At first, after hearing Marvolio's story, Tver actually had little interest in the mother and daughter.
It was only because Marvolio said he wanted to help them a little that Tver had Evans look into them in passing, especially Joanne's background.
And the moment he did, things got interesting...
Joanne Rowling!
The surname Rowling meant something very different to Tver.
Of course, this mother's full name was only Joanne Rowling. She had given the middle initial K to her daughter, Catherine, Kathleen. Otherwise, it really would have come out as J.K. Rowling.
So Tver was only startled and suspicious. He still did not dare be completely certain that this was the woman who had written Harry Potter.
Naturally, Joanne had no idea why Tver had suddenly turned so serious. All she felt was that her private information had been dug through top to bottom, and now she was being questioned with such gravity.
"I assume you've already investigated me, so why bother asking?" she said, taking a somewhat displeased sip of tea.
And here she had actually had a fairly good impression of Tver.
"Please forgive me. What we're about to discuss is important enough that even I have to be cautious."
Tver had not originally intended to involve himself in this matter. Marvolio might be a bit ridiculous, but it was still a positive change, and there was no need to pick it apart.
But since he had run into a Madam Rowling by such a coincidence, whether she really was that Rowling or not, it would be a waste not to make use of the opportunity.
"I understand that you majored in classical literature at university and have tried your hand at writing. Have you ever thought about writing something a little more... fantastical?"
"I think reality is fantastical enough already. It doesn't need me making up stories on top of it." Joanne frowned and answered coldly.
Tver did not mind her coldness. If anything, he paid more attention to the stirrings beneath it.
In truth, according to what he had seen through Legilimency, Joanne had been supporting herself and Catherine all this time through clerical and writing work.
She had the ability, and she had the imagination to create.
"The truth is, I have a writing... commission I'd like to entrust to you."
Under Joanne's astonished gaze, a book flew out of Tver's tiny wallet and drifted down in front of her.
"I'll provide you with some fantasy stories, and your task will simply be to adapt them into something more accessible and easier for ordinary readers to understand..."
"As for payment, I can guarantee it will be enough for Catherine to attend any school in Britain, or anywhere else in the world, without financial worries, right up until the day she decides she no longer wants to study!"
Joanne's heart was immediately shaken.
The moment she heard the word commission, she had wanted to refuse. But then he mentioned Catherine, her one and only weak point, and she had no choice but to stop and think.
Her reason for refusing to cooperate with Tver in the first place had been to give Catherine a more stable life.
And now, if Tver was not lying... no, a man like him had no reason to lie to a struggling single mother like her...
Joanne had to admit she was tempted.
She glanced at the exquisite book floating in front of her. The handsome man on the cover seemed to come alive, flashing her a dazzling smile full of gleaming white teeth.
If this could give Catherine a better life, then what couldn't she do?
Summoning the last of a mother's courage, as though it took all the strength in her body, Joanne said, "You have to promise me that none of those strange things will have anything to do with Catherine, and that they will never harm her in the slightest!"
"To be honest, Madam Joanne, I don't want to deceive you. Neither I, nor anyone else in the wizarding world, can guarantee that." Tver smiled helplessly.
"That is precisely why I want you to spread stories about magic, madam. Magic is about to, and must, enter your world."
"The only thing I can guarantee is that this house currently contains two of the five most powerful wizards in the world. Marvolio and I will do everything in our power to ensure the safety of both you and Catherine."
"What do you mean?" Joanne stared at Tver in uncertainty. Years of clerical work had honed her instincts, and she could already tell that the task she was being asked to take on was far from simple.
"You want me... to use stories to spread word of your world?"
"I prefer to call it promotion, Madam Rowling." Tver was a little surprised by how sharp Joanne was in this regard.
But that sharpness would be a huge help in the work ahead, so Tver had no intention of hiding his true purpose.
Yes, whether this woman really was J.K. Rowling or not, Tver intended to make her into Rowling.
And to recreate, in this world, the same craze for magic.
"But... why? I mean, you're connected to the government, and you have abilities like these. You don't need publicity at all."
Joanne picked up the book and pointed at the moving picture on the cover, confusion plain on her face.
"On the contrary, madam. If you think back to how resistant you were to magic before, it should be easy to understand. People have an instinctive fear of the unknown."
Tver explained this with complete seriousness. Though this visit had begun as a whim, it was in fact a crucial point in his wider plan.
He wanted to test how people would respond to magic.
And this move was bound to attract the attention of the Ministry of Magic.
In Britain, that would not matter. Before long, the British Ministry of Magic would effectively be under his control.
But other countries were another matter entirely.
When the time came, this would serve as the opening signal that Tver was finally laying his cards on the table before the wizarding world.
Hearing him put it that way, Joanne looked a little embarrassed.
"I'm sorry for being rude earlier, but..." She held up the book in her hand. "Can simply adapting books for people to read really overcome their fear of the unknown?"
Sensing her attitude softening, Tver finally let out a quiet sigh of relief.
For some reason, when facing this Madam Rowling, he always felt oddly tense.
"Your work is a very important part of it, but there are many of us working hard to preserve peace in this world. I imagine you wouldn't want to see conflict break out between us, would you?"
"I understand. I'll do my best to complete the work you're entrusting to me."
Seeming to grasp the importance of her role, Joanne let out a long breath.
She still resisted the idea of strange powers intruding into their ordinary lives, but she wanted even less to see humanity descend into greater conflict through fear and self-interest.
"Thank you." Tver smiled, satisfied. "By the way, we've prepared an apartment for you in Mayfair..."
"No, no, I can't accept that. It's far too much!" Joanne refused in a panic.
Mayfair was the most luxurious district in London, perhaps in all of Britain. She could not afford so much as a toilet there, never mind an entire flat.
"You misunderstand. I only want you to focus on writing. Once the assignment is complete, you're free to move out whenever you like."
To say she wasn't tempted would have been a lie.
It was just that...
Looking at Tver's friendly, harmless-looking smile, Joanne fell silent.
"..."
Tver immediately understood what that silence meant, and cheerfully said, "Thank you for understanding."