"Really, it's rare for you to have the time to come here in person."
The figure sheltering beneath a tree with an umbrella abruptly raised his head toward the source of the noise, smiling as he lifted a hand to greet the familiar figure who came into view.
"Found them?"
Kingsley approached beneath a Black Umbrella, followed by two rain-soaked Aurors.
"They're hiding in that abandoned house."
Albert nodded toward the ruins. "Godwin Robards just led his men inside. Unless they're exceptionally unlucky, they'll definitely catch your targets."
"Sorry to trouble you with a trip in this weather. You have my thanks."
Kingsley turned to stare at the ruins. There did not seem to be much commotion, but Red Sparks soon blossomed through the curtain of rain, signaling that the operation had succeeded.
"We're both getting what we need," Albert said.
Kingsley raised his eyebrows slightly at that. He felt he should not be using a favor owed to him to have Albert help find someone.
"If you've changed your mind, you can pay me instead. I'll give you a twenty-percent discount for the first time—only eight hundred Galleons." As though he had seen through Kingsley's thoughts, Albert smiled. "It's not expensive. You'll get your money's worth."
"Not expensive?"
The corners of the two rain-soaked fools' mouths twitched.
Eight hundred Galleons for a single Divination wasn't expensive?
Even robbery did not bring in money that quickly.
"I'll owe you a favor."
In the end, Kingsley still did not intend to pay the Galleons directly.
It was not that he thought it was too expensive.
Well, Kingsley really could not afford it. The cash-strapped Ministry of Magic had rejected the proposal to spend a large sum hiring Albert to find people.
After all, he was only the temporary Minister. There were