Suspicious

"How much have you borrowed from the goblins this time, Ludo?" Amosta asked with a hint of teasing.

"Oh, you're underestimating me, Amosta!"

At the question, Ludo immediately startled. He flashed an exaggerated grin, ready to boast about himself, but when his gaze met Amosta's sharply perceptive eyes, he found himself unable to keep it up. He gave an embarrassed smile.

"Only five thousand Galleons."

"Only five thousand?"

Amosta laughed coldly.

"That's nearly three years of your entire salary, Ludo. Quidditch matches aren't held every day. There aren't that many chances for you to make extra money—"

Ludo's oily cheeks reddened. From that single remark, he knew Amosta had seen him counting money just now. He took two guilty breaths and fanned himself with the hat in his hand.

"This isn't merely a loan, Amosta. It's an investment—a loan provided by the goblins. Just wait and see, I won't need long to earn it back with interest!"

Amosta's heart stirred, but he still regarded Ludo suspiciously.

"The goblins were willing to lend you five thousand Galleons, Ludo? Don't tell me you mortgaged the Ministry's letter of appointment to them?"

Watching Ludo huff and puff without daring to say a word, Amosta shook his head. For someone like Ludo to remain Director for so many years, the Ministry's disciplinary problems had clearly become beyond terrible.

"What made you dare to take such a gamble, Ludo? You should know perfectly well that if an investment this large fails, forget your position as Director of the Department of Magical Transportation—you probably won't even be able to stay in Britain. Are you really that confident?"

"You gave me confidence, Amosta—"

The moment gambling came up, Ludo's face lit up.

"Do you remember the draw before the first task of the Triwizard Tournament? You covered