Chapter 64: The Flexible Bottom Line
Chapter 64: The Flexible Bottom Line
In the fading light of evening, a trio huddled in an empty classroom of Hogwarts, their shadows dancing eerily on the walls from the flickering lamp.
"I'm glad you came to us, Kyle, but this is something we can't do," Fred mumbled, keeping himself hidden from the lamp's glow.
"We've known each other for years, but this is the first time you've sought our help since arriving at Hogwarts. I can't even remember the last time we had a meal together," George added, sitting across from Kyle.
"Last Wednesday," Kyle interjected, a slight pause in his voice as he gathered his thoughts. "And you wanted to sell my homework to a Gryffindor first-year."
"My friend, you turned us down flat," Fred continued.
"You didn't even know how heartbroken we were when we left," George said nonchalantly.
"I just didn't want to be locked up by Professor McGonagall," Kyle explained. "Selling homework in bulk? I can't believe you came up with that. Do you think Professor McGonagall is as clueless as Ron? She would have noticed something like that."
Fred lifted his head, locking eyes with Kyle. "Then why aren't you worried about her catching us this time? This isn't a difficult task. You could easily do it yourself or find anyone else in Hufflepuff, couldn't you?"
"Snape has been keeping a close eye on us," George chimed in.
"I see," Fred sighed. "So, you only remember us when you need someone to do your dirty work..."
"You've found your place in Hufflepuff, and you like it there. The professors and students all adore you. To be frank, you may not even need our friendship. You've never even called us 'Mr.'!" George exclaimed.
"Enough chit-chat, are you in or not?" Kyle asked impatiently, his mouth twitching. "Mr. Weasley, I'm counting to three. If I don't get an answer, I'm taking my business elsewhere."
"One!"
...
"Look, George, he's threatening us!" Fred exclaimed.
"Yes, Fred, but we don't take kindly to that," George replied.
"Two!"
...
"I think you can count a little faster," Fred suggested.
Without a word, Kyle reached into his pocket and pulled out a shimmering golden card, waving it teasingly in front of Fred and George's eyes.
"...Three," Kyle finished.
"We're in!" Fred and George exclaimed in unison, appearing at Kyle's sides with matching grins.
"Was that the Agrippa you just pulled out, Kyle?" Fred inquired, his eyes gleaming.
"Mmhmm," Kyle nodded.
"Could I... could I just take one more peek? Just one?" Fred asked eagerly.
Kyle obliged, producing the rare card once more and waving it tantalizingly before their eyes.
Fred and George's eyes bulged, transfixed by the sight of the card as it swayed back and forth.
After about ten seconds, Kyle pocketed the card again, leaving the captivated twins wanting more. "Now that you've seen the Agrippa, after we're done..." Kyle began.
Before he could finish, George interrupted, his face lit up with excitement. "You're going to give it to us?"
"In your dreams," Kyle replied. "After we're done, I'll lend it to you for... ten minutes."
"Ten days!" Fred countered, furrowing his brow.
"Nine minutes..."
"No way, the least you could do is a week!" George insisted.
"Five..."
"Alright, alright! One day. That's our final offer!" the twins exclaimed together.
"Deal." Kyle extended his hand, and they bumped fists to seal the agreement.
With the negotiation concluded, they proceeded to discuss the specifics of their plan.
"To be honest, we never intended to refuse," Fred admitted, a mischievous smile playing on his lips as he patted Kyle's shoulder. "Any chance to make Slytherin miserable, and we're all in."
"More than enough," Fred said, picking up the coins and rubbing them thoughtfully in his hands. He had never seen so much money before, even though he knew Kyle had made a good profit from selling the map recently. But seeing so many Galleons piled together was an entirely different feeling.
"Are you making this much from selling the map?" George asked, his eyes widening.
Kyle nodded, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"Well, well, well... Kyle, my friend, you're a dark horse," Fred said, a mixture of admiration and envy in his tone.
"I guess so," Kyle replied nonchalantly.
"I have to say, you've got some guts, pulling off something like this right under the professors' noses," George commented, a hint of respect creeping into his voice.
"Thanks," Kyle said, his smile growing a little wider. "Now, about the plan..."
"Of course, of course," Fred said, waving his hand dismissively. "We're getting off track. George, stop drooling over the money and let's get back to business."
"Right, right," George said, snapping out of his trance. "So, about the props..."
"They should be no problem," George said, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Zoco will definitely be able to deliver what you need on time with this much money."
Kyle nodded in agreement, and after discussing some more specifics, he prepared to leave.
"I can't wait to see this plan in action," Fred said excitedly. "Slytherin has no idea what's coming their way."
Kyle shot him a warning glance. "Don't go blabbing about this. I know nothing, and neither should you."
"Hey, I'm not an idiot," Fred said, holding up his hands in mock surrender.
"Yeah, yeah, keep telling yourself that, Weasley," Kyle teased.
"...Hey, that's no way to talk to your future business partner," Fred joked, but there was a hint of seriousness beneath his playful tone.
"Future business partner?" George raised an eyebrow, a smile tugging at his lips. "Now that's an interesting proposition, Kyle. We might just take you up on that offer someday."
"We'll see," Kyle said, his eyes sparkling with amusement. With that, he bade the twins farewell and set off down the corridor.
Instead of returning directly to the Hufflepuff common room, Kyle wandered aimlessly along the corridors of the third floor. He was looking for a particular ghost that Fat Friar had told him about, one who liked to linger near the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.
After searching for over ten minutes, he was about to give up and try again in the morning when a liquid-filled balloon suddenly flew towards the back of his head.
Kyle dodged just in time, his head tilting slightly to the side.
The balloon hit the ground, releasing an unpleasant odor.
"Ho ho ho, you naughty little first-year, wandering around at night. Tut tut tut, you're going to get caught," a voice cackled.
Floating in the air was a small dwarf-like creature with beady black eyes and a large mouth. He sat cross-legged, holding two more balloons in his hands.
"Should I tell Filch about you, big dummy and little ghost? This is going to be fun," the creature continued.
Kyle stood his ground, his eyes sparkling with interest. "Are you Peeves?" he asked.
For a moment, a hint of confusion flashed in Peeves' small black eyes, but it quickly turned to anger.
The little poltergeist was furious that Kyle didn't run away. How dare he show such disrespect!
Peeves threw the other two balloons at Kyle. "Yes, I am the great Peeves! I'm going to tell Filch about your night wanderings. He'll lock you up!"
In a mock-serious tone, he added, "I'm doing this for your own good, you know."
Kyle waved his wand, deflecting the balloons to the side, and said calmly, "I agree with your point of view, but there are still five minutes until curfew, so it doesn't count as night wandering. Besides, I came here specifically to look for you."
"Looking for me?" Peeves' eyes widened in surprise. It wasn't often that students at Hogwarts actively sought him out.
"Yes," Kyle glanced around and lowered his voice. "I have an idea, and I was wondering if you'd be interested in joining me..."
(End of Chapter)
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