The first match of the final was between Bulgaria team and a Peruvian team. Anyone who pays even a little attention to Quidditch knows who will win.
Bagman reached into his money bag. "Kids, which team do you want to bet on?"
Fred quickly pulled his hand back. "Wait—I think it's more reliable for us to place bets directly with the bookmaker."
Bagman glanced around cautiously. "I'm going to tell you a secret, but you absolutely mustn't tell anyone else."
His eyes returned to his money bag. "Actually, I'm the most reliable bookmaker in all of Britain. You can place your bets with me with confidence."
The twins squinted at the same time.
Which wizard in all of Britain doesn't know that he's a compulsive gambler?
Moreover, he always had particularly bad luck, and within a few years of retiring, he squandered all the savings he had accumulated as a star player.
George frowned. "Mr. Bagman, a good friend of mine once said that the most unreliable things come from the mouths of gambling addicts."
Fred frowned, clutching the money bag tightly to his chest. "Mr. Bagman, my father said you owe a lot of money to people in the ministry. Do you really have the ability to be a bookmaker?"
Bagman's lips twitched violently.
"Child, go and ask around now, I've already paid off all my debts."
The twins remained skeptical. "It's not that we don't believe you, but you need to prove your abilities first."
Having known Vincent for so many years, they have certainly learned some of his good qualities.
Bagman paused for a moment, "For example? How can I prove my abilities?"
Fred shook the money bag. "You'll have to come up with at least ten times that amount, otherwise we won't dare place bets with you."
1000 Gold Galleons?
Bagman's lips twitched violently once again.
The Goblin have only just started their betting operations; where is he going to get 1,000 Gold Galleons?
"Uh... I was once an internationally renowned soccer star, and now I'm the director of the Department of Magical Games and Sports. How could I possibly run away with your money?"
Fred wavered, and George quickly clutched the money bag in his arms. "Mr. Bagman, people can be unpredictable. Why don't you introduce us to another bookmaker, and we can place our bets ourselves?"
Even famous novelists can be frauds, let alone a gambling addict.
Fred's eyes lit up with suspicion. "Yes, Mr. Bagman, why don't you tell us? We can give you a referral fee."
Bagman was speechless with emotion.
These two kids are too wary; it seems they can't be easily fooled.
He glanced around again. "Of course I have the ability, but I can't prove it to you right now."
"However..." he paused, his expression extremely serious, "But I can tell you another secret, a secret that will make you believe me."
The twins exchanged a glance. "What is it?"
Bagman lowered his voice, "Actually, I have a very powerful partner. They have plenty of funds and are the biggest bookmaker in this final."
Fred remained unmoved this time. "We don't know these inside stories. Are you expecting us to believe whatever you say?"
Bagman choked so badly he almost bit his tongue.
This isn't just hard to fool, it's impossible to fool even a little bit.
100 Gold Galleons isn't a lot, but it's not a small amount either.
Looks like I need to get down to some real substance.
He squinted and lowered his voice further, "Alright, kids, I can tell you who my partner is, but you have to promise me you'll keep it a secret first."
The twins nodded, somewhat skeptical.
Seeing that they agreed, Bagman pulled them to a corner.
"My partner is the 'Goblins Hall,' so that proves my strength, right?"
"Hmm—what's the Goblins Hall?"
Bagman had no choice but to patiently explain to them.
Since the Goblin Rebellion of 1612, the Goblins Brotherhood has split into two factions.
The moderates advocated for the use of non-violent means to fight for legitimate rights, while the radicals were vehemently opposed to the rule of wizards and the Ministry of Magic.
Although both sides later organized several rebellions, they had a fundamental difference: the status of the Goblin.
Wizards have long established themselves as the most powerful magical race through numerous wars, and even if moderates don't admit it verbally, they have to acknowledge it in their hearts.
The radicals, however, still cling to the wishful thinking that Goblin are far more powerful than wizards, and that the reason their rebellions are always completely suppressed is because the despicable wizards forbid them from using wands.
As time went by, the moderates' several peaceful protests yielded no results, while the radicals, who disdained associating with wizards, quietly formed a secret organization known as the Goblins Hall.
After the largest Goblin Rebellion in history, spearheaded in the 18th century by radical leader Ragtag Lala, wizards could no longer ignore their opinions.
In the 19th century, to prevent further rebellion, the Ministry of Magic made the difficult decision to allow the Goblin to take full control of Gringotts Wizarding Bank.
Thus, the Goblin's rebellion came to a temporary end, but the remaining Goblins Hall was not completely disbanded.
The Goblins Brotherhood reinstated them, and as a precaution, they secretly strengthened themselves.
After more than a century of development, the Goblins Hall now not only holds a massive amount of Gold Galleons, but is also a top power in the dark side of the Wizarding World.
Bagman's ability to partner with them is indeed quite impressive.
But then again, who knows if he made these things up?
Goblins Hall?
Sorry, I've never heard of it.
Bagman got a little annoyed by their stares. "What? You don't think I'm lying to you, do you?"
The twins nodded in unison without hesitation.
Bagman's facial muscles twitched wildly.
Kids these days are so suspicious! They won't even believe the truth.
"Sigh..." He sighed helplessly, "If you don't believe me, there's nothing I can do, but remember, don't tell anyone this secret."
After he finished speaking, he was about to turn and leave when the twins suddenly grabbed his strong arms.
"Mr. Bagman, we choose to believe you."
Vincent once told them, "The simplest way to tell if someone is telling the truth is to look for loopholes in their words."
The human brain has a limited capacity to process information, making it difficult to maintain logical coherence when fabricating lies.
Bagman spoke fluently just now, almost without pausing, and there were no loopholes in the whole story.
If he is indeed lying, then he must be a born liar.