Chapter 10: My Family Are Experts
Chapter 10: My Family Are Experts
Gabriel Truman was at his wits' end and had no choice but to accept Albert's suggestion. Expulsion from Hogwarts was an outcome he could not bear to face.
After sending off the owl with the letter, Truman watched it fly away and turned to Albert, his face freckled with worry, now calming down a little from Albert's reassuring presence. "Do you really think that will be enough?" he asked.
"The school must be shocked as well," Albert replied. "I'm sure they won't expel a student without figuring out what really happened." His calm demeanor seemed to infect Truman, who was gradually regaining his composure.
"Can I take a look at the letter?" Albert asked.
"Oh, sure. What a mess this is," Truman said with a bitter laugh. "I was already warned by the Ministry of Magic once during the summer after my first year for using magic in front of my family."
He handed the letter to Albert and explained, "Hogwarts students are not allowed to use magic outside of school."
"Then why wasn't Albert warned after he used magic?" Nia asked, puzzled.
"He probably hasn't officially started school yet," Truman replied, though he wasn't entirely sure himself.
"There must be some loophole," Albert said as he began to read the parchment:
"Dear Mr. Truman, We have received intelligence that at 10:40 a.m. today, you performed a Hover Charm in front of a Muggle in a Muggle residential area.
Albert's emotions became complicated as he read this part, knowing exactly who the mentioned Muggle was. He took a deep breath to steady himself before continuing.
"This behavior is in serious violation of the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery. In light of your previous formal warning for breaching Section 13 of the International Confederation of Wizards' Statute of Secrecy, we regret to inform you that you must attend a hearing at the Ministry of Magic at 10 a.m. on August 17th.
If the charges are proven, you will be expelled from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and your wand will be destroyed by the Ministry.
Yours sincerely, Mafalda Hopkirk
Improper Use of Magic Office
Ministry of Magic"
"I suggest that after this matter is resolved, you file for mental compensation from the Ministry of Magic," Albert said, drawing on his family's legal expertise to find loopholes.
Truman was stunned, still trying to process what was happening, and now Albert was talking about seeking compensation from the Ministry?
"I'm sure the Ministry has ways to monitor your surroundings, but they can't pinpoint who performed the magic," Albert continued. "My sister and I only arrived here a few days ago for the summer holidays, and because you happened to stumble upon us, the Ministry assumed you cast the Hover Charm and decided to expel you. In fact, this is a serious mistake on their part, and this letter must have startled you. You almost lost control just now, and they should definitely pay for the mental distress caused."
"Yes, it's only reasonable to ask for mental distress compensation," Nia chimed in.
"My family are all lawyers, so I know more about these things than you," Albert continued persuasively. "Someone will definitely come or at least send a letter. For now, let's make sure your situation is clarified. Then, we'll express our dissatisfaction with the Ministry's mistake and demand compensation for the mental distress caused. Ask for 100 galleons."
"Isn't that too much?" Truman was taken aback by Albert's audacity.
"This is a reasonable amount," Albert said without hesitation. "At least 50 galleons would be appropriate. If they offer less, don't accept it, or they'll think they can get away with treating children lightly."
"If the Ministry doesn't pay up, I can write a letter to The Prophet and have them expose this anonymously. I'm sure they'd be willing to pay 50 galleons to keep it quiet. But then, you'd have to share half of the money with me as a fee for writing the letter." Albert's words made Truman realize just how capable and...extraordinary this boy was.
...
At Hogwarts, in the headmaster's office, Dumbledore had just received a notification from the Ministry of Magic. Gabriel Truman, a student with a prior record, was to face a hearing at the Ministry for performing a Hover Charm in front of a Muggle. If the Ministry's charges were proven, Truman would be expelled.
This was not good news. Truman already had a record from his first summer break when he was warned by the Ministry for using magic in front of his family.
As Dumbledore prepared to head to the Ministry to clarify the situation, a most peculiar owl arrived with a letter that piqued his curiosity.
The letter described Truman as having no involvement in the incident. It claimed that he had merely encountered a new student practicing the Hover Charm in the park, and the Muggle mentioned was the student's sister.
This didn't seem like a lie, as the letter included another letter from Albert Anderson.
In his letter, Albert expressed regret for any trouble caused to Truman and offered to testify if needed.
Dumbledore searched his memory and found the name—a first-year student from a Muggle family.
Dumbledore breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that this was most likely the true situation. Expelling a student was certainly not something he wanted to do as headmaster.
Without delay, Dumbledore went to the Ministry and discussed the matter with the Improper Use of Magic Office, explaining that the situation didn't warrant a hearing. If it was simply a mistake, the Ministry could end up looking foolish.
After all, both Dumbledore and the Ministry were aware of the loopholes in the tracings.
As Albert had suspected, the truth was close to his guess. The Ministry officials arrived, and Dumbledore met with them, smiling as he watched the two children chatting in the park.
"It seems this was a misunderstanding," Dumbledore said to the Ministry staff member beside him.
"I believe you must be Headmaster Dumbledore," Albert said, sizing up the headmaster before offering his hand. "You look just like your Chocolate Frog card."
"Mr. Anderson?" Dumbledore regarded Albert with a smile. "We received your letter, child. May I see your wand?"
"Oh, of course, no problem," Albert said, handing over his wand as he knew what the headmaster intended to do.
As expected, Dumbledore performed a Prior Incantato charm, revealing the spells cast by the wand's owner in the last few days.
Dumbledore looked at Albert in surprise, amazed that the boy had learned five spells in such a short time.
"Truman just corrected my hand movement for the Hover Charm, and I've just mastered it," Albert explained.
"And your wand, Mr. Truman?" the Ministry wizard asked, turning to Truman.
"I didn't bring it; it's at home. If you need to check it, I can go get it," Truman said confidently, unafraid of any inspection.
"It seems this was a misunderstanding, Natali," Dumbledore said with a smile.
"Yes, I believe so as well," Natali nodded. "I think I'll need to rewrite my report."
The Ministry had no authority to expel a Hogwarts student or confiscate their wand unless the charges were proven.
This was an oversight on my part. I should have gone to the Improper Use of Magic Office for a hearing first, and only if the charges were proven would expulsion and wand destruction be considered.
(End of Chapter)
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