"Ah, don't be so distant, Aberforth—"
Amosta said with a smile,
"I brought him here to you. Doesn't that show how much I trust you?"
"We're not that close, Breen!"
Aberforth roared angrily. But he clearly knew there was nothing he could do about Amosta. He could only slam the rag onto the bar in frustration before turning to prepare whisky for Ludo Bagman.
When Amosta's gaze fell on Ludo, an unmistakable flicker of unease crossed Ludo's smiling face.
The last time they had met had been on the outskirts of Edinburgh, when Amosta had sought him out to ask about the goblins' odds on Hermione Granger's match.
At the time, Amosta had also caught Ludo "lowering himself" to commentate on a club-level Quidditch match and accept bribes.
As the scene flashed through his mind, Ludo inwardly wailed that he was unlucky. It seemed Amosta Breen always managed to get hold of something on him.
"Oh, sorry. Was I late, Amosta?"
After sitting down, Ludo looked at Amosta with a smile.
"But it wasn't my fault, Amosta. The rain was far too heavy. On the way here, the railway was flooded by a mountain torrent. The Hogwarts Express had to stop for a while so it wouldn't be swept away."
"Then I should be the one apologizing, Ludo—"
Amosta said with a smile,
"I shouldn't have asked you to come to Hogsmeade in such terrible weather. I hope it didn't cause you too much trouble?"
"Oh, not at all, not at all. Thank you, Aberforth!"
Ludo took the glass handed over by the scowling Aberforth and took a deep drink.
"So, we're here to discuss the third task of the Triwizard Tournament, right, Amosta? Oh, to be honest, it's become a real thankless job at the Ministry now. You know