"What I mean is," the Prime Minister leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, and looked directly into Fudge's eyes.
"Your Ministry of Magic can give the Gaul Ministry of Magic some... assets, or some benefits, anything, as long as it allows the Gaul Ministry of Magic to influence decision-making in certain parts of Gaul."
Fudge's brow furrowed even more. "What decisions will it affect?"
"Get them to relax some policies toward Great Britain," the Prime Minister said, his tone as flat as if he were stating a routine matter.
"In trade and finance, it's all fine. The Europe Community is currently pushing for monetary integration, and I need Gaul to not contradict me on this matter."
Fudge fell silent.
His expression was complicated, like someone had stuffed a mouthful of lemons into his mouth.
As a politician who had spent half his life in the Ministry of Magic, he certainly understood what the Prime Minister was saying.
This is no longer a simple "compensation"; it's about him using his connections with the Ministry of Magic to interfere in Muggle politics.
Does this violate the International Statute of Secrecy?
Strictly speaking, it doesn't violate the law, because the International Statute of Secrecy only governs the Wizarding World from being exposed to Muggle, regardless of whether wizards can secretly influence the decisions of Muggle governments.
In fact, the Ministry of Magic of various countries have been doing similar things in secret, but no one has ever brought it out into the open.
The problem is, this shouldn't have been brought up by the Prime Minister.
This made Fudge feel subtly uncomfortable.
"This..." Fudge hesitated for a moment, carefully choosing his words.
"Prime Minister, this is not a decision I can make alone. The Ministry of Magic Ministry of Magic its own rules, and I cannot go directly to—"
" Mr. Fudge," the Prime Minister interrupted him for the third time.
This time, the Prime Minister's tone changed.
"I just managed to keep the entire cabinet in check for you, as well as the Ministry of Defence, MI5, and the London Metropolitan Police."
"I didn't even tell my secretary the truth. I saved the Ministry of Magic's reputation and your job."
He paused.
"Now you're telling me you can't do it?"
Fudge pursed his lips.
"I'm not saying it's impossible," he said softly. "I mean... this will take time, it will require coordination, and the Gaul might not be willing to cooperate—"
"Then let it be willing," the Prime Minister said.
His tone was calm, but the temperature in his eyes had dropped even further.
" Mr. Fudge, we all need to 'get through this together.' Do you agree?"
"Of course, but..."
"So I'm giving you a chance so we can both get through this unscathed, instead of ending up with both of us hurt."
Fudge's back was soaked with cold sweat.
Looking at the Muggle Prime Minister in front of him, he suddenly realized that he had made a huge mistake.
He used to think that the Muggle Prime Minister was easy to deal with, an ordinary person who knew nothing and could only sit in the office signing documents.
As long as you give him some face and a little something in return, you can get rid of him.
But at this moment he realized that the man in front of him had never relied on luck to rise to the position of Prime Minister in the political quagmire of Britain.
"I understand." Fudge finally spoke, his voice much lower than before, carrying a sense of difficult compromise. "I will coordinate with the Gaul."
The Prime Minister nodded, his expression softening somewhat.
"Very good," he said, leaning back in his chair. "Then it's settled."
"I will instruct the Foreign Office to keep a low profile and not let anyone know that this matter is related to you."
Fudge gave a wry smile.
"I've taken such a huge burden for you, I should at least get something in return," the Prime Minister said casually, as if joking, but Fudge knew he wasn't.
"I understand," Fudge repeated, then hesitated before adding, "What about... what about the thirty Auror?"
"Let them leave," the Prime Minister said. "The sooner the better. Don't leave them in London."
"Okay, I'll arrange it when I get back."
"And one more thing," the Prime Minister suddenly called out to him.
Fudge turned around.
"Tell the International Confederation of Wizards," the Prime Minister's gaze was calm, but that calmness carried an indescribable weight, "That if you want to do anything in my city next time, you'll have to let me know first."
"Otherwise, I will never let these people off so easily next time."
Fudge looked at him and slowly nodded.
The flames in the fireplace turned green again, Fudge's figure disappeared into the flames.
The office returned to silence.
The Prime Minister sat alone at the table, watching the green light in the fireplace gradually fade, and finally a smile appeared on his lips.
Then he lowered his head, took out a blank notebook from the drawer, placed it on the table, and began to write.
Their prime minister has a long-standing habit of keeping a diary.
After all, they knew about the existence of the Wizarding World, which even contained magic that could alter memories.
Despite everyone's assertion that wizards in the Wizarding World would never cast spells on government officials such as prime ministers, prime ministers over the years have tacitly cultivated the excellent habit of keeping diaries.
At that moment, Fudge stood in the hall of the Ministry of Magic, his expression shifting between light and shadow.
He readily agreed to the prime minister's terms, because he had no choice; that Muggle Prime Minister held too much leverage over him.
If this matter escalates, the International Confederation of Wizards will not let him off the hook.
But after returning to the Ministry of Magic, the more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt.
He walked into his office, closed the door, plopped down in his chair, covered his forehead with his hands, and let out a long, weary sigh.
" Gaul..." he muttered to himself, "I need to coordinate with the Ministry of Magic Gaul... How am I going to explain this to them..."
He raised his hand and pinched the space between his eyebrows.
Then his fingers stopped.
He suddenly thought of something.
The Prime Minister's suggestion was to have the Ministry of Magic grant the Gaul Ministry of Magic some assets, and then have the Gaul Ministry of Magic influence the decisions of the Gaul Muggle government.
It seems like they benefited from this, but what's the reality?
If the Gaul Ministry of Magic actually accepted the assets of the Ministry of Magic, then they would have a handle against them.
If the International Confederation of Wizards investigates this matter, the first entity to be held accountable will be the Ministry of Magic, and specifically Fudge.
He could then claim it was the Muggle Prime Minister who forced him to do it, but who would believe that?
Muggle Prime Minister forces you, are you going to drag the entire Wizarding World down with you?
"That Muggle..." Fudge murmured, his voice tinged with complex emotion, "Looks honest, but is actually Dumbledore."
He removed his hands from his face, leaned back in his chair, and gazed at the flickering magic lamp on the ceiling.
He sat there, watching the lamp gradually dim until only the faint light from the fireplace illuminated his tired, troubled face.