Rufus Scrimgeour sat at his large oak desk in the dimly lit office of the Minister of Magic, sifting through a growing pile of documents. The recent developments around the new library and the magizoo had kept him busier than ever. Every day brought fresh challenges, and though Rufus thrived on managing them, today he found himself distracted. His mind wandered to the grand plans ahead.
A knock on the door snapped him back to the present. His secretary, Clara, entered with a letter in hand.
"Minister Scrimgeour, a letter has arrived for you. It’s from Newt Scamander," she said, placing the envelope carefully on his desk.
Rufus looked up, his interest piqued. "Thank you, Clara. I'll take it from here."
Once Clara had exited, Rufus broke the seal on the letter, unfolding the parchment. The distinctive, spidery handwriting of the famous Magizoologist filled the page.
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Dear Minister Scrimgeour,
I hope this letter finds you well. I have been following with great interest the progress of the new Magizoological facility you are building, and I must admit, I am both intrigued and excited by the potential it holds. A place where magical creatures can be safely kept, studied, and even tamed, similar to my own collection, is a dream many of us have long wished for.
I wanted to offer my assistance in any way that may be helpful. As you know, I have spent the better part of my life caring for magical creatures, some of whom are rather... temperamental. Should you require advice on managing the more dangerous or rare species, I would be more than happy to lend my expertise.
The idea of having a location akin to the magizoo, where wizards and witches can learn about these creatures without fear, is an exciting step forward. You are to be commended for seeing the importance of such a facility.
If you have the time, I would greatly appreciate a visit to discuss how I might be able to help. Please let me know if you’d be willing to meet.
Warm regards,
Newt Scamander
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Rufus read the letter twice, feeling the gravity of Newt's words. The legendary Magizoologist’s offer was not something to take lightly, especially given his unparalleled experience. A smile tugged at the corner of Rufus's mouth—having Scamander’s guidance in the magizoo project would lend it credibility beyond compare. But more than that, Newt had a way with creatures that few others could claim.
He reached for a fresh piece of parchment, his quill poised to write a response.
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Dear Mr. Scamander,
It is always a pleasure to hear from someone of your considerable expertise, and I must say, your offer of assistance could not have come at a better time. The magizoo is progressing swiftly, and while we have managed to assemble a strong team, your insights would undoubtedly elevate the project to new heights.
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I would be honored to have you visit the facility once construction is complete. There are many aspects of magical creature care that we are striving to perfect, and I can think of no one better suited to help guide us through some of the more delicate challenges.
I will arrange for a meeting at your convenience, and I look forward to discussing your ideas in more detail.
Thank you again for your kind offer. I hope we can work together to ensure the magizoo becomes a model for the future of magical creature care.
Best regards,
Rufus Scrimgeour
Minister of Magic
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Rufus sealed the letter, setting it aside for Clara to send. Just as he finished, another knock echoed from the door.
Clara entered once more, this time carrying an envelope embossed with the official crest of Gringotts.
"This just arrived from the goblins, Minister," she said, handing him the letter with a slight frown.
Rufus accepted it with a raised brow. Gringotts rarely sent correspondence unless it was of significant importance. Opening the letter carefully, he found a brief, terse note written in goblin script.
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To Minister Scrimgeour,
We acknowledge the recent financial arrangements made under your administration and wish to inform you that the funds previously allocated for the development of your public projects have been successfully transferred to the Ministry’s vaults.
However, certain minor delays in the processing of these transactions have been noted. We strongly advise immediate action to ensure that such matters are handled more efficiently in the future. The goblin community is watching closely.
Sincerely,
Ragnok
Head Goblin of Gringotts
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Rufus sighed. The goblins never missed an opportunity to remind the Ministry of their influence, but this particular note was not entirely unexpected. Ever since the public outcry over the Magizoo and the redistribution of old pureblood vaults, tensions with Gringotts had simmered beneath the surface. The projects were expensive, and even though much of the funding had come from those seized vaults, the goblins were growing impatient with bureaucratic delays.
He made a mental note to meet with his treasury team and ensure the finances were being handled properly. The last thing he needed was a rebellion from Gringotts on top of everything else.
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As the day wore on, Rufus’s office remained busy with visitors and updates. Several staff members came in and out, discussing plans for the grand opening. By late afternoon, the final correspondence of the day arrived—a short letter from a Ministry official.
Rufus unfolded it, scanning the familiar handwriting of Kingsley Shacklebolt.
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Dear Minister Scrimgeour,
I’ve reviewed the security measures for the grand opening of both the library and the Magizoo, and everything is proceeding as planned. I’ve stationed additional Aurors to patrol the grounds during the event, and we’re keeping a close eye on any unusual activity. Rest assured, there will be no disruptions on our watch.
Also, as requested, we’ve conducted a sweep of the surrounding areas for any lingering threats. All seems quiet for now, though I’ll continue to monitor the situation closely.
Best,
Kingsley Shacklebolt
Head of Auror Office
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Rufus placed the letter on his desk, feeling a sense of relief. With Kingsley’s efficient handling of the security, the grand opening would proceed without a hitch—or so he hoped.
Leaning back in his chair, Rufus allowed himself a brief moment of reflection. The public library, the magizoo, the delicate balance with the goblins, and now the potential collaboration with Newt Scamander—all of it was coming together. These were not just projects to him; they were the foundation for something greater. His legacy.
The soft knock on his door reminded him that the day was far from over. There was still much to do, and he couldn’t afford to slow down. But for the first time in a long while, Rufus Scrimgeour felt like he was building something truly lasting.
As he prepared for the next meeting, Rufus glanced one more time at the pile of letters on his desk. Each one represented a step toward a future that was beginning to take shape, and that thought was enough to keep him going.