Begging for a Beating

"What's wrong with him?"

"Looks like he fell down the stairs."

"Did someone push him?"

"He probably missed a step and fell on his own."

"What terrible luck."

"He totally deserved it."

"Guess he's done too many bad things and someone finally got revenge."

Whispers rose all around, but not a single student was willing to offer Malfoy a helping hand. They simply watched his miserable state with gleeful satisfaction.

Draco Malfoy scrambled up from the stairs, his face filled with undisguised confusion and pain. He could not understand how he had forgotten to skip the trick step, only to step into it and fall. His right leg seemed to be sprained, and the pain nearly brought tears to his eyes.

While everyone around him was focused on Malfoy's misfortune, Albert merely glanced at him before quietly turning and leaving.

That was right—Malfoy's fall down the stairs did have something to do with Albert.

Just moments ago, Albert had secretly erased a small portion of Malfoy's memories and casually cast a Confundus Charm on him to distract him.

The Confundus Charm had worked well. Malfoy had even taken a tumble because of it.

Albert truly felt no pressure about causing Malfoy a little trouble. He would stake his reputation on the fact that the Ministry of Magic's sudden change to the appeal date had something to do with Old Malfoy.

Albert was not surprised. His impression of the Ministry of Magic had always been terrible; they had not just started doing things like this yesterday.

Fortunately, Albert had made preparations weeks in advance. Otherwise, the sudden twist might really have caught him off guard.

Though people always said plans could not keep up with changes, someone who was prepared would never fear any challenge, regardless of time or place.

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