https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1695-A-War-Without-Victors-One-Hundred-and-Forty-Five-/12628244/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1697-A-War-with-No-Victors-One-Hundred-and-Forty-Seven-/12628246/
Chapter 1696: A War Without Victors (One Hundred and Forty-Six)
Chapter 1696: A War Without Victors (One Hundred and Forty-Six)
On a mid-November day, the annual Quidditch match at Hogwarts began amidst a torrential downpour.
Countless blurry figures on broomsticks weaved back and forth in the rain, and each goal scored elicited deafening cheers from the crowd, giving Albert, who had just arrived under an umbrella, a surreal feeling of being transported back to his student days.
Come to think of it, he hadn't graduated from Hogwarts that long ago himself!
What was with this strange sense of temporal displacement?
Could it really be because of his marriage?
Shaking off the odd thought, Albert made his way toward the right side of the spectator stands, where he had arranged to meet Cedric.
To be honest, if it weren't for their friendship, Albert would have feigned ignorance. If Cedric wanted to discuss something, they could have easily done so in the office instead of insisting on meeting on a rainy day at such a place.
Albert despised nothing more than having to watch a Quidditch match in the rain, making him feel like a fool for willingly subjecting himself to the elements and risking a cold.
Cedric, seemingly oblivious to Albert's arrival, kept his eyes glued to a pair of binoculars, intently watching the intense Quidditch match unfold before him, muttering to himself intermittently.
It was only after a long while that he seemed to realize there was someone standing beside him, and he finally lowered the binoculars with a smile, "Oh, you're here. I thought you might not show up."
Albert felt an urge to punch him, but Cedric continued, "I recall you weren't particularly fond of attending Quidditch matches in the rain."
"Then why did you invite me to watch a Quidditch match in the rain?" Albert retorted, "What's this about?"
Amidst the cheers, Cedric said softly, "Looks like Hufflepuff is headed for a sweeping victory!"
"Seems like Gryffindor's lacking in talent these days."
Albert turned to leave, no longer interested in staying and getting soaked.
To hell with the match.
"Alright, alright, don't be angry. I just wanted you to relax a bit, seeing as you're always so busy," Cedric chuckled awkwardly.
"Knowing how busy I am, you still dragged me out here to watch a Quidditch match in the rain," Albert rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed. "Spit it out. What's this really about?"
"You're not spending all your free time wooing your sweetheart, are you?"
Noticing Albert's expression, which clearly conveyed his desire to punch someone, Cedric finally dropped the playful act. He cleared his throat, "Alright, enough joking around. The reason I asked you here is..."
"When did you take over Percy's position?"
Albert gave Cedric a second look, surprised by his choice.
"Percy's been swamped lately. I heard he won't be continuing as the Minister's assistant next year," Cedric said, his tone turning somewhat complex as he spoke of Percy.
"Oh? Percy's off to the Department of Magical Transportation?" Albert asked casually.
"You... You certainly are well-informed, as always," Cedric turned to face Albert, astonished at how he always seemed to be in the know.
"Or did Percy come to you for a divination?"
"Take a guess."
Cedric pretended not to hear Albert's response and continued, "That guy Percy has himself a girlfriend now, apparently. She works at the Department of Magical Transportation too. Her name is..."
"Audrey Gamble," Albert finished, stating Percy's girlfriend's name before Cedric could.
"You really are something..."
Cedric was now certain that Percy had indeed consulted Albert for a divination.
"Actually, Percy wrote to me about it. He mentioned she's the daughter of the current Director of the Department of Magical Transportation, and her temperament suits his taste," Albert said, pleased to see the astonished look on Cedric's face. The rainy day summons was already feeling more worthwhile.
"That's pretty obvious. The current Director intends to groom Percy as his successor, and it's a convenient way to get closer to Kingsley. It's a way to avoid potential troubles," Albert explained, "You could see it as an extension of family power and an indirect compromise with Kingsley!"
"Cough, cough!"
Cedric coughed awkwardly at Albert's blunt assessment.
In truth, no one was a fool.
Everyone knew Percy was being groomed for the next position; otherwise, he wouldn't have been transferred from the Minister's assistant role to another assistant position.
This was essentially a demotion.
But this hypocritical process was a necessary formality. After Percy spends a year familiarizing himself with the new assistant position, he will be transferred to the lower ranks to 'start from scratch.'
When it came to such nepotism, no one had a good solution. The individual in question had connections, ability, and was already building their resume.
With the right patronage, a promotion from the lower ranks was only a matter of time. If three years weren't enough, then five or ten would be—time was on their side. Eventually, both experience and tenure would be on their side, and no one would dare to question it.
"So, are you seriously considering taking over Percy's position?" Albert never thought it was a good choice.
"I haven't decided yet. We'll see when the time comes. But Kingsley did say he'd keep the spot open for me," Cedric hesitated.
"Kingsley's quite the schemer," Albert sighed, "Alright, enough beating around the bush. What did that man want you to talk to me about?"
"It's about the goblins," Cedric scanned the surroundings to ensure no one was eavesdropping before lowering his voice, "He seems to have... issues with them."
"I don't think he has a problem with the goblins themselves; he's just desperately short on funds," Albert understood Kingsley's intentions all too well. It was understandable—no one wanted to be constantly held back, forced to tiptoe around just to get things done. Settling things with the goblins of Gringotts was necessary.
"Percy mentioned that the galleons from last time aren't enough," Cedric whispered.
Kingsley hadn't explicitly stated it, but he considered Cedric an ally and didn't hide certain matters from him. So, with a bit of thought, Cedric could piece things together.
"Have the other pure-bloods agreed, or is Kingsley planning to take a risk?" Albert was surprised by Kingsley's progress, indicating his firm resolve for reform.
(End of Chapter)
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