Accord Ⅲ

After the uttered sentence of Sanderson, Minister Jenkins stiffens rigidly in understanding at exactly what that meant. "And if that is indeed the case, Mister Sanderson, then why have you come here? Surely, you would know that you would be delivering yourself into the very hands of the law."

"Improbable," Sanderson instantly replied. "There is no proof that I have ever committed a crime. Believe me, when I state this for Ogden has tried on more than one occasion, since the very start of his career as an Auror, but still has never managed to convict me."

"That's because the proof or the witnesses always vanish at the end!" Ogden roared back.

"Control yourself, Ogden," Minister Jenkins said with a frown. "It is most unbecoming of one of your stature."

Ogden flushes with anger and embarrassment. "Yes, Minister," Ogden grumbles, but not before flashing Sanderson a hate-filled glare.

Minister Jenkins studies Sanderson for a moment, before walking over to take the open seat beside him. Ogden moves to protest, but a stern glance from the Minister keeps him silent. "If what I have learned in the last few minutes is true, you are an extremely dangerous wizard, Mister Sanderson. But what do you want with me?"

"Respectability," Sanderson immediately replied. "I wish to become a legitimate business. In exchange, I will turn in all small-time criminals, illegal dealers, including outing any wizard or witch, wanted for a felonious crime. And I will cease to commit any transaction that is not strictly condoned by the law on said premise and will even go as far as to permit Auror's to routinely check the ledger, so to speak."

Naturally, he would have his own bookkeepers cook the account books in such a way that off-book transactions could never be traced. And he had no problem turning in murderers it had been many years since he actively sanctioned hits. Rather he was an intermediary that facilitated the meeting of two parties that shared an equal interest in matters of the heart. It was a public service, really.

"You can't believe in anything that this monster says, Minister,' Ogden roared as he pulled out his wand, pointing it right at Sanderson. "I should have killed you, where you stood that day, Murderer!"

"Put your wand away, Ogden," Minister Jenkins sternly ordered. "Don't make me repeat myself twice, Ogden."

Gashing his teeth together, Ogden finally puts his wand away, but not before saying, "He's the devil, Minister Jenkins. Nothing this vile brute says can be taken for granted, there is always a catch!"

"That may very well be the case, Ogden," Minister Jenkins said as she critically assessed the elderly ma before her. "But he is old now, and an evil brute like him will have made plenty of enemies in his lifetime. And a lion sooner or later is always taken down by a newer foe."

"How very perspective of you, Minister Jenkins," Sanderson said with a thin smile. "I knew that I liked you for a reason, and that's exactly why I voted for you to remain in office."

"Do not attempt to patronize me, Sanderson," Minister Jenkins sharply retorted. "I am in no mood to hear such empty flattery."

Leaning back in her chair, Minister Jenkins crosses her legs in front of her. "Very well, let us get down to business. Hypothetically speaking of course, if I accept such an offer, when will the transaction take place?"

"Within three fortnights at the latest," Sanderson instantly replied. "I will see to it that every single last scrap of information is delivered. And will personally wrap them all up for you with even a neat bow and tie if the Minister would prefer?"

Minister Jenkins taps her finger against the arm of her chair, before saying, "If said information can be corroborated, then you will receive an official business license from the Ministry to deal in rare goods not typically available on the open market. However, it will be tightly regulated and subjected to spontaneous visits."

"Naturally," Sanderson said without a trace of fear. "But if that is the case, I request that I have a friendly pair of Auror's sent to check the premise. I would hate to imagine the kind of damage that could be done to my shop or customers by Ogden and his lackeys."

Minister Jenkins purses her lips, but not before saying, "I can arrange that. However, there are no illegal transactions to occur on the premise nor sanctioned hits."

"Of course," Sanderson said with a pleasant grin.

Naturally, that would not be a problem to fulfill as he merely was an intermediary dealing in the matters of the heart. And he would keep his word on not allowing any illegal transactions to occur on the premise of his legitimate business. He simply would ensure that said transaction occurred at another place of business.

Minister Jenkins appears not to be convinced by Sanderson's reply. "Sanderson, do not take me for a fool, if I learn any hint that you have played me, I will allow Ogden to take your head, and the law be damned," Minister Jenkins coldly said.

Ogden flashes Sanderson a thin veiled bloodthirsty smile as Sanderson says, "On the contrary, I would think less of you, Minister Jenkins if you did not do so. But do not worry, Minister, as you have said before I am old, and it is time I move on to better things in life."

Rising to his feet, Sanderson adds, "It's been a pleasure Minister and Auror's, but I have a business to consolidate. I will see myself out." Pulling on his cowl, he silently leaves the same way he had come.

With the door firmly shut behind him, Minister Jenkins slowly says, "He's a wily one. Is there any chance that he won't attempt to play us?"

"Not a chance, Minister," Ogden bitterly said. "Sanderson is an evil bastard that should have been caught long ago. But every single time, you think you have the end of his tail, he cuts his tail loose and pops up elsewhere. He's like a slimy lizard like that."

Minister Jenkins slowly nods her head, before saying, "Well, he does not appear to a liar if albeit a murderer. I have no doubt he will deliver on his end, but if that is the case, I want this to be perfect without a single trace of doubt. And in the future, any dealings with him must be carefully noted and watched."

"Yes, Minister," both men said.

Sighing, Minister Jenkins rises to her feet, and says, "Try to rest gentlemen for tomorrow will be a long day with the announcement of Harold Minchum's death."

"Of course, Minister," the two Auror's said as they waited for the Minister of Magic to leave the office.

The instant the door shuts behind her, Ogden turns to Elphinstone and snaps, "Just where are you thinking, Elphinstone? Are you mad?!"

"No," Elphinstone deadpanned. "But we must limit the power which Sanderson wields in the future and find a way in which to actively keep track of him. And whether he realizes it or not, he is one of us now. And sooner or later, someone will challenge him, which means, he will have to come to us, and he will owe us."

Ogden looks almost mildly impressed, before saying, "But this is Sanderson, we are speaking about, Elphinstone. He's a devil through and through no matter how kindly he looks now."

"I know that, Ogden," Elphinstone said with a sigh. "But I'm a Slytherin, and I can sneak with the best of them."

"Better you than me," Ogden admitted being a Gryffindor himself.

"So, how's the engagement going?" Ogden asked earning a groan from Elphinstone. It was a low blow from Ogden, but he wanted to vent. It was not every day that he met with his lifetime foe.

"How in Merlin's name does gossip around here travel through on the wings of the very wind?" Elphinstone huffed. "Do they have nothing better to do with their time?!"

Ogden shrugs, before saying, "Either way, we expect a bachelor party, Elphinstone. It'll be good to get out from under the wife's feet."

Elphinstone groans already imagining the rowdy scene. Darkly chuckling to himself, Ogden departs leaving Elphinstone with his head slumped against his desk in exasperation. Elphinstone knew that this was only the start of everything was to come. He knew for certain that soon he would be on the receiving end of practical pranks, teasing, jests, and much more. Still, he would never regret his engagement to his Minerva. And with a goofy smile on his face he returned to sorting through the paperwork on his desk.