https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-418-I-Advise-You-to-Be-a-Good-Person/12526613/
Chapter 419: Compromise and Conspiracy
Chapter 419: Compromise and Conspiracy
"So, they've decided to compromise?"
Fred delivered the good news to Albert, who was indeed a little surprised. He had expected the hardliners from Slytherin to grit their teeth and hold out a little longer.
"One of them came to us and offered to repay what they owed, but they're not willing to pay the quadruple damages," George added. "They think the four-fold compensation is too much."
Albert paused for a moment before instructing Fred, "Go ask the others what they think. If they're not willing to accept it, then reject the offer outright."
"You're thinking of accepting?" Lee Jordan asked, astonished, as he popped a bag of Every Flavour Beans from Honeydukes into his mouth. "I think those Slytherins are up to something."
"I know," Albert acknowledged.
"Then why..."
Albert interrupted Lee with a raised hand, calmly voicing his speculation. "Perhaps they just want to create discord within our debt-collecting group. After all, once they've repaid their debts, they can take their time getting back at us individually. It's unlikely that they don't harbor any ill intentions after suffering so many losses."
"So what should we do? Should we just reject the offer? We can slowly get back the quadruple wager over time," Fred said anxiously. He didn't want to disband the debt-collecting group; with their strength in numbers, they had nothing to fear from those unpleasant Slytherins.
"No, let's leave the decision to them," Albert shook his head. "Even if we disagree, others will surely accept. There's no need for us to be the bad guys here."
The three fell silent, understanding Albert's implication. The group had been formed to retrieve their money, so it would be difficult to justify rejecting the repayment now.
"Let's give them the choice and let them take a slight loss. You guys should be careful from now on," Albert advised.
"Take a slight loss?" Fred frowned. "Are you just going to watch them walk to their deaths?"
"That's a bit of an exaggeration," Albert remarked nonchalantly. "Just convey my analysis to them." He truly didn't care what happened to the others, as long as his task was completed and he received his reward. What happened to the rest was of no concern to him.
"Alright then."
"Thanks, guys."
Albert returned to studying the research report on Tracking Charms in front of him.
If he couldn't find a way to deal with Tom Riddle's diary by next year, Albert planned to keep his distance from Ginny Weasley to prevent her from being taken by the Basilisk.
It didn't take long for both parties to reach an agreement. Fred retrieved the remaining galleons and distributed them to Albert and the other wizards who had joined the debt-collecting group. Although they only received half of the wager, the matter was now concluded, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
As for the other students still owed money, it was none of their business.
...
The Christmas holidays were approaching, and Albert, after packing his luggage, headed downstairs with Lee Jordan.
"I really feel sorry for them," a blond boy remarked to his companions as they passed through the entrance hall. "They have to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas because their families don't want them."
Draco Malfoy's eyes remained fixed on Harry Potter as he spoke, a sneer curling his lips.
Fred, carrying Albert's cat carrier, knitted his brows slightly, and George's face wore an expression of disgust, as if he'd just seen something repulsive.
"Congratulations, Potter. You've gained another admirer," Albert said, pausing as he walked past Harry Potter. He placed an arm around Harry's shoulders, gesturing toward Malfoy, "Get along with him. He's your loyal fan, going to great lengths to get your attention."
Ron Weasley, standing beside Harry, couldn't help but snicker upon hearing Albert's words.
"What's so funny?" Albert turned to Ron, who immediately struggled to hold back his laughter.
"Nothing," Ron managed to choke out.
"Be sure to get along with your new friend." Albert glanced at Malfoy, whose face was reddening, before picking up the cat carrier and heading towards the carriage waiting outside the castle, leaving behind a chorus of laughter and a furious Malfoy.
"I bet you did that on purpose," Lee Jordan said between fits of laughter as they made their way to the station.
"How could I not, with Mr. Malfoy jumping around like that, clearly trying to get Potter's attention?" Albert scratched Tom's chin and spoke nonchalantly, "It's obvious he's a fan of Harry Potter, going to such lengths to get noticed by him."
"You make a lot of sense," Lee Jordan laughed even harder.
Once on the train, Tom immediately took over the table, his tail flicking back and forth as he seemed to urge Albert to bring out the treats.
As for Albert's owl, Snow, she had already been sent ahead home a few days ago to avoid any potential fights with Tom.
The two had just played a couple of rounds of Wizarding Cards when there was a knock on the compartment door. Their old acquaintance, Kenneth Towle, stood there with a gloomy expression, suggesting that something unpleasant had occurred.
"What's the matter?" Lee Jordan asked casually as he shuffled the deck.
"Flint wants to skin me alive," Kenneth Towle scowled.
"That's not hard to guess," Albert said calmly. "After all, you paid to have his pants pulled down, so it's understandable that he'd want yours in return."
"Then what should I do?" Kenneth Towle was worried; he knew he couldn't possibly guard against Flint's sneak attacks all the time.
"That depends on what you want to do." Albert glanced up at Kenneth Towle and said with a smile, "You can try to make amends with him, return his pants, and even offer him a pair of your own underwear as a peace offering."
"Are you joking?"
Kenneth Towle stared at Albert in disbelief while Lee Jordan laughed so hard he nearly fell off his seat.
In the end, Kenneth Towle didn't get any more helpful suggestions from Albert and left looking dejected.
"What would you have done if you were in his shoes?" Lee Jordan asked curiously.
"I'd use the Forgetfulness Curse on Flint to make him forget this unpleasant memory. Of course, it's not an easy spell to master," Albert explained as he played his first card. "Overuse of the Forgetfulness Curse can have negative effects on people, and in severe cases, it may even turn them into babbling idiots."
"It would be great if we could turn them into idiots!" Lee Jordan sighed and, looking at the game situation, asked in confusion, "Haven't you been out of practice with Wizarding Cards for a while? How are you still so good at it?"
"Well, I did invent the game, so I know all the ins and outs," Albert replied casually after winning yet another round. Lee Jordan decided to call it quits after that.
"I feel like Wizarding Cards still has a long way to go," he mused as he put the cards away. "Maybe we should consider adding some other effects to the game."
"All the things you're thinking of will come to pass."
"Really?" Lee Jordan asked excitedly.
"Yes, Wizarding Cards still has a long journey ahead."
"That's fantastic! If there's anything I can do to help when the time comes, let me know."
"Of course, you'll definitely be able to help." Albert said as he fed Tom some treats. "Having a pet cat isn't bad at all."
"You don't have the talent for raising pets."
Lee Jordan sighed. His pet spider had died a long time ago due to his neglect, and Fred and George had turned it into a specimen, seemingly intending to give it to Ron as a Christmas present this year.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
