Chapter 137: Ministry of Magic

"Oh, isn't this Mr. Tom?" Carl immediately raised his hands, made a look of surrender, and said sarcastically.

"It's been a long time since we last met. I didn't expect that after almost a year, I was arrested by you again."

"It seems that the Auror team of the British Ministry of Magic does have a few reliable elites."

Looking at Carl's clumsy performance, Professor Snape's eyes twitched wildly and he said with some dissatisfaction in his heart.

"Who did you learn this from? He is my student after all. How could he have such a strange habit?"

"I don't know who taught her to be so petty and vindictive."

But no matter how he complained in his heart, Professor Snape still showed his professionalism. He looked at the Auror expressionlessly and spoke.

"According to Chapter 3, Section 1, Clause 1 of the Anti-Corruption Regulations of the British Ministry of Magic, serving Ministry of Magic officials."

“You are not allowed to accept cash or magical items of equal value from other wizards in any way.”

"These are just three membership cards. They can only be used in fixed places. They don't have any magical properties."

"It cannot be regarded as cash. This behavior is not bribery at all, even if it is cash."

"The amount of bribes is also clearly stipulated. It must be more than 50 gold galleons at a time before a case can be filed."

"The total amount of these three cards will not exceed 45 gold galleons. No matter from which angle, this is not considered bribery."

Having said that, Professor Snape turned his gaze to the other Ministry of Magic officials behind the Auror.

At the risk of facial paralysis, he forced a smile and spoke calmly.

"I think all the elites of the Ministry of Magic must be aware of the regulations I just mentioned. The Hohenzollern School Director has prepared a sumptuous dinner for you."

"We have also prepared corresponding gifts for you, but due to the financial constraints of the academy, we can only give each person a consumption card worth 10 gold galleons."

"Please forgive me. Of course, this is also to avoid breaking the rules."

When they heard that they were also involved, the people who had remained silent immediately started talking one after another.

"Mr. Haiwei, the professor is right. This is in line with the irregularities of magic."

"That's right. No matter what the rules say, a polite gift between people cannot be taken so seriously."

"Stop it now! We are only here to investigate, and we have not actually convicted anyone. This behavior is not conducive to the next step."

Everyone was talking at once, and their words sounded high-sounding, but to the Auror, the more he listened, the more disgusted he felt.

Of course he knew that it was impossible to convict the guy in front of him based on the paper value of these cards.

He had conducted secret investigations and found that officials from the Ministry of Magic who held this kind of card only needed to go to fixed places to make purchases.

You can always participate in various lottery activities, and win various prizes according to the size of your official position.

The prizes seemed fine, but the problem was that after they got the prizes, they walked out of the venue.

There will be people who will buy it back at a high price for various reasons, even though the bronze crucible was originally worth only one gold galleon.

After going out, you will "accidentally" meet some antique dealers who will say that these are works of art from the Vienna period, and then buy them back at thousands or even tens of thousands times the price.

The officials of the Ministry of Magic have all reaped great rewards, and this situation has been going on for a long time.

Even according to the size of the official position, a set of established routines has been formed, and I have written reports to my superiors many times.

But all his efforts fell on deaf ears. Now he had a chance to compete with his opponent face to face, and he really didn't want to miss it.

The situation remained at a stalemate until old Crouch took the three cards from Tom.

After leaving one for himself, he started distributing them on the spot. Jonathan standing by did not show any intention of refusing.

But when he handed it to Tom, the young man's face turned red and he roared angrily.

"I don't want it. I will never accept such illegal income. An Auror from the Ministry of Magic will never touch such dirty money."

After this roar, the behavior of everyone present changed. Carl took back his raised hands and looked at the other party with a playful smile.

Professor Snape still had no expression on his face, old Crouch looked a little strange, and the Auror named Jonathan.

As his cheeks twitched wildly, there was a hint of anger in the look he gave his companions.

As for the others, the Ministry of Magic officials, led by the pink toad, all glared at the Auror.

Destroying someone's financial resources is like killing their parents. This statement is applicable to any human group. No matter how great the magic is, it can never change people's hearts.

Some of these Ministry of Magic officials were staring closely at the card in old Crouch's hand.

Some people stared at the Auror closely, the meaning was very clear: if this guy didn't take the money, then things would be bad.

After all, if you don’t take it, how can I take it? If I don’t take it, how can the ones above take it?

Old Crouch, who was the apparent leader, also felt this atmosphere and sighed helplessly.

He walked straight up to Tom, stuffed the card into his shirt pocket, slapped him hard, stared at him and said.

"Shut up, this is not some shady income, it's just some courtesy gifts."

"It's important that you can abide by your principles, but it's even more important to learn to get along with others and not reject other people's kindness."

"After you return, write a work report and submit it, and reflect on yourself."

With the leader's determination, the atmosphere, which was somewhat depressing just now, instantly became hot, and the officials of the Ministry of Magic no longer had the sour faces like before.

They took turns walking up to Professor Carl and Snape, shaking hands with them and accepting each other's courtesy gifts.

After that, there was a long and boring exchange of pleasantries. After all, the officials of the Ministry of Magic were not very efficient.

It would be a bit difficult for them to start working as soon as they arrived.

Until nightfall.

Karl snapped his fingers lightly in the center of the magnificent reception room.

Immediately, a rectangular table appeared out of thin air, covered with luxurious purple velvet and hand-carved rosewood chairs.

As well as sterling silver tableware and gorgeous gold plates, cards with the names of the guests were placed in front of each seat early on.

As for the food, there is no need to say more, there is the most expensive caviar from the Russian Black Sea, Iberian ham from Spain, and Angus steak from Argentina.

It can be said to be extremely luxurious, with all the finest food.

Faced with such a lavish meal, the officials from the Ministry of Magic took their seats impatiently, their previous aggressive attitude gone.

In just a few short hours, they disappeared without a trace. Professor Snape and Carl looked at the group of guys in front of them.

They all couldn't help but show disdainful expressions, but there were always a few outstanding guys in the crowd, such as the Auror named Tom.

It just stood in the corner and seemed unwilling to sit down to eat. And there was also the pink toad, which sat at the very edge with an ugly expression on its face.

The angry look coupled with that big face really makes people feel disgusted when looking at it.

When everyone was about to take their seats, Carl, as the host, prepared to go to the table.

But before sitting down at the table, Carl deliberately turned his head to look at Professor Snape beside him and asked softly.

"Do you think these preparations can feed these guys? Do you think they will attack me while they are eating?"