Before being expelled from the Board of Governors, the Malfoy family was the most influential family on the board. Additionally, the many businesses under the Malfoy family's name are also among the families in British magical circles that pay the most taxes to the Ministry of Magic. The worst part is that Lucius Malfoy was also a 'loyal' Death Eater.
There are several seats in the Board of Governors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry that are like this, and that is precisely what makes Amos uncomfortable.
Once the war is ignited, Hogwarts serves as a symbolic banner, and whether this banner can be raised actually depends on the will of the opponent. Of course, Amos believes Dumbledore's judgment and always believes that Voldemort, who takes the restoration of the pureblood family glory as a banner, probably does not have such a vision. But it is a life-or-death struggle, and in any case, this kind of hidden trouble must be eliminated.
"What is your plan, Amos?"
Dumbledore is well aware that since Amos came to seek his support with this question tonight, it is likely that he has already thought of a plan. Moreover, when it comes to accumulating wealth, Amos certainly surpasses him.
"Before shedding the burden of the Board of Governors, Hogwarts must have its own industry --"
Amos said faintly.
"Before returning to Hogwarts, I had a talk with Remus. I hope he can help investigate all the essential supplies in the daily lives of ordinary people in the magical world and the workshops behind them as well as their actual controllers."
"I understand your idea, Amos, but you're expecting to knock over established products with a product that no one has seen before, oh, maybe you're planning to use your reputation as a guarantee, but that's probably still very difficult..."
Dumbledore furrowed his brow and said.
The bright candlelight could not pierce through Amos's dark and indistinct expression at the moment. Facing Dumbledore's doubts, he hesitated, hesitating whether to expose the entire plan or not, because if he did not get Dumbledore's support, that exposed plan would be equivalent to failure.
But quickly, Amos made a decision. If Dumbledore showed sincerity, then he too must show his sincerity. Mutual trust was the premise for joining hands to face the crisis.
"This is a complex plan --"
Amos spoke in a calm voice, and the coldness in his eyes made Dumbledore frown silently.
"Firstly, our initial goal is to free Hogwarts from external constraints, for which we must ensure that Hogwarts has its own industries."
"I sent Remus to investigate some of the production companies behind the materials that are essential to ordinary wizarding lives. I don't know who they all are, but I can predict that, in the end, this will certainly involve some of the families who are currently on the Board of Governors. I'm not trying to wipe out these families altogether, but there is one non-negotiable premise: we must not side with Voldemort. If anyone violates this premise, then this family and its businesses must become bankrupt, and Hogwarts will immediately take over the market after they leave, achieving the goal of establishing Hogwarts' own financial chain."
"Financial chain"
Dumbledore pondered over the word for a moment, his voice becoming heavy.
"How do you plan to ensure that, Amos? I believe others will not let Hogwarts take the profits from this vacated market."
"We need the support of the Ministry of Magic--"
Amos looked composed.
"We do not have the right to announce to the public that a certain family is involved in Voldemort's terrorist activities. Only the Ministry of Magic has the authority to make this announcement and close down all of this family's businesses, making them go bankrupt, while protecting Hogwarts' proxy in the process. Additionally, I believe that Remus would be an excellent choice as a proxy. He has lived a life of poverty for so many years and deserves to experience the luxuries of wealth."
"Remus will certainly be pleased with the arrangements you've made for him."
Dumbledore calmly said, not caring about Amos' private arrangements for Remus. What they were discussing at the moment was how to win a war, a war that concerned everyone's life and the future of the British magical world, that is, greater interests.
"But expecting your help on two issues -- the Greyback event and the Quidditch final -- to persuade Connelly to follow our orders is probably unrealistic."
Dumbledore keenly pointed out the problem in Amos's plan.
"I understand, and I am prepared --"
Amos spoke simply and directly.
Dumbledore's deep blue eyes settled on Amos's calm, unflappable face, his brow furrowed in thought. He understood what Amos's preparation was and was also very clear that Amos had made up his mind to do this.
Seeing Dumbledore's equivalent of an approval, Amos relaxed internally. He continued speaking,
"The cooperation of the Ministry of Magic is crucial, Headmaster Dumbledore. You must know that when Voldemort first gathered supporters, he waved the banner of restoring the glory of pureblood families, and only after gaining power did he reveal his true nature."
This is another approach against Voldemort: anyone who supports Voldemort will have all of their family's businesses sealed off. It's a choice between the madness of dreams and the family -- I'd like to see how many of Voldemort's Death Eaters are die-hard supporters."
This approach is a double-edged sword that will certainly affect the work and daily lives of ordinary people in the magical world. While Hogwarts can take over some of these businesses, it cannot fully take over them, and inevitably some will lose their jobs, so unless absolutely necessary, Amos will not rashly expand the scope of the attack.
"What a wonderful plan, little one --"
The smooth voice suddenly echoed in the dimly lit office, as Phineas Black, the great-great-grandfather of Sirius, combed his long white beard and highly praised it.
"But there is one problem you have not considered --"
Amos turned his head, bowed respectfully to the portrait of Fenrir, and assumed a posture of attentive learning.
"According to the ancient contracts signed between Hogwarts and the families on the Board of Governors, Hogwarts is not allowed to make money on its own. And Hogwarts' unilateral declaration of abolishing the Board of Governors also does not have any validity unless, Hogwarts can repay all the funds it has received since the contract was signed for hundreds of years, which is an unimaginable huge debt!"
Amos furrowed his brow, looking at the elderly figure across the desk, while Dumbledore nodded at him with a frown.
It makes sense, pureblood wizarding families are not fools. They wouldn't leave out measures to constrain Hogwarts.
A rhythmic tapping sound echoed in the office, it was Amos knuckling his fingers on the armrest, he leaned back and looked up at the artful relief sculptures on the ceiling of the office.
If such a contract exists, Hogwarts' unilateral declaration to abolish the Board of Governors is not valid. This means that some actions and statements of the Hogwarts Headmaster are constrained, and there is no way to repay the funds supported by Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry over hundreds of years. Then...
After a moment, Amos's brow relaxed.
"I think the pureblood families who signed this contract must have considered a situation, that is, how they should do when they want to get rid of Hogwarts."
"They can stop providing educational funds at any time, which means they have essentially severed their relationship with Hogwarts."
Phineas Black happily said.
"Oh, thank you, Headmaster Black --"
Amos smiled just as happily, looking into Dumbledore's deep blue eyes, and said briskly,
"This is the question of who among the two wizards who first use magic, in a standoff, if Voldemort doesn't think of using the Board of Governors to stop sending funds, Headmaster Dumbledore, we will send someone to remind him --"
(Chapter Complete)
