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Chapter 657: We Really Have You to Thank
Chapter 657: We Really Have You to Thank
As June approached, the days at Hogwarts became increasingly hot and muggy.
The weather was clear and cloudless, and everyone wanted to be outdoors, strolling in the fresh air, having picnics on the grass, sipping iced pumpkin juice, and playing Wizarding Cards with friends. Or they might head to the lake to tease the giant squid basking in the warm, shallow waters.
However, with the end-of-term exams looming, everyone was forced to give up their enjoyable outdoor pastimes and confine themselves to the castle, poring over their books in preparation for the upcoming tests.
Even Fred and George were studying hard, fearful of failing their exams and having their summer holidays ruined.
Thus, Albert, who never had to worry about end-of-term exams, became the object of the trio's envy and complaints.
After the second week of June, they didn't even have time for complaints, as the exams officially commenced.
For most Hogwarts students, this exam period turned out to be a disaster.
In fact, many students believed that after all the events that had transpired this year, there might not be any end-of-term exams at all.
At the very least, they thought that only the fifth and seventh years would need to take the exams.
Little did they know that Harry Potter had resolved the attack incident during the Easter holidays, and the exams were still going ahead.
As a result, some students who hadn't prepared adequately were now in a dire situation.
This was especially evident in the Transfiguration exam.
The task was to transfigure a guinea fowl into a ferret.
To be honest, the content of the Transfiguration exam wasn't particularly difficult. Professor McGonagall had taught the class multiple times how to transfigure a guinea fowl into a gerbil, and the exam was only slightly more challenging than that.
However, as the students emerged from the exam room, they were all sighing and despondent.
Most of the ferrets didn't even move, and some still bore obvious characteristics of guinea fowls. Those poor guinea fowls used for the exam had truly suffered, enduring all sorts of transfiguration spells cast by the students.
"This was tough," one student said.
"I messed up completely," another added.
After finishing the Transfiguration exam, Fred couldn't help but complain, "My ferret still has a visible comb. Professor McGonagall was not pleased, and I wouldn't be surprised if she makes me retake the exam."
"George's has chicken feathers on its backside," Lee Jordan chimed in, feeling he had done alright and was in the mood to tease his two friends.
"Shut up, your ferret can't even move," Fred retorted.
"At least it's still a ferret," George added.
"Wait until you've successfully transfigured yours before bragging," Fred said. "By the way, where's Albert?" he asked, changing the subject, his mood turning glum. "I saw him just now, but he disappeared suddenly."
"That guy's always so mysterious, he must be hiding something from us," Fred said in a lowered voice. "He never misses a class, no matter what. I wonder how he does it."
"It's best we don't dig too deep into that. It'll only bring us trouble. I don't want to end up being jinxed with a Forgetfulness Jinx one day," Lee Jordan said, stopping Fred and George from probing further. "Come on, we have History of Magic this afternoon. We should go and prepare."
On their way to the Great Hall, they spotted Albert talking to one of the O.W.L.s examiners, an elderly witch.
They waited for a while, and after the examiner left, they approached Albert to greet him.
"Have you started inquiring about the O.W.L.s exam content already?" Lee Jordan asked jokingly.
"No, we were just discussing some academic issues," Albert replied, not lying. He had been chatting with Professor Marchbanks about the True Body Restoration Spell.
In fact, Albert wanted to talk to the Headmaster more, but it seemed that Dumbledore didn't devote much of his time to transfiguration research.
He suspected that the Headmaster had already started investigating Tom's past, gathering more useful intelligence.
"If we can get our hands on a large sum of money next year, we won't have to worry about the O.W.L.s," Fred muttered quietly.
"I think your family might not be too happy about that," Albert frowned and reminded him. "They must want you to get good grades so that you'll have more options in the future."
"Mom wants us to work for the Ministry of Magic, but that place is like a prison to us," George said, understanding his family's expectations. He, too, had no desire to work for the Ministry. The dull office work would be torturous for the twins.
"Working for the Ministry of Magic provides a stable income," Lee Jordan said, empathizing with Fred and George's mother. "Actually, my family wants me to work for the Ministry as well."
"A stable income is important for wizarding families who aren't that well-off. Unless you're wealthy and don't have to worry about finances," Albert said, reflecting on his experiences. "In America, I've seen newly graduated witches and wizards proud to become employees of the Ministry of Magic."
"That's a country without dreams," Fred scoffed.
"That's the cruel reality of adulthood," Albert tried to make them understand the harshness of the real world. "The American wizarding community has very strict control over their witches and wizards. One wrong step, and you could end up in prison."
"America must be a pretty awful place, then," George commented.
"Well, I'm not too keen on going back there anytime soon," Albert agreed.
"We never thought about working for the Ministry, but we need to find a good reason to convince our families. That's not going to be easy," Fred said, glancing at Percy, who was busy checking over his exam notes. He pursed his lips and asked, "Do you have any better ideas?"
"What you lack is Galleons," Albert said, following the twins' gaze to Percy. "This is an era where money talks. If you can earn enough Galleons, your family will fall silent. At the very least, they won't be dissatisfied with the path you choose."
"Your words always leave such a profound impression." George didn't believe that he would be unable to earn money in the future, or rather, he had never doubted Albert's ability to earn money. And if they partnered with Albert to open a shop, they would undoubtedly succeed.
At the very least, he felt that he and Fred were certainly happier and more carefree than the rest of their family.
Percy, having apparently eavesdropped on their conversation, took the initiative to approach Albert that evening.
"I don't know what your plans are, nor am I worried about Fred and George's future!" Percy looked directly into Albert's eyes and said seriously, "But Fred and George's current mindset isn't healthy... You should understand that a student's main task is to study hard, perform well on their exams, and graduate with a good starting point for their future."
"It seems that you do care about them after all." Albert was a little surprised, curious as to how this Percy, who seemed to care about his brothers, would eventually fall out with his family.
Was his path to advancement blocked by his family? That would explain why he ended up severing ties with them.
"After all, they are my younger brothers." Percy managed a faint smile.
"I understand what you mean, but working for the Ministry of Magic may not be the best path for Fred and George, and..." As Albert spoke, his gaze shifted to a corner of the room, a mischievous smile playing at the corners of his mouth, "...I believe that the Ministry of Magic will inevitably collapse in the future."
"You think so?"
Percy stared at Albert, dumbfounded, wondering if he had gone mad.
How could the Ministry of Magic possibly collapse?
"Yes, I do." Turning to leave, Albert looked back at Percy and added, "Here's a piece of advice: there's no need to rush up the ladder before certain events occur. Your opportunity hasn't arrived yet. By the way, congratulations on becoming the next Student Council President."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Percy was perplexed, furrowing his brows as he watched Albert's departing figure, pondering the meaning behind his words.
Could he have foreseen something? No, that didn't seem likely.
Or was he trying to scare me?
"The Ministry of Magic will inevitably collapse?"
In Percy's opinion, this statement was utterly absurd.
How could the Ministry of Magic possibly collapse?
"There's no need to rush up the ladder before certain events occur." Percy mumbled to himself, "Certain events?
What events?
Is he referring to the collapse of the Ministry of Magic?
Percy recalled Albert's astounding deductions during the Easter holidays.
There was no reason for Albert to deceive him.
Those words sounded like both a prophecy and a warning.
Could it be that the Ministry of Magic truly would collapse? Percy suddenly found himself questioning his life choices.
"You three were hiding here, whispering among yourselves."
As Albert turned the corner, Fred, George, and Lee Jordan appeared out of thin air.
"Weren't you hiding nearby, eavesdropping on us with Disillusionment Charms?" Albert knew that the trio had been using Disillusionment Charms to lurk in the vicinity and listen in on his conversation with Percy.
"That idiot Percy probably won't believe what you said!" Fred wasn't the least bit embarrassed. He understood Albert's capabilities, and it wouldn't be surprising if Albert saw through their Disillusionment Charms, especially since he was the one who had discovered the hidden chamber in the Slytherin Common Room.
As for Albert's prediction about the Ministry of Magic's collapse, that would most likely come true as well.
It seemed that the Ministry of Magic had somehow offended Albert, earning themselves a prophecy of their downfall.
We really have you to thank! "What if Percy tells Mom about our plans?" George frowned. "You know how she is; she won't be happy about this."
"Then we'll tell her about Percy's girlfriend," Fred suggested.
"I think your family would be delighted to hear that." Albert couldn't help but interject, "After all, there are only so many young ladies to go around. If they don't act soon, they might end up single for life."
The three boys suddenly felt that Albert's words made a lot of sense.
"So that's why you're looking for a girlfriend?" George teased.
There was no doubt that Albert had managed to charm the most desirable girls in school.
At least, that was the opinion of most of the male students.
"I think if you can get good grades on your exams, your family won't object to your plans." Lee Jordan offered his thoughts. Although his grades weren't top-notch, they were good enough to satisfy his family.
"And once you make a fortune from your shop, your family won't stand in your way anymore." Albert continued, "So, start hitting the books!"
"No, we think that studying hard now... Wait, what?" Before Fred and George knew it, they were being dragged off to the library by Albert and Lee Jordan to review for their upcoming exams.
As it turned out, even last-minute cramming could be effective. Albert quickly went over the key points of the remaining exams with the trio, filling in the gaps in their knowledge and significantly improving their performance.
"I think our grades would've been even better if you'd helped us review earlier." After finishing the Charms exam, George exclaimed excitedly. Almost all the topics Albert had covered in their review session had appeared on the exam, and it had made a huge difference.
It was a good thing the exams lasted for two whole weeks; otherwise, even with Albert's help, it would've been difficult for the trio to catch up.
(End of Chapter)
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