Wiltshire, on the outskirts of Chippenham.
Murphy and Lucius stood by a lake, looking at the new Malfoy Manor, which was about to be completed in the distance.
On the other side, Narcissa and the house-elf Becky were carefully helping Draco onto the flying broom.
"Poor old Rufus, he really should learn your skill of winning people's hearts." Lucius said, "When Draco saw the Sweep Six Stars, I dare say he forgot all the hatred for you burning down his house."
"I have always been good at satisfying other people's wishes." Murphy said.
"The Ministry is studying the candidate to replace Scrimgeour, who do you think it will be?" Malfoy asked.
"How can I guess that? I don't have many friends in the Ministry, so you should tell me."
"Normally, it should be Gadwin Robards. Usually, candidates for the position of Director of the Auror Office will serve as the Secretary of the Muggle Prime Minister for a period of time. On the one hand, they can understand some Muggle-related affairs, and on the other hand, they can establish contact with the Muggle Prime Minister to facilitate the handling of cases involving the Muggle world."
Murphy nodded. In fact, he knew about this. After the Umbrella Company was summoned, Murphy had been paying attention to the movements of the Prime Minister's Secretary.
And Mr. Gadwin was obviously also a power-hungry person. After hearing that Scrimgeour might resign, he immediately applied to be transferred back to the Auror Command. At this moment, he was looking forward to the position of Director of the Auror Office.
Thanks to his hasty departure, MI5 did not continue to put pressure on the Umbrella Company. After Patrick's various arrangements, the so-called "threat to national security" investigation soon came to nothing.
"From what you said, it may not be him this time?"
Malfoy nodded, "Gadwin Robards is not a big shot, he just has enough experience. Originally, Kingsley Shacklebolt was more competitive than him. But now Kingsley's reputation has plummeted, so naturally there is no possibility of competition."
Murphy thought for a while and asked, "Do you have a candidate?"
Malfoy hesitated and said, "I have a friend, Rasim Selwyn, who is also the captain of the Auror and has made great achievements. However, he is not particular about some things, so he is not liked by Scrimgeour and Crouch. But if we support him..."
"Okay, bring him here later and we will meet."
Malfoy was stunned, "Rasim's personality is a bit withdrawn, he doesn't like to meet outsiders..."
"Oh?" Murphy looked at Malfoy, "Are you sure he doesn't like to meet outsiders, or you don't want him to meet me?"
Malfoy was choked.
Murphy snorted, but he was not surprised. Lucius Malfoy was not a loyal guy, and he had no respect for him. It was natural for him to use Murphy's money to develop his own power. This was within his expectations.
"Besides, I'm an outsider?" Murphy chuckled and looked at Lucius. "You want to rely on my money to get to the top, but you don't come to see me, the sponsor. Isn't it too unkind?"
Lucius's thoughts were seen through, and he was a little embarrassed. "Yes, okay, then I'll bring him here tomorrow to meet him."
Murphy nodded and took out a small golden key from his arms. "This is the key to vault No. 9654. In the future, I will directly store our activity funds in this vault, and you can take it yourself."
Lucius reached out to take it, but Murphy withdrew his fingers. "However, only my friends deserve my support. Don't forget this."
After speaking, he put the key on the table and pushed it to Lucius.
"The position of Director of the Auror Office can be fought for by Rasim, but Crouch is unlikely to let this position go to someone else. He must have his own candidate." Murphy said, "However, the next Auror who becomes the Muggle Prime Minister's Secretary must be one of his own, no matter how much it costs. Do you understand?"
A Director of the Auror Office will cause some trouble to Murphy, but it is generally controllable.
But a Prime Minister's Secretary who can mobilize national power is something that the current umbrella cannot afford. The person in this position must be reliable.
"Understood."
Lucius also knew that Murphy's gold coins came from the Muggle society. This was his key and could not be lost.
If Scrimgeour had not used the Muggle Prime Minister's Secretary last time, Murphy's reaction might not have been so great.
But on the other hand, if this point is grasped, perhaps Murphy's lifeline can be grasped?
Thinking of this, Lucius subconsciously looked at Murphy's face, but the latter was also looking at him, with a pair of eyes as calm as a lake and as deep as the sea, which made Lucius feel a chill on his back.
Legitimate Psychic?
Is he reading my thoughts?
Has he even learned to use Legilimency without a wand?
He subconsciously kept his heart tight.
"Heh." Murphy chuckled. Lucius looked like that, even without Legilimency, he knew what this guy was thinking.
He stood up and was not going to waste his energy with this guy anymore.
He still had to form a force that was completely loyal to him. These former Death Eaters were all traitors and were really unreliable.
I don't know if Celica has found the village or discovered the Seed of the Heart.
"Oh, by the way, is your house elf still alive?" Thinking of loyalty, Murphy remembered a creature that was being punished because of him.
Lucius was stunned for a moment, "Huh? Dobby? Alive..."
"Send him to me."
It was just a disloyal house elf. Although Lucius was a little unhappy that he could not make Dobby execute the order to punish him until his death, he did not go against Murphy's wishes.
He dragged the dying house elf out with an iron chain and brought it to Murphy.
Dobby was originally skinny, and now he looked like a skeleton. Perhaps because of long-term self-punishment, there was a large bloody wound on his forehead. The wound was dirty and even began to rot.
At this moment, it was dragged by Lucius like a dead dog, and it didn't even have the strength to stand up.
"This guy is dying, are you sure you still want it?"
Murphy frowned slightly.
This is really a bit miserable.
"It doesn't matter. I'm actually quite curious about the structure of the elf. If it dies, I can still dissect it and have a look."
Lucius was speechless. Sure enough, those who can become the Dark Lord are not mentally normal.
"Dobby, you betrayed the Malfoy family. From today on, you are no longer the Malfoy family's elf. You are fired. This, Murphy Darkholm, is your new master. You go with him."
Lucius announced the transfer of his ownership in front of Dobby, and handed the other end of the chain to Murphy, "It's handed over to you, you can do whatever you want with it."
Dobby's pair of big glass-like eyes were already dim at this moment. Murphy doubted whether this guy heard what Lucius said just now.
But he didn't care. He picked up the house-elf's dirty pillowcase with one hand and weighed him in his hand. It felt easier than carrying a dog.
Say goodbye to this place, Dobby.
I'll take you home.
(End of this chapter)