---
Chapter 69: The Threat from the Ministry of Magic
The Astray Siblings' tour was a massive success.
In just seven days, they achieved everything they aimed for—earning a staggering fifteen million.
Audrey couldn't stop smiling.
She had been ridiculously naive before. If she had realised earlier how effective scarcity marketing was, why would she have spent years performing everywhere like a workhorse?
Now, she only needed to appear occasionally, and not only did her income skyrocket—her commercial value actually increased.
Sure enough…
what people can't have is always the most desirable.
Humans were just like that.
When she was constantly performing, no one valued it. Now that she appeared less often, people were willing to throw absurd amounts of money just to see her once.
For example—
A performing arts company in the United States had invited the Astray Siblings for a tour.
Audrey refused.
The result?
Their offer changed every single day.
Now it was January 8th, 1992.
Her appearance fee had risen from one million dollars per show… to six million.
Peter Waterman wasn't short-sighted either. He declined the offer, citing Audrey's need to continue her studies.
His plan was simple—and smart.
Wait until summer.
By then, her value might rise even further.
---
Although Audrey didn't get much rest during Christmas, she had zero complaints.
That was nearly ten million in profit.
If she wanted rest, she had all the time in the world at Hogwarts anyway.
And she still had two days left at home.
Everything felt perfect—
Except for one thing.
Snape.
Still annoyingly present.
---
That peaceful mood didn't last long.
Because someone unexpected arrived at the Astray Manor.
The current Minister for Magic—
Cornelius Fudge.
He was short and stout, with greying curly hair firmly pressed under a dark green bowler hat.
At first glance, he looked harmless—almost overly friendly.
Not at all like someone standing at the very top of the British wizarding world.
"Hello, Miss Astray."
Fudge removed his hat with a smile.
"This is our first meeting. I'm delighted—truly delighted. I'm a great admirer of your work."
---
Audrey already knew he was coming.
An owl had delivered notice beforehand.
"Please, Minister, come in."
She led him into the living room, then called upstairs:
"Brother! We have a guest—play softly, please!"
The piano stopped immediately.
Fudge smiled.
"No need, no need. I quite enjoy conversation with music."
Audrey simply gestured for him to sit.
With a light motion of her hand, the teapot poured black tea into his cup—
wordless, wandless magic.
Fudge's eyes flickered with surprise.
"Remarkable… truly remarkable," he said.
"Silent, wandless casting at your age… Miss Astray, your talent is extraordinary. No wonder you were drawn to ancient magic at sixteen."
Audrey didn't respond.
She just waited.
---
Fudge cleared his throat.
"But I didn't come here merely to praise you."
His tone shifted.
"You are aware of the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery, I presume?"
"You've violated it."
Audrey shrugged.
Neither confirming nor denying.
Fudge placed a document on the table.
"This is a formal warning. If it happens again, you may face expulsion from Hogwarts."
---
Audrey smiled.
Then casually waved her hand.
Snacks and fruit flew in from the kitchen and arranged themselves neatly.
"Then I've just cast another spell, Minister," she said brightly.
"Go ahead—expel me."
---
Fudge froze.
This wasn't how this conversation was supposed to go.
He had no idea Dumbledore had worked to convince her to attend Hogwarts.
Audrey, on the other hand, genuinely didn't mind leaving.
If the Ministry expelled her?
Perfect.
She could leave Hogwarts and avoid causing trouble for Dumbledore.
Two birds with one stone.
"I've actually wanted to live in the United States," she added cheerfully.
"Hogwarts is full of ghosts. Terrible place, really."
---
Fudge stumbled.
"No, no—that's not what I meant…"
He forced a smile.
"The point is… respect for the law. Yes, respect for the Ministry."
"I've always respected the Ministry," Audrey replied smoothly.
"Otherwise, I wouldn't have agreed to attend Hogwarts at all."
---
Fudge took a sip of tea, regaining composure.
"Let's move on."
His tone turned serious.
"There's another matter."
He leaned forward.
"According to information from Gringotts, you possess a vault containing approximately one hundred thousand Galleons."
Audrey frowned slightly.
"Is depositing money illegal, Minister?"
"Of course not," Fudge said lightly.
"But… you were raised in the Muggle world. Where did such wealth come from?"
"There are limits to how much Muggle currency can be exchanged annually."
---
He paused.
Then dropped the real issue.
"A few months ago, a vault was reported robbed. The loss—one hundred thousand Galleons."
"The Ministry has opened an investigation."
"If you cannot explain the source of your funds… you may become a suspect."
---
A threat.
Clear and deliberate.
---
Audrey leaned back.
Calm.
Thinking.
If she revealed her identity as Hydras Lestrange, everything would disappear instantly.
But that wasn't an option.
Not yet.
The wizarding world still looked down on Muggles.
If she openly used a noble pure-blood identity while earning money in the Muggle world—
The backlash would be massive.
Audrey Astray could be a performer.
But Hydras Lestrange?
Absolutely not.
---
So she understood immediately.
This wasn't about law.
It was negotiation.
Pressure first.
Then a demand.
---
She smiled faintly.
"I understand, Minister."
"I have a legitimate source for that money—but it's my private matter."
Then she looked directly at him.
"Tell me what you want."
---
Fudge nodded.
Straight to the point now.
He took out an invitation.
"Gringotts wishes to explore a Nordic ruin."
"They approached you. You refused."
"The Ministry cannot ignore such a request."
---
There it was.
Audrey sighed inwardly.
So it came back to that.
---
"If you participate," Fudge continued,
"We will officially certify your wealth as legal."
---
Silence.
---
Audrey understood everything.
This wasn't just about Gringotts.
This wasn't just about money.
This was bigger.
---
A hundred years ago,
Ranrok led a goblin rebellion through force.
This time?
It was different.
Subtle.
Hidden.
Influence instead of open war.
Gringotts… the Ministry…
both already entangled.
---
And at the centre of it—
Ancient magic.
And her.
---
This wasn't just troublesome anymore.
This was dangerous.