Chapter 863: Dumbledore Summons
Chapter 863: Dumbledore Summons
"The popularity of Wizarding Chess is gradually waning. You should have personally presided over the Wizarding Chess Club last month. Didn't you see how disappointed those girls were when you didn't show up? Many people thought you had given up on Wizarding Chess."
In the Gryffindor common room, by the window, Lee Jordan, who was playing Wizarding Chess with Fred, was complaining to Albert about being left in charge of the club.
"If Wizarding Chess isn't well-received by the players, then the game is destined to fade away," Albert said as he stroked Tom's head, flipping through the manuscripts in his hand and helping Isabelle with proofreading portions of the 'Ancient Runic Guide'. He would occasionally pick up his wand to make corrections on the manuscripts and add annotations in different colors.
"I think you should give Wizarding Chess a boost," Lee Jordan said, feeling that Albert himself didn't seem to care much about the game anymore. "Don't forget, next semester we'll be in our seventh year. We'll be graduating soon, and without your support, if no one inherits the Wizarding Chess Club, it will quickly disappear from the school and be forgotten. All our efforts over the years will be for nothing."
"Weren't you already handling this matter last semester?" Albert asked, puzzled.
"My influence isn't as effective as yours. So, I think it's best if you personally take care of this," Lee Jordan said, feeling frustrated but having to admit that a large part of the club's popularity in school was due to Albert. Once he let go, it was hard to say how long the club could last.
"Maybe we should start organizing a tournament now, to avoid conflicting with the later Triwizard Tournament. As for the champion's reward, in addition to galleons, we can add an extra bonus."
"What kind of extra bonus?"
"Dancing with you at the Christmas Ball. That's a great idea, it will definitely attract a lot of girls."
Albert suddenly lifted his head and glared at Fred, who had suggested this horrible idea. "I already have a dance partner," he reminded them irritably.
"So what? It's not like they're becoming your dance partner," George said, unconcerned. "Besides, you'll be dancing at the Christmas Ball anyway. The extra reward is just dancing one, or maybe three, dances with you." "I bet there will be a lot of girls who will want to participate in the tournament to compete for the chance to dance with you."
"I think it's a great idea too. You can just sacrifice your looks a little. After all, one dance only takes a few minutes. I'll go put up a notice to inform everyone of this good news." Lee Jordan clapped his hands and happily finalized the plan.
"Tom, scratch him. Extra treats for you tonight."
Albert commanded the chubby cat, Tom, to launch a surprise attack on Lee Jordan, and a sudden cry rang out in the common room.
The previously noisy common room fell into a momentary silence as the students turned their heads to look at the source of the commotion, curious about what had just happened.
"Cough, it's nothing, just got scratched by the cat," Lee Jordan apologized awkwardly. He had just been startled, not expecting the rotund Tom to be so agile, and his arm had been scratched and was bleeding.
Fred and George laughed without a care in the world.
However, they did think it was a good idea. If they wanted to make Wizarding Chess popular and trending again, the best way was to capitalize on Albert's popularity, which would definitely attract a large crowd of girls.
And where there were girls, the boys would naturally follow. With more people joining, those who had gradually given up on the game would likely pick it up again.
After all, games were more fun when everyone played together.
"You didn't have to scratch me so hard. My arm is bleeding," Lee Jordan shifted his attention to the mischievous Weasley twins. "You didn't get angry when Fred and George sold Love Potions."
"Ahem." George coughed lightly, trying to change the subject. "Who will be the next manager of the Wizarding Chess Club?"
"Right, how many Love Potions have you two sold these days?" Lee Jordan didn't fall for it and continued his interrogation.
"Thirty-seven. A lot of girls in school bought them with galleons," Fred said proudly. "Of course, we also sell the antidote to the Love Potion."
George covered his face with his hand, wishing Fred hadn't gotten so carried away.
While it was true that selling Love Potions and their antidotes had earned them a good amount of galleons, it wasn't something they should be discussing in front of Albert. He had basically walked into Lee Jordan's trap.
"Do the Love Potions you make actually work?" Lee Jordan expressed his doubt. Neither Fred nor George had been selected for Professor Snape's advanced Potions class, yet people were daring enough to buy potions made by them?
"Let me tell you, we borrowed Albert's Potions notes and found an easier Love Potion recipe from it," Fred boasted.
Another cry rang out in the common room, this time from Lee Jordan, who was now grinning mischievously. He ignored Fred and George, got up from the Wizarding Chess board, and said, "I'm going to write a notice to tell everyone this good news."
"That jerk ran away! I was about to win!" Fred glared at the Wizarding Chess board in his hands, gritting his teeth.
"I wonder when this rain will stop. Lately, I feel like I'm turning moldy," George said, looking at the incessant rain outside and quickly changing the subject. "I heard that Professor Moody used the Imperius Curse on students in class, saying that he wanted them to experience what it feels like to be controlled by the Imperius Curse so that they can learn how to resist it."
As he spoke, George stole a glance at Albert, but seeing no reaction, he continued, "I think it's only a matter of time before it's our turn. Do you think Dumbledore will agree with Professor Moody's approach?"
"I don't know, but Professor Moody's intention is probably good. At least it will teach everyone how to resist the Imperius Curse," Albert said, not dismissing the idea outright. He actually agreed that it was necessary for students to experience what it felt like to be controlled by the Imperius Curse, at least in a safe and controlled environment.
"I didn't expect you to agree with his method," George said, a little surprised.
"Is there a problem?"
"No."
"However, I won't give anyone the chance to use the Imperius Curse on me." Albert took out a packet of fish snacks from his pocket, tore open the packaging, and placed it on the table.
"You still suspect he has a problem?"
Fred hadn't noticed anything suspicious about Professor Moody during this time, and he rarely saw him drinking from the flask in the curved bottle.
"I won't take the risk," Albert said calmly. "When the time comes, I'll find an excuse to skip class. Oh, I remember you have those Skiving Snackboxes."
"What effect do you want?
"Do you have the fever-reducing sweets ready?" Albert asked.
"Yep, we've tested them," Fred assured him.
"Sounds like something you'd do." George wasn't surprised. He looked around to ensure no one was eavesdropping, then quietly cast the Muffliato spell before continuing in a hushed tone, "Go on, tell us who you think that guy is pretending to be. I know you must have some idea."
"It doesn't matter who I think it is. Just know that Moody is an imposter," Albert had no intention of revealing the truth to the trio, but he wanted them to be cautious of the other man.
"He looks pretty convincing to me."
"If he weren't, Dumbledore would have found out by now. There's no way he could still be teaching at the school," George said, looking at Albert inquisitively. "Actually, I'm more curious about how you spotted the imposter."
"Is that important?" Fred, sensing that Albert wouldn't divulge much, suggested, "I think we should take some time to practice magic and improve our combat abilities."
"I heard that being controlled by the Imperius Curse multiple times will eventually build up a resistance to it," Albert said, flashing a mischievous smile at the twins. "How about it? Want to give it a try?"
"Aren't you listening to what Professor Moody said? Using the Imperius Curse on people will land you in Azkaban," Fred replied, a bit bewildered by Albert's suggestion.
"As long as no one finds out, it'll be fine," George chimed in, feeling bored lately. They only attended three classes, and most of their time was spent tinkering with joke products.
"Join me for some assault training sometime!" Albert suggested without hesitation.
"We definitely should enhance our Dark magic defense skills," Fred agreed, exchanging a glance with George. After a moment, he added, "Especially if there's going to be turmoil in the wizarding world in a few years. It's always good to know more spells to protect ourselves."
After Lee Jordan posted the notice about the early Wizarding Chess tournament, several girls approached Albert to inquire about the dance.
"Look what you've done," Albert glared at Lee Jordan irritably. After patiently dismissing the curious girls, he quickly gathered his things, intending to leave. He didn't want to be swarmed by a group of curious girls.
"Albert, wait!"
As Albert scooped up his chubby cat, Tom, preparing to dash up the stairs, a voice called out to him from behind.
"Hermione, what is it?" Albert stopped in his tracks and turned around.
"Dumbledore asked me to give this to you," Hermione hurried over, breathless, and handed Albert a piece of parchment.
"Professor Dumbledore?" Albert took the parchment with a furrowed brow and opened it. It read:
Dear Albert, Please come to my office next Wednesday at 8 p.m.
Wishing you well,
Albus Dumbledore P.S. I quite enjoy Cockroach Clusters.
That's it?
Albert read the message on the parchment and fell silent for a moment. He pocketed the note and smiled at Hermione. "Thank you, Hermione."
"Um... could you spare some time to take me to the kitchen?" Hermione pleaded, her eyes filled with determination.
"Are you planning to rush into the kitchen and rally the house-elves to stop working?" Albert stared into Hermione's eyes, his tone lighthearted.
"No, I just want to figure out where the kitchen is and see how the house-elves are doing," Hermione averted her gaze, feeling uncomfortable under Albert's intense stare.
"I have to warn you," Albert knew Hermione was seeking information, "if you do that, believe me, you won't earn their gratitude, and the house-elves will only resent you."
"I know." Hermione replied awkwardly, feeling as though Albert had seen through her intentions.
"The kitchen is located below the Great Hall. The entrance is hidden behind a painting of a bowl of fruit. Just scratch the pear lightly, and it will chuckle, revealing the doorknob. Push it open, and you'll find the kitchen," Albert shared the kitchen's location with Hermione.
"Thank you," Hermione turned and walked away.
"You shouldn't have told Hermione about the kitchen," Fred said, watching Hermione's retreating figure. "I have a feeling she's planning to rally the house-elves to rebel."
"You should try to convince her otherwise. I'm sure you can do it," George said.
"I've tried, but I'm not very good at convincing people, especially stubborn ones. It's too difficult," Albert shook his head.
"Yet you convinced us," Fred pointed out.
"Hermione is immature and stubborn. She needs to learn the hard way, and even if I hadn't told her about the kitchen, she would have found it eventually," Albert waved it off. Perhaps after Hermione experienced the cold treatment from the house-elves, she would reconsider her approach.
"I hope she doesn't make the house-elves dislike working," George shared similar concerns.
"She'll probably be seen as the most unwelcome person among the house-elves if she starts spreading those ideas," Albert said as he headed back to the dormitory. In truth, he rather admired Hermione's boldness, perhaps because he was an adult himself and, as a transmigrator, tended to be more cautious and protective of himself. He often avoided Dumbledore, and their interactions were limited.
To be honest, Albert was more concerned about why Dumbledore wanted to see him than the issue with the house-elves.
Their relationship was amicable, but that was the extent of it. Albert usually kept his distance from the headmaster, and their paths didn't cross often.
There weren't many reasons for Dumbledore to seek him out, perhaps it was about the Triwizard Tournament, or he wanted a divination, or maybe it had something to do with the information leaked through Harry and Sirius.
Although Dumbledore didn't put much stock in divination, if he could glean something from the crystal ball, it might help him make judgments about future events.
Hmm, if Dumbledore asked, how should I respond? Should I give him a hint?
Someone as clever as Dumbledore would likely trust his own judgment.
Albert decided it was best to be cautious. He would mention Voldemort's plot and let Dumbledore continue to suspect Moody. Without evidence, he believed the headmaster wouldn't act against his old friend, and at most, there would be some probing. Crouch should be able to withstand that.
He still needed to use Barty Crouch Jr. to complete the side quest and claim the rewards. If he accidentally got the man killed, his side quest would fail.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
