The Baal

---- 30. September 1990 Castle of Merlin ----

Alex Lake POV

After I finally got a look at who welcomed us. Alex recognized him it was the minister of magic "Cornelius Fudge". Alex looked at him and from what he read about him he has no real power. Alex then looked around and recognized the three factions. The light faction was on the left side of the room. On the other side was the dark side or how they like to call themself "Pure faction". In the middle of the room was the neutral faction. If Alex had to choose he would choose the neutral faction.

"Hello, Minister. Tanks to you for the invitation" His aunt said with slight amusement in her voice "I am mostly here tonight to introduce my nephew Alex to the more influential member of our society. He is a candidate for heir position of the family as he was recognized early on and didn´t pass any of our Tests." She then introduced the man. "Alex, this is Minister Fudge he has sworn this year," She said to me.

It is a pleasure to meet you for the first time Minister" I said politely and introduced myself so that everyone could hear us "I am Alexander Charles Lake, candidate for Heir of House Lake and I will be beginning my first years at Hogwarts. My introduction got quite a bit of attention since most people didn´t know much about our Family only that we appeared after the war and took over much of Industries which were destroyed.

"Why did you bring him here this early isn´t it normal that he would have introduced himself next year" Exclaimed the minister in shock as he was trying to understand why I am introduced this early. Normally you would only bring kids who are going on the next day to Hogwarts, not next year. "Yes that was our plan but we want to let Alex go towards Hogwarts without any information of who which faction the kids are part of. We see it as a test.

This got quite a few people thinking that it wasn´t such a bad idea as it could indeed make their kids better in politics and let them prove themself.

After that short meeting, we head out and start mingling with some people. I was introduced to Rufus Scimegour, current Head of the Auror office. He was also a man I could respect. His career is almost only directed towards hunting dark wizards. Next, I was introduced to the leader of the "Pure Faction" Lucius Malfoy. I made a quick remark towards myself that the faction seemed to be split and had no real Leader. The next one was the Neutral leader Rudolph Greengrass. If I had to guess where our Family stands it would be the neutral side, but more to the light side.

After sometimes when I was alone without my aunt. I met someone who I never had such a strong dislike for. From our reports, she was someone that takes Blood fanatic towards the next level. She came forward to me and spoke with a high pitch word "Ah, young Alex. I hope I can talk to you." I mentally prepared myself before answering with the most friendly tone I could muster: "Undersecretary Umbridge. what do you want from me? Someone as busy as you didn´t just come to exchange pleasantry. "This surprised her a bit. "You are right. I wish to speak about your family treating Purebloods. You sell them your products often more expensive than to others.

Alex asked, "why are you coming towards me with such a request my Aunt is still the one who manages all stores." Umbridge answered with no shame in her tone "I wanted to show you how unjust your Family deals with things." Suddenly Alex started to laugh loud enough for all to hear him and started to look at him. Alex then started to load enough for all to hear. " Dear Undersecretary, first of all, we as a noble family are allowed to regulated prices as long as we got a good reason. And from what I read the Malfoy once said as a reason and I quote "they are not deserving of our products and the ministry accepted that reason.

Umbridge started to get red turned around and almost shouted: "this is not over" After a while, his Aunt came towards Alex and asked "enough fun?" Alex nodded but nonetheless answered "The real fun while only come later" His Aunt raised her eyebrow and asked, "so you already figured out our plan?" To that Alex only struck his shoulder and said: "After the war, we brought everything we could get our hands-on. Right now there is no Industrie that we don´t partly own. And the Purebloods can´t touch us because they were their shops before us."

His aunt seemed proud and nodded and said "Yes you are right. Next month I and your Mother are going to start teaching you business and after your second year, you are going to take one shop Branch and are going to supervise it.

Alex signed and thought at least I will at least have almost three years before I have to take part in politics. With these thoughts, Alex day ended.