Chapter 408: The End is Near
Chapter 408: The End is Near
While Harry, Ron, and Hermione racked their brains to question Hagrid about Nicolas Flamel, Albert was holed up in the library, finishing his weekly homework to free up more time for other endeavors.
Fred and George were also busy in the library, not with homework, but scouring for information on the ingredients and recipe for the Laughing Potion to create their own batch of Laugh-o-la Bars.
The twins were discussing how to procure inexpensive ingredients. Crafting the perfect Laugh-o-la Bars was no easy feat, and their meager allowance wouldn't stretch far. Research was costly, and they didn't have Albert's knack for money-making schemes.
If they couldn't find Aliot leaves and Mournful Honey at the apothecary, they'd have to resort to Mundungus Fletcher or beg the owner of the Hog's Head for help.
"You've got mail!"
Lee Jordan pulled up a chair next to Albert and handed him a folded note before sitting down. With a smile, he glanced at the twin brothers and feigned surprise. "What are you two up to here?"
"We've figured out the basics of making Laugh-o-la Bars," Fred said, waving the parchment in his hand. "Wanna join us?"
"No thanks, I'd rather keep my measly allowance to myself," Lee Jordan said, clutching his pockets tighter.
George snatched the parchment from Fred and held it out to Lee Jordan. "This is our big money-making plan. You're not interested at all?"
Lee Jordan eyed Albert suspiciously. "Are you sure it's your plan? I mean, are you two really capable of coming up with something like this?"
"Well, I meant to say it's Albert's plan," George admitted.
"As long as it's not yours, I might consider it," Lee Jordan said.
Hearing that it was Albert's plan, Lee Jordan's doubt faded. Fred and George often gave him the impression of being rather unreliable.
"Who's it from?" George asked curiously. He rarely saw Albert receive handwritten notes anymore; thick envelopes were more common.
"Hagrid, inviting me for tea tomorrow," Albert replied, tucking the note into his pocket. He could guess the reason—Harry must have mentioned to Hagrid that he knew what was hidden in the fourth-floor restricted section, arousing Hagrid's suspicions.
"So, what do you think?" Fred asked with a smile.
"Don't you think naming it 'Wizarding Supplies' is a bit odd?" Lee Jordan complained. In his opinion, the name was terrible.
"It's just a name. We'll come up with something better later," Fred said, unconcerned.
"By the way, do we really have that many products?" Lee Jordan asked, eyeing the long list on the parchment, which included a variety of items, including the Wizarding Cards.
"Most of them are semi-finished. They just need some fine-tuning to be ready for use," Albert explained.
"Why is the main store in Hogsmeade and the branch in Diagon Alley?" Lee Jordan asked. "And do we even have that kind of money?"
He noticed that the initial investment required was a staggering one thousand galleons.
"Not yet, but we will," Albert said nonchalantly. "What we need most right now is to increase our product variety to prepare for the future."
"How much startup capital do we have?" Lee Jordan asked curiously.
"Five galleons," Fred said irritably. "That's George's and my allowance."
"That's two hundred times less than what's needed," Lee Jordan pointed out.
"Thanks for stating the obvious," George said dryly.
"Well, thank you for the compliment," Lee Jordan said to Albert. "I don't understand much about this, so what's your plan?"
"I'll provide the funds and technical expertise, but I'll need you two to manage the stores," Albert replied.
"What about the Wizarding Cards? Are they included?"
"Initially, they'll have to be. We don't have the funds to separate them yet. But as they gain popularity, we'll gradually split them off," Albert explained.
"So, the Wizarding Cards will eventually be their own entity?"
"Just as you see it on the list," Albert whispered. "We'll gradually refine the plan, and the path forward will become smoother. Of course, this is my business."
"It seems like a jumbled mess to me, but go ahead if you think it'll work," Lee Jordan mumbled. "But let me make it clear that I don't have many galleons to contribute."
"We weren't counting on you for that," George said flatly. "Albert said he can get enough galleons, so we don't need to worry about that. Of course, if you can pitch in some galleons, that'd be great. We'll be short on funds at the beginning."
"Do you think it'll really succeed?" Lee Jordan still had his doubts, not because he lacked faith in Albert, but because he didn't understand these matters at all.
"If you're not interested, forget it," Albert said.
"Who said I wasn't interested?" Lee Jordan quickly clarified. He had no intention of giving up. Ever since he started hanging out with Albert, he had never lost out. Even if they failed, it would only cost them some time.
"You need to have faith in Albert," Fred said, patting Lee Jordan's shoulder and taking back the parchment, which he carefully folded and put away.
"But there are a total of seven projects listed here," Lee Jordan muttered, unable to contain his surprise.
He wasn't the only one taken aback; Fred and George had also been astonished when they first saw the contents of the parchment, thinking that covering so many areas was overly ambitious.
"We'll take it slow. I plan to recruit more people to work for me," Albert said, already plotting to enlist others to help him realize his vision. No, it wasn't about working for him; it was about helping them achieve their dreams. He was such a good person! Of course, they had no inkling of Albert's true intentions, and they probably never would.
"When are we going to explore the fourth floor?" Fred suddenly asked. They had been at school for almost two months, and their curiosity was getting the better of them.
"Not yet," Albert shook his head.
"Why not?"
"Because someone's keeping an eye on what's there. Do you want to be cannon fodder?" Albert replied.
"You think the thief who broke into Gringotts is hiding here at school?" The trio was shocked by the absurdity of the idea.
"Why not? I've said it before—a complex potion can transform one person into another. As long as they keep drinking it, they won't be easily discovered," Albert reminded them.
"You mean..."
"Who do you think is suspicious?"
"Professor Quirrell?" Fred suggested, looking at Albert. "It must be him since you've been bothering him repeatedly."
"I'm just asking questions. Isn't it normal for a student to ask their teacher for help?" Albert said righteously.
"Asking questions?" Fred's expression was odd. "Professor Quirrell goes out of his way to avoid you now."
"You think it's really him?" Lee Jordan blurted out.
"It's possible," Albert admitted.
"Then that settles it," George muttered. "I think he's in for some bad luck."
"I remember Albert saying during the start-of-term feast that Professor Quirrell would be jinxed," Lee Jordan nodded in agreement.
I never said that! Don't spread rumors! Fred patted Albert's shoulder. "Although it sounds incredible, everything you've said has come true."
Chapter end
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