking about a symbiotic relationship between the trust and the holding company. The trust keeps our magical dealings discreet, shielded from muggle oversight, while the holding company dives into muggle markets, manages investments, and even interacts with muggle governments if necessary. It's a perfect balance."

Andromeda gave a small, satisfied smile. "Exactly. This structure does more than just protect our assets—it opens up vast new opportunities. We could tap into muggle financial markets, invest in cutting-edge technologies, and even form partnerships with muggle institutions. All the while, our magical interests stay secure, hidden behind the scenes."

Dumbledore, who had been listening, leaned back, a slow, approving smile spreading across his face. "This is precisely the kind of forward-thinking we need, Andromeda. I knew I made the right choice in recruiting you. A dual-structured entity like this would form the cornerstone of everything we're building. It gives us the ability to move fluidly between the two worlds, wielding influence in both, with none of the usual constraints."

Adam was already nodding, his mind clearly racing ahead to the possibilities. "With Miss Andromeda Black as the trustee of the wizarding trust and CEO of the muggle holding company, we'll have the leadership to steer both sides of this venture. This isn't just innovative—it's transformative. Miss Black, we'll need to get you set up with a muggle identity. Fake IDs, papers, the whole nine yards, so you can slip into the muggle world without anyone batting an eye."

Andromeda's face flushed a deep pink, and she shifted slightly in her seat. The cool air in the room made her all too aware of her attire—or rather, lack thereof. Her pajama top, adorned with adorable teddy bears, clung to her. She took a breath, then, with a bit of a sheepish grin, confessed, "Actually… I've already got that covered."

Adam's eyebrows shot up. "Wait, what? You've already got a fake muggle identity?"

Andromeda nodded, the blush on her cheeks deepening. "Yeah, well… Before I married Ted, I had to blend in with his muggle family. They didn't know a thing about magic, and there was this one time we went on vacation together—by plane. I needed to fit in, so I made myself a muggle ID. Kept it up to date, just in case."

Dumbledore leaned back in his chair, clearly delighted. "Andromeda, you're a marvel. And I'm not talking about your perky nipples. Well, not only" - he said the last part under his breath, of course.

Andromeda gave a modest shrug, though the blush remained, as did the persistent chill. She crossed her arms over her chest, trying to ward off the cold and the more visible signs of it. "I just didn't want to make things complicated for Ted's family. They had no idea about the magical world, and I didn't want to stick out. I never thought it would be useful for something like this."

Adam's grin widened, but then his gaze flicked over her outfit, or lack thereof. "By the way, Miss Black…Forgot to ask, but… why exactly are you in pajamas?"

Andromeda's eyes widened, and she looked down at herself. The teddy bear pajamas, the chilly room… She laughed, albeit a bit awkwardly. "Oh… well…"

Thanks for reading. Chapter 36 to 42 published on the P-site finishing .