The Terrifying Truth

The History of Magic was so boring that the students in the classroom were drowsy during class, and they only Rennervate after the bell rang.

In the time leading up to dinner, Albert prepared to write back to the others. One advantage of maintaining correspondence with that group of famous wizards was that experience was gained exceptionally quickly when discussing and researching a particular field, but the price to pay was the significant time and effort spent writing back.

After all, everyone here is a professional, and apart from simple greetings, most of the content in the letters consists of academic questions or opinions on a particular field.

To be honest, this kind of letter is much more sophisticated than writing an article for an academic journal, it's just that the content is a bit informal.

But nobody really cares about this issue; for them, being able to explain it clearly is enough.

Albert would often raise his doubts and novel viewpoints in his letters, and the recipient would be happy to help answer and discuss them if they knew the answers.

Albert ate alone in the Great Hall, while Fred and George went to the Quidditch player selection process, and Lee Jordan went to cheer them on and watch the selection process.

After dinner, Albert went back to the Gryffindor Common Room to put his bag back in the library before appearing in front of the Stone Beast at the entrance to the Headmaster's Office before 7 p. m.

"Honey Wine," Albert commanded the Stone Beast.

The Stone Beast suddenly came to life, jumped to the side, and revealed the gap hidden behind it.

Albert passed through the gap in the wall and stepped onto the spiral stone staircase. The monster blocked the gap again, and the stone staircase began to rise slowly, leading him to a wooden door with a brass knocker.

"Is this some kind of magical elevator?" Albert couldn't help but mutter, taking out his pocket watch, checking the time, and knocking on the wooden door of Dumbledore's office right on time.

The next moment, the office door opened.

"Good evening, Headmaster." Albert nodded slightly to Dumbledore.

"Come in, Mr. Anderson," Dumbledore a smile.

This was Albert's first time in the Headmaster's Office. It was a round room with photos of Hogwarts' past headmasters hanging on the walls, all of them pretending to be asleep.

Albert wasn't the only visitor to the office, which didn't really surprise him.

Hertok Dagworth arrived ahead of schedule.

"Hertok told me there's been a little misunderstanding between you," Dumbledore said to Albert. "He'd like to sit down and talk to you calmly. You don't mind, do you?"

"Yes, it's a small misunderstanding," Albert and said. "I also hope this matter can be resolved smoothly."

"That's wonderful," Dumbledore said cheerfully. "Would you like something to drink?"

"No, no need. After all, he is Potions Master." Albert's tone was very calm, but Dumbledore couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, clearly understanding the implication in Albert's words.

Hertok Dagworth is Potions Master.

Who knows if he might add something to the drink?

For example: Veritaserum.

"Oh, that's a real shame." Dumbledore glanced at the silent Hertok, not too optimistic about the outcome of the meeting.

The relationship between the two sides is no longer as unfriendly as Hertok described.

"I went to the Ministry of Magic two days ago," Hertok finally spoke. "I talked to them about this, but that short, fat, ugly woman just wouldn't admit it or apologize."

"I suddenly couldn't hear you," Dumbledore said, pretending he hadn't heard Hertok.

"That's a shame." Albert shrugged, but his expressionless face betrayed no regret in his words.

"One hundred, no, five hundred Galleon," Hertok stated his price. "I really can't do anything about the Ministry of Magic."

"Why don't you bribe them?" Albert asked curiously.

"I'd rather give this money to you than to that disgusting, ugly woman." Hertok's face showed disgust, clearly indicating his dislike for the woman he was referring to. "One thousand Galleon, give me back my Gold Membership Card."

"I see." Albert nodded. "Ten thousand Galleon, I'll return the card to you."

"Ten thousand Galleon? Are you crazy? This is blatant extortion." Hertok's face flushed red instantly, almost laughing in anger at Albert's words. He felt he had already been sincere enough.

"Yes, I am indeed blackmailing you right now," Albert admitted directly.

These words stung Hertok, and even Dumbledore raised an eyebrow; neither of them had expected Albert to admit it so readily.

"Mr. Anderson, what would it take for you to return the Gold Membership Card to Hertok?" Dumbledore interjected.

"It's very simple. Dagworth will resolve the trouble he caused, and the Director of the Misuse of Magic Office will personally write me an apology." Albert stated his conditions, then helplessly spread his hands towards Dumbledore, saying, "I don't think my request is excessive at all."

"That's it?" Dumbledore frowned. He had already noticed that Albert addressed Hertok by his surname, clearly indicating that he didn't like him at all.

"It has always been that all I need is for Dagworth to solve the trouble he caused me, and I will return the Gold Card to him without asking for Galleon or any reward." Albert countered, "That's fair, isn't it, Dumbledore?"

"That's certainly true." Dumbledore admitted that Albert's approach was flawless; he couldn't find any fault with it at all, because the other party's request was completely reasonable, which made it seem as if Hertok was deliberately causing trouble.

"Sometimes, being right doesn't solve the problem," Hertok said irritably.

"I know, that's why I'm not trying to reason with you. I'm threatening you." Albert made the threat sound as if he were telling someone what to eat for dinner.

"Mr. Anderson ..." Dumbledore knew that this was the only way things could go. Unless Hertok fulfilled his not-too-excessive request, he could forget about getting the Gold Membership Card back.

"I know what you mean, Professor Dumbledore. Unfortunately, I don't see a shred of sincerity in Dagworth." Albert's voice was calm, and it was precisely this calmness that made Hertok feel deeply uneasy. "In my opinion, face is something that is given to each other. Dagworth doesn't even give me face, so how can you expect me to give him face?"

Dumbledore very surprised. To be honest, he had a good impression of Albert, but he never expected that the young boy in front of him would have such a tough side.

"I already told you, I've gone to the Head of the Misuse of Magic Office, but she doesn't agree, and there's nothing I can do." Hertok gradually calmed down.

"Then we'll use a special method," Albert said.

"A special way?" Hertok repeated.

"If the Director of the Misuse of Magic Office still refuses to apologize for the mistake, then let the new Director apologize," Albert said calmly. "You can publish an apology article in the Daily Prophet, putting all the blame on the Director of the Misuse of Magic Office. After all, this whole thing is the Ministry of Magic's fault, and also the Director of the Misuse of Magic Office's fault. If you don't know how to handle this, I can recommend a reporter to you; she's very good at this kind of thing, as long as you're willing to pay a little Galleon as a fee."

Not only did Hertok's eyes widen, but even Dumbledore looked at Albert in surprise.

"Don't look at me like that, I'm just stating the facts," Albert shrugged. "Of course, I don't want Ministry of Ministry of Magic personnel showing up near my house afterwards. To be honest, I've never doubted the way those people at the Ministry of Magic operate."

Hertok suddenly felt a chill run through his body.

The boy in front of her was simply stating the facts, but the calm tone with which he spoke made Hertok feel terrible.

He even felt that if he used a hardline approach, the other party might have already figured out how to deal with him.

Just as he said, that's the truth.

A terrible fact.

"I know what to do." Hertok was silent for a long time before nodding and saying, "Although I can't understand why you wanted that damned apology letter, I think you'll soon receive a handwritten apology from the Director of the Misuse of Magic Office Ministry of Magic."

"You want to know why I want it?" Albert squinted at Hertok, then turned to look at Dumbledore.

The latter seemed quite interested.

Hertok nodded as well.

"This wasn't my fault, so why should I have to endure that outcome? Why should I have to pay the price for the Ministry of Magic's mistakes?" Albert retorted.

Hertok opened his mouth, but didn't say anything.

"If you've made a mistake, just apologize to me obediently. That's the cheapest and most peaceful way to resolve things." Albert curled his lips in contempt. "My family has always told me that when others are unwilling to resolve issues peacefully, there's no need to be polite. Just go up and punch them until they're willing to resolve things peacefully on their own."

Both Dumbledore and Hertok froze.

Of course, they didn't think there was anything wrong with Albert's Home; after all, he was willing to resolve the issue peacefully first.

However, this happening to Hertok was incredibly frustrating for him. He realized he was the unlucky guy who had gotten punched in the face.

"Why don't you want Galleon? A thousand Galleon is a lot of money for anyone." After feeling relieved, Hertok stopped in his hurry to leave and sat down to have a friendly conversation with Albert.

Just like Albert said, if you give me face, I will give you face in return.

"Knowledge is the greatest wealth of mankind," Albert said without hesitation.

Hertok paused for a moment, but then heard the other person continue, "This means that knowledge is equal to wealth. As long as you have enough knowledge and find the right way, you can quickly turn it into wealth."

Hertok was speechless. Although he felt the argument was far-fetched, he knew he had been convinced.

Albert was an expert in Runes, which meant that his words were actually a reflection of his self-confidence.

"Now I understand why Brood thinks highly of you. His judgment of people is truly beyond my reach." Hertok said with admiration, and reached out to Albert, "I will resolve this matter soon. If you are interested in Potions or have any questions, you can write to me."

"If I had, I would write to you, Mr. Dagworth," Albert nodded.

"If you don't like the Ministry of Magic, you can handle it yourself. I believe that with your talent, you can become Minister of Magic within thirty years at the latest." Before leaving, Hertok suddenly turned back and said, "Brood's circle is wider than you think."

"I'm not interested in those things."

"That's a real shame!" Hertok disappeared into the fireplace.

"It seems this matter has been perfectly resolved." Dumbledore looked at Albert with a smile. "I think Filius will be very disappointed that you didn't go to Ravenclaw."

"Apart from Slytherin, all the other houses are suitable for me," Albert said, then turned and left.