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Chapter 431: Rumors Quashed by Fists
Chapter 431: Rumors Quashed by Fists
It was rather unfortunate that February 14th fell on a Friday this year. For a certain group of Hogwarts students, this meant they wouldn't be able to take their girlfriends to Hogsmeade for Valentine's Day, much to their dismay.
A day's delay would have been ideal for fostering romance. But, alas, there was no delaying the inevitable.
"Wood is a devil incarnate! Can you believe he still wants to hold Quidditch practice today? I wonder his girlfriend hasn't dumped him yet," George grumbled at breakfast, still groggy from waking up. The constant rain made the prospect of Quidditch practice a dreary one.
"No need to curse him. I heard Wood broke up with his girlfriend a while ago," Lee Jordan said, stifling a yawn with his hand as he sat beside them.
"Don't spread rumors. If Wood hears you and decides to punch you, don't expect us to help," Albert said with a laugh as he spread a thick layer of blueberry jam on his bread.
"I'm only saying this because George wants to hear it," Lee Jordan said with a smile, not taking Albert's words too seriously.
"It's outrageous that we have to practice tomorrow too! I already have a mountain of homework," Fred complained, echoing the sentiment. He couldn't believe Wood was piling more work on top of their already busy schedules.
"Wood wants the Gryffindor team to win more than anyone," Angelina sighed. "He's working harder than any of us."
"Speaking of Wood, is it true he broke up with his girlfriend?" Alicia, who had just sat down across from Albert, asked curiously, having overheard Lee Jordan's comment.
The captain's love life was always a topic of interest for the girls.
"That's just Lee Jordan spreading rumors again. Don't believe it," Albert explained to the girls after finishing his bread.
"But... I heard he really did get dumped by his girlfriend, and it wasn't long ago," Angelina murmured softly.
"Are you going to Hogsmeade tomorrow?" Susan asked, turning to Albert.
Just then, a flock of owls flew into the Great Hall, delivering letters and packages to the young witches and wizards. Albert received two letters, and as he was about to open them, Kenneth Towle appeared out of nowhere, placing a hand on Albert's shoulder and asking, "Have you read your letters yet?"
"Just about to," Albert said, holding up the half-opened envelope.
"She agreed to the meeting in Hogsmeade. It'll be at Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop, and she'll probably ask Madam Puddifoot to witness the transaction," Kenneth Towle replied without hesitation.
"I hope she doesn't try anything funny. I'm happy to accept the transaction if she's sincere. But if she has other intentions, it's better to call it off and leave a good impression on both sides," Albert said after some thought.
"I understand what you mean, and I'll make sure to clarify that with her," Kenneth Towle nodded. While he wanted to facilitate the transaction and earn his commission, he also knew that Albert wasn't someone to be trifled with.
If Primpernelle thought she could take advantage of Albert because he was a minor, she was sorely mistaken. A transaction without sincerity was best avoided.
Of course, Albert wasn't worried about being deceived. With his ability to extract memories, it was nearly impossible for anyone to cheat him. He also planned to bring Isabelle along, so he had nothing to fear.
He just despised the condescending attitude of some adults who thought they could pull a fast one on him.
Albert opened the letter, which indeed confirmed the meeting time and place as mentioned by Kenneth Towle.
"What are you two whispering about?" Susan asked, raising an eyebrow. She was curious about the secretive conversation between Albert and Kenneth Towle.
"Kenneth Towle told me someone wants to meet me tomorrow, so I'm afraid I can't accompany you to Hogsmeade," Albert said apologetically, declining Susan's invitation.
"That's too bad," Susan said, sounding a little disappointed.
...
In the afternoon, Albert shared the news about the upcoming transaction with his three roommates.
"I could come with you," Lee Jordan suggested, knowing that Fred and George wouldn't be able to make it to Hogsmeade the next day. He was curious to see how these deals worked.
"I've already found a better companion," Albert replied.
"Oh, so you're bringing your girlfriend! I knew it! Now that you have a girlfriend, you're neglecting your friends," Lee Jordan teased, pretending to be offended as he waved his hands in the air.
"Who's Albert's girlfriend?"
The twins had always been curious about this, and in fact, they had long suspected that Albert had a secret girlfriend. But they had never caught him on a date, not even with the help of the Marauder's Map.
"Some things are better left unsaid. By the way, Wood was looking for you at lunch," Albert said, patting Lee Jordan on the shoulder in a friendly manner.
"What did Wood want with me?" Lee Jordan asked, confused.
"Probably because you've been spreading rumors about him getting dumped," Fred added, patting Lee Jordan's shoulder as well, a look of 'you asked for it' on his face.
"Wood really got dumped?" Lee Jordan's eyes widened in shock, his mouth hanging open. "Merlin's beard, I was just joking this morning!"
"You don't think we're joking with you, do you?"
"Oh, there you are!"
A hand suddenly reached out from behind Lee Jordan and landed on his shoulder.
Recognizing the voice, Lee Jordan stiffly turned his head to see Wood standing right behind him.
"Wood, what can I do for you?" Lee Jordan asked, his voice dry as the desert.
"I'd like to have a word with you," Wood said, placing a hand on Lee Jordan's shoulder and offering a polite smile to Albert and the others. Then, to Lee Jordan's despair, he was led away.
When Albert saw Lee Jordan again, he noticed a black eye forming on his right cheek. Apparently, Wood hadn't been able to resist throwing a punch at the end.
"You should learn to keep your mouth shut sometimes," Albert said, struggling to hold back his laughter as he handed Lee Jordan a jar of swelling reduction ointment to apply around his eye.
"He deserved it!" Fred laughed, clearly enjoying Lee Jordan's misfortune.
"Yeah, he did," George agreed.
(End of Chapter)
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